Which one is what one and what one is who???

We have all ran across them at some time or another in our research. Those families who have chosen to name their sons and grandsons and on and on the same exact name. It leaves researchers like me sitting there feeling like something out of a Dr. Seuss book!

In my quest to track down my McDANIEL grandparents, I have ran into this sort of scenario. In that my 3rd Great Grandfather`s name is believed to have been one Allen McDANIEL. The problem is that there are at least three (3) if not more men in Davie County, North Carolina who have the name Allen McDANIEL.

I am creating a document in my attempt to sort these men out. It does not help that these older census records only list the names of the heads of households, so what can one do?  Let me give you an example of what I have to work with.

I chose to begin with the 1840 Census for Davie County, North Carolina.

Allen MCDANIEL # 1: (Actually listed as Allen M Daniel)
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):     Davie, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:     1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49:     1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:     3
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:     1
Persons Employed in Agriculture:     1
Persons Employed in Manufacture and Trade:     1
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write:     1
Free White Persons - Under 20:     3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:     3
Total Free White Persons:     6
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:     6
Notable Neighbors: On down on the page is listed another Allen McDaniel.
Source Citation: Year: 1840; Census Place:  , Davie, North Carolina; Roll: 359; Page: 208; Image: 1052; Family History Library Film: 0018093.

Allen MCDANIEL # 2
This one has a neighbor right next door named: Henry McDaniel. There is also a Sol (Solomon?) McDaniel listed on the same page a little further down.

Name:     Allen Mcdaniel
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):     Davie, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5:     1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9:     1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14:     1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29:     1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:     2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:     1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:     1
Persons Employed in Agriculture:     1
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write:     2
Free White Persons - Under 20:     6
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:     2
Total Free White Persons:     8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:     8
Source Citation: Year: 1840; Census Place:  , Davie, North Carolina; Roll: 359; Page: 200; Image: 1036; Family History Library Film: 0018093.

Allen MCDANIEL # 3
Name:     Allen McDaniel
Home in 1840 (City, County, State):     Davie, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59:     1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9:     1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:     2
Persons Employed in Agriculture:     1
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write:     2
Free White Persons - Under 20:     1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:     2
Total Free White Persons:     4
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves:    
Notable Neighbors: This is neighbor of Allen M Daniel # 1
Source Citation: Year: 1840; Census Place:  , Davie, North Carolina; Roll: 359; Page: 208; Image: 1052; Family History Library Film: 0018093.

Now, as if this was not bad enough, in 1840 there is also another Allen McDaniel who is living West of the Pee Dee River In Montgomery, North Carolina. By today's map that is only about 1 hour 22 minutes away from present day Davie County, North Carolina

Now the questions begin, which one of these men is my Grandfather? To determine that it looks like I have another research project on my hands. If I make any headway with this mess, you can be certain I will share it here with you! In the meantime, if anyone knows anything about any of these Allen McDaniel`s I would appreciate you sharing with me! Stay tuned!