People   (Re-unions, trace old friends and relatives.)

I get your problem now, mygriffiths. Mary Ellen took in her COUSIN Elizabeth after the death of her mother MARIA RILEY in 1898. But Elizabeth was much younger than Mary Ellen and she described her as niece on the census. This was not at all unusual. I have several cases of it in my research. It's funny she didn't call her "daughter". My own mother was more than twenty years younger than her eldest sister, who practically raised her. This sister had two sons who were older than my mother and I always called them "uncle". In fact, I still do as one is still alive. Although they were really my cousins, I have always regarded them as "uncle" and their wives as "auntie".

I don't think that should worry you!