Monday, March 16, 2015

Military Monday : Vernon Walker 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 Shelby County, Ohio for Vernon Walker LeMaster, my paternal great granduncle.

"World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 March 2013); citing Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II, Fourth Registration: Ohio, National Archives, Washington, D.C..



The draft record adds to the information I've collected about Vernon, who was the son of Luman Walker Lemasters and Mary Keziah Chew.  Vernon's draft registration gives his date of birth as December 4, 1888 in Jay County, Indiana, which is consistent with what was reported on his World War I Draft Registration.

Vernon was 53 years old at the time of the registration, and his nearest living relative was his wife, Helen (Garmhausen) LeMaster.  There place of residence was listed as Bon Air Drive in Sidney, Ohio.  His mailing address was the Ohio Building, which was where his office was located - his occupation was listed as a self-employed physician.

Physically, Vernon was described as having a light complexion, white male, 5'11" with brown eyes and grey hair.  He weighed 200 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.

Research Notes : March 16, 2015

Just a few updates on the research front over the last few weeks.  Work commitments and planning a move have kept me busy.


  • Found out that Newspapers.com has the online editions of the Alexandria Times-Tribune, where many of my maternal lines are covered, and I've begun searching for information.  Have also located information on some paternal lines as well.  Will post updates soon.

  • Sent off to the National Archives for the service records of my maternal grandfather, William Wright, from World War II.  Already have his discharge papers, but hoping there might be more information gleaned about his activities in the Army Air Corp.

  • Checked in at 23andMe and found that I had over 60 new DNA Relative matches.  Sent out introductions, but need to get cracking on updating my spreadsheet of matches.  

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Census Sunday : Tobias Chew household, 1940, Indiana County Pennsylvania

My paternal first cousin 3 times removed, Tobias Otterbein Chew, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Indiana, Indiana County, Pennsylvania.  He was living in a rented house in Ward 3 of the city.


1940 U.S. Census, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, population schedule, Ward 3, Indiana, enumeration district (ED) 32-46, SD 27, sheet 9B, household 185, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 15 March 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Tobias, aged 55, and his wife, Muriel, aged 51, and their son, John, aged 15.  Tobias was born in Ohio, Muriel was born in Wisconsin and John was born in Indiana.  The family had resided in the same place in 1935.  Tobias' occupation was listed as Sociology Instructor at the State Teachers College.

Prior to this find, I did not know that Tobias and Muriel had a son.  I had previously transcribed Tobias' World War II draft registration where his occupation as a teacher at the State Teachers College was listed.  I still need to find the earlier details of his life, including his marriage.

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.