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.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
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?
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?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Friday, August 08, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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.
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