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.

Surname Saturday: Miller

The MILLER family is Corinne's maternal line. The surname is of Germanic origin, with Corinne's 3rd-great grandfather coming from Hesse-Darmstadt.

Stories and History:

Ahnentafel # 96: Jacob MILLER - the immigrant. Believe to have been from Bavaria. His wife was Elizabeth SPECK. Need to do more research to locate him in census records. Believed to have been naturalized in Posey County, Indiana. Had at least 1 son and 1 daughter.

Ahnentafel # 48: William MILLER (c1827-1901). William was born between 1827 and 1828 in Hesse-Darmstadt. Was living in Posey County, Indiana in 1856 when he married Elizabeth SCHAFER. According to the 1900 census, he emigrated in 1848. Later lived in Kasson, Vanderburgh County, Indiana where he operated a saloon. Father of 9 children.

Ahnentafel # 24: Mathias (Mat) MILLER (1861-1936). Mathias was born 1861 in Indiana. Lived in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Was a foundry worker. Married Elizabeth SCHAEFFER and had 10 children. Mathias died September 15, 1936 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.

Ahnentafel # 12: Arthur MILLER (1907-1964). Arthur born in Evansville on January 12, 1907. Married Hallie Marie CHIVLARE and had 12 children. Died May 20, 1964 in Evansville and is buried in Park Lawn Cemetery.

Related blog posts :

• Obituary of Lillie Miller (1873-1937), wife of Mathias (Mat) Miller

• Obituary of Mathias (Mat) Miller (1861-1936)

• Mathias Miller family of Vanderburgh County, Indiana

• Miller Family Lineage

• Today in my database, Mathias Miller (b. October 20, 1861)
  

I Tweeted For The First Time

I took an historic step today and "tweeted" for the first time today.

I finally signed up for Twitter and you can find me @tjlgenes. So far, all I've managed to do is to open my account, add some friends who were in my contact list to follow, and join the Genealogy Surnames Group at Twitter.

My first "tweet" was pretty simple and straightforward:

I just joined the Genealogy Surnames Twitter Group http://tgr.me/g/surnames so stop by and see us. #surnames

Not much to shout about, but it is a start. I'm hoping that I can learn how to use the service to connect with others who are researching my surnames. Plus, I can always follow the tweets of my favorite geneabloggers and other celebrities.

I hope to use Twitter on Surname Saturday as well as use the #genealogy hashmark to reach other searchers.

Hopefully it will be as much fun to meet new researchers as Facebook has been....

Marriage: William Pierce to Vida Maddox

My maternal 2nd-great grandfather, William Francis PIERCE, widower, married secondly to Vida MADDOX on March 4, 1909 in Madison County, Indiana. His first wife, Clara PENNISTEN, had died in 1906. Family tradition states that Vida was the housekeeper, but I haven't verified that fact yet.

Their marriage license application in Madison County, Indiana Book 20, page 216 provides some interesting information. Unfortunately, this copy was very hard to read. Notice how Vida's surname is misspelled as Mattox. In fact, it is spelled both Mattox and Maddox throughout.

APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE - MALE

Application is hereby made for a license for the marriage of William F. Pierce to Vida Mattox upon the following statement of fact relative to said parties.

1. The full christian and surname of the man is William F. Pierce
2. Color White
3. Where born Madison Co. Ind.
4. When born July 10, 1866
5. Present residence Madison Co.
6. Present occupation Farmer
8. Is the male contracting party a nearer blood kin to the female contracting party than second cousin? No
9. Full christian and surname of father E. G. Pierce
10. His color White
11. His birthplace Wayne Co. Ind.
12. His occupation Farmer
13. His residence Deceased
14. Full christian and surname of mother Catherine Gronendyke
15. Her color White
16. Her occupation Housekeeper
17. Her birthplace Madison Co.
18. Her residence Madison Co.
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? No
22. If not, how often has he been married Once
23. Has such prior marriage, or marriages, been dissolved? Yes
24. If so, how? Death
25. When? Two years
26. Is the male contracting party afflicted with epilepsy, tuberculosis, venereal, or any other contagious or transmissible disease? No
27. Is he an imbecile, feeble-minded, idiotic or insane, or is he under guardianship as person of unsound mind? No

