Ora Amanda (Haley) Bittikofer (1884-1961) 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
Ora was born August 25, 1884 in Jay County, Indiana1. The Jay County Indiana Health Department has birth records from 1882. I do not yet have a copy of her birth certificate. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If Ora's birth was recorded in a newspaper, I have not yet discovered it. Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if she is mentioned.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Haley family. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one does exist.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
The Haleys were members of the Evangelical Association. I am not aware of any baptismal record for Ora at this time.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Ora was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Ora married Franklin Oliver Bittikofer on February 20, 1904 in Jay County, Indiana2. A copy of their marriage license was the subject of a previous post.
1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Frank and Ora's nuptials.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
Ora and Frank's 25th wedding anniversary would have been February 20, 1929. Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if there was any mention of anniversary celebrations.
1.2.3. Divorce Decree
There is no indication that Ora was ever divorced, but a thorough search of Jay County, Indiana court records needs to be completed.
1.3. Death Certificate
Ora died in 1961, according to her tombstone. I do not have a copy of her death certificate. Since the family was living in Troy, Miami County, Ohio, assume that she died there. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper
Once I obtain an exact date of death, will search contemporary newspapers to see if I can locate an obituary for Ora. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
Once I have a copy of Ora's obituary, I can contact the funeral home mentioned and see if they have any additional records of Ora's funeral.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
Ora's tombstone in the Riverside Cemetery, Troy, Miami County, Ohio has been photographed. A link to her memorial page at Billiongraves.com is located here.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census
On April 1, 1940, Ora was enumerated in the Frank Bittikofer household in Ward 3, Troy, Miami County, Ohio3, as Ora Bittikofer, wife, age 55. She was born in Indiana. Her residence in 1935 was the same location. She had completed the 5th grade in education. No occupation was listed. Her residence was 323 Summit Avenue.
2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census
On April 18, 1930, Ora was enumerated in the Frank O. Bittikofer household in Ward 3, Troy, Miami County, Ohio4, as Ora M. Bittikofer, wife, age 46. She was married at age 23. She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents. She could read and write and spoke English. No occupation was listed. Her residence was 517 Court Street.
2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census
On January 3, 1920, Ora was enumerated in the Frank Bitteroffer household in Bradford, Miami County, Ohio5, as Ora Bitteroffer, wife, age 35. She was born in Indiana, and both her parents were born in Ohio. She could read and write and spoke English. No occupation was listed. Her residence was 314 Main Street. The census enumerator spelled the surname as Bitteroffer.
2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census
On April 30, 1910, Ora was enumerated in the Frank Bittikofer household in Recovery Township, Mercer County, Ohio6, as Ora Bittikofer, wife, age 26. This was her first marriage and she had been married for 6 years. She was the mother of 2 children, 1 of whom was living. She was born in Indiana, her father born in Indiana and her mother born in Ohio. She could read and write and spoke English. No occupation was listed.
2.1.5. 1900 Federal Census
On June 16, 1900, Ora was enumerated in the Robert E. Kimble household in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana7, as Ora M. Haley, stepdaughter, age 15. She was born August 1884 in Indiana. Her father and mother were born in Ohio. She could read and write and spoke English.
2.2. State Census Records
No state census records in Ohio are known to exist.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet examined these types of records to see what light they might shed on the Kimble/Haley farm.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
Not applicable, as Ora was female.
3.2. Pension Records
I am not aware of any military service by Ora's husband or father that would have made her eligible for military benefits.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable, as Ora was female.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Mercer and Miami Counties, Ohio to see what records might mention Ora and her family. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Will need to search out plat maps in Miami County, Ohio to see if I can locate her family and obtain any additional information.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records to search for Ora include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add these to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
Sources :
1. Jay County, Indiana Birth Records, Book H-1, page 107.
2. Jay County, Indiana Marriage Records, Book C-J, page 19.
3. 1940 U.S. census, Miami County, Ohio, population schedule, Ward 3, Troy, enumeration district 55-10, SD 4, sheet 2B, 323 Summit Avenue, dwelling 34; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. 1930 U.S. census, Miami County, Ohio, population schedule, Ward 3, Troy, enumeration district 55-7, SD 11, sheet 20A, 517 Court Street, dwelling 551, family 5551; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
5. 1920 U.S. census, Miami County, Ohio, population schedule, Bradford, enumeration district 220, SD 3, sheet 4B, 314 Main Street, dwelling 91, family 102; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 October 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
6. 1910 U.S. census, Mercer County, Ohio, population schedule, Recovery Township, enumeration district 122, SD 9, sheet 11B, dwelling 224, family 226; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 31 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
7. Robert E. Kimble household, 1900 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Noble Township, ED 63, SD 67, sheet 9, dwelling 180, family 182.
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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