Annual Fall Research Trip

It's hard to believe that it has been a year since my last fall research trip, but this year instead of heading north to the Allen County Library I decided to focus on my paternal lines in Jay County Indiana and do some on site research.

My agenda for the day included plans to visit the Jay County Library, the Health Department and the Clerk's office. If time allowed, I wanted to revisit the Salamonia and Mt. Zion cemeteries.

The main focus of this trip would be the surnames of LEMASTER, HALEY, METZNER and WEHRLY. I hoped to visit the courhouse to collect some marriage certificates that I hadn't collected on previous visits.

One thing that I hadn't planned on was the road construction taking place on highway Indiana 26. Because I had to change my route, I was about 45 minutes later than I expected in arriving at the library.

The Jay County Public Library is a very modern facility. I had never been to this library, and was pleased to find that their Indiana Room had a microfilm reader with a printer.

The library had quite a collection of local directories, county history and funeral home records. There were plenty of local sources to research, but I wanted to stay focused and not get too distracted. What I hoped to gain from the visit to the library were obituaries from the local newspaper. The library has quite a collection going back to the 1880s.

By scouring the microfilms and checking the vertical files, I was able to obtain the following genealogy treasures from the library:

• The obituary of Luman Walker LEMASTER, my paternal 2nd-great grandfather, from the November 18, 1931 edition of The Commercial Review
  
• The obituary of Barbara Isabel LEMASTER, my paternal 2nd-great grandmother, from the February 7, 1930 edition of The Commercial Review
• The obituary of Mary Jane KIMBLE, my paternal 2nd-great grandmother, from the January 15, 1916 edition of The Commercial Review
• The obituary of Luman Walker LEMASTER Sr., my paternal 3rd-great grandfather, from the February 27, 1927 edition of The Commercial Review
  
• The obituary of William P. WEHRLY, my paternal 2nd-great grandfather, from the January 16, 1909 edition of The Commercial Review
  
• The obituary of Cora B. HALEY, my paternal great-grandmother, from the April 29, 1955 edition of The Commercial Review
  
• The obituary of Luman Cooper LEMASTER, my paternal great-grandfather, from the February 13, 1933 edition of The Commercial Review
  
• The obituary of John Adam METZNER, my paternal 2nd-great grandfather, from the December 5, 1895 edition of The Daily Commercial
• A biography of Lon J. WEHRLY, a 1st cousin 3 times removed, prepared for the Citizens Historical Association of Indianapolis and located in the vertical file
• A history of the Mt. Zion Church, where my HALEY relatives were members, prepared by Madonna Miller, located in vertical file.

My next stop was the Jay County Health Department, where I hoped to locate a death certificate for Luman Cooper LEMASTER and his wife, Barbara Isabel (WEHRLY) LEMASTER. I had decided before my trip only to seek these two certificates to reduce expenses.

Arriving at the Health Department, I was told by the gentleman at the desk that the lady who handles death certificates was at the bank and would be back shortly. Engaging in small talk, I mentioned that my brother worked for the Hamilton County Health Department and this gentleman, Dave, knew my brother and thought highly of him.

When the clerk, Peggy, arrived back at the office and began to take the information about the death certificate I wanted, she stated that she had LEMASTERs in her family. After figuring out which LEMASTER I was related to, we discovered that we were second cousins, once removed. She had typed up some genealogy papers for her mother, and promised to send me a copy. I gave her a copy of my work business card, but this would be a good time to have had one just made for genealogical purposes. She was able to find Luman but not his wife in the records. I gave her the date again for Barbara and told her I was sure that she had died in Jay County, and then I looked at the obituary I had just located at the library....she had died at the hospital in another county.

For only $4.00, I received a copy of a 'genealogy record' of Luman's death certificate, which did give me his cause of death, cancer of the bladder. Information in hand and having met a new cousin, I was off to the courthouse.

The Jay County Clerk's office has the marriage records going back to 1836 in the large bound books. On a previous trip to the courthouse, I had made a copy of my grandparents' marriage license, and on this trip I wanted to try to obtain copies of marriage records for as many of the direct ancestry and aunts/uncles as I could. The costs are fairly reasonable, only $1.00 per page.

Before making this trip I had prepared a list of all of the marriages in my database that occurred in Jay County, Indiana. I had highlighted those that were in my direct lineage as the ones I would be willing to spend money on today to document. Thanks to the helpful staff at the clerk's office, I was able to obtain copies of the following marriage records:

• The marriage of my 2nd-great grandparents, William P. WEHRLY and Olive Jane SMITH, which occurred August 5, 1866 in Jay County. This corrects my database, which had their marriage occurring on August 4.
• The marriage of my 2nd-great grandparents, John Adam METZNER and Clara MOULTON, which occurred November 13, 1864 in Jay County.
• The marriage of my great-grandparents, Luman Cooper LeMASTERS and Barbara Isabel WEHRLY, which occurred November 13, 1886 in Jay County. This clarified some confusion I had about the date in my database.
• The marriage of my great-grandparents, Eli Weldon HALEY and Cora Belle METZNER, which occurred July 21, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana.
• The marriage of my 2nd-great grandmother, Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY, widow, to her second husband Robert E. KIMBLE on May 8, 1897 in Jay County, Indiana.
• The marriage of my grandaunt, Mary Annettie HALEY to Galen H. MILLER, on August 23, 1917 in Jay County, Indiana.
• The marriage of my uncle, Paul W. LEMASTER to Betty E. LANNING in 1952.
• The marriage of my aunt, Ruth A. LEMASTER to Robert A. CHANEY in 1973.

After leaving the clerk's office, I decided to visit the Jay County Historical Society Museum located on Main Street. My parents had recently been to this museum, and told me that they had quite a collection. This was an understatement. The museum is well organized, and contains not only genealogical information, but local history as well. I will have to schedule a trip just to pursue all of the collections. Wandering around, I did locate a photograph of Luman Walker LeMASTERS along with other Civil War veterans in the Civil War room. I joined the society, and asked if they could scan me a copy of this photograph. I also located my grandfather's high school graduation picture (which I had previously seen) as well as a photograph of Dr. W.A. CHEW, a relative of Salamonia, Indiana.

My grandfather, Ord W. LEMASTER, Madison Twp. High School - 1922

The family of W.A. CHEW, physician of Salamonia, Indiana

My final stops of the day would be to revisit the cemeteries at Salamonia and Mt. Zion. My grandfather LEMASTER's relatives are all buried at Salamonia, and my grandmother HALEY's are buried at Mt. Zion. These cemeteries are within a couple miles of each other. The weather was absolutely beautiful, and I snapped a few photographs of tombstones that I had missed on previous visits. Will add these later to FindAGrave.com website.

