Census Sunday : Charles Wilson Lambertson household, 1940, Howard County, Indiana

My maternal great-great grandfather, Charles Wilson Lambertson, was enumerated in the 1940 US census in Howard County, Indiana.  His address was in Union Township, where he lived on a farm he owned valued at $2000.

1940 U.S. census, Howard County, Indiana, population schedule, Union Township, enumeration district (ED) 34-40, SD 5, sheet 7B, household 147, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of my great-great grandfather, Charles, aged 68, and my great-great grandmother, Pearl, aged 61.   According to the census, Charles was born in Ohio and Pearl was born in Indiana.  Neither was listed with an occupation.

Their residence as of 1935 was indicated as being in a different place.  The closest record I have for them was in 1936 when they were listed in a city directory as living in Greentown, Indiana.

Charles completed the 8th grade and Pearl completed two years of high school, according to the census.

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.

Church Record Sunday : Beals Family, Westfield MM, Hamilton County, Indiana

Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data:Indiana Yearly Meeting Minutes. Earlham College Friends Collection & College Archives, Richmond, Indiana. 

My maternal 4th-great grandparents, John and Mary (Davis) Beals, were members of the Westfield Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in Hamilton County, Indiana.  Quaker membership records and monthly meeting minutes are available at Ancestry.com.

The record card of the family states:

John Beals, born Ohio, 6th month, 26th day, 1827; son of Nathan and Elizabeth Beals; received upon request at Westfield Monthly Meeting, married Mary Davis.
Mary Beals, born Holly Springs, North Carolina, 9th month, 9th day, 1825; daughter of John and Mary Davis; birthright member of Holly North Carolina Monthly Meeting, married John Beals.
Mary A. Beals, born Westfield, Indiana, 3rd month, 27th day, 1859; daughter of John and Mary Beals; received upon request at Westfield Monthly Meeting, released by letter.
John F. Beals, born Westfield, Indiana, 9th month, 21st day, 1866; son of John and Mary Beals; received upon request at Westfield Monthly Meeting.
Nathan Thos. Beals, born Westfield, Indiana, 2nd month, 7th day, 1856; son of John and Mary Beals; received upon request of Westfield Monthly Meeting, married Elizabeth Powe.
Elizabeth Beals; born Whitelick, Indiana, 1856; daughter of Isaac and Hannah Powe, birthright member of Whitelick, Indiana Monthly Meeting, married Nathan T. Beals.
Pearley May Beals, born Westfield, Indiana, 1877;daughter of N.T. and E. Beals, birthright member of Westfield Monthly Meeting.
Maggie Beals, born Westfield,Indiana,  9th month, 1880; daughter of N.T. and E. Beals, birthright member of Westfield Monthly Meeting.
Ethel Beals, born Westfield, Indiana; daughter of N.T. and Elizabeth Beals.
Nellie Beals

Some slight differences discovered in this membership record.  John Beals birth date is recorded as the 26th day, while in the genealogy Chronology of the Beals Family, which he wrote, he gave his birth date as the 25th.  John was not a birthright member of the Friends church, although his father (Nathan C. Beals) had been one, but he had been disowned.  Mary (Davis) Beals birth date matches what I have in my database, her parents John and Mary (Barker) Davis had moved from North Carolina to Indiana.

Of the children of John and Mary (Davis) Beals listed in this membership, Mary, John F. and Nathan Thomas, I have just a couple of updates to my data.  The birth date for John F. is listed as the 21st, when I had it as the 9th in my database, without a source, so there is one correction to make.  Nathan Thomas was in my database being born on the 17th, without a source as well.  So there are two corrections/updates to make.

Elizabeth Poe who married Nathan Thomas Beals was a birthright member of the Society from Whitelick Monthly Meeting in Morgan County, Indiana.  Her parents were Isaac and Hannah (Mills) Poe.

The listings of the children of Nathan T. and Elizabeth (Poe) Beals is a bit confusing.  Pearley May Beals was my 2nd-great grandmother, Pearl May Beals, who married Charles Wilson Lambertson.  I only show three daughters in the family of Nathan T. and Elizabeth (Poe) Beals : Pearl May (1878), Nellie Myrtle (1880) and Ethel Mable (1885).  This record gives the birth date of Pearl as 1877, when I show it was May 11, 1878.  I show Nellie born August 30, 1880 and Ethel born November 27, 1885.  This church membership record gives no birth dates for either Nellie or Ethel, but adds a Maggie Beals, born September 1880.   Did they confuse Nellie's middle name as Maggie and have her birthdate off by a month, or could there have been another daughter, possibly a twin of Nellie?  Being born August 30th, it's not a stretch to think the date could be recorded as September, especially since the birth took place in Nebraska and the membership role was created after the fact.  More mysteries.

Not all of John and Mary (Davis) Beals' children are listed in this record.  Left out are Elizabeth (b. 1849), Emma (b. 1851) and Sarah (b. 1854).  I do not know if they were ever members of the Society of Friends.


