Exploratory Data Analysis : William Miller (1826-1901)

William Miller (1826-1901) was Corinne's maternal 3rd-great grandfather.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.

1. Vital Records

     William was born October 1826 in Germany¹, according to the 1900 census.  The 1870 census shows him born circa 1829 in Hesse-Darmstadt².

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Since I do not have an exact date of birth for William, it will be difficult to locate his birth record.  His parents were listed on his marriage license as Jacob Miller and Elizabeth Speck.

          A search at Familysearch for records of a William Miller born in 1826 with parents Jacob Miller and Elizabeth Speck did turn up one interesting possibility.  A record for Wilhelm Mueller, born to Jacob Mueller and Elisabetha Speck, was born October 20, 1826 in Alsenborn, Pfalz, Bavaria. ("Deutschland, Geburten und Taufen 1558-1898," index, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/NP8N-MBL : accessed 12 Jan 2014), Wilhelm Mueller, ; citing ALSENBORN,PFALZ,BAVARIA; FHL microfilm 488864.)
  
          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Without an exact location or date of birth, it will be impossible to locate mention in a newspaper.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible record for this Miller family.  Will continue to reach out to extended family members in hopes that one can be located.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

                    Without an exact date to search and location of birth, will not be able to locate a baptismal record for William.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

                    There is no indication that William was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

               William married January 31, 1856 in Posey County, Indiana to Elizabeth Schafer.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          William married secondly on May 5, 1887 in Vanderburgh County, Indiana to Margaret Kullman.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

                    Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts for mention of William's nuptials.  Will add this to my research "to-do" list.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

                    Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts for mention of any anniversary celebrations.  Will add this to my research "to-do" list.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

                    While there is no indication that William was divorced, a thorough search of the court records in Posey and Vanderburgh Counties, Indiana will need to be completed.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          William died July 24, 1901 in Kasson, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  I do not yet have a copy of his death certificate.  Will add that to my list of research "to-do" items.

          1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper

                    Will need to search contemporary newspapers for mention of William's obituary.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

                    Once I've obtained a copy of William's obituary, I can contact the funeral home that handled the arrangements and see if they have any additional information.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

                    I do not yet know what cemetery William is buried in, assuming that he is buried in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1900 Federal Census

                    On June 1, 1900, William was enumerated as the head of household in German Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana¹, as William Miller, age 73, born October 1826 in Germany.  He had been married for 12 years.  His father and mother were both born in Germany.  He immigrated to the United States in 1848, had been living 52 years in the U.S. and was a naturalized citizen.  His occupation was that of a saloon keeper.  He could read and write and speak English.  He owned his own home, free of mortgage.

          2.1.2. 1880 Federal Census

                    On June 1, 1880, William was enumerated as head of household in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana³, as William Miller, age 52, born in Germany.  His occupation was listed as a commission broker.  He was married and both his father and mother were born in Germany.

          2.1.3. 1870 Federal Census

                    On July 22, 1870, William was enumerated as head of household in the 3rd Ward, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana², as William Miller, age 41, born in Hesse-Darmstadt.  He was a saloon keeper.  The value of his real estate was $15,000 and the value of his personal estate was $1000.  His father and mother were both of foreign birth.  He was a U.S. citizen.

          2.1.4. 1860 Federal Census

               On June 18, 1870, William was enumerated as head of household in Robinson Township, Posey County, Indiana⁴, as William Miller, age 33, born in Germany.  His occupation was listed as a farmer.  The value of his real estate was $3500 and the value of his personal estate was $500.

          2.1.5. 1850 Federal Census

                I have not yet located William in the 1850 census.  He should be there, as he immigrated in 1848, but I do not know yet where he first lived before coming to Indiana.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931.  These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of records to see what light they might shed on the Miller farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          I have not located any draft registration records for William. 

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service for William that would make him eligible to receive pension benefits.

     3.3. Service Records

          I am not aware of any military service for William, though he would have been of the right age to have served during the Civil War.  Will add checking into this to my list of "to-do" research items.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Posey and Vanderburgh Counties, Indiana to see what records might mention William.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Plat maps in Posey and Vanderburgh Counties, Indiana will need to be searched to see what might be relevant to my search for William.

5. Supplemental

     Supplemental records available for research on William 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. William Miller household, 1900 U.S. census, population schedule, German Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, ED 133, SD 1, sheet 1A, dwelling 10, family 10; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 408, page 43.
2. William Miller household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, 3rd Ward, Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, dwelling 265, family 263; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 364, page 218.
3. 1880 U.S. census, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, population schedule, Evansville, enumeration district 83, SD 1, page 2, dwelling 10, family 13; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2014); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. William Miller household, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Robinson Township, Posey County, Indiana, Stewartsville P.O., page 511, dwelling 417, family 362; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 290, page 576.

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.

Surname Saturday: Miller

The MILLER family is Corinne's maternal line. The surname is of Germanic origin, with Corinne's 3rd-great grandfather coming from Hesse-Darmstadt.

Stories and History:

Ahnentafel # 96: Jacob MILLER - the immigrant. Believe to have been from Bavaria. His wife was Elizabeth SPECK. Need to do more research to locate him in census records. Believed to have been naturalized in Posey County, Indiana. Had at least 1 son and 1 daughter.

Ahnentafel # 48: William MILLER (c1827-1901). William was born between 1827 and 1828 in Hesse-Darmstadt. Was living in Posey County, Indiana in 1856 when he married Elizabeth SCHAFER. According to the 1900 census, he emigrated in 1848. Later lived in Kasson, Vanderburgh County, Indiana where he operated a saloon. Father of 9 children.

Ahnentafel # 24: Mathias (Mat) MILLER (1861-1936). Mathias was born 1861 in Indiana. Lived in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Was a foundry worker. Married Elizabeth SCHAEFFER and had 10 children. Mathias died September 15, 1936 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.

Ahnentafel # 12: Arthur MILLER (1907-1964). Arthur born in Evansville on January 12, 1907. Married Hallie Marie CHIVLARE and had 12 children. Died May 20, 1964 in Evansville and is buried in Park Lawn Cemetery.

Related blog posts :

• Obituary of Lillie Miller (1873-1937), wife of Mathias (Mat) Miller

• Obituary of Mathias (Mat) Miller (1861-1936)

• Mathias Miller family of Vanderburgh County, Indiana

• Miller Family Lineage

• Today in my database, Mathias Miller (b. October 20, 1861)