Well, the people have spoken and the contentious election of 2016 is over - Donald J. Trump will be the next President of the United States.
Since this blog details not only my search for my ancestors, but the nuggets of my daily life for my descendants, I thought I'd better drop a line or two about one of the sea change elections of my lifetime.
We voted early this year - Indiana has had early voting since 2012 and our county had Saturday voting the two Saturdays prior to election day. The wait was about 30 minutes at the courthouse. It seemed like the turnout was high.
In a non-Presidential election year, I usually in the first two or three people at the polls when they open at 6 a.m. I'm an early riser, so that doesn't present any problems. But this year, I knew I would be doing research at the Genealogy Center on election day, so we cast our votes early.
I voted for Donald J. Trump for President.
Trump represents a change from the status quo, an unconventional candidate who is not beholden to special interest groups. He defeated 16 other experienced Republican candidates in the primary, and in the general faced one of the most unpopular Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton.
Trump also promises an agenda of "America First" which I feel this country needs after the last 8 years of a President who has weakened our position in the world. He has promised to re-negotiate the disasterous trade treaties and look at America's commitment around the world. This has really rubbed the establishment elites the wrong way - they fear their power slipping away. When you are attacked by not only the left but the right as well, you are probably doing something right.
While there's no need to go into all of the negatives for Clinton and the scandals and lack of justice by our own government's Department of Justice and F.B.I., as last night's results show - justice was delivered at the ballot box and we no longer have to deal with the Clintons.
Indiana polls close at 6 p.m. and per usual, was declared a Republican win rather quickly. We're a very "red" state, and one of the first ones called each election. It's the rest of the country that I worry about.
I stayed up watching the results come in until about 2 a.m. last night. At that time, Mr. Trump was leading and it appeared that he would be declared the President. The looks of shock on the faces of the media was precious. They just couldn't understand how their favorite candidate wasn't winning.
Throughout the campaign Trump highlighted the strong media biases which were confirmed by the Wikileaks emails. Since so many people only get their news from the networks or Fox/CNN, they are only receiving what those media outlets want you to know - and they only deal in soundbites and don't deal with the issues in any substantial way.
My Facebook feed today is full of people wringing their hands in fear of a Trump Presidency. I'm not sure what exactly they are afraid of - though I see things bandied about that Trump is a racist, homophobe, etc. He hasn't even been sworn into office and they are acting as if he will be rounding people up, comparing him to a Nazi, etc. The moment you start to do that against your political adversary, you loose the argument.
Time will tell what a President Trump will mean for our country, but I'm hopeful that America will be moving in the right direction.
I just hope that my other genealogy friends in the blogosphere and on FB will calm down and give the man a chance.
Wednesday, November 09, 2016
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Genealogy & Local History Fair : Indiana State Library
Yesterday, I drove to Indianapolis and attended the Genealogy & Local History Fair at the Indiana State Library. A native Hoosier, I had never made it down to the State Library - an impressive place that I'm already making plans to return to in order to do some research.
I hadn't heard of this Genealogy & Local History Fair before, and I'm glad that I came. Not only for the opportunities to learn from the speakers, but the chance to mingle with other genealogists and talk to the vendors/societies that were present. I picked up quite a few materials and applications for hereditary societies that I am eligible for membership.
The two speakers for the day were Jill Morelli and Ann Staley. Jill spoke on House Histories and Sanborn maps while Ann spoke on the Everyday Lives of our Ancestors and Using City Directories. Both of these speakers presented good research examples and keep me interested in their topics.
Though the majority of my ancestors seem to be rural farmers, there have been enough relatives that have lived in cities that I should be utilizing the resources of Sanborn maps and city directories more. Jill's talk on house histories has me thinking of researching my current house as well as the house that I grew up in, in order to find out more about the when it came into the families possession. Ann's talk on the lives of our ancestors and reminding us to put them into perspective with timelines gave me some ideas for how to knock down some brickwalls and learn what was going on in the world during the times my relatives were living.
I'm looking forward to continuing to branch out and attending as many conferences as I can to meet fellow researchers and learn more tips and tricks.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Exploratory Data Analysis : Rebecca Ann (Heaton) Wright (1841-1890)
Rebecca Ann (Heaton) Wright (1841-1890) was my maternal third great-grandmother. What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.
