Ancestry Magazine

How can one daughter’s birth certificate send you in so many directions? See for yourself.

1. More Kids
“Triplet” and “or other” are crossed out, but “Twin” isn’t. An Arizona birth index check http://genealogy.az.gov shows Charles Emmett Edwards born the same date to the same parents.

2. Where They Hung Their Hat
Elizabeth was born in 1915, but where were her parents in 1910? Check the 1910 U.S. Federal Census and you’ll find Andrew and Carrie in Lochiel , Arizona, but with no children. Jump ahead five years to 1920 to find the parents in Santa Cruz County with the twins and oldest child, A. Homer Edwards, Jr., born in Arizona, and Nina F., age seven, born in Wyoming.

3. One Mom or Two
Elizabeth is listed as child number three; twin Charles’s birth certificate shows him as number four. Searching the Arizona birth index at http://genealogy.az.gov shows Homer A. Edwards, Jr., born 7 December 1910, but with a different mom—Miss Rodgers. Area church christening records may uncover more information.

4. What’s in Carrie’s Name?
Is Hampton Carrie’s maiden name? Could Cook be her name from a former marriage? Search for Carrie’s birth certificate in the Arizona birth index at http://genealogy.az.gov to see if you can find out for sure.

5. Moving Forward
Use birthplaces of parents and children as clues to former residences. Check Red Book, published by Ancestry, to learn more about Arizona and Wyoming research. Check for genealogical societies and publications associated with all localities via www.familyhistory.com/societyhall/main.asp or www.fgs.org.