Genealogy Juices

There's nothing quite like the thrill of a new discovery to get your genealogy juices flowing again.  This Labor Day weekend has been quite productive for me in this regard.  


On Friday, I placed a call to the Central Records office in Madison County, Indiana, hoping they might have a copy of a marriage record of my 2nd-great grandfather.  During a recent search at the Family Search pilot, I made a possible new discovery of a second wife. The record at Family Search, however, did not indicate which county the marriage occurred, and I was hoping that it was in Madison County. Central Records were able to locate the record, and I'm hoping to pick up a copy of it on Tuesday.  This was the start of my good fortune this weekend. Will be blogging about this as soon as I obtain the copy.


Saturday, Eileen & I headed north to Plymouth for the Blueberry Festival.  It had been 8 years since we had last been able to attend, as my work schedule will not normally allow it.  This year was different, and I had Labor Day free from work. 


After enjoying the sights, sounds, and food of the festival, we headed towards downtown Plymouth, as I wanted to visit the Marshall County Historical Society and see what information they might have on my CHEW family line.  Unfortunately, they were closed so I will have to plan a return trip.  The society has been very helpful in the past by providing a copy of a photograph of my CHEW ancestors.


We grabbed a quick bite to eat just south of Plymouth at the Log House Restaurant, an interesting place, and then continued back towards home. We had time to kill, so we decided we would take a road trip over to Lake Maxinkuckee.


A slight detour of our route of U.S. 31 lead us to Maxinkuckee, where Eileen's maternal PEEBLES line had lived.  I was hoping that we would be able to find the cemetery where her ancestors were buried, and also to see the lake.  It was a most productive drive, as the cemetery we needed to find ended up being right off the highway.  The Washington-Lawson Cemetery is well maintained by the township trustees.  


Her ancestors must have wanted to be discovered, as I stopped the car just inside the cemetery, took two steps and there was the gravestone of my wife's great-grandmother.

As I began walking around, I was able to locate the graves of Eileen's 2nd, 3rd & 4th-great grandmothers - all within a few feet of each other.  Fortunately, I had taken my digital camera with me and was able to snap away.  I will be uploading these pictures later to the FindAGrave website and will write future Tombstone Tuesday posts.  


Right there in one spot all of the data in the family group sheets were coming to life, so to speak, and I was trying to do my best to explain the relationships of everyone to Eileen.  I think she may have caught a little bit of my excitement as well. I tried to photograph as many of the tombstones that were in the same vicinity  and any that appeared to be family. 


Back home, I opened up my Rootsmagic database and began comparing the newly minted photographs with the data I already had.  I was able to identify relationships and discovered that there were other related names at the cemetery that I didn't photograph.  A return trip is in order.


I spent time at Ancestry until late Saturday evening locating more family history for Eileen, and discovered that one of her lines crossed with a collateral line of mine back in Brown County, Ohio in the early 1800s.


Sometimes new discoveries will get my 'genealogy juices' flowing...and this is one of those times.

Family Milestones: September 6th

My maternal 4th-great granduncle, James GROENENDYKE, was married on this date in 1834 in Fayette County, Indiana to Charity DURMAN.  James was the son of James and Joannah (ANTONIDES) GROENENDYKE, and the older brother of my Elias GROENENDYKE.  Charity's parentage is unknown.  James was born August 12, 1812 in New Jersey.  Charity was born February 17, 1815.  They raised 7 children and lived in Mt. Pleasant Township, Delaware County, Indiana.  Charity died April 12, 1878.  James died October 3, 1878 in Delaware County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Sharp Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant Township, Delaware County, Indiana.

My paternal 7th-great grandparents, Jeremiah HAINES and Hannah BONNELL, were married on this date in 1736 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Jeremiah was the son of William and Sarah (PAINE) HAINES.  Hannah was the daughter of Robert and Frances (GOODWIN) BONNELL. Jeremiah was born March 25, 1713 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Hannah's birthdate is unknown.  They raised 7 children.  Hannah died August 15, 1774 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Jeremiah died October 30, 1774 in Burlington County, New Jersey.

