Family Group Sheet
NameJames or John Plank
Unmarried
PartnerNancy Ann Burk
Birthabt 1834, Fleming Co., Kentucky
Children
Birth22 Jul 1855, Fleming Co., Kentucky
Birth Memofrom annual birth report
Birth12 Jan 1854, Fleming Co., Kentucky
Birth Memofrom her death certificate
Death21 Apr 1932, Grange City, Fleming Co., Kentucky
SpouseFranklin “Frank” Cooper
SpouseGeorge W. Cooper
Birth14 Feb 1862, Fleming Co., Kentucky
Death28 Apr 1941, Fleming Co., Kentucky
SpouseLucy A. Hamm
Birthabt 1864, Fleming Co., Kentucky
SpouseRosetta C. Ham
Birth18 Apr 1875, Fleming Co., Kentucky
Death26 Sep 1942, Bath Co., Kentucky
SpouseHiram G. White
Notes for James or John & Nancy Ann (Family)
Probably all of Nancy’s children were born out of wedlock. Amanda definitely was, from her birth record, and in the 1880 census Amanda, James and John were all listed with the surname Birk. But they were listed as Plank in the 1870 census, and those who survived to adulthood were using the name Plank by the time of their marriages.
Amanda’s death certificate gives her father’s name as James Plank. James William’s death certificate gives his father’s name as John Plank.
The only James Plank and John Plank that I can find of the appropriate generation in Fleming or Rowan counties were all married to other women through the late 1850’s and 1860’s. So most likely Nancy simply started using the surname of the father of her children. But it is possible that at some point she was married to a Plank. Further research into Fleming County marriage records is needed, but few of them are online.
Amanda’s death certificate gives her father’s name as James Plank. James William’s death certificate gives his father’s name as John Plank.
The only James Plank and John Plank that I can find of the appropriate generation in Fleming or Rowan counties were all married to other women through the late 1850’s and 1860’s. So most likely Nancy simply started using the surname of the father of her children. But it is possible that at some point she was married to a Plank. Further research into Fleming County marriage records is needed, but few of them are online.
Census
1860 census of Fleming Co., Ky, district 2, Flemingsburg P.O., enumerated 9 July, lists on p. 31 as family #203/255:
Abraham Birk, 83, gentleman; Mary, 54; Nancy A., 26; George W., 18; Amanda, 5; Mary F., 3. All born in Kentucky.
Amanda and Mary F. are daughters of Nancy. George’s death certificate records his parents as Abraham Burk and Mary Alinder.
1870 census of Fleming Co., Ky, Hillsboro precinct, enumerated 4 Aug, lists on p. 18 as family #118/115:
Berk, Mary, 65, farmer; Jamima, 10; Plank, Nancy, 36; Amanda, 14; Jas Wm, 8; John, 6; Julia, 3. All born in Kentucky.
1880 census of Fleming Co., Ky, Hillsboro precinct, enumerated 17 June, lists on p. 26 as family #224/226:
Plank, Nancy, 45; Birk, Amanda, 23 (relationship blank); Birk, James W., 17, son; Birk, John, 15, son; Louesia, 4, dau; Lurania, 4, dau; Ida, 6, granddaughter; Abigale, 3, granddaughter; baby no name, male, 1/12, b. Apr, granddaughter.
Ida, Abigail and the infant are children of Amanda. The infant is listed as male in the gender column, but as a granddaughter in the relationship column.
Note that the surname of Nancy’s children Amanda, James and John has gone from being Plank in 1870 to Birk (Nancy’s maiden name) in 1880, even though Nancy has kept the surname Plank. It is unclear what the surname of the younger children is meant to be. They have the dash that means ditto rather than an explicit surname, but it is ambiguous as to whether they are meant to inherit from the head of household (Nancy Plank), or from the last line that has a surname (John Birk).
Abraham Birk, 83, gentleman; Mary, 54; Nancy A., 26; George W., 18; Amanda, 5; Mary F., 3. All born in Kentucky.
Amanda and Mary F. are daughters of Nancy. George’s death certificate records his parents as Abraham Burk and Mary Alinder.
1870 census of Fleming Co., Ky, Hillsboro precinct, enumerated 4 Aug, lists on p. 18 as family #118/115:
Berk, Mary, 65, farmer; Jamima, 10; Plank, Nancy, 36; Amanda, 14; Jas Wm, 8; John, 6; Julia, 3. All born in Kentucky.
1880 census of Fleming Co., Ky, Hillsboro precinct, enumerated 17 June, lists on p. 26 as family #224/226:
Plank, Nancy, 45; Birk, Amanda, 23 (relationship blank); Birk, James W., 17, son; Birk, John, 15, son; Louesia, 4, dau; Lurania, 4, dau; Ida, 6, granddaughter; Abigale, 3, granddaughter; baby no name, male, 1/12, b. Apr, granddaughter.
Ida, Abigail and the infant are children of Amanda. The infant is listed as male in the gender column, but as a granddaughter in the relationship column.
Note that the surname of Nancy’s children Amanda, James and John has gone from being Plank in 1870 to Birk (Nancy’s maiden name) in 1880, even though Nancy has kept the surname Plank. It is unclear what the surname of the younger children is meant to be. They have the dash that means ditto rather than an explicit surname, but it is ambiguous as to whether they are meant to inherit from the head of household (Nancy Plank), or from the last line that has a surname (John Birk).
