Sunday, February 01, 2015

Census Sunday : William Francis Pierce household, 1940, Madison County, Indiana

My maternal great-great grandfather, William Francis Pierce was enumerated in the 1940 U.S. census in Madison County, Indiana.  His farm was in Monroe Township, and he was residing in the same location back in 1935.

1940 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Monroe Township, enumeration district (ED) 48-58, SD 11, sheet 8B,, dwelling 166, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 December 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of my great-great grandfather, William, aged 74 and his second wife, Vida, aged 54.  William was born in Indiana and Vida was born in Kentucky.  Their children living in the household included Charles, age 21, Robert, age 17, Edmond, age 15, and James, age 8; all were born in Indiana.  A niece, Joan Denton, age 15, born in Indiana was also living in the household.

According to the census, William had completed the 6th grade in education, and Vida had completed the 8th grade.  William's occupation was listed as a farmer, and the value of his farm was $4000.  Son Charles, at 21, was the only person with a listed occupation, that of laborer.

Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt used by many genealogy bloggers to help them post content on their sites.

State & Federal census sheets are filled with information for genealogists. Both the population & non-population schedules give us insights into the lives of our ancestors. What have you found that is Surprising? Reassuring? Bewildering? Census Sunday is a daily blogging prompt suggested by Colleen Pasquale of Leaves and Branches.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Surname Saturday : Breese

The BREESE surname is in my paternal line.  The origins are unknown, though possibly Dutch.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 635 : Mary Breese (c1699-aft1758).  Mary was born circa 1699 in Raritan, Somerset County, New Jersey.  She married Cornelius Corniliszen (c1682-1758).  Cornelius was born circa 1682.  They lived in Somerset County, New Jersey.  Cornelius died in 1758 at Piscataway, Middelsex County, New Jersey.  Mary died after 1758 at Basking Ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey.



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.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Military Monday : Arthur Raymond LeMaster, World War II Draft Registration, 1942

Working my way through the hints in the Ancestry database for World War II Draft Registrations, 1942 and located this registration in Jay County, Indiana for Arthur Raymond LeMaster, my paternal great granduncle.


World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 March 2013); citing Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration: Indiana. Arthur Raymond LeMaster, Jay County, Indiana.


This draft record adds to the information I've collected about Arthur, who was the son of Luman Walker and Mary Keziah (Chew) Lemasters.  Arthur's draft registration gives his exact date of birth as December 28, 1885 in Jay County, Indiana.

Arthur was 56 years old at the time of the registration, and his nearest living relative was his wife, Maude G. (McLaughlin) LeMaster, of Portland.

Arthur's occupation was listed as self-employed farm manager in Madison Township.  Previous information had indicated that he also had operated a grocery store on North Meridian Street in Portland.

Arthur was described as having a dark complexion, white male with brown eyes and black hair.  He was 5'11" and weighed 240 lbs.

Military Monday – We all have ancestors who have served in the military. Military Monday is a place to post their images, stories and records of their service in various branches of the military. Military Monday is an ongoing series by Cindy at Everything’s Relative – Researching Your Family History.