California family with 22 children

Marion and Charlotte “Lottie” Story of Bakersfield, California, had at least 22 children — including five sets of twins — from 1922 to 1946. Seventeen of their kids are listed on the 1940 U.S. Census (see below).

I don’t know the names of all the Story children, but here are 20 of them: Jean, Jane, Jack, Jacqueline, June, Eileen, Clyde, Robert, James, Jeannette, Steve, Jerry, Terry (sometimes “Terrytown”), Charlotte, Scotty, Sherrie, Garry, Joanne, Frances (called Lidwina), and Monica (called Sandy).

Story family of California in 1940 U.S. census
The Story family on the 1940 U.S. Census

Charlotte Story herself was one of a dozen children, born from 1899 to 1919. Her 11 siblings were named Pearl, George, Rhea, Hazel, Fern, Ira, Myrtle, Dorothy, Helen, Russell, and Viola.

And Charlotte’s mother Elsie was one of 13 children, born from 1865 to 1892. Her 12 siblings were named Edward, Levi, William, Frank, Rosa, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Margaret, Archibald, Gertrude, and Emma.

So here’s the question: If you had to choose all of your own children’s names from just one of the sibsets above, which set would you pick? Why?

Sources: Charlotte M Story – Find A Grave, Elsie E LaCount – Find A Grave

14 thoughts on “California family with 22 children

  1. I’d probably go with the family of 13. The first family is a bit too J-heavy and the other family I only really like the name Ira. Family #3 has my favorites out of all the possibilities, Levi and Margaret, along with a few other decent choices.

  2. Marion and Charlotte Story are my grand parents . They had 22 children 4 sets of twins.

  3. Charlotte ‘lottie” Story children’s names
    Twins Eileen and Arliene, Gary and Sherrie,James “Jimmy” and Jeanette, Jean and Jane
    Jack
    Scotty
    Jerry
    Steve
    Robert”Bobby”
    Clyde
    June
    Jacqueline
    Joanne
    Monica”sandy”
    Lidwina
    Charlotte
    There were two that died sbortly after birth i dont know the names

  4. Charlotte and Marion Story were also my grandparents. They had 22 children and I was the 22nd grandchild. I live about 15 minutes away from where the only identical twins (of the four sets they had) were born. But Eilene and Arlene were born in different counties. More specifically, on opposite ends of the “I” street bridge in Sacramento, which spans the Sacramento river, connecting Sacramento county, and Yolo county.

  5. My mom grew up with the Story kids, and named my older sister Lidwina, after Lidwina Story. I remember mom having a pamphlet/article about the family that had quite a number of pictures. My mom passed last year and I believe my dad got in touch with Lidwina about it. It’s nice to read all the comments on here.

  6. Hi. My Mom is Lidwina Story. My names lynnette her only daughter. She had a Son as well my brother but sadly we lost him last summer. I do not know all my relatives but wish i did. It must have been wonderful to have many brothers and sisters. Im so sorry about loosing your mother. Im sure my mom will remember her. I will speak to her about her namesake. Its interesting to hear about this because i did not know. I wanted to cut in and say yes i know lidwina. Shes my mom. And thank God shes doing well. Thank you for inquiring about her. Lynnette

  7. Oh my, Lynnette!! I was just sharing this with my dad and there was your post! I’m so happy to hear that your mom is still doing well. I hope she does remember my mom, Rose. Thank you for that!

  8. Cornia Hunt, Do you happen to have photos of the The Story kids or any magazine articles from The Look or any other media that you would like to share . I am putting together a family book and would like any picture or media you might have , Marleen Patt

  9. Hello. My half sister is a daughter of Jerry’s.
    We are trying to tie together genealogy.
    Her name is Debra Lynn story.
    Can you help with any pictures or info?
    Thanks so much
    Cheryl troy-goedecke

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