Overall, I was very pleased with the amount of ground I had covered on these families. The key this trip was staying focused on just a few families and not being sidetracked down the rabbit holes of other lines. The courthouse visit and the health department visits were the most critical because they are not available on the weekends. I can return to the library and the historical society at other times and uncover more treasures.

I have a wonderful wife who is understanding of the fact that genealogy is my 'thing', and that I love to take a day off around my birthday for the annual genealogy pilgrimage.

Luman Cooper LeMasters (1867-1933)

Luman Cooper LeMASTERS was my paternal great-grandfather. His surname has been found spelled both as LeMASTER and LeMASTERS, and he capitalized the 'm'.

The following facts about Luman's life are known:

• Birth: He was born May 27, 1867 in Jay County, Indiana, the son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LEMASTERS.
• Marriage: He married Barbara Isabel WEHRLY on November 13, 1886 in Jay County, Indiana.
• Census: 1900 - appears as the head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana
• Census: 1910 - appears as the head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana. His occupation was listed as mail carrier.
• Census: 1920 - appears as the head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana. His occupation was listed as farmer.
• Census: 1930 - appears as the head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana. His occupation was listed as farmer.
• Death: He died February 10, 1933 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.
• Burial : He is buried in the Grand View section of Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana
• Will: His will was filed in Jay County, Indiana.

The following facts need further research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Birth: My source for his exact date of birth is a compiled genealogy, although the 1900 census does state his birthdate as May 1867. Need to see if there are other contemporary sources available that can collaborate this date
• Census: Need to locate him in the 1870 census, should be in the household of Luman Walker LEMASTERS, probably in Jay County, Indiana.
• Census: Need to locate him in the 1880 census, should be in the household of Luman Walker LEMASTERS, probably in Jay County, Indiana.
• Census: Need to document him in the 1900 census, I show him there, but have not added the source information to my database.
• Marriage: Need to locate a copy of his marriage license in Jay County, Indiana. Should be located at the Jay County Clerk's office.
• Death: Need to locate a copy of his death certificate from the Jay County Health Department.
• Will: Although I have a copy of his will, I've neglected to document the exact location of this record in Jay County. Need to go back and document so that others can follow the research.

Ancestry of Luman Cooper LeMASTERS (1867-1933), Ahnentafel # 8 in my ancestry:

Ahnentafel # 16: Luman Walker LEMASTERS Jr. (1842-1931); Shelby Co., OH>Jay Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 32: Luman Walker LEMASTERS Sr. (1808-1888); Mason Co., VA>Jay Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 64: Jacob LEMASTERS (1770-1852); Pennsylvania>Shelby Co., OH

Ahnentafel # 128: Jacob LEMASTER (bef1734-aft1775); Charles Co., MD>Frederick Co., MD

Ahnentafel # 256: Isaac LEMASTER (c1695-aft1771); Charles Co., MD>Prince George's Co., MD

Ahnentafel # 512: Richard LEMASTER (c1668-aft1735); St. Mary's Co., MD>Charles Co., MD

Ahnentafel # 1024: Abraham LEMASTER (1636/39-1722); Isle of Jersey>Charles Co., MD

Related blog posts:

• Tombstone Tuesday: Luman Cooper & Barbara Isabel LeMasters

• LeMaster family lineage

Family Milestones: November 7th

My maternal 5th-great granduncle, Joseph JACOBS, married Elizabeth BUTT on this date in 1816. Joseph was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, the son of William and Sibell (LITTELL) JACOBS, and the younger brother of my James Thomas JACOBS. Joseph died on July 3, 1866 in Effingham County, Illinois.

My paternal 7th-great grandmother, Elizabeth MAXSON, was born on this date in 1695 in Westerly, Rhode Island. Elizabeth was the daughter of John and Judith (CLARKE) MAXSON. She married August 25, 1715 in Westerly, Rhode Island to John DAVIS, son of William and Elizabeth (BRISLEY) DAVIS. John DAVIS was a minister of the Seventh Day Baptist Church, and the family moved to Monmouth County, New Jersey, where Elizabeth died on April 18, 1751.

Surname Saturday: Chivlare

The CHIVLARE surname is Corinne's maternal line. The surname was probably of French origin, and has been found to be spelled CHEVALIER as well.

Stories and History:

Ahnentafel # 52: Miles CHEVALIER (c1827-1881). Miles was born circa 1827 or 1828 in Indiana and married Louisa Jane BOYER on November 6, 1859 in Warrick County, Indiana. The 1860 census stated that he was born in France. Miles served in the Civil War in Company E, 120th Indiana Volunteers. Miles died May 25, 1881 in Newburgh, Warrick County, Indiana and was buried in the Mt. Gilead Cemetery in Warrick County, Indiana. Had 4 children.

Ahnentafel # 26: Alpha Revis CHIVLARE (1866-1919). Alpha was born March 1866 in Indiana and married March 3, 1886 in Warrick County, Indiana to Clara Belle FOLLOWAY. Alpha died July 7, 1919 in Perry Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana and was buried in the Frisbee Cemetery in Yankeetown, Warrick County, Indiana. Had 12 children.

Ahnentafel # 13: Hallie Marie CHIVLARE (1910-1979). Marie was born April 20, 1910 in Yankeetown, Warrick County, Indiana and married Arthur MILLER on September 17, 1928 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Marie died March 19, 1979 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Had 12 children.

Related blog posts:

• Chivlare Family Lineage

• Chivlare - Followay Family

• Genealogy By Telephone

Family Milestones: November 5th

My paternal 6th-great grandaunt, Avis MAXSON, married Samuel Hubbard BURDICK on this date in 1731 in Westerly, Rhode Island. Avis was born December 27, 1712 in Westerly, the daughter of John and Judith (CLARKE) MAXSON, and the younger sister of my ancestors, Bethia and Elizabeth MAXSON. Samuel was born 1712 in Westerly, Rhode Island. I have not researched to see how he connects to the other HUBBARD families in Westerly.

My maternal 4th-great grandaunt, Betsy Jane MILLS, daughter of Henry and Hannah (WOODWARD) MILLS, married Henry BRAY on this date in 1841 in Morgan County, Indiana. Betsy was the older sister of my Hannah MILLS. Betsy was born 1819-1mo-25dy and her family were members of the Springfield Monthly Meeting in Indiana. I have not followed this family any further at this point.

My maternal 6th-great granduncle, Mordecai MENDENHALL, married Hannah MARSHALL on this date in 1771 in Orange County, North Carolina. Mordecai born 1747-8mo-20dy, the son of Mordecai and Charity (BEESON) MENDENHALL, members of the New Garden Monthly Meeting in Guilford County, North Carolina. Mordecai was the older brother of my Charity MENDENHALL. Hannah's death was recorded on 1802-2mo-15dy at Lost Creek Monthly Meeting, Jefferson County, Tennessee.

