Saturday, January 31, 2015

Surname Saturday : Breese

The BREESE surname is in my paternal line.  The origins are unknown, though possibly Dutch.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 635 : Mary Breese (c1699-aft1758).  Mary was born circa 1699 in Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey.  She married Cornelius Corniliszen (c1682-1758).  Cornelius was born circa 1682.  They lived in Somerset County, New Jersey.  Cornelius died in 1758 at Piscataway, Middelsex County, New Jersey.  Mary died after 1758 at Basking Ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey.



Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Military Monday : Arthur Raymond LeMaster, World War II Draft Registration, 1942

Working my way through the hints in the Ancestry database for World War II Draft Registrations, 1942 and located this registration in Jay County, Indiana for Arthur Raymond LeMaster, my paternal great granduncle.


World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 March 2013); citing Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration: Indiana. Arthur Raymond LeMaster, Jay County, Indiana.


This draft record adds to the information I've collected about Arthur, who was the son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (Chew) Lemasters.  Arthur's draft registration gives his exact date of birth as December 28, 1885 in Jay County, Indiana.

Arthur was 56 years old at the time of the registration, and his nearest living relative was his wife, Maude G. (McLaughlin) LeMaster, of Portland.

Arthur's occupation was listed as self-employed farm manager in Madison Township.  Previous information had indicated that he also had operated a grocery store on North Meridian Street in Portland.

Arthur was described as having a dark complexion, white male with brown eyes and black hair.  He was 5'11" and weighed 240 lbs.

Military Monday – We all have ancestors who have served in the military. Military Monday is a place to post their images, stories and records of their service in various branches of the military. Military Monday is an ongoing series by Cindy at Everything’s Relative – Researching Your Family History.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Census Sunday : Eli Weldon Haley household, 1940, Jay County, Indiana

My paternal great-grandfather, Eli Weldon Haley, was enumerated in the 1940 U.S. census in Jay County, Indiana.  His farm was in Noble Township, and he was residing at the same location back in 1935.

1940 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Noble Township, enumeration district (ED) 38-9, SD 5, sheet 3A, household 54, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..
The family consisted of my great-grandfather, Eli, aged 74, and my great-grandmother, Cora, aged 71.  Eli was born in Indiana and Cora was born in Ohio.

According to the census, both Eli and Cora had completed the 8th grade in education.  Eli's occupation was listed as a farmer.  The value of his farm was listed as $800.  At 74 years old, I wonder how much activity he was still able to do on the farm?

Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt used by many genealogy bloggers to help them post content on their sites.

State & Federal census sheets are filled with information for genealogists. Both the population & non-population schedules give us insights into the lives of our ancestors. What have you found that is Surprising? Reassuring? Bewildering? Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt suggested by Colleen Pasquale of Leaves and Branches.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Surname Saturday : Bräun

The BRÄUN surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are German.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 1401 : Anna Bräun (1674-1724).  Anna was born April 7, 1624 in Würrtemberg.  She married Christoph Stickel (1654-1771) on September 25, 1694 in Egenausen, Würrtemberg.  Christoph was baptized January 10, 1654 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  They had at least one son.  Christoph died November 14, 1771 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  Anna died January 18, 1724 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.

Ahntentafel # 2802 : Johannes Bräun (1648-1693).  Johannes was born September 16, 1648 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  He married Jacobina Kirn (1626-    ) on June 23, 1646 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  Jacobina was born January 5, 1626 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  They had at least one daughter.  Johannes died July 18, 1693 in Würrtemberg.

Ahntentafel # 5604 : Michael Bräun.  Nothing further known.


Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Exploratory Data Analysis : Elizabeth Caroline (Poe) Beals (1856-1935)

Elizabeth Caroline (Poe) Beals (1856-1935) was my maternal 3rd-great grandmother.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.