STATE OF INDIANA, MADISON COUNTY, SS:
William F. Pierce 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 4 day of March 1909
Arthur E. Harlan, Clerk

APPLICATION FOR MARRIAGE LICENSE - FEMALE

Application is hereby made for a license for the marriage of Vida Mattox to William F. Pierce upon the following statement of fact relative to said parties:

1. The full christian and surname of the woman is Vida Mattox
2. Color White
3. Where born Ky
4. When born Oct 6 1886
5. Present residence Madison Co. Ind
6. Present occupation [blank]
7. Full christian and surname of father Charles Mattox
8. His color White
9. His birthplace Ky
10. His occupation Farmer
11. His residence Madison Co. Ind.
12. Full christian and surname of mother Sarah Powell
13. Her color White
14. Her occupation Housekeeper
15. Her birthplace Ky
16. Her residence Madison Co.
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

STATE OF INDIANA, MADISON COUNTY, SS:
Vida Maddox deposes and says that she has personal knowledge of the facts above stated and that they and each of them are true.
Subscribed and sworn before me, this 4 day of March 1909.
Arthur E. Harlan, Clerk

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the 4 day of March A.D. 1909, the following Marriage License was issued, to wit:

INDIANA, TO WIT, MADISON COUNTY, SS:

To any persons empowered by law to solemnize marriages in the county of Madison, greetings:

You are hereby authorized to join together as HUSBAND and WIFE William F. Pierce and Vida Maddox and of your Certificate of Marriage make due return within three months, according to the laws of the State of Indiana.

Witness, Arthur E. Harlan, Clerk of our Madison Circuit Court, and the seal thereof, affixed at the Clerk's office in Anderson, this 4 day of March 1909.

Arthur E. Harlan

And afterwards, to wit: On the 10 day of March 1909, the following Certificate of Marriage was returned to the Clerk's office, to wit:

I, A. G. Neal, hereby certify that on the 4 day of March A.D. 1909, I duly joined in marriage Wm. F. Pierce and Vida Maddox, by authority of law and of a license from the Clerk of Madison Circuit Court.

Given under my hand, this 4th, day of March A.D. 1909.
A. G. Neal

Wordless Wednesday: Evening Colors

Tombstone Tuesday: Charles Wilson and Pearl May (Beals) Lambertson

My maternal great-great grandparents, Charles Wilson and Pearl May (Beals) Lambertson, are buried in the Cicero Cemetery, Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana. These photos were taken by a FindAGrave.com contributor, John Wolfe.

Charles was born January 25, 1872 in Preble County, Ohio, the son of Carey W. and Clara E. (Cook) Lambertson.

Pearl was born May 11, 1878 in Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana, the daughter of Nathan Thomas and Elizabeth Caroline (Poe) Beals.

Charles and Pearl were married on April 18, 1897 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana. After their marriage they remained in Jackson Township, Hamilton County for some time - appearing in the 1900 and 1910 census records there. By the 1920 census, they were living in the 3rd ward of the city of Elwood, Madison County, Indiana. In the 1930 census, they were living in Sharpsville, Tipton County, Indiana.

Charles' occupation was that of a painter and a carpenter. According to their obituaries, both Charles and Pearl retained their memberships with the Cicero Christian Church.

Charles died on May 24, 1958 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana and Pearl died on August 3, 1970 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.

Charles and Pearl were the parents of the following children, all born in Hamilton County, Indiana:

• Clemon Beals Lambertson (1898-1994) married June Gilliland; 4 children; married 2nd to Helen Duncan
• Orville Edward "Jack" Lambertson (1902-1983) married Mary Herter; 1 child; married 2nd to Martha Stoner; married 3rd to Hassie Hawkins
• Leona D. Lambertson (1904-1988) married Clarence Fetz; 3 children; married 2nd to Joe Carpenter
• Gerald Lambertson (1906-1906) died aged 3 months of milk sickness
• Geraldine Lambertson (1906-1906) died aged 3 months of milk sickness
• Paul Lambertson (1908-1994) married Goldie Laycock; 2 children
• Pauline Lambertson (1904-1989) married Forrest VanNess; 6 children
• Elizabeth C. Lambertson (1915-2006) married Ralph Herschberger; 2 children
  

Marriage: William Pierce to Clara Pennisten

My maternal great-great grandparents, William Francis PIERCE and Clara PENNISTEN were married on January 14, 1892 in Madison County, Indiana. A copy of their marriage record is filed in Book C4, page 112.