My paternal 7th-great grandmother, Barbara GRUNDBACHER, was born on this date in 1672 in Sumiswald, Canton Bern, Switzerland. Barbara was the daughter of Michael and Anna (BRAND) GRUNDBACHER. Barbara married circa 1695 to Ulrich SCHURCH, and the family emigrated to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I do not have an exact date of death for Barbara.

Virgil Lee Wright - World War II Draft Registration

Putting my birthday present subscription at Ancestry.com to good use, I've managed to locate the record of my maternal great-grandfather's World War II Draft Registration.

No surprises here in the information given, but very cool to have a copy of his signature on the card. Another source to confirm his date and place of birth - and full name of his wife. His address at R.R.# 2 later became R.R. # 4 when I was growing up, now with the enhanced 911 the addresses all list the county road.



Wish that I only weighed 160 lbs! I'm glad that there are records such as these that give a physical description.

Family Milestones: November 4th

My paternal 3rd-great grandfather, John METZNER, married my 3rd-great grandmother, Catherine YOUNG, on this date in 1839 in Newark, Licking County, Ohio. John METZNER was born October 2, 1805 in Saxony and emigrated to the Unites States circa 1838. Catherine YOUNG was born July 18, 1819 in Alsace - I don't know when her family emigrated. After their marriage, John and Catherine moved to Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana where they lived out their lives on the family farm. John died January 10, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana and Catherine died June 22, 1910 in Jay County, Indiana. Both are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery.

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, Townsend HEATON, married Nancy Jane HALE on this date in 1869 in Schuyler County, Missouri. Townsend was born February 1843 in Brown County, Ohio, the son of James R. and Elizabeth (JACOBS) HEATON, and the younger brother of my Rebecca HEATON. He is one of 3 Townsend Heatons in my database so far! Nancy was born February 26, 1853 in Lancaster, Schuyler County, Missouri, the daughter of Meschach and Elizabeth (BAXTER) HALE. They lived out their lives in Schuyler County, raising 7 children. Townsend died June 13, 1912 in Lancaster and Nancy followed on October 4, 1940. Both are buried in the Darby Cemetery, Lancaster, Schuyler County, Missouri.

While I don't have much information on my maternal 4th-great grandaunt, Matilda POE, I do know that she married on this date in 1849 in Morgan County, Indiana to William SHAWVER. Matilda was the daughter of John W. and Elizabeth (RAINS) POE, and the older sister of my Isaac S. POE. I have not yet researched her family to locate any descendants.

My database also shows that Moses MILLS, my maternal 6th-great granduncle, was born on this date in 1743. I do not know if this date is correct, as it may be incorrectly translated from the Quaker dating system. Moses was the son of Henry and Hannah (THORNBURG) MILLS, and the older brother of my Aaron MILLS. My database shows that Moses died in the 8th month of 1759 in Guilford County, North Carolina.

(Not so) Wordless Wednesday: Metzner cabin

On the backside of this photo is written "Cora B. (Metzner) Haley born in this log house. August 21, 1868". There is no date on the photo.

Cora was my paternal great-grandmother. She was born August 21, 1868 in Jay County, Indiana, the daughter of John Adam and Clara (MOULTON) METZNER. Cora married my great-grandfather Eli Weldon HALEY on July 21, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana and she died in Jay County on April 28, 1955.

At some point, someone had taken a photo of the original in an attempt to make it larger.

Family Milestones : November 3rd

My paternal 2nd-great granduncle, Louis Napoleon METZNER, was born on this date in 1848 in St. Louisville, Licking County, Ohio, the son of John and Catherine (YOUNG) METZNER and a younger brother to my John Adam METZNER. Louis was a farmer who lived most of his life in Jay County, Indiana - in Wayne, Noble and Bearcreek Townships. Louis married Henrietta WEAVER on July 2, 1871 in Jay County, Indiana and he died July 3, 1900 in Bearcreek Township, Jay County, Indiana.

Another paternal 2nd-great granduncle, Henry METZNER, was born on this date in 1842 in Licking County, Ohio. He was the brother of Louis Napoleon METZNER above. Unfortunately, Henry died as an infant. I have his date of death as 1842, but do not have the exact date.

My paternal great-granduncle, Andrew Frank HALEY, married Emma C. LEONHARD on this date in 1887 in Jay County, Indiana. Andrew was the son of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY, and the older brother to my Eli Weldon HALEY. Andrew was a farmer and lived out his life in Noble Township of Jay County, Indiana. One of my research goals is to locate his date of death.

My maternal great-granduncle, John Herman PIERCE, married Charlotte FERGUSON on this date in 1923 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana. Herman was the son of William Francis and Clara (PENNISTEN) PIERCE, and the older brother of my Edna Muriel PIERCE. Herman was a farmer of Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana and died in 1959.

Tombstone Tuesday: Ezekiel Copper & Jane (Riddle) Chew

My paternal third great-grandfather, Dr. Ezekiel Cooper Chew and his third wife, Mary Jane (RIDDLE) (ADAMS) (KEISER) SHIRK, are buried in the Lakeville Cemetery, St. Joseph's County, Indiana.

Ezekiel was born January 17, 1822 in Gloucester County, New Jersey, the son of Rev. Nathaniel and Mary (WEST) CHEW.

Mary Jane was born December 28, 1845 in St. Joseph's County, Indiana, the daughter of Wiley and Miranda M. (PRICE) RIDDLE.

Ezekiel died August 27, 1888 in St. Joseph's County, Indiana. Mary Jane died in 1921. After Ezekiel's death, she had married Simon KEISER on September 7, 1889 in St. Joseph's County, Indiana. This marriage ended in divorce, and she married Hiram SHIRK circa 1894.

Ezekiel's occupation was that of a medical doctor. He graduated from Jefferson College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He served as a doctor for many years in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.

Ezekiel's first wife, Caroline Bishop WOOLSTON (1826-1879) was my 3rd-great grandmother. After her death, Ezekiel remarried to the widow Laura SKAGGS, and after her death married Mary Jane RIDDLE.

Children of Ezekiel Cooper and Caroline Bishop (WOOLSTON) CHEW are:

• Abel Woolston CHEW (1843-1903); married Salome HOLDEMAN; 11 children
• Nathaniel Derby CHEW (1845-aft1920); married Margaret HEISTAND; 7 children
• Mary Keziah CHEW (1847-1927); married Luman Walker LEMASTERS; 11 children
• James CHEW (c1848-c1851)
• Millard F. CHEW (1850-1851)
• Sarah Fidelia CHEW (1852-1935); married David ELEY; 5 children
• Samuel W. CHEW (1852-1852)
• Caroline Bishop CHEW (1854-1920); married Fred E. WHITACRE; 3 children
• Ezekiel Cooper CHEW (1856-aft1920); married Minnie J. SAFFORD; 4 children
• William Anderson CHEW (1858-1914); married Emma Susan STRAIGHT; 9 children
• Charles Alexander West CHEW (1860-1925); married Rebecca F. SHUMAKER; 10 children
• Horace Virgil CHEW (1865- ); married Esther V. ABEL; 3 children
• Donovan R. CHEW (1869- ); married Bertha ADAMS; 4 children
• Jesse CHEW

Children of Ezekiel Cooper and Laura (________) (SKAGGS) CHEW are:

• Edis Playfair CHEW (1883-1915); married Bertha ________

Children of Ezekiel Cooper and Mary Jane (RIDDLE) CHEW are :

• Wiley Riddle CHEW (1888-1959); married Dora Belle LAMB
  

Mrs. Sigler's Funeral

Source: Pitts, Michael R., Deaths Madison County, Indiana 1902. Anderson, Indiana, USA: Anderson Public Library Indiana Room, 2002.

