Edith Mabel (LeMaster) Meinholtz (1879-1949) was my paternal great-grandaunt. What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.
1. Vital Records
1.1. Birth Certificate
Edith was born September 24, 1879 in Jay County, Indiana. Birth records in Jay County do not start until 1882.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of Edith's birth.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of any surviving Bible records for the LeMaster family. Will continue to reach out to extended relatives in hopes that one does exist.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I am not aware of any baptismal record for Edith. The family was affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church in Salamonia, Indiana.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Edith was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Edith married Henry Meinholtz on April 20, 1910 in Jay County, Indiana. I do not have a copy of their marriage license. Will add that to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of Edith and Henry's nuptials.
1.2.2. Anniversary notice
Edith and Henry's 25th wedding anniversary would have been April 20, 1935. Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if any mention was made of anniversary celebrations.
1.2.3. Divorce decree
There is no indication that Edith and Henry were ever divorced.
1.3. Death Certificate
Edith died July 27, 1949, probably in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I do not have this fact sourced in my database. I am basing the assumption on the fact that she lived for a number of years in Colorado Springs and is buried in a cemetery there. Will need to add this to my "to-do" list for future research.
1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper
Need to search contemporary newspapers for a copy of Edith's obituary. Have located one for her husband and daughter in Colorado Springs, but not Edith.
1.3.2. Funeral home records
Once I obtain a copy of her obituary, can find out which funeral home handled arrangements and see if there are any surviving records that might aid in my research.
1.3.3. Tombstone photograph
Edith's tombstone in the Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has been photographed at the FindAGrave website. The tombstone lists her dates of birth and death as "September 24, 1879 - July 27, 1949".
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census
On April 10, 1940, Edith was enumerated in the Henry Meinholtz household in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado1, as Edith M., age 60, born in Indiana. She had resided at same residence in 1935. She had completed 4 years of college, and no occupation was listed. Living in the household were husband, Henry, age 64, born in Missouri, a stockman on a ranch; and daughter, Marjorie M., age 18, born in Colorado.
2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census
On April 14, 1930, Edith was enumerated in the Henry C. Meinholtz household in Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado2, as Edith M., age 50, born in Indiana. She was age 30 at her marriage. Her father was born in Ohio and her mother in New Jersey. She could read and write and spoke English. No occupation was listed. Living in the household were husband, Henry C., age 54, born in Missouri, a stockman; Mary M., age 19, born in Oklahoma; Hulda L., age 16, born in Oklahoma; Helen E., age 14, born in Oklahoma; and Marjorie M., age 8, born in Colorado.
2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census
On January 4, 1920, Edith was enumerated in the Henry Meinholtz household in Okmulgee, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma3, as Edith, a housewife, age 40, born in Missouri. Her father and mother were listed as being born in Germany. The enumerator has her birthplace and that of her parents confused with her husband. Living in the household is husband, Henry, age 44, born in Nebraska, a farmer; and children Mary W., age 9, born in Indiana, Lucille, age 6, and Helen age 4 1/2, both born in Oklahoma.
2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census
I have not yet located Edith in the 1910 census. She was married that year to Henry Meinholtz, who I have located living in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma as a single man. Edith was not listed with her parents in the 1910 census.
2.1.5. 1900 Federal Census
On June 4, 1900, Edith was enumerated in the Luman C. Lemasters household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana4, as Edith M., daughter, age 20, born September 1879, born in Indiana. Her father was born in Ohio, and her mother in New Jersey.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Colorado and Oklahoma conducted state and territorial census, but these were in the period before Edith lived there.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the Meinholtz family.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
Not applicable, as Edith was female.
3.2. Pension Records
I am not aware of any military service by her husband or father that would have made Edith eligible for pension benefits. Her father did serve in the Civil War, but I don't believe she ever received any minor's benefits.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable, as Edith was female.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma and El Paso County, Colorado to see what items might mention Edith and Henry. Will add this to my "to-do" list of research items.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Plat maps for Okmulgee County, Oklahoma and El Paso County, Colorado need to be researched as well. Will contact the local historical societies to see what information they might have on the Meinholtz family.
5. Supplemental records
Supplemental records available for research on Edith include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add these to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.
Have found online mention of Henry Meinholtz in a court case : Meinholtz v. Henryetta Gas Co. that looks interesting for further research. This case went to the Oklahoma State Supreme Court.
Sources :
1. 1940 U.S. census, El Paso County, Colorado, population schedule, Colorado Springs, enumeration district 21-3, SD 3, sheet 7B, 1624 Cascade, household 170; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
2. 1930 U.S. census, El Paso County, Colorado, population schedule, Colorado Springs, enumeration district 21-2, SD 7, sheet 5A, 1624 North Cascade, dwelling 124, family 125; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
3. 1920 U.S. census, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma, population schedule, Okmulgee, enumeration district 134, sheet 6B, dwelling 103, family 122; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. Luman C. Lemasters household, 1900 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison Township, ED 62, SD 67, sheet 3, dwelling 59, family 60; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 380.
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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