Sarah Jane Nix is born in 1872 in Lyndon, Cattaraugas County, New York State, USA [1]. This is about 80 kilometres south of Buffalo. She is the daughter of Joseph Nix (1829-1906) and Elizabeth C. Smart (1839-1882). Her father had emigrated from England to the United States in 1852; her mother was born in New York State.
Sarah Jane can be found in the 1875 state census records at the age of four living with her family on the farm in Lyndon [1]. And she is there in the federal census records of 1880 at the age of eight [2].
At some point Sarah Jane marries Robert Thomas McGill and they have at least one child and possibly two:
• Elva Pearl McGill 1894-1957 + Herman Utegg 1884-1949
The second (possible) child is Fred H. Diltz (1896-1952). What follows is speculative. Fred H. Diltz is born in March 1896. Sarah Jane dies in April 1896 at the age of 24 [3]. The first record of Fred is the 1900 census where he shows up at the age of four, living with the family of William H. Diltz and Eliz Ann Diltz (Eliza Ann Nix). Eliza Ann is Sarah Jane’s sister. The census record shows him as an adopted son. We know from the military records of Fred, that he was born on March 8, 1896, in Lyndon, New York. William and Eliza Ann Diltz live in Franklinville which is 10 kilometres down the road from Lyndon. Further, up until just prior to the 1900 census, Eliza Ann’s father was a farmer in Lyndon. So, it is quite probable that when William and Eliza Ann Diltz adopted Fred, they adopted a baby born locally and quite likely a baby born to someone they knew. The Diltz family also takes in Elva Pearl McGill at some point after Sarah Jane dies. The final “proof” of the argument being made here is that in the 1905 New York state census records, Fred is still living with the Diltz family in Franklinville and the census record shows him to be a “nephew” of William and Eliza Ann. Fred Diltz is, in fact, a biological nephew to Eliza Ann because his mother was Sarah Jane Nix. And Sarah Jane, who died on April 1, 1896, likely died because of the birth of Fred on March 8th. The Diltz family took in both of Sarah Jane’s children.
[1] "New York State Census, 1875," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNV2-PF2 : accessed 5 December 2015), Elizabeth C Nix in household of Joseph Nix, Lyndon, Cattaraugus, New York, United States; citing p. 6, line 2, State Library, Albany; FHL microfilm 584,491. The record shows Joseph Nix (46) and his wife, Elizabeth C. (36) living in Lyndon, Cattaraugus County, New York State, USA. They have 5 children: Eliza A. (15) , John B. (13), Alice O. (11), George (7) & Sarah J. (4). The record shows that Joseph was born in England and that he is a farmer. Elizabeth C. and the first 3 children were born in Monroe County. The last 2 children were born in Cattaraugus County. The record shows that Joseph is a voter and under the 2 categories for this “native” (as opposed to “naturalized”) has a tick mark. It also shows that he “owns the land.” While the writing is not clear it appears that the dwelling is “log.”
[2] "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZZ3-VYW : accessed 3 December 2015), Joseph Nix, Lyndon, Cattaraugus, New York, United States; citing enumeration district 19, sheet 303D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0812; FHL microfilm 1,254,812. The record shows Joseph Nix (50) living in Lyndon, Cattaraughus County, New York State, USA. Joseph was born in England in 1830 and he is a farmer. His wife, Elizabell (40) was born in New York State; her parents were born in England. The couple have 4 children, all born in New York State: John B. (17), Alice (15), George (10) & Sarrah J. (8).
[3] Death Records for the Town of Lyndon, Cattaraugus County, N.Y 1814 – 1939, Compiled by Jerry Babcock from Town of Lyndon Vital Records, Submitted by PHGS member, Jerry Babcock. These records show a Sarah Jane McGill, daughter of Joseph & Elizabeth Nix, buried (?or died) on April 1, 1896 at the age of 24.
This biography was prepared by Fred Nix in 2016. The current, revised biography was prepared in September 2023. Fred and Sarah Jane are first cousins, three times removed.
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