Surname Saturday: McMillen

The McMILLEN surname is in Eileen's maternal line.  The origins of the surname appear to be Irish.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 27: Katherine McMillen (c1849-1916).  Katherine was born circa 1849 in Indiana.  She married October 27, 1867 in Marshall County, Indiana to George Peeples (1836-1918).  George was born September 24, 1836 in Miami County, Indiana.  George was a farmer in Union Township, Marshall County, Indiana and served in the Civil War.  They had 5 children.  George died January 15, 1918 in Culver, Marshall County, Indiana.  Katherine died April 26, 1916 in Culver, Marshall County, Indiana.  Both are buried at the Washington-Lawson Cemetery, Union Township, Marshall County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 54: James McMillen (c1811-aft1880). James was born circa 1811 in New York.  He married Julia ________ (c1811-aft1880).  They raised 6 children in Union and Green Townships, Marshall County, Indiana.  The last record of both James and Julia is the 1880 census in Green Township, Marshall County, Indiana.


Related blog posts:

• James McMillen household - Marshall County, IN

• Obituary: Catherine (McMillen) Peeples (1849-1916)

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Family Recipe Friday: Rhubarb Crumble / Rhubarb Strawberry Freezer-Jam

Gloria LeMaster's rhubarb plants

[Mom shared some more recipes for today's post.]

Spring's Treasure--Rhubarb, the "pie plant".

I always know when Spring has arrived as my patch of rhubarb starts to peak through the soil.   The crop that I have had for over 37 years died last year so I planted a new crop.   I don't think it's the same variety that I had but it seems to be the most popular one in this area---Victoria.   Rhubarb is actually a vegetable that is related to celery but everyone considers it a fruit.   Its tart flavor is usually paired with strawberries but I like to pair it with pineapple when making a pie.   Rhubarb is a natural medicine, low in calories, yet high in calcium and potassium, plus plenty of vitamins , minerals, fiber, etc.   When it is planted, it can not picked until the second year and then is recommended to do so sparingly.  After that it can be harvested as much as you can use.  In the fall, put a side dressing of manure around the rhubarb.  Rhubarb is to be pulled rather than cut.   Remove the leaves and coarse ends.  Store in plastic bags in the refrigerator until ready to use in your favorite recipe or store it in the freezer--just wash and cut it into desired pieces.

RHUBARB CRUMBLE

Makes 6 servings

This recipe came from Karen Sayre, a neighbor.   She gave it to me because we had red rhubarb.   We got the starts from a former neighbor John Horn, who lived across the street from us when we lived at 214 W. Monroe Street.

    1 cup flour                                                    
    3/4 cup uncooked oatmeal                                       
    1 cup brown sugar                                              
    1/2 cup margarine                                              
    1 teaspoon cinnamon                                            
    4 cups rhubarb, cut in small pieces                            
    1 cup sugar                                                    
    2 tablespoons cornstarch                                       
    1 cup water                                                    
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract                                     
    2-3 drops red food coloring                                    
    Cool whip                                               

       

Mix the flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, margarine, and cinnamon until crumbly.   Press half of the mixture into a buttered 9-inch square pan.   Place rhubarb over crumbs.   Cook until sugar, cornstarch, water, and vanilla until thick.  Add 2-3 drops of red food coloring.   Pour over rhubarb and sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.   Bake at 350 for 1 hour.   (put a cookie sheet under pan in case it bubbles over while baking).   Cool slightly and top with Cool Whip or ice cream.

RHUBARB-STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM

So easy that even the kids can help make this.

    4-5 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/2 inch pieces                     
    3 cups sugar                                                   
    1 3-ounce box strawberry jello                       

          

Place cut rhubarb in a bowl and sprinkle with saucepan.   Let stand at least 20 minutes or until sugar is dissolved.  Boil mixture about 20 minutes.   Remove from heat and add jello.   (You can add a few drops of red food coloring for more color).   Pour into 4 sterilized half-pint jars.   Keep refrigerated or place in freezer until ready to use.

Family Recipe Friday – is an opportunity to share your family recipes with fellow bloggers and foodies alike. Whether it’s an old-fashioned recipe passed down through generations, a recipe uncovered through your family history research, or a discovered recipe that embraces your ancestral heritage share them on Family Recipe Friday. This series was suggested by Lynn Palermo of The Armchair Genealogist.

Exploratory Data Analysis: Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972)

Virgil & Edna Wright, 50th Anniversary photo (1965)

Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972) was my maternal great-grandfather.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical facts I have discovered about him.


1. Vital records


     1.1. Birth certificate


          Virgil was born July 6, 1894 in Orestes, Madison County, Indiana¹.  The State of Indiana began requiring births be recorded in 1907, however, many counties have records available going back to 1880.  The W.P.A. index compiled for Madison County, Indiana did not list a birth record for Virgil.


          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper


               If Virgil's birth was recorded in a newspaper, I have not yet discovered it.  The Alexandria-Monroe Public Library has editions of the local newspaper, the Tribune, only as far back as 1905.


          1.1.2. Bible Record


               I'm not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Wright family.  My understanding of family lore was that the John Wright family Bible was purposely destroyed/burned by a daughter-in-law.


          1.1.3. Baptismal Record


               The Wright's were associated with the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), but I do not know if they were members at this time.  I am not aware of any records of baptism for Virgil at this time.


          1.1.4. Adoption Record


               There is no indication that Virgil was adopted.


     1.2. Marriage License


          Virgil was married on June 19, 1915 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana to Edna Muriel Pierce¹.  I didn't realize I didn't have a copy of their marriage license from Madison County, but that's one of the reasons for working out this analysis.  Will have to seek it out soon.


