Structural cross joists and load-bearing walls (century home)
Pre-demolition, this could have been a &quot;double floor&quot; or &quot;double framed floor&quot;. If you look up the wikipedia article on floor joists(I would link directly, but I don't have enough rep), it gives you a bit more context. The intention being one set is for the ceiling, and the other is for the floor above.
Alternatively, with century homes in particular, you can get quirks because of the wood sources - this could just be strapping with what was available. Modern buildings use 1x4 (or 1x3)
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To answer the question &quot;is this load bearing?&quot;, as with similar questions I think the best answer is get a professional in to determine that.