William was born July 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana, the son of Edmund G. and Catherine (GROENENDYKE) PIERCE. Clara was born March 1869 in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana, the daughter of John and Jane (ALDERMAN) PENNISTEN.

Clara's death on September 26, 1906 in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana ended their marriage. William later remarried to Vida MADDOX.

William and Clara had known children: John Herman, Edna Muriel, Edward E., and Lillian. Edward E. died as a baby and Lillian age age 19. The 1900 census shows Clara as the mother of 5 children with 3 living, so there are two more born between 1892-1900 that I have not discovered their names.

No Will? No Problem...if you can find a deed

While researching at the Madison County, Indiana Recorder's office, I came across this deed book record that took place shortly after my maternal 3rd great-grandfather, Joseph WRIGHT died in 1919.

I had previously attempted to obtain a copy of his will in Madison County and was told that he did not leave a will. Knowing when he died, I began searching the deed books for the time period shortly after his death and bingo! There was a deed from his widow listing all of his heirs, transferring land to one heir.



Madison County, Indiana Deed Book 21, page 378

THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH That Dorothy Wright, an unmarried woman, she being the widow of Joseph Wright, deceased; John W. Wright, an unmarried man, he being a widower; Charles R. Wright and Bertha Wright, his wife; Daisy Fox and Thomas A. Fox, her husband; Edward E. Wright and Martha J. Wright, his wife; Ethel L. Kirk, an unmarried woman; Earl J. Kirk, an unmarried man; Harry H. Kirk and Lucille M. Kirk, his wife; Myrtle M. Day and Virgil S. Day, her husband, each of said grantors being over the age of 21 years, all being of Madison County, State of Indiana, other than said Edward E. Wright and Martha J. Wright, they being of Whitley County, State of Indiana, these grantors together with the grantee herein including all the heirs at law of said Joseph Wright, deceased, late of Madison County, State of Indiana, CONVEY AND WARRANT TO James Wright, of Madison County, State of Indiana, for and in consideration of one thousand seven hundred fifty dollars, the following described real estate in Madison County, State of Indiana, to-wit: The undivided one-fourth (1/4) of the north west quarter of the south west quarter of section 25, township 21 north, range 7 east.

This conveyance is made and accepted subject to the 1919 (payable 1920) taxes assessed on and against said real estate.

IN WITNESS Whereof the said Dorothy Wright, widow of said Joseph Wright, deceased; John W. Wright, widower and unmarried man; Charles R. Wright and Bertha Wright his wife; Daisy Fox and Thomas A. Fox, her husband; Edward E. Wright and Martha J. Wright, his wife; Ethel L. Kirk, an unmarried woman; Earl J. Kirk, an unmarried man; Harry H. Kirk and Lucille M. Kirk, his wife; Myrtle M. Day and Virgil S. Day her husband, they being the grantors in the annexed deed, have hereunto set their hands and seals this 4th day of October 1919.

Dorothy Wright Seal
John W. Wright Seal
Charles R. Wright Seal
Bertha Wright Seal
Daisy Fox Seal
Thomas A. Fox Seal
Edward E. Wright Seal
Martha J. Wright Seal
Ethel L. Kirk Seal
Earl J. Kirk Seal
Harry H. Kirk Seal
Lucille H. Kirk Seal
Myrtle M. Day Seal
Virgil S. Day Seal

All by Virgil S. Day, Attorney-in-fact

STATE OF INDIANA, COUNTY OF MADISON, SS:

Before me, the undersigned, Notary Public in and for said County and State, personally appeared the grantors in the annexed deed, said Dorothy Wright, an unmarried woman, she being the widow of Joseph Wright, deceased; John W. Wright, widower and unmarried man; Charles R. Wright and Bertha Wright, his wife; Daisy Fox and Thomas A. Fox, her husband; Edward E. Wright and Martha J. Wright, his wife; Ethel L. Kirk, an unmarried woman; Earl J. Kirk an unmarried man; Harry H. Kirk and Lucille M. Kirk, his wife; Myrtle M. Day and Virgil S. Day, her husband, each being over the age of 21 years they and the grantee being the sole and only heirs at law of said Joseph Wright, deceased, by Virgil S. Day their Attorney in Fact, and acknowledged the execution of the annexed Deed.

