Still Plugging Along

Well I've not done a great job of keeping up with this blog, though it doesn't mean I haven't been working on my genealogy.

Work and summer activities have kept me busy, but one project I've spent an inordinant amount of time on has been the updating of the census records in my database for the 1940 census.  Finding records in 1940 and sourcing them in my RootsMagic database has added a few newly found family members.  Updating the tree at Ancestry allows for additional connections to DNA matches.

I'm working through the alphabet, and am currently in the letter "S", so hope to have the 1940 project wrapped up soon.  My next census project will be the 1880 census - the first one to give relationships to the head of household - and make sure that I have a record for everyone alive at the time of the 1880 census.

Working on some family projects and lineage society applications as well - more to come on those.  

Census Sunday : Albert F. Adams household, 1940, Monroe County, Indiana

My maternal 1st cousin 3 times removed, Gladys Marie (Gilliland) Adams, was enumerated in the 1940 census of Washington Township, Monroe County, Indiana in her husband, Albert's household.  

1940 U.S. census, Monroe County, Indiana, population schedule, Washington Township, enumeration district (ED) 53-52, SD 7, sheet 8B, dwelling 164, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 July 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Albert F., age 40, Gladys M., age 31, and children Wilma, age 14, Eugene, age 12, Colleen, age 8, and Loyd, age 6.  All were born in Indiana.  Albert's occupation was listed as a grader of roads.  Perhaps he worked for the local highway department.  All of the children had attended school within the year and their residence in 1935 was the same location.  Gladys had completed one year of high school, while Albert had completed the 8th grade.

Prior to this find, I didn't have the names of the children in the family, other than Lloyd.  Lloyd and I have corresponded, and he supplied me with many fantastic family photos of my Gilliland relatives.

Gladys was the daughter of William Everett Gilliland and Maude Arthur.  Our common ancestor is Mary Ellen Swafford,

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.

Census Sunday : John Boyd household, 1940, Jay County, Indiana

My paternal 1st cousin 3 times removed, Martha (Wehrly) Boyd, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Pike Township, Jay County, Indiana.  She was living with her husband, John, and two boarders.

1940 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Pike Township, enumeration district (ED) 38-12, SD 5, sheet 8A, dwelling 165, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 July 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The household consisted of John, age 73, born in Ohio and Martha, age 73, born in Indiana, as well as boarders Done Harker, age 17 born in Indiana and Leroy Chapman, age 57, born in Indiana.  Harker and Chapman were listed as farm laborers.  John's occupation was listed as farmer.  Both Martha and John had completed two years of high school.

John and Martha's residence in 1935 was listed as Pena Blanco, Sandoval County, New Mexico.  Before finding this record I did not know they had lived there, though in 1910 they were living in Oregon.  Apparently, they had returned to Jay County in the old age.


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.

Census Sunday : Nancy J. LeMasters household, 1940, Merrick County, Nebraska

My paternal first cousin three times removed, Nancy J. LeMasters, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Palmer, Merrick County, Nebraska.  She was renting a room at the Coolidge Hospital where she worked.

1940 US census, Merrick County, Nebraska, population schedule, Coolidge Hospital, Palmer, enumeration district (ED) 61-8, SD 3, sheet 7B, [no household number], ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 5 April 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The household consisted of Nancy, aged 55, her mother, Sarah, aged 80, and a hired girl, Ruby Wagner, aged 21.  Nancy was single and born in Nebraska, Sarah was widowed and born in Indiana, and Ruby was single and born in Nebraska.  In 1935, the residence for Nancy and Sarah was St. Paul, Howard County, Nebraska, and for Ruby, her residence was Greeley County, Nebraska.

Nancy's occupation was listed as supervisor of nurses at the hospital.  Nancy had no occupation listed and Ruby's occupation was a housekeeper.  Nancy's previous occupation in the 1910 census was that of a school teacher.

