The Illinois death index lists Aaron Royse, age 83, born Feb 1855 in Owensville, Ky, died 3 Mar 1941 in district 1, Menard Co., Illinois, farmer, widowed, father Samuel Royse, mother’s maiden name Roberta Bailey, late wife Mary, length of residence at place of death 21 years.

The reported date and place of birth are probably incorrect. He was recorded in the 1860 census of Fleming Co. as age 2, and the ages for other children in the family whose births were registered are accurate. He was also listed in the 1870 census as age 12.

The Illinois death index lists Mary Adaline Royce, age 74, born 18 Sep 1854 in Bath Co., Kentucky, died 8 May 1929 in district 10, Menard Co., Illinois, married, wife of A. J. Royce, father Harry Riddle, mother’s maiden name Liddie Boyd, both born in Ky, burial in Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sweetwater, Menard Co., Illinois.

1900 census of Bath Co., Ky, Sharpsburg precinct, enumerated 9 June, lists on p. 6A as family #93:
Royse, Aaron, 42, b. Feb 1858; farmer; Mary, wife, 44, b. Sep 1855, married 18 years, mother of 10 children, 10 living; Lora B., dau, 16, b. Jan 1884; John A., son, 15, b. Feb 1885; Lydia, dau, 14, b. Apr 1886; Roberty, dau, 12, b. Aug 1887; Nannie, dau, 10, b. Oct 1888; Sarah J., dau, 9, b. June 1890; Elbert, son, 8, b. Feb 1892; Mittie, dau, 6, b. Mar 1894; William F., son, 5, b. July 1895; Mary E., dau, 2, b. Sep 1897. Goodpaster, Dick, stepson, 23, b. Feb 1877, single, day laborer; Georgea A., stepdau, 21, b. Mar 1879. All born Ky Ky Ky.

There are twelve living children of Mary’s listed in this household, 10 by Aaron and two by Noah Goodpaster. They must have interpreted the question to mean the number of Aaron’s children. This means the child count gives no information as to whether Mary’s first son James L. Goodpaster, who would be 25, is living elsewhere or is deceased.

1910 census of Bath Co., Ky, Sharpsburg precinct, enumerated 2 May, lists on p. 10A as family #186:
Royce, Jeremia, 52, farmer, first marriage, married 28 years; Mary, wife, 56, second marriage, married 28 years, mother of 16 children, 12 living; Goodpaster, Georgia, stepdau, 31, single; Nannie, dau, 21; Sarah J., dau, 19; Elbert, son, 18; Mittie, dau, 16; Mary E., dau, 10; William, son, 14. All born Ky Ky Ky.

1920 census of Menard Co., Illinois, Sugar Grove precinct, enumerated 2 Jan, lists on p. 1A as family #10:
Royce, Aaron, 61, farm laborer; Mary, wife, 65; William, son, 24, single; Etta, dau, 21, single. Turner, Georgia, stepdau, 41, married. Beulah, grandson (but F), 3 4/12, b. Missouri Ky Ky. All others born Ky Ky Ky.

1930 census of Menard Co., Illinois, Sugar Grove precinct, enumerated 29 April, lists on p. 5A as family #96/98:
Royce, Aaorn J. 72, widowed, no occupation; Mary E., dau, 31, single, no occupation. Both born Ky Ky Ky.

1940 census of Menard Co., Illinois, Sugar Grove precinct, enumerated 22 April, lists on p. 6A as family #119:
Royce, Arron J., 82, widowed, b. Ky; Etta, dau, 41, single, b. Ky. Both living in same house in 1935.