Brazoria Co
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Texas Culpepper Archives
Brazoria County

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County History and Geography

In the Texas Gulf Coast Marshes and Prairies Region at the mouth of the Brazos River in southeast Texas, Brazoria County was formed in 1836 as an original Texas County. Its county seat, Angleton, is on TX-288, about 45 miles south of Houston. Brazoria is bordered by the counties of Matagorda, Fort Bend, Harris, and Galveston.

During pioneer days, the Brazos River was the chief artery by which immigration, communication, and commerce penetrated Texas from the Gulf. Small boats regularly navigated as far as East Columbia, and customhouses were located at Brazoria and Velasco. By 1840, Buffalo Bayou and the growing town of Houston had begun to draw commerce away from the Brazos, but freight and passenger service between Brazoria, other Brazos River ports, and Galveston was established by 1842, and a canal from the Brazos mouth to West Galveston Bay was completed by 1857.

Between 1849 and 1859 plantation life in Brazoria County flourished, and the county became the wealthiest in Texas, with a typically Southern society based on slavery. Agriculture was the foundation of the county's early economy, and some of the state's largest and most prosperous sugar and cotton plantations grew up along the rivers and deeper creeks on which crops could be shipped by barges. Plantations in the county between 1850 and 1860 numbered forty-six, including nineteen sugar, sixteen cotton, and three that produced both sugar and cotton. Before the war, these plantations produced an average of 7,000 to 8,000 hogsheads of sugar annually, and up to three-fourths of the state's output in 1857. Many planters raised cattle, and some cultivated oranges, lemons, and other fruits. Each of twenty-six county residents owned more than $100,000 in property by the year 1860; the foremost planter was John H. Herndon, whose real property was valued at more than $1.6 million and personal property at more than $106,000. In that year Brazoria County had 2,027 white, 5,110 black slave, and six free black residents; by 1864, when slaves numbered 5,125, their value was only slightly less than the county's 283,151 acres of land. Town life was subordinated to plantation life, and Old Velasco and Quintana served as Gulf seaports and resort centers for antebellum plantation society. Later, the two towns declined in importance as plans for an intra-coastal canal to divert trade developed, and in 1875 and 1900 both were almost destroyed by hurricanes. Other transportation in the period was provided by the Houston Tap and Brazoria Railroad, chartered in 1856 and built by planters to connect East Columbia with Houston markets and with the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railroad at Pierce Junction. After the Civil War, this railroad became the property of the International-Great Northern.

Residents of Brazoria County cast more than 99 percent of their votes for secession, 527 for and two against. During the Civil War, the Dance Brothers gun works manufactured weapons, companies were organized for the Confederate Army, and women were left to run the plantations. Fortifications built at Velasco and Quintana weathered Union attacks in 1862. Confederate blockade runners operated along the coast, and some cotton was shipped overland by mule and wagon to Mexico. Though the county suffered little physical damage in the war, the presence of federal troops and loss of profit from cotton crops in 1864 brought increasing hardship. Some plantations were destroyed, and agricultural production declined sharply with the freeing of the slaves. David G. Mills alone lost 313 slaves as a result of emancipation. County land was valued at more than $3 million in 1860, but its value had declined to less than $2 million by 1866. During the same period, total property value in the county fell from almost $7 million to less than $3 million. Many plantations were divided into smaller farms or turned into pastures; others eventually became part of the Ramsey, Retrieve, Clemens, and Darrington state prison farms (see prison system). In 1870 only a single Brazoria County resident, farmer William Bryan, had a prewar level of wealth, with real property valued at $100,000 and personal property worth $20,000. As conditions worsened, some Brazoria countians moved to Mexico, where they organized settlements in the Tuxpan River valley in Vera Cruz.

Between 1870 and 1880 the population in Brazoria County grew from 7,527 to 9,774, largely due to the arrival of federal soldiers and other Northerners, foreign immigrants, and Confederate soldiers from Texas and the Old South. S. A. Hackworth, a white Republican, bought land in Wharton, Fort Bend, and Brazoria counties and sold it to blacks in the 1870s and 1880s. By the 1890s Columbia was the largest town in the county, followed by Brazoria, Velasco, Quintana, Sandy Point, and Liverpool, and new towns had been founded–Alvin, Angleton, and Pearland. In 1898, at the end of the Spanish-American War, Adm. George Dewey acquired 65,000 acres of land in Brazoria County.

