Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Obituary : William McClelland Pierce

From : Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin, Sunday, November 26, 1978

ALEXANDRIA - William "Mac" McClelland Pierce, 65, of Rt. 1, died Friday evening at Community Hospital, Anderson, after a long illness.

A native and lifelong resident of Alexandria, he retired in 1971 from Guide Division.

Funeral rites will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Noffze Funeral Home and burial will be in Park View Cemetery.

Friends may call at the mortuary after 4 p.m. Sunday. Masonic memorial rites will be at 7 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Survivors include the wife, Geneva; three sons, Larry R. and Ronald L., both of Anderson, and William C. of Alexandria; four brothers, Charles D., Robert F., and P. Edmund, all of Alexandria, and James L. of Chicago; a sister, Nehersta Roberts of Los Angeles, Calif.; and six grandchildren.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Alexandria, a past worthy patron of OES 179, a past master of Masonic Lodge 235; a member of the Charter and Council Royal Arch Masons, Commandery 32 of Anderson; Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis and Murat Shrine at Indianapolis.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Obituary : Alberta Lambertson

From : Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin, Sunday, May 15, 1977

ALEXANDRIA - Mrs. Alberta F. Lambertson, 67, former resident of Alexandria, died early Thursday at her home in Plant City, Fla., after a brief illness.

A native of Madison County, she lived at Plant City for the past seven years.

Surviving with her husband, Frank are two daughters, Miss Darleen Lambertson of Plant City, and Mrs. Virgil (Shirley) Patz of Alexandria; one son, Frank D. Lambertson of Summitville; a sister, Genevive Fettig of Hartford City; and other relatives.

Graveside services will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the Park View Cemetery, Alexandria.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. today at the Karl M. Kyle Funeral Home, and until the hour of service Saturday.

Memorial Day Reflections

I spent a wonderful, but hot, Memorial Day yesterday placing flowers at my wife's grandparents graves at Center Grove Cemetery in Lincolnville. This cemetery is a well-kept, active cemetery, and I always enjoy wandering around looking at tombstones of my wife's family.

Once again, we ran into Mr. Bob Kendall, an elderly man who shared fascinating stories about the history of Lincolnville and Wabash County in general. He is a professor at IUPUFW, and told us that he is in the process of writing a book. Last year, after meeting him, I tried to locate more information about him and could not find him, joking I told my wife I thought he might have been an angel. But this year, there he was again, this time with his wife.

One thing I noticed this year at the cemetery was that no one had placed the US flag on the veteran's tombstones. How sad. Maybe there is no one to do so?

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Today in my database : Barbara Petry (b. May 28, 1802)

Today's featured relative in my database is my paternal 3rd great-grandmother, Barbara Petry.

Barbara was born May 28, 1802 in York Co., PA, the daughter of George and Maria Catharina (Kaltreider) Petry. Barbara married in 1821 in Starke Co., OH to Johannes Wehrly (aka John S. Wehrly), son of Heinrich & Christina (Saubel) Wehrly. Johannes was born June 4, 1802 in York Co., PA, and died November 10, 1876 in Salamonia, Jay Co., IN. Barabara (Petry) Wehrly died August 27, 1880 in Salamonia, Jay Co., IN.

I descend from their youngest child, William P. Wehrly, born November 2, 1845 in Preble Co., OH.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Parkview Cemetery, Alexandria, Indiana


My co-workers think I'm bizarre, but I enjoy spending my lunchtime walking and photographing local cemeteries, and then posting the results at FindAGrave.com.

Yesterday, I spent time at Parkview Cemetery in Alexandria, Indiana, where several members of my family are buried. As I walk row by row, I'm photographing each tombstone I find. It's a slow process, but also a rewarding one, as I have discovered the final resting place for several relatives.

The results of my 'work' (or fun, as I would call it), can be found here. I would encourage everyone to photograph and preserve the tombstone records of our cemeteries before they are all gone.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Cyndi's List for Genealogy Bloggers

Cyndi's List has recently added a new category for genealogical blogging that has some interesting links. I will have to add some links to some of my favorites, right now an early favorite is Family Bibles - I've always wished that my own family's Bibles had been preserved. I know from reading pension records, that they did exist at one time for the Lemaster family, and I came close to obtaining the Chew family Bible a few years ago, but unfortunately, I am without these keepsakes.

