Who is Nancy Jane Rummans Mother?

Nancy Jane Rummans was born on 22 December 1849. The birth location, according to family tradition and 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 U.S. Federal Censuses along with the 1895 Iowa State Census, was Missouri. Her death certificate, however, listed Illinois. On 15 March 1866 she married George Eldridge Loghry in Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa. They were married by a Charles Gates, pastor of Congregational Church.

But who were her parents? And where was she born? This has been a big mystery I set out to clear up.

Her father's birthplace according to 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 U.S. Federal Census consistently states Virginia and her mother's birthplace was Illinois.

The 1925 Iowa State Census was the first hint as to mother's name. This Census states she was born in Illinois, father was John Rummons, born in Virginia, and mother's name was Heater, born in Iowa. Why has she changed her birth location?

Finally in 2017, Iowa Death Records, 1920-1940 were made available by the  State Historical Society of Iowa. Her death certificate listed her father as John Rummans, born in Virginia and her mother as Fannie Heeter, born in Illinois. The informant was a daughter of Nancy Jane.

Death Certificate: Nancy Jane Rummans Loghry

Further research found Nancy in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census in Boone County, Missouri, as a one-year-old born in Missouri, in the household of John Rummons (wife Frances Rummons). Also in this household were several other children, including a four-year-old brother John, also born in Missouri.

1850 U.S. Federal Census

In addition, I found a John Rummans in the 1840 U.S. Federal Census in Boone County, Missouri, indicating the family most likely had been residing in Missouri since at least 1840.

1840 U.S. Federal Census

This helps support that Nancy's mother was Fannie Heater and that Nancy was born in Missouri. Further research is needed, but for now, I'm confident that I have finally found Nancy's mother and birth location.