Myrtle (Eaton) Potter (abt. 1880 - 1960)

Born about 21 Mar 1880 in Adams, Jefferson, New York, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Francis Garfield Potter — married 5 Jul 1905 in Rodman, Jefferson, New York, United States

Descendants

Died 23 Oct 1960 at about age 80 in Saint Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kurt Potter [send private message]

Biography

Myrtie or Myrtle Eaton was born about 1880 to parents Seymour Sylvester Eaton (1856-1925) and Martha E. (Hayes) Eaton (1856-1938). In 1905 she married Francis Garfield Potter (1880-1948). Myrtie died in 1960.

Sources

• Marriage, death record and obituary are used as sources. Three mistakes found on her Death Record from Florida. See Research and Analysis below.

Research and Analysis

230425 - Upon review of the death certificate of Myrtie E. Potter, three "possible" mistakes were discovered and corrections are suggested below.

1. Birth is listed at 21 March 1879 (81 years at her last birthday), and should read 21 March 1880 (80 years). The first argument for 1880 is that is the date shown on her tombstone in Fairview Cemetery, Rodman, Jefferson, New York. The second argument is that her published obituary shows her at 80 years of age. Looking at public genealogy records revealed "a few" "Myrtle Potter" personas and I believe the records clerk or other person just took a date that was shown out there, and it is a big coincidence that another "Myrtle Eaton" was born on the same day and month, but one year apart. As an example, there is a ANOTHER Myrtle Eaton born 24 March 1879 in Fabius, Onondaga County, New York [1]. I believe an administrative person took the birth year from this "other" Myrtle Eaton. Other records in FamilySearch.org that are appropriately matched to the right Myrtle Eaton show her birth year as 1880.
2. The other issue is the spelling of her name. On her death certificate it shows (mistakenly, I believe) her as "Myrtie." In various documents assigned to her persona this spelling is seen. I believe that the "i" near the end of her name is sometimes mistranslated to an "i" and it should be an "l" (L). However, a variation like Myrtie could be a common nickname, and even a departure from common names at the time. An argument for "Myrtle" with an "l" (L) is that her obituary states her name is "Myrtle." To confuse matters further, a transcription of her marriage license shows "Mertie" and her tombstone clearly shows "Myrtie." It must be noted, too, that her father used a nickname for his tombstone (and is shown too in her death certificate) in the same plot as Myrtles (he used "Seamer" instead of the official "Seymour"). Thus, if you are going to use her persona for an application to a lineage-based society, then use "Myrtie" as it is shown on her death certificate (and use the 1879 date erroneously shown on her death certificate too), but I believe "if" a birth certificate were created in 1880 (and it was not), it would show what is in her obituary: Myrtle. Genealogical doctrine dictates you use the names, dates and locations that are shown on the first official vital record available (which could create it's own confusions with Myrtle's persona too).
3. The third mistake found on Myrtle Eaton Potter's death certificate from Florida is her mother's maiden name, which is shown as "Martha Perkins." Or, more specifically, in other documents "Martha A. Perkins." This has been shown by all other references to be Myrtle's grandmother (her father Seymour Eaton's mother), and not her mother. Her mother's name (to confuse older informant relatives) is "Martha" E. Hayes. The name "Martha E." is shown on the shared tombstone of Seamer (Seymour) Eaton, her husband.

In summary, the death certificate of Myrtie Eaton from Florida has three mistakes, but they will not inhibit you from using it to apply for membership in lineage-based patriotic organizations.