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Need some help figuring something out...?

Ok, so while I was doing research I came across the 1910 census with a person named "Sylvanus Harris" that was born in 1855, it listed a wife, Olive, and a brother Herbert. Before in the 1900 census, there was Slyvanus, born 1823, Alma born in 1830, and "Bert" aka Herbert born in the 1840s I believe. However, in the 1860 and 1870 censuses there is no child named after the father, and the only one born in 1855 was named "Jay" on the 1860 census and something that looked like a "V" after Jay on the 1870 census. Could Jay and Sylvanus be the same person, like Jay meaning the "J" in jr./junior? Or do you think this kid was left off or something?


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: He might be the same person and he might not. About 5% - 10% of the people I find have different names on different censuses; William Joseph Smith is Billy Joe or Joseph William or plain Joseph or plain William. Switching first and middle names is the most common tactic my ancestors used to throw me off the track. Nicknames are the second-most common problem, especially if the parents saddled the kid with a name he doesn't like. As soon as Marmaduke moves out, he becomes Duke or Mike.

Some people vanish, too. 1910 is the worst for me, but your results may vary.

All of the possibilities you listed are indeed plausible. This doesn't help you determine who was who, but at least you know you are not alone.