Family Group Sheet
NamePeter Bruce Easterling
Birthabt 1879, Morgan Co., Kentucky
FatherRichard Easterling (~1834-)
MotherMargaret Watson (~1836-)
Notes for Peter Bruce Easterling
Probably the same person as Henry Garfield Easterling. A son Peter Bruce age 1 appears with Richard and Margaret in the 1880 census, but in no later records. A son Henry G. with birthdate given as May 1879 appears in the 1900 census, but in no earlier records.
The most likely explanation is that his parents decided to change his name while he was still a toddler. This was not uncommon in the days when there were few formal records.
Other possibilities, though, are that Peter Bruce died young, and the age given for Henry in later records was off by two years (the 1880 census was taken in June), or that Peter and Henry were twins, and for some reason Henry was missed in the 1880 census. (Margaret may have been ill enough to send some of her younger children to board out; note that their daughter Catherine age 6 was living with Richard’s cousins in 1880. A child who was sometimes with one relative and sometimes with another may not have been counted in any of the temporary residences.)
The most likely explanation is that his parents decided to change his name while he was still a toddler. This was not uncommon in the days when there were few formal records.
Other possibilities, though, are that Peter Bruce died young, and the age given for Henry in later records was off by two years (the 1880 census was taken in June), or that Peter and Henry were twins, and for some reason Henry was missed in the 1880 census. (Margaret may have been ill enough to send some of her younger children to board out; note that their daughter Catherine age 6 was living with Richard’s cousins in 1880. A child who was sometimes with one relative and sometimes with another may not have been counted in any of the temporary residences.)
