I have been trying to my third great-grandmother’s maiden name and parents for years. I hope one day I can figure out more about where she came from and her family.

Rebecca Ann Dial went by Becky Ann. She was born in Tennessee on January 1, 1851 or maybe 1856 (see below). On July 29, 1873, she married William Dial in Lauderdale, Alabama. This is the first clear record we can link to Rebecca. However, her last name is listed as “Hendrick”. I don’t know if this was an transcription error, because I haven’t been able to access the original document. UPDATE JUNE 2017: On the marriage record it first lists the name Hendrick in a different handwriting, with future references saying Hardwick. Please click here for an updated TIMELINE I created for William and Rebecca. UPDATE MARCH 2018: According to a newspaper article about their marriage, Rebecca’s last name is Hardwick. See link above.

In 1880, she’s living in Lauderdale County with her husband and children. She was listed as 24 with a birth year of 1856, born in Tennessee. Her husband was born in Tennessee, and I know sometimes they add the same birth place for the wife. I don’t know if this is a reliable source to determine her birth place.

In 1900, she’s still with William and their children in Lauderdale – Green Hill, to be specific. Her age is now 49 , with a birth year of 1851.

Becky Ann passed away January 9, 1906 and is buried in Milner’s Chapel Cemetery, also known as  Emmaline Stutts Cemetery.

Death Notice in the Florence Herald, Friday, Jan. 26, 1906, p. 6.
We are sorry to report the death of Mrs. Becky Ann Dial, who died at her home last week. She left a host of near relatives and friends to mourn her departure. A good woman has gone to her reward. Peace to her ashes. She is waiting for you, dear children, at the golden gate.

The birth date on Becky Ann’s tombstone in January 1, 1851. I think this is wrong. In 1880, she was 24. I believe she was in her early 20s, not closer to 30. Usually ages on earlier census records are closer to being correct.

Children of Becky Ann and William Dial: 
Edith Elizabeth Eddie Dial 1873–1906
John Wesley Dial 1875–1950
Annie Dial 1877–
William Pink Dial 1878–1948
Roberta Birdie Dial 1880–1955
Vernon Mary Dial 1885–1960
Nannie Willie Dial 1887–1938
Lema Dial 1891–1915
Reba Elizabeth Dial 1893–1975

To find clues about her maiden name, I have also searched her children’s death certificates and social security applications.

• John Wesley Dial: lists mother as Beck A Hardin (Social Security Applications & Claims Index)
• William Pink Dial: lists mother as Bickie Harden (Alabama Deaths & Burials Index)
• Birdie Dial Liles: lists mother as Rebecca Carter (Alabama Deaths & Burials Index) *Note: father incorrectly listed as “John Dial”
• Vernon Dial Gist: lists mother as Rebecca Ann Cockran (Alabama Deaths & Burials Index)
• Nannie Willie Dial Hamm: lists mother as Becky Ann Cocbran (Alabama Deaths & Burials Index)

If you’re not keeping score, here’s the tally:

Hardwick (1)
Hendrick (1)
Hardin (2) [or Harden]
Carter (1)
Cockran (2)

Does anyone know Becky Ann’s real last name and parents? Email me at downhomegenealogy@gmail.com.