1. Vital Records
Rebecca was born 1841 in Ohio, likely in Brown County1.
1.1. Birth Certificate
The State of Ohio did not require birth certificates at the time of Rebecca's birth. Statewide recording of births started in 1867.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If Rebecca's birth was mentioned in a newspaper, I've not yet located it. Will need to check with state and local archives to see if they have any newspapers from the time period.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I'm not aware of any surviving Heaton family Bible that mention's Rebecca. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one can be located.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I'm not aware of any baptismal record for Rebecca. I am not sure of the church affiliation of the Heaton family at this time.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Rebecca was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Rebecca married Joseph Wright on November 1, 1857 in Schuyler County, Missouri2. Rebecca's parents had moved to Liberty Township, Schuyler County, Missouri in the mid-1850s, along with others from Brown County, Ohio.
1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper
I have not yet searched out available newspapers from the time period to see if Rebecca and Joseph's nuptials were mentioned.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
I have not yet searched out available newspapers from the time period to see if mention was made of Joseph and Rebecca's anniversaries, either. Their 25th wedding anniversary would have been November 1, 1882. Rebecca passed away before their 50th. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.2.3. Divorce Decree
There is no indication that a divorce ever occurred, and a recent search of court records during the time period did not turn up a divorce record.
1.3. Death Certificate
Rebecca died March 25, 1890 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana3, from german measles. The State of Indiana did not require death certificates at this time.
1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper
Record of Rebecca's death has not been found in any extant local newspapers from the time period.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
Will need to search records of the local historical society to see if they have any records of funeral homes that might pertain to Rebecca. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next trip.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
Rebecca's tombstone in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Alexandria, Indiana has been photographed
4. A link to her memorial page at FindAGrave can be found here.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1880 Federal Census
On June 18, 1880, Rebecca was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana5 in the Joseph Wright household as Rebecca Wright, wife, female, age 42, Keeping House. Rebecca was born in Ohio, as were both her parents.
2.1.2. 1870 Federal Census
On September 13, 1870, Rebecca was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana6 in the Joseph Wright household as Rebecca Wright, female, age 31, Keeping House. Rebecca was born in Ohio.
2.1.3. 1860 Federal Census
On June 28, 1860, Rebecca was enumerated in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio7 in the Joseph Wright household as Rebecca Wright, female, age 20. Rebecca was born in Ohio.
2.1.4. 1850 Federal Census
On August 23, 1850, Rebecca was enumerated in Scott Township, Brown County, Ohio8 in the James Heaton household as Rebecca A. Heaton, female, age 9, born Ohio. Rebecca had attended school within the year.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Indiana conducted census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931. These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.
No state census records in Ohio are known to exist.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet examined these types of records to see what light they might shed on the Wright farm.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
Not applicable, as Rebecca was female.
3.2. Pension Records
I am not aware of any military service by her husband that would make Rebecca eligible for pension benefits.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable, as Rebecca was female.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana and Brown County, Ohio to see see what records might mention Rebecca. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Plat maps of Madison County, Indiana will need to be searched to see what information that can be gleaned that might be relevant for my search.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records to research for Rebecca include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
Sources :
1. Heaton, Dean, "The Heaton Families : 350 Years in America", Gateway Press, Baltimore, Maryland, 1982, page 120.
2. Ancestry.com. Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.
Original data: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.
3. Sandra Freeman, "John William Wright - Ellen King family group sheet," compiled [n.d.] (Alexandria, Indiana, USA). Notes say information from Zelma Cooper & Gloria LeMaster.
4. FindAGrave, Inc., FindAGrave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 17 Oct 2016), Rebecca Ann (Heaton) Wright memorial.
5. Joseph Wright household, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Twp., Madison Co., IN, ED 21, SD 3, Page 39, dwelling 329, family 330; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 293., Page 106.
6. Joseph Wright household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Twp., Madison Co., IN, Page 38, Alexandria P.O., dwelling 275, family 270; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 336., Page 210.
7. Joseph Wright household, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Washington Twp., Brown Co., OH, Sardinia P.O., dwelling 360, family 360; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 938., Page 25.
8. 1850 U.S. Census, Brown County, Ohio, population schedule, Scott Township, page 338 (stamped), dwelling 921, family 926, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 October 2016); National Archives, Washington, D.C..
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.