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

To participate in Church Record Sunday, describe a specific church record or a set of church records held by a denomination and how they can assist genealogists.   This is an on-going series developed by Gena Philbert Ortega at Gena's Genealogy.

My Mayflower Connection

With today being Thanksgiving, several Geneabloggers have been participating in the meme of listing their Mayflower ancestors.  I discovered a couple of years ago that my family has a direct connection to the Mayflower through the Hopkins line.  I'd appreciate any additions/corrections to this line.

1. Stephen Hopkins (1581-1644) and wife Mary (  -1613).
2. Constance Hopkins (1606-1677) and Nicholas Snow (1598-1676)
3. John Snow (1638-1703) and Mary Smalley (1647-1703)
4. Rebecca Snow (1676-1753) and Benjamin Smalley (1664-1721)
5. Joseph Smalley (1712-1783) and Jemima Ordway
6. Francis Smalley (1744-1811) and Sarah Hutchinson (1750-1780)
7. Thirsa Smalley (1771-1861) and Gordon Pierce (1773-1865)
8. Francis S. Pierce (1806-1881) and Rebecca Page (1806-1893)
9. Edmund G. Pierce (1837-1875) and Catherine Groenendyke (1843-1913)
10. William Francis Pierce (1865-1950) and Clara A. Penisten (1869-1906)
11. Edna Muriel Pierce (1897-1968) and Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972)
12. William Lee Wright (1919-1973) and Bonnie Mae Lambertson (1924-1984)
13. My mother
14. Me

Stephen Hopkins has an interesting story, his page at Wikipedia gives more detail.  Apparently, he was previously shipwrecked in Bermuda, and was the inspiration for Shakespeare's The Tempest.  Tried for treason, found guilty and sentenced to hang, sounds like my kind of ancestor.

Rev. George Lambertson, Hamilton Ohio : A Reminiscence of 1858

Hamilton Daily Democrat, Hamilton, Ohio
November 1, 1889, page 3

A Reminiscence of 1858.

During the years 1857 and 1858, a Methodist minister by the name of Rev. George P. Lambertson was located in this county, sometimes living at Port Union, sometimes at Springdale and occasionally in this city.  he was an eloquent lecturer and his favorite theme was "A Wheel within a Whell." [sic] In the latter part of the year 1858, Lambertson started for California with a panorama of the Bible, which he exhibited in connection with his lecture, en-route.  He was never heard from until a few days ago when the infirmary directors received notice that a woman living at Woods' station, was in destitute circumstance and needed assistance.

Investigation found her at the home of Joseph Simpson where she was suffering from paralysis of the lower limbs and unable to help herself.  This woman claimed to be the wife of the wandering preacher and lecturer.  She told a woeful tale of privation, long suffering and anguish.  She had been in the company of her husband many years in California and for some reason left him and came home to Ohio.  She now thinks that he is dead.  Many of our older citizens will recollect George Lambertson.

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Located this article online through a newspaper archive and believe this is referring to the family of my maternal great-granduncle, George G. Lambertson, the son of John and Sarah (Willson) Lambertson.  Though the newspaper article refers to him as "George P.", I believe the other facts related make a case for this being my relative.

My "George G." Lambertson was born July 5, 1831 in Warren County, New Jersey.  As a young boy, he came with his parents to Ohio, due to the Panic of 1837, and settled in Butler County.  In the 1850 census, he is listed with his father, John, in Ross Township.  George married September 4, 1851 in Butler County, Ohio to Harriet Jones.  

By the 1860 census, George was listed in Maysville, Kentucky as a 28 year old Methodist minister with two children, Isolina and George. 

Where George was during the Civil War period never has been cleared up as it is believed that he may have served with a Michigan unit.  There was also a clairvoyant with the same name living in New York City who died in 1870 that at one time I believed might be the same person.

What intrigues me about this article is the fact that it references Rev. Lambertson, with the same name, and then the fact that the "Mrs. Lambertson" ended up at the home of Joseph Simpson.

My "George G." Lambertson's daughter, Isolina Lambertson was married to Edward Simpson on July 25, 1877 in Butler County, Ohio.  Did the newspaper simply get the first name wrong?  Or could it be a different person?  More to research.

Ancestry Hint : June Lambertson Obituary, 1951 Bloomington Herald-Telephone

Working through the 'shaky leaf' hints on my maternal side and came across a new one for my great-grandmother, June (Davis) Lambertson (1898-1951).   This hint was for an obituary in an off-site database, the Monroe County, Indiana Obituary Index maintained by the Monroe County Public Library in Bloomington.

Taking a look at the site, June's obituary was published in the Bloomington Herald-Telephone in their March 21, 1951 edition.  I was previously unaware of this obituary, and have added it to my Rootsmagic database list of "to-do" items.

I wonder if the obituary is much different than the local ones that I've already written about from the Elwood Call-Leader?  Perhaps additional local family were mentioned in the Bloomington paper.

June was born the daughter of Ida Davis, but raised by her grandmother and step-grandfather under the Gilliland name in the Owen County/Monroe County, Indiana area.  June married June 28, 1917 in Monroe County, Indiana to Clemon Beals Lambertson.

