Marriage License & Return : Wesley F. Metzner to Nora Axe, 1898

Source: Jay County, Indiana, Original Marriage License, "Wesley F. Metzner to Nora Axe, 1898"; County Marriage Returns Collection; Jay County Historical Society, Portland, Indiana.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

State of Indiana, Jay County, ss:

To all who shall see these presents, Greeting:

Know Ye, That any person empowered by law to solemnize Marriages is hereby authorized to join together as Husband and Wife,

Wesley F. Metzner and Nora Axe

and for so doing this shall be his sufficient authority.

In Testimony Whereof, I, E.V. Fitzpatrick Clerk of the Jay Circuit, hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court at Portland, Indiana, this 19th day of Oct. 1898.

E.V. Fitzpatrick Clerk

STATE OF INDIANA, JAY COUNTY, SS:

This Certifies, That I joined in Marriage as Husband and Wife,

Wesley F. Metzner and Nora Axe

on the 20 day of October 1898

Fred Stovenour  Minister of Gospel

Source: Jay County, Indiana, Original Marriage Return, "Wesley F. Metzner to Nora Axe, 1898"; County Marriage Returns Collection; Jay County Historical Society, Portland, Indiana.

MARRIAGE RETURN

1. Full name of GROOM Wesley F. Metzner

2. Place of residence Jay Co. Indiana

3. Age next birthday 27 years

4. Color White

5. Occupation Farmer

6. Place of Birth Jay Co. Indiana

7. Father's Name Adam Metzner

8. Mother's Maiden Name Clara Moulton

9. No. of groom's marriages 1st

10. Full name of BRIDE Mary Nora Axe

11. Place of Residence Jay Co. Indiana

12. Age next birthday 21 years

13. Color White

14. Place of Birth Jay Co. Indiana

15. Father's Name George Axe

16. Mother's maiden name Eliza Kimble

17. No. of bride's marriages 1st

18. Place of marriage Noble T.P. Jay Co. Ind.

19. By Rev. F. Stovenour

20. Date of marriage October 20 1898

This record of the marriage of Wesley F. Metzner and Nora Axe was located at the Jay County Historical Society in Portland, Indiana.

Wesley was my paternal great granduncle, the son of John Adam Metzner and Clara Moulton.  Before locating this record, I had his wife's name as Elnora M. Axe.  These same names keep appearing in the closely knit families of Haley, Metzner, Axe, Kimble, etc.

Exploratory Data Analysis: Pauline (Lambertson) VanNess (1908-1992)

Pauline (Lambertson) Van Ness (1908-1992) was my maternal great-grandaunt.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Pauline was born May 16, 1908 in Hamilton County, Indiana¹. She was a twin to her brother, Paul. I do not yet have a copy of her birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.  Her obituary listed her place of birth as Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana²
.
          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of Pauline's birth.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible records for the Lambertson family.  Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one does exist.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of a baptismal record for Pauline, though I do not know the church affiliation of the family at this time.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Pauline was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Pauline was married on May 10, 1923 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana to Forrest Van Ness.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.

          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper

               Will need to search out mention of their wedding in contemporary newspapers on my next research trip.

          1.2.2. Anniversary notice

               Will need to search out contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of their wedding anniversary.  Their 25th anniversary would have been May 10, 1948, and their 50th would have been May 10, 1973.

          1.2.3. Divorce decree

               There is no indication that Pauline and Forrest were ever divorced.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Pauline died May 26, 1992 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana².  I do not have a copy of her death certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper

               Pauline's obituary appeared in the Anderson, Indiana Herald Bulletin on May 28, 1992².

               I need to search other local newspapers, particularly in Elwood, to see if her obituary was also published there.

          1.3.2. Funeral home records

               According to her obituary, arrangements were handled by the Dunnichay Funeral Home in Elwood, Indiana².  Will need to contact the funeral home to see what records they might hold that can add to my research.

          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph

               Pauline was buried at the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Indiana.  I do not have a photograph of her tombstone.  Will add this to my "to-do" list of research items.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

               On April 26, 1940, Pauline was enumerated in the Forrest Van Ness household in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana³, as Pauline Van Ness, age 31, born in Indiana.  She had attended school through the 8th grade.  Her residence in 1935 was the same location.  No occupation was listed.  Living in the household were husband, Forrest, age 35, born in Indiana; and children Forrest, age 15; Robert, age 13; Joyce, age 11; Patricia, age 9; Eugene, age 8; and Caroline, age 6; all of whom were born in Indiana.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 11, 1930, Pauline was enumerated in the Forrest Van Ness Sr. household in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana⁴, as Pauline Van Ness, age 21, born in Indiana.  She was aged 16 at her first marriage.  She could read and write, spoke English, and listed no occupation.  Both of her parents were born in Indiana.