My maternal 4th-great granduncle, William B. JACOBS, was married on this date in 1834 in Brown County, Ohio to Mary Polly EDWARDS.  William was the son of James Thomas and Isabella (FEILY) JACOBS.  Mary's parentage and dates of birth and death are unknown.  William was born February 10, 1813 in Adams County, Ohio.  William died February 9, 1898 in Brown County, Ohio.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Family Milestones: September 5th

My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Cyrene PHILBRICK, was born on this date in 1824 in Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio.  Cyrene was the daughter of Joel and Sally (FOX) PHILBRICK, and the younger sister of my Emeline PHILBRICK.  She married on May 29, 1856 to William Goldsberry COX.  William was born April 14, 1818 in Cumberland, Ohio.  They had 3 children.  William died April 1, 1889 in Rose Lawn, Indiana.  Cyrene died December 15, 1898 in Huntington, Huntington County, Indiana.

Surname Saturday: LEMASTER

The LEMASTER surname is my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are French, with variations of the surname being either spelled "Le" or "La", with or without a capital "m" and with or without an ending "s".


Stories and History:


Ahnentafel # 8: Luman Cooper LeMASTERS (1867-1933). Luman was born May 27, 1867 in Jay County, Indiana. He married November 11, 1886 in Jay County, Indiana to Barbara Isabel WEHRLY (1869-1930). Barbara was born March 14, 1869 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana. After their marriage they moved to Valley County, Nebraska for a few years before returning to Jay County before 1890 where they remained the rest of their lives. Luman was a farmer and a rural mail carrier in Salamonia, Indiana.  They had 13 children, 12 of whom survived. Barbara died February 6, 1930 in Union City, Randolph County, Indiana. Luman died February 10, 1933 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana. They are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.


Anhnentafel # 16: Luman Walker Lemasters Jr. (1842-1931). Luman was born October 19, 1842 in Shelby County, Ohio.  He married October 2, 1864 in Versailles, Darke County, Ohio to Mary Keziah CHEW (1847-1927). Mary was born February 13, 1847 in Mt. Holly, Burlington County, New Jersey. They lived in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana where Luman was a farmer.  Luman served in Company C, 39th Indiana Infantry during the Civil War.  This regiment was later converted to the 8th Indiana Cavalry.  He was severely wounded at Deckards Ford, Tennessee on July 3, 1863 and discharged.  They had 11 children.  Mary died February 22, 1927 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.  Luman died November 18, 1931 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana. Both are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 32: Luman Walker Lemasters Sr. (1808-1888). Luman was born March 11, 1808 in Mason County, Virginia (now West Virginia).  He married January 19, 1832 in Shelby County, Ohio to Nancy YOUNG (1812-1904). Nancy was born June 2, 1812 in Pickaway County, Ohio.  Luman was a Methodist Episcopal minister and farmer. They moved from Shelby County, Ohio to Jay County, Indiana in 1854, settling in Madison Township.  They raised 11 children.  Nancy died August 26, 1904 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.  Luman died April 15, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 64: Jacob Lemasters (1770-1852).  Jacob was born March 21, 1770 in Pennsylvania, according to census and tombstone records.  He married circa 1794 to Hannah ________ (1778-1849).  Hannah was born September 30, 1778 in either Pennsylvania or Maryland.  They had 8 children.  They moved to Champaign County, Ohio circa 1815 and then to Shelby County, Ohio by 1818.  Jacob was a farmer.  Hannah died June 16, 1849 in Shelby County, Ohio.  Jacob died September 21, 1852 in Shelby County, Ohio.  Both are buried in the Roberts Cemetery, Shelby County, Ohio.


The remaining lines of this ahnentafel are speculative, and remain to be proven.  The hypothesis put forth by Ralph D. Smith of Port Orange, FL in his books on the Lemasters family is that Jacob (1770-1852) is the son of another Jacob.  This has not been definitively proven, as our Jacob seems to have dropped in Mason County, Virginia in 1804 with no prior history. In the past, I have considered these additional lines valid, but I am re-thinking my position due to lack of evidence.