At the time of her death, she would have been survived by a sister, Pansy, of Crawfordsville.  Was the obituary published in Bloomington so that distant cousins would see it?

Ancestry Hint : June Lambertson in 1929 Elwood Indiana City Directory

Reviewing the shaky leaves on my Ancestry "cousin bait" tree for my maternal great-grandmother, June Kirk (Davis) Lambertson the record for the family in the 1929 city directory of Elwood, Indiana.

1929 Elwood, Indiana City Directory (Binghampton, NY: The Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1929), page 131, Lambertson, Clemon; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 August 2014).

While this wasn't the first time I had seen this record (I had previously viewed it at the Elwood Public Library), I was able to save the image to my computer and cite it in my Rootsmagic database and add the image to my Rootsmagic file.  I also attached the record to June's husband, Clemon, my maternal great-grandfather.

The record shows that Clemon and June lived at 1906 North F Street in Elwood, and that Clemon's occupation was that of a cabinet maker. This correlates to other information that I've uncovered stating that Clemon worked for the Sellers Kitchen Cabinets.

The directory also lists another Lambertson family, that of Orville J and Martha C, who rented a home at 522 North 14th in Elwood.  Orville was the brother of Clemon.

Church Record Sunday : Lambertson Family, Hinkle Creek Friends MM, Hamilton County, Indiana

Ancestry.com, U.S. Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994 [database on-line], Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data :Indiana Yearly Meeting Minutes. Earlham College Friends Collection & College Archives, Richmond, Indiana.

Quaker records and meeting minutes have recently been added to Ancestry.com.  Not just the abstracts from Hinshaw's Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, but actual records from Earlham College, Swathmore College, Guilford College and Haverford College collections.  Last night I decided to dig in and see what I could find.

My maternal 3rd-great grandparents, Carey and Clara (Cook) Lambertson and family had joined the Society of Friends in the late 1890s, which I knew from Willard Heiss' abstracts of Indiana Friends records.  Searching the database in Ancestry, I was able to find membership records of the Hinkle Creek Monthly Meeting in Hamilton County, Indiana, which provided some good information on the family, even though they spelled the surname as Lamberson, without the 't'.

The record card of the family states :

Carey Lamberson,  born Butler County, Ohio 29th day, 4th month, 1847; son of John and Sarah Lamberson

Clara E. Lamberson, born Preble County, Ohio 16th day, 11th month, 1848; daughter of James and Mary Cook

Lola Lamberson, born Madison County, Indiana 28th day, 6th month, 1883; daughter of Carey and Clara E. Lamberson.

All were received into membership by request on the 21st day, 2nd month, 1899.  This was not all of the Lambertson family.

These birth dates agree with what I've previously recorded in my database, though I had Lola born in Hamilton County, Indiana.  That source was from a correspondent.

A key fact uncovered her was that Clara's parents were named as James and Mary Cook and her birthplace named as Preble County, Ohio.  Previously, her parentage was not clearly known, as I had found a census record that appeared to be her in 1850, but Clara's death certificate stated her father's name was William, and her mother was _____ Hirharger, both born in Virginia.  I had written a post on Clara's ancestry before.  The informant for her death certificate was likely her daughter, Lola, at whose house she was staying when she died.  Now, this record card is pointing me in the direction of my previous hunch.

The record card also indicates that Cary and Clara were married 1st day, 10th month, 1869; and that Lola married Omer Whisler on 15th day, 4th month, 1905, facts that agree with my data.

The entire family was dropped from the membership of the Hinkle Creek meeting by discontinuance of name by request.  Cary and Clara were dropped 20th day, 2nd month, 1917 and Lola was dropped 20th day, 5th month, 1919.  According to his obituary, Cary was a member of the Friends church at Providence, Hamilton County, Indiana at the time of his death in 1918.

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

To participate in Church Record Sunday, describe a specific church record or a set of church records held by a denomination and how they can assist genealogists.   This is an on-going series developed by Gena Philbert Ortega at Gena's Genealogy.

GEDmatch Comparison : Cousin Judy

Submitted my raw DNA file from 23andMe to the free third party tool, GEDmatch.com for comparison.  GEDmatch allows users from the three main testing sites, 23andMe, FamilyTreeDNA and Ancestry.com upload their raw data files and then the software will compare your autosomal DNA for matches.

While waiting on my file M170652 to be processed for the "one to many" matches, I was able to compare my file using the "one to one" match of my cousin, Judy.  We had corresponded years ago, and recently reconnected on Facebook. Judy and I connect on my maternal side and has her mother's file at GEDmatch.

This was the comparison that GEDmatch did on the DNA file of Mildred Crane Moore and myself.

 

The prediction was 3.4 generations to the MRCA (most recent common ancestor).