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 14, 1920, Pauline was enumerated in the Charles W. Lambertson household in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana⁵, as Pauline Lambertson, daughter, age 11, born Indiana.  She was attending school and could read and write.  Her father was born in Ohio and her mother was born in Indiana.

          2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census

               On April 23, 1910, Pauline was enumerated in the Charles Lambertson household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana⁶, as Pauline Lambertson, daughter, age 1 1/2, born in Indiana.  Both her parents were 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 1921.  These, however, were merely for the purpose of determining legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the Lambertson or Hershberger farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Pauline was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service by father or husband that would have made Pauline eligible to receive a military pension.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Pauline was female.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Miami, Howard and Madison Counties, Indiana to see what records might mention Pauline.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Miami County, Indiana published plat maps in 1936 and 1940 that might be relevant to my research.

          Howard County, Indiana published plat maps in 1937 and 1949 that might be relevant to my research.

          Madison County, Indiana published plat maps in 1940, 1949, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1969 and 1970 that might be relevant to my research.

5. Supplemental records

     Supplemental records available for research for Pauline include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.   Will add these to my "to-do" list for future research trips.

Sources:

1. Beals, John, Chronology of the Beals Family, Butler Printing House, Noblesville, Indiana, 1912, page 50.
2. Obituary of Pauline Van Ness, Anderson Herald-Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, May 28, 1992.
3. 1940 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, 1st Ward, Elwood, enumeration district 48-60, SD 11, sheet 16B, dwelling 500, family 375; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 February 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. Forrest Van Ness Sr. household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Madison County, Indiana, USA, ED 48-47, SD 5, sheet 15B, dwelling 325, family 380; National Archives micropublication T626.      
5. Charles W. Lambertson household, 1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Madison County, Indiana, USA, ED 138, SD 84, sheet 6, dwelling 138, family 143; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 449.
6. Charles Lambertson household, 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Hamilton County, Indiana, Jackson Township, ED 104, SD 9, sheet 6, dwelling 156, family 158; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 353.



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 drawn in this article are welcomed.

Marriage License & Return: Fred J. Axe to Manda Metzner, 1903

Source: Jay County, Indiana, Original Marriage License, "Fred J. Axe to Manda Metzner, 1903"; County Marriage Returns Collection; Jay County Historical Society, Portland, Indiana.

MARRIAGE LICENSE

STATE OF INDIANA, JAY COUNTY, ss:

To All Who Shall See These Presents, Greeting:

Know Ye, That any person empowered by law to solemnize Marriages is hereby authorized to join together as HUSBAND and WIFE:

Fred J. Axe and Manda Metzner

and for so doing, this shall be his sufficient authority.

In Testimony Whereof, I, Ed V. Fitzpatrick Clerk of the Jay Circuit Court, hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said Court at Portland, Indiana, this 24th day of December 1903.

Ed V. Fitzpatrick, Clerk

STATE OF INDIANA, JAY COUNTY, ss:

This Certifies, That I joined in Marriage as Husband and Wife,

Fred J. Axe and Manda Metzner

on the 25th day of December 1903

Rev. John Metzner

Source: Jay County, Indiana, Original Marriage Return, "Fred J. Axe to Manda Metzner, 1903"; County Marriage Returns Collection; Jay County Historical Society, Portland, Indiana.

INDIANA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH

RETURN OF A MARRIAGE TO COUNTY CLERK

1. Full Name of GROOM Fred J. Axe

2. Place of Residence Westchester Ind.

3. Occupation Farmer

4. Age next Birthday 22 years. Color White Race Caucasian

5. Place of Birth Westchester Nationality American

6. Father's Name Wm. Axe

7. Mother's Maiden Name Samantha Grattis

8. Number of Groom's Marriage Axe First

9. Full Name of BRIDE Manda Metzner

10. Place of Residence Portland, Ind. Occupation Housekeeper

11. Age next Birthday 23 years. Color White Race Caucasian

12. Place of Birth Portland, Ind.  Nationality American

13. Father's Name Wm. F. Metzner

14. Mother's Maiden Name Mary A. Haley

15. Number of Brides Marriage One  First

16. Married at The bride's parents home near Portland Ind. in the County of Jay and State of Indiana, the Dec 25th day of Dec 1903.

17. Witnesses to Marriage Mr. & Mrs. Fred Martin Mr. & Mrs. W.F. Metzner

Marriage Solemnized by Rev. John W. Metzner

Wolcottville Ind.

Dated at Portland Ind., this 25th day of Dec.  1903.

This record of the marriage of Fred J. Axe to Amanda Metnzer was located at the Jay County Historical Society in Portland, Indiana.

Amanda Metzner was my paternal first cousin three times removed, the daughter of William F. Metzner and Mary Ann Haley.  The minister who performed this ceremony was the bride's older brother, John W. Metzner, a minister of the Evangelical Association.  Prior to finding this record, I did not know the name of Fred Axe's parents.