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| Wesley F. Metzner (1872-1953) |
1. Vital Records
1.1. Birth Certificate
Wesley was born March 3, 1872 in Jay County, Indiana. The State of Indiana did not require the state-wide registration of births until 1907.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If Wesley's birth was mention in a local newspaper, it has been lost to history. The Jay County, Indiana public library has local newspapers from the 1880s. The holdings of the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis do not indicate any newspapers of the time period.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Metzner family. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hope's that one does exist.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I am not aware of any baptismal record for Wesley. The Metzners were members of the Evangelical Association.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Wesley was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Wesley married on October 20, 1898 in Jay County, Indiana1 to Mary Nora Axe. 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 Wesley and Nora's nuptials.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
Wesley and Nora's 25th wedding anniversary would have been October 20, 1923. 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 Wesley was ever divorced, but a full search of Jay County, Indiana court records needs to be completed.
1.3. Death Certificate
Wesley died November 5, 1953 in Portland, Jay County, Indiana. I do not have a copy of his death certificate. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if I can locate an obituary for Wesley. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
Once I have a copy of Wesley's obituary, I can contact the funeral home mentioned and see if they have any additional records.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
Wesley's tombstone in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana has been photographed2.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census
On April 16, 1940, Wesley was enumerated as head of household in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana3, as Wesley Metzner, age 68, Farmer. He owned his home and it was valued at $1000. He was married and had completed the 8th grade in education. His residence in 1935 was the same location. He was born in Indiana.
2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census
On April 9, 1930, Wesley was enumerated as head of household in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana4, as Wesley F. Metzner, age 58, Farmer. He was born in Indiana, and both parents born in Ohio. He owned his home and it was valued at $5500. He was married at age 26. He could read and write and spoke English.
2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census
On January 29, 1920, Wesley was enumerated as head of household in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana5, as Wesley F. Metzner, age 46, Farmer. He owned his home and it was mortgaged. He could read and write and spoke English. He was born in Indiana and both parents were born in Ohio.
2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census
On April 19, 1910, Wesley was enumerated as head of household in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana6, as Wesley F. Metzner, age 38, Farmer. He had been married for 12 years. He was born in Indiana and both parents were born in Ohio. He could read and write and spoke English.
2.1.5. 1900 Federal Census
On June 23, 1900, Wesley was enumerated as head of household in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana7, as Wesley F. Metzner, age 28, Farmer. He was born November 1872 in Indiana and both parents were born in Ohio. He had been married for 1 year. He could read and write and spoke English. He owned his home free of mortgage.
2.1.6. 1880 Federal Census
On June 23, 1880, Wesley was enumerated in the John A. Metzner household in Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana8, as Wesley F. Metzner, son, age 8, born in Indiana. Both parents were born in Ohio. He had attended school within the year.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931. 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 Metzner farm.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
Wesley was too old to have registered for the draft during World War I.
3.2. Pension Records
Not applicable.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Jay County, Indiana to see what records might mention Wesley.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Jay County published a plat map in 1874, 1881, 1887, 1901, 1910 and 1920 that might be relevant in my search for Wesley. I have access to the 1887 and 1901 maps, and need to see what information they contain.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records to research for Wesley include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add these to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.
Sources:
1. Jay County, Indiana Marriage Records, Book C-H, page 515.
2. FindAGrave Inc., FindAGrave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 6 November 2013).
3. 1940 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Noble Township, enumeration district 38-9, SD 5, sheet 4B, dwelling 78; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. Wesley F. Metzner household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana, ED 38-9, SD 5, sheet 4A, dwelling 84, family 84; National Archives micropublication T626.
5. 1920 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Noble Township, enumeration district 74, SD 8, sheet 4A, dwelling 91, family 94; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
6. 1910 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Noble Township, enumeration district 69, SD 8, sheet 2A, dwelling 29, family 29; digital archives, Archives.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
7. 1900 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Noble Township, enumeration district 63, SD 8, sheet 11B, dwelling 242, family 244; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
8. John A. Metzner household, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Wayne Township, Jay County, Indiana, ED 208, SD 6, page 5, dwelling 5; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 287.
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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