Research Trip to Monroe County, Indiana

Last August, I headed down to the Bloomington area to do research at the Monroe County History Center. I would highly recommend visiting or utilizing this research facility if you have Monroe County, Indiana roots.

I had previously written to the History Center in the past, and they had been very accomodating in regards to providing documents relating to family history.  In preparation for this trip, I had let them know ahead of time that I wanted to look at the following probate records:

*P 101 5 Davis, James Guardianship 1879

*P 102 2 Davis, James Insane 1880

*P 84 5 Davis, James Heirs 1880

*P 87 7 Davis, James Estate 1880

*P 90 4 Davis, James Estate 1880

*P 92 8 Davis, James Estate 1881

*P 93 4 Davis, James Estate 1879 

 *P 236 6 Gilliland, Robert Estate 1916

I was curious if the James Davis listed in these estate records would tie into my Davis family in Monroe County.  Ida Davis' father was James Austin Davis (1850-1909) who was listed as being an inmate in the Owen County, Indiana asylumn in 1880.  Since the Davis family was back and forth between Owen and Monroe Counties, I hoped that the estate records might somehow be related to his condition and guardianship.  The Robert Gilliland estate I was interested in because Robert was the stepfather of Ida Davis.

When I arrived, the museum staff had the records pulled and they were ready for me to look at.  Unfortunately, the James Davis in these estate records was not related to my Davis family at all.  So that was a bust.  

However, the Robert Gilliland estate record was an interesting find.  He died with an estate worth less than $500 in 1916.  Back in 1989, I had written to the Monroe County Clerk's office regarding whether or not they had a will on file for Robert.  The response was that they did not.  Had I been a little wiser in my genealogy research, I would have thought to check for a probate file - which I'm now glad that I have.  Lesson is to always be thinking of additional sources of information and never giving up.  I expect to do a future blog post on the estate of Robert Gilliland.

At the History Center, I was able to then begin searching for other family records that might be relevant to the family, and I was able to get copies made of several land records that I will explore in future posts.

One item of interest was a copy of the marriage license of my great-grandparents, Clemon Beals Lambertson and June Gilliland, which I didn't previously have a copy of.

There was also a photo album of related families where I located a photograph of Everett Gilliland, who would be June's half-brother.

After spending several hours at the museum making copies of land records for future examination, I decided to head over to Elletsville and visit the cemetery where June's mother, Ida, and her grandparents were buried.  It had been probably twenty years since I had been over that way.

The Methodist Cemetery in Elletsville isn't hard to find, in a pretty nice area and was easy to walk around.  I went around and took pictures of known ancestors and any one who had names that looked familiar for further research.

Above is the stone for Robert Gilliland and his second wife, Mary Ellen (Swafford) Gilliland.  Mary was my 3rd-great grandmother.  Her daughter, Ida Davis, is part of my biggest family mystery.  Ida's death certificate indicates that she is also buried in this cemetery, likely near this marker, though there is no stone for her.  The two infants stones in front of Robert & Mary's stone are for Robert & Mary's grandchildren : William Dorris Gilliland (1912-1914), son of William Everett & Maude (Arthur) Gilliland and William Harrell Gilliland (1928-1928), son of William Everett & Florence (Arthur) Gilliland.

Somewhere in this plot is where I believe that Ida is buried.  Logically, since she was 26 at the time, and this is a family plot, she should be here.  But why no stone?  Likely due to cost.  I have tried to obtain records of burials at the cemetery, but no such luck.

As I left, I couldn't help but wonder if my 3rd-great grandmother's spirit wasn't guiding me in some manner, since it turned out the date of my trip to visit her grave was on her birthday.

Irvin Arthur household, 1940, Greene County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Irvin Arthur household in Greene County, Indiana.  Irvin was my maternal 3rd cousin 4 times removed.  Our common ancestors are Alexander Crockett and Elizabeth Watkins.  Irvin's parents were William Riley Arthur and Ida Mae Casner.

1940 U.S. Census, Greene County, Indiana, population schedule, Worthington, enumeration district (ED) 28-11, SD 7, sheet 2B, household 59, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 January 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, Irvin and his wife were living in the town of Worthington.  The census states that Irvin was renting his home for $8 per month and that it was not a farm.  Irvin was 54 years old and born in Indiana.  His wife, Florence E., was 48 years old and also born in Indiana.  In 1935, their residence was the same place.