(Citing the Elwood, Indiana Daily Record of September 2, 1902)

Mrs. Sigler's Funeral

After months of patient suffering, Minerva, wife of Dr. D. Sigler, died at the family residence at South B and Anderson streets, Sunday morning at 7 o'clock. For several months she had been a victim of consumption, and although her death was not unexpected, it was none the less a painful shock to her friends.

Mrs. Sigler was in the fifty fourth year of her age, and the greater part of her life had been spent in this immediate community, she enjoying the personal acquaintance of nearly all the older residents of the city. She was a woman of many estimable qualities, devoted to her home and family. One child, Miss Vivian, survives her a son, Bert, having died with the same complaint ten years ago.

The funeral was held at the family residence this afternoon at 2:30, the Rev. J.A. Dunkle officiating. The members of the medical fraternity attended in a body, and hundreds of friends took part in the sad service. Interment was in the city cemetery.

Comment: I found this obituary while doing research at the Anderson Indiana Public Library's Indiana room. This book contains photocopies of obituaries from local papers. Minerva (PIERCE) SIGLER was born December 6, 1846 in Wayne County, Indiana, the daughter of Francis S. and Rebecca (PAGE) PIERCE. She married Dr. Daniel SIGLER on December 31, 1868 in Madison County, Indiana. Minerva's death occurred August 31, 1902 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. Minerva was my maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, a younger sister to my Edmund G. PIERCE.

Family Milestones : November 2nd

My paternal great-great grandfather, William P. WEHRLY, was born on this date back in 1845 in Preble County, Ohio, the son of Johannes (John S.) and Barbara (PETRY) WEHRLY. William was the youngest of the family of nine children. Not too long after he was born the family moved across the state line into Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana. William was a man of many talents - his occupations were listed as farmer, mortician and sawmiller. He served in the Civil War in Company I, 130th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After the war, he married Olive Jane SMITH on August 4, 1866 in Jay County, Indiana. They lived out their lives on the farm in Madison Township where William died on June 16, 1909. He is buried in the Salamonia Cemetery there.

My maternal great-great granduncle, James WRIGHT, married Clara B. HICKS on this date back in 1895 in Madison County, Indiana. James was the son of Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT and the younger brother of my John William WRIGHT. James was the first member of the Wright family to be born in Madison County, Indiana after the move from Brown County, Ohio, being born in 1868. James was a farmer of Monroe Township, living out his entire life there. He died October 14, 1936 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana and is buried in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery there.

My paternal 3rd-great granduncle, Stephen M. YOUNG, married Mary WOODRUFF on this date back in 1847. My data is sketchy on this event, but it probably occurred in Shelby County, Ohio. Stephen was the youngest son of Phillip and Nancy Ann (McLANE) YOUNG, the younger brother of my Nancy YOUNG. Stephen had been born April 27, 1845 and died January 25, 1903. More research in the census records needs to be done to further research his life.

June Kirk Davis (Gilliland) Lambertson (1898-1951)

June Kirk DAVIS (GILLILAND) LAMBERTSON was my maternal great-grandmother. She was raised by her grandmother and step-grandfather, and took the GILLILAND surname.

The following facts about June's life are known:

• Birth: June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana. Her birth certificate lists her parents as Atkinson & Ida Davis.
• Census: 1910 - she is listed in the household of Robert F. GILLILAND of Richland Township, Monroe County, Indiana.
• Marriage: She married Clemon Beals LAMBERTSON on June 11, 1898 in Monroe County, Indiana.
• Census: 1920 - she is listed in the household of Clemon LAMBERTSON in the 2nd ward, City of Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.
• Census: 1930 - she is listed in the household of Clemon LAMBERTSON in the 2nd ward, City of Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.
• Death: June died March 20, 1951 of acute myocardial infarction at Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.
• Obituary: Her obituary appeared in the March 21, 1951 Alexandria Times-Tribune and the March 22, 1951 Elwood Call-Leader.

The following facts need further research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Census: 1900 - I still have been unable to locate June in the 1900 census. Her sister, Pansy, was living with stepgrandfather, Robert GILLILAND in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana. Either June was missed, or she is somewhere else. I believe I have her mother, Ida, located in 1900 in Indianapolis at a women's shelter.
• Death: Need to obtain an official copy of her death certificate from the Madison County Health Department.

Ancestry of June Kirk Davis (GILLILAND) LAMBERTSON, Ahnentafel # 15 in my ancestry:

The parentage of June remains unknown. Though her birth certificate lists the name Atkinson & Ida Davis, I have found no records of Atkinson Davis. I believe this was a fabrication. The mystery man, Frank Fletcher, and how he ties into the family remains the subject of more research.

Related blog posts:

• Tombstone Tuesday: Clemon Beals and June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson

• June Kirk Davis / Gilliland

• Clemon and June Lambertson

• Clemon, June and Harold Lambertson

• Clemon and June Lambertson family

Happy Anniversary: Joseph W. WRIGHT and Rebecca Ann HEATON

Today is the anniversary of my maternal 3rd-great grandparents, Joseph W. WRIGHT and Rebecca Ann HEATON. According to my database, they were married on November 1, 1857 in Schuyler County, Missouri.

My source for this information comes from a correspondent who stated that they were married either in 1851 or 1857. The date has to be 1857, as Joseph was born in 1838 and Rebecca in 1841. Also, contemporary evidence of family migrations give credence to the 1857 date.

The Schuyler County Recorder's Office in Lancaster, Missouri maintains marriage records from 1845, so I need to write to obtain a copy of the official record. Ancestry.com's Missouri Marriage Index does not contain Schuyler County.

Joseph W. WRIGHT was born April 1838 in Brown County, Ohio, the son of John and Anna (WARDLOW) WRIGHT. Rebecca Ann HEATON was born 1841 in Brown County, Ohio, the daughter of James R. and Elizabeth (JACOBS) HEATON.

