Joel/JJ and Joseph McGee are like Clark Kent and Superman, never at the same place at the same time.

cynpowers1

Joel Johnson McGee 1884–1940 G72T-PRH https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/G72T-PRH

Joseph McGee 1884–Deceased GVSD-WJ9 https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/GVSD-WJ9

JJ - I'll use this for instances of Joel, Joel Johnson and JJ

Jos - I'll use for instances of Joseph

• For every record like census, marriage, children, death, etc., there is only one source.
• They were both born in 1884.
• JJ's parents in the census are WT and Laura A. On Find a Grave, they are William Thomas McGee and Amanda Laura Hudson McGee.
• Jos' parents on his marriage record are Wm. and Amanda.
• Mom uses Amanda, Laura, Laura A and Mandie throughout her sources.
• They both married the same woman, Etta Mae Coon.
• Only JJ appears on the childhood census. The only other son is 3 years old and has a life of his own.
• There are 6 kids and they list different names on sources.

1909 - Jos marries Etta.

1910 - I can't find a census for JJ or Jos.

1912 #1 - JJ for marriage and Joseph for death

1913 #2 - Joseph for birth, JJ for marriage and Joseph for death.

1916 #3 - Joseph for birth, JJ for marriage and Joseph for death

1917 - JJ puts Etta on his draft registration.

#4 - JJ for birth

#5 - Joseph for marriage

#6 - JJ for marriage

Here's the only census from their childhood(s).

Are they the same man????????????

Wayland K Adams

Hi - Welcome to FamilySearch Community and asking your question about the possibility of two records being for the same person. In the end, the decision to merge these two records remains with you. However, here are a couple of things to consider. In your list of sources, you didn't list any of the census records when these individuals were adults. You have attached to JJ's record, the 1920, 1930, and 1940 census. You don't have any census records attached to Joseph. Between the two records, you have a total of six children, 3 but different on each record. We suggest you do a careful study of the census records attached to JJ. You will find all six children listed on at least one of the census records. There seems to be a slight question about the spelling of Howard (Norvard) and not sure why Patricia is not on the 1930 census but she is on the 1940 census. 5 of the 6 children are on the 1930 census. The census records are probably the strongest argument you have for them being the same person. Again, we suggest you study the sources you have, especially the census records. In the end, the decision to merge the two is up to you. Hope this helps.

cynpowers1

Thanks, @Wayland K Adams !

His/Their father was my 2nd great-grandfather so there is some connection. I keep going back and forth but I agree that the census records are key.