The record shows that Irvin had completed the 6th grade and that Florence had completed the 8th grade.  Irvin's occupation was listed as manager of a gas filling station and Florence's occupation was listed as a matron of a library.

Also living in the household were son Wayne, age 28, born in Indiana, a laborer on the railroad; Kenneth, age 25, born in Indiana, who had completed 3 years of high school; Bernard, age 14, born in Indiana who had completed 7th grade; Leonard, age 13, born in Indiana who had completed 5th grade.

If you have any additional information or are connected to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Benjamin Arthur household, 1940, Greene County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Benjamin Arthur household in Greene County, Indiana.  Benjamin was my maternal 2nd cousin 5 times removed.  Our common ancestors were Alexander Crockett and Elizabeth Watkins.  Benjamin's parents were Aaron Arthur and Margaret Ann Crockett.

1940 U.S. census, Greene County, Indiana, population schedule, Beech Creek Township, enumeration district (ED) 28-1, SD 7, sheet 13A, household 242, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 7 January 2017); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, Benjamin and his children were living in Beech Creek Township.  The census states that Benjamin owned his home and the value was $75 and he lived on a farm.  Benjamin was 68 years old and born in Indiana.  He was a widower.  His residence in 1935 was the same place.

The record shows that Benjamin had completed the 6th grade and that his occupation was that of a farmer.

Also listed in the household were sons Gordy, age 32, born in Indiana, completed the 8th grade and was a truck driver for the Zeffren Trucking Company; Fern, Gordy's wife, age 29, born in Indiana who had completed 4 years of high school;Herbert, Gordy's son, aged 10 born in Indiana; Donald, Gordy's son, aged 5, born in Indiana and Harold, age 22, born in Indiana, completed the 8th grade and was also a truck driver for the Zeffren Trucking Company.

According to my database, Benjamin's wife, Cora, had died June 2, 1939 in Beech Creek Township, Greene County, Indiana.

If you have any additional information or are connected to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Roy Arthur household, 1940, Greene County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Roy Arthur household in Greene County, Indiana.  Roy is my maternal 3rd cousin 4 times removed. Our common ancestors are Alexander Crockett and Elizabeth Watkins.  Roy's parents were Benjamin Arthur and Cora Viola Ooley.

1940 U.S. census, Greene County, Indiana, population schedule, Smith Township, enumeration district (ED) 28-16, SD 7, sheet 5B, household 161, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 26 December 2016); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, Roy and his wife were living in Smith Township.  The census states that Roy owned his home and the value was $300 and he lived on a farm.  Roy was 36 years old and born in Indiana.  His wife, Mae [listed as May in the record], was 26 years old and also born in Indiana.  In 1935, their residence was the same place.

The record shows that Roy had completed the 8th grade and that Mae had completed four years of high school.  Roy's occupation was listed as a farmer, and Mae didn't have an occupation listed.

Also living in the household were sons Dale, age 4, and Keith, age 1, both born in Indiana.

If you have any additional information or are connected to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Elmer Benham household, 1940, Greene County, Indiana

Located the 1940 census record of the Elmer Benham household in Greene County, Indiana.  Elmer's wife, Beulah, was my maternal 3rd cousin 4 times removed.  Our common ancestors were Alexander Crockett and Elizabeth Watkins.  Beulah was the daughter of William Riley Arthur and Ida Mae Casner.

1940 U.S. census, Greene County, Indiana, population schedule, Washington Township, enumeration district (ED) 28-27, SD 2, sheet 5A, household 93, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 25 December 2016); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the enumeration, Elmer and his wife were living in Washington Township.  The census states that Elmer was renting the home and the rent was $1000 per month - believe this was an error and should mean he owned the home and the value was estimated at $1000.  Elmer was 41 years old and born in Indiana.  Beulah was 40 years old and also born in Indiana.  In 1935, they were living in the same place.

The record shows that Elmer and Beulah had both completed four years of high school.  Elmer's occupation was listed as farmer, and no occupation was listed for Beulah.

Also living in the household were daughter Betty, age 18, born in Indiana, who had completed four years of high school and son Jack, age 13, born in Indiana, who had completed the 8th grade.

If you have additional information or are connected to this family, I'd love to hear from you.

Shaky Leaves : Marriage of William E. Gilliland to Florence Arthur, 1922, Monroe County, Indiana

Found the index record of the marriage of my maternal 2nd-great granduncle, William Everett Gilliland to Florence Arthur in Monroe County, Indiana through Ancestry's hints in my LeMaster & Allied Family Tree.  The wedding took place on May 13, 1922 in Monroe County, Indiana.