Ahnentafel # 128: Jacob Lemaster (bef 1734-aft 1775). Jacob was born before 1734 in Charles County, Maryland.  He resided in Frederick County, Maryland in 1766.  He served at Fort Pitt as a member of the Virginia militia just prior to the Revolution.  He had 3 children.  Jacob died sometime after 1775, probably Frederick County, Maryland.


Ahnentafel # 256: Isaac Lemaster (c1695-aft 1771). Isaac was born circa 1695 in St. Mary's County, Maryland.  He married before May 1730 in Charles County, Maryland to Catherine Ward.  They had 7 children.  Isaac died after 1771 in Prince George's County, Maryland.


Ahnentafel # 512: Richard Lemaster (bet. 1668/70-aft. 1735). Richard was born between 1668 and 1670 in St. Mary's County, Maryland.  He married Martha ________ (c1668-bet. 1713/23).  Martha was born circa 1668.  They had 6 children.  Richard was a carpenter. Martha died between 1713 and 1723 in Charles County, Maryland.  Richard died after 1735 in Charles County, Maryland.


Ahnentafel # 1024: Abraham Lemaster (bet. 1636/39-1722).  Abraham was born between 1636 and 1639 in Ste. Marie's Parish, Isle of Jersey.  He immigrated to St. Mary's County, Maryland circa 1661.  The name of his wife is unknown.  He had 6 children.  Abraham died December 6, 1722 in Charles County, Maryland.


The surname is found in records spelled in a variety of ways.  In my immediate lines, the 'm' was capitalized in Luman Cooper LeMasters generation, but many of his children dropped the final 's'.  


Our line is found in Chapter 13 of the Lemasters, U.S.A. 1639-1965 book by Howard M. Lemaster and Margaret Herberger.

Family Milestones: September 4th

My maternal 3rd-great granduncle, George G. LAMBERTSON, was married on this date in 1851 in Butler County, Ohio to Harriett JONES.  George was the son of John and Sarah (WILLSON) LAMBERTSON, and the older brother of my Carey W. LAMBERTSON.  George was born July 5, 1831 in Warren County, New Jersey.  Harriett was born circa 1834 in Ohio.  They had 2 children and resided in Butler County, Ohio and Mason County, Kentucky where George was a Methodist minister.  George's death is unknown.  Harriett died between 1900 and 1910, probably in Butler County, Ohio.


My paternal 5th-great grandaunt, Abigail PHILBRICK, was born on this date in 1737 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire.  Abigail was the daughter of John and Judith (SANBORN) PHILBRICK, and the older sister of my John PHILBRICK.  Abigail married ________ PARTRIDGE.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Family Milestones: September 3rd

My maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Almira P. PIERCE, married on this date in 1868 in Madison County, Indiana to Andrew Jackson SIGLER, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (SHANK) SIGLER.  Almira was the daughter of Francis S. and Rebecca (PAGE) PIERCE, and the younger sister of my Edmund G. PIERCE.  Almira was born March 8, 1849.  Andrew was born March 8, 1846.  They had 4 children and lived in Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana.  Almira died July 24, 1926 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.

My maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Margaret P. PIERCE, married on this date in 1868 in Madison County, Indiana to William Henry Harrison SOMMERS.  William's parentage is unknown. Margaret was the daughter of Francis S. and Rebecca (PAGE) PIERCE, and the younger sister of my Edmund G. PIECE.  Margaret was born October 17, 1840.  They had 8 children.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My maternal 3rd-great grandfather, Daniel KING, was born on this date in 1820 in Ohio.  Daniel was the son of William and Sarah (SULLIVAN) KING.  Daniel married December 5, 1847 in Madison County, Indiana to Elizabeth SHAW, daughter of William and Mary (HECK) SHAW.  Elizabeth was born October 1827 in Ohio.  They lived in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana and had 10 children.  Elizabeth died October 10, 1900 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana. Daniel died February 24, 1876 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Howard Cemetery, Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana.