Witness my hand and Notarial seal this 4th day of October 1919. James A. May, Notary Public

My commission expires November 26, 1921.


Joseph WRIGHT had no children with his second wife, Dorothy PALMER, whom he married on April 11, 1891 in Madison County, Indiana. By his first wife, Rebecca HEATON, whom he married November 1, 1857 in Schuyler County, Missouri, he had the following children:

i. Mary WRIGHT (1858-1910) married Frank KIRK; children Ethel, Earl and Harry are listed as heirs
ii. John WRIGHT (1860-1945) married Ellen KING; widower whose wife had died in 1913, listed as heir
ii. Elizabeth WRIGHT (1863-1882) married Wiliiam Alpha JONES; their daughter Myrtle listed as heir
iii. Anna WRIGHT (1864-1914) married Albert VINSON; left no surviving heirs
iv. James WRIGHT (1868-1936) married Clara HICKS; was the grantee in the deed
v. Charles WRIGHT (1870-1967) married Bertha LEONARD; listed as heir
vi. Daisy WRIGHT (1873-aft1930) married Thomas FOX; listed as heir
vii. Edward WRIGHT (1875-1960) married Martha STARR; listed as heir
viii. Jesse WRIGHT (1878-1919) married Hazel O'BRYANT; left no surviving heirs

Though I knew the names of Joseph's children, it was interesting to find his grandchildren listed as heirs and to know that they were still living in Madison County, at least in 1919. Joseph's son Edward had moved to Whitley County, a fact I knew and which was confirmed by the 1920 census.

Although it was several years since I had originally written to the courthouse asking for a copy of the will, I'm glad that I was finally able to find some records that recorded the settlement of Joseph's estate.

Photograph of Luman Walker LeMasters Jr. (1842-1931)

At our recent family reunion my aunt and uncle were going through a box of old photos trying to identify them and they came across this interesting photo. It shows my paternal 2nd-great grandfather, Luman Walker LeMasters Jr. (1842-1931) sitting on the porch with whom we believe may be two of his sons.


Luman was a Civil War veteran, born October 19, 1842 in Shelby County, Ohio, the son of Luman Walker and Nancy (YOUNG) LEMASTERS. Luman died November 18, 1931 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana, so that dates this photograph sometime before 1931.

Here is another version of the same photograph, slightly enlarged for better viewing. Note the old car in the background to the left. Can anyone identify what type of car?

According to his Civil War records, grandpa Luman was not a very tall man. He stood only 5' 3" tall. From the photograph you can tell his frame is smaller than the others.

We believe that the son on the right side is Arthur Raymond LeMasters (1888-1955) but are not sure who is on the left.

Luman married Mary Keziah Chew, daughter of Dr. Ezekiel Cooper and Caroline Bishop (WOOLSTON) CHEW on October 2, 1864 in Versailles, Darke County, Ohio. After the war, they lived out their lives on a farm in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.

Other posts regarding Luman include his tombstone and family information.

Andrew Caldwell (c1720-1758) Frederick/Berkeley Cos. VA

In sorting through my scans of my old genealogy files, I have discovered information on an ancestor, Andrew CALDWELL (c1720-1758) of old Frederick/Berkeley Cos., VA (now WV) that I had neglected to update into my database. The information comes from a series of emails from 1999 between Jim Brown of Venice, FL and myself. Jim provided a lot of clues and information, and I hope I responded in kind.

Andrew CALDWELL is estimated to be born around 1720 because he shows up on the 1744 taxlist of Frederick County, Virginia. Andrew was named as the executor of the estate of William CALDWELL on 6 August 1746 in Frederick County along with Grace CALDWELL. It is possible that Andrew was the son of William and Grace CALDWELL. The source cited for this information was given as J.E. King, "Frederick Co. VA Wills, Adm. 1961 (1973)".

