Gertrude Simmons parents in Arkansas??

Question

Im trying to figure out who my grandmas parents were? I know she was born in Arkansas in either 1937 or 1938. I dont know what city she was born in but I believe somewhere in Jackson county. On ancestry I found a Gertrude born to CS Simmons and Alice Simmons (1940 Census), they lived in Crittenden county. I strongly feel they are the parents but nothing official yet. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

The records below are in the correct location for an Alice Williams and ? Solomon Simmons.  Maybe you might recognize some of the siblings names as great aunts/uncles from the earlier census data?

US Census, 1940 Jackson Township, Crittenden, AR

C S Simmons  Head M 25 Arkansas

Alice Simmons  Wife F 24 Arkansas

James A Simmons  Son M 6 Arkansas

Vera Jean Simmons  Daughter F 4 Arkansas

Christine Simmons  Daughter F 2 Arkansas

Gertrude Simmons  Daughter F 0 Arkansas

 

Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957

IMAGE SOURCE: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11005-103880-23?cc=1417439

Citing this Record: "Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NMDB-ZZW ), C S Simmons and Alice Williams, 11 Apr 1934; citing , Crittenden, Arkansas, United States; FHL microfilm 2110017.

Name: C S Simmons

Marriage  11 Apr 1934  Crittenden, AR

Residence Place: Waverly, Arkansas

Spouse: Alice Williams

Residence Place: Waverly, Arkansas

 

U S Census, 1930 Proctor, Crittenden, AR

Citing this Record: "United States Census, 1930," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XM2T-C8N), Alice Williams in household of Louise Williams, Proctor, Crittenden, Arkansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0022, sheet 10A, family 271, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 71.

Louise Williams  Head F 33 Mississippi

Alice Williams  Dau F 14 Arkansas

Mary Bell Williams  Dau F 12 Arkansas

Louise Williams  Dau F 10 Arkansas

Floyd Williams  Son M 2 Tennessee

Mary Williams  Mother F 50 Mississippi

 

US Census 1920, Lucas, Crittenden, AR

Citing this Record: "United States Census, 1920," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MDNX-LG8), Alice Williams in household of Joe Williams, Lucas, Crittenden, Arkansas, United States; citing sheet 13B, family 237, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1820060.

Joe Williams  Head M 34 Arkansas

Louise Williams  Wife F 24 Mississippi

Alice Williams  Daughter F 3 Arkansas

Mary Williams  Daughter F 2 Arkansas

 

This one’s a long shot, could CS be Charlie Solomon, after his father Charles?

U S Census, 1930 Jasper, Crittenden, AR

Citing this Record: "United States Census, 1930," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XM2R-YT7), Solomon Simmons in household of Charley Simmons, Jasper, Crittenden, Arkansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0012, sheet 16A, family 263, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 71.

Charley Simmons  Head M 55 Mississippi

Gertrude N Simmons  Wife F 40 Georgia

Solomon Simmons  Son M 15 Arkansas

Cathrine Simmons  Daughter F 13 Arkansas

 

U S Census, 1920 Jasper, Crittenden, AR

Citing this Record: "United States Census, 1920," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MDNX-Y6B ), Salmon Simmons in household of Charlie Simmons, Jackson, Crittenden, Arkansas, United States; citing sheet 11B, family 247, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1820060.

Charlie Simmons  Head M 46 Mississippi

Gertrud Simmons  Wife F 28 Georgia

Henry Simmons  Son M 9 Arkansas

Mary Lue Simmons  Daughter F 7 Arkansas

Alevie Simmons  Daughter F 6 Arkansas

Salmon Simmons  Son M 5 Arkansas

Surline Simmons  Daughter F 3 Arkansas

Comments

Wow you are a true genealogist, ive been trying to crack the code of CS and it looks like you nailed it! Im going to look into the information and links you sent me. The 1920 Census and the 1940 Census links up well, CS is 25 in 1940 and 5 in 1920, and 15 in 1930. All Ages seem to match, a thousands thank yous, and kudos Is owed to you. Thanks Chris!

Answer 2

I looked at that census record and there are some clues that might help you figure this out.  First the Gertrude Simmons shown there was 2/12, or two months old on April 22, 1940.  That would make her born in Feb, 1940 (though maybe near the end of Jan).  There are a lot of errors in census records, but I don't think it's likely they'd record a two or three year old as two months old.  Is it possible you have her birth year wrong?

Her siblings shown there are James A, Vera Jean, and Christine.  I assume Gertrude was your father's mother, since Simmons is also your name.  He would have had aunts and an uncle with those names.

Also, are you sure her name at birth was Simmons?  Since that's your name she would have had to somehow pass her maiden name on to her son (your father).  Not impossible, but more likely Gertrude Simmons was her married name and she had a different name at birth.  What would help with that is to search your grandfather's name and see if you can find a marriage record.  That record would give Gertrude's last name at birth, unless she was previously married.  Even then, it would usually include her father's name, so you'd know the last name from his.

Comments

Wow im very impressed with your research and detail. Ive looked at that Census at least 30 times trying to connect the dots. I looked up all the family on the census and still nothing concrete. I did notice the error on Gertrudes year of age. On Archives it says she is 0, on Ancestry 2 and a half. Gertrude was my moms mom, she had her in Springfield Massachusetts in 1976. We both seem to share the same thoughts on the surname, I feel maybe it was different at birth. I ordered my moms death certificate and my grandmas name said Gertrude Murry born in Arkansas (no city though). I know Gertrude married Melvin Murry hence the change in her last name. I researched both CS Simmons and Alice Simmons. Alice surname was Williams and CS had no information on him. Unfortunately my grandfather is a mystery, all along I thought Melvin Murry was my grand dad. I was shocked to find out my mom had a different father whom my grandmother didnt acknowledge. Melvin married my grandma when my mom was young and raised her to believe he was her father.Thanks so much for your response and input, it was greatly appreciated.