Harley Fisher's children & Clemon Lambertson's children

These undated photographs are of the children of Harley Fisher and Clemon Lambertson.

The bottom photograph is identified as back row (L-R) : Clara Fisher, Evelyn Fisher, Imogene Fisher; front row (L-R) Ruby Lambertson, Bonnie Lambertson

Charles & Pearl (Beals) Lambertson family

This undated photograph is of the Charles & Pearl (Beals) Lambertson family. Front row (L-R) : Pauline Lambertson, Leona Lambertson, Elizabeth Lambertson. Back row (L-R) Pearl (Beals) Lambertson, Charles Lambertson.

Charles & Pearl (Beals) Lambertson family

This undated photograph is of (L-R) Paul Lambertson, Pearl (Beals) Lambertson, Charles Lambertson and Elizabeth Lambertson.

Clemon Lambertson on Whisler Farm

This 1916 photograph is of Clemon Beals Lambertson taken at the Whisler farm.

Clemon & Helen (Duncan) Lambertson

This December 26, 1960 photo is of Clemon & Helen (Duncan) Lambertson.

Gathering Rosebuds

GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,

Old Time is still a-flying:

And this same flower that smiles to-day

To-morrow will be dying.

Robert Herrick's poem has never rang more true for me in these past few days. Although I have been working on my family history since I was a young Boy Scout, there is much that I've yet to discover, and as each day passes opportunities may be lost.

This year our family reunion was postponed, and then canceled due to too many medical issues in the family. Between surgeries and diagnosis of cancer, my paternal aunts and uncles have been dealing with quite a bit of problems this year. Just last month, my mother found out that she had breast cancer. Fortunately, it was detected quickly, and the tests came back negatively for lymph node spread, but it is still a wake up call for the family.

I need to make a concentrated effort to have my family members write down as much about the family history - the stories that make our ancestors "real" people and not just names and dates. Few in the family are as excited as I am about genealogy, and if I don't do it now, this generation will pass on and more memories will be lost.

This past month the paper in Alexandria had two obituaries in the same edition for members of my extended Pierce family. There are still many twigs and branches on the family tree that I've yet to discover and/or flesh out.

While I have the opportunity to do research on my lunch hours in the hometown library of my maternal ancestors, I need to take advantage of the time and start gathering the rosebuds. The Lord may call me away from this area someday and make it more difficult to research these families. Over the years, I've thought that I had my maternal branches pretty well figured out. Now I'm discovering that there is still more to be gathered.

Gather those rosebuds - today.

Clemon & June Lambertson family

This undated photograph shows the Clemon & June (Gilliland) Lambertson family. Clemon is holding son, Floyd, and standing next to him is son Harold.

Clemon Lambertson family

This undated photograph shows the Clemon Lambertson family. Back row (L-R) Ruby Lambertson being held by Clemon Lambertson, June (Gilliland) Lambertson. Front row (L-R) Floyd Lambertson, Bonnie Lambertson, Harold Lambertson.

Tagged with Blogger Love

Recently my blog was tagged by Becky Wiseman at Kinexxions with the I "heart" your blog meme that is going through the genea-blogosphere.











The rules associated with this particular tag include that the tagged blogger can :

• can put the logo on his/her blog
• must link to the person who gave the award
• must nominate seven other blogs and link to them
• must leave a comment on each of the nominated blogs
  

The blogs that I've enjoyed reading include :

AnceStories : The Stories of My Ancestors by Miriam Robbins Midkiff
Genealogy Roots Blog by Joe Beine
The Practical Archivist by Sally Jacobs
TransylvanianDutch Genealogy by John Newmark
Donna's Genealogy Blog by Donna Moughty
Life in Possum Holler by Carolyn Earle Billingsley, PhD.
Memory Lane by sashafaith

Obituary : Elizabeth (Poe) Beals (1856-1935)

Source : Tipton Daily Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, September 28, 1935, page 4.

DIED AT GREENTOWN

Mrs. Elizabeth Beals, 79, Succumbed to Stroke of Paralysis.

