What Happened to Theodocia? Part 4

If you have not read Parts 1 through 3, this will not make any sense. Heck, it might not make sense even if you have read them.

Theodocia Lanier does not show up anywhere in the 1910 census, so finding her parents and trying to trace her from there seems like the only way to find her. So far, that has not worked either. We know that the only Theodocia Smith found in the 1880 census in Alabama who could be my Theodocia cannot be her. We also know that George Smith, the apparent signer of the marriage bond for T. J. and Theodocia, had a daughter named Leila who married a Lenier/Lanier, had a child, and was no longer with her husband by 1910. Even though that matches the scenario for T. J. and Theodocia, there is the pesky problem of the different name.

We also know that George Smith and his wife had two children who were not living with them in 1900. One was Leila but there is potentially one other daughter who could be Theodocia. One of George and Annie’s children died between 1900 and 1910. That child may or may not be the unidentified child.

The index for Alabama Deaths 1908 – 1974 at Family Search identifies Rosie Anne Miptans who died on 9 Nov 1914 in St. Clair County as the daughter of George and Annie E. Smith. She was born about 1872 in Blount County, Alabama, which is where George’s family lived. That makes Rosie Ann the previously unidentified child, but not the one who died between 1900 and 1910.

George Smith still seems like the best lead. He’s really the only lead at this point. George must have had some kind of relationship with either T. J. or Theodocia. Why else would he have signed their marriage bond? Since he shares a surname with Theodocia, it is most likely the relationship would have been with her.

Researching George’s family, particularly his brothers, is on the agenda. George was the son of Elliott and Margaret Smith and was probably born in Blount County, Alabama, which borders St. Clair County. Elliott and Margaret had several sons so, if Theodocia wasn’t George’s daughter, maybe she was his niece.

I’ll keep looking.