Mary Ellen Swafford (common ancestor)

Ida Davis & unknown                               Mary Florence Gilliland & Thomas Crane  (half sisters)

June Gilliland & Clemon Lambertson            Mildred Louise Crane & Merrill L. Moore (1^st cousins)
Bonnie Lambertson & William Wright           Judy Moore & Troy Hill (2^nd cousins)
Gloria Wright & Ord LeMaster                     

Travis LeMaster

Judy and my mom are 2nd cousins once removed, and Judy and I are 2nd cousins twice removed.  Though we already knew this on paper, it's nice to have the connection confirmed through DNA.

I'm eagerly awaiting GEDmatch fully processing my files, so that I can match with other cousins and begin sharing.  Another feature of the site is the ability to compare GEDCOMs.  I've uploaded a GEDCOM there as well, and the file number is 924805.

Gathering Rosebuds

This week I took to social media in order to learn more about my great-grandmother June and her sister Pansy.  I've been on Facebook, for some time and am a members of several genealogy groups but had not fully utilized the power of social media.

I located the Facebook page for the Monticello Public Library in Monticello, Indiana and posted a request to locate any family members of my great-aunt Pansy (Davis) Decker Timm and her husband, Raymond.  Within an hour, I had a response asking me to email one of the staff members, which I did.  She quickly replied and gave me a phone number to Raymond's son.

Making the call to the stepson of my great-grandmother's sister, who died in 1968, might seem odd to some people, but not to this genealogist.  I was pleasantly surprised that he was very helpful in providing some information about Pansy and his dad, including how they met,  but also directed me to contact Pansy's daughter-in-law, who was still living in Crawfordsville at the age of 98.

Wednesday was a snowy day here in Indiana, and fortunately for me, I was able to catch Mary at home and speak with her about Pansy as well as my great-grandmother, June (Davis) Lambertson. She was sharp as a tack! Again, here I was talking to her about someone who had died in 1951.  We had a pleasant talk, she was able to give me some details on the family, and I was encouraged to call again with more specific questions.

I was glad most to hear that June and Pansy's families were in contact with each other, at least while June was living, and that they would visit each other.  Mary was able to fill me in on where Pansy's grandchildren are living.  On a future call, I will attempt to get all of the names and contact details if she has them.

The old maxim of "gathering your rosebuds while you can", has certainly applied in this case.

Pearl May Beals (1878-1970), Hamilton County, Indiana

Working on filling in some gaps in my database by utilizing the "Indiana Marriages, 1811-1959" database at Familysearch.org to see what updates and corrections I could find.

Pearl May Beals (1878-1970) was the daughter of Nathan Thomas and Elizabeth Caroline (Poe) Beals.  Her marriage on April 18, 1897 in Hamilton County, Indiana to Charles W. Lambertson was found in the database.  Though indexed with a middle initial of "M", it actually is "W" for Wilson.  Though I already had this fact in my database, I didn't actually have a copy of the record.

"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VXP5-KBP : accessed 15 Oct 2013), Charles M Lambertson and Pearl May Beals, 1897.

Pearl was my maternal great-great-grandmother.  She died August 3, 1970 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.  They were the parents of 8 children, all born in Hamilton County, Indiana.

Millard F. Lyst (1856-1886), Randolph County, Indiana

Working on filling in some gaps in my database by utilizing the "Indiana Marriages, 1811-1959" database at Familysearch.org to see what updates and corrections I could find.

Millard F. Lyst (1856-1886) was the son of John Lyst and Sarah Wilson Lambertson.  I found the record of his marriage to Hettie Oliver on December 24, 1878 in Randolph County, Indiana.  Prior to searching this database, I didn't have the exact date of the marriage nor Hettie's maiden name.  They later had a son named Oliver.

"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V5G1-Y7H : accessed 27 Jun 2013), Millard F Lyst and Hettie Oliver, 1878.

Millard was my maternal first cousin four times removed.  Our common ancestors were John Lambertson and Sarah A. Willson.  Millard was living in Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana in the 1880 census.  He died April 4, 1886 and is buried in the Elwood City Cemetery, Elwood, Madison County, Indiana.

Cousin Bait : Mengle - Lambertson

Publishing a family history blog definitely works for 'cousin bait'.  Even the old posts are out their in the search engines and people will find you.  Recently, I was contacted by a cousin who saw what I had posted on the Mengle and Lambertson families, and it helped him solve a family mystery.

Friday night I had a great conversation with my distant cousin, Ed, about David L. Mengle and Ellen Lambertson.  Ellen was my maternal 3rd-great grandaunt, the younger sister of my Carey W. Lambertson, and the daughter of John Lambertson and Sarah A. Willson.  Ed is going to send me the details on how he descends, we are probably 3rd or 4th cousins.

As we discussed the Mengle and Lambertson families, Ed shared that he had been in touch with others of the Lambertson side, and promised to give them my information.  I don't have as much information on those that stayed in Ohio, as my ancestor came to Indiana in the 1880s and was child number nine of ten.

