Exploratory Data Analysis Through 2x-Great Grandaunts & Uncles

Though it took much longer that I had hoped, have finally finished by series of exploratory data analysis through my 2x-great grandaunts and granduncles.  Previously, I had written about my results through my 2x-great grandparents.  My next steps are to move on to my 3x-great grandparents as well as start work on some of Eileen's ancestors and Corinne's ancestors.

Working on this series has allowed me to find out where there are gaps in my research and has added much data.  Now I just need to follow up with my "to-do" lists before my next research trip to make sure I use my time effectively.

Here are the links to posts about the exploratory data analysis posts for my 2x-great grandaunts and granduncles:

• Beulah Sarah (LeMasters) Rockwell (1865-1940)
• Phillip D. LeMasters (1869-1869)
• William Clifford LeMaster (1870-1922)
• Mary Elsie (LeMasters) Atkinson (1873-1942)
• Bertha Fidelia (LeMasters) Yaeger (1874-1922)
• Ord Otterbein LeMaster (1876-1937)
• Edith Mabel (LeMasters) Meinholtz (1879-1949)
• Una Maude (LeMasters) Phillips (1884-1968)
• Arthur Raymond LeMaster (1885-1971)
• Vernon Walker LeMaster (1888-1955)
• Minerva Prudence (Wehrly) Jackson (1867-1948)
• John William Wehrly (1870-1954)
• Orilla Catherine (Wehrly) Andrews (1872-1970)
• Benjamin Franklin Wehrly (1873-1895)
• Henry Leonard Wehrly (1875-1924)
• Harvey Allen Wehrly (1877-1968)
• Alva Monroe Wehrly (1878-1952)
• LeRoy Garfield Wehrly (1880-1883)
• Ida Laura (Wehrly) Scholer (1883-1963)
• Blaine Pearle Wehrly (1884-1964)
• Ethel May (Wehrly) Shreeve (1886-1951)
• Martin Nimrod Wehrly (1888-1954)
• Andrew Frank Haley (1864-1937)
• George David Ellsworth Haley (1868-1941)
• Rachel Emma Pernina (Haley) Hanlin Zorn (1869-1963)
• Charles Wesley Haley (1872-1893)
• Carrie Mae (Haley) Graves Booth Marks (1877-1956)
• Ora Amanda (Haley) Bittikofer (1884-1961)
• William A.L. Metzner (1866-1879)
• Wesley F. Metzner (1872-1953)
• Chester Arthur Wright (1896-1955)
• John Herman Pierce (1895-1959)
• Edward E. Pierce (1900-1900)
• Lillian Pierce (1902-1921)
• Nehersta Edith (Pierce) Miller Roberts (1910-1979)
• William McClellan Pierce (1913-1978)
• Cloyd J. Pierce (1916-1962)
• Charles D. Pierce (1918-1991)
• Robert F. Pierce (1923-2005)
• James Louis Pierce (1931-2002)

Exploratory Data Analysis: Nehersta Edith (Pierce) Roberts (1910-1979)

Nehersta Edith (Pierce) Roberts (1910-1979) was my maternal great-grandaunt.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Nehersta was born January 4, 1910 in Madison County, Indiana, according to my database.  I do not yet have a copy of her birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspapers for mention of Nehersta's birth.  The Alexandria-Monroe Public Library has newspapers from the early 1900s.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Pierce family.  Will continue to reach out to extended family members in hopes that one does exist.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal record for Nehersta.  The Pierce family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Nehersta was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Nehersta married in 1949¹, to Howard Hyde Roberts,  although the location is not yet know.  The snippet of the news item I was able to see stated that her name was Nehersta Pierce Miller, of Columbus, Ohio.  This suggests that there might have been a previous marriage.  This notice was the subject of a previous post.  Later findings in the 1940 census indicate her first husband was named James A. Miller.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search out contemporary newspaper accounts in Columbus, Ohio and Alexandria, Indiana area to see if mention was made of Nehersta's marraige.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Once I'm able to determine the exact date of their marriage, I can also search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of any anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               The wedding mention with Nehersta having the surname of Miller indicates a possible first marriage.  Will need to search for records of a marriage and divorce in Madison County, Indiana or Franklin County, Ohio.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Nehersta died September 2, 1979 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California².  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

               Nehersta's obituary appeared in the September 3, 1979 edition of the Anderson, Indiana Herald-Bulletin². 