Today in my database : Abraham Hazeltine (b. May 23, 1648)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 9th great-grandfather, Abraham Hazeltine.

Abraham was born May 23, 1648 in Rowley, Essex Co., MA, the son of Robert Hazeltine. Abraham married Elizabeth Longhorne (b. September 23, 1649 Rowley, Essex Co., MA, d. March 29, 1704 Bradford, Essex Co., MA) on October 7, 1669 in Bradford, Essex Co., MA. Abraham died April 28, 1711 in Bradford, Essex Co., MA.

I descend from Abraham & Elizabeth's daughter Bethiah Hazeltine as follows :

Abraham Hazeltine & Elizabeth Longhorne
Bethiah Hazeltine & Thomas Spofford
Elizabeth Spofford & Bennett Field
Bethiah Field & Seth Pierce
Gordon Pierce & Thirsa Smalley
Francis S. Piece & Rebecca Page
Edmund G. Pierce & Catherine Groenendyke

Backing up my data

Just yesterday I finished burning backup CDs of my genealogy data & scans, something that I would recommend that everyone do from time to time. I had tried to get into the habit of doing a backup monthly, but have been lax as of late.

A couple of years ago, we started to have computer problems, and my wife tried to back up everything before she formatted the hard drive. Something went wrong, and I lost nearly two or three years of work. It was a tough lesson to learn.

As far as my scanning project goes, I'm partly through another box of paper. It's amazing the amount of material I've collected. Now I need to sit down and enter & source it in my database, while trying not to get sidetracked.

Obituary : Vivian Evans

From: Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin, February 4, 1968

Elwood- Mrs. Vivian Evans, 78, of 1126 S. Anderson St., died Sunday at Mercy Hospital after a month's illness.
She was born April 1889 in Elwood to Dr. Daniel Sigler and Minerva Pierce Sigler. She was married in 1910 to William G. Evans who died in 1950.
Mrs. Evans was member of the First Presbyterian Church and belonged to the Westminster Circle of the church. She was a past president of that organization and was serving as secretary.
She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star 71 and had served as its treasurer for 17 years, she also belonged to the Past Matrons Club, of which she was secretary. She received the Award of Gold from the OES in 1964.
Survivors include a son, J. Daniel Evans, Elwood; two daughters, Mrs. Arthur (Rosanne) Stokes, of Elwood; and Mrs. Lawrence (Minerva Jane) Mills, of Munster, Ind., her step-mother, Mrs. Mary Sigler, and a half-brother, Daniel Sigler, both of Elwood; six grand children and four great-grandchildren.
The body was removed to the Dunnichay Funeral Home, where members of the OES will present their memorial ritual at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the First Presbyterian Church by the Rev. James G. Saint, pastor. Burial will be in Elwood City Cemetery.
The body will be taken to the church one hour before the funeral service.

Obituary : William Arden LeMaster

From: Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin, October 17, 1978

Portland- William A. LeMaster, 54, Rt. 6, died Sunday afternoon at the Jay County Hospital. A farmer, he had also driven a school bus for the Jay County Corporation for 25 years.
Surviving with the wife, Wanda, are two sons, Charels and Daniel LeMaster, Portland; his father, John LeMaster Sr., Anderson; three sisters including Mrs. Ralph (Ardis) Bickel of Anderson, and four grandchildren.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the United Church of Christ in Salamonia. Burial will be in the Salamonia Cemetery.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Today in my database : Thomas William Davis (b. May 15, 1719)

Today's featured relative in my database is my paternal 6th-great grandfather, Thomas William Davis.

Thomas was born May 15, 1719 in Westerly, Rhode Island, the son of John and Elizabeth (Maxson) Davis. Thomas married Tacy Crandall on December 8, 1737 in Westerly, Rhode Island. Tacy was the daughter of John & Mary (____) Crandall, and was born circa 1720 in Westerly, Rhode Island, died June 1, 1795 in White Day Creek, Monongalia Co., VA. Thomas died July 15, 1791 in White Day Creek, Monongalia, Co., VA.

