For my inaugural "Mystery Monday" genealogy blogging prompt, we are stepping into a chilling homefront mystery from the final year of the Civil War, uncovered through a striking contrast between official state records and a Depression-era federal history project.
[Update 11 Jul 2026: New evidence has been found! Please scroll to the bottom of this post for the resolution of this mystery.]
The Two Faces of Evidence
When researching family history, we often find that official documentation tells only half the story, leaving oral traditions to fill in the gaps. Such is the case with Mary A. E. Malone (1824–1864), daughter of Daniel and Wilmouth Malone of Dinwiddie County, Virginia.
| Source Document | Date Recorded | Details Provided |
|---|---|---|
| Dinwiddie County Death Register | September 1864 | Lists her cause of death simply as: "Killed." |
| WPA Historical Inventory (Report DIN288) | November 19, 1936 | "Mary A. E. Malone, born May 5, 1824. Killed September 16, 1864, by a soldier during the war between the states." |
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| Clipped portion of the 1864 Death Register for Dinwiddie County, Virginia. Mary is the bottom line, and the cause of death is visible in the far right column. |
