Overreaching Government restricts access to records (again!)

After being told at the Jay County Indiana Recorder's office that I could not obtain a copy of the discharge papers from my ancestor, Luman Walker Lemasters, due to privacy concerns and current Indiana law, I contacted my state representative and received the following reply:

Dear Mr. LeMaster,

Thank you for your e-mail. Representative Turner received your correspondence and asked that I respond on his behalf.

After speaking to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, you are correct, you can't obtain your great-great-grandfather's discharge papers without photo identification and a copy of his death certificate. The Department of Veterans' Affairs suggested that you could try your local library, apparently many local libraries have copies of Civil War discharges.

At this point in time it is too late in the legislative session to introduce new legislation; however, Representative Turner will keep your situation in mind as he drafts legislation for the 2010 legislative session.

Again, thank you for your e-mail. Please do not hesitate to contact Representative Turner with further questions or concerns.

Fortunately, I already had a copy from the National Archives and was able to verify (sneak a peak) at the miscelleanous records book in Jay County to verify that there was nothing new there. I found it ironic that I was discussing privacy act and laws with a clerk who didn't understand the silliness of worrying about Socrial Security numbers, etc. being disclosed in a discharge paper for a man who died before there was such a thing as Social Security.

Wordless Wednesday: The Graduate (2009)

Corinne N. LeMaster

Wm. Henry Harrison H.S.

William Shaw - 1850 Mortality Schedule Madison County, Indiana

Searching through some scanned documents, I came across an old photocopy from a book that I must have found years ago - not properly cited. My citation reads "1850 Mortality Schedule for State of Indiana" - no author, no date and no idea what repository I found this in.

Listed on page 47 is a typed list of the mortality schedule for Madison County, Indiana, the 68th District, page 30 that lists my ancestor, William Shaw, husband of Mary (Heck) Shaw.

William Shaw, age 50?, male, married, born in Pennsylvania, died September, Farmer, Bronchitis, sick 300 days.

Also listed on the same page was a Mary Shaul, 6 months, female, born Indiana, died December, Arcipales, sick 30 days.

I will need view the actually mortality schedule to obtain a proper source, but at least this gives me a clue as to when William died and the cause.

Memorial Day

Where was Mary (Heck) Shaw born?

I was contacted by another fellow researcher who found my database at WorldConnect and questioned why I had stated that my ancestor, Mary (Heck) Shaw, was born in Ohio and not Bracken County, Kentucky, as had been stated by other researchers. Receiving this email made go back and take a look at the information that I had regarding Mary, and I found that I had gaps to fill.

My source for her birthplace as Ohio was an email from a third researcher - a source, but obviously not a primary source. Because I didn't know where this researcher had received their information, I began to look at what I did have on Mary.

According to my database, Mary was the daughter of Godfrey & Elizabeth (Kimmer) Heck, and had married William Shaw on August 29, 1822 in Brown County, Ohio. William died in Madison County, Indiana in 1849 and Mary died August 12, 1890 in Madison County, Indiana. Both William and Mary are buried in the Prewitt Cemetery in Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana. I have been to their graves and have posted photographs at FindAGrave for both of them.

Ok, so far I had a source for Mary's death date and birth date - her tombstone states that she died August 12, 1890 aged 87 years, 4 months and 27 days. If this age is correct, then subtracting backwards would give her a birth date of March 16, 1803. However, that doesn't give me the birthplace.

Noticing that I didn't have the 1850 census record sourced for Mary, I began browsing through the records until I found her - in Jackson Township, Madison County, Indiana. There I found her listed as a farmer with a real estate valued at $1500, born in Kentucky. All of the known children were living with her, exact for oldest daughter, Elizabeth, who had married Daniel King and was living right next door.

Ok, so now at least I had a source - whether or not this is the best source remains to be seen, but it is a starting point. I'll need to check other census records, etc. to see if I can collaborate the birthplace of Kentucky. Notice that daughter Elizabeth (Shaw) King is listed as being born in Tennessee because the census taker made a 'ditto' hash mark - under the Tennessee birthplace given for her husband, Daniel. This opens a whole other can of worms because I've seen other records for Daniel that place his birthplace as either Ohio or Indiana.

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

Recently I obtained copies of the death certificates of my maternal great-grandparents, Virgil Lee and Edna Muriel (Pierce) Wright from the Madison County, Indiana Health Department:

I already knew their date of death and places of burial, but for some reason had not bothered to obtain the official copies of the death certificates.

In doing so, I discovered that Virgil suffered from diabetes, something I didn't know.

The next step in documenting their lives will be to obtain a copy of their birth certificates. I'm going back through my files and filling in the gaps in the paper trail of my research.

Obituary: Samuel Lambertson (1875-1911)

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Thursday, October 19, 1911, page 3.