In the 1850 census, the WRIGHT family was living in Washington Township, Brown County, and the HEATON family was living in Scott Township. The distance between Georgetown, Ohio to Lancaster, Missouri is 582 miles, according to MapQuest. I can only imagine taking this type of journey in the 1850's.

Rebecca's parents, James & Elizabeth, as well as other members of the HEATON family did migrate to Schuyler County and in fact spent the remainder of their lives there. They were residents of Liberty Township, Schuyler County in the 1860 census onward. Members of the HEATON family had also married members of the WARDLOW family who migrated to Missouri. It is quite possible that Joseph WRIGHT made this trek with the rest of the family fully intending to remain in Missouri.

Something caused this young couple to return to their roots, as by the 1860 census they were enumerated in Washington Township, Brown County, Ohio. Approximately 1865 they moved to Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana where they lived out the remainder of their lives. The only legacy of their time in Missouri was the birth of their daughter, Mary, in August 1858 in Missouri.

The late 1850s in Missouri had to have been interesting times due to the looming Civil War and it undoubtedly played a role in this young couple's life. Exactly how much I have yet to discover.

Clemon Beals Lambertson (1898-1994)

Clemon Beals LAMBERTSON was my maternal great-grandfather. Though he lived in nearby Anderson, I didn't see him too much and have only a few memories of him.

The following facts about Clemon's life are known:

• Birth: He was born October 27, 1898 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana, the son of Charles Wilson & Pearl May (BEALS) LAMBERTSON.
• Census: 1900 - appears in the household of Cary LAMBERTSON in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana.
• Census: 1910 - appears in the household of Charles LAMBERTSON in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana.
• Marriage: He married June Kirk GILLILAND on June 28, 1917 in Monroe County, Indiana.
  
• Census: 1920 - appears as head of household in 2nd ward, City of Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. Occupation was carmeler at cabinet factory.
• Burned : April 15, 1930 - the Tipton Tribune reported that Clemon was seriously burned and was in Mercy Hospital.
• Census : 1930 - appears as head of household in 2nd ward, City of Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. Occupation was laborer in cabinet factory.
• Marriage: He married Helen B. (DUNCAN) FISHER on October 11, 1952 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana. Helen was the widow of his first cousin, Ralph Fisher. Clemon's first wife, June, had passed away in 1951.
• Family Reunion: May 18, 1961 - the Anderson Daily Bulletin mentioned that there was a Lambertson family reunion held.
• Death: He died March 18, 1994 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.

The following facts need further research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Birth: Need to obtain Clemon's birth certificate from the Hamilton County Health Department. The date of birth comes from multiple sources, but I still would like an official record
• Marriage: Need a copy of his marriage application to verify that he was married in Monroe County, Indiana, and not Hamilton County.
• Death: Need to obtain Clemon's death certificate from the Madison County Health Department.
  
• Obituary: I have Clemon's obituary from the Anderson Herald Bulletin, but need to check other local papers to see if there were other mentions.

Ancestry of Clemon Beals Lambertson (1898-1994), Ahnentafel # 14 in my ancestry:

Ahnentafel # 28: Charles Wilson LAMBERTSON (1872-1958); Preble Co., OH>Madison Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 56: Carey W. LAMBERTSON (1847-1918); Butler Co., OH>Madison Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 112: John LAMBERTSON (c1800-1875); Sussex Co., NJ>Montgomery Co., OH

Related blog posts:

• Tombstone Tuesday: Clemon Beals and June Kirk (Gilliland) Lambertson

• Lambertson family visits

• Lambertson dinner guests

• Clemon Lambertson seriously burned

• Clemon Lambertson family

• Clemon and June Lambertson

• Clemon, June and Harold Lambertson

• Lambertson family reunion

• Mr. and Mrs. Clemon Lambertson return home

• Harley Fisher's children & Clemon Lambertson's children

• Clemon Lambertson family - Madison County Indiana

• Clemon Lambertson on Whisler farm

• Clemon & Helen (Duncan) Lambertson

• Clemon & June Lambertson family

Surname Saturday: Wildt

The WILDT surname is Corinne's maternal line. It is of Germanic origin, was originally spelled WILD, and has origins in Hesse-Darmstadt.

Stories and History:

Ahnentafel # 56: Johannes Heinrich (Henry) WILD (1851-1896) - the immigrant. Born September 15, 1861 in Hesse-Darmstadt, he married February 26, 1874 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana to Emilie DEUTSCH. He died August 18, 1896 in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. Had 8 children.

Ahnentafel # 28: Arthur WILDT (1885-1966). Born January 3, 1885 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, he married Anna Magdalena DAMM on October 14, 1908 in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. He died October 26, 1966 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana and was buried in Locust Hill Cemetery in Evansville. Had 5 children.

Ahnentafel # 14: Edward Ferdinand WILDT (1918-1985). Born April 30, 1918 in Dawson County, Nebraska, he married on October 30, 1943 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana to Miriam Ruth MIGUET. He died September 9, 1985 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana and was buried in Locust Hill Cemetery in Evansville. Had 9 children.

Related blog posts:

• Find A Grave Success: Edward Wildt

• Arthur Wildt (b. January 3, 1885)

• Wildt Family Lineage

Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompt # 43: Go Directly To Jail

Amy Coffin at We Tree has another genealogy blog prompt: # 43 : Go directly to jail and talk about your ancestors in the slammer.

The first thing I did when I heard about this prompt was search my database's Notes field to see who might have a note that mentioned 'jail' or 'prison'. I was not disappointed.

My paternal 7th-great grandfather, Ulrich SCHURCH, spent some time in jail before coming to America in 1728. Ulrich was born March 9, 1663 in Sumiswald, Canton Basel, Switzerland and died circa 1739 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Ulrich was married to Barbara GRUNDBACHER. Before Ulrich came to America, on July 10, 1710 he was among the Mennonite Brethren being held in the Bern jail. In 1711 he was deported from Switzerland, and was sent to Holland via the Rhine River in the ship Emmenthaler.

Searching Google books, I found mention of my ancestor, Ulli Schurch, on page 170 of "Historic background and annals of the Swiss and German pioneers of Southeastern Pennsylvania..." by H. Frank Eshleman, 1917. The struggle for religious freedom that these Anabaptists overcame makes me proud and want to learn more about these family lines.

Another member of my family was in jail for charge of murder! Henry ALDERMAN, my 4th-great granduncle, and his wife, Hannah, were arrested and charged with murder in Kansas Territory. My note in the family file came from "The History of Anderson County, Kansas, From Its First Settlement to the Fourth of July, 1876" by W.A. Johnson.

        In the years 1859 and 1860 there lived a family on the
     North Pottowatomie named Alderman, consisting of Alderman
     and his wife. In the winter of 1859 and 1860 a young woman
     named Sarah Potter came to live with Alderman's family.
     She was a large, healthy, fine-looking lady. There lived,
     also, in the neighborhood a young man, by the name of
     Leon Phillips. He was an industrious young man, of good
     character, and had considerable property. During the
     winter, through the influence of Alderman and wife, a
     marriage was effected between Phillips and Sarah Potter.

