Is this one guy? Or two guys?

Question

I'm creating profiles for my wife's ancestors, and I came across a really strange one when I got to the husband of Minnie Pattishall. (I have not yet created his WT profile.)

At first, I had all of these sources attached to one man. But then I began to notice distinct anomalies that made me doubt my work. Eventually, I split them into two people. But I'm still not sure I'm right. I'd like another set of eyes on them.

The profiles on FamilySearch are Robert Threlman Upchurch and Robert M. Upchurch

R. T. Upchurch definitely married Minnie Pattishall in 1929 in Sanford, North Carolina but the marriage record says that his parents were J. H. Upchurch and Catherine Upchurch. His death certificate says his parents were Wiley Upchurch and Jennie Abernathy. His FindAGrave memorial agrees with that and that his wife was Minnie Pattishall.

That's one anomaly.

Robert T.. Upchurch was born 22 July 1882 according to his WWI Registration Card. But he had a wife named Minnie (in 1917). He didn't marry Minnie Pattishall until 1929.

That's another anomaly.

There is a Robert Upchurch in the 1900 Census who lives in Mannings Township, Nash County, North Carolina. His parents are Wily J. Upchurch and Eugenia Upchurch. He was born in 1884. 

Robert M. Upchurch married Minnie Wayett in 1906 in Mannings Township, Nash County, North Carolina in the residence of W. C. Upchurch. His parents were J. W. Upchurch and Eugenia Upchurch.

H. H. Upchurch applied for the marriage license (he was Wiley's brother and Robert's uncle) and W. C. Upchurch was another brother and uncle.

More anomalies.

At this point, my head is spinning.

Here are the possibilities that I've considered. Robert M. and Robert T. are the same person and the marriage records between him and Minnie Wayett are simply incorrect in the middle initial (even though it's quite clearly an M.)

Wiley Upchurch was married twice, and his second wife's name was Catherine. His first wife passed away before Robert married the second time.

But, his obituary on FindAGrave says "James Wiley Upchurch died in 1919 at age 61. His wife of 41 years survived him almost 8 years, passing in 1927 at age 66."

Jennie and Eugenia are the same person.

Or, these are two entirely different men with a lot of similarities.

Nash and Lee Counties are about 80 miles apart.

And now I've just about convinced myself that they are the same person and I simply need to point out all these anomalies in the bio.

Comments

Jennie is a common short form for Eugenia or Eugenie.

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Paul, I feel for you, but I'll raise you 11 on the conflation confusion.  My great uncle, Morris Lichtman, is one of 13 people (that I've been able to sort - maybe a few more are still lurking around) with the same name, about the same age, all immigrants from the same country to New York City.  A few of them had wives with the same names, too.

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Gaile, I cannot imagine. What a nightmare. I can't tell you how many times I have wished I could travel to the past and ask certain people some important questions.

Answer 1

Did Minnie Wyatt die between 1920 and 1929? And where is Charley in 1930 if he's not living with his father (if this is one person?)

If they are the same person, why and when did Robert move from Wilson to Lee County? Is there some record of that, like land sales or purchases?

Is there a marriage record for Wiley/J.H. to Catherine? Or one to Eugenia for that matter?

I do agree that Jennie is probably a nickname for Eugenia.

Comments

I know nothing at all about Minnie Wayett except for her marriage to Robert M. Upchurch and the names of her parents. I estimated her birth year from her age on the marriage license. I found nothing for her parents at all. She does show up in the 1910 and 1920 Census living with Robert in Wilson County, NC. In 1910, her husband is Robert T. Upchurch and they have a baby boy named Charlie.

I found no marriage record for Wiley/J.H. to Catherine. There is a marriage record for Willie Upchurch and Eugenia Abernathy.