[Ancestors] [Descendants]
Bertha M. Shafer
Last updated 31 Dec 2023 in Spear–Johnson Family.
Individual
Born: 22 Mar 1875 in , Guthrie County, Iowa, United States
Died: 12 May 1956 in West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States
Father: Aaron V. Shafer (1836 – 1907)
Mother: Samantha Susan Longshore (1840 – ?)
census-us-1880-ps-ia-guthrie-75-17: 1880 U.S. Census, population schedule, Iowa, Guthrie County, Seely Township, enumeration district 3-75, page 17 (form/penned) or 61A (stamped); 1880 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 16 Dec 2023), “⟩ Iowa ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Seely ⟩ 075”, image 7; citing “Tenth Census of the United States, 1880, NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 342 (of 1454), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [Note that “C” and “D” pages are effectively used as “A” and “B” pages respectively.]
Reference Detail: Lines 25-33, dwelling 59
Comment Detail: Source includes name (⟨spelling⟩, ⟨conflict⟩ M.). See research notes for spelling and conflict details.
census-us-ia-1885-s1-guthrie-seely-page-43: 1885 Iowa State Census, Guthrie County, Seely, page 43; Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836–1925, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 30 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1885 ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Seely”, image 43; citing “Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest”
Reference Detail: Lines 1-10, dwelling 48
Comment Detail: Source includes name (Shafer, Bertha M).Although Bertha's name's first character looks like an 'R', as used for her sister Mary's middle initial, there is a difference in the leg.
death-bertha-bradbury-1956: Certificate of death for Bertha S. Bradbury (1956); Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1956, 019-036”, image 1611; citing “Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1956; Roll: 2”
Comment Detail: Source includes [married] name (Bertha ⟨conflict⟩ Bradbury). See research notes for conflict details.
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes [married] name (Mrs. Bertha M. Bradbury).
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census-us-1880-ps-ia-guthrie-75-17: 1880 U.S. Census, population schedule, Iowa, Guthrie County, Seely Township, enumeration district 3-75, page 17 (form/penned) or 61A (stamped); 1880 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 16 Dec 2023), “⟩ Iowa ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Seely ⟩ 075”, image 7; citing “Tenth Census of the United States, 1880, NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 342 (of 1454), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [Note that “C” and “D” pages are effectively used as “A” and “B” pages respectively.]
Reference Detail: Lines 25-33, dwelling 59
Comment Detail: Source includes age (5) and location (Iowa [, USA]). Using her age and the official census date of 1 Jun 1880 gives a birth date range from 2 Jun 1874 to 1 Jun 1875.
census-us-ia-1885-s1-guthrie-seely-page-43: 1885 Iowa State Census, Guthrie County, Seely, page 43; Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836–1925, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 30 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1885 ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Seely”, image 43; citing “Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest”
Reference Detail: Lines 1-10, dwelling 48
Comment Detail: Source includes age (9) and location (Guthrie [County, Iowa, USA]). Using her age and the official census date of 1 Jan 1885 gives a birth date range from 2 Jan 1875 to 1 Jan 1876.
death-bertha-bradbury-1956: Certificate of death for Bertha S. Bradbury (1956); Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1956, 019-036”, image 1611; citing “Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1956; Roll: 2”
Comment Detail: Source includes date (Mar 22, 1875) and location (Iowa [, USA]).
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes age (81) and location (Guthrie County, Iowa [, USA]). Using her age and the death date of 12 May 1956 gives a birth date range from 13 May 1874 to 12 May 1875.
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death-bertha-bradbury-1956: Certificate of death for Bertha S. Bradbury (1956); Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1956, 019-036”, image 1611; citing “Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1956; Roll: 2”
Comment Detail: Source includes date (May 12 1956) and location (West Memphis [Iowa, USA]). The county name in the record might be Crittenden, but is difficult to read.
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes date (May 12 [, 1956]) and location (West Memphis, Arkansas [, USA]).
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census-us-1880-ps-ia-guthrie-75-17: 1880 U.S. Census, population schedule, Iowa, Guthrie County, Seely Township, enumeration district 3-75, page 17 (form/penned) or 61A (stamped); 1880 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 16 Dec 2023), “⟩ Iowa ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Seely ⟩ 075”, image 7; citing “Tenth Census of the United States, 1880, NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 342 (of 1454), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [Note that “C” and “D” pages are effectively used as “A” and “B” pages respectively.]