Mrs. Omer Whisler and daughter Edna and son Harry were called to the bedside of her brother, Sam Lambertson of Elwood, who died at 10 o'clock Sunday night. Mr. Lambertson had been a sufferer from Bright's disease for some time, but his friends did not think he was in so serious a condition. Mr. Lambertson was a resident of this community for a number of years, and was well known and well respected young man. He leaves a wife, father, mother, two brothers and two sisters and many friends from this vicinity. His parents live in Elwood, one brother, Bert in North Dakota, Charles of Cicero and sisters, Mrs. Maude Fischer of Cicero and Mrs. Omer Whisler of the Albright vicinity. Relatives will leave for Elwood Wednesday morning and the funeral will be held at two o'clock in the afternoon. The remains was laid to rest in the Elwood cemetery the funeral being conducted at the Catholic church of that place of which he was a member.

Charles Lambertson feted

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Tuesday, January 31, 1928, page 6.


Mrs. Charles Lambertson gave a birthday dinner for her husband Sunday being his fifty-sixth birthday. The guests were Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lambertson and sons, Robert and Frank of Alexandria, M.A. Jack and Paul Lambertson of Elwood, Mr. and Mrs. Clemon Lambertson of Elwood, Mrs. Forest Vaines [sic] and son of Elwood, and also Mr. and Mrs. Chas. R. Rariden of Sharpsville.

Clara Lambertson breaks hip

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Tuesday, April 26, 1932, page 4.

A broken hip.

Mrs. Clara Lambertson, who makes her home with her son, Bert Lambertson in Anderson is suffering neck pain as the result of her fall last Thursday in which she broke her hip. She is past 80 years of age and it is feared she will never have the use of her limb and it may be she will never be able to walk again.

Mrs. Lambertson is the mother of Mrs. Omer Whisler who resides west of Atlanta.

Clemon Lambertson seriously burned

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Tuesday, April 15, 1930, page 8.

SHARPSVILLE

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson received word Tuesday evening of serious burns to their son, Clemon Lambertson, of Elwood. He is at the Mercy hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Lambertson spent Wednesday in their son's home.

Tombstone Tuesday : Luman W. & Mary K. (Chew) LeMasters

My paternal great-great grandparents, Luman Walker LeMasters Jr. and his wife Mary Keziah Chew are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.



Luman was born in Shelby County, Ohio on October 19, 1842, the son of Rev. Luman Walker and Nancy (Young) Lemasters Sr.

Mary was born in Mt. Holly, Burlington County, New Jersey on February 13, 1847, the daughter of Dr. Ezekiel Cooper and Caroline Bishop (Woolston) Chew.

Luman and Mary were married in Versailles, Darke County, Ohio on October 2, 1864 while Luman was on leave during the Civil War. Luman served as a private in Company C, 39th Indiana Infanty, which was later turned into a mounted unit and renamed the 8th Regiment Indiana Cavalry.

Luman and Mary lived out their lives in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana in the village of Salamonia. Mary died February 22, 1927 in Salamonia, and Luman followed on November 18, 1931.

Luman and Mary were the parents of ten children, most of whom were born in Jay County, Indiana:

• Beulah Sarah LeMasters (1866-1940) married Lynn Lumas Rockwell, had 4 children.
• Luman Cooper LeMasters (1867-1933) married Barbara Isabelle Wehrly, had 13 children. They are my great-grandparents.
• Phillip D. LeMasters (1869-1869) was about four months old when he died.
• William Clifford LeMasters (1871-1922) married Lella Edith Lewis, had 4 children.
• Mary Elsie LeMasters (1872-1942) married Matthias J. Atkinson, had 1 child.
• Bertha Fidelia LeMasters (1874-1922) married John Henry Yaeger, had 6 children.
• Ord Otterbein LeMasters (1876-1937) married Emma W.G. Garmhausen, had 1 child.
• Edith Mabel LeMasters (1879-1949) married Henry Meinholtz, had 4 children.
• Una Maude LeMasters (1884-1968) married Senator Winfield Phillips, had 2 children.
• Arthur Raymond LeMasters (1885-1971) married Maude Gertrude McLaughlin, had 1 child.
• Vernon Walker LeMasters (1888-1955) married Helene Garmhausen, had 2 children.

The tombstone photograph was taken by me on March 26, 2009.

Lambertson on Okinawa

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, April 30, 1945, page 6.


Floyd (Wimp) Lambertson, S 1 c, is on Okinawa, according to word received by his wife, Mrs. Nellie Lambertson of South West street. Seaman Lambertson has been overseas since August 1944, and took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He was on the first LST boat to land on Iwo Jima and the American flag that was raised on Mt. Suribachi was taken from his boat.

Mrs. Lambertson is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayman Barr, 208 South West street.

Clara Lambertson confined to bed

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, January 19, 1933, page 3.