1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Elizabeth was born September 28, 1856 in Morgan County, Indiana1.  The State of Indiana did not require birth certificates until 1907.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               If Elizabeth's birth was recorded in a newspaper, I've not located it yet.  Will need to check with local libraries and state archives to see if they have any newspapers from the time period.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I'm not aware of any surviving Poe family Bible that might record her birth.  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 baptismal record for Elizabeth.  The family were members of the Society of Friends (Quaker) church.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Elizabeth was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Elizabeth married Nathan Thomas Beals on September 26, 1876 in Hamilton County, Indiana2.  Nathan was born February 17, 1856 in Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana.  They raised three daughters in Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska.  Nathan died February 16, 1915 in Leola, Grant County, Arkansas.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Elizabeth and Nathan's nuptials.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Elizabeth and Nathan's 25th wedding anniversary would have been September 26, 1901.  Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if there was mention of any anniversary celebration.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

                  Though there is no indication of a divorce, will need to search court records in Hamilton County, Indiana to be sure there aren't records I've missed.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Elizabeth died September 27, 1935 near Greentown, Howard County, Indiana3.  I do not yet have a copy of her death certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper

               Elizabeth's obituary appeared in the September 28, 1935 edition of the Tipton, Indiana Daily Tribune3.  The cause of death was listed as paralysis and the obituary stated that she died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Lambertson.   This obituary was the subject of a previous post.

              Elizabeth's obituary appeared in the September 30, 1935 edition of the Noblesville, Indiana Daily Ledger4.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               Will need to search for funeral home records at the local historical society to see if there is any more information I can obtain about Elizabeth's funeral.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Elizabeth's tombstone in the Cicero Cemetery in Cicero, Indiana has been photographed5.  A link to her memorial at FindAGrave is located here.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1930 Federal Census

              On April 22, 1930, Elizabeth was enumerated as head of household in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana6 as Elizabeth Beals, age 73, widow.  She was renting her home for $23.00 per month.  Also living in the household were her daughter, Nellie Stober, aged 40, widow, and her granddaughter, Ruby Stober, aged 16, single.  Her address was 1963 Tallman Avenue.  Elizabeth could read and write and spoke English.  She was born in Indiana, her father was born in North Carolina and her mother was born in Indiana.

          2.1.2. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 27, 1920, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Marion Blanton household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana7, as Elizabeth Beals, age 63, widowed, servant.  Elizabeth could read and write and speak English.  She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.

          2.1.3. 1910 Federal Census

               On April 16, 1910, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Nathan T. Beals household in Cicero, Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana8, as Elizabeth C. Beals, wife, age 52.  She had been married for 33 years, and was the mother of 1 child who was still living.  She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.

          2.1.4. 1900 Federal Census

                On June 1, 1900, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Nathan T. Beals household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana9, as Elizabeth C. Beals, wife, born September 1856 in Indiana.  She had been married 24 years and was the mother of 3 children, 2 of whom were living.  Her father was born in South Carolina and her mother in Indiana.  She could read and write and spoke English.

          2.1.5. 1880 Federal Census

               On June 12, 1880, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Nathan Beales household in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska10, as Elizabeth Beales, wife, age 24, born Indiana.  Her father was born in Indiana and her mother was born in North Carolina.

          2.1.6. 1870 Federal Census

               On August 17, 1870, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Isaac S. Poe household in Washington Township, Hamilton County, Indiana11, as Elizabeth Poe, age 13, born in Indiana.  She had attended school within the year.

          2.1.7. 1860 Federal Census

               On August 3, 1860, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Isaac Poe household in Monroe Township, Morgan County, Indiana12, as Elizabeth Poe, age 3, female, born in Indiana.

     2.2. State Census Records

          On June 4, 1885, Elizabeth was enumerated in the N.T. Beals household in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska13, as Elizabeth Beals, age 28, wife. 

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the Beals family.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Elizabeth was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          Elizabeth's father, Isaac S. Poe, served during the Civil War in Co E, 12th Indiana Infantry.  I need to check and see if she received any benefits as a result of his service.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Elizabeth was female.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska to see what records might mention Elizabeth.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Plat maps of Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska to see what information might be relevant to my search for Elizabeth.

