James Winton Rhudy in the Census with his Parents

The 1870 U.S. Census for Elk Creek, Grayson, Virginia was taken on 14 July 1870. Floyd S. Rhudy, age 28, was born in Virginia; Theresa, age 31, was also born in Virginia. The other three individuals listed on the census for that household were Mary Rhudy, age 6; James Rhudy, age 4; and Wm E. Rhudy, age 1. Below Floyd S. Rhudy on the Census is James W. Rhudy, age 26. It is possible that this is Stephen Floyd’s brother, James Washington Rhudy, who was born in 1844.[1]

Beginning with the 1880 census, additional information was recorded, including the relationship of the individual to the head of household, the birthplace of parents, and whether or not the individual attended school that year. For this census page, you will notice that the census taker chose to record most of the names by just using their initials, but the initials match up with each of the children we have listed so we can be sure we have the correct household. Both Stephen and Thursa’s parents were born in Virginia. Seven children are listed, including “J.W.,” who attended school during the year.[2]

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1870 U.S. Census 

[1] 1870 United States Federal Census, Elk Creek, Grayson, Virginia, Page: 159A, Dwelling 356, Family 356, Floyd S. Rhudy; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com :  accessed 13 January 2012); from National Archives microfilm publication M593, roll 1649.

1880 U.S. Census

[2] 1880 United States Federal Census, Elk Creek, Grayson,Virginia, Population Schedule,Enumeration District [ED] 35; Page: 328A, dwelling 40, family 40, S.F. Rhudy; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 January 2012); from National Archives microfilm publication T9, roll 1368.

The Birth of James Winton Rhudy

Finding a birth record for someone in 1866 is considered lucky, even in Virginia. The earliest birth records in Virginia were in 1853, but statewide registration didn't start until 1912. This birth record is from  Grayson County where the commissioner of the revenue registered the births and then turned over his books to the clerk of the County Court. The entry for James Winton Rhudy shows "Ja W RHUDY was born May 10, 1866 to S.F. & Thursy RHUDY in Grayson Co.,Virginia."[1]

The Birth Entry for James Winton Rhudy, 10 May 1866

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[1] Virginia. Bureau of Vital Statistics. “Birth records (Virginia), 1853-1896”. FHL microfilm 2,046,939, p. 93. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

James Winton Rhudy Married Mary Jane Shepherd

James Winton Rhudy and Mary Jane Shepherd were both 25 years old when they were married on 4 September 1890 in Maysville, DeKalb, Missouri.[1] Notice in the marriage license he listed his name as Wint Rhudy and he was living in King City, Gentry, Missouri. Mary Jane listed her residence as Maysville, DeKalb, Missouri. Even though they lived in different counties, they only lived about 20 miles apart.

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[1] Missouri State Archives, “Missouri MarriageRecords, 1805-2002,” database, Ancestry.com.(http://www.ancestry.com/ : accessed  8 March 2012), entry for James Winton Rhudy [record #550, book F-76].

James Winton Rhudy in the Census as the Head of Household

James Winton Rhudy married Mary Jane Shepherd in 1891 in Maysville, DeKalb, Missouri, so the first time he appears in a United States census as the head of household is in 1900 in Camden, DeKalb, Missouri.[1] Their children are listed as Elmer B., Lottie M., Hattie R. and Robert L. Rudy. By the 1920 census their family moved to McNeal, Woodward, Oklahoma and in this census only two children are listed: Elmer B. and Emma G.[2] In the last census before his death in 1937, he was 64 years old and still living with Mary and two of their children, Elmer and Emma, in McNeal, Oklahoma.[3]

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1900 United States Census for Camden, De Kalb, Missouri

[1] “1900 United States Federal Census, Camden, De Kalb, Missouri, (Population Schedule), Enumeration District[ED] 65; Page: 1B,dwelling 16, family 16, James W Rhudy household,” jpeg image, (Online:Ancestry.com,2012), [Digital scan of original records from National Archives microfilm publication T623, roll 852], <http://www.ancestry.com>,  accessed 13 January 2012.

1920 United States Census for McNeal, Oklahoma

[2] “1920 United States Federal Census, McNeal, Woodward,Oklahoma, (Population Schedule),Enumeration District [ED] 226; Page: 7B, dwelling 144, family 142, James W Rhudy household,” jpeg image, (Online:Ancestry.com, 2012), [Digital scan of original records from National Archives microfilm publication T625, roll 1489. <http://www.ancestry.com>, accessed 13 January 2012.

1930 United States Census for McNeal, Oklahoma

[3] “1930 United States Federal Census, McNeal, Woodward,Oklahoma, (Population Schedule),Enumeration District [ED] 77-8; Page: 2B, dwelling 46, family 46, James W Rhudy household,” jpeg image, (Online:Ancestry.com, 2012), [Digital scan of original records from National Archives microfilm publication T626, roll 1929], <http://www.ancestry.com>, accessed 13 January 2012.