Which Mrs. Cecil Wetzel Is It?

Genealogists lament women being named as “Mrs. Husbandfirst Husbandlast” in records without their first name being used. Complaining about newspaper practices from 100 years ago will not change how those items appear in the original newspaper. Researchers simply need to work around the challenges.

One problem with these references is that the genealogist needs to make certain to which Mrs. the reference is being made. Cecil Wetzel of Hancock County, Illinois, had two wives. The second was my aunt. The first was an individual to whom I am not related. I need to keep their marriage date in mind when searching for newspapers so I know to which woman “Mrs. Cecil Wetzel” is referring.

Don’t assume that “Mrs. Hisname Hisothername” is always referencing the same woman. It may not be.

Check out the scanner I purchased for my slides and negatives.