5. Supplemental Records

     Supplemental records available for research on Elizabeth 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. Beals, John, "Chronology of the Beals Family", Butler Printing House, Noblesville, Indiana, 1912, page 49.
2. "Indiana Marriage, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VXPP-TJB : accessed 15 Oct 2013), Nathan T Beal and Elizabeth E Poe, 1876
3. Mrs. Elizabeth Beals obituary, Tipton Daily Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, September 28, 1935, page 4.
4. Mrs. Elizabeth Beals obituary, Noblesville Daily Ledger, Noblesville, Indiana, September 30, 1935.
5. FindAGrave, Inc., FindAGrave (www.findagrave.com : accessed 8 December 2014), Elizabeth Caroline Beals tombstone.
6. 1930 U.S. census, Marion County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Indianapolis, enumeration district 49-11, SD 8, page 20B, dwelling 312, family 317; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
7. Marion Blaton household, 1920 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jackson township, ED 99, SD 9, sheet 5, dwelling 89, family 89; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 435.
8. Nathan T. Beals household, 1910 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Cicero, ED 104, SD 9, sheet 2, dwelling 33, family 34; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 353.
9. Nathan T. Beals household, 1900 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jackson township, ED 85, SD 9, sheet 1, dwelling 15, family 18; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 375.
10. Nathan Beales household, 1880 U.S. census, Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska, population schedule, ED 320, SD 1, page 27, dwelling 61, family 63; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 754.
11. Isaac S. Poe household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Washington Township, Hamilton County, Indiana, page 76, dwelling 597, family 583; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 319, page 216.
12. Isaac Poe household, 1860 U.S. census, Morgan County, Indiana, population schedule, Monroe Township, Mooresville P.O., page 62, dwelling 433, household 442; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
13. "Nebraska State Census, 1885," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X3F4-G2K : accessed 22 January 2015), N T Beals, 1885; citing NARA microfilm publication M352 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 499,573.

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.

Alexandria Times-Tribune being digitized

Found out that the local newspaper in Alexandria, Indiana where my maternal relatives lived, worked and died is currently unavailable for viewing at the public library, but for a good reason.  From their website :

The Alexandria Times-Tribune microfilm is being digitized and is no longer available to the public. Once the digitization project is completed, users will be able to access content covering March 1, 1905-June 2013 from any workstation within the library. We anticipate the project to be completed by December 2014.
I'm looking forward to being able to access and search the images, always so much easier to find the tidbits and obituaries, by searching rather than scrolling page by page through the microfilm.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

On Mortality And Such

Recent events have had me thinking more and more about mortality - mine and members of my family.  Though I would not be considered old (46) by many, I'm wise enough to realize that time is a precious commodity and we're not guaranteed another moment on this Earth.

So what does this have to do with genealogy and family history?  Well, quite a bit, actually.  All of us are mortal.  Genealogists deal constantly with facts such as births and deaths, and this blog is my attempt to beat the clock by sharing my research not only with the living, but the future unborn members of my family who might be interested.  So far this blog has been long on dates and facts and short on personal insight, but hopefully in 2015 that can change.  A New Year's Resolution?  Perhaps, but we shall see.

One thing I've noted throughout the time I've been collecting information on my family history is that some of my ancestors and relatives died what would be considered a pretty early death.  For every one that made it into their eighties and beyond, there were two or three who died in their fifties and sixties, some even earlier.  Approaching the age where one of your immediate relatives passed makes you start thinking about your own mortality and legacy and what you are leaving behind.  It also makes you start looking at your lifestyle choices and health.

Yesterday, I had an echo cardiogram.  I feel too young to have a cardiologist, but two years ago my GP detected a slight murmur and I had a baseline echo to check it out.  Insurance would only pay for an echo every two years since I'm not symptomatic, so yesterday's procedure will be the first look after my baseline echo from two years ago to see if the condition has become any worse.  I'm not too worried about it, but from a family history standpoint, I can see cause for concern.  My maternal grandfather had a history of heart murmurs that kept him from becoming a pilot during WWII, and he died at the age of 53 of a heart attack.  Not too much older than I am right now.  Granted, he was a smoker, and I'm not, but I'm not going to ignore the genetic potential to have a predisposition to heart problems.  In this same family line there has been a history of early death (some as young as 45) due to heart issues.  Fortunately, a call today from the doctor let me know that everything appears to be about the same and their is no cause for alarm.

