Ellen (King) Wright (1868-1913) was my maternal 2nd-great grandmother. What follows is an exploratory analyis of the biographical data I have collected about her.
1. Vital Records
1.1. Birth Certificate
Ellen was born August 24, 1868 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana1.
The State of Indiana did not require birth certificates prior to 1907.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
I have not been able to locate any contemporary accounts of Ellen's birth.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of surviving Bible record of the King family. I will continue to reach out to collateral relatives hoping to locate one.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I am not aware of any baptismal record for Ellen at this time, nor am I aware of the King family's church affiliation.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Ellen was adopted.
1.2. Marriage license
Ellen married on May 13, 1888 in Madison County, Indiana to John William Wright1,2. I've realized that I do not have a copy of their marriage license from Madison County. Will add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.
1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper
Will need to search out contemporary newspapers to see if their nuptials were mentioned.
1.2.2. Anniversary notice
John and Ellen's 25th wedding anniversary would have been May 13, 1913. Need to search the local newspapers to see if mention was made.
1.2.3. Divorce decree
There is no evidence that John and Ellen were ever divorced.
1.3. Death Certificate
Ellen died on December 24, 1913 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana3. The cause of death was listed as mitral regurgitation.
1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper
Ellen's obituary appeared in the December 26, 1913 edition of the Alexandria Times-Tribune4.
I need to search other local newspapers to see if mention was made of her death.
1.3.2. Funeral home records
I need to check with the local historical society to see if there are any funeral home records that mention her. The obituary did not state which funeral home handled the arrangements.
1.3.3. Tombstone photograph
Ellen's tombstone in the I.O.O.F. cemetery has been photographed. The tombstone lists her as "Ellen Wright 1868-1913".
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1910 Federal Census
On May 5, 1910, Ellen was enumerated in the John W. Wright household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana5 as Ellen Wright, wife, age 41, born in Indiana. She was the mother of 4 children, 2 of whom were living. She had been married for 23 years. Her father was born in the United States and her mother born in Indiana. She could read and write and spoke English.
2.1.2. 1900 Federal Census
On June 27, 1900, Ellen was enumerated in the John W. Wright household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana6 as Ellen Wright, wife, born August 1868, age 31, born in Indiana. She had been married for 14 years and was the mother of 3 children, 2 of whom were living. Both her parents were born in Indiana. She could read and write and spoke English.
2.1.3. 1880 Federal Census
On June 28, 1880, Ellen was enumerated in the Wm. H. Cochran household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana7 as Ellen King, age 11, stepdaughter. She was born in Indiana and her father born in Tennessee and mother born in Indiana. She had attended school within the year.
2.1.4. 1870 Federal Census
On September 13, 1870, Ellen was enumerated in the Daniel King household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana8 as Ellen King, age 2, female, born in Indiana.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1921. These, however, were merely for the determination of legislative apportionment.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what information might be shed on the family farm and household.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
Not applicable, as Ellen was female.
3.2. Pension Records
I have found no evidence of military service by Ellen's father or husband.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable, as Ellen was female.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana. All evidence indicates that Ellen spent her entire adult life in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Madison County published a plat map in 1880, 1891, 1893, 1901, 1910, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1923, 1931 and 1940 that might be relevant to my search for Ellen and the King and Wright families.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records available to research for Ellen include county/city directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add these to my "to-do" list for my next research trip in Madison County.
Sources:
1. Freeman, Sandra, "John William Wright - Ellen King family group sheet", compiled [n.d.]. Notes say information from Zelma Cooper and Gloria LeMaster.
2. John Wright obituary, Alexandria Times Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, June 6, 1945.
3. Ella Wright death certificate, Book H-29, page 96 (1913). Madison County Health Department, Anderson, Indiana, USA.
4. Mrs. John Wright obituary, Alexandria Times Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, December 26, 1913, page 1.
5. John W. Wright household, 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 17, SD 8, sheet 11B, dwelling 259, family 259; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 364.
6. John W. Wright household, 1900 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 96, SD 8, sheet 21B, dwelling 398, family 432; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 386.
7. Wm. H. Cochran household, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, page 58, ED 21, SD 3, dwelling 451; family 453; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 293.
8. Daniel King household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, page 35, dwelling 255, family 249; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 336.
This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions drawn in this article are welcomed.
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