This was a second marriage for William Everett Gilliland, his first wife was Maud Nell Arthur.  I'm not sure at this point if she might be an older sister of Florence.

Shaky Leaves : Albert F. Adams household, 1930 census Monroe County, Indiana

Albert F. Adams was the husband of my maternal first cousin three times removed, Gladys Marie Gilliland.   Through Ancestry.com hints, I was able to locate their family in the 1930 census of Washington Township, Monroe County, Indiana.

1930 U.S. Census, Monroe County, Indiana, population schedule, Washington Township, enumeration district (ED) 53-25, SD 10, sheet 5A, dwelling 93, family 93, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 December 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

At the time of the census, Albert owned his own home, valued at $2000, owned a radio, and had been married for 6 years.  His age was listed as 30, and he was born in Indiana, as were both of his parents.  He worked as a laborer in a stone mill.

Wife Gladys was 29 years old, born in Indiana, as were her parents.  She did not have an occupation listed.  Children in the household were Wilma, aged 4 1/12, and Albert E., aged 2 4/12, both born in Indiana.  Albert was also mentioned as a "Junior", but his middle name was Eugene, while his father's was Fritch.

I had already located the family in the 1940 census in the same location.  Their son, Lloyd, was the one who provided me with many photographs of the Ida Davis and Gilliland families.

Gladys was the daughter of William Everett and Maude Nell (Arthur) Gilliland.

If you are related in any way to this family, I would like to hear from you.

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.

Grandma June Gilliland Baptized

Elletsville Farm

February 9, 1911, page 1

Ellettsville Baptist Church News

On Saturday Night the pastor baptized eight converts in the baptistry at the Baptist Church at Ellettsville.  The candidates were Mr. W.E. Gilliland, Mrs. Maude Gilliland, Miss June Gilliland, Miss Agnes McNeely, Miss Helen Bauer, Miss Eva Buchana, Mrs. Mary Manors, and Master Albert Gillaspy.

----

Found this notice while searching newspapers at NewspaperArchive.com for mention of my relatives.

The Miss June Gilliland was my maternal great-grandmother.  The W.E. Gilliland was her uncle, William Everett Gilliland and the Maude Gilliland was William's wife, Maude Nell (Arthur) Gilliland.  June was 12 years old at the time, William was 25.

William Everett Gillilland was the son of Robert Farrell and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Gilliland.  Mary was the grandmother of June Gilliland, and raised her after her mother's death.

This tidbit of my ancestor's life was interesting to find, and is also evidence that June was using the Gilliland name, rather than her birth name of Davis.  June was a Baptist later in life in Elwood, Indiana as well.

Today in my database : Mary Ellen Swafford (b. August 30, 1854)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 3rd-great grandmother, Mary Ellen Swafford.

Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1854 near Stinesville, Monroe Co., IN., the daughter of Peter Kirkpatrick and Mary Ann (Crockett) Swafford. Mary Ellen married July 2, 1873 in Monroe Co., IN to James Austin Davis, son of Austin and Fanny (Reynolds) Davis. James was born 1850 in Monroe Co., IN and died June 12, 1909 in Logansport, Cass Co., IN. They divorced before 1884. Mary Ellen married secondly on November 15, 1884 in Monroe Co., IN to Robert Farrell Gilliland, son of William John and Margaret Ann (Wilson) Gilliland. Robert was born November 27, 1849 in Pulaski Co., KY, and died August 4, 1916 in Whitehall, Monroe Co., IN. Mary Ellen died January 28, 1932 near Dolan, Monroe Co., IN.

Children of James Austin and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis are as follows :
i. Ida Davis b. July 2, 1874 d. August 2, 1900 m. Samuel Hancock m(2) Carrie Morris
ii. Dealie Davis b. July 1877 d. 1961 m. Daniel Stivers

Children of Robert Farrell and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Gilliland are as follows :
iii. William Everett Gilliland b. August 24, 1885 d. July 7, 1963 m. Maude Arthur
iv. Mary Florence Gilliland b. July 8, 1887 d. May 6, 1924 m. Thomas Franklin Crane

I descend from James Austin and Mary Ellen (Swafford) Davis through their daughter, Ida, as follows :
Mary Ellen Swafford and James Austin Davis
Ida Davis and _________
June Kirk Davis and Clemon Beals Lambertson (my great-grandparents)