On Sunday, while returning from a shopping trip, the vehicle we were in had a blow-out.  Fortunately, my son-in-law, Jordan, was able to keep us from having an accident and managed to pull off to the side of the Interstate.  I kept watch for oncoming traffic while he worked on changing the tire.  Believe me, you get a different perspective on folks who have car trouble when it happens to you and you're standing there watching as cars whiz by.  So many of them didn't even pay attention that we had hazard lights flashing, etc.  The adrenaline was pumping that day!  The only consolation had either of us been struck would have been that death would have been quick.   I've come across a few of those tragic accidents in my family history to know that when they do occur, they devastate the families and leave gaping holes.  While I know that no matter when I go I will leave things undone on this Earth, there are too many family history projects I want to complete and stories I want to pass down.

Yesterday was also the day I paid a visit to the funeral home to pay respect to my high school friend's mother.  We're at that age where our parents are beginning to pass, or at least slow down.  Standing in line, I was talking with the parents of another high school friend, sharing memories of days gone by.  The whole time talking to them I was thinking, I wonder whose funeral I will be at next?  My parents?  A classmates?  What if it was mine?

There are people in my extended family that I need to interview to get the "official story" from their perspective before they pass.  There are facts about my own life that I haven't written down and I hope to do this year.  There are so many files that I need to scan and blog about that I haven't done in the eight years I've worked on this blog.  Sometimes I find it hard to write, but I need to make a commitment to get it down on paper.  If not for me, for those who will come after.


Monday, January 19, 2015

Military Monday : Clarence Harrison LeMaster, World War II Draft Registration, 1942

Working my way through the hints in the Ancestry database for World War II Draft Registrations, 1942 and located this registration in Darke County, Ohio for Clarence Harrison LeMaster, my paternal granduncle.


Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data : United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group Number 147. National Archives and Records Administration., Clarence Harrison LeMaster, Darke County, Ohio.



This draft record adds to the information I've collected about Clarence, who was the son of Luman Cooper Lemasters and Barbara Isabel Wehrly.  Clarence's draft registration gives his exact date of birth as June 14, 1888 in Nebraska, the city looks like Millis or Miller.  This is another area to research, as the information previously I had showed the family in Ord, Valley County, Nebraska.

Clarence was 53 years old at the time of the registration, and his nearest living relative was his wife, Ferry Mae (Bickel) LeMaster, of Rural Route 3, Fort Recovery.  Fort Recovery is in Mercer County, Ohio - and this must have been the closest post office.  The LeMaster's were actually living in Mississinawa Township, Darke County, Ohio.

Clarence's employer was listed as Ora Livingstone of Darke County, Ohio, with a postal address of Rural Route Union City.  I'm assuming that Clarence was working as a farm laborer, as the 1940 census lists Ora Livingston as a farmer in Mississinawa Township, Darke County, Ohio.

Physically, Clarence was described as having a dark complexion, white male, 5' 8", with brown eyes and grey hair.  He weighed 175 lbs.



Military Monday – We all have ancestors who have served in the military. Military Monday is a place to post their images, stories and records of their service in various branches of the military. Military Monday is an ongoing series by Cindy at Everything’s Relative – Researching Your Family History.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Census Sunday : Charles Wilson Lambertson household, 1940, Howard County, Indiana

My maternal great-great grandfather, Charles Wilson Lambertson, was enumerated in the 1940 US census in Howard County, Indiana.  His address was in Union Township, where he lived on a farm he owned valued at $2000.

1940 U.S. census, Howard County, Indiana, population schedule, Union Township, enumeration district (ED) 34-40, SD 5, sheet 7B, household 147, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of my great-great grandfather, Charles, aged 68, and my great-great grandmother, Pearl, aged 61.   According to the census, Charles was born in Ohio and Pearl was born in Indiana.  Neither was listed with an occupation.

Their residence as of 1935 was indicated as being in a different place.  The closest record I have for them was in 1936 when they were listed in a city directory as living in Greentown, Indiana.

Charles completed the 8th grade and Pearl completed two years of high school, according to the census.

Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt used by many genealogy bloggers to help them post content on their sites.

State & Federal census sheets are filled with information for genealogists. Both the population & non-population schedules give us insights into the lives of our ancestors. What have you found that is Surprising? Reassuring? Bewildering? Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt suggested by Colleen Pasquale of Leaves and Branches.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Surname Saturday : Brand

The BRAND surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname appear to be Swiss, but I haven't done any research on this line yet.

