Alcey Annet Reynolds Henry: A Name Puzzle
Jean M. Hoffman, CG
Alcey Annet Reynolds was born 12 Feb 1833, seventh of the nine children of James
Reynolds and Elizabeth Guy of the Kyger area in Cheshire Township, Gallia
County, Ohio. [1]
She left few records with her name and those few vary. The names of children in
the family in birth order were: Sarah, Mary, John, Nancy, Robert Franklin,
Margaret, Alcey Annet, Elizabeth Jane, and David Lasley. All the other names
are common given names for the area. John was the first son and that was the
name of both his grandfathers. Mary was the second daughter and that common
name was shared by her maternal grandmother. The unusual Alcey could be the
name of her paternal grandmother. [2]
 |
| 1850 U.S. census for James Reynolds family |
The main difference in the records is whether the
first name begins with an A or an E. Annet is likely her second name. Six records
provide examples, four of them created in her lifetime. Her death apparently
came between the birth of a son in 1863 and her husband’s remarriage in 1865
but no death record or burial is currently known.
Spelling her name depends on the record used. Elsie wasn’t used in this family at this time but could be what was meant. Elsie could be a nickname for Alice, so another possibility.[3] This is an example of the challenges in knowing what name and what spelling is right to use to remember our family members.
1. Elsy Garnet Reynolds Family history (note 1)
3. Alrey Anet Reynolds (indexed as Abey) probably incorrect copy of Alcey 1852 marriage to James M. Henry[5]
4. E. A. Henry gravestone of daughter, Mary E. Henry, 1854 (photo Oct. 2000) engraved: “Baby of J.M. & E.A. Henry”[6]
5. Elzy A. Henry 1860 census with husband[7]
6. Annet Henry late Annet Reynolds probate of her father's estate, PoA of sons Perry and James regarding her share, 1882[8]
* Alcey
Reese Reynolds—name of her grandmother as told by granddaughters of James
Reynolds (this Alcey's nieces) according to their nephew, Oliver G. Lyle. The
name is included in a Reynolds family history from 1948, possibly based on this
information.[9]
[1] James Reynolds Family History
Manuscripts, data probably collected by H. Bion Bradbury (1897–1944) husband of
Luella Rupe, a great granddaughter of James and Elizabeth (Guy) Reynolds, was
inherited. The information was shared with the author on 29 April 2009,
Collection of Jinx Ann Farley (Gallipolis, Ohio).