My paternal 4th-great granduncle, Jesse C. CHEW, was born on this date in 1788 in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  Jesse was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah (SPRINGER) CHEW, and the younger brother of my Nathaniel CHEW.  Jesse married April 7, 1806 to Martha DRIVER.  Martha's parentage and dates of birth and death are unknown.  Jesse died April 18, 1846.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 4th-great granduncle, John PHILBRICK, was born on this date in 1771.  John was the son of Deacon John and Sally (JEWETT) PHILBRICK, and the older brother of my Joel PHILBRICK.  John married Anna MELVIN.  Anna's parentage and dates of birth and death are unknown.  John died December 8, 1825.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Family Milestones: September 2nd

My maternal 4th-great grandaunt, Martha WARDLAW, married on this date in 1838 in Brown County, Ohio to John Wilcox LOWE.  Martha was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (NESBIT) WARDLAW, and the younger sister of my Anna WARDLOW.  John's parentage and dates of birth and death are unknown.  Martha was born circa 1820 in Brown County, Ohio.  Nothing further is known at this time.


My maternal 4th-great granduncle, Austin PIERCE, was born on this date in 1799 in Thetford, Orange County, Vermont.  Austin was the son of Gordon and Thirsa (SMALLEY) PIERCE, and the older brother of my Francis S. PIERCE.  Austin married March 17, 1826 to Mary Ann STERLING.  Mary's parentage and dates of birth and death are unknown.  They raised 8 children.  Austin died June 17, 1861 in Villenova, New York.

Family Milestones: September 1st

My paternal great granduncle, William Clifford LeMASTERS, was born on this date in 1871 in Darke County, Ohio.  William was the son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (CHEW) LeMASTERS Jr., and the younger brother of my Luman Cooper LeMASTERS.  William married August 20, 1892 in Jay County, Indiana to Lella Edith LEWIS, daughter of Morgan B. and Hattie (HOOVER) LEWIS.  Lella was born April 9, 1877 in Madison Township, Jay County, Indiana.  They had 4 children.  William was a banker and worked for banks in Ohio and Colorado.  William and Lella later divorced.  Lella died April 1, 1943 in Martinez, California.  William died July 26, 1922 in Colorado.  He is buried in Colorado Springs, Colorado.


My paternal 4th-great granduncle, Samuel MOULTON, was born on this date in 1792.  Samuel was the son of John and Avis (HURLBUT) MOULTON, and the younger brother of my Selah MOULTON. Nothing further is known at this time.


My maternal 6th-great grandaunt, Rebeckah MILLS, was born on this date in 1765.  Rebeckah was the daughter of Henry and Hannah (THORNBURG) MILLS, and the younger sister of my Aaron MILLS.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Wordless Wednesday: The Curved Bar

Taking A Break

My genealogy blogging has slowed to a snail's pace lately, and I think it's time that I take a break from the blog for awhile.

I'm in the midst of my final research project for my MBA, and the time constraint is just too much to handle at this point.

The good news is that I have a lot of new research and ideas for blog posts, the bad news is that it will have to be until September until I can get back to posting.

 

Family Milestones: July 24th

My paternal 5th-great grandparents, John MOULTON and Avis HURLBUT, were married on this date in 1781 in Castleton, Rutland County, Vermont.  John was the son of Samuel and Phoebe (________) MOULTON.  Avis was the daughter of Israel and Jerusha (________) HURLBUT.  John was born December 27, 1755 in Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut.  Avis was born November 11, 1762 in Woodbury, Connecticut.  They had 15 children.  John died circa 1808 in Vermont.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 6th-great grandaunt, Dorothy MAXSON, married on this date in 1724 in Westerly, Rhode Island to Thomas BURDICK, son of Samuel and Mary (FOSTER) BURDICK.  Dorothy was the daughter of John and Judith (CLARKE) MAXSON, and the younger sister of my Bethia MAXSON.  Dorothy was born October 20, 1703.  Thomas was born 1700 in Rhode Island.  They had 6 children.  Thomas died after 1761.  Dorothy died circa 1745.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Family Milestones: July 23rd

My maternal 4th-great grandaunt, Elizabeth BEALS, was married on this date in 1857 to Singleton N. JONES.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Nathan C.and Elizabeth (CHEW) BEALS, and the younger sister of my John T. BEALS.  Elizabeth was born July 24, 1838 in Hamilton County, Indiana.  Singleton was born circa 1822 in Ohio.  They had 2 children.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Service Notes: Clara Ellen WRIGHT

My maternal greataunt, Clara Ellen WRIGHT, was mentioned in the local paper during World War II.  She was a member of the WAVES.

