Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
NameMaud Lilly Etta Diehl 
Birth22 November 1868, Mifflinburg, PA1664
BurialMifflinburg Cemetery, Mifflinburg, PA
Father2G GF William H Diehl (1841-1925)
Mother2G GM Rachel E Kleckner (1844-1873)
Parent-Proof notes for Maud Lilly Etta Diehl
Her tombstone says daughter of William and Rachel. We know her from the 1870 Census too as their daughter.
My Comments notes for Maud Lilly Etta Diehl
There is no doubt that Maud, daughter of William and Rachel, died young. It’s just the dates that are in question, though not in any important way.
Maud’s tombstone, as transcribed on the Find-A-Grave website, says she died 8 Oct 1872 at age 3y 10m 16d. The records of St. John’s (German Reformed) Church of Mifflinburg say she died 9 Oct 1872 age 3y 10m 10d. The arithmetic of the former indicates her birth date to have been 22 Nov 1868, while the arithmetic of the latter indicates 29 Nov 1868. Baptism records of St. John’s Church say she was baptized 27 Feb 1870 and had been born 22 Nov 1869. She was reported to be 1 in the 1870 Census.
This all is basically unimportant. I just go through it to illustrate how frustrating genealogy can be sometimes since having the correct birth and death date of a person is a basic goal and sometimes absolutely necessary to prove someone’s identity.
My best guess in Maud’s case is that she was born 22 Nov 1868 and died 8 Oct 1872 and that the tombstone transcription is right in all respects. My reasoning is as follows: Had it been 1869, I believe her age in the 1870 Census would have been given in months not years. I believe she was baptized in 1870 and most of the children being baptized then had been born in late 1869, but her parents were just a little slow getting her in to be baptized and the minister simply made a typo. And I think October 9 may have been the day she was buried, but in fact, she died October 8.
Maud’s tombstone, as transcribed on the Find-A-Grave website, says she died 8 Oct 1872 at age 3y 10m 16d. The records of St. John’s (German Reformed) Church of Mifflinburg say she died 9 Oct 1872 age 3y 10m 10d. The arithmetic of the former indicates her birth date to have been 22 Nov 1868, while the arithmetic of the latter indicates 29 Nov 1868. Baptism records of St. John’s Church say she was baptized 27 Feb 1870 and had been born 22 Nov 1869. She was reported to be 1 in the 1870 Census.
This all is basically unimportant. I just go through it to illustrate how frustrating genealogy can be sometimes since having the correct birth and death date of a person is a basic goal and sometimes absolutely necessary to prove someone’s identity.
My best guess in Maud’s case is that she was born 22 Nov 1868 and died 8 Oct 1872 and that the tombstone transcription is right in all respects. My reasoning is as follows: Had it been 1869, I believe her age in the 1870 Census would have been given in months not years. I believe she was baptized in 1870 and most of the children being baptized then had been born in late 1869, but her parents were just a little slow getting her in to be baptized and the minister simply made a typo. And I think October 9 may have been the day she was buried, but in fact, she died October 8.