Too many depression era, unmarked graves on our family plot. Six little ones , who barely took a breath in this world. If at all. No church record or cradle roll. No birth certificate , no written to say they existed. Just a couple names remembered, by the younger siblings. My Aunt who passed away in '96, knew the names of the babies and when they died. She knew who was buried in each unmarked grave. Because all of the children were born at home there is no record. But there is one death record.
My Aunt Katie was the second oldest of the 5 who made it to adulthood and possibly the 3rd or 4th or even 5th child born to my grandparents. Esther Mae was born before Katie. On September 23, 1923 Esther Mae was born . She lived 8 hours. How do I know this? The country Drs office journal was given to the state's (WV) historical society, no we are not from WV. Esther Mae's death was recorded in the journal. She was buried on 9/24.
The biggest Mystery is how did she die in WV when she was born in Miller Ohio? Most of the bridges that connect the two states was not built yet. Did they take a ferry or rowboat across the river? And think about the cars available in 1923. None of the cars were fast so if they drove the journey must have took hours. The record list cause of death as asthma.
Where did they cross the river? The biggest mystery according to the journal is she was buried in Middleport not in Miller. So is it only 5 infants buried in the family plot? Did they have 13 children?
Since only the youngest 3 children are alive these questions might remain unanswered.
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