Sarah was the widow of my paternal second great granduncle, John Stevens Lemasters, son of Rev. Luman Walker and Nancy (Young) Lemasters.  John was the youngest of the family.  He married Sarah I. Wilson in 1881 in Jay County, Indiana and moved to Nebraska by at least 1900, where they were living in St. Paul.

Prior to this find, I didn't have any information past the 1910 census on Nancy, nor did I know where Sarah was after her husband's death in 1932.  All are buried in the Elmwood Cemetery, St. Paul, Howard County, Nebraska.  A quick search on the internet shows that Coolidge Hospital was both a hospital and sanitarium, and today may be part of a mental health facility.

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.

Census Sunday: Ellsworth D Haley household, 1940, Jay County, Indiana

My paternal great granduncle, George David Ellsworth Haley, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Portland, Jay County, Indiana.  He was living in a rented home in Ward 3 of the city.

1940 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 3, Portland, enumeration district (ED) 38-21, SD 5, sheet 2B, 507 E. High St., dwelling 47, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 May 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Ellsworth, age 71, and his wife, Anneta, age 70.  They were both born in Indiana, and their residence in 1935 was the same place.

Ellsworth's occupation was listed as the proprietor of a retail feed & seed store.  Previous occupations have him as a building contractor, Evangelical minister, factory laborer and photographer.  Both he and his wife had completed the 8th grade in education.

Prior to this find, I had his wife listed as Nettie, though it appears Anneta may be the full name.  Ellsworth may have been how he was known, but my files show his full name as George David Ellsworth Haley, likely named for both of his grandfathers.

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.

Census Sunday: Eugene Kunce household, 1940, Cass County, Indiana

My paternal grandaunt, Clara Elnora (Haley) Kunce, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana, in her husband, Eugene's household.  They were living in the 1st Ward of the city at 12 Columbia Street.

1940 US Census, Cass County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Logansport, enumeration district (ED) 9-9, SD 2, sheet 3A, household 57, 12 Columbia Street, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 March 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Eugene C, aged 38, and Elenora, age 39, and son Lowell, aged 12.  All of them were born in Indiana, and their residence in 1935 was listed as Van Wert, Ohio.  They were renting their home, and the monthly rent was $10.  Eugene had completed 3 years of college, Elenora had completed the 8th grade, and son Lowell had completed the 5th grade. Eugene's occupation was listed as an Evangelical Minister.

Prior to this find, I didn't realize that they had a pastorate at this location.  In 1930 they were in Huntington County, Indiana and must have had a pastorate in Van Wert, Ohio in between then. 



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.

Census Sunday : Ralph Fisher household, 1940, Madison County, Indiana

My maternal first cousin three times removed, Ralph Fisher, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  He was living in a rented home in Ward 2 of the city.

1940 US Census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 2, Anderson, enumeration district (ED) 48-14, SD 11, sheet 7B, household 159, 130 West North Street, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 March 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Ralph, aged 34, his wife, Helen, aged 29, and two children, Clara, aged 15, and Betty, aged 7.  Ralph, Helen and Betty were born in Indiana, and Clara was born in Illinois.  The residence in 1935 for Ralph and Helen were listed in the same place, but for Clara it was listed as Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  Perhaps in 1935, Clara was living with another relative, as Ralph and Helen were married in 1931 in Madison County, Indiana.  Mt. Vernon, Illinois was where Ralph had lived with his first wife, Nellie.

Ralph's occupation was listed as a fender mechanic at an auto parts manufacturer, and Helen's was listed as a billing clerk for the Assessor's office.  Ralph had only completed the 6th grade in education, and Helen had completed one year of college.

Prior to this find, I was not aware of the existence of Clara, daughter of Ralph from his first marriage.  I will have additional research to do to find out more about her and her mother. Cousin Helen eventually became the second wife of my maternal great-grandfather, Clemon Lambertson as well.  


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.

