Saturday, April 30, 2011

Surname Saturday : DAVIS

The DAVIS surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are unknown at this time.


Stories and history:


Ahnentafel # 15: June Kirk Davis a.k.a. Gilliland (1898-1951).  June was born June 11, 1898 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  She married June 28, 1917 in Monroe County, Indiana to Clemon Beals Lambertson (1898-1994).  Clemon was born October 27, 1898 in Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana.  They raised 4 children in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Clemon died March 18, 1994 in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  June died March 20, 1951 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  Both are buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 31: Ida Davis (1874-1900).  Ida was born July 2, 1874 in Owen County, Indiana.  She married August 28, 1892 in Monroe County, Indiana to Samuel G. Hancock (1867-     ).  They divorced and she married July 19, 1900 in Monroe County, Indiana to Carvie A. Morris (1853-    ).  The parentage of her two daughters remain unknown, though a Frank Fletcher has been speculated.  Ida died August 2, 1900 in Clay Township, Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 62: James Austin Davis (c1850-1909).  James was born circa 1850 in Indiana.  He married July 2, 1873 in Monroe County, Indiana to Mary Ellen Swafford (1854-1932).  Mary Ellen was born August 30, 1854 in Monroe County, Indiana.  They raised two daughters in Monroe and Owen Counties, Indiana.  Mary Ellen died January 28, 1932 in Monroe County, Indiana.  James died June 12, 1909 in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 124: Austin Davis (c1824-c1851).  Austin was born circa 1824 in Indiana.  He married February 9, 1850 in Monroe County, Indiana to Fanny Reynolds (c1830-1883).  Fanny was born circa 1830 in Indiana.  They had two children.  Fanny died February 2, 1883 in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana.  Austin died between November 1850 and August 1851 in Owen County, Indiana.


Ahnentafel # 248: John Davis (unk-befNov1845).  John was born in Virginia.  He married before 1824 to Susannah ________ (c1801-aft1860).  Susannah was born circa 1801 in Virginia.  They raised 12 children in Monroe County, Indiana.  Susannah died after the 1860 census in Monroe County, Indiana.  John died before November 1845 in Monroe County, Indiana.


Related blog posts:


Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Treasure Chest Thursday : Cancelled Check



This interesting bit of ephemera is the cancelled check my paternal grandmother, Ruth (HALEY) LeMASTER, wrote to the Baird Funeral Home on November 16, 1971 in the amount of $ 1608.00.  Whether this was a payment or a payment in full for the cost of the funeral of my grandfather, Ord, I've yet to determine.


It is an interesting piece to me because it contains not only an example of her handwriting and signature, but sheds some historical light into costs associated with funerals some 40 years ago.  Had I not already know the name of the funeral home, this check provides that information as well.  The funeral home is still in existence, and on my next visit to Portland I will add researching the costs associated with the funeral to me list of things to check into.




Treasure Chest Thursday – create a post with the main focus being a family treasure, an heirloom or even an every-day item important to your family. A special thanks to Leslie Ann Ballou of Lost Family Treasures for suggesting Treasure Chest Thursday as a daily blogging theme!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

First Christian Church : Alexandria, Indiana (1831-1981)

First Christian Church, Alexandria, Indiana Sesquicentennial program


While at the Alexandria-Monroe Township Historical Society recently, I was able to use my Flip-Pal scanner to scan some photographs and information from the sesquicentennial program of the First Christian Church in Alexandria, Indiana.  I attended this church growing up and remember this program and time period in the church's history.


I was excited to be able to find pictures of the church choir during this time frame, because my maternal grandmother, Bonnie Wright, was a member.


First Christian Church choir, 1981
First Christian Church choir, 1981 [from program]
Choir Members
Row 1 (Left to Right) - Joyce White, Betty Parks, Karla Hall, Jeanne Beck, Deborah Gosnell, Anne Nelson, Pianist.

Row 2 - Virginia Wachenschwanz, Director; Barbara Miller, Jayne Dyer, Carolyn Hall, Margaret Gosnell, Dennis Kirkpatrick, Janice Armstrong, Organist.

Row 3 - Bonnie Wright, Shirley Colvill, Jesse McMahan, Judy Welcome, Betty Hampton.

Row 4 - Tom Colvill, Dave Dyer, Robert Miller, Dennis Sizelove, Larry Hobbs, Paul Tanner, Jack Wachenschwanz.