WEST ATLANTA

Mrs. Clara Lambertson at the home of Omer Whisler is confined to her bed with flu and complications. Charles Lambertson visited Sunday with his mother and Clemon Lambertson, wife and sister Leona of Elwood were Tuesday guests.

Lambertson Easter News

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Wednesday, April 23, 1930, page 3.

SHARPSVILLE

Paul Lambertson, of South Bend, spent Wednesday to Sunday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson and daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson and daughter and Paul Lambertson spent Thursday evening with Clemon Lambertson and family at Elwood.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson and daughter were Easter Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lambertson, of South Bend.

Lambertson dinner guests

Source: Tipton Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, Wednesday, September 14, 1927, page 3.

SHARPSVILLE

Mr. and Mrs. Clemon Lambertson and children and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Willon of Elwood were the Monday night guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson.

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lambertson and Mr. and Mrs. Will Dulin of Alexandria were the Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Quear and children of Noblesville spent Thursday with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lambertson.

Wordless Wednesday: Arlington National Cemetery

Matthias Miller family - Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Corinne's maternal great-great grandfather, Matthias MILLER and family appear in the 1900-1920 census of Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana in various households and circumstances. Matthias was the son William and Elizabeth (SCHAFER) MILLER.

In the 1900 census, Matthew, as he is listed, was a 38 year old moulder in a stove factory, born October 1861 in Indiana, married for 6 years. Both of his parents were listed as being born in Indiana. He could read and write and spoke English. His wife, Elizabeth, was aged 27, born March 1873 in Indiana, with both parents born in Indiana. She spoke English but could not read or write. She is also listed as the mother of 4 children, with only 1 living. Children living in the household were : Wm. M. aged 7, Carl, aged 5 and Fred, aged 2. Since they were listed as being married for 6 years, Elizabeth should be the mother of at least Carl & Fred, yet the record shows she was the mother of one living child.

In the 1910 census, Matthis, as he is listed, was a 49 year old moulder in a stove foundry, on his second marriage, and married for 16 years. He was born in Indiana, and his father was born in Germany and his mother in Indiana. He was renting his home, and was listed as being out of work for 30 weeks in 1909. His wife, Lizzie, aged 37 years, was on her first marriage, mother of 6 children, with 6 living. She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents. She could not read or write. Children living in the household were: Willie, aged 16, working in a furniture factory, Carl, aged 14, working in a furniture factory, Fredie, aged 12, Hellen, aged 7 5/12, Eva, aged 5 7/12, and Auther, aged 3 3/12.

In the 1920 census, Matthias was living as a roomer in the household of Oda M. Veach. His aged was listed as 58 years old. He was married, working as a helper in a furniture factory. He was born in Indiana, with both father and mother born in Bavaria.

In the 1920 census, Lizzie was listed as the head of household in a different ward. She was renting her home. She was listed as a 46 year old female with no occupation, born in Indiana, as well as both of her parents. Living with her were children: Eva, aged 15, Arthur, aged 12, Sadie, aged 8, Lorenz, aged 5, and Fred, aged 21 and Fred's wife Bessie, aged 24.

Apparently, Matthias and Lizzie were separated at this time. Other research has located records in the Vanderburgh County were Lilie Miller filed for divorce in 1926 and later in 1931, both cases were dismissed.

Matthias MILLER b. October 1861, Indiana, d. September 15, 1936 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. January 20, 1894 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana to Elizabeth SCHAEFFER. Elizabeth b. March 1873 Indiana, d. July 28, 1937 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Known children :
i. Lily Schaefer Miller b. November 26, 1891 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. before 1900 census
ii. William Mathias Miller b. October 1, 1893 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. October 28, 1956 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. Thelma McNeal.
iii. Carl Miller b. March 19, 1896 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. September 2, 1927 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana
iv. Fred Miller b. March 1898 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. September 7, 1961 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. Bessie ________
v. Mary Miller b. August 23, 1902 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. before 1910 census
vi. Helen Louis Miller b. ca. 1903 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. March 30, 2003 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. William Herbert Gregg.
vii. Eva Louise Miller b. August 23, 1904 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. August 5, 1998 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. S.E. Dever
viii. Arthur Miller b. January 12, 1907 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. May 20, 1964 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. Hallie Marie Chivlare
ix. Sadie Kathryn Miller b. April 20, 1911 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. November 29, 2005 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. ________ Hoover
x. Lawrence Sylvester Miller b. June 6, 1914 Vanderburgh County, Indiana, d. April 2, 1991 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana

Adding DNA to your genealogical research?

I'm currently taking a marketing class while working towards my MBA, and our assignment is to write a marketing case plan study about a company of our choice. Recently, I've been fascinated with the expansion of DNA research in genealogy, and have been researching the differences between the services offered by both FamilyTreeDNA and Ancestry.com.