There is an air of mystery that needs to be sorted out as well.  Both of us have been led to believe that Ellen was married prior to her marriage to David L. Mengle.  The surname may be Sockey.  As of yet, I've located no record of the marriage in any of the indices on Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org.  Ellen married David L. Mengle on November 10, 1870 in Butler County, Ohio when she was 20 years old and David was 21.  In the 1870 census, Ellen was living with her sister and brother-in-law, Samuel and Mary Snively, in Wayne Township, Butler County, Ohio.   If she had been married previously, she would have been pretty young.

In the 1900 census, Ellen is listed as the mother of four children, with only two living.  Known children are George Mengle (c1872-1948), Osa Mengle (1873-1875) and Lionel C. Mengle (1881-1961).

Notice the age gap in the children?  That is one of the mysteries that Ed has been working on.  There is an interesting marriage record found at the FamilySearch.org database for a Luella Mengle to a John Runck that took place December 1, 1900 in Montgomery County, Ohio.  This record lists her parents as David L. Mengle and Anna Lehman, and states her birth as taking place in 1880 in West Carrollton, Ohio.  West Carrollton is just done the road from where the Mengle and Lambertson family was living.

Could it be that David and Ellen separated/divorced or that David had an illegitimate daughter with Anna Lehman?  Is this the right David L. Mengle?  Perhaps they split up and then got back together and had one more child, Lionel in 1881.  Who knows?  Interesting avenues to research but it will take some digging in the courthouse.

Interestingly, Ed's Mengle ancestors had been in Madison County, Indiana, where I'm from, though the name is spelled Mingle.  Several family members are buried at the Mendon Cemetery in Fall Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana.

I look forward to seeing what information Ed sends to me, and I'm ready to start digging into the Lambertson line over in Ohio a little bit more.

May Fest, Elwood, Indiana, 1937

Written on back :8th Grade May Festival
Bonnie Lambertson, Miriam, Virginia Ham, Wilma Marley, Louise, Anna Mae Hodson, Wanda, Jean Dever?

Written on back : Girls in May Festival and Festival  Queen
Wanda, Wilma, Jean, Louise, Anna Mae, Ann Louise Leeson

These photos were provided by my mother show my maternal grandmother, Bonnie Mae (Lambertson) Wright (1924-1984) when she was in the 8th grade, possibly 1937.  She is in the back row, far left.

Funeral Home Records Darke County, Ohio

Miller Funeral Home Records, 1917 to 1950, Greenville, Ohio

Published by Darke County Genealogical Society, Greenville, Ohio, 1990

Located this book at the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana several months ago and just now getting around to extracting the information for my files.

GROENDYKE, ANNA d 31 Oct 1938 RR#1 Hollansburg BD Palestine Cem 2 Nov 1938 b Oct 1866 Liberty Twp age 72-0-23 f GEORGE MILLER York Co PA m BARBARA BOLLINGER sp PERRY GROENDYKE widowed housekeeper

GROENDYKE, WALTER MAIN d 31 Dec 1943 Wayne Hosp Greenville OH BD Greenville Cem Greenville OH 4 Jan 1944 b 8 Dec 1894 Liberty Twp Dke Co OH age 49-0-23 f PERRY GROENDYKE m Eva OWENS sp GEORGIA GROENDYKE married occ: Frigidaire Corp Dayton OH World War I sp GEORGIA 46 years

LAMBERTSON, JAMES WILSON d 22 June 1946 RR#3 Versailles OH BD 25 June 1946 Abbottsville Cem Dke Co OH b 13 May 1857 Montgomery Co OH age 89-1-9 f CARMEN LAMBERTSON m MARY VAN LUE widowed farmer sp EVA JANE LAMBERTSON sons ORA Versailles & OMER Dayton, 1 daughter Mrs PEARL LENINGTON New Paris, 5 grandchildren, 12 greatgrandchildren, 1 halfbrother HARRY O. WEAVER New York city

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The Anna Groendyke (1866-1938) was my paternal 2nd cousin 3 times removed on the Petry side, she had married Perry Groendyke, my maternal 3rd great granduncle.

The Walter Main Groendyek (1894-1943) was Perry's son and Anna's stepson.  his death certificate tells how he fractured his skull in an accidental fall down some stairs.  

The James Wilson Lambertson (1857-1946) was my maternal first cousin 4 times removed.  I didn't know where he was buried, and also the name of son Ora was new to me.  I didn't know James had a half-brother, which indicates that his mother remarried after his father's death, might be why couldn't find her in later census records.

Estate Records in Darke County, Ohio

Eddie Schirak's Notes & General Index Estates, Wills and Civil Cases, 1818-1878, Darke County, Ohio, by Eddie Schirak, Greenville, Ohio.

Found this book in the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, several months ago and am just getting around to extracting the information for my files.  This book gives me some places to search for estate records of distant family members.

Case # 3535 : Groendyke, Nancy E.; Nancy was the daughter of Elias & Hester (Teaford) Groendyke, Elias died in Darke County, Ohio in 1906.

Case # 3535 : Groendyke, Perry; Perry was the son of Elias & Hester (Teaford) Groendyke, Elias died in Darke County, Ohio in 1906.

