Research Trip to Ft. Wayne

Last Monday I took a day off and completed a research trip to the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne.  I always enjoy researching in this library, and manage to find something new every time.

Though I didn't prepare fully for the trip, and ended up using a 'shotgun' approach to research, jumping from family to family, I did manage to find some gems, a synopsis of which follows:

• Cummings family : Found plat maps of Winston County, Alabama locating the land where Eileen's ancestors bought land just before the Civil War.  These maps show the location of neighbors as well, many of whom married into the family, which may lead to making more connections.
• Wardlaw/Wardlow family : Found estate and guardianship records indicies in Clermont County, Ohio with references to original records for me to contact the court and obtain copies.  Also located records of deeds and mortgages in early Clermont County, Ohio and early tax records
• Wright family : Found estate and guardianship records referenced in Clermont County, Ohio with references to original records for me to contact the court and obtain copies.  Also located records of deeds and mortgages in early Clermont County, Ohio and early tax records.
• Stuber family : Located cemetery records in Spencerville, Allen County, Ohio that mark the resting place of two Stuber infants.
• Orcutt/Pierpont family : Located a family genealogy on the Orcutt ancestry that included the family of Harry Pierpont, through his mother, Lena (Orcutt) Pierpont.
• Fessenden/Wright family : Located the family genealogy on the Fessendean family and the section detailing the Hannah (Fessenden) Wright family.
• Freeze Family : Located mention of the family in early newspaper records of Wabash County, Indiana.
• Jarrett Family : Located court records of Corinne's line in Koscuisko County, Indiana.
• Chew Family : Located mention of the family in early newspaper records of Jay County, Indiana.
• Wehrly Family : Located mention of the family in early newspaper records of Jay County, Indiana.
• LeMaster Family : Located mention of the family in early newspaper records of Jay County, Indiana.
• Haley Family : Located mention of the family in early newspaper records of Jay County, Indiana.

Will follow up with more detailed posts as I input this information into my database.  

Exploratory Data Analysis: Lillian Pierce (1902-1921)

Lillian Pierce (1902-1921) was my maternal great-grandaunt.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Lillian was born September 12, 1902 in Madison County, Indiana, according to my database.  The State of Indiana did not require state-wide registrations of births until 1907.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               If Lillian's birth was mentioned in the newspaper, it has been lost to history.  The Alexandria-Monroe Library has newspaper holdings from the early 1900s.  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 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 Lillian.  The Pierce family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Lillian was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          There is no indication that Lillian was ever married.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Not applicable.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Not applicable.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               Not applicable.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Lillian died on August 11, 1921 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana¹.  The cause of death was tuberculosis.  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

               Lillian's obituary appeared in the August 12, 1921 edition of the Alexandria Times-Tribune in Alexandria, Indiana¹.  Her obituary was the subject of a previous post.  According to the obituary, she died at her home from tuberculosis, which she had suffered from for nearly two years.

               Additional obituaries appeared in the August 12, 1921 edition of the Anderson Herald², the August 13, 1921 edition of the Alexandria Times-Tribune³ and the Anderson Daily Bulletin⁴, and the August 15, 1921 edition of the Alexandria Times-Tribune⁵.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               According to her obituary, the funeral home who handled the arrangements was not mentioned.  Will check with the local historical society to see if they have any records.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Lillian's tombstone in the Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson, Indiana has not been photographed.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 23, 1920, Lillian was enumerated in the William F. Pierce household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana⁶, as Lillian Pierce, age 17, daughter.  She did not attend school within the year.  She could read and write and spoke English.  She was working as a bookkeeper at an office.  She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.

          2.1.2. 1910 Federal Census

                     On April 23, 1910, Lillian was enumerated in the W.F. Pierce household in Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana⁷, as Lillian Pierce, age 8, daughter.  She had attended school within the year.  She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931.  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

          Not applicable, as Lillian was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service by her father that would make Lillian eligible for pension benefits.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Lillian was female.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

          Deed records need to be thoroughly searched in Madison County, Indiana to see what records might mention Lillian.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Madison County 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 to search for Lillian include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

Sources :

1. Lillian Pierce obituary, Alexandria Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, 12 August 1921, page 1.
2. Lillian Pierce obituary, Anderson Herald, Anderson, Indiana, 12 August 1921, page 1.
3. Lillian Pierce obituary, Alexandria Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, 13 August 1921, page 1.
4. Lillian Pierce obituary, Anderson Daily Bulletin, Anderson, Indiana, 13 August 1921, page 1.
5. Lillian Pierce obituary, Alexandria Times-Tribune, Alexandria, Indiana, 15 August 1921, page 1.
6. 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, page 6B.
7. W.F. Pierce household, 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Lafayette Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 106, SD 8, sheet 5A, dwelling 86, family 86; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 364, page 131.

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.

Exploratory Data Analysis: Edward E. Pierce (1900-1900)

Edward E. Pierce (1900-1900) 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

          Edward was born in March 1900¹, probably in Madison County, Indiana, according to the 1900 census.  The State of Indiana did not require state-wide registrations of births until 1907.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               If Edward's birth was mentioned in a local newspaper, it has been lost to history.  The Alexandria-Monroe Public Library has newspaper holdings from the early 1900s.  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 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 Edward.  The Pierce family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Edward was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

                Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

               Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Edward died December 23, 1900 in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, according to my database.  I do not have a copy of his death certificate.

          1.3.1. Obituary in Newspaper

               If Edward's death had been recording in local newspapers, it has been lost to history.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               A search of Madison County, Indiana funeral home records needs to be done to see if I can locate a record of his burial.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               I do not yet know where Edward is buried.  Many of the Pierce family were buried in the Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1900 Federal Census

               On June 15, 1900, Edward was enumerated in the William F. Pierce household in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana¹, as Edward E. Pierce, son, aged 3 months.  He was born March 1900 in Indiana.  Both of his parents were born in Indiana.

     2.2. State Census Records

          The State of Indiana conducted state census in 1853, 1857, 1871, 1877, 1883, 1889, 1901, 1913, 1919 and 1931.  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

          Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

     3.2. Pension Records

          Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

           Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

            Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

5. Supplemental Records

      Not applicable, as Edward died in infancy.

Sources:

1. William F. Pierce household, 1900 U.S. census, population schedule, Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana, ED 90, SD 67, sheet 118, dwelling 220, family 235; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 386, page 28.

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.