     Phillips and his young wife lived within a half mile of
     Alderman's, after their marriage, the families visiting
     back and forth, and to all appearances the newly married
     couple were enjoying a high degree of marital happiness.
     Scarcely six weeks had elapsed until Phillips was taken
     severely sick, and some days afterward doctors were
     called, but Phillips lingered only a few days and died,
     but before his death the conduct of his wife was such as
     to create suspicion against her. A few hours before his
     death she insisted that he should make a will, which he
     did, willing one-half of his property to his brother in
     Europe and the other half to his wife. The morning after
     the death of Phillips, and before he had been deposited in
     his grave, his wife sent Alderman to consult with counsel
     to know whether or not the will could be set aside. In
     about three days after his burial her conduct had been so
     suspicious that the entire neighborhood believed that
     Phillips had come to his death by foul means; and a
     complaint was made before M.G. Carr, J.P., who thereupon
     empaneled a coroner's jury, and had the body taken up and
     examined by Drs. Blunt and Lindsay, who gave it as their
     opinion that Phillips came to his death by arsenic poison.

     The coroner's jury returned a verdict in
     accordance with the opinion of the physicians, and that
     Sarah Phillips, Henry Alderman and Hannah Alderman were
     guilty of the murder of Phillips. They were arrested and
     brought before Justice Hidden for examination on the
     charge. The State was represented by W.A. Johnson, county
     attorney, assisted by W. Spriggs and D.W. Houston, and the
     defense by J.B. Stitt, S.J. Crawford, T.A. Shinn, R.B.
     Mitchell and Byron P. Ayres. On the preliminary
     examination Aldeman and wife were discharged, but Sarah
     Phillips was committed to answer the charge of murder in
     the first degree. There being no jail in the county, and
     none in this part of the Territory, she was kept in charge
     of the sheriff, under orders of the county commissioners,
     at the Garnett House. For two or three months she was
     allowed to receive and entertain her friends at the hotel;
     but one evening after supper, when all was quiet, a buggy
     was driven into town, and about 11 o'clock at night it was
     discovered that the prisoner had made her escape, and no
     trace of her could be found. the grand jury that met the
     next term of court found an indictment against her for the
     murder of Phillips.

     In 1862 she returned to Kansas, but in the meantime she
     had been in Cincinnati, Ohio, and had married again. She
     was again arrested, and made a second escape, but was
     retaken before she got out of the county. At the September
     term of the court she had employed Wilson Shannon and G.W.
     Smith to defend her; and at their instance the case
     removed to Douglas county for trial. She was tried in
     Lawrence in the fall of 1862. The jury failed to agree,
     there being nine for conviction and three for acquittal.
     She was never again brought to trial; being admitted to
     bail, she fled the country.

     The cost of this trial to the county was over three
     thousand dollars. There was no doubt of the guilt of the
     prisoner, but owing to many of the witnesses being absent,
     in the army, she escaped the deserved punishment of the
     law.



  

Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968)

Edna Muriel "Peach" (PIERCE) WRIGHT was my maternal great-grandmother, the wife of Virgil Lee WRIGHT. So far, I have not been able to uncover exactly why she was known as "Peach".

The following facts about Edna's life are known:

• Birth: She was born February 16, 1897 in Madison County, Indiana, the daughter of William Francis and Clara (PENNISTEN) PIERCE.
• Census: 1900 - she is living in the household of William Pierce in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Census: 1910 - she is living in the household of W.F. Pierce in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Graduation: she graduated June 22, 1913 from Lafayette Township Schools in Madison County, Indiana
• Marriage: She married Virgil Lee WRIGHT on June 19, 1915 in Madison County, Indiana. Will post a copy of her marriage license in a later post.
  
• Census: 1920 - she is living in the household of Virgil Wright in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Census: 1930 - she is living in the household of Virgil Wright in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Death: Edna died March 3, 1968 of a pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure at Community Hospital in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.
  

The following facts need further research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Birth: Although I have her birthdate from other sources, I've never managed to obtain an official birth certificate from the Madison County Health Department. There also is some confusion as to whether she was born on the 7th or the 16th of February, as I have seen both dates given.
  
• Obituary: I have her obituary from the Alexandria Times-Tribune in my database notes, but didn't extract the date! Also, need to search out mentions in other papers such as Anderson and Elwood.
• Newspaper Research: Cursory research in local newspapers in Anderson and Alexandria show that my great-grandmother was quite active in social and civic affairs, and I need to add these details to my research.

Ancestry of Edna Muriel (PIERCE) WRIGHT, Ahnentafel # 13 in my ancestry:

Ahnentafel # 26: William Francis PIERCE (1865-1950); Madison Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 52: Edmund G. PIERCE (1837-1875); Wayne Co., IN>Madison Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 104: Francis S. PIERCE (1806-1881); Vermont>Wayne Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 208: Gordon PIERCE (1773-1875); Worcester Co., MA>Chenango Co., NY

Ahnentafel # 416: Seth PIERCE (1744-1835); Middlesex Co., MA>Cortland Co., NY

Ahnentafel # 832: Seth PIERCE (1716-1794); Middlesex Co., MA>Windham Co., CT

Ahnentafel # 1664: Samuel PIERCE (1681-1774); Middlesex Co., MA>Windham Co., CT

Ahnentafel # 3328: Samuel PIERCE (1656-1721); Middlesex Co., MA

Ahnentafel # 6656: Thomas PIERCE (1608-1683); the immigrant; England>Middlesex Co., MA

Related blog posts:

• Tombstone Tuesday: Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright

• Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright: Death certificates

• Edna Muriel Pierce (February 7, 1897)

• Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1960

• Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright (1897-1968) - Funeral photos

• Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - Kitchen

• Edna Muriel "Peach" (Pierce) Wright

• Virgil & Edna Wright with Barbara

• Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1962

• 50th Wedding Anniversary - Virgil & Edna Wright - 1965

• Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1960

Sam the Music Man

When I think of musical ancestors, I think of the LAMBERTSON family. My grandmother told me that the family was very musically inclined and mentioned that many members were talented with the piano, banjo, etc.

The above photograph is of my maternal 2nd-great grand-uncle, SAMUEL S. LAMBERTSON (1875-1911). Every time I see this photograph, I'm intrigued by the man. Obviously, he was very proud of his banjo - wonder why this picture was taken? Did he play publicly? If so, I've been unable to discover any articles that give details.