               Will need to search other contemporary newspaper editions to see if additional obituaries can be obtained.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               According to her obituary, her funeral arrangements were handled by the Noffze Funeral home in Alexandria, Indiana.  Need to contact them to see if they have any additional records of the funeral.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Nehersta's tombstone in the Park View Cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana³, has been photographed.  A link to her memorial page at FindAGrave site is located here.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

                On April 3, 1940, Nehersta was enumerated in the James A. Miller household in Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio⁴, as Nehersta Miller, wife, age 30.  She had completed four years of college.  Her residence in 1935 was Marion County, Indiana.  She was born in Indiana.  No occupation was listed.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 21, 1930, Nehersta was enumerated in the B. Louise Whiteside household in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana⁵, as Nehersta Pierce, age 20, single, lodger.  She had attended school within the year and could read and write.  She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.  She could speak English.  No occupation was listed.  

               On April 24, 1930, Nehersta was enumerated in the William Pierce household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁶, as Edith Pierce, age 20, single, daughter.  She had attended school within the year and could read and write.  She was born in Indiana, her father born in Indiana and mother in Kentucky.  She could speak English.  No occupation was listed.

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 23, 1920, Nehersta was enumerated in the William F. Pierce household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana⁷, as Nehersta Pierce, age 10, single, daughter.  She had attended school within the year.  She could read and write and spoke English.  She was born in Indiana, her father was born in Indiana and mother born in Kentucky. 

          2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census

               On April 22, 1910, Nehersta was enumerated in the W.F. Pierce household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana⁸, as Nehersta Pierce, age 4 months, daughter.  She was born in Indiana, her father born in Indiana and mother born in Kentucky.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1921.  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 Pierce family farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Nehersta was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service by her father or husband that would have made Nehersta eligible for this benefit.

     3.3. Service Records

           Not applicable, as Nehersta was female.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Franklin County, Ohio and Los Angeles County, California to see what records might mention Nehersta and her family.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Madison County, Indiana published a plat map in 1880, 1891, 1893, 1901, 1910, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1931 and 1940 that might be relevant for my search on the Pierce family.

5. Supplemental Records

     Supplemental records available to search for Nehersta 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.

1. Pacific Oil World (Petroleum Publishers, 1949), Volume 42.
2. Anderson Indiana, Herald-Bulletin, September 3, 1979, Obituary of Nehersta Roberts.
3. FindAGrave Inc., FindAGrave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 19 November 2013).
4. 1940 U.S. census, Franklin County, Ohio, population schedule, Ward 17, Columbus, enumeration district 98-265, SD 12, sheet 2B, 1436 Kenmore Road, dwelling 22, digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 November 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
5. 1930 U.S. census, Marion County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 2, Indianapolis, enumeration district 49-311, SD 8, sheet 1A, 321 Fall Creek, dwelling 5, digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 19 November 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
6. William Pierce household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 48-45, SD 5, sheet 13B, dwelling 321, family 327; National Archives micropublication T626.
7. William F. Pierce household, 1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 119, SD 8, sheet 6A, dwelling 127, household 129; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 449, page 6B.
8. W.F. Pierce household, 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 106, SD 8, sheet 5A, dwelling 86, family 86; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 364, page 131.

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.

Marriage : Nehersta PIERCE to Howard ROBERTS

While searching in Google Books, I discovered this snippet regarding the marriage of Nehersta PIERCE to Howard Hyde ROBERTS.  Nehersta was my maternal great-grandaunt, the daughter of William Francis and Vida (MADDOX) PIERCE.

Pacific oil world: Volume 42

1949 - Snippet view Popular HH (Bob) Roberts, manager of public relations for Standard of California at Los Angeles, was married to Nehersta (Nina) Pierce Miller of Columbus. Ohio. The bride, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. WF Pierce of Alexandria, Indiana, ...

This is a ‘snippet’ from Google books.  Will have to see if I can locate this publication through inter-library loan.

Bibliographic information

Title	Pacific oil world, Volume 42
Publisher	Petroleum Publishers., 1949

Some interesting bits of information in this article.  Was Nehersta previously married to someone named Miller?  It would appear so.  Apparently, she was living in Columbus, Ohio at the time as well.  More facts to research and mysteries to uncover.


Nehersta Edith PIERCE was born January 4, 1910 in Madison County, Indiana.  She died September 2, 1979 in Los Angeles, California and is buried in Park View Cemetery, Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  She was the half-sister to my great-grandmother, Edna Muriel (PIERCE) WRIGHT.