Economic recovery came slowly in the post-Civil War era. The principal crops were corn, grains, sweet and Irish potatoes, fruits, wild grapes, and cotton and sugar for export. Sugar production, reduced in the early years of Reconstruction, burgeoned with the use of convict labor by 1871, but never again reached earlier levels. By 1867 the value of livestock, chiefly cattle, nearly equalled that of agriculture. When cattlemen found northern markets shut off in the late 1860s, hide and tallow factories were established along the Brazos River; Brazoria County packed $100,000 worth of canned beef in 1870. Figs were introduced in the Alvin area around the turn of the century and became an important crop. Four canneries were later built in the community. Live oak moss was ginned at Angleton.

Source: Southeastern Genealogy Online.

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Any names below in red have not been matched with a person in the Culpepper family tree. If you can identify any of them, please let us know.

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Census Records

No Culpeppers were found in any Brazoria County censuses prior to 1860.

1860 US Census

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Sheet/Pg 10, Pg 58B, (21 Jun 1860), Columbia PO, Brazoria Co., TX (Anc.com img# 10)
J. W. Dance, 39, M, NC, Planter, RE=$11,150, PE=$5,638 (#43148)
C. C. Dance, 20, F, TX
Rhoda Dance, 11/12, F, TX
Nancy Culpepper, 37, F, NC, PE=$1,000 (#36095)
Laura Culpepper, 12, F, NC
Alusis Runnells, 11, F, NC, PE=$4,000
Wm Runnells, 8, M, NC, PE=$4,000

Transcription from Ancestry.com image by Pat Roberts

1870 US Census

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Sheet/Pg 141, Pg 564, Family 1265, Pct 2 (11 Jul 1870), Columbia PO, Brazoria Co., TX
James Dance, 48, M, NC, Farmer, RE=$3000, PE=$800 (1st cousin of James W. Dance)
Nancy Culpepper, 51, F, NC (#36095)
Edward Dance, 12, M, TX
Kate Dance, 7, F, TX
Susan Brown, 16, F, VA

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Sheet/Pg 178, Pg 582, Family 1607, Columbia (26 Jul 1870), Columbia PO, Brazoria Co., TX
James (W) Dance, 49, M, NC, Carpenter, RE=$2000, PE=$300 (# 43148)
Columbia Dance, 28, F, TX, Keeps house
Rhody Dance, 9, M, TX
Nannie Dance, 6, F, TX
Harrison Dance, 51, M, NC, Carpenter

Transcription from Ancestry.com images by Pat Roberts and Warren Culpepper

1880 US Census

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Ed 18, Sheet 33B, Pg 162B, Pct 2, Brazoria Co., TX
James W. Dance, M, 56, Head, WD, NC NC NC, Farmer (#43148)
James E. Dance, M, 21, Son, S, TX NC AL
Kate Dance, F, 17, Dau, S, AL GA NC
William Runnels (or Sorrels?), M, 21, Cousin, S, NC NC NC, Farmer
Nancy (Dance) Culpepper, F, 59, Sister, WD, NC NC NC

Transcription from Ancestry.com image by Pat Roberts

1890 US Census

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Destroyed by fire

1900 US Census

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No Culpeppers found

1910 US Census

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ED 4, Sheet 7B, Pg 7B, Pct 1, Gen.com Img 14, Brazoria Co., TX
William B. Hanson, Head, M, 65, M1, md-43, TX VA VA, Farmer (# 39762)√
Laura E. (Culpepper) Hanson, Wife, F, 63, M1, md-43, ch 11/4, AL NC NC
Culpepper Hanson, Son, M, 37 or 39, S, TX TX AL, Farmer-Mgr.
Alexander B. Hanson, Son, M, 19, S, TX TX AL, Blacksmith-Own Shop
Nancy H. (Dance) Culpepper, Mother-in-Law, F, 90?, wid, ch 3/2, NC VA NC

Transcribed from Genealogy.com image by Pat Roberts.

1920 US Census

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No Culpeppers found

1930 US Census

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ED 13, Sheet 1B, Line 74, Pct. 4, Brazoria Co., TX
Clevens State Farm, a Unit of Texas Prison System
T. (or F.) Culpepper, Prisoner, M, Black, 37, md, LA/GA/LA, Farmer, Prison Farm

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Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997

Source: Ancestry.com. Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: Texas. Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997. Microfiche. Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas.

