Entry 4-One more step: The missing link for Edward A. Crawbuck?–Part 2

Who was Edward A’s father? At first glance, it seems to be someone named James Crawbuck. The 1900 United States census clearly shows James Crawbuck (Occupation: Florist) as the father of an 8-year-old Edward.(1) A church baptism register and another mention of Edward’s marriage records listed on Ancestry.com also show the name “James”.(2) It all seemed very obvious until you try to move back in time to find a childhood record for this "James". At first, the son of Cornelius Crawbuck, James F., seemed to be a potential connection. Sure, the ages are a bit off but they were close enough to consider it a possibility. Of course, to complicate matters even more, Cornelius had an older brother, James F. (James Franklin Beatty), and a son, James F. It seemed the only possible match was the younger James F. Fortunately, the multiple records referring to him through time clearly implies he liked using his middle initial “F.” and he had a well document wife and family. Was James F. leading a double life? Was he married to two women in Brooklyn with two separate families? Maybe that was the answer, but it seemed too much like a “conspiracy theory” to sit right with me. The "Book of Crawbuck" (mentioned in an earlier entry) lists both James F. and our mystery "James" as separate people. The author of that web page did not see a connection either.

Back in 1999 my "Crawbuck-history" mentors, Rick and Jim, came across this nugget of information. In the 1890 Brooklyn Directory, Elmer Crawbuck is listed as a florist at 282 Classon.(3) That fact alone does not mean much until you see who else is living at that address. The same directory also lists Edward McIlduff and James V. McIlduff at 282 Classon.(3) That same year, Louisa Blair, died at her residence of 282 Classon Ave.(4) Louisa was James V. McIlduff’s mother-in-law. Edward McIlduff is James V. and Elizabeth McIlduff’s father. So in 1890, one year before Edward A. Crawbuck was born, Elmer Crawbuck, a florist, lived at the same address as Elizabeth McIlduff's father and brother(and I don't think it is that hard to imagine that she lived there too). Things that make you go "Hmmmmmmmmm".

Is James, Elmer? Is Elmer, James? This is the information that planted the seed. Now, with a new angle to take, I had to start all over again and see if it was true.

(1) 1900 United States census

(2) Church Baptism Register and NYC Marriage Records on Ancestry.com

(3) Brooklyn City Directory 1890

(4) Death certificate information from Rick and Jim