Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Exploratory Data Analysis: Robert F. Pierce (1923-2005)

Robert F. Pierce (1923-2005) was my maternal great-granduncle.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Robert was born April 21, 1923, probably in Madison County, Indiana, according to my database.  I do not yet have a copy of his birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts for mention of Robert's birth.  The Alexandria-Monroe Public Library has newspapers from the early 1900s.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible record for the Pierce 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 any baptismal record for Robert.  The Pierce family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Robert was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Robert married Blance ________ on August 31, 1946.  Her surname is currently unknown.  

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts for mention of Robert and Blanche's wedding.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

                Robert and Blanche's 25th wedding anniversary was August 31, 1971.  Will search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of any anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               There is no indication of a divorce, but thorough search of Madison County, Indiana court records needs to be completed.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Robert died June 11, 2005 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana1.  I do not yet 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

               I have not yet located Robert's obituary in the newspaper.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               Once I've located Robert's obituary, I can contact the funeral home to see if they have any additional records.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Robert's tombstone in the Park View Cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana2 has been photographed.

               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 May 3, 1940, Robert was enumerated in the William Pierce household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana3, as Robert Pierce, son, age 17, born in Indiana.  He had attended school within the year and had completed 3 years of high school.  His residence in 1935 was the same location.  He lived on a farm and was born in Indiana.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 24, 1930, Robert was enumerated in the William Pierce household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana4, as Robert F. Pierce, son, age 7, born in Indiana.  He had attended school within the year.  His father was born in Indiana and his mother born in Kentucky.

     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 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 Pierce family farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          I have not discovered any draft registration records for Robert.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I do not yet know if Robert received a pension for his service during World War II.

     3.3. Service Records

          On January 6, 1943, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Army in Indianapolis, Indiana5 for the duration of the war plus six months.  According to his memorial page at FindAGrave, Robert served in the Philippines.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana to see what records might mention Robert.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

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

5. Supplemental Records

     Supplemental records available to search for Robert 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.


1. "U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-current," database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 December 2013); citing Social Security Death Index, Master File.
2. FindAGrave Inc., FindAGrave.com (www.findagrave.com : accessed 18 December 2013).

3. 1940 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Monroe Township, enumeration district 48-58, SD 11, sheet 8B, dwelling 166, digital images; Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 December 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. William Pierce household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 48-45, SD 5, sheet 13B, dwelling 321, family 327; National Archives micropublication T626.
5. "U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 December 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration, Electronic Army Number Merged File 1938-1946.


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.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Exploratory Data Analysis: Charles D. Pierce (1918-1991)

Charles D. Pierce (1918-1991) was my maternal great-granduncle.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Charles was born July 2, 1918 in Madison County, Indiana, according to my database.  I do not yet have a copy of his birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts for mention of Charles' birth.  The Alexandria-Monroe Public Library has newspapers from the early 1900s.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

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

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal record for Charles.  The Pierce family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Charles was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Charles married Nancy L. Stephens.  The date of this marriage is currently unknown.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Once I obtain the exact date of their marriage, I can search contemporary newspaper accounts for mention of their nuptials.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Once I obtain the exact date of their marriage, I can search contemporary newspaper accounts for mention of any anniversary celebrations.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               There is no indication of a divorce, but a thorough search of court records in Madison County, Indiana would need to be completed.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Charles died August 23, 1991 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana1.  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

               Charles's obituary appeared in the August 24, 1991 edition of the Anderson Herald-Bulletin1.   Will need to search other contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of his obituary.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               According to his obituary, funeral arrangements were handled by the Noffze funeral home in Alexandria, Indiana.  Will need to check with the funeral home to see if they have any additional records.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Charles' tombstone in the Park View Cemetery in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana has been photographed.  

               A link to his memorial page at Find A Grave can be found here.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

               On May 3, 1940, Charles was enumerated in the William Pierce household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana2 as Charles Pierce, age 21, son.  He was not married.  He had not attended school within the year and had completed four years of high school.  He was a farm laborer.  He was born in Indiana and his residency in 1935 was the same location.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 24, 1930, Charles was enumerated in the William Pierce household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana3, as Charles D. Pierce, son, age 11, born in Indiana.  He had attended school within the year and could read and write.  His father was born in Indiana and his mother was born in Kentucky.

               On May 6, 1930, Charles was enumerated in the Herman Pierce household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana4, as Charles Pierce, half brother, age 12, born in Indiana.  He had attended school within the year and could read and write.  Both of his parents were listed as being born in Indiana.

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 23, 1920, Charles was enumerated in the William F. Pierce household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana5, as Charles D. Pierce, son, age 2 5/12, born in Indiana.  His father was born in Indiana and his mother was born in Kentucky.

     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 purposes of legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of records to see what light they might shed on the Pierce family farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          I have not discovered any draft registration records for Charles.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I do not know if Charles ever applied for a pension based on his service during World War II.

     3.3. Service Records

          Charles enlisted February 5, 1942 as a private at Fort Benjamin Harrison6.  He was single, without dependents and had completed four years of high school.

          According to his obituary, Charles served during World War II in the Army Air Corps1.  I have not yet obtained a copy of his service record.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana to see what records might mention Charles and his family.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Madison County, Indiana published a plat map in 1880, 1891, 1893, 1901, 1910, 1915, 1921, 1923, 1931 and 1940 that might be relevant to my search for the Pierce family.

5. Supplemental Records

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

1. Charles D. Pierce obituary, Anderson Herald-Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, 24 August 1991.
2. 1940 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Monroe Township, enumeration district 48-58, SD 11, sheet 8B, dwelling 166, digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 December 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
3. William Pierce household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 48-45, SD 5, sheet 13B, dwelling 321, family 327; National Archives micropublication T626.
4. Herman Pierce household, 1930 U.S. census, population schedule, Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 48-39, SD 5, sheet 10B, dwelling 239, family 239; National Archives micropublication T626. 
5. William F. Pierce household, 1920 U.S. census, population schedule, Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 119, SD 8, sheet 6A, dwelling 127, household 129; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 449.
6. "U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 December 2013); citing National Archives and Records Administration.


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.

Monday, December 16, 2013

More Wright Deeds Clermont County Ohio

Researching at the Genealogy Center, I located the following Wright family records in Clermont County Ohio Deeds and Mortgages 1791-1830 an index by Alma Aicholtz Smith, 1991.  Will be writing to the Clermont County Recorder to obtain copies of these:

1808  Wright, George to Wright, Sarah (mother)                Book F-05:397    Acres? Pleas Twp.

1807 Wright, John to Haines, Joseph                                       Book E-04:359    Lot # 120 Wmsburgh

1807 Wright, John to Jamison, Robert B                                 Book F-05:303    4 lots Wmsburgh

1804 Wright, John to Bunting, Ramoth                                    Book C-02:195   # 192, 194 Wmsburgh

1821 Wright, Joseph to Whetstone, John Sr.                        Book V-20:013   60a S-1115

1819 Wright, Joseph to Lewis, William                                     Book U-19:060   Mortgage 60a

1823 Wright, Robert to Hare, Thomas                                     Book V-20:411 Lots Miami Twp

1812 Wright, Sarah to Wright, George (son)                         Book K-09:064  A? Pleasant Twp

1819 Wright, William to Evans, Griffith                                    Book T-18:147    Lot # 88 Mechburgh