Andrew was apparently involved in several land transactions in Frederick County, Virginia between 1748 and 1755. Citing Frederick County deed books, Andrew sold lots in the city of Winchester on October 2 & 3, 1750 to Robert LEMON, and later sells him three more lots on June 2 & 3, 1755.

Andrew was listed as a lieutenant in the Frederick County militia on August 20, 1751. Citing the George WASHINGTON papers in the Library of Congress, Andrew was listed on a December 11, 1755 list of voters - where he voted against Colonel Washington.

One of the last transactions in Frederick County shows Andrew purchasing lots 28 & 29 in the City of Winchester from James LEMON on March 4, 1757. Might he be a relative of Robert LEMON, above?

Andrew's will was dated July 17, 1757 in Frederick County and names son Andrew, daughters Mary and Elizabeth and wife Jane. Andrew died July 4, 1758 and was buried in Morgan's Chapel, Norborne Parish, now Bunker Hill.

Known children of Andrew and Jane (________) CALDWELL:
i. Andrew CALDWELL b. bef 1750, d. January 1791 Berkeley County, Virginia; m. Sarah ______
ii. Mary CALDWELL m. James CHEW
iii. Elizabeth CALDWELL

My line is from Mary (CALDWELL) CHEW through their son, Andrew, likely named for his grandfather.

I've added this information to my database and marked it for follow up for future research. Surprised to find that I had so much information on this line hidden in my correspondence files.

Research Trip

Yesterday I took a mental health day from work and did some genealogy research. I had planned a trip to the courthouse in Anderson for some time, and was also planning to visit the Alexandria-Monroe Township Historical Society. The society is run by volunteers and currently only has Thursday hours which has made it difficult for me to visit.

When I asked for the day off, I had no idea that Thursday would be Columbus Day. The local paper had a snippet about offices being closed on Columbus Day and that threw me into a mini-panic. I frantically searched the Anderson Herald-Bulletin and the Madison County Government pages to make sure that the offices would be open. Not finding notices of any closing, I was relieved to know that my trip would not be a wash out. Other than the three to five inches of rain we were expected, my trip should be able to commence. Only later did I discover that Columbus Day was on a Monday, not a Thursday! I panicked for naught.

I was antsy, up at my usual time and ready to go to Anderson way too early, according to my wife. With half a pot of coffee in my system, I headed down to Anderson and arrived approximately 8:30 a.m. Parking is a problem in Anderson, so I parked about four blocks away at the Anderson Public Library. It's not a bad walk, although slightly uphill. My first stop was Central Records, where I was prepared to give them a list of marriage records for them to copy. There are many marriage records that I simply had neglected to collect over the years even though I had been to the courthouse many times. Perhaps I was complacent, satisfied merely to have the book and page numbers from the W.P.A. indices. Now that I am on the hunt again for these records, I was prepared with a list of marriages that occurred in Madison County to collect.

The employee at Central Records was a very pleasant lady who was understanding and helpful. I'm glad that she did not stress out because I gave her a list of about ten couples right off the bat. One thing that I didn't have on my list was the book and page numbers! I had this stored in my database, but didn't print that information out before I made my trip. My failure to assemble all of the information necessary added an unnecessary step to the process, but the helper handled it in stride. I left her to pull the records and headed over to the Recorder's office to search out some land records.

The Recorder's office has shelves of deed records and mortgage records tucked away in a side room. Fortunately, they will allow you to search the records for yourselves. Because this was not the main focus of my trip, I was not prepared to do extensive research into the records. I randomly began looking for the ALDERMAN family, which I knew was last in Madison County in the 1870 census. I was hoping to find a land transfer that might indicate either when Richard Alderman died or moved from the county. I have been unable to locate the family in the 1880 census, so I searched the decade of 1870-1880. Unfortunately, I did not find anything. Next I started searching around the date of death for my direct ancestors hoping to find mention of a land transfer or a will. Bingo! I found a land transfer between the widow and heirs of my 3rd great grandfather, Joseph WRIGHT, who died in 1919 in Alexandria. Early on in my research, I had written to the courthouse requesting a copy of his will or estate and was told that there was not one on file. Now right in front of me I had the names of all of his heirs in a land transaction. Genealogical gold! I will write more about this find later.

