Was she 90 or 93?
-
huweyjenkins — 18 years ago(September 11, 2007 11:38 AM)
Apparently she added 3 years to her age because she was underage when she first went to Hollywood. This must be the only circumstance where an actress actually adds years to her age. I believe (though it was a surprise to me) that she was actually born in 1917.
-
gibbsk-1 — 18 years ago(September 12, 2007 12:29 PM)
There is apparently census data to confirm the birth of Sarah Jane Mayfield, however Wyman has never acknowledged that this is her birth name. I imagine with her passing a number of mysteries will unravel as people become less reticent to talk about her. She was a very determined and smart lady who worked very hard for her professional success.
-
csu16387 — 18 years ago(September 14, 2007 07:54 AM)
I've always thought Jane was born in 1914. I read some of her bio on the wikipedia website that she was born in 1917 (adding the three years to work legally). Even the TCM Remembers tribute has her listed as born in 1917.
You do learn something new everyday.
"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character." -
shadycady — 18 years ago(September 18, 2007 03:31 PM)
I can't find them on the 1920 Census. Her father Manning Mayfield is living with his parents on the 1920 Census, and I can't find Gladdys Mayfield and Jane anywhere. I will check and see if Gladdys is living with her family on the 1920 Census.
I did find her mother on the 1900 Census:
You have saved this record to My Ancestry (Shoebox).
You have saved this record to My Ancestry (People I'm Looking For).
This record has been added to your shoebox.
1900 United States Federal Census
about Gladdus h Christian
Name: Gladdus h Christian
Home in 1900: Polk, Atchison, Missouri
Age: 4
Estimated birth year: abt 1896
Birthplace: Missouri
Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter
Father's name: Columbus
Mother's name: Flora B
Race: White
Occupation: View image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Columbus Christian 42
Flora B Christian 46
Bennett Christian 20
Mannie Christian 18
James Christian 17
Nellie Christian 15
George Christian 14
Mary Christian 11
Mattie Christian 9
Harry Christian 7
Gladdus h Christian 4
View
Original
Record
View original image
View blank form
Save This Record
Mommy to two little monsters -
shadycady — 18 years ago(September 18, 2007 04:56 PM)
I found her foster mother,Emma Fulks, on the 1930 Census for Los Angeles, California. I am going to believe that Jane was probably born in 1917. Weyman was her foster mother's first married name, so that is where Wyman comes from. On the 1910 Census for St. Joseph, Missouri, Emma Fulks children by the name of Weyman are living with her and Richard Fulks.
ed States Federal Census
about Emma Fulks
Name: Emma Fulks
[Emma Wyman]
Home in 1930: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
Age: 60
Estimated birth year: abt 1870
Birthplace: Germany
Relation to Head of House: Head
Race: White
Occupation:
Education:
Military Service:
Rent/home value:
Age at first marriage:
Parents' birthplace:
View image
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Emma Fulks 60
Sara Fulks 18
Vib68ew
Original
Record
View original image
Mommy to two little monsters -
HarlowMGM — 18 years ago(October 16, 2007 04:18 PM)
Jane Wyman was one star who didn't give a hoot about publicity and didn't read it so she apparently didn't care people had her age wrong. Apparently the 1914 birthdate came from her first marriage certificate because she was too young to get married without a parents consent in 1934 (she may have been underage and added a few years - Mae West did added a year to hers so she could be of legal age to get married and thus the 1892 year is often used in articles when 1893 was correct.)
1917 has apparently been proved by legal documents and perhaps her birth certificate.
Incidentally, the social security death index website confirms Claudette Colbert was born in 1903. I don't know where this author is getting this 1901 year of birth information from. She was often publicized as being born in 1905 until she was a senior citizen an2000d confessed in interviews she was actually born in 1903. -
shadycady — 16 years ago(April 04, 2010 05:34 AM)
Some of the enumerators make mistakes, so this could have been a mistake or their part or Wyman could have been born before 1917.
I do have access to the Los Angeles Marriage Index from 1890 to 1950. I might be able to find something in there.
The Divine Genealogy Goddess