Samuel LAMBERTSON was born January 11, 1875 in Preble County, Ohio, the son of Carey W. and Clara E. (COOK) LAMBERTSON. He married Ida M. STONE on March 19, 1897 in Tipton County, Indiana. They had one child, name yet unknown, who died between 1897-1900. They were enumerated in Hamilton County, Indiana in the 1900 census. Ida died June 19, 1900 of spinal meningitis in Hamilton County. Samuel remarried to Nellie H. LEARY on July 22, 1908 in Marion County, Indiana. They were enumerated in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana in the 1910 census. Samuel died October 15, 1911 in Elwood and is buried in the Elwood City Cemetery.

Samuel's obituary in the Tipton Tribune stated that he was a sufferer of Bright's disease, but that his friends didn't think he was in so serious a condition.

There are others in the family who are descended from the Lambertson line who have displayed musical talent, but my piano playing days ended rather early in my career. Today I wish I had stuck with the lessons I took in elementary and junior high. Music is great for the soul and I wish I could express some of the songs I have in my head.

Written for the 83rd Carnival of Genealogy(COG 83).

Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972)

Virgil Lee WRIGHT was my maternal great-grandfather. He died when I was young, and I have no memories of him. I need to interview my mother and other relatives that might have 'family stories' about him. I know that he was a farmer and that he worked for the county highway department. The farmhouse where he raised his family in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana is where I grew up as a boy.

The following facts about Virgil's life are known:

• Birth: He was born July 6, 1894 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana, son of John William & Ellen (KING) WRIGHT
• Census: 1900 - appears in the household of John W. WRIGHT in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Census: 1910 - appears in the household of John W. WRIGHT in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Graduation: 1912 - graduated April 16th from Monroe Township Public Schools (8th grade) in Madison County, Indiana. He was aged 17 at the time.
  
• Marriage: He married Edna Muriel PIERCE on June 19, 1915 in Alexandria, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana. I will be posting a copy of his marriage license application later.
  
• Census: 1920 - appears as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Census: 1930 - appears as head of household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana
• Death: He died March 25, 1972 of hypostatic pneumonia in Alexandria, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana. See the link to a copy of his death certificate below.
  

The following facts need further research and/or documentation to complete my research:

• Birth: Need to obtain a copy of Virgil's birth certificate from the Madison County Health Department. Though I have the date of his birth from other sources, for some reason I have failed to collect an official record of his birth.
• Draft Records: With my new access to Ancestry.com databases, I hope to locate draft board records for Virgil.
• Obituary: Somewhere in my files I have his obituary from the Anderson and Alexandria newspapers, but in my database have only sourced one from the Elwood newspaper. Need to fix this.
  

Ancestry of Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), Ahnentafel # 12 in my ancestry :

Ahnentafel # 24: John William WRIGHT (1860-1945); Brown Co., OH>Madison Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 48: Joseph W. WRIGHT (1838-1919); Brown Co., OH>Madison Co., IN

Ahnentafel # 96: John WRIGHT (1814-1890); Brown Co., OH

Ahnentafel # 192: George WRIGHT (1780-1853); Pennsylvania>Brown Co., OH

Ahnentafel # 384: John WRIGHT (1755-1810); Middlesex Co.,MA>Brown Co., OH

Ahnentafel # 768: Deacon John WRIGHT (1727-1772); the immigrant; Fife, Scotland to Cambridge, MA

Related blog posts:

• Tombstone Tuesday: Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright

• Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright Death Certificates

• Certificate of Promotion - Virgil Wright (1912)

• Virgil Wright & Lawrence Spence

• Chester Arthur Wright & Virgil Lee Wright postcard

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

• 50th Wedding Anniversary: Virgil & Edna Wright (1965)

• 50th Wedding Anniversary: Virgil & Edna Wright

• Virgil Wright's Country School

• Today in my database: Virgil Lee Wright (b. July 6, 1894)

• Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1960

• Virgil Wright and Melissa High photo

• Virgil Lee Wright and Barbara Lou Wright photo

• Virgil Lee Wright

• Virgil & Edna Wright with Barbara

• Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1962

• Virgil Lee & Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright - 1960

• Virgil Lee Wright (b. 1894)

• Wright home - Orestes, Indiana
  

Tombstone Tuesday: Luman Walker and Nancy (Young) Lemasters

My paternal 3rd-great grandparents, Luman Walker and Nancy (YOUNG) LEMASTERS, are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

Luman was born March 11, 1808 in Mason County, Virginia (now West Virginia), the son of Jacob and Hannah (________) LEMASTERS.

Nancy was born August 26, 1904 in Pickaway County, Ohio, the daughter of Philip and Nancy Ann (McLANE) YOUNG.

Luman and Nancy were married on January 19, 1832 in Shelby County, Ohio. They lived in Shelby County, Ohio until around 1854 when they purchased land in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana and settled there. Luman was a farmer and a Methodist Episcopal minister.

Luman died on April 15, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana and Nancy followed him on August 26, 1904 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.

Luman and Nancy were the parents of the following children, all but John were born in Shelby County, Ohio:

• Hannah Lemasters (1832-1838)
• Nancy Ann Lemasters (1834-1838)
• Philip Lemasters (1836-1915) married Elizabeth C. HOOVER; 1 child
• Rachel Lemasters (1838-1913) married William E. CUNNINGHAM; 6 children
• Catherine E. Lemasters (1840-1911) married John P. WEHRLY; 8 children
• Luman Walker Lemasters (1842-1931) married Mary K. CHEW; 11 children
• Jacob Lemasters (1845-1922) married Sarah A. HALFHILL; 10 children
• Phebe Jane Lemasters (1847-aft1873) married William R. WILSON
• Mary Lemasters (1849-1929) married John PETRY; 2 children
• Martha Julesa Lemasters (1852-1936) married William W. LOOFBOURROW; 5 children
• John Stevens Lemasters (1855-aft1920) married Sarah I. WILSON; 7 children

Begin at the beginning...

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - said by the King to the White Rabbit, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

I've been tempted with my new birthday present - a subscription to Ancestry.com - to do the "shotgun" approach to my genealogy, grabbing something here, something there, until I lose myself in the euphoria of discovery. So far, just within the first 24 hours, I've been plugging in the names of my brickwalls and finding bits and pieces for further research.

I need to refocus not only my research but this blog as well. Who is my audience? Hopefully, other researchers who share my surnames. Maybe someday my kids will be interested and these postings will get them started. Perhaps some far-flung cousin will stumble across these pages and find a new connection.

My new resolution - it's never too early or late to start one - is to stay more focused on my research by beginning with what I know and working backwards on just a few lines at a time. I intend to participate more in the daily blogging memes and blog carnivals. Already I've created some future posts for Surname Saturday and Tombstone Tuesday in order to get me going. I need to stay focused and try to write a bit every day on this blog.

The continued success of my research will depend on my ability to stay focused and organized. I have a great software program, Rootsmagic, that offers me the ability to make 'to do' lists. I have not used those to the fullest, and have spent too much time re-discovering information that I already have! I have a research trip planned in a couple of weeks that I need to prepare for as well.

