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| Harvey A. & Nettie (Shreeve) Wehrly |
1. Vital Records
1.1. Birth Certificate
One source states Harvey was born December 21, 1876 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana1,. His World War II Draft Registration states he was born December 21, 1877 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana10. I have not yet resolved the discrepancy. The State of Indiana did not require state-wide registrations of birth until after 1907. Jay County, Indiana only has birth records from 1882.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If Harvey's birth was announced in the local newspaper, it has been lost to history. The Jay County Public Library has newspapers from the late 1880s. The holdings of the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis do not indicate any newspapers of the time period.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I am not aware of any surviving Bible record of the Wehrly family. Will continue to reach out to extended family members in hopes that one does exist.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I am not aware of any baptismal record for Harvey, nor the church affiliation of the Wehrly's.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Harvey was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Harvey married Nettie Shreeve on October 9, 18981, probably in Jay County, Indiana. I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was of Harvey and Nettie's nuptials.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
Harvey and Nettie's 25th wedding anniversary would have been October 9, 1923 and their 50th anniversary would have been October 9, 1948. Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if any mention was made of anniversary celebrations.
1.2.3. Divorce Decree
There is no indication that Harvey and Nettie were ever divorced, but a search of Henry County, Indiana court records needs to be done.
1.3. Death Certificate
Harvey died June 9, 19681, probably in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana. I do not have a copy of his death certificate. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper
Will need to check local newspapers in Henry and Jay County, Indiana to see if Harvey's obituary was mentioned. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
Once I've obtained his obituary, I might be able to identify the funeral that handled the arrangements and then contact them to see if they have any more records.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
Harvey's tombstone in the South Mound Cemetery, New Castle, Henry County, Indiana has been photographed2. A link to his memorial page at FindAGrave is located here.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census
On April 16, 1940, Harvey was enumerated as head of household in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana3, as Harvey Wehrly, age 63, Church custodian. He was born in Indiana and in 1935 his residence was the same place. He owned his home, and it was valued at $3500. He had completed the 6th grade.
2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census
On April 12, 1930, Harvey was enumerated as head of household in New Castle, Henry County, Indiana4, as Harvey A. Wehrly, age 51, Janitor, Christian Church. He was born in Indiana, as was his father and mother. He didn't live on a farm, owned a radio and was age 21 at his marriage. He could read and write and spoke English.
2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census
On January 12, 1920, Harvey was enumerated as head of household in Ward 7, New Castle, Henry County, Indiana5, as Harvey Wehrly, age 43, laborer in auto factory. He was born in Indiana, as was his father and mother. He could read and write and spoke English. He owned his home free of mortgage. The family resided at 1525 8th Street.
2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census
On April 26, 1910, Harvey was enumerated as head of household in Ward 7, New Castle, Henry County, Indiana6, as Harvey Wehrly, age 32, Straw Boss in auto factory. He was born in Indiana and had been married for 11 years. The birthplace of his parents was left blank. The family resided at 1015 South 18th Street.
2.1.5. 1900 Federal Census
On June 15, 1900, Harvey was enumerated as head of household in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana7, as Harvey A. Wehrly, age 23, Farmer. He was born December 1876 in Indiana, and both parents were born in Ohio. He had been married for one year. He could read and write and spoke English. He owned his home and held a mortgage.
2.1.6. 1880 Federal Census
On June 3, 1880, Harvey was enumerated in the William Wherhly household in Salamonia, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana8, as Harvy Wherhly, age 3, son, born in Indiana. The birthplace of his father was blank, and his mother was born in Michigan.
2.2. State Census Records
The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913 and 1921. These, however, were merely for the purposes of 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 Wehrly family farm.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
On September 12, 1918, Harvey registered with the Selective Service in Henry County, Indiana9 during World War I. He was 40 years old and living at 1525 South 18th Street in New Castle. His birthdate was listed as December 21, 1877. He owned his own garage business at the same address. His wife, Nettie Wehrly, was listed as nearest relative. His physical description was medium height, medium build, with brown eyes and dark hair.
On April 27, 1942, Harvey registered with the Selective Service in Henry County, Indiana10 during World War II. He was 64 years old, born December 21, 1877 in Salamonia, Indiana. He resided at 301 South 8th Street in New Castle. He worked as a janitor for the Christian church. His wife, Nettie Wehrly, was listed as nearest relative. He was 5' 6" tall, weighed 175 lbs., with grey hair, brown eyes and a ruddy complexion.
3.2. Pension Records
I am not aware of any military service that would have made Harvey eligible to receive pension benefits. His father did serve in the Civil War, but I don't believe Harvey ever received any minor's benefits.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Jay and Henry Counties, Indiana to see what records might mention Harvey and his family. Will add this to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Plat maps and county maps for Jay and Henry Counties, Indiana will need to be searched. Will contact the local historical society to see what maps they might have in their collection.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records available for research on Harvey include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records. Will add these to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
Sources:
1. Wehrly, Blaine & Gladys, "Wehrly & Smith Family History." Report to Wehrly Reunion, New Castle, Indiana, 16 August 1970. Photocopy held by author.
2. Find A Grave, Inc., FindAGrave.com (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 Jun 2013), Harvey Allen Wehrly memorial page.
3. 1940 U.S. census, Henry County, Indiana, population schedule, New Castle, enumeration district 33-18, SD 10, sheet 6B, 301 South 12th Street, dwelling 180, digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. Harvey A. Wehrly household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, 4th Ward, New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, ED 33-18, SD 9, sheet 11B, dwelling 280, family 330; National Archives micropublication T626.
5. 1920 U.S. census, Henry County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 7, New Castle, enumeration district 74, SD 6, sheet 17A, 1525 8th Street, dwelling 290, family 325; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
6. 1910 U.S. census, Henry County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 7, New Castle, enumeration district 92, SD 6, sheet 1A, 1015 South 18th Street, dwelling 8, family 9; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
7. 1900 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Madison Township, enumeration district 62, SD 67, sheet 9A, dwelling 169, family 174; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 June 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
8. William Wherhly household, 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Salamonia, Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana, ED 169, SD 6, page 28, dwelling 6, family 6; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 287.
9. "U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2013); citing World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918: Indiana.
10. "U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 June 2013); citing Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II : Fourth Registration.
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.
