I am researching the Dallas surname for my grandaughter. She is linked through Joshua Dallas´s son John B. Dallas who m. Rhoda Ellen Cole in 1859 in Cooper Co. MO.

Joshua Dallas 1802-1879 and wife Mary Woods 1806-?? present a conundrum which I am having trouble understanding.

According to many researchers, Joshua´s wife Mary d. Jan. 1849 and one could imagine she just wore out as she already had at least 15 children. This death date is seemingly confirmed by the Midwest Gen. Center, Mid Continent Public Library whose records show:

"Joshua Dallas (buried) in the Roscoe cemetery as having died 7 April 1879, just before the mortality schedule which starts in June. Next to him is a Polly Dallas age 27 years who died January 1849."

1. How then, and why, is Joshua indexed on the 1850 census with wife Mary and at least 10 children?

Joshua seems to disappear after 1850 and is elusive thereafter, not being indexed on census records. According to court records, he served on jury duty in St. Clair Co. as late as 1858.

It is documented that he fought as a Confederate soldier in the CW and was captured, then released in PA at wars end.

2. How then, is supp. wife Mary 75 and widowed, indexed in 1880 in St. Clair Co. with son Boon (sic) and servant Nancy Keeton 15?

Daniel Boone Dallas seems to be living with sister Mary J. Richey (indexed as Hannah) in 1900.

Daniel Boone Dallas is clearly shown by his 1910 MO death certif., to be the son of Joshua. His mother was unknown to the informant, C. S. Stratton.

The records are contradictory in that a Polly Dallas clearly died in 1849 and Joshua was buried beside her in the Roscoe Cem. in St. Clair Co. MO in 1879.

I am drawing no conclusions but can anyone explain this conundrum?

Duane Mills
Stavanger, Norway