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Aaron Joseph Culpepper, Male, born __ 1994 in Brazoria Co., Texas, child of William Joseph Culpepper and Stacy Ann Bittick (#53562)√

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Alex Logan Culpepper, Female, born __ 1992 in Brazoria Co., Texas, child of Clendon La Von Culpepper and Mary Melinda Pelliccia (#52620)√

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Clendon Lavon Culpepper, Male, born __ 1958 in Brazoria Co., Texas, child of Samuel Henry Culpepper and Gladys Marie Arnold (#46464)√

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Coby David Culpepper, Male, born 21 Dec 1987 in Brazoria Co., Texas, child of David Stephen Culpepper and Shirley Christin Anderson (#53567)√

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La Fern Culpepper, born 22 Sep 1922 in Brazoria Co., Texas (#53564)√

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Samuel Lawayne Culpepper, Male, born __ 1954 in Brazoria Co., Texas, child of Samuel Henry Culpepper and Gladys Marie Arnold (#46464)√

Culpepper Mothers
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Carol Ann Culpepper and Dalton Henry Tenery are the parents of Kathy Darlene Tenery, Female, born __ 1966 in Brazoria Co., Texas (#56199)√

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Cynthia Gladys Culpepper and Kimbrough Nicholas Loggins are the parents of Debra Lynn Loggins, Female, born __ 1957 in Brazoria Co., Texas (#37040)√

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Kathryn Augusta Culpepper and Marvin Albert Merchant are the parents of Holly Ann Merchant, Female, born __ 1966, and Heather Dee Merchant, Female, born __ 1969, both in Brazoria Co., Texas (#25290)√

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Marjorie Renea Culpepper and Robert Allen Gober are the parents of Ashley Christine Gober, Female, born 1 Oct 1991 in Brazoria Co., Texas

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Trudy Jeanette Culpepper and Timothy R Boullion are the parents of Rodney Jerome Boullion, Male, born __ 1971 in Brazoria Co., Texas
Trudy Jeanette Culpepper
and Donald Wayne Pouncey are the parents of Jessica Leah Pouncey, Female, born __ 1975 in Brazoria Co., Texas
(#53337)√
 

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Military Records

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

Source: National Archives and Records Administration. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-18 [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2002. National Archives and Records Administration. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. M1509, 4,277 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration

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No Culpeppers found

U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946

Source: National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD.

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No Culpeppers found

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Marriages

Texas Marriage Collection, 1814-1909 and 1966-2002

Source: Ancestry.com. Texas Marriage Collection, 1814-1909 and 1966-2002 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: Texas Department of State Health Services. Texas Marriage Collection, 1814-1909 and 1966-2002. Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas.

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Beth A Culpepper, 20, married Ronald D Demott, 20, on 25 May 1975 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#53580)√

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Bine K Culpepper, 74, married Vivian E Grant, 68, on 21 Oct 1978 in Brazoria Co., TX
Bine K Culpepper
, 84, married Martha N Griffin, 75, on 5 Aug 1988 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#34725)√

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Christy G Culpepper, 24, married Charles A Cummings, 47, on 12 Jun 1999 in Brazoria Co., TX (#53582)√

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Clendon L Culpepper, 34, married Mary M Pelliccia, 33, on 27 Feb 1992 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#46464)√

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Drew Eugene Culpepper, 21, married Fredell Doolen, 21, on 24 Aug 1968 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#53578)√

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James E Culpepper, 31, married Wendy G Goodspeed, 24, on 29 Dec 1984 in Brazoria Co., TX
James E Culpepper
, 33, married Marilyn Cummings, 38, on 23 May 1987 in Brazoria Co., TX
James E Culpepper
, 39, married Kimmy Sanders, 32, on 6 Aug 1993 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#36899)√

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Jerry L Culpepper, Jr, 21, married Elva Valerio, 22, on 30 Jul 1977 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#53587)√

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John W Culpepper, 20, married Tracy L Silda, 19, on 6 Feb 1989 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#53591)√

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Kenneth L Culpepper, 18, married Annette Bigham, 16, on 25 Sep 1975 in Brazoria Co., TX
Kenneth L Culpepper
, 42, married Connie Dotson, 37, on 16 Oct 1998 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#53573)√

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Laura Epps Culpepper and William Burnett Hanson, 28 Feb 1867 (#36099)

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Lesa D Culpepper, 18, married Hutcheson W Howard, 21, on 14 Apr 1979 in Brazoria Co., TX
Born 1960-1961. Probably African-American.