I say all of this with great intentions....only time will tell how well I do. Stay tuned.

Chews of Ohio and Indiana

Andrew CHEW was my maternal 6th great grandfather. I have him born circa 1770 in Spottsylvania County, Virginia, the son of Major James and Mary (CALDWELL) CHEW. My database has his death in 1827 in Highland County, Ohio, but does not have a source.

I have nothing on his wife, Anna, and find that this post gives an interesting clue - stating that she was living with a sister-in-law in Hamilton County, Indiana at age 83. Hamilton County, Indiana is where some of Andrew's children ended up settling.

Found her in the 1860 census of Hamilton County, Indiana, aged 83 on Footnote.com http://www.footnote.com/image/37990123/

in reference to: Chews of Ohio, IN - Chew - Family History & Genealogy Message Board - rootsweb.com (view on Google Sidewiki)

Marriage: Lawrence Spence to Jessie Pennisten

From my research at the Madison County, Indiana clerk's office, I was able to obtain a copy of the marriage license application for my maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Jessie PENNISTEN and her husband, Lawrence SPENCE. Both were spinsters - he was 55 and she was 50 when they were married - first marriages for both. Lawrence had been a career military man.

APPLICATION IS HEREBY MADE FOR A LICENSE FOR THE MARRIAGE OF Lawrence Spence to Jessie Penniston upon the following statement of facts relative to said parties:

MALE
1. The full christian and surname of the man is Lawrence Spence
2. Color White
3. Where born Monroe Twp., Mad. Co.
4. When born Jan 18 - 65
5. Present residence Anderson, Ind.
6. Present occupation Retired soldier
8. Is the male contracting party of nearer blood kin to the female contracting party than second cousin? No
9. Full christian and surname of father Thomas Spence
10. His color White
11. His birthplace Deleware [sic]
12. His occupation Deceased
13. His residence Deceased
14. Full christian and surname of mother Susan Berry
15. Her color White
16. Her occupation Deceased
17. Her birthplace Don't know
18. Her residence Deceased
19. Has the male contracting party been an inmate of any county asylum or home for indigent persons within the last five years? No
21. Is this his first marriage? Yes
26. Is the male contracting party afflicted with epilepsy, tuberculosis, venereal, or any other contagious and transmissible disease? No
27. Is he an imbecile, feeble minded, idiotic or insane, or is he under guardianship as a person of unsound mind? No
Signature of application Lawrence Spence

State of Indiana, Madison County, SS:
Lawrence Spence deposes and says that he has personal knowledge of the facts above stated and that they and each of them are true.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 24 day of Sept. 1920.
Geo. Winfrey, Clerk Madison Circuit Court

FEMALE
1. The full christian and surname of the woman is Jessie Penniston
2. Color White
3. Where born Anderson, Mad. Co.
4. When born Sep. 9 - 70.
5. Present residence Alexandria Ind.
6. Present occupation House Keeper
7. Full christian and surname of father John Penniston
8. His color White
9. His birthplace Indiana
10. His occupation Deceased
11. His residence Deceased
12. Full christian and maiden name of mother Jane Ann Alderman
13. Her color White
14. Her occupation Deceased
15. Her birthplace Mad. Co.
16. Her residence Deceased
17. Has the female contracting party been an inmate of any county asylum or home for indigent persons within the last five years? No
18. Is this her first marriage? Yes
22. Is the female contracting party afflicted with epilepsy, tuberculosis, venereal, or any other contagious or transmissible disease? No
23. Is she an imbecile, feeble-minded, idiotic or insane, or is she under guardianship as a person of unsound mind? No
Signature of applicant Jesie Pennisten

State of Indiana, Madison County, SS:
Jessie Penniston depose and says that she has personal knowledge of the facts above stated and that each of them are true.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 24 day of Sept 1920
Geo. W. Winfrey, Clerk Madison Circuit Court

Lawrence Spence to Jessie Penniston;
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the 24 day of Sept A.D. 1920, the following Marriage License was issued, to wit:

INDIANA, TO WIT: MADISON COUNTY, SS:
To Any Person Empowered By Law To Solemnize Marriages In The County Of Madison, Greeting:
You are hereby authorized to join together as HUSBAND AND WIFE, Lawrence Spence and Jessie Penniston and of your Certificate of Marriage make the return withing three months, according to the laws of the State of Indiana.
Witness, Geo. W. Winfrey Clerk of our Madison Circuit Court, and the seal thereof, affixed at the Clerk's office in Anderson, this 24 day of Sept 1920.

Geo. W. Winfrey, Clerk of Madison Circuit Court

And afterwards, to wit: On the 24 day of Sept 1920, the following Certificate of Marriage was returned to the Clerk's office, to wit:
Geo W. Winfrey, hereby certify that on the 24 day of Sept A.D. 1920, duly joined in marriage Lawrence Spence and Jessie Penniston by authority of law and of license from the Clerk of Madison Circuit Court.

Given under my hand, this 24 day of Sept A.D. 1920.
Geo. W. Winfrey.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: Most Unusual Ancestral Name

Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings has given us another Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge: What is the most unique, strangest or funniest combination of a given name and last name in your ancestry?

I didn't have to search too long to find my paternal 5th-great grandmother : AVIS HURLBUT. Avis is an ancestor that I don't know much about, but I'm thankful that a little bit of her is in my genes.

Avis was born November 11, 1762 in Woodbury, Connecticut, the daughter of Israel and Jerusha (________) HURLBUT. Avis was the oldest of four known children of Israel & Jerusha.

Avis was married on July 24, 1781 in Castleton, Rutland County, Vermont to John MOULTON. John was born December 27, 1755 in Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut, the son of Samuel and Phoebe (________) MOULTON.

Avis and John had 14 children! My ancestor, Selah MOULTON, was the seventh child.

I do not know when and where Avis died, although it was probably in Vermont. I have much to learn about Avis and the rest of the HURLBUT family.

Weekly Genealogy Blogging Prompt # 42

Prompt: Campaign for the politicians in your family tree. If you don’t have one, research the political leaders in your ancestors’ city, county, or state and share the information.

There have been a few politicians in my family tree. My dad ran and served for several years on the school board of the Alexandria-Monroe Community Schools. I was already out of high school before he was elected, but my brother and sister were still in school when he served. I remember checking on the returns from college and being proud when I found out that he had won.

Another politician in the family that I can remember hearing about was my maternal great-aunt, Martha LAMBERTSON, who served as the Madison County Indiana Recorder. She served during the 1980s, I believe, but I'm not sure.

Thomas KING (1817-1864), a maternal 3rd-great granduncle, served in the Indiana Legislature during the 1850s from Madison County.

I'm sure that there have been more politicians that I've forgotten about in my family. This blog prompt has reminded me of another area of research to examine.