Elizabeth Caroline (Poe) Beals (1856-1935) was my maternal 3rd-great grandmother. What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.
1. Vital Records
1.1. Birth Certificate
Elizabeth was born September 28, 1856 in Morgan County, Indiana1. The State of Indiana did not require birth certificates until 1907.
1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper
If Elizabeth's birth was recorded in a newspaper, I've not located it yet. Will need to check with local libraries and state archives to see if they have any newspapers from the time period.
1.1.2. Bible Record
I'm not aware of any surviving Poe family Bible that might record her birth. Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one can be located.
1.1.3. Baptismal Record
I am not aware of any baptismal record for Elizabeth. The family were members of the Society of Friends (Quaker) church.
1.1.4. Adoption Record
There is no indication that Elizabeth was adopted.
1.2. Marriage License
Elizabeth married Nathan Thomas Beals on September 26, 1876 in Hamilton County, Indiana2. Nathan was born February 17, 1856 in Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana. They raised three daughters in Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska. Nathan died February 16, 1915 in Leola, Grant County, Arkansas.
1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper
Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Elizabeth and Nathan's nuptials.
1.2.2. Anniversary Notice
Elizabeth and Nathan's 25th wedding anniversary would have been September 26, 1901. Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if there was mention of any anniversary celebration. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.2.3. Divorce Decree
Though there is no indication of a divorce, will need to search court records in Hamilton County, Indiana to be sure there aren't records I've missed. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3. Death Certificate
Elizabeth died September 27, 1935 near Greentown, Howard County, Indiana3. I do not yet 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
Elizabeth's obituary appeared in the September 28, 1935 edition of the Tipton, Indiana Daily Tribune3. The cause of death was listed as paralysis and the obituary stated that she died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Lambertson. This obituary was the subject of a previous post.
Elizabeth's obituary appeared in the September 30, 1935 edition of the Noblesville, Indiana Daily Ledger4.
1.3.2. Funeral Home Records
Will need to search for funeral home records at the local historical society to see if there is any more information I can obtain about Elizabeth's funeral. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph
Elizabeth's tombstone in the Cicero Cemetery in Cicero, Indiana has been photographed5. A link to her memorial at FindAGrave is located here.
2. Census Records
2.1. Federal Census Records
2.1.1. 1930 Federal Census
On April 22, 1930, Elizabeth was enumerated as head of household in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana6 as Elizabeth Beals, age 73, widow. She was renting her home for $23.00 per month. Also living in the household were her daughter, Nellie Stober, aged 40, widow, and her granddaughter, Ruby Stober, aged 16, single. Her address was 1963 Tallman Avenue. Elizabeth could read and write and spoke English. She was born in Indiana, her father was born in North Carolina and her mother was born in Indiana.
2.1.2. 1920 Federal Census
On January 27, 1920, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Marion Blanton household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana7, as Elizabeth Beals, age 63, widowed, servant. Elizabeth could read and write and speak English. She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.
2.1.3. 1910 Federal Census
On April 16, 1910, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Nathan T. Beals household in Cicero, Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana8, as Elizabeth C. Beals, wife, age 52. She had been married for 33 years, and was the mother of 1 child who was still living. She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.
2.1.4. 1900 Federal Census
On June 1, 1900, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Nathan T. Beals household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana9, as Elizabeth C. Beals, wife, born September 1856 in Indiana. She had been married 24 years and was the mother of 3 children, 2 of whom were living. Her father was born in South Carolina and her mother in Indiana. She could read and write and spoke English.
2.1.5. 1880 Federal Census
On June 12, 1880, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Nathan Beales household in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska10, as Elizabeth Beales, wife, age 24, born Indiana. Her father was born in Indiana and her mother was born in North Carolina.
2.1.6. 1870 Federal Census
On August 17, 1870, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Isaac S. Poe household in Washington Township, Hamilton County, Indiana11, as Elizabeth Poe, age 13, born in Indiana. She had attended school within the year.
2.1.7. 1860 Federal Census
On August 3, 1860, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Isaac Poe household in Monroe Township, Morgan County, Indiana12, as Elizabeth Poe, age 3, female, born in Indiana.
2.2. State Census Records
On June 4, 1885, Elizabeth was enumerated in the N.T. Beals household in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska13, as Elizabeth Beals, age 28, wife.
2.3. Agricultural Census Records
I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the Beals family.
3. Military Records
3.1. Draft Registration
Not applicable, as Elizabeth was female.
3.2. Pension Records
Elizabeth's father, Isaac S. Poe, served during the Civil War in Co E, 12th Indiana Infantry. I need to check and see if she received any benefits as a result of his service.