Stories and history : 

Ahnentafel # 1347 : Anna Brand. Nothing is known at this time about Anna, other than the fact that she married Michael Grundbacher. Michael was born April 25, 1642.  They had at least one daughter.  Nothing further is known at this time about their families.

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Military Monday : Chesley Franklin LeMaster, World War II Draft Registration, 1942

Working my way through the hints in the Ancestry database for World War II Draft Registrations, 1942 and located this registration in Jay County, Indiana for Chesley Franklin LeMaster, my paternal granduncle.

Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data : United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group Number 147. National Archives and Records Administration., Chesley Franklin LeMaster, Jay County, Indiana.


This draft record adds to the information I've collected about Chesley, who was the son of Luman Cooper Lemasters and Barbara Isabel Wehrly.  Chesley's draft registration gives his exact date of birth as May 25, 1890 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.

Chesley was 51 years old at the time of registration, and his nearest living relative was his wife, Clara (Burkey) LeMaster in Salamonia.

Chesley's occupation is listed as Union City Body Company in Union City, Randolph County, Indiana, just south of Salamonia.  In later records, I've located information that he was a carpenter.

Chesley was described as having a dark complexion, white male, 5' 7", with hazel eyes and gray hair.  He weight 160 lbs.

Military Monday – We all have ancestors who have served in the military. Military Monday is a place to post their images, stories and records of their service in various branches of the military. Military Monday is an ongoing series by Cindy at Everything’s Relative – Researching Your Family History.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Census Sunday : Virgil Lee Wright household, 1940, Madison County, Indiana

My maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright, was enumerated in the 1940 US census in Madison County, Indiana.  His address was a farm in Monroe Township, which the census indicated was valued at $4000.


1940 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Monroe Township, enumeration district (ED) 48-59, sheet 7A, household 135, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..
The family consisted of my great-grandfather, Virgil, aged 46, my great-grandmother, Muriel, aged 43, and three children : Clara, William and Barbara.  My great-grandmother, Muriel, was the source of the information given to the enumerator, indicated by the "x" next to her name.  Clara was listed as 24 years old, William was 21 years old and Barbara was 8 years old.

According to the census, the family was living in the same location in 1935, and all were born in Indiana.  Virgil and son William were working the farm, while Clara Ellen was working as a bookkeeper for the Aladdin factory, which at the time had a big presence in Alexandria.

One error in the record is that Barbara is listed as a daughter, but then is noted as being male in the record.

Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt used by many genealogy bloggers to help them post content on their sites.

State & Federal census sheets are filled with information for genealogists. Both the population & non-population schedules give us insights into the lives of our ancestors. What have you found that is Surprising? Reassuring? Bewildering? Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt suggested by Colleen Pasquale of Leaves and Branches.

Saturday, January 10, 2015

Surname Saturday : Burpbee

The BURPBEE surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are English, though I have much more to research about this line.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 3341 : Sarah Burpbee (1660-1729).  Sarah was born May 21, 1660 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts.  She married Samuel Spofford (1653-1744) on December 4, 1676 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts.  Samuel was born January 31, 1653 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts.  They had at least one son.  Samuel died January 1, 1744 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts.  Sarah died November 18, 1729 in Bradford, Essex County, Massachusetts.

Ahnentafel # 6682 : Thomas Burpbee (1639-1701).  Thomas was born September 3, 1639 in England.  He married Sarah Kelley (1641-1713) on April 15, 1659 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts.  Sarah was born February 12, 1641 in Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.  They had at least one daughter.  Sarah died December 25, 1713 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts.  Thomas died June 1, 1701 in Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts.


Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

Tombstone Tuesday : Elizabeth (Wright) Jones


Elizabeth (Wright) Jones (1863-1882) is buried in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  She was the wife of William Alpha Jones (c1858-1934) and the daughter of Joseph W. and Rebecca (Heaton) Wright.

Elizabeth was the mother of a daughter, Myrtle M. Jones.  Elizabeth died September 15, 1882, and may have died during childbirth.

Elizabeth was my maternal second great grandaunt. Elizabeth was born in 1863 in Brown County, Ohio.

