Person:Ole Ray (1)

Though Ole is certainly listed with the family on the 1880 census, he is never listed again. Some online family histories show a Fred Ray linked to this family. I have never found a Fred Ray listed with this family using census records and other similar sources. Instead, there is a John Ray who married a Mary C. McCord who lived at Indian Creek, Story County, Iowa and are listed in the 1880 Census there. In that 1880 census, John and Mary at Indian Creek have a son named William J Ray and another son named Fred Ray. The dates for these individuals at Indian Creek are similar, but not exact to those in the focus family. I believe the linking of a Fred Ray to this family of John W. Ray and Mary A. Duncan is an error unless for some reason, Ole's name was changed to Fred. Ole would be an unusual name for this family.

New info: The Iowa Death Index listing shows an Oley Ray (see source #2). This conflicts with the Ole listed in the 1880 Census. Also, the 1880 Census lists Ole as a son, while Oley is listed in the Iowa Death Index as Female.

Both records should be visually inspected for transcription errors.

1.   Ole Ray, in 1880 Census for John W. Ray at , Dodge, Boone, Iowa.

   Listed as Ole, Male, Age 4, son

2.   Oley Ray, in Iowa Death Index.

   Name: Oley Ray
   Gender: Female
   Burial Date: 29 Jul 1884
   Burial Place: Ridgport, Boone Co., Iowa
   Death Date: 28 Jul 1884
   Death Place: Boone Co., Ia.
   Age: 8
   Birth Date: 1876
   Birthplace: Ia.
   Race: White
   Father's Name:
   Father's Birthplace:
   Mother's Name:
   Mother's Birthplace:
   Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B86643-6
   System Origin: Iowa-EASy
   Source Film Number: 1034316
   Reference Number: Pg. 37 - No. 431