Use of Uncertain Spouse Research Box

Question

I have added an Uncertain Spouse research box to the profile of Poynter-704, however, I'm not sure I have used it correctly.

I've left research notes on the box indicating that their may be an earlier wife, Margaret Mossburg. I haven't added a profile for her, because I'm not 100% sure about this. I AM sure that Charles was married to Anna Mae Wilson. Now I'm wondering if the 'uncertain spouse' box is confusing people into thinking I am not sure about his marriage to Anna Wilson.

Should I remove the box or leave it as is? Should I create a profile for Margaret Mossburg linking her as a wife, even though I am not sure?

Comments

To address her age... In the 1870 & 1880 census, Margaret is said to be born in 1867. This might explain the age discrepancy. I think she lied about her age.

 '''1870 Census''': "1870 United States Federal Census"<br/>Year: 1870; Census Place: Liberty, Washington, Ohio; Roll: M593_1278; Page: 221B<br/>{{Ancestry Sharing|3358171|7b22746f6b656e223a22416f32654571506d583279524f6644654b5a56662f42465933696d4f42592f79654a715a4c486e786a70673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d}} - {{Ancestry Record|7163|37248755}} (accessed 27 April 2023)<br/>Margaret F Mossburg (3), At Home, in Liberty, Washington, Ohio. Born in Ohio.

 '''1880 Census''': "1880 United States Federal Census"<br/>Year: 1880; Census Place: Mckim, Pleasants, West Virginia; Roll: 1411; Page: 127C; Enumeration District: 176<br/>{{Ancestry Sharing|3358184|7b22746f6b656e223a226c2b374443496258496f61657a2f62346a374435627257595854357168794236344d556a6c4d683471644d3d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d}} - {{Ancestry Record|6742|14941576}} (accessed 27 April 2023)<br/>M F Mossburgh (13), single daughter, At Home, in household of William Mossburgh (40) in Mckim, Pleasants, West Virginia, USA. Born in Ohio.

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Thank you! I also felt she probably lied about her age! Interestingly, I just noticed that Charles sister married a Mossburg. I hadn't done any research on his siblings yet. I'm feeling it is very likely that Charles was married twice. I am going to create a profile for Margaret and add her as the spouse, leaving the 'uncertain' box.

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I also ran across his obit and added it. See clipping.

Answer 1

The template directions say to use this when "...a connected spouse is highly uncertain."

In this situation, I would say that the template should be removed because the connected spouse, Anna, is not in question.

Comments

You have better reading skills than I do. I missed the 'connected' part! I'll remove the box.

Thanks!