1. Vital Records
Rebecca was born 1841 in Ohio, likely in Brown County1.
1.1. Birth Certificate
The State of Ohio did not require birth certificates at the time of Rebecca's birth. Statewide recording of births started in 1867.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If Rebecca's birth was mentioned in a newspaper, I've not yet located it. Will need to check with state and local archives to see if they have any newspapers from the time period.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I'm not aware of any surviving Heaton family Bible that mention's Rebecca. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one can be located.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I'm not aware of any baptismal record for Rebecca. I am not sure of the church affiliation of the Heaton family at this time.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Rebecca was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Rebecca married Joseph Wright on November 1, 1857 in Schuyler County, Missouri2. Rebecca's parents had moved to Liberty Township, Schuyler County, Missouri in the mid-1850s, along with others from Brown County, Ohio.
1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper
I have not yet searched out available newspapers from the time period to see if Rebecca and Joseph's nuptials were mentioned.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
I have not yet searched out available newspapers from the time period to see if mention was made of Joseph and Rebecca's anniversaries, either. Their 25th wedding anniversary would have been November 1, 1882. Rebecca passed away before their 50th. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.2.3. Divorce Decree
There is no indication that a divorce ever occurred, and a recent search of court records during the time period did not turn up a divorce record.
1.3. Death Certificate
Rebecca died March 25, 1890 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana3, from german measles. The State of Indiana did not require death certificates at this time.
1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper
Record of Rebecca's death has not been found in any extant local newspapers from the time period.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
Will need to search records of the local historical society to see if they have any records of funeral homes that might pertain to Rebecca. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next trip.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
Rebecca's tombstone in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Alexandria, Indiana has been photographed
4. A link to her memorial page at FindAGrave can be found here.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1880 Federal Census
On June 18, 1880, Rebecca was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana5 in the Joseph Wright household as Rebecca Wright, wife, female, age 42, Keeping House. Rebecca was born in Ohio, as were both her parents.
2.1.2. 1870 Federal Census
On September 13, 1870, Rebecca was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana6 in the Joseph Wright household as Rebecca Wright, female, age 31, Keeping House. Rebecca was born in Ohio.
2.1.3. 1860 Federal Census
On June 28, 1860, Rebecca was enumerated in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio7 in the Joseph Wright household as Rebecca Wright, female, age 20. Rebecca was born in Ohio.
2.1.4. 1850 Federal Census
On August 23, 1850, Rebecca was enumerated in Scott Township, Brown County, Ohio8 in the James Heaton household as Rebecca A. Heaton, female, age 9, born Ohio. Rebecca had attended school within the year.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Indiana conducted census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931. These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.
No state census records in Ohio are known to exist.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet examined these types of records to see what light they might shed on the Wright farm.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
Not applicable, as Rebecca was female.
3.2. Pension Records
I am not aware of any military service by her husband that would make Rebecca eligible for pension benefits.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable, as Rebecca was female.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana and Brown County, Ohio to see see what records might mention Rebecca. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Plat maps of Madison County, Indiana will need to be searched to see what information that can be gleaned that might be relevant for my search.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records to research for Rebecca include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
Sources :
1. Heaton, Dean, "The Heaton Families : 350 Years in America", Gateway Press, Baltimore, Maryland, 1982, page 120.
2. Ancestry.com. Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.
Original data: Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.
3. Sandra Freeman, "John William Wright - Ellen King family group sheet," compiled [n.d.] (Alexandria, Indiana, USA). Notes say information from Zelma Cooper & Gloria LeMaster.
4. FindAGrave, Inc., FindAGrave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 17 Oct 2016), Rebecca Ann (Heaton) Wright memorial.
5. Joseph Wright household, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Twp., Madison Co., IN, ED 21, SD 3, Page 39, dwelling 329, family 330; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 293., Page 106.
6. Joseph Wright household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Twp., Madison Co., IN, Page 38, Alexandria P.O., dwelling 275, family 270; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 336., Page 210.
7. Joseph Wright household, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule, Washington Twp., Brown Co., OH, Sardinia P.O., dwelling 360, family 360; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 938., Page 25.
8. 1850 U.S. Census, Brown County, Ohio, population schedule, Scott Township, page 338 (stamped), dwelling 921, family 926, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 October 2016); National Archives, Washington, D.C..
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.
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