Ethel May (Wehrly) Shreeve (1886-1951) 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
Ethel was born June 17, 1886 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana1. I do not have a copy of her birth certificate. Will add this to my list of things "to do" for my next research trip. The State of Indiana did not require statewide registration of births until 1907. Jay County, Indiana Health Department has birth records from 1882.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If Ethel's birth was announced in the local newspaper, it has been lost to history. The Jay County Public Library does has some newspapers from the late 1880s. The State Library in Indianapolis does not indicate any newspapers from the time period.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of any surviving record of the Werhly family. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one does exist.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I am not aware of any baptismal record for Ethel, nor the church affiliation of the Wehrly family.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Ethel was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Ethel married William Shreeve on December 19, 19061, probably in Jay County, Indiana. I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Ethel and William's nuptials.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
Ethel and William's 25th wedding anniversary would have been December 19, 1931. Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if any mention was made of anniversary celebrations.
1.2.3. Divorce Decree
There is no indication that Ethel and William were ever divorced, but a search of Jay and Allen County, Indiana court records needs to be done.
1.3. Death Certificate
Ethel died April 12, 19511, probably in Ft. Wayne, Allen County, Indiana. I do not have a copy of her death certificate. Will need to add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper
Will need to check local newspapers in Allen County and Jay County, Indiana to see if Ethel's obituary was mentioned. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
Once I've obtained her obituary, I might be able to identify the funeral home that handled the arrangements and then contact them to see if they have more records.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
Ethel's tombstone in the Salamonia Cemetery in Jay County, Indiana has been photographed2. The stone reads "Ethel M. 1886-1951 Mother".
Her memorial page at FindAGrave site is here.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census
On April 15, 1940, Ethel was enumerated in the William A. Shreeve household in Ward 1 of Ft. Wayne, Allen County, Indiana3, as Ethel Shreeve, wife, age 50, born in Indiana. She resided in the same place in 1935. She had completed the 8th grade. No occupation was listed.
2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census
On April 5, 1930, Ethel was enumerated in the William A. Shreeve household in Ward 1 of Ft. Wayne, Allen County, Indiana4, as Ethel Shreeve, wife, age 43, born in Indiana. She was 19 years old at her marriage. Her father and mother were both born in Indiana. She could read and write and spoke English. No occupation was listed. Their residence was at 1325 Dodge Avenue.
2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census
On January 7, 1920, Ethel was enumerated in the William A. Shreeve household in Ward 3 of Van Wert, Van Wert County, Ohio5, as Ethel M. Shreeve, wife, age 33, born in Indiana. She could read and write and spoke English. Her father was born in Ohio and her mother born in Indiana. No occupation was listed. Their residence was at 419 Euclid.
2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census
On April 15, 1920, Ethel was enumerated in the William A. Shreeves household in Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana6, as Ethel M. Shreeves, wife, age 23. She had been married for 3 years and the mother of 1 child who was living. Her father and mother were both born in Indiana. She could read and write and spoke English. No occupation was listed.
2.1.5. 1900 Federal Census
On June 2, 1900, Ethel was enumerated in the William P. Wehrly household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana7, as Ethel M. Wehrly, daughter, born June 1886 in Indiana. Her father and mother were born in Ohio. She could read and write and spoke English.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913 and 1921. These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet investigated these types of records to see what light they might shed on the Wehrly family farm.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
Not applicable, as Ethel was female.
3.2. Pension Records
I am not aware of any military service by her husband or father that would have made Ethel eligible for benefits. Her father did serve during the Civil War, but I don't believe she was ever eligible for minor's benefits.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable, as Ethel was female.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Allen and Jay County in Indiana and Van Wert County, Ohio to see what records might mention Ethel and her family. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Plat and county maps for Allen and Jay County in Indiana and Van Wert County, Ohio will need to searched. Will contact the local historical societies to see what maps they might have in their collection.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records available for research on Ethel include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
Sources:
1. Wehrly, Blaine & Gladys, "Wehrly & Smith Family History." Report to the Wehrly Reunion, New Castle, Indiana, 16 August 1970. Photocopy held by author.
2. Ethel May Wehrly Shreeve Memorial Page, FindAGrave, Inc. online [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=68874455], accessed 17 July 2013
3. 1940 U.S. census, Allen County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Ft. Wayne, enumeration district 94-54A, SD 4, sheet 63A, household 190; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. 1930 U.S. census, Allen County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Ft. Wayne, enumeration district 2-4, SD 3, sheet 5B, 1325 Dodge Avenue, dwelling 129, family 129; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
5. 1920 U.S. census, Van Wert County, Ohio, population schedule, Ward 3, Van Wert, enumeration district 132, SD 4, sheet 6B, 419 Euclid Avenue, dwelling 150, family 155; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 28 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
6. 1910 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Wayne Township, enumeration district 80, SD 8, sheet 12B, dwelling 16, family 16; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
7. William P. Wehrly household, 1900 U.S. census, population schedule, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, ED 62, SD 67, sheet 2B, dwelling 44, family 45; National Archives micopublication T623, roll 380, page 77.
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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