Family Milestones: December 7th

My maternal 5th-great granduncle, William NESBIT, married on this date in 1824 in Harrison County, Kentucky to Polly ROBERTS.  William was the son of Samuel and Mary (BERRY) NESBIT, and the younger brother of my Elizabeth NESBIT.  William was born circa 1802 and died in 1877 in Kentucky.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Rebecca JACOBS, was born on this date in 1793 in Virginia.  Rebecca was the daughter of William and Sibell (LITTEL) JACOBS, and the younger sister of my James Thomas JACOBS.  Rebecca married William HIGHBEE on November 18, 1812 in Adams County, Ohio.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, William Godfrey SHAW, was born on this date in 1843 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana.  William was the son of William and Mary (HECK) SHAW, and the younger brother of my Elizabeth SHAW.  William married in October 1869 to Mary Jane YOUNG.  Mary was born October 1847 in Indiana.  They raised their family in Orestes, where William was a carpenter and farmer.  I do not have their dates of death in my database.

Tombstone Tuesday: William Francis & Vida (Maddox) Pierce

My maternal great-great grandfather, William Francis Pierce and his second wife, Vida (Maddox) Pierce are buried in the Maplewood Cemetery, Anderson, Madison County, Indiana. William's first wife, Clara (Pennisten) Pierce, is also buried in the cemetery, but I did not find a marker for her.

William was born July 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana, the son of Edmund G. and Catherine (Groenendyke) Pierce.

Clara was born March 1869 in Madison County, Indiana, the daughter of John and Jane Ann (Alderman) Pennisten.

Vida was born October 6, 1886 in Owingsville, Bath County, Kentucky, the daughter of Charles W. and Sarah (Powell) Maddox.

William and Clara were married on January 14, 1892 in Madison County, Indiana. After Clara's death, William married Vida on March 4, 1909 in Madison County, Indiana.

William & Clara lived in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana where William was a farmer. His obituary stated that he was ill for three years before his death.

William died on September 21, 1950 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana. Clara died September 26, 1906 in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana. Vida died November 19, 1968 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

William and Clara were the parents of the following children, all born in Madison County, Indiana:

• 2 unknown children; the 1900 census lists Clara as the mother of 5 children, with 3 living
• John Herman Pierce (1895-1959) married Charlotte FERGUSON, 1 child
• Edna Muriel Pierce (1897-1968) married Virgil Lee WRIGHT, 3 children
• Edward E. Pierce (1900-1900) lived 2 months
• Lillian Pierce (1902-1921)
• unknown Pierce (1904-bef1910)

William and Vida were the parents of the following children, all born in Madison County, Indiana:

• Nehersta Edith Pierce (1910-1979) married Howard Hyde ROBERTS
• William McClellan Pierce (1913-1978) married Geneva Ruth ALDRIDGE; 3 children
• Cloyd J. Pierce (1916-1962) married Anna ______; 1 child
• Charles D. Pierce (1918-1991) married Nancy L. STEPHENS; 2 children
• Robert F. Pierce (1923- )
• Powell Edmund "Pat" Pierce (1925- ); 1 child
• James Louis Pierce (1931-2002)

William F. Pierce household - Madison Co., IN

The family of William Francis PIERCE appears in the 1900-1920 census of Madison Co., IN. William was my maternal 2nd-great grandfather, the son of Edmund G. and Catherine (GROENENDYKE) PIERCE.

In the 1900 census of Monroe Twp., William is 35 year old farmer, married for 8 years, who can read and write. He was born in Indiana, as well as both of his parents. Wife Clara is the mother of 5 children, 3 of whom were living, and she was aged 31 years. Children in the household included : John H., age 4; Muriel, age 3; and Edward, aged 3 months.

In the 1910 census of Lafayette Twp., William a 45 year old farmer, married for 1 year to his second wife. Wife Vida, aged 23, born in Kentucky, had been married for 1 year and was the mother of 1 child. Children in the household included : Herman, aged 14; Merle, aged 12; Lillian; aged 8; and Nehersta; aged 4 months.

In the 1920 census of Lafayette Twp., William was a 53 year old farmer, and wife Vida was aged 32 years old. Also living in the household was widowed son J. Herman, aged 24 who worked on the farm; Lillian, aged 17 who worked as a bookkeeper; Nehersta, aged 10; McClellan, aged 6; Cloyd, aged 4 7/12 years; and Charles aged 2 5/12 years.

William Francis PIERCE b. July 10, 1865 Frankton, Madison Co., IN., d. September 21, 1950 Alexandria, Madison Co., IN., m. January 14, 1892 Madison Co., IN to Clara PENNISTEN, daughter of John and Jane (ALDERMAN) PENNISTEN; m(2) March 4, 1909 Madison Co., IN to Vida MADDOX, daughter of Charles W. and Sarah (POWELL) MADDOX. Clara b. March 1869 Madison Co., IN., d. September 26, 1906 Madison Co., IN; Vida b. October 6, 1886 Owingsville, KY, d. November 19, 1968 Alexandria, Madison Co., IN.