Source: Alexandria Daily Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, August 14, 1944, page 3.

Clara Ellen Wright, of the WAVES, who has completed her recruit training at Hunter College, New York, has been assigned to Great Lakes Naval Training Station near Chicago, and is home for a furlough with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Wright.

Source: Alexandria Daily Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, October 30, 1944, page 3.

Miss Clara Ellen Wright, seaman second class in the WAVES, enjoyed a weekend leave here with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Wright.

Source: Alexandria Daily Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, June 11, 1945, page 3.

Miss Clara Ellen Wright has returned to her duties as a member of the WAVES at Great Lakes Naval Training Station after having been called home to attend the funeral of her grandfather, John W. Wright.

Family Milestones: July 22nd

My maternal 2nd-great granduncle, Samuel S. LAMBERTSON, married on this date in 1908 in Marion County, Indiana to Nellie H. LEARY.  Samuel was the son of Carey W. and Clara E. (COOK) LAMBERTSON, and the younger brother of my Charles Wilson LAMBERTSON.  Samuel was born January 11, 1875 in Preble County, Ohio.  Nellie was born circa 1872 in Massachusetts.  Samuel died October 15, 1911 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Nellie was still living in the 1920 census in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Samuel is buried in the Elwood Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.

Family Milestones: July 21st

My paternal grandaunt, Dorothy Dot LeMASTER, was married on this date in 1921 to Charles Glendon HUNT.  Dorothy was the daughter of Luman Cooper and Barbara Isabel (WEHRLY) LeMASTERS, and the older sister of my Ord Wehrly LeMASTER. Charles was the son of William Allen and Mary Leota (WEBER) HUNT.  Dorothy was born March 19, 1900 in Salamonia, Jay County, Indiana.  Charles was born July 13, 1900 in Abington, Indiana.  They had 3 children.  Charles died February 11, 1956 in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.  Dorothy died October 1984 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana.

My paternal great-grandparents, Eli Weldon HALEY and Cora Belle METZNER, were married on this date in 1888 in Jay County, Indiana.  Eli was the son of George Washington and Mary Jane (SHERRICK) HALEY.  Cora was the daughter of John Adam and Clara (MOULTON) METZNER.  Eli was born March 24, 1866 in Erie County, Ohio.  Cora was born August 21, 1868 in Jay County, Indiana.  They lived in Noble Township, Jay County, Indiana.  Eli died June 14, 1957 in Jay County, Indiana.  Cora died April 28, 1955 in Jay County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

My paternal grandaunt, Clara Elnora HALEY, married on this date in 1925 to Eugene C. KUNCE.  Clara was the daughter of Eli Weldon and Cora Belle (METZNER) HALEY, and the older sister of my Ruth Pauline HALEY.  Eugene was the son of William and Minnie (________) KUNCE.  Clara was born October 31, 1900 in Jay County, Indiana.  Eugene was born January 15, 1901 in Jay County, Indiana.  Eugene was a minister.  They had 1 son.  Eugene died October 1984 in Marshall, Clark County, Illinois.  Clara died June 19, 2001 in Marshall, Clark County, Illinois.

Service Notes: William L. WRIGHT

I recently found mention of my maternal grandfather, William WRIGHT, in the local newspaper during his time of service in World War II.

Source: Alexandria Daily Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, August 14, 1944, page 1

WRIGHT IS TRANSFERRED

Pvt. William Lee Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Wright, of this city, has been transferred from a radio school at Madison, Wis. to Chanute Field, at Rantoul, Ill.

