Life History

Notes

• Helen Kummel's great granddaughter Ann Burkley shared information formher research.
  
  1930 Census, Lakeland, Polk, Florida -- Ralph Flowers, age 30, marriedat age 23, born North Carolina, parents born North Carolina
  Margaret, wife, age 24, married at age 17, born Arkansas, parents bornGermany
  children also listed
  1920 Census, Hickory, Catawba, North Carolina -- Ralph George Flowers,age 21, born North Carolina, parents born North Carolina
  He is living with his parents.  Father's name George Elkanie Flowers,physician
  North Carolina Death Certificates 1909-1975 -- Ralph George Flowers,born 30 Jul 1898, died 1 Aug 1946, spouse Margaret Bisswanger
  --  Ann Burkley, personal communication through Ancestry Messaging toOrville Boyd Jenkins, 04 September 2010
  
  Discrepancies in the age reports leads to different years for themarriage.  The census cited above says Margaret is 24 and married atage 17, making the marriage in 1923.  Ralph is 30 and married at age23, also coming out to 1923.  But family sources say her birth datewas 17 Sep 1902, and there is a social Security Death Index record tomatch this, indicating death occurred in Raleigh, North Carolina,which matches Ralph's death information.
  
  If Margaret was born in 1902, and married at age 17, this places themarriage in 1919!  Five years earlier than the 1930 census reports.  Iexpect the 1930 census is correct on the year of marriage, abut theages given were likely off.  Ralph's age there is reported as 30, butother sources indicate his birth date was 30 July 1898, meaning heshould have been about 31 (almost 32) at 1930 census time.

Sources

• 1. Ann Burkley, email to Orville Boyd Jenkins, 4 September 2010
• 2. 1930 Federal Census, Polk County, Florida
  • 7 April, Lakeland, District 29, page 1B, 1025 Nelson Ave, Hse #22, Fam
• 3. RootsWeb Discussion Lists
  • Dot Kirk, Bisswanger List,