Case # 3535 : Groendyke, Sarah J.; Sarah J. was the daughter of Elias & Hester (Teaford) Groendyke, Elias died in Darke County, Ohio in 1906.

Case # 3535 : Groendyke, Victoria B.; Victoria B. was the daughter of Elias & Hester (Teaford) Groendyke, Elias died in Darke County, Ohio in 1906.

This case # 3535 must be related to the division of Elias's estate.  None of these children were minors at the time of his death.

Case # 3064 : Lambertson, C.W.; I'm not able to place this Lambertson in my line, it might relate to Carmon W. Lambertson, who died 1870 in Montgomery County, Ohio, but had children who lived in Darke County, Ohio.

Distant Relatives in Darke County, Ohio Marriage Records

Darke County, Ohio, Marriages, 1899-1911 by Doris Aultman

Located this book at the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana several months ago, just now getting around to going through the information.  Found a few relatives mentioned in these Darke County records.

Groendyke, Perry D. to Anna Miller, 24 March 1900.  Perry was the son of Elias Groendyke and Hester Teaford.  Anna was the daughter of George Miller and Barbara Bollinger.   Perry was my maternal 3rd-great granduncle.  Anna was my paternal second cousin 3 times removed (through the Petry line). The Groendyke surname is sometimes found as Groenendyke.

Wiley, Elmer C. to Pearle M. Lambertson, 16 March 1904.  Pearle was the daughter of James Lambertson and Jane Bish.  Pearle was my maternal 2nd cousin 3 times removed.  Prior to finding this record, I did not have her in my database.

Both of these marriages were performed by the same minister, W.K. Albright.  

Grandma's Jewelry Box

While doing some almost-spring cleaning, my mother came across this jewelry box that belonged to my grandmother, Bonnie Mae (Lambertson) Wright (1924-1984).  The box measures about 5 1/2" by 6 1/2".  One of the base legs is missing.  The box is inscribed Omega Nu Tau, which is a sorority to which grandma belonged.  I don't know anything about her involvement with the organization or the significance of the jewelry box.

Exploratory Data Analysis: Orville Edward "Jack" Lambertson (1902-1983)

Orville Edward "Jack" Lambertson (1902-1983) was my maternal great-granduncle.  What follows is an exploratory data analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about him.


1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Orville was born February 23, 1902 in Hamilton County, Indiana¹.  I do not yet have a copy of his birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of Orville's birth.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible records for the Lambertson 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 a baptismal record for Orville, though I do not know the family's church affiliation at this time.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Orville was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Orville was married December 30, 1922 in Madison County, Indiana to Mary E. Herter.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.

          Orville was married before 1929 to Martha Stoner, probably in Madison County, Indiana.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.

          Orville was married to Hassie May Hawkins.  I do not have a copy of their marriage license.

          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper

               Will need to determine the dates of Orville's second and third marriages before searching contemporary newspapers for mention of their nuptials.  I will add searching for mention of his first marriage in contemporary newspapers to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

          1.2.2. Anniversary notice

               Once I can determine the exact date of Orville's wedding, can search newspaper accounts for mention of an anniversary.

          1.2.3. Divorce decree

               Orville and Mary were divorced in Madison County, Indiana on October 25, 1924².

               I have not yet located a copy of the divorce record for Orville and Martha.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Orville died May 23, 1982 in Oroville, Butte County, California.  I do not have a copy of his death certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items.

          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper

               Will need to add searching for mention of Orville's obituary to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.  Will need to check newspapers in California as well as Indiana to see if he was mentioned.

          1.3.2. Funeral home records

               Once I've determined where the funeral was held, will need to search out local funeral home records for more details.

          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph

               My database does not indicate at this time in what cemetery Orville was buried.  When the information is obtained from the obituary, can seek out a photo of his tombstone.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

               On April 13, 1940, Orville was enumerated as head of household in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana³, as O.E. Lambertson, age 38, born in Indiana.  He had completed two years of high school.  His residence in 1935 was the same location.  His occupation was listed as working as a commercial hauler for a trailer factory.  Also listed in the household was his wife, Martha, age 34, born Indiana, working as a coil welder at General Motors.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 10, 1930, Orville was enumerated in the Charles A. Stoner household in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana⁴, as Orville Lambertson, son-in-law, age 28, born in Indiana.  He could read and write and spoke English.  He was working as an auto repairman for a motor sales company.  His wife, Martha C., age 24, was working as a laborer for the Remy Corp.

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 14, 1920, Orville was enumerated in the Charles W. Lambertson household in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana⁵, as Orval E. Lambertson, age 17, born in Indiana.  His father was born in Ohio and his mother was born in Indiana.  He could read and write and spoke English.  His occupation was listed as a stainer in a cabinet factory.

          2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census

               On April 23, 1910, Orville enumerated in the Charles Lambertson household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana⁶, as Orval E. Lambertson, age 8, born in Indiana.  He had attended school within the year.  Both his parents were listed as being 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 1921.  These, however, were merely for the purposes of legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records
  
          I have not investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the Lambertson farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          I have not located a draft registration record for Orville.  I would think it likely that he would have registered for the World War II draft of 1942, which included men of the age 35-44.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I have no evidence of military service by Orville.

