1885 census concerning “Ebbert Sherman,” and 1900 census concerning “G. Gooch Ebbert.”

A certain 1900 census record speaks of “Ebbert G. Gooch,” not “G. Gooch Ebbert,” or so I believe, but some have speculated that “G. Gooch” may, in fact, have been Sherman.  I respectfully disagree with that suggestion, and wish to share my thinking, to be corrected if I am wrong.  It may be that clarifying the matter, now, will save many of us hours of what otherwise would have been ‘wasted research time.’

I’ve been unable to find any index or any document, excepting those concerning the 1900 US Census of the population at Missable Mountain, St. Louis, Minnesota, that speaks about “G. Gooch Ebbert,” and I suspect that, like the enumerator of the 1885 census, whose record is found above and to the right, the enumerator in 1900 mistakenly recorded Given Names first, and Surname last, when he should have done the opposite, as he almost always did.  Incidently, in both cases the mistake is forgivable, given that Sherman and Ebbert are often used as both Surname and Given Names.

I have, however, easily and quickly found mention of Ebbert G. Gooch in many, many indexes.  Below are a number of examples:

1.    The 1930 United States Federal Census Census & Voter Lists / Name: Ebbert G Gooch / Birth: abt 1870 - Illinois / Spouse: Maude I Gooch / Residence: 1930 - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; and

2.    U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Schools, Directories & Church Histories / Name: Ebbert G Gooch; Residence: 1899 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; and

3.    U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Schools, Directories & Church Histories / Name: Ebbert G Gooch / Residence: 1900 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; and

4.    U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Schools, Directories & Church Histories / Name: Ebbert G Gooch / Residence: 1909 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; and

5.    U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Schools, Directories & Church Histories / Name: Ebbert G Gooch / Residence: 1910 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; and

6.    U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Schools, Directories & Church Histories / Name: Ebbert G Gooch / Residence: 1911 - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; and

7.    U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 Schools, Directories & Church Histories / Name: Ebbert G Gooch / Residence: 1921 - San Diego, California, USA; and

8.    1910 United States Federal Census Census & Voter Lists / Name: Elbert G Gooch [Ebbert G Gooch] / Spouse: Maud I Gooch / Birth: abt 1870 - Illinois / Residence: 1910 - Minneapolis Ward 3, Hennepin, Minnesota; and

9.    Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002 Birth, Marriage & Death / Name: Ebbert G Gooch / Spouse: Maud Inez Reid / Marriage: 30 Nov 1901 - Jackson / Marriage: 1901.

I will be very pleased if you will share your views concerning this matter.

Thanks.

Cheers!