Source: Alexandria Daily Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, October 10, 1945, page 3

Cpl. William L. Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Wright, arrived home Thursday for a thirty day leave with his wife and son from Columbus, Ga.

Family Milestones: July 19th

My maternal 2nd-great grandmother, Ida DAVIS, married on this date in 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana to Carrie A. MORRIS.  Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana, the daughter of James Austin and Mary Ellen (SWAFFORD) DAVIS.  Carrie was born in 1853.  Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.

Family Milestones: July 18th

My paternal 6th-great grandparents, Johan Michel JACOBS and Maria Catherine CHERDRON, were married on this date in 1771 in Dover Township, York County, Pennsylvania.  Johan was born circa 1742 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Maria was born before February 16, 1730 in Otterberg, Bayern, daughter of Hans Heinrich and Anna Maria (HERBACH) CHERDRON.  They had 3 children.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 3rd-great grandmother, Catherine YOUNG, was born on this date in 1819 in Elsace.  Catherine was the daughter of Nicholas and Salome (________) YOUNG.  Catherine married November 4, 1839 in Licking County, Ohio to John METZNER, son of Jasper and Hannah (REISENBURG) METZNER.  John was born October 2, 1805 in Saxony.  They raised 11 children in Licking County, Ohio and Jay County, Indiana.  John died January 10, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana.  Catherine died June 22, 1910 in Jay County, Indiana.  They are buried at the Mt. Zion Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

My maternal 6th-great granduncle, John NOSLER, married on this date in 1795 in Montgomery County, Virginia to Martha SNAVELL.  John was the son of Bostin and Sophia (________) NOSLER, and the older brother of my Conrad NOSLER.  John was born circa 1768.  I do not have dates of birth or death, nor parentage for Martha.  They had at least 1 son.  John died between 1836 and 1837 in Putnam County, Indiana.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Family Milestones: July 16th

My maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Nellie Myrtle BEALS, married on this date in 1910 in Hamilton County, Indiana to Albert Edward STOBER.  Nellie was the daughter of Nathan Thomas and Elizabeth Caroline (POE) BEALS, and the younger sister of my Pearl May BEALS.  Albert was the son of Wilson and Susan R. (________) STOBER.  Nellie was born August 30, 1880 in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraksa.  Albert was born January 25, 1865 in Wabash, Wabash County, Indiana.  They had 1 daughter.  Nellie died December 3, 1933.  She is buried in the Cicero Cemetery, Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.

My paternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Rachel LEMASTERS, was born on this date in 1838 in Shelby County, Ohio.  Rachel was the daughter of Luman Walker and Nancy (YOUNG) LEMASTERS, and the older sister of my Luman Walker LEMASTERS Jr.  Rachel married March 18, 1860 in Jay County, Indiana to William E. CUNNINGHAM, son of Benjamin and Margaret (CLINE) CUNNINGHAM.  William was born February 1835 in Indiana.  They had 6 children.  William died June 4, 1912.  Rachel died March 12, 1913.  Both are buried in the Salamonia Cemetery, Jay County, Indiana.

Digging in the Newspaper

Spent my lunch hour today at the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, searching for mentions of my grandfather and great aunt in the local paper, the Alexandria Times-Tribune.

The library has a card catalog indexing mentions of local individuals - births, deaths and marriages as well as mentions of service personnel during World War II.  I believe that the local historical society compiled the data several years ago. I only wish they had this data online as well, so others would know about it.

Searching for my grandfather, William Lee WRIGHT, and his sister, Clara Ellen WRIGHT, I found mention of the following :

WRIGHT, William  10-10-1945 (furlough)
WRIGHT, Clara Ellen 8-3-1944 (photo)
WRIGHT, Clara Ellen 8-14-1944 (furlough)
WRIGHT, Clara Ellen 10-30-1944 (furlough)
WRIGHT, Clara Ellen 6-11-1945 (furlough)
WRIGHT, Clara Ellen 10-1-1945 (engagement)
WRIGHT, Clara Ellen 12-10-1945 (wedding)


My grandfather was in the Army, and Clara Ellen was a WAVE.
 
I will try to get them transcribed in the next few days.