Mrs. Elizabeth Beals, 79, widow of the late N.T. Beals of Cicero, died at the home of a daughter Mrs. Charles Lambertson near Greentown Friday morning death being due to a stroke of paralysis, suffered four weeks ago. Short services are to be held Sunday morning at 10:00 at Greentown and the body will be taken to Cicero where services will be held in the Methodist church at 2:30 o'clock with the Rev. Polly Couch-Bowman in charge.

Mrs. Beals was a long time resident of the Cicero community and aside from the one daughter there are no other close relatives.


Elizabeth was my maternal 3rd-great grandmother. She was buried in the Cicero City Cemetery, Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.

VINE : Vital Information Exchange

The VINE : Vital Information Exchange is a colleciton of vital records and local history from Indiana libraries, historical and genealogical societies and other related agencies. Recently, I was directed to their site and was quite pleased with what I found.

Although not every county in the state was represented, enough of them in my areas of research were, and I was able to find some potential leads for further research. Lately, newspaper research has become an area of concern for me and through the VINE database I was able to locate information regarding an obituary for an ancestor that I didn't know existed.

For example, I searched for records of the BEALS line and was able to determine that the Tipton Daily Tribune had published an obituary for Elizabeth BEALS on 9/28/1935 page 4. Previously, I had only that she had died in September 1935 in my database. By writing to the Tipton County, Indiana library, I was able to obtain her obituary and add another fact to my database. Since Elizabeth was buried in Hamilton County and her death had been listed in my database as "near Greentown, Howard County", I would not have thought to search in Tipton County.

I found it quite easy to search for obituary records for a particular surname, and the number of hits I received in return made it a site that I will be returning to as I continue to research. Particularly for me, ancestors in Hamilton County, Indiana are listed in this database as the Hamilton East Public Library is a participating member.

Hopefully, other libraries in Indiana will join with VINE to increase the availability of genealogical data to the community.

Consistency in Place Names

One of the things that I've been doing recently with my database is trying to structure my place name list in a more consistent manner. In the past, I've always used the two character postal codes used here in the U.S. for state names, such as IN for Indiana. However, I've recently decided that I like the look and feel of writing out my place names : Indiana, USA. So, I've been working for several weeks off and on behind the scenes to update my place names in RootsMagic.

Most of my database is from the United States, and the lines that do stretch into Europe are not fleshed out enough to be of any consequence. By writing out the place names, I will avoid the confusion of such abbreviations as AK (is it Arkansas or Alaska?) and possibly make it easier for search engines to find my data. Once I've updated them all, I will resubmit a new GEDCOM to WorldConnect to see how the database looks.

I have used the country abbreviation, USA, for all events that have taken place in the United States since it was formed, in areas that have always been part of the country. For example, events that occurred in the 13 original colonies or in those states that later became part of the Confederacy, I have just left as they are : Virginia or New York. Later, I hope to be able to go back and look at key facts in these places and on an individual basis give them more detail, i.e. Massachusetts Bay Colony or New Sweden, dependant on the historical time frame.

RootsMagic gives you the option of placing longitude and latitude for each place name. Eventually, I may give that information for places that are used repeatedly in my data. RootsMagic also gives you plenty of room to write a descriptive field about the place, which will come in handy to give the details of the history of how counties, states, etc. were formed.

Perhaps this is just my fancy, but how do others handle their place names?

Back to School

It has been quite awhile since I've posted anything, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. Between work situations and outside activities (gardening, yardwork, etc.), I've managed to keep myself occupied. Now that fall is here and it's time to go back to school, I'm entering a new phase in my life.

I have decided to go back to school and pursue an MBA through Indiana Wesleyan University's LEAP program. So, for the next two years I will have to learn how to study while trying to maintain some continuity. Fortunately, my wife is behind this decision 100%, as I couldn't do this without her.

Genealogically, I don't know what effect this will have on my research - I do know that some things will have to be put aside in order to study.

Obituary : Vivian Harting (1920-2000)

Source : Elwood, Indiana Call-Leader, October 27, 2000


Vivian "June" (Dailey) Harting, 80, of Elwood, died early today at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Born July 7, 1920, in Elwood, she was the daughter of Marvin and Erma Hayes Dailey.

