My grandfather, Jerome Pirson, grew up and lived in and around (mostly) Buffalo, NY. He was born in 1907. My father and uncle only know what they have heard from other relatives since Jerome never spoke about his childhood. Yesterday at a family gathering, I began to piece together the most complete and strangest story about him so far.

Apparently he was adopted twice. The story is that he knew he was adopted but didn't know anything about his birth parents. When applying for a job at Bell Aircraft (I think) a background check was done and it came up that he was named Edward Flynn when he was born. I also believe that his father's name was Edward Flynn.

The first time he was adopted his name full name was changed, but I have only ever been able to find out the last name of Llewellyn.

Then things get even more confusing. I have found Census records of Jerome and his adoptive mother, Clara, living with Clara's sister (Elizabeth) and husband (Chris Flood) in Pembroke, New York in 1920, but he is listed as brother-in-law.
So to clear things up it shows:
Chris Flood (Head)
Elizabeth Flood (Wife)
Clara Pirson (Sister-in-law)
Jerome Pirson (Brother-in-law)

So in the 1920 Census, Clara and Jerome are technically listed as siblings. But in the 1930 Census, they are listed as living back in Buffalo, NY and are written down as:
Clara Pirson (Head)
Jerome Pirson (Adopted Son)

Supposedly, he was in foster care when Clara adopted him which may be able to account for the brother-in-law listing. I'm thinking that he was adopted by the Llewellyn's when he was very young, seeing as he didn't remember that he had been born Edward Flynn, but without knowing a first name when was a Llewellyn makes things rather difficult to go back any farther.

If this story is vaguely familiar to anyone's relatives or if anyone can fill in any blanks, please let me know.