Heading back to Central Records, I picked up and paid for the copies of the marriage records. At only $1.00 per page, I felt that was a steal considering the information contained in some of the marriage applications. The nice lady there was even able to give me corrections to the book and page numbers that were either in error or hard to read from the W.P.A. index.

My next stop was to walk back down to the Anderson Public Library and visit their Indiana room. I love researching in this library, and often have to stop myself from become too distracted by browsing the shelves for books that aren't relevant to the subject of my search. They have a nice selection of local records in book form, produced over the years by the historical society and others that contain information in one place that would be hard to track down otherwise. I especially love the local obituaries and funeral home records. I made some copies from the indices of deaths in the county from 1921-1940 for future research, and was able to find some obituary records. One in particular gave a clue on my PIERCE family, as I am trying to find mention of the young children of William and Clara (PENNISTEN) PIERCE who died. Another interesting obituary on young Mildred WRIGHT who died at age 2 of diptheria was discovered. While at the library, I researched the marriage indices again to make sure I had the right book and page numbers for the marriage records that Central Records couldn't find. Shortly after noon, I headed back towards the courthouse after a brief stop at Rax for a sandwich.

Central Records laughed when I told them I had just a few more records that I needed copied. To me, eight records is a few! Again, had they not been so understanding and pleasant, it might have been a difficult day. They were able to find six of the records, but apparently two records were misindexed by the W.P.A. I will have to see if I can verify the dates, etc. through alternative sources and try again to obtain copies. Fortunately, the ones that couldn't be found were not my direct line.

Heading back to the car to move on to my next stop, the torrental rain began to let loose. We were expected to receive several inches of rain, and they were right. Making my way back to the car I was glad that I had an umbrella.

My next stop was Alexandria and the Historical Society. I arrived shortly after they opened at 1 p.m. Making my way towards the reading room, I met Larry Maple, the President of the Society and we had a pleasant talk. I also joined the society - the $10 membership is well worth it. It had been a couple of years since I had visited the society, but I am amazed at the amount of material regarding local history they have collected. The organizational style is a bit hard to understand, but I was quickly locating records on my family. My big find was the records of the local funeral home have been copied by the society. What an interesting piece of the genealogical puzzle to find out how much was paid for a funeral and by whom.

If you have relatives in the Alexandria, Indiana area it would be well worth visiting the society. They have converted a house into the museum, and each room of the house holds a separate section of local history - such as the schools, military, agriculture, etc. Amazing what has been donated to the society. One interesting stack of books that Larry Maple showed my was just received - school records dating back to 1895 the school corporation donated. I would love to be able to go through those and see what family information I could find.

I spent a couple of hours there, lost in my own little world, until I received a phone call from home that brought me back to reality. It was time to head back home and bring the research day to a close, but the clues I've discovered will give me more to research there in the future. I know have much more to scan into my files and will have more to blog about. Overall, it was a fun day for genealogy!

Samuel Ivey & Emma Carter marriage record

Eileen's cousin Betty BLACK found the record of her great-grandparents marriage, apparently through an Ancestry.com database and sent me an email with the information.

Sam and Emma were married February 26, 1896 in Massac County, Illinois. In the copy of the marriage register that Betty sent to me, Samuel IVY was listed as a farmer, a resident of McCracken County, Kentucky, who was born in Marshall County, Kentucky and was 26 years of age. His father was listed as Geo. IVY and his mother as Rebecca HARROLD. Interestingly, it was Samuel's second marriage, a fact that I didn't previously know.

Emma Carter was an 18 year old resident of McCracken County, Kentucky, born in Mayfield, Ky, the daughter of George CARTER and Ellen DUNAWAY. This was her first marriage.

The ceremony was performed at Metropolis, Massac County, Illinois on February 26, 1896.

Samuel and Emma's daughter, Bessie, was Eileen's grandmother. This information opens up a whole new line to research, the DUNAWAY line, and gives more clues to research the CARTER and IVEY clans.

Wordless Wednesday: Brother & Sister

Idola Belle LeMaster
Paul Waynard LeMaster