3.3. Service Records
Not applicable, as Elizabeth was female.
4. Land Records
4.1. Deed Records
Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska to see what records might mention Elizabeth. Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.
4.2. Plat map / county map
Plat maps of Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska to see what information might be relevant to my search for Elizabeth.
5. Supplemental Records
Supplemental records available for research on Elizabeth 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. Beals, John, "Chronology of the Beals Family", Butler Printing House, Noblesville, Indiana, 1912, page 49.
2. "Indiana Marriage, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VXPP-TJB : accessed 15 Oct 2013), Nathan T Beal and Elizabeth E Poe, 1876
3. Mrs. Elizabeth Beals obituary, Tipton Daily Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, September 28, 1935, page 4.
4. Mrs. Elizabeth Beals obituary, Noblesville Daily Ledger, Noblesville, Indiana, September 30, 1935.
5. FindAGrave, Inc., FindAGrave (www.findagrave.com : accessed 8 December 2014), Elizabeth Caroline Beals tombstone.
6. 1930 U.S. census, Marion County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Indianapolis, enumeration district 49-11, SD 8, page 20B, dwelling 312, family 317; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
7. Marion Blaton household, 1920 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jackson township, ED 99, SD 9, sheet 5, dwelling 89, family 89; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 435.
8. Nathan T. Beals household, 1910 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Cicero, ED 104, SD 9, sheet 2, dwelling 33, family 34; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 353.
9. Nathan T. Beals household, 1900 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jackson township, ED 85, SD 9, sheet 1, dwelling 15, family 18; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 375.
10. Nathan Beales household, 1880 U.S. census, Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska, population schedule, ED 320, SD 1, page 27, dwelling 61, family 63; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 754.
11. Isaac S. Poe household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Washington Township, Hamilton County, Indiana, page 76, dwelling 597, family 583; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 319, page 216.
12. Isaac Poe household, 1860 U.S. census, Morgan County, Indiana, population schedule, Monroe Township, Mooresville P.O., page 62, dwelling 433, household 442; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
13. "Nebraska State Census, 1885," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X3F4-G2K : accessed 22 January 2015), N T Beals, 1885; citing NARA microfilm publication M352 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 499,573.
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.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Alexandria Times-Tribune being digitized
Found out that the local newspaper in Alexandria, Indiana where my maternal relatives lived, worked and died is currently unavailable for viewing at the public library, but for a good reason. From their website :
The Alexandria Times-Tribune microfilm is being digitized and is no longer available to the public. Once the digitization project is completed, users will be able to access content covering March 1, 1905-June 2013 from any workstation within the library. We anticipate the project to be completed by December 2014.I'm looking forward to being able to access and search the images, always so much easier to find the tidbits and obituaries, by searching rather than scrolling page by page through the microfilm.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
On Mortality And Such
Recent events have had me thinking more and more about mortality - mine and members of my family. Though I would not be considered old (46) by many, I'm wise enough to realize that time is a precious commodity and we're not guaranteed another moment on this Earth.
So what does this have to do with genealogy and family history? Well, quite a bit, actually. All of us are mortal. Genealogists deal constantly with facts such as births and deaths, and this blog is my attempt to beat the clock by sharing my research not only with the living, but the future unborn members of my family who might be interested. So far this blog has been long on dates and facts and short on personal insight, but hopefully in 2015 that can change. A New Year's Resolution? Perhaps, but we shall see.
One thing I've noted throughout the time I've been collecting information on my family history is that some of my ancestors and relatives died what would be considered a pretty early death. For every one that made it into their eighties and beyond, there were two or three who died in their fifties and sixties, some even earlier. Approaching the age where one of your immediate relatives passed makes you start thinking about your own mortality and legacy and what you are leaving behind. It also makes you start looking at your lifestyle choices and health.
Yesterday, I had an echo cardiogram. I feel too young to have a cardiologist, but two years ago my GP detected a slight murmur and I had a baseline echo to check it out. Insurance would only pay for an echo every two years since I'm not symptomatic, so yesterday's procedure will be the first look after my baseline echo from two years ago to see if the condition has become any worse. I'm not too worried about it, but from a family history standpoint, I can see cause for concern. My maternal grandfather had a history of heart murmurs that kept him from becoming a pilot during WWII, and he died at the age of 53 of a heart attack. Not too much older than I am right now. Granted, he was a smoker, and I'm not, but I'm not going to ignore the genetic potential to have a predisposition to heart problems. In this same family line there has been a history of early death (some as young as 45) due to heart issues. Fortunately, a call today from the doctor let me know that everything appears to be about the same and their is no cause for alarm.