     3.3. Service Records

          I have not evidence of military service by Orville.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

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

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Madison County, Indiana published plat maps in 1940 and 1949 that might be relevant to my research.

5. Supplemental records

     Supplemental records available for research for Orville include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add these records to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

     In 1924, Orville was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with wife Mary E., living at 809 North 16th Street⁷.

     In 1929, Orville was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with wife Martha C., living at 522 North 14th Street⁸.

     In 1931, Orville was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with wife Martha C., living at 418 North 14th Street⁹.

     In 1935, Orville was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with wife Martha S., living at 418 North 14th Street¹⁰.

     In 1938, Orville was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with wife Martha, living at 418 North 14th Street¹¹.

     In 1941, Orville was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with wife Martha C., living at 418 North 14th Street¹².

Sources:

1. Beals, John, Chronology of the Beals Family, Butler Printing House, Noblesville, Indiana, 1912, page 49.
2. Madison County, Indiana Order Book 99, case # 6952, 1924.
3. 1940 U.S.census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 3, Elwood, Pipe Creek Township, enumeration district 48-63, SD 11, sheet 6A, dwelling 418, family 121; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com: accessed 2 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. 1930 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 3, Elwood, Pipe Creek Township, enumeration district 48-50, SD 5, sheet 8B, dwelling 522, family 208; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com: accessed 2 March 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
5. Charles W. Lambertson household, 1920 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, Pipe Creek Township, ED 138, SD 84, sheet 6, dwelling 138, family 143; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 449.
6. Charles Lambertson household, 1910 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jackson Township, ED 104, SD 9, sheet 6, dwelling 156, family 158; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 353.
7. Elwood (Indiana) Directory 1924 (Binghampton, New York, USA: Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1924), page 127.
8. 1929 Elwood, Indiana Directory (Binghampton, New York, USA: The Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1929), page 131.
9. City Directory and Classified Business Directory of Advertisers, Elwood, Indiana, 1931-1932 (Noblesville, Indiana, USA: Pioneer Directory Company, 1931-1932), page 49.
10. Elwood, Indiana Directory 1935 (Binghampton, New York, USA: The Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1935), page 112.
11. National's Elwood Indiana Directory 1938, Vol. 1, No. 6 (Peoria, Illinois, USA: National Directory Service, 1938), page 157.
12. The Baldwin and Call-Leader Elwood Indiana Con Survey Directory Master Edition 1941 (Parsons, Kansas, USA: Baldwin Con Survey Company and Elwood Call-Leader, 1941), page 168.


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: Leona D. (Lambertson) Fetz Carpenter (1904-1988)

Leona D. (Lambertson) Fetz Carpenter (1904-1988) was my maternal great-grandaunt.  What follows is an exploratory data analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.

1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Leona was born August 20, 1904 in Hamilton County, Indiana¹.  I do not yet have a copy of her birth certificate.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspapers to see if mention was made of Leona's birth.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I am not aware of any surviving Bible records for the Lambertson 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 a baptismal record for Leona, though I do not know the church affiliation at this time.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Leona was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Leona was married sometime between 1920 and 1925 to Clarence Everett Fetz.  Until compiling this analysis I didn't realize I didn't have their wedding date. Will need to search marriage records in Madison County, Indiana for the record.

          Leona was married April 19, 1968 in Aroma, Hamilton County, Indiana, to Joseph Carpenter.  I do not yet have a copy of their marriage license.

          1.2.1. Marriage notice in newspaper

               Will need to determine date of Leona's first marriage before searching contemporary newspapers for mention of the nuptials.  I will add searching for mention of her second marriage to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

          1.2.2. Anniversary notice

               Once I've determined the date of Leona and Clarence's wedding, will be able to search newspapers for mention of their wedding anniversary.

          1.2.3. Divorce decree

               There is no indication that Leona and Clarence were divorced.  Her second husband, Joseph Carpenter, passed away ten days after their marriage.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Leona died July 12, 1988².  I do not have the location, nor a copy of her death certificate.  Assuming that death took place in Madison County, Indiana, will add searching for her death certificate to my next research trip.

          1.3.1. Obituary in newspaper

               Will need to add searching for her obituary to my list of "to-do" items on my next research trip.

          1.3.2. Funeral home records

              Once I've determined where her funeral was held, will need to search out local funeral home records for more details.

          1.3.3. Tombstone photograph

               My database does not indicate at this time in what cemetery Leona is buried.  When the information from the obituary is obtain, I can seek out a photograph of her tombstone.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1940 Federal Census

               On April 19, 1940, Leona was enumerated in the Clarence Fetz household in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana³, as Leona Fetz, wife, age 35, born Indiana.  Her residence in 1935 was the same location.  She had completed the 8th grade and no occupation was listed.  Also in the household were husband, Clarence, age 41, born in Indiana, a musician, and children Jack, age 16; Lois, age 14, and Bruce, age 11, all born in Indiana.

