Every family tree has at least one branch that twists in unexpected directions. In mine that branch belongs to Frances Tyson Ann Joplin—or as her family knew her Ticyann or simply Ticy. Her story is tangled in questions or identity, abandonment, scandal, and resilience.
A Vanishing Name
Ticy was born between 1845-1849 in New Light Township, Wake County, North Carolina—or at least, that’s what we believe. But there is a mystery right from the beginning. Ticy is not on the 1850 or 1860 census, but instead a Jane Berdy Joplin living with Ticy’s parents Eli Wesley Joplin and Aryanne Lowery Joplin. Then in 1870 Jane disappears—and a new name, Ticyann takes her place in the records. Were they the same person, renamed and reinvented? Or was Jane Berdy a separate child who died, with Ticy born soon after? The paper trail does not say. But the timing—and the household—suggests otherwise.
To complicate things further, Ticy’s surname shifted from Joplin to Choplin in various records. It could be a simple case of phonetic spelling as was common at the time. Or it could signal an attempt to distance herself from something— or someone.
Timeline of Ticyann and Jane Berdy Joplin
December 14, 1845: Ticy’s birth date source: death certificate
December 16, 1845: Marriage of Eli Wesley Joplin (father) and Aryanne Lowery (mother) source: marriage certificate
1846: Birth year of Ticy source: 1910 census
1847: Birth year of Jane Berdy Joplin source: 1850 census
1848: Birth year of Ticy source: 1870 census
1849: Birth year of Ticy source: 1900 census
1850 Census—New Light Township p. 9 (Note: Ticy is not named in this census)
Household Members Eli W. Joplin (29) Ariana Joplin (20) Berdy Joplin (3/f) Azariah Joplin (2/m) William L. Joplin (6mths/m)
1860 Census—Forestville Township p.113 (Note: Ticy is not named in this census and this is the last record of Jane Berdy Joplin) Household Members Wesley Choplin (38) Ann(34) Jane (13) James (11) William (9) Betsey (7) Ransom (5) Mary (4) Susan (3)
Have a theory about Ticy? Or a similar story in your family tree? Leave a comment—I’d love to hear from others chasing ghosts in the archives!
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