          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper


               Searches of the local newspaper, the Alexandria Times-Tribune, have failed to locate a mention of the nuptials of Virgil and Edna.


          1.2.2. Anniversary notice


               Virgil and Edna's Golden Anniversary (50th) was mentioned in the Anderson, Indiana Daily Bulletin on June 16, 1965². There may be other newspapers that mention this anniversary as well.  


          1.2.3. Divorce decree


               There is no indication that a divorce ever occurred, though a search of court records has not been completed.


     1.3. Death certificate


          Virgil died March 25, 1972 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.³.  He died at the Bradford Nursing home in Alexandria⁴.  The cause of death was listed as hypostatic pneumonia³.


          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper


               Virgil's obituary appeared in the March 27, 1972 edition of the Anderson Daily Bulletin and the Elwood Call-Leader.  I need to obtain the date that his obituary ran in the Alexandria Times-Tribune.


          1.3.2. Funeral home record


               Virgil's funeral was conducted by the Karl M. Kyle Funeral Home.  I need to try and find out if there exists a record of the funeral, which may contain information about cost, who paid for what, etc.


          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph


               Virgil's tombstone in the Park View cemetery in Alexandria has been photographed.  It lists him as Virgil L. 1894-1972 and his wife, Muriel 1897-1968 is also listed; included is their date of marriage "June 19, 1915"⁵.


2. Census Records


     2.1. Federal Census Records


          2.1.1. 1930 Federal Census


               On April 19, 1930, Virgil was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana6, as Virgil Wright, married farmer, age 35, born in Indiana.  His father was listed as born in Ohio and his mother born in Indiana.  He could read and write and spoke English.  He was renting his home and owned a radio.


          2.1.2. 1920 Federal Census


               On January 15, 1920, Virgil was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁷, as Virgil Wright, married farmer, age 25, born in Indiana.  His father was listed as born in Ohio and his mother born in Indiana.  He could read and write and spoke English.  He was renting his home.


          2.1.3. 1910 Federal Census


               On May 5, 1910, Virgil was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁸, in the household of his father,  John W. Wright.  He is listed as Virgil A., age 15, at home, born in Indiana, a farmer, and attended school within the year.  His father is listed as born in Ohio and his mother as born in Indiana.


          2.1.4. 1900 Federal Census


               On June 27, 1900, Virgil was enumerated in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana⁹, in the household of his father, John W. Wright.  He is listed as Virgil L., age 5, at home, born in Indiana.  Both of his parents are listed as being born in Indiana.


     2.2. State Census Records


          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931.  These however, were merely for the purposes of determining legislative apportionment.


     2.3. Agricultural Census Records


          I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what information might be shed on the Wright farm.


3. Military Records


     3.1. Draft Registration


          Virgil registered for the draft during World War I on June 5, 1917¹⁰.  He is listed as medium build with brown hair and grey eyes.  The card has his name listed as "Virgile Wright", born July 6, 1894, residing at Rural Route 19, Alexandria, Indiana.  He was a self-employed farmer.


          Virgil registered for the draft during World War II


     3.2. Pension Records


          Not applicable, as I have found no evidence that Virgil ever served in the military.


     3.3. Service Records


          Not applicable.


4. Land Records


     4.1. Deed Records


          Deed records need to be thoroughly researched in Madison County, Indiana.  All evidence indicates that Virgil's entire adult life was spent in Monroe Township, Madison County.


     4.2. Plat map / county map


          Madison County published a plat map in 1880, 1891, 1893, 1901, 1910, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1931 and 1940 that may be relevant to my search on Virgil and the Wright family.


5. Supplemental records


     Supplemental records available to research for Virgil include county/city directories, court records and will and probate records.  Searching these will be on my next "to-do list" research trip in Madison County at the library.






Sources:


1. Freeman, Sandra, "John William Wright - Ellen King family group sheet." Compiled [n.d.].  Alexandria, Indiana, USA.
2. Golden Wedding article, Anderson Daily-Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, USA, June 16, 1965, page 2.
3. Virgil Lee Wright, death certificate no. 1972-C068 (1972), Madison County Health Department, Anderson, Indiana.
4. Virgil Wright obituary.  Elwood Call-Leader, Elwood, Indiana, March 27, 1972.
5. Park View Cemetery (Alexandria, Indiana), Virgil L. and Muriel Wright marker, photographed by Travis LeMaster.
6. Virgil Wright household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 48-46, SD 5, sheet 6A, dwelling 112, family 121, National Archives micropublication T626, roll 605.
7. Virgil Wright household, 1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 122, SD 8, sheet 4A, dwelling 81, family 81, National Archives micropublication T625, roll 449, page 43.
8. John W. Wright household, 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 17, SD 8, sheet 11B, dwelling 259, family 259, National Archives micropublication T624, roll 364.
9. John W. Wright household, 1900 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 96, SD 8, sheet 21B, dwelling 398, family 432, National Archives micropublication T623, roll 386.
10. Ancestry.com. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918[database online]. Provo, Utah.  Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2005.  Original data: United States Selective Service Registration System. World War I Selective Service Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C., National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4582 rolls.  Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.
11. Ancestry.com. U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942[database online]. Provo, Utah. Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.  Original data: United States Selective Service System. Selective Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. National Archives and Records Administration Branch locations: National Archives and Records Administration Region Branches.


This post was developed as part of the series relating to Building My 2011 Research Template, an attempt to systematically document and source the details of my ancestors' lives. Comments regarding this template and the conclusions draw in this article are welcomed.