          2.1.2. 1930 Federal Census

               On April 29, 1930, Leona was enumerated in the Clarence E. Fetz household in Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana⁴, as Leona D. Fetz, age 25, wife.  She could read and write and spoke English.  She was married at age 17.  She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.  No occupation was given.  Living in the household were husband, Clarence, age 31, a farmer on a truck farm, and children Jack E., age 6; Lois J., age 4 6/12mo.; and Bruce E., age 1 6/12mo., all born in Indiana.

          2.1.3. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 2, 1920, Leona was enumerated as a lodger in the Freeman B. Harting household in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana⁵, as Leona Lambertson, age 15, lodger, working as a servant.  She could read and write and spoke English.  She was born in Indiana, her father was born in Ohio and her mother was born in Indiana.

          2.1.4. 1910 Federal Census

               On April 23, 1910, Leona was enumerated in the Charles Lambertson household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana⁶, as Leona D., daughter, age 5, born in Indiana.  She did not yet attend school. Both her parents were listed as being 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 1921.  These, however, were merely for the purpose of determining legislative apportionment.

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the Lambertson or Fetz farm.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Leona was a female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          I am not aware of any military service by her father or husband that would make Leona eligible to receive a pension.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Leona was a 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 Leona.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Madison County, Indiana published plat maps in 1940, 1949, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1969 and 1970 that might be relevant to my research.

5. Supplemental records

     Supplemental records available for research for Leona include city/county directories, court records and will and probate records.  Will add these itmes to my "to-do" list for my next research trip.

     In 1924, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence (mispelled Lawrence) living at 1515 South R Street.⁷

    In 1925, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence living at 2407 South B Street⁸.

     In 1927, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence living at 1622 South I Street⁹.

     In 1929, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence living at 818 South 9th Street¹⁰.

     In 1931, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence and children Jack, Lois & Bruce, living at 2723 North B Street¹¹.

     In 1933, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence living at 906 South C Street¹².

     In 1941, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence living at 1330 South J Street¹³.

     In 1945, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence living at 1303 South J Street¹⁴.

     In 1947, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence living at 414 South D Street¹⁵.

     In 1949, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence living at 414 South D Street¹⁶.

     In 1952, Leona was listed in the Elwood, Madison County, Indiana city directory with husband Clarence living at 414 South D Street¹⁷.

Sources:

1. Beals, John, Chronology of the Beals Family, Butler Printing House, Noblesville, Indiana, 1912, page 49.
2. Leona D. Carpenter, no. 308-12-3651, Social Security Death Index of the U.S. Social Security Administration.
3. 1940 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, 4th Ward, Elwood, ED 48-65, SD 11, sheet 11B, dwelling 1300, family 324; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com: accessed 18 February 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
4. 1930 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Pipe Creek Township, ED 48-55, SD5, sheet 15B, dwelling 379, family 380; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com: accessed 19 February 2013); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
5. Freeman B. Harting household, 1920 U.S. census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Pipecreek Twp., SD 84, ED 134, dwelling 29, family 31, National Archives micropublication T625, roll 449.
6. Charles Lambertson household, 1910 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jackson Twp., ED 104, SD 9, sheet 6, dwelling 156, family 158; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 353.
7. Elwood (Indiana) Directory 1924 (Binghampton, New York, USA: Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1924), page 97.
8. Elwood (Indiana) Directory 1925 (Binghampton, New York, USA: Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1925), page 104.
9. Elwood (Indiana) Directory 1927 (Binghampton, New York, USA: Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1927), page 100.
10. 1929 Elwood, Indiana Directory (Binghampton, NY, USA: The Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1929), page 100.
11. City Directory and Classified Business Directory of Advertisers, Elwood, Indiana 1931-1932 (Noblesville, Indiana, USA: Pioneer Directory Company, 1931-1932), page 32.
12. 1933 Elwood, Indiana Directory (Binghampton, NY, USA: The Calkin-Kelly Directory Company, 1933), page 95.
13. The Baldwin and Call-Leader Elwood Indiana Con Survey Directory Master Edition 1941 (Parsons, Kansas, USA: Baldwin Con Survey Company and Elwood Call Leader, 1941), page 139.
14. The Mullin-Kille Elwood Indiana Con Survey Directory Master Edition 1945 (Hebron, Nebraska, USA: The Mullin-Kille Company, 1945), page 136.
15. The Mullin-Kille Elwood Indiana Resident Directory and Cosmopolitan Telephone Directory 1947-1948 (Columbus, Ohio, USA: The Mullin-Kille Company, 1948), page 239.
16. The Baldwin Elwood Con Survey City Directory 1949 (Columbus,Ohio, USA: Baldwin Con Survey Company, 1949), page 144.
17. The Mullin-Kille Elwood Indiana Con Survey City Directory Master Edition 1952 (Chillicothe, Ohio, USA: Mullin-Kille Company, 1952), page 234.

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.