Tombstone Tuesday – To participate in Tombstone Tuesday simply create a post which includes an image of a gravestone of one or more ancestors and it may also include a brief description of the image or the ancestor. This is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Monday, January 05, 2015

Military Monday : Tobias Otterbein Chew, World War II Draft Registration, 1942

Working my way through the hints in the Ancestry database for World War II Draft Registrations, 1942 and located this registration in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania for Tobias Otterbein Chew, my paternal first cousin three times removed.
Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data : United States, Selective Service System. Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. Records of the Selective Service System, Record Group Number 147. National Archives and Records Administration., Philadelphia, Pennsvylvania.




Before locating this record, I didn't have much in my database on Tobias.  I knew from the 1910 census that he was a public school teacher, at that time in Lenawee County, Michigan.  This record shows that he was employed at the Indiana State Teachers College in Indiana, Pennsylvania, possibly as a professor.  This opens up another avenue of research.

Tobias was the son of Nathaniel Durbin Chew and Margaret H. Heistand.  Tobias' draft registration indicates that his exact date of birth as May 28, 1885 in Montpelier, Ohio.  Montpelier is a village in Williams County, Ohio.

Tobias was 54 years old at the time of registration and listed his nearest relative as Muriel Brown Chew, presumably his wife, of Indiana, Pennsylvania.  He listed his address as 401 South 13th St., Indiana, Pennsylvania.

Tobias was described as having a dark brown complexion, negro male, brown eyes, and black hair.  Why was he listed as negro?  He definitely was listed as white in the census records.  Was this a mistake or something else?  He was 5' 5 1/2" tall, weighing 145 lbs.

This draft registration gave me some areas to search, and a quick Google search indicates that Tobias O. Chew wrote a book, Practical High School Speller , when he was the Superintendent of Public Schools in Washburn, Wisconsin.

Military Monday – We all have ancestors who have served in the military. Military Monday is a place to post their images, stories and records of their service in various branches of the military. Military Monday is an ongoing series by Cindy at Everything’s Relative – Researching Your Family History.

Sunday, January 04, 2015

Census Sunday : Ord Wehrly LeMaster household, 1940, Jay County, Indiana

My paternal grandfather, Ord Wehrly LeMaster, was enumerated in the 1940 US census in Jay County, Indiana in Portland, Indiana.  His street address was 507 E. Walnut Street, Apartment 2, which matches his residence from the 1941 Portland city directory.




1940 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Portland, enumeration district (ED) 38-18, SD 5, sheet 13B, household 322, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..
The family consisted of my grandfather Ord, aged 33, grandmother Ruth, aged 29, and three children : Paul, Idola and Juanita.  My grandmother, Ruth, was the source of the information given to the enumerator, indicated by the "x" next to her name on the census.  The children were listed out of birth order in the census.  Paul was listed as 8 years old and Idola as 6 years old.

According to the census, the family was living in the same place in 1935, and all were born in Indiana.  Ord was working as a laborer for the Sheller Manufacturing Company and Ruth was a housewife.  Paul had completed the third grade and Idola had completed the first grade.

The age of Juanita is a bit hard to read, it appears as if they are saying she is 11 months old, but she should have only been around 6 months old at the time of the census.

Another anomaly to my research is that grandpa Ord's highest education listed is only stated as the 8th grade, when he did graduate from Madison Township High School in Salamonia in 1928.

The family was living next door to Mary Beal in Apartment 1. Mary was a 61 year old widow.

Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt used by many genealogy bloggers to help them post content on their sites.

State & Federal census sheets are filled with information for genealogists. Both the population & non-population schedules give us insights into the lives of our ancestors. What have you found that is Surprising? Reassuring? Bewildering? Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt suggested by Colleen Pasquale of Leaves and Branches.

Saturday, January 03, 2015

Surname Saturday : Boye

The BOYE surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are French, although I know very little at this point about the family.

Ahnentafel # 2763 : Catherine Boye (c1635-aft1680). Catherine was born circa 1635 in Otterberg, Bayern.  She married Pierre Viellard (c1630-1680) about 1663 in Otterberg, Bayern.  Pierre was born circa 1630 in Sedan, Ardennes, Frances.  They were the parents of at least one child.  Pierre September 9, 1680 in Otterberg, Bayern.  Catherine died after 1680.

Ahnentafel # 5526 : Giles Boye Nothing further known.

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.