Census Sunday : Clarence Stuber household, 1940, Allen County, Ohio

My paternal grandaunt Vera D. (Haley) Stuber, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Spencer Township, Allen County, Ohio in her husband, Clarence Stuber's household.  They were living in Route 81 section 36 road.

1940 US Census, Allen County, Ohio, population schedule, Spencer Township, enumeration district (ED) 2-66, SD 6, sheet 6B, dwelling 123, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 March 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Clarence, aged 49, and Vera D., aged 50.  Both of them were born in Indiana, and lived in the same house in 1935.  They were renting their home, and it was valued at $1200.  Clarence had completed the 6th grade, and Vera had completed the 8th grade. Clarence's occupation was listed as a farmer.  



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.

Census Sunday : Tobias Chew household, 1940, Indiana County Pennsylvania

My paternal first cousin 3 times removed, Tobias Otterbein Chew, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Indiana, Indiana County, Pennsylvania.  He was living in a rented house in Ward 3 of the city.

1940 U.S. Census, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Ward 3, Indiana, enumeration district (ED) 32-46, SD 27, sheet 9B, household 185, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 March 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Tobias, aged 55, and his wife, Muriel, aged 51, and their son, John, aged 15.  Tobias was born in Ohio, Muriel was born in Wisconsin and John was born in Indiana.  The family had resided in the same place in 1935.  Tobias' occupation was listed as Sociology Instructor at the State Teachers College.

Prior to this find, I did not know that Tobias and Muriel had a son.  I had previously transcribed Tobias' World War II draft registration where his occupation as a teacher at the State Teachers College was listed.  I still need to find the earlier details of his life, including his marriage.

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.

Census Sunday : Herbert Chew household, 1940, Oakland County, Michigan

My paternal first cousin 3 times removed, Herbert Christian Chew, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Pontiac, Oakland County, Michigan.  He was living in Block 410 of the city, in a home he rented with his wife.

1940 U.S. census, Oakland County, Michigan, population schedule, Pontiac, enumeration district (ED) 63-87, SD 17, sheet 5D, household 118, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 March 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Herbert, aged 37 years old and his wife, Magdeline, aged 34.  Both were born in Indiana and had resided in the same place in 1935.  Herbert had completed four years of high school, and Magdeline had completed three years.

Herbert's occupation was listed as a foreman in an auto plant, and Magdeline's occupation was listed as a machinist in an auto plant.

Prior to this find, my latest information on Herbert was the 1920 census, when he was living in his father's household in Adams County, Indiana.  I do not have a record of his marriage, and will search Michigan records for it.  Several members of the Chew family had moved to Michigan.

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.

Census Sunday : John G. Fuchs household, 1940, Montgomery County, Ohio

My paternal first cousin 4 times removed, Ethan Dewitt Ailes, was enumerated in the 1940 U.S. census in Montgomery County, Ohio.  He was living in Ward 7 of the city of Dayton in the household of his son-in-law, John G. Fuchs.

1940 U.S. census, Montgomery County, Ohio, population schedule, Ward 7, Dayton, enumeration district (ED) 94-117, SD 3, sheet 11B, dwelling 236, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 Februay 2015); National Archives, Washington D.C..

The family consisted of John G. Fuchs, aged 56, and his wife, Bertha, aged 52.  John was born in New York and Bertha was born in Ohio.  Living in the household was daughter Mary, aged 16, born in Ohio; son Walter, aged 21, born in Ohio; daughter-in-law, Mare, aged 21, born in Ohio; grandson Carl, aged 6 months, born in Ohio, and father-in-law, Ethan D. Ailes, aged 78, born in Ohio.

John had completed the 8th grade, and Bertha had completed the 6th grade.  John's occupation was hard to read, it was a s___ clerk, in Soil Conservation.  Bertha had no occupation listed.  Son Walter's occupation was listed as drill press operator.

Before finding this record, I didn't have any information on Ethan Dewitt Ailes' family.  Will have to search for records of his marriage and other children.  Ethan was the son of Alfred Ailes and Melissa Jane Young.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.