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James Henry "Jim" DeCoursey (1883 - 1955)   I don't know the story behind this birth certificate, but it was not created at the time of James' birth. (This type of birth certificate did not exist in 1883.) It was signed and recorded on Sept. 7, 1954, about four months before his death. Since it is not a primary source (one that is created at the time of the event), the information contained in it is considered less reliable, but interesting nonetheless. It is possible that a delayed registration of his birth was made in order for him to be able to claim Social Security or for some other judicial reason. If anyone does know the story behind this document I'd really appreciate it if they'd let me know! Related Items:
1. PLACE OF BIRTH a. County Park b. City or Town (If outside corporate limits, add RURAL) Alma c. Full Name of Hospital or Institution (If NOT in hospital or institution, give street address or location) At Home - No Street Address 2. USUAL RESIDENCE OF MOTHER (Where does mother live?) a. State Colorado b. County Park c. City or Town (If outside corporate limits, write RURAL and give township) Alma d. Street Address (If rural, give location) No Street Number 3. CHILD'S NAME a. (First) James b. (Middle) Henry c. (Last) DeCoursey 1 4. SEX Male 5 a. THIS BIRTH Single __ Twin __ Triplet __ b. If Twin or Triplet (This child born) 1st __ 2nd __ 3rd __ 6. DATE OF BIRTH (Month, Day, Year) 7 - 29 - 1883 FATHER OF CHILD 7. FULL NAME a. (First) Edwin b. (Middle) E. c. (Last) DeCoursey 1 8. COLOR OR RACE White 9. AGE (At time of this birth) 29 Years 2 10. BIRTHPLACE (State or foreign country) Leavenworth, Kansas 3 11 a. Usual Occupation Mining b. Kind of Business or Industry Mining MOTHER OF CHILD 12. FULL MAIDEN NAME a. (First) Mary b. (Middle) ___ c. (Last) McCormick 13. COLOR OR RACE White 14. AGE (At time of this birth) 31 Years 15. BIRTHPLACE (State or foreign country) Dushore, Pennsylvania 16. CHILDREN PREVIOUSLY BORN TO THIS MOTHER (Do NOT include this child) a. How many OTHER children are now living? 3 4 b. How many OTHER children were born alive but are now dead? 3 5 c. How many children were stillborn (born dead after 20 weeks of pregnancy)? None I hereby certify that this child was born alive on the date stated above at 4:00 P M. 18 a. SIGNATURE J. C. Singleton b. ATTENDANT AT BIRTH Not Related M.D. __ O.O. __ Midwife __ Other __ c. ADDRESS Fairplay, Colo d. DATE SIGNED 9-7-54 19. DATE REC'D BY LOCAL REG. 9-7-54 20. REGISTRAR'S SIGNATURE Ms. Bonnie Wilcox 21. DATE ON WHICH GIVEN NAME ADDED BY ____________ (REGISTAR)______ 1 At the time of his birth, the family surname was Coursey, not DeCoursey. 2 Edwin was born on 5 Oct 1858, so at the time of James' birth he was 24 years old, not 29. 3 Edwin was most likely born in McCamish Township in Johnson County, Kansas, not Leavenworth. Sources indicate his parents settled there in March of 1858, and they are enumerated living there in the 1859 Kansas Territorial census. 4 James was the first known child of Mary McCormick. As far as is known she had not been married before. In the 1880 US Federal Census for Colorado she is single and listed under her maiden name. In 1954, however, three of her children were living, including James. 5 As far as is known, James was their first born child. In 1954, however, three of Mary's children were deceased. |
