James Higgins (abt. 1868)

Born about 1868 in Alabama, United States

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Laura Martin [send private message]

Biography

James was born about 1868.

Research Notes

I have not found a source for this person. Here is what I know. 1) The 1900 census for Dock and Mary Higgins indicates they were married in 1867. This same census indicates that Mary has given birth to eleven children and as of 1900, all eleven are still living. Children shown are Robert, Josiah, Linnie and Walter. Josiah, Linnie and Walter are young enough for this to be their first census. 2) The 1870 Census shows children Rosa and Babe. Babe is shown as two months old and female. 3) The 1880 census shows 6 children. They are Rosette, Willie, Robert, Bailey, Andrew and Henry. Rosette is the only girl. Willie is a boy but the birth date matches close enough to the 1870 census for a match.

James could be real but something is wrong. The 1868 birth date is not supported by census data. I am missing a couple children most probably from early 1880's birth dates. James could be one of the missing in census data.

In the 1910 census ^[1] Dock B. and Mary J. are the only persons listed in their household. Mary is reported to have had 11 children, 7 surviving as of 1910. This census also indicates that the marriage between Dock and Mary is her second marriage, so it is possible that not all 11 children are Dock's and therefore may not have the last name Higgins, which could account for the difficulty finding them. In addition this census shows a James Higgins, born in 1856 (12 years younger than Dock) which could indicate that James is not a son of Dock, but rather a younger brother. [Marble-991, research notes, 5-20-2021]

There are death records for Ida (Higgins) Steely 1886-1964^[2] and for Bailey E Higgins 1877-1935 ^[3] which list the parents as D.B. Higgins and Mary J Parker. This supports that Dock is the father of children born 1877 and later.

It appears that the birth date of James was estimated from the marriage date of Dock and Mary, but the possibility that he is a sibling rather than a child opens up his potential birth date to a much wider range.

A grave exists in the same area of Alabama as the 1910 census for James Marvin Higgins 1856 - 1923 ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ United States Census, 1910; https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RVW-6YW?cc=1727033&wc=QZZ7-B9D%3A133638801%2C138883201%2C133946901%2C1589088854
2. ↑ "Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JXR9-RGP : 11 January 2021), Mary Jane Parker in entry for Ida Higgins Steely, 1964.
3. ↑ "Iowa, Death Records, 1904-1951," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q24D-7ZMR : 8 November 2017), Mary J Parker in entry for Bailey E Higgins, 23 Sep 1935, Muscatine, Iowa, United States; citing certificate #70238, State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines; FamilySearch digital folder 101821055.
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 9 June 2021), memorial page for James Marvin Higgins (17 Nov 1856–1923), Find A Grave: Memorial #31160915, citing Wates Cemetery, Lauderdale County, Alabama, USA ; Maintained by William Haynes (contributor 46573252).