My great-grandfather, Aaron Jones, has a sister, Elizabeth Ann Jones. She was born on November 7, 1861 in Michigan and died September 20, 1937 in Saginaw, Michigan. She has been difficult to trace. I first learned of her several years ago when researching Aaron – she’s mentioned only as “Mrs Showers” in Aaron’s obituary. Then I found the 1870 and 1880 census where she’s listed as Elizabeth A Jones.

Since then, I’ve been trying to track her down and it hasn’t been easy. I found a marriage record for her in Ovid, Clinton County, Michigan in 1879 – marrying Francis Sumner.

This seems to conflict with the 1880 census, where she is clearly listed in the same household as her parents in Ovid, Clinton County, Michigan and with her maiden name.

Francis is listed as living in Bennington, Shiawassee County, Michigan in 1880 – married, but living with a different family, seemingly alone (no other Sumner in that household). Francis dies in 1898. If they were married in 1879, why are they living separate in 1880? How long did they remain married?

Now, in 1900, Elizabeth is listed as the wife of Joseph Showers and they have apparently been married for 10 years and she is the mother of 2 with 1 living – apparently the Rachael in the same household.

I find no other instance of Elizabeth with a Joseph Showers including a marriage record for her to a Showers.

However, in 1910, the only instance I can find of Elizabeth A Showers is as a wife of Charles Showers in Saginaw and they have been married for 17 years. Meaning they were married in 1897. This conflicts with the 1900 census. So is it really her?

Interestingly, there is a Dewey Mc Stowers aged 11 years living in the 1910 household – as he is indicated as a son. That would make him born about 1899. But the household is confused as there is a stepdaughter (widowed at 25) and another stepdaughter with the same surname as the 25-year-old but she is 8 and a stepson age 5 with a totally different surname. It would seem the 8-year-old and 5-year-old might be step-grandchildren instead of step-children, but that is speculation. I can’t find any other instance of Dewey Mc Stowers.

In 1920 – nothing that I can confirm as her – the only Showers that I can find are the wrong names and too young to be Elizabeth.

In 1930, Elizabeth marries George F. Campbell – on April 7, 1930. Except she’s listed as Mrs. Elizabeth A Manzer. I know it’s her because it lists her parents as Thomas Jones and Emeline Groff (which I can verify independently). Also one of the witnesses is Mr. Dewey Manzer – who is he? I can find him in the 1930 and 1940 census – and he apparently was born in late 1898 and dies in 1979. Could he be the Dewey Mc Stowers from the 1910 census?

Additionally, in the 1930 census, she is listed in the household of George F. Campell as Elizabeth Manzer. Considering the census date is April 1, 1930 – it makes sense.

Elizabeth Campbell dies on September 20, 1937 – with her parents listed on her death certificate as Thomas Jones and Emmaline Groof.

I have not found a marriage record for Elizabeth to a Manzer yet. I also can’t find her definitively in the 1910 and 1920 census. There are so many questions left unanswered about Elizabeth. In trying to track her down, I’ve gone down several rabbit holes – but so far nothing definitive about the 30-year gap between 1900 and 1930. Also, her Showers husband – was his name really Joseph – or was it Charles L as I can find evidence of her being with a Charles L Showers during that time. Are they 2 separate men, or the same man going by different names? Who was her Manzer husband? Who is Dewey Manzer – and is he somehow related to Elizabeth?