The Shemwell Family

Reuben M Smith Jr Birth Date Curently, Reuben's birth date is estimated as 1873 as per his transcribed Marriage Record; however, he was not listed in the 1880 Census with his parents. This is very unusual as a young child, presumably just 7 years old, should be listed in the 1880 Census with his parents. It is important to note that while the transcribed Marriage Record estimates his birth year as 1873, the ACTUAL Marriage Record image does NOT show a birth date at all. It is not clear how an estimated birth date was determined when it is not found on the actual Marriage Record image. The only Birth Record that we have found for a young Smith is one from May 25, 1880 which provides no name for the Infant. Without further records, it is reasonable to assume that the Birth Record could be for Reuben since there is no supporting evidence of his 1873 date. It is consistent that he could have been born in 1880 and later married in 1899 when he was 19 years old. The only anomaly with the 1880 Census is that is reportedly taken on June 24, 1880. Referring to the Birth Record's date of May 25, 1880, it would seem that the young infant (aka Reuben) should have been listed. It is not clear why he wasn't. Perhaps he was sick and at a hospital or the Census taker did not record him; however, this is just conjecture pending more data.