The Shemwell Family

James Henry McGehee and his Parents (Ransom and ??) CONCLUSION: I have reviewed the family records of Ransom McGehee and did an exhaustive search for others. I believe that after Lucinda Woodrell (1st wife) died in 1868, Ransom fathered James Henry McGehee in 1869 with an unnamed spouse until he married Mary Ellen Etheridge in 1870. DETAILS: James Henry McGehee was born on November 17, 1869 in Conway, Arkansas. James Henry McGehee's father was Ransom B McGehee; but, exhaustive searching has not revealed his mother. Ransom and his first wife, Lucinda Woodrell, were married on Oct 17,1866. She died on April 12, 1868. Ransom and his second wife, Mary Ellen Etheridge, were married on Dec 5, 1870. Records support their children were Daniel Martin McGehee (1873-1934), Sarah Elizabeth McGehee (1879-1960), Autie Beulah McGehee (1880-1952), and Robert Augustus McGehee (1993-1918). It would seem reasonable to expect Ransom and Mary would have married in early 1869 if James was her son. Ransom is listed in the (August 18) 1870 Census as a Single, Domestic Servant living in the household of "Andy Sheumate". It is interesting to note that there is listed a "James H Sheumate" who is a 1 year old male in that household. The other children in the family are 7, 9, 10, 12, and 18 years old. It seems odd that there is a 6 year gap between James H and the next youngest child. It seems probably that "James H Sheumate" could actually be "James Henry McGehee" when viewed in the context of Ransom's marriages and Lucinda's death.

Sarah Elizabeth McGehee - Birth Date Discrepancies Conclusion: Based on a review of all the records that show Sarah's birth date, I believe the correct date is October 6, 1882. There are several records that list her birth date which seems to range from 1879 to 1883. Data Summary: The Census and marriage records suggest that Sarah was born sometime between 1880 and 1883. It is important to note that if Sarah was born in 1879, then she would have been listed in the 1880 Census along with her siblings; but, she was not listed in that document. This suggests that she was born after the June 15, 1880 Census date. The Delayed Birth Certificate was not created on or near the time that Sarah was born. The nature of a "Delayed Birth Certificate" is that it is created after the actual birth. If the document would have been created within a reasonable time afterwards, then it would be a very credible and an absolute source. However, the document itself was signed by her brother (James McGehee) on May 29, 1946. Note that the signature date is ~66 years after she was born. It is not clear that a document signed ~66 years after the fact is credible. This is the only document that suggests a 1879 birth year. Her sister's (Autie Beulah McGeHee) tombstone photo shows that Autie was born on April 15, 1880. It would not have been physically possible for Sarah to have been born in October 1879. Data Details: Delayed Birth Certificate: This document was written sometime after her birth. It was signed on May 29, 1946 by her brother James Henry McGehee. Note that the signature date is ~66 years after she was born. There are no other birth documents supporting a 1879 birth year. Find A Grave Tombstone: Sarah's tombstone photo shows that she was born in 1880 and died in 1960. Death Certificate: This document states that Sarah was born on Oct 6, 1882 and died on June 10, 1960. 1880 Census: Sarah is NOT listed in the Census record for her father's (Ransom McGehee) family. 1900 Census: This document lists her birth date as October 1882. 1910 Census: This document lists her birth date as 1880. 1920 Census: This document lists her birth date as 1883. 1930 Census: This document lists her birth date as 1883. Marriage Record: This document shows that she married G M Carter on June 22, 1905. The document estimates her birth year as 1882.