On Sunday, while returning from a shopping trip, the vehicle we were in had a blow-out. Fortunately, my son-in-law, Jordan, was able to keep us from having an accident and managed to pull off to the side of the Interstate. I kept watch for oncoming traffic while he worked on changing the tire. Believe me, you get a different perspective on folks who have car trouble when it happens to you and you're standing there watching as cars whiz by. So many of them didn't even pay attention that we had hazard lights flashing, etc. The adrenaline was pumping that day! The only consolation had either of us been struck would have been that death would have been quick. I've come across a few of those tragic accidents in my family history to know that when they do occur, they devastate the families and leave gaping holes. While I know that no matter when I go I will leave things undone on this Earth, there are too many family history projects I want to complete and stories I want to pass down.
Yesterday was also the day I paid a visit to the funeral home to pay respect to my high school friend's mother. We're at that age where our parents are beginning to pass, or at least slow down. Standing in line, I was talking with the parents of another high school friend, sharing memories of days gone by. The whole time talking to them I was thinking, I wonder whose funeral I will be at next? My parents? A classmates? What if it was mine?
There are people in my extended family that I need to interview to get the "official story" from their perspective before they pass. There are facts about my own life that I haven't written down and I hope to do this year. There are so many files that I need to scan and blog about that I haven't done in the eight years I've worked on this blog. Sometimes I find it hard to write, but I need to make a commitment to get it down on paper. If not for me, for those who will come after.
So what does this have to do with genealogy and family history? Well, quite a bit, actually. All of us are mortal. Genealogists deal constantly with facts such as births and deaths, and this blog is my attempt to beat the clock by sharing my research not only with the living, but the future unborn members of my family who might be interested. So far this blog has been long on dates and facts and short on personal insight, but hopefully in 2015 that can change. A New Year's Resolution? Perhaps, but we shall see.
One thing I've noted throughout the time I've been collecting information on my family history is that some of my ancestors and relatives died what would be considered a pretty early death. For every one that made it into their eighties and beyond, there were two or three who died in their fifties and sixties, some even earlier. Approaching the age where one of your immediate relatives passed makes you start thinking about your own mortality and legacy and what you are leaving behind. It also makes you start looking at your lifestyle choices and health.
Yesterday, I had an echo cardiogram. I feel too young to have a cardiologist, but two years ago my GP detected a slight murmur and I had a baseline echo to check it out. Insurance would only pay for an echo every two years since I'm not symptomatic, so yesterday's procedure will be the first look after my baseline echo from two years ago to see if the condition has become any worse. I'm not too worried about it, but from a family history standpoint, I can see cause for concern. My maternal grandfather had a history of heart murmurs that kept him from becoming a pilot during WWII, and he died at the age of 53 of a heart attack. Not too much older than I am right now. Granted, he was a smoker, and I'm not, but I'm not going to ignore the genetic potential to have a predisposition to heart problems. In this same family line there has been a history of early death (some as young as 45) due to heart issues. Fortunately, a call today from the doctor let me know that everything appears to be about the same and their is no cause for alarm.
On Sunday, while returning from a shopping trip, the vehicle we were in had a blow-out. Fortunately, my son-in-law, Jordan, was able to keep us from having an accident and managed to pull off to the side of the Interstate. I kept watch for oncoming traffic while he worked on changing the tire. Believe me, you get a different perspective on folks who have car trouble when it happens to you and you're standing there watching as cars whiz by. So many of them didn't even pay attention that we had hazard lights flashing, etc. The adrenaline was pumping that day! The only consolation had either of us been struck would have been that death would have been quick. I've come across a few of those tragic accidents in my family history to know that when they do occur, they devastate the families and leave gaping holes. While I know that no matter when I go I will leave things undone on this Earth, there are too many family history projects I want to complete and stories I want to pass down.
Yesterday was also the day I paid a visit to the funeral home to pay respect to my high school friend's mother. We're at that age where our parents are beginning to pass, or at least slow down. Standing in line, I was talking with the parents of another high school friend, sharing memories of days gone by. The whole time talking to them I was thinking, I wonder whose funeral I will be at next? My parents? A classmates? What if it was mine?
There are people in my extended family that I need to interview to get the "official story" from their perspective before they pass. There are facts about my own life that I haven't written down and I hope to do this year. There are so many files that I need to scan and blog about that I haven't done in the eight years I've worked on this blog. Sometimes I find it hard to write, but I need to make a commitment to get it down on paper. If not for me, for those who will come after.
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