1920 United States Federal Census

Validator (claude-sonnet-5-5, 2026-10-28): consistent, confidence 2/4, tier record.
The image is readable. Mary Wood, wife of George S Wood, aged 59, born New York, fits the 1861 birth year. The census does not give the name Mary W Bentley. It shows her as Mary Wood and lists Bentley relatives (brother-in-law William, sister-in-law Caroline, niece Norma) in the household, which makes a maiden name of Bentley plausible but unproven. The record is consistent with the person but does not state the claimed name.
Matches: Household 68 (lines 63-68) lists George S Wood, head, 62, with Mary, wife, 59, which implies birth around 1860-61 and fits 1861.; Mary is born in New York with both parents born in New York.; William Bentley (50, born New York) is listed as brother-in-law in the Wood household. This hints that Mary's maiden name could be Bentley, if he is her brother.; Caroline Bentley (sister-in-law) and Norma Bentley (niece) are in the same household. This suggests a Bentley family link.
Limits: The census names her only as 'Mary' Wood, with no middle initial and no surname Bentley.; The Bentley connection is inferred from other household members' surnames and is not stated for Mary.; The census gives an age, not a birth date, and shows nothing about her death in 1938.; The 'Mary W Bentley' name for the claim must come from other evidence, such as a marriage record or her parents' names.; The relationship column gives each person's relation to the head, so it does not show whether William Bentley is Mary's brother or Caroline's husband.