How do I explain this?
James married Cora in 1904. I have a newspaper clipping that says so. He has three daughters, one born about 1900 named Florence. The other two were born after 1904 so I think I can safely assume they belong to Cora. (Oh boy, I don't know if assumptions are good though. This has been a tricky puzzle.) The two younger girls are Martha and Christina. These three girls are mentioned in newspaper articles with their parents, assuming James and Cora.
I found an article about Mrs. James dying in June of 1903. This must be the first wife, possibly the mother of Florence. An undocumented family tree has the first wife and mother of Florence as Elizabeth. No maiden name given. The deceased wife is the daughter of Mrs. Albert Fahringer. Another survivor listed is a child a few WEEKS old. I'm hoping this is a misprint and should read a few YEARS old. Otherwise, I have more problems to deal with with this puzzle.
So, let's recap here. James was married twice according to newspaper articles. Unknown who could be the mother of Florence and who died in 1903. Cora, the second wife, married him in 1904.
I found an Albert Fahringer in the 1900 census. Guess who is listed with him as boarders. JAMES AND CORA!! Guess who is listed as a granddaughter. Yep, Florence. Do you see why my head is spinning? Cora is listed as a boarder with the same last name as James. Now, it is entirely possible that James married two Coras and the undocumented family tree has his first wife's name wrong. Cora is listed as married 1 year and the mother of one child. She is 19 years old.
The 1910 census has James and Cora listed with their three daughters. Cora is listed as the mother of 2 and married 6 years. I'm ready to think that Cora is the name of both wives.
Update: Just found the first Cora's burial record. Two Cora's for wives. Who would have guessed. :)
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