Edmund G. Pierce (1837-1875) was my maternal 3rd-great grandfather. What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.
1. Vital Records
Edmund was born April 30, 18371 in Wayne County, Indiana.
1.1. Birth Certificate
The State of Indiana did not require birth certificates at this time.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If Edmund's birth was mentioned in a local newspaper, it has been lost to time.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of any surviving family Bible that would record the birth of Edmund. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one can be located.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I am not aware of any bapitsmal record for Edmund, nor the church affiliation of the family at the time. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for future research trips.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Edmund was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Edmund married Lydia P. Duell on October 17, 1858 in Preble County, Ohio1,2. Lydia was the daughter of Joshua and Abigail (Borton) Duell. She was born March 26, 1838 in Pilesgrove, New Jersey and died September 14, 18603. They had no known children.
Edmund married secondly to Catherine Groenendyke on May 5, 18641 in Madison County, Indiana. Catherine was the daughter of Elias and Nancy (Jenkins) Groenendyke. She was born February 4, 1843 in Madison County, Indiana and died December 10, 1913 in Madison County, Indiana. They raised 5 children in Madison County, Indiana.
1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Edmund's nuptials.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
Edmund was deceased before reaching the 25th year mark for either of his marriages.
1.2.3. Divorce Decree
There is no indication that Edmund and Lydia or Edmund and Catherine were ever divorced.
1.3. Death Certificate
Edmund died January 8, 1875 in Madison County, Indiana, according to my database. The State of Indiana did not require death certificates at this time. Will need to seek out additional sources to determine his exact date of death.
1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Edmund's death. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
Will need to search the local historical society to see if they have records of funeral homes that might shed some light on Edmund's funeral. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
Edmund's tombstone in the Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana4 has been photographed. A link to his memorial page at FindAGrave is here.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1870 Federal Census
On July 15, 1870, Edmund was enumerated as the head of household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana5, as E.G. Pierce, age 33, farmer. He was born in Indiana and was a U.S. citizen. The value of his real estate was $3200 and the value of his personal estate was $750.
2.1.2. 1860 Federal Census
I have not yet located Edmund in the 1860 federal census. He should be living in Preble County, Ohio. He was married two years earlier in that same county. His wife, Lydia, died in 1860 as well. Will continue to search for the record.
2.1.3. 1850 Federal Census
There is a record of an Edmund Pierce, age 13, living in Wayne County, Indiana living in the James Walker household in Washington Township, Wayne County, Indiana. This is where I would expect to find the Pierce family, but the rest of the family has not been found. I do not know of any relationship with the Walker family. Much more research needs to be done to locate Edmund's father, Francis, and the rest of the family in the 1850 census.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Indiana conducted 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 census records to see what light they might shed on the Pierce family.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
I have not yet located any draft registration records nor military service for Edmund.
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 Preble County, Ohio and Madison County, Indiana to see what records might mention Edmund. Will add that to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Plat maps of Preble County, Ohio and Madison County, Indiana will need to be searched to see what information can be gleaned that might be relevant to my search.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records available for research on Edmund 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. Pierce, Frederick Beech, "Pierce Genealogy...posterity of Thomas Pierce...", Press of Chas. Hamilton, Worchester, MA, 1882, page 327.
2. http://www.usigs.org/library/vitals/oh/preble/prebmarr.htm.
3. Lydia B. Pierce, FindAGrave.com online [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=9257485], accessed 3 October 2010.
4. FindAGrave Inc., FindAGrave (www.findagrave.com : accessed 16 September 2015), Edmund G. Pierce tombstone.
5. E.G. Pierce household, 1870 U.S. census schedule, Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana, page 32, dwelling 235, family 235; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 336, page 184.
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.
I like this idea of systematic analysis. Great post!
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