I descend from Thomas & Tacy's daughter, Elisabeth Davis, who married Ephraim Maxson.
My line of descent is as follows :

Thomas Davis & Tacy Crandall
Elisabeth Davis & Ephraim Maxson
Jesse Maxson & Sarah Sutton
Prudence Maxson & William P. Smith
Olive Jane Smith & William P. Wehrly
Barbara Isabelle Wehrly & Luman Cooper LeMasters

Obituary : Pansy Timm

Source : Crawfordsville, IN Journal-Review, January 27, 1968

Mrs. Pansy Decker Timm, former resident of Crawfordsville, died at 8:40 p.m. Friday at the White County Hospital in Monticello.

She is survived by her husband, Raymond Timm of Monticello.

Other survivors include two sons, Gene Decker of Danville, Ind., and Wilbur R. Decker of Crawfordsville; a daughter, Mrs. Wandalee Purcell of Lynwood, Calif.; seven stepchildren, and several grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Monticello Presbyterian Church. Rev. Wallace McDonald will officiate. Gravesite services will be conducted at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday at the Freedom Baptist Cemetery near Waveland. Friends may call at the Anfenberg Funeral Home in Monticello after 4 p.m. Monday.

Pansy was the sister of my great-grandmother June Davis.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Obituary : Helen B. Lambertson

Source : Anderson (IN) Herald-Bulletin, Sunday, September 1, 1996

Helen B. Lambertson, 85, Anderson, died Aug. 30, 1996 at St. John's Health System after an extended illness.

She was born Jan. 11, 1911, in Linwood and resided in Anderson all of her live[sic]. She graduated from Elwood High School in 1929 and completed Indiana Business College in Anderson. She was married to Ralph E. Fisher in 1931 until his death in 1951, and Clemon B. Lambertson until his death in 1994.

She was a legal secretary for several prominent in Anderson for more than 40 years, retiring in 1973. Some of these attorneys were Ellison and Neff, Judge Harold Achor, Everett McDaniels, Ralph Mattingly and Joan Bashaw Gregg. She also worked in the Madison County Assessor's Office under Dovie A. Canaday.

She was a member of Bethany Christian Church and dearly loved her family and friends. She also enjoyed birds and at one time was a breeder of parakeets.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Betty and John Barger of Anderson; a grandson, Brent and Shirley Barger of Anderson; two granddaughters and spouses, Valerie and Daniel Rodrigue[sic] of Wasila, Alaska, and Lorelei and Neal Maggart of Lapel; and three great-grandchildren, Lor Douglas and Lisa Barger, both of Alexandria, and Allen McCoy of Lapel.

She was preceeded in death by her parents, Levi and Maud Duncan; a sister, Georgia Ruth Duncan; her first husband, Ralph E. Fisher; her second husband, Clemon B. Lambertson; and a great-grandchild, Duncan Alexander McCoy.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Guilkey & Herider Mortuary with Robert Bell officiating. Burial will be at Elwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be after 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethany Christian Church in her memory.

Monday, May 08, 2006

Alderman : Madison County, Indiana Civil War Vets

Found this listing of Civil War veterans from Madison County, Indiana with the surname Alderman.

Alderman, James, Private, Co. K, 8th Infantry, mustered 9/5/1861, died at Otterville, Mo. 12/14/1861

Alderman, James W., Private, Co. K, 16th Infantry, mustered 8/19/1862, deserted, Indianapolis, 12/14/1861

Alderman, John, Private, Co. C., 110th Infantry, mustered 7/10/1863, mustered out 7/15/1863

Alderman, Washington, Private, Co. E, 8th Infantry, mustered 4/22/1861, mustered out 8/6/1861 term expired.

Still need to work on these individuals to determine which ones are related to me. Washington Alderman for sure, the others are probably cousins/brothers.

Friday, May 05, 2006

Today in my database : Sibell Littell (b. May 5, 1769)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 6th great-grandmother, Sibell Littell.