Children of William Francis and Clara (PENNISTEN) PIERCE are as follows :
i. [______] PIERCE b. after 1892, d. before 1900 census
ii. [_______] PIERCE b. after 1892, d. before 1900 census
iii. John Herman PIERCE b. July 1895 Madison Co., IN., d. 1959; m. Charlotte Elva HENSLEY, m(2) Charlotte FERGUSON
iv. Edna Muriel PIERCE b. February 7, 1897 Madison Co., IN, d. March 3, 1968 Madison Co., IN., m. Virgil Lee WRIGHT
v. Edward E. PIERCE b. March 1900 Madison Co., IN., d. December 23, 1900 Madison Co., IN.
vi. Lillian PIERCE b. September 12, 1902 Madison Co., IN., d. 1921 Madison Co., IN.
vii. [______] PIERCE b. October 8, 1904 Madison Co., IN., d. before 1910 census

Children of William Francis and Vida (MADDOX) PIERCE are as follows :
i. Nehersta PIERCE b. January 4, 1910 Madison Co., IN., d. September 2, 1979 Los Angeles, CA., m. Howard Hyde ROBERTS
ii. William McClellan PIERCE b. March 17, 1913 Madison Co., IN., d. November 24, 1978 Anderson, Madison Co., IN, m. Geneva Ruth ALDRIDGE
iii. Cloyd J. PIERCE b. May 22, 1916 Madison Co., IN, d. 1962, m. Anna M. [______]
iv. Charles D. PIERCE b. July 2, 1918 Madison Co., IN, d. August 23, 1991 Alexandria, Madison Co., IN., m. Nancy L. STEPHENS
v. Robert F. PIERCE b. April 21, 1923 Madison Co., IN.
vi. Powell Edmund PIERCE b. March 16, 1925 Madison Co., IN
vii. James F. PIERCE b. 1931 Madison Co., IN.

Thomas McVay household - Shelby Co., OH

The Thomas McVAY household was enumerated in the 1860 and 1870 census of Franklin Twp., Shelby Co., OH. Thomas was my paternal 3rd-great granduncle, married to Jane LEMASTERS.

Thomas appears in the 1860 census as a 54 year old farmer, born in Pennsylvania, with real estate valued at $5600 and a personal estate valued at $600. Wife Jane is listed as aged 52 years, born in Virginia. Only daughter Sarah, aged 14, born in Virginia, is listed living with them in 1860.

In the 1870 census, Thomas is listed as a 64 year old farmer, born in Virginia, with real estate valued at $4000 and a personal estate valued at $915. Daughter Sarah and son-in-law Earnest LAPHAM and their young family are living there as well. Earnest LAPHAM was working on the farm, aged 23, born in Ohio; wife Sarah was listed as aged 24 and born in Ohio. They had two young children, both born in Ohio : Thomas E., aged 2 years, and Ella E., aged 5 months.

Thomas McVAY b. July 25, 1805 Rockingham Co., VA., d. December 25, 1884 Franklin Twp., Shelby Co., OH., m. March 15, 1831 to Jane LEMASTERS, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (________) LEMASTERS. Jane born 1807 Mason Co., VA., d. November 25, 1865 Shelby Co., OH.
Known children of Thomas and Jane (LEMASTERS) McVAY :
i. Elgiva McVAY d. July 11, 1850 (illeg. daughter of Jane and ________ ROBERTS)
ii. William McVAY b. ca. 1832 Ohio
iii. George M. McVAY b. ca. 1835 Ohio
iv. Sarah J. McVAY b. ca. 1846 Ohio, m. Earnest L. LAPHAM

Obituary : William McClelland Pierce

From : Anderson, IN Herald-Bulletin, Sunday, November 26, 1978

ALEXANDRIA - William "Mac" McClelland Pierce, 65, of Rt. 1, died Friday evening at Community Hospital, Anderson, after a long illness.

A native and lifelong resident of Alexandria, he retired in 1971 from Guide Division.

Funeral rites will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Noffze Funeral Home and burial will be in Park View Cemetery.

Friends may call at the mortuary after 4 p.m. Sunday. Masonic memorial rites will be at 7 p.m. Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Survivors include the wife, Geneva; three sons, Larry R. and Ronald L., both of Anderson, and William C. of Alexandria; four brothers, Charles D., Robert F., and P. Edmund, all of Alexandria, and James L. of Chicago; a sister, Nehersta Roberts of Los Angeles, Calif.; and six grandchildren.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Alexandria, a past worthy patron of OES 179, a past master of Masonic Lodge 235; a member of the Charter and Council Royal Arch Masons, Commandery 32 of Anderson; Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis and Murat Shrine at Indianapolis.