Reference Detail: Lines 25-33, dwelling 59
Comment Detail: Source identifies Martha M. Schaffer as a daughter of Arron V. Schaffer. The source does not provide sufficient evidence to denote the type of parent/child relationship.
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source identifies Bertha M. Bradbury as the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Shafer.
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census-us-1880-ps-ia-guthrie-75-17: 1880 U.S. Census, population schedule, Iowa, Guthrie County, Seely Township, enumeration district 3-75, page 17 (form/penned) or 61A (stamped); 1880 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 16 Dec 2023), “⟩ Iowa ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Seely ⟩ 075”, image 7; citing “Tenth Census of the United States, 1880, NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 342 (of 1454), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [Note that “C” and “D” pages are effectively used as “A” and “B” pages respectively.]
Reference Detail: Lines 25-33, dwelling 59
Comment Detail: Source implies Martha M. Schaffer is a daughter of Samantha Schaffer. The source does not provide sufficient evidence to denote the type of parent/child relationship.
death-bertha-bradbury-1956: Certificate of death for Bertha S. Bradbury (1956); Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1956, 019-036”, image 1611; citing “Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1956; Roll: 2”
Comment Detail: Source identifies Samantha Longshore as the mother of Bertha S. Bradbury.
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Family
Spouse/Partner: Charles E. Bradbury (? – ?)
Married: 1896
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes year (1896).
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Miscellaneous Facts
Events
Burial: 15 May 1956 at Gamaliel, Baxter County, Arkansas, United States
Moved To Residence: 1888 at , Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States
Church: Lake Arthur Methodist Church, Abt 1896-1945 at Lake Arthur, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States
Moved From Residence: 1945 at Lake Arthur, Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, United States
Moved To Residence: 1945 at Gamaliel, Baxter County, Arkansas, United States
Moved To Residence: Abt 1955 at West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States
Cemetery: Bean Cemetery at Gamaliel, Baxter County, Arkansas, United States
death-bertha-bradbury-1956: Certificate of death for Bertha S. Bradbury (1956); Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1956, 019-036”, image 1611; citing “Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1956; Roll: 2”
Comment Detail: Source includes date (5/15/1956) and location (Gamaliel [, Baxter County, Arkansas, USA]).
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes presumed date (May 15 [, 1956]) and location (Gamaliel, Arkansas).
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes year (1888) and destination ("here" [Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, USA]). The obituary makes references to Jeff[erson] Davis Parish, but it was not created from part of Calcasieu Parish until 1913.
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes church name (Lake Arthur Methodist Church) and implied location of Lake Arthur, Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, noting she was a member when she lived there.
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes year (1945) and origination (Lake Arthur [, Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiansa]).
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes year (1945) and destination (Gamaliel, Arkansas).
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes year ([about 1955; see Followup in research notes]) and destination (West Memphis [, Arkansas]).
death-bertha-bradbury-1956: Certificate of death for Bertha S. Bradbury (1956); Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1956, 019-036”, image 1611; citing “Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1956; Roll: 2”
Comment Detail: Source includes cemetery name (Bean) and location (Gamaliel [, Baxter County, Arkansas, USA]).
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes cemetery name (Bean Cemetery) and location (Gamaliel, Arkansas).
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Attributes
Residence: at Seely Township, Guthrie County, Iowa, United States
Residence: at Seely Township, Guthrie County, Iowa, United States
Religion: Methodist Church
Residence: at Lake Arthur, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States
Residence: at West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas, United States
census-us-1880-ps-ia-guthrie-75-17: 1880 U.S. Census, population schedule, Iowa, Guthrie County, Seely Township, enumeration district 3-75, page 17 (form/penned) or 61A (stamped); 1880 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 16 Dec 2023), “⟩ Iowa ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Seely ⟩ 075”, image 7; citing “Tenth Census of the United States, 1880, NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 342 (of 1454), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [Note that “C” and “D” pages are effectively used as “A” and “B” pages respectively.]
