His death certificate records James Sweeney, age 62, birthdate blank, born in Ky, died 9 May 1928 in Bangor, Rowan Co., Ky, father Nute Sweeney, born in Menifee Co., Ky, mother fields blank, cause of death “he ware shot from ambush lived 5 hours and died from the wone”.

Menifee County was not formed until 1869, from parts of Bath, Montgomery, Morgan, Powell and Wolfe counties (mostly Bath and Wolfe), so James’ father cannot have been born there.

Her death certificate records Isabelle Sweeney, age 78 years 4 months 20 days, born 20 June 1868 in Kentucky, died 10 Nov 1946 in rural Morehead R#3, Rowan Co., Ky, widow of James Sweeney, father Wm Staton, mother’s maiden name Sallie Ann Frazier, both born in Ky, cause of death paralysis, informant Mrs. Jeff Brown, Morehead, Ky, R. 3, burial in family graveyard.

1900 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Pearce precinct, enumerated 5 June, lists on p. 3B as family #51:
Sweeny, Jas W., 40, b. Nov 1859, farmer; Isabell B., wife, 30, b. June 1869, married 12 years, mother of 4 children, 4 living; Laura, dau, 11, b. May 1889; Wm I., son, 8, b. Feb 1892; Sarah C., dau, 6, b. Mar 1894; James H., son, 1, b. June 1898.

Isabell was listed as age 2 in the 1870 census.

1910 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Farmers precinct, enumerated 23 April, lists on p. 5B as family #81/88:
Sweeney, James W., 50, farm owner; Isabelle, wife, 40, first marriage for both, married 22 years, mother of 9 children, 8 living; Laura Belle, dau, 21; William E., son, 18; Sarah C., dau, 15; Jim H., son, 12; Everett, son, 9; Rosie Alice, dau, 7; Pearlie M., dau, 5; Bethel, dau, 1 2/12. All born Ky Ky Ky.

1920 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Pearcy precinct, enumerated 23 Jan, lists on p. 7B as family #132/151:
Sweeney, James, 57, farmer; Isah B., wife, 46; Henry, son, 21; Everett, son, 18; Rosie, dau, 15; Pearl, dau, 14; Bethel, dau, 11. All born Ky Ky Ky.

In 1940 Isabell is listed with their daughter Laura and her husband Jeff Brown, as Isa Belle Sweeney, mother-in-law, 72, widowed.