She married Kenneth Harting December 21, 1940.

She was a member of the Central Wesleyan Church.

Survivors include her husband; a daughter, LeAnn McCormick of Manteno, Ill.; two brothers, Merrill Dailey of Anderson and Gene Dailey of Deer Lodge, Tenn.; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Judy Huntsberger; a son, Tim Harting; a brother, Warren Dailey and a sister Carol French.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Dunnichay Funeral Home, with the Rev. Matt Miller officiating. Burial will be in the Elwood City Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Wesleyan Church.

Obituary : Erma V. Dailey (1902-1949)

Source : Elwood, Indiana Call-Leader, November 2, 1949

Mrs. Erma Dailey Dies Tuesday At Her Farm Home

Mrs. Erma V. Dailey, 47, died at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday at her home on route 1 Elwood. She had been ill for several months.

Born near Frankton May 9, 1902, she was the daughter of John and Cora Reason Hays. She was married to Marvin Dailey.

Survivors besides the husband are a daughter, Mrs. June Harting, Elwood, and at home Carrol, Merrill, Warren, and Marvin. There are three grandchildren, one sister, Mrs. Faye Adams, Covington, Ky., and two brothers, Ivan Hays, Newport, Ky., and Gerald Hays, Elwood.

Mrs. Dailey was a member of the Frankton Christian church.

The body was taken to Jackley funeral home where friends may call after 7 o'clock tonight.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at the Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Leonard Wright of Bluffton and Rev. Dee Henderson of Elwood officiating. Burial will be in the Huntsville cemetery.

Obituary : Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972)

Source : Elwood, Indiana Call-Leader, Monday, March 27, 1972


Alexandria - Virgil Lee Wright, 77, route four, Alexandria, died Saturday at the Bradford nursing home following an extended illness.

He was a lifetime resident of Alexandria and had been a farmer in the Alexandria area.

He was married in 1915, his wife, Edna, died in 1968.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Clara High and Mrs. Barbara Webster both of Alexandria; one son William of Alexandria; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Karl M. Kyle funeral home with the Rev. Edwin Clark officiating. Burial will be in the Park View cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home after 4 p.m. today.

Obituary : Elias Groendyke (1818-1906)

Through the help of the Elwood, IN Public Library, I was able to locate the obituary of my maternal 4th-great grandfather, Elias GROENENDYKE or GROENDYKE.

Source : Elwood, IN Call-Leader, Friday, May 25, 1906


Died at Greenville

Elias Groendyke, an early settler of Pipecreek township, and fir [sic] many years living near Frankton, who removed to Ohio, some time ago, died at Greenville. He was an old timer of this county and taught school many years, pioneers of the present day being his pupils. He was the father of the first wife of Tom Moore: of htis [sic] city. The funeral took place today as [sic] Greenville.

Find A Grave Memorial : Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972)

I've created a Find A Grave memorial for my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) who is buried in Park View Cemetery in Alexandria, Madison Co., IN, along with his wife, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright.



Virgil was born July 6, 1894 in Madison Co., IN and died March 25, 1972 in Madison Co., IN. He was the son of John William and Ellen (King) Wright. Virgil married Edna Muriel Pierce on June 19, 1915 in Alexandria, Madison Co., IN.

Gloria Wright Receives Highest Award - May 31, 1960

This photograph of Gloria Wright, with parents William Lee and Bonnie Mae (Lambertson) Wright, appeared on the front page of the Alexandria, IN Time-Tribune on Tuesday, May 31, 1960. Gloria was recognized for obtaining the Curved Bar, the highest award given in the Girl Scouts.