Reference Detail: Lines 25-33, dwelling 59
Comment Detail: Source includes official census date (1st day of June, 1880) and residence location (Seely Township, Guthrie County, Iowa [, USA]).
census-us-ia-1885-s1-guthrie-seely-page-43: 1885 Iowa State Census, Guthrie County, Seely, page 43; Iowa, State Census Collection, 1836–1925, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 30 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1885 ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Seely”, image 43; citing “Microfilm of Iowa State Censuses, 1856, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1925 as well various special censuses from 1836-1897 obtained from the State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest”
Reference Detail: Lines 1-10, dwelling 48
Comment Detail: Source implicitly includes the official census date (1 Jan 1885) and residence location (Seeley Township, Guthrie County, Iowa, USA).
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes religion (Methodist Church) and notes she was a member for 68 years. This database presumes that ended with her death, giving a range of about 1888 to 1956. Note that the beginning date is also the year of her move to Louisiana.
obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956: Obituary for Bertha M. Bradbury (1956); “Rites For Mrs. Bradbury, Early Pioneer, Held,” Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ United States ⟩ Louisiana ⟩ Jennings ⟩ Jennings Daily News ⟩ 1956 ⟩ May ⟩ May 21 1956, Mon ⟩ Page 3”, column 5; citing “The Jennings Daily News (Jennings, Louisiana), 21 May 1956 (Monday), page Three, column 5”
Comment Detail: Source includes year (1896) of marriage of Charles Bradbury and Bertha Shafer, and notes the lived in (Lake Arthur [Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana, USA]). This database presumes this means they lived in Lake Arthur from the time they were married, and possibly before.
death-bertha-bradbury-1956: Certificate of death for Bertha S. Bradbury (1956); Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1956, 019-036”, image 1611; citing “Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1956; Roll: 2”
Comment Detail: Source includes date (May 12, 1956) and location (West Memphis Crittenden County, Ark).
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Research Notes (Conflicts/Spelling/Followup)
CONFLICTS
Given Name: This database uses Bertha. The 1880 US Census uses Mertha. This is almost certainly an error on the enumerator's part; I can find no reference Mertha being used by anyone. However, the name Metha has been used, but the census spelling definitely includes the 'r'. Unfortunately, I am unable to find any reason to believe the enumerator's 'm' is a 'B', and it does closely resemble the 'M' used for her middle initial. [census-us-1880-ps-ia-guthrie-75-17]
Given Name: This database uses Bertha M. Her death certificate uses Bertha S. While 'M' clearly is her middle initial from birth, as evidenced from multiple sources, the 'S' would represent the common practice of changing her middle name to her birth surname (or adding it as a second middle name) following marriage. [death-bertha-bradbury-1956]
Father's Name: This database uses Aaron V. Shafer. Bertha's certificate of death identifies her father as Chas. Shafer. (Which is in conflict with other records, including Bertha's obituary.) [death-bertha-bradbury-1956]
SPELLING
Surname: This database uses Shafer. The 1880 US Census uses the spelling Schaffer. [census-us-1880-ps-ia-guthrie-75-17]
FOLLOWUP
Bertha's obituary notes she moved to West Memphis after the death of her husband Charles Bradbury on 1 Mar 1956. However, it also notes that he died "last year," referencing Bertha's death in May 1956. Is the first date's year an error, and should be 1955? This database assumes he died about 1955 for that reason and uses this year as the approximate year of her move to West Memphis, Arkansas. [obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956]
Bertha was survived by a daughter, Mrs. Corinne B. Niles, of West Memphis, Arkansas, with whom Bertha lived for the last year or so of her life. [obituary-bertha-bradbury-1956, death-bertha-bradbury-1956]
census-us-1880-ps-ia-guthrie-75-17: 1880 U.S. Census, population schedule, Iowa, Guthrie County, Seely Township, enumeration district 3-75, page 17 (form/penned) or 61A (stamped); 1880 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 16 Dec 2023), “⟩ Iowa ⟩ Guthrie ⟩ Seely ⟩ 075”, image 7; citing “Tenth Census of the United States, 1880, NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 342 (of 1454), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [Note that “C” and “D” pages are effectively used as “A” and “B” pages respectively.]
Reference Detail: Lines 25-33, dwelling 59
death-bertha-bradbury-1956: Certificate of death for Bertha S. Bradbury (1956); Arkansas, Death Certificates, 1914-1969, database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 28 Dec 2023), “⟩ 1956, 019-036”, image 1611; citing “Arkansas Department of Vital Records; Little Rock, Arkansas; Death Certificates; Year: 1956; Roll: 2”
(no additional information)
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Sources
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