Possible Duplicate Census Records and Minnesota Death Certificates?

Question

Greetings!

I am gathering documentation on my most immediate family members BMD in the state of Minnesota. However when searching for some of these documents or case records, I am finding inconsistencies or things that make me wonder what the full story is. 

One specific quandary regards my 2GG John Marsyla (Marsyla-16) 1861-1907. On the 1900 U.S. Census and the and the 1905 Minnesota Census I can find him listed with his family near Aitkin, Minnesota. I have also recently found records of a John Marsyla as a patient at Fergus Falls State Hospital in the 1905 Minnesota State Census. I have found two separate death certificate records for John Marsyla on the same date, one in Otter Tail County (1907-54-1238) and one for Aitkin County (1907-51A-1830). Fergus Falls is located in Otter Tail County. Lastly I cannot find a burial record for him in Aitkin County but have found a Find a Grave listing for John Marsyla at the Cemetary for the State Hospital at Fergus Falls.

Is it possible that all these records are documenting the same individual? If so, why are there two separate death records?

Answer 1

It's hard to say. They could be different people, or the same person listed as being at the hospital in Otter county, but also listed by his family member in Aitkin as being a household member. If you look at the MNHS, the mother's maiden names are close:

Marsyla, John

Death Certificate Index
Certificate Number: 1907-54-1238
Death: June 8, 1907
County of Death: Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States
Subject: Death records
Type: Text, Government Record, Historical Records
Mother's Maiden Name: RASTO, Date of Birth: 1861, Place of Birth: Finland

Marsyla, John

Death Certificate Index
Certificate Number: 1907-51A-1830
Death: June 8, 1907
County of Death: Aitkin County, Minnesota, United States
Subject: Death records
Type: Text, Government Record, Historical Records
Mother's Maiden Name: RANTIO, Date of Birth: 1860, Place of Birth: Finland

The family could have filed a death certificate in their own county due to estate or benefit issues.

The death certificates from MNHS are $10, and can sometimes be sent via email. I've had pretty good response time from them.

Best of luck in your search!

Comments

I was able to talk with a cousin about this. He said that John had been sent to the Fergus Falls State Hospital after a farming accident probably leading to what we would call a Traumatic  Brain Injury.

I will be researching this further for details.

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Thank you for Best Answer Amanda. I hope that you find the answers you need.