Obituary : Joseph Wright (1838-1919)

From: Alexandria, IN Times-Tribune, September 16, 1919



JOSEPH WRIGH DIES AT COUNTRY HOME SOUTH CITY



Well-Known Farmer of Madison County Expires This Afternoon After Illness of Heart Trouble - Was Oldest Member of Masonic Lodge Here


Joseph Wright, age eighty nine years, one of the best known farmers in Madison county, expired this afternoon at 12:40 o'clock, following an extended illness of heart trouble, at the home two miles south of Alexandria.
The funeral service will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the home, in charge of the local lodge of Masons and burial will follow in the Odd Fellow cemetery here.
The surviving relatives are the wife, Mrs. Dorothy Wright, four sons, James, Charles, and John, all residing in this vicinity, and Edward Wright, of Columbia City, and one daughter, Mrs. Daisy Fox, of Anderson. Eighteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren also survive.
Mr. Wright came to Madison county as early as 1865 from Brown county Ohio. He settled on a farm south of the city, where he resided for a long number of years.
At the time of his death, Mr. Wright was the oldest member of the Alexandria lodge of Masons and that order will have full charge of the last sad rites on Thursday afternoon.



From : Alexandria Times-Tribune, September 18, 1919




Body of Joseph Wright Laid to Rest Today

With a large number of friends and relatives in attendance, the funeral of Joseph Wright, well known Monroe township farmer, who lived just south of the city for a great number of years, was conducted this afternoon at 3 o'clock at the home, in charge of the local lodge of Masons. The pallbearers were : Dr. A.E. Harlan, Dr. O.S. Coffin, V. Free, Riley Perry and George Kelly. Rev. George Winfrey preached the funeral service and burial followed in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.

Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1960

This is a June 19, 1960 photograph of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright, taken for their 45th wedding anniversary.

Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1960

This is a December 23, 1960 photograph of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright.

50th Wedding Anniversary - Virgil & Edna Wright (1965)

This photograph was taken at the 50th wedding anniversary of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright. Pictured here with them are their grandchildren.

Front row : Jeff Webster, Alan Webster. Middle row : Charlie High, Virgil Wright, Edna Wright, Gloria Wright. Back row : Terry Wright, Phil High

Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1962

This 1962 photograph of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright appears to have been taken around Christmas time.

Virgil & Edna Wright with Barbara

This undated photograph shows Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright with daughter, Barbara Lou Wright.

Lafayette Twp. School Graduation - June 22, 1913

This is a June 22, 1913 photograph of the graduating class of the Lafayette Township school in Madison Co., IN. My maternal great-grandmother, Edna Muriel Pierce, is the third from the left.

Edna was the daughter of William Francis and Clara (Pennisten) Pierce.

Clara Ellen Wright & horse

This undated photograph shows my maternal great-aunt, Clara Ellen Wright with her horse, Daisy June.

Virgil Wright's Country School - Madison Co., IN

This undated photograph is of the school Virgil Lee Wright attended as a boy. Virgil is the third boy from the right. The school was located on 900 North beyond 300 West on the curve in the road.

Joseph Wright home - Ferguson Road

This undated photograph is of the Joseph Wright home on Ferguson Road, Monroe Twp., Madison Co., IN. Though not written on the back, I am assuming that Joseph and his second wife, Dortha, were the couple in the photograph.

Wright home - Orestes, IN

This undated photograph is of the house in Orestes, Madison Co., IN where Virgil Lee Wright was born. Unfortunately, the names of the family members outside are not written on the back.

Wright Family Reunion

This undated photograph is of a Wright family reunion, presumably held at the home of Joseph Wright on Ferguson Road.

The back of the photo identifies my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright, as being in the first row, the first one from the right, standing with his mother behind him. Since Virgil was born in 1894, this reunion probably took place in the 1910s.

Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright

This undated photograph shows my maternal great-grandmother, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright, cooking dinner in the kitchen of their farmhouse.

Virgil Wright and Lawrence Spence

This undated photograph shows my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright with uncle Lawrence Spence. Lawrence was an uncle by marriage, being married to Jessie (Pennisten) Spence, the aunt of Virgil's wife, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright

Chester Arthur Wright & Virgil Lee Wright postcard

This photo postcard shows brothers Chester Arthur and Virgil Lee Wright, sons of John William and Ellen (King) Wright. The postcard appears to have been sent by their cousin Fred Wright. Unfortunately, I cannot make out the postmark to get the exact date.

Fred Wright was the son of Charles Riggs and Bertha (Leonard) Wright. He was a first cousin of Virgil and Chester.

Lawrence & Jessie Spence with Charles High - 1947

This January 1947 photograph is of Jessie (Pennisten) Spence and husband Lawrence Spence, with great-grandnephew Charles High.