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Martha A. E. Culpepper and George W. Duff, 24 Jun 1858 (#36098)

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Robert L Culpepper, 56, married Eddie R Duke, 49, on 24 Nov 1975 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#2026)√

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Trudy J Culpepper, 15, married Timothy R Boullion, 20, on 12 Jun 1971 in Brazoria Co., TX
(#53337)√

Texas Divorce Index, 1968-2002

Source: Ancestry.com. Texas Divorce Index, 1968-2002 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: Texas. Texas Divorce Index, 1968-2002. Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas.

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James E Culpepper, 29, and Kimberly Culpepper, 28, divorced on 30 Nov 1983 in Brazoria Co., Texas. Original Marriage Date: 10 Aug 1973. Number of Children: 2. (#36899)√

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James E Culpepper, 32, and Wendy G Culpepper, 26, divorced on 9 Dec 1986 in Brazoria Co., Texas. Original Marriage Date: 29 Dec 1984. Number of Children: 0. (#36899)√

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James E Culpepper, 38, and Marilyn G Culpepper, 44, divorced on 22 Sep 1992 in Brazoria Co., Texas. Original Marriage Date: 23 May 1987. Number of Children: 0. (#36899)√

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Lavon Culpepper, 30, and Shelly L Culpepper, 27, divorced on 20 Apr 1989 in Brazoria Co., Texas. Original Marriage Date: 5 May 1980. Number of Children: 2. (#46464)√

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Land Title Abstracts

Source: Texas General Land Office, Texas Land Title Abstracts [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000. Original data: Abstracts of all original Texas Land Titles comprising Grants and Locations. Austin, Texas: , 19--.

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No Culpeppers found

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Deaths

Texas Death Index, 1903-2000

Source:  Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Index, 1903-2000. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2006. Original electronic data from: Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Indexes, 1903-2000. Austin, TX. Texas Department of Health. State Vital Statistics Unit.

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Addie L. Culpepper, Female, died 6 Jul 1978 in Brazoria Co., TX (#34726)√

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Alyne Terry Culpepper, Female, died 28 May 1993 in Brazoria Co., TX (#54364)√

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Bine Key Culpepper, died 15 Jul 1999 in Brazoria Co., TX (#34725)√

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Ebba Veneta Culpepper, Female, died 10 Jan 1998 in Brazoria Co., TX (#49591)√

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Herman M Culpepper, Male, died 14 Jul 1977 in Brazoria Co., TX (#49172)√

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Nannie Culpepper (Mrs.), died 13 Jan 1912 in Brazoria Co., TX, 337 (#36095)

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Valrie Lena Culpepper, Female, died 25 Dec 1995 in Brazoria Co., TX (#35445)√

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Vivian Estelle Culpepper, Female, died 9 Dec 1986 in Brazoria Co., TX (#53571)√

Social Security Death Index

Source: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index [database on-line]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2006. All records of deaths on or before 31 Dec 2005 in which the final benefit was paid or final residence was in this county.

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Addie Culpepper, 30 Aug 1906 - Jul 1978, Lake Jackson, Brazoria Co., Texas 77566, SSN 466-06-5377 issued in Texas in 1970 (#34726)√

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Bine K. Culpepper, 26 Nov 1903 - 15 Jul 1999, Lake Jackson, Brazoria Co., Texas 77566, SSN 452-56-1758 issued in Texas in 1952 (#34725)√

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Ebba P. Culpepper, 18 Dec 1910 - 10 Jan 1998, Sweeny, Brazoria Co., Texas 77480, SSN 447-18-7959 issued in Oklahoma before 1951 (#49591)√

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Harris B. Culpepper, 20 May 1932 - 15 Mar 1982, Alvin, Brazoria Co., Texas 77511, SSN 436-40-3971 issued in Louisiana before 1951 (#44750)√

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Herman Culpepper, 4 May 1921 - Jul 1977, Sweeny, Brazoria Co., Texas 77480, SSN 464-18-6749 issued in Texas before 1951 (#49172)√

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James C. Culpepper, 26 Nov 1914 - 30 Sep 2002, Clute, Brazoria Co., Texas 77531, Last benefit paid in Lake Jackson, Brazoria Co., Texas 77566, SSN 460-14-3167 issued in Texas before 1951 (#37205)√

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Valrie Culpepper, 10 Apr 1912 - 25 Dec 1995, Freeport, Brazoria Co., Texas 77541, SSN 453-22-1481 issued in Texas before 1951 (#35445)√

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Vivian Culpepper, 28 Nov 1909 - Dec 1986, Lake Jackson, Brazoria Co., Texas 77566, SSN 450-66-0044 issued in Texas in 1957 (#53571)√

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Last Revised: 02 Jan 2015

 

 
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