I'll admit that I've been skeptical in the past to the claims of some who've offered these services. The science was above my paygrade, and the "it's too good to be true" factor seemed high. The paper trail genealogy was the way to go for me, even though I've been guilty of not gathering as much documentation as possible.

There are two types of DNA tests available, the Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) and the mitochondrial (mtDNA). The Y-DNA traces the paternal line, the mtDNA traces the maternal line.

My paternal line goes back to a Jacob Lemasters (1770-1852) who first appears in Mason Co., VA (now WV) in 1806. As of yet, no paper documentation has been able to connect him as a descendant of Abraham Lemaster (c1636-1722), the emigrant to Maryland who is the claimed ancestor of approximately 90% of all Lemaster, Lemasters, Lamaster, etc. in the United States. A Y-DNA test would enable me to determine if I am related to other Lemasters who have documented their connections to Abraham.

My maternal great-grandmother was illegitimate, and the likelihood of discovering her true parentage through traditional documented genealogy is low. I wonder if it is her father's heritage that has left me, my mother and grandmother with the dark eyes and complexion. Was her heritage Italian? Who knows? A mitochondrial DNA test might give me some clues as to my ethnic origins. I would imagine that the majority would be European, but who knows what 'surprises' might lie in my DNA.

The tests are not cheap, but they are definitely getting cheaper. Recently, Ancestry has lowered its prices on the tests, and I'm tempted to jump into the DNA research waters.

Claud Francis Miguet obituary

Source: Oelwein Register, Oelwein, Iowa, September 1, 1920, page 4

Frank Miguet

Our departed brother Claude Francis Miguet was born in Lesoul and State of Houtsone, France, April 2, 1831 and departed this life in Hazelton, Buchanan Co., Iowa, August 16, 1920, being 89 years, 4 months and 14 days. In the year of 1847 with his parents he came to the United States and settled in Dubuque, Iowa in November of that year (56 days in sailing). In the year 1852 he made the overland trip to the west coast from Dubuque, Ia., to Sacramento, Calif., driving two yoke of oxen and walking the entire distance of this trip, which can now be made in less than four days, at that time took six months. In 1856 he returned to Dubuque and later settled in Superior township which is now Hazelton township, Buchanan Co. Jan. 2, 1857, he was married to Eliza Netcott and to this union but one child, Henry, of Hazelton, was born. His wife preceded him to the Great Beyond April 8, 1891, since which time he has made his home with his son in this city. To cherish and revere his memory remain his youngest brother N.M. and son Henry, two grandchildren Frank and Myrea Nolan and one great grandchild Bobbie. In the year of 1888 he united with the Presbyterian church of Hazelton. Uncle Frank, as he was familiarly called, was every inch a man among men, a thorough citizen, loved and revered by a host of friends. He was a noble worthy representative of the liberal large hearted class of men that constitute the great body of laymen of the churches of our land. The Lord and Master so appealed to him that he ever found comfort in his service. The Bible meant untold things to him and prayer graced his lips and lifted his heart to God up to the last. He was a Christian in the full sense of the word. Relying upon Him in whom he believed, he fell asleep with full confidence that all was well with him. Honest, capable, unassuring [sic], genial, pleasant in his intercourse with his fellowmen, devoted to his family and friends, he is embalmed in the love and respect of all. Such men never die as far as this world is concerned. His career is closed but his memory will be warmly cherished. May the bereaved ones who so tenderly cared for him think of him as a glorified spirit, happy in the blessings promised to the pure in heart.

Henry Miguet family - Buchanan County, Iowa

Corinne's maternal 3rd great grandfather, Henry MIGUET, appears in the 1920 census of Hazelton Township, Buchanan County, Iowa. Henry was the son of Francis and Eliza (Netcott) MIGUET.

Henry was listed as age 60, born in Iowa, and owned his home free of mortgage. His father was born in France and his mother was born in England. No occupation was listed, though he probably was retired. His wife, Kate, was aged 54, born in Indiana, with her father born in Virginia and her mother born in Ohio. Both of them could read and write.

Also living in the household were daughter, Myra, and son-in-law, Fred E. Nolan. Myra was a 25 year old, born in Iowa, and her husband, was a 39 year old bank cashier, born in Illinois. Fred's age was a bit hard to read, he may have been only 29 years old.

Henry MIGUET b. November 27, 1858 Buchanan County, Iowa, d. January 11, 1944, m. 23 December 1883 Buchanan County, Iowa to Katherine JARRETT, daughter of Judson and Jane (________) JARRETT. Katherine was b. September 1865 Iowa and d. August 4, 1952. Their children:
i. Frank Field Miguet b. November 1885 Iowa, d. January 28, 1954 Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, m. Amelia Matilda Sauer.
ii. Ethel Myrea Miguet b. May 1894 Iowa, d. 1962, m. Fred E. Nolan, m(2) ______ Steninger.