On the back of the photo is written "Aunt Jessie died Feb. 27 1948. Uncle Lawrence died Mar. 28 1961. This was 14 yrs. after this picture taken."

Jessie Pennisten was the daughter of John and Jane Ann (Alderman) Pennisten. Lawrence Spence was the son of Thomas and Suzan (Berry) Spence. Charles was the son of John and Clara Ellen (Wright) High.

Wedding Day : Clara Ellen Wright & John High (December 8, 1945)

This photograph is of John High and Clara Ellen Wright's wedding, taken December 8, 1945. Standing with them is Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, Clara Ellen's sister-in-law.

Barbara Wright & horse

This undated photograph shows my maternal greataunt, Barbara Wright, on her horse, which appears to be named "Babe", from the writing on the top of the photograph.

Barbara was the daughter of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright.

Virgil Lee Wright

This undated photograph of my maternal great-grandfather Virgil Lee Wright shows him looking his best. The film appears to be from the same roll as the photos at his wife's funeral, so I wonder if that is when this photo was taken.

Wright Family Gathering

This undated photograph shows a Wright family gathering. In the front row, kneeling are Barbara Wright and Terry Wright. In the second row are Edna (Pierce) Wright, Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, Clara (Wright) High and John High. In the third row are Virgil Wright and William Wright.

Edna Muriel "Peach" (Pierce) Wright

This undated photograph is of my maternal great-grandmother, Edna Muriel "Peach" (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968).

Edna was the daughter of William Francis and Clara (Pennisten) Pierce.

Virgil Lee Wright (b. 1894)

These undated photographs are of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright, born July 6, 1894 in Madison Co., IN, the son of John William and Ellen (King) Wright.

50th Wedding Anniversary - Virgil & Edna Wright

This photograph was taken in June 1965 at a celebration honoring the 50th wedding anniversary of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright. They are pictured here with their children.

(L-R) Clara Ellen (Wright) High, Virgil Lee Wright, William Lee Wright, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright, Barbara Lou (Wright) Webster.

Virgil Lee Wright and Edna Muriel Pierce were married on June 19, 1915 in Alexandria, Madison Co., IN.

Terry Wright, Gloria Wright & Charlie High photo

This undated photograph is of Terry Wright, holding sister Gloria Wright, along with cousin Charlie High. With the Christmas tree in the background, this photo must be taken around December 1947.

Wright and High Family photo

This undated photograph at a family gathering shows John High, Clara Ellen (Wright) High, Bonnie (Lambertson) Wright, William Wright. Clara Ellen is holding son, Charlie High, and Bonnie is holding daughter Gloria Wright. In the front is Terry Wright.

Virgil Wright and Melissa High

This undated photograph is of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright, along with his granddaughter, Melissa Sue High.

Birthday Party : Clara Ellen (Wright) High

This undated photograph appears to be a birthday celebration for Clara Ellen (Wright) High. If you look closely at the cake, you can make out "Happy Birthday Clara Ellen."



In the photo, from back row, left to right, are Virgil Wright, Clara Ellen High, Edna Wright. In the front are Clara Ellen's children, Charlie and Phil High.

Virgil Lee Wright & Barbara Lou Wright photo

This undated photograph is of Virgil Lee Wright and daughter, Barbara Lou Wright, next to the family car.

Clara Ellen Wright & Barbara Lou Wright

This undated photo is of sisters Clara Ellen Wright and Barbara Lou Wright. Just after the tear, you can make out the word "church", and it does appear to be a Sunday morning "going to church"-type of photograph.

Clara Ellen and Barbara Lou were my maternal great-aunts, the daughters of Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright.

Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968) Funeral Photos

Funeral photos of my maternal great-grandmother, Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright. The photos are undated, but her she passed away on March 3, 1968, a Sunday, and the funeral was held on Wednesday, according to her obituary in the Alexandria Times-Tribune.

Certificate of Promotion - Virgil Wright (1912)

Above is the certificate of promotion to high school of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) from the Monroe Township Public Schools of Madison County, Indiana.

Virgil was the son of John William and Ellen (King) Wright.