Hello 3rdthawkins,

Could the information on the death certificates simply be a matter of 'mis-statement' of parentage?

Below are examples of that being the case with a great-grandfather, Isaac L. Adams. His DC states his parents as Lewis Adams and Elizabeth Edwards. They were in fact his Aunt and Uncle. AND the sad part about the DC is that the informant was his daughter, "Bessie" (Adams) Walker. The fact of the matter is that the parents of Isaac L. Adams were William F. Adams and Lydia Ann Edwards. Wiiliam and Lewis were brothers and Elizabeth and Lydia Ann were sisters. Perhaps grandaunt Bessie, my grandfather's older sister was confused in her grief, or the Undertaker, Guy Allen, a family friend, was confused when he filed the DC.

Isaac Adams Death Certificate (1936)

Isaac Adams Guardianship Paper (1873)
Click Magnify Glass icon for better readibilty.
http://tinyurl.com/43kbmtz

Wishing you success as you attempt to solve your puzzle.

Art Thomas