Census records and Mortality schedules - John Ralph of New York City (1819-1860)

This week I was finally able to confidently identify John Ralph, the brother of my ancestor Edward Martin Ralph. Family records indicated that Edward and John had immigrated together to the United States from Cornwall. But I have never been able to find any evidence of John living near his brother. So where was he?

I recently used the FamilySearch messaging feature to contact someone who had made an edit to an ancestor's profile. I couldn't figure out the connection and wanted to know how we might be related. Happily, he responded quickly, and in his reply, he made reference to an old letter he had been given that provided details about both the Howe and Ralph families (our shared ancestors). 

The undated letter from "Aunt Ella" Sedgwick Ralph (my g-g-grandmother) to her nephew William Withey provided many important Howe and Ralph family details, including this mention of John:

Edward and his brother John Ralph came to this country when they were young men and John lived in New York City with his family of three sons the last we knew about them.

That tidbit about New York City was just the piece of the puzzle I needed. Within a few minutes, I was able to find the right John Ralph with his wife and family in the 1855 New York State Census and also in the 1860 US Federal Census. In 1860, he had three sons: Martin, William, and John. He also had a daughter named Martha who was not mentioned in the letter. I think Martha likely died in 1861, but I need access to NYC death records - the actual certificates - to confirm that. I won't be able to do that until things open up again since that is a collection that can only be viewed in person at a Family History Center.

1860 U.S. census, New York County, New York, mortality schedule, Ward 13 District 1, p.2, John Ralph, Roll M3; Line Number 32. New York State Education Department, Office of Cultural Education. New York State Library, Albany, New York. Ancestry.com. New York, U.S. Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880 [database on-line].

Edward and his brother John were the sons of Martin Ralph and Martha Curnow. They had a younger brother named William who died as a teenager in Cornwall. Edward named his children William John, Edward Martin, and Martha Elizabeth. Both men had named their children after their parents and deceased brother! 

In addition to the clue in the letter and the familial naming patterns, I have another confirming piece of evidence: a DNA match. As it turns out, I have a 4th cousin match that is a descendant of this John Ralph through his son William. 

While John is listed with his family in the 1860 census (enumerated in July), he is also listed in the 1860 mortality schedule. As I looked carefully at that mortality schedule, I noticed some sobering details. Several families had lost more than one family member during the year. One family had lost three. And the majority of deaths were caused by things we can either prevent or treat today: measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever, smallpox, Diptheria, consumption (also known as tuberculosis). 

As today's pandemic startles at least some of us into compliance with physical distancing mandates, I think of our ancestors and the realities they faced. We can do this! And hopefully, both a vaccine and better treatments will be available soon. 

Maybe the 2020 census should include a mortality schedule...