Sibell was born May 5, 1769 in Virginia, and died September 9, 1853 in Adams Co., OH. Sibell married William Jacobs in 1787 in Morgantown, VA (now WVA). William was born 1765 in Virginia and died 1841 in Brown Co., OH.

I descend from Sibell and William's son James Thomas Jacobs who married Isabella Feily. This is one of two Jacobs lines in my family, who are not connected as of yet. Much more research is needed.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Pefley-Lewis Family Reunion

Received notice in the mail of the next Pefley-Lewis family reunion (wife's side). Previously, these two families have had separate reunions.

When : Saturday, June 24, 2006 12:00 noon (Children's games start at 11 a.m.)
Where : Northfield High School, Wabash, IN. (Corner of Highway 13 and CR 200)

Please bring your appetite, a covered dish, one liter of beverage (non-alcoholic), golf clubs, competetive spirit, enthusiasm, eagerness to reminisce, memories, pictures, stories of the past & present!!!

There will be an auction to help pay for the cost of this year's reunion so be thinking of something that you might share!

A more detailed agenda will be coming in the mail soon !

Today in my database : Sarah May Peoples (b. May 3, 1870)

Today's featured relative in my database is my wife's great-grandmother, Sarah May Peoples.

Sarah was born May 3, 1870 in Culver, Marshall Co., IN and died May 1932. She was the daughter of George and Katherine (McMillen) Peoples.

Sarah married Albert Duffey Pefley in 1897 in Plymouth, Marshall Co., IN. Their children were Lowell, Myra, Homer and Sherman Pefley.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Obituary : Suman Douglas King

Source : Alexandria, IN Times-Tribune, January 9, 1950

Death Claims Douglas King at Orestes

Douglas "Pappy" King, 88, a life-long resident of this community, died at 12:07 a.m. today at his home in Orestes following a four-year illness.

Mr. King suffered a fractured hip in a fall Dec. 22 and his condition had been serious since that time.

Born May 20, 1861 in Madison county near Frankton, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel King.

During his lifetime he had been employed with the old Plate Glass company here and the Indiana railroad. His last employment was with the county highway department as a truck driver.

He was married in 1880 to Amanda Fox, who died in 1944. He was affiliated with the First Baptist church, Orestes. Five children preceded in death.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Edna Danforth and Mrs. Hazel Gross, both of Alexandria; one son, Fred with whom he made his home; one brother, Ben King, Orestes; 44 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren and four great, great-grandchildren.

The body was removed to the Roger C. Gipe funeral home and will be returned to the family home this evening.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Orestes Baptist church with the Rev. Richard Berkey, Christian pastor, in charge. Burial will be in Odd Fellows cemetery.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Family History Rescued from fire



These photographs were rescued from the house fire of my great-aunt Barbara Webster, and were given to me by my mother for safe-keeping. I tend to be the one whose given the family history gems to hold onto.

I have not identified these photographs, but assume that they are from either the Wright or the Pierce family line.

Fire is a destroyer and no respector of persons - please make copies of your photographs, family documents, etc. and pass them around to other members of the family so that in case of a tragedy, all is not lost.

Genealogy Without Documentation is Mythology

How many times have I heard that quote ringing in my head, particularly now as I look over the mountains of paperwork that I am trying to scan and/or organize.

So much of my early research was not documented, or when it was documented, the documentation was incomplete. I would highly recommend Evidence! by Elizabeth Shown Mills, as a guidebook for genealogical citations. As I slowly and painfully go through the process of adding source citations to my 'facts' in my family tree database, I want to kick myself for not doing this as I went along.

When I started out, I assumed that I would always remember where I heard that great-grandpa Wright was born here, or that uncle so-and-so went west and was never heard from again. Now, I struggle with the embarrassment that so much of my database is undocumented. Undocumented, my friends, is practically worthless.

My recommendation to those who are starting out is to document, document, document! When you send a chart to a far-distant cousin, and they want to know where you obtained the birth date for great-aunt Martha, you don't want to have to say "I dunno?!"

Jesus Christ had Matthew, Mark & John to give eyewitness testimony, and Luke, the historian, was able to interview eyewitnesses to the resurrection. Unfortunately, in my database, there is more hearsay than documented facts at the moment.