Census Sunday : Eli Weldon Haley household, 1940, Jay County, Indiana

My paternal great-grandfather, Eli Weldon Haley, was enumerated in the 1940 U.S. census in Jay County, Indiana.  His farm was in Noble Township, and he was residing at the same location back in 1935.

1940 U.S. census, Jay County, Indiana, population schedule, Noble Township, enumeration district (ED) 38-9, SD 5, sheet 3A, household 54, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of my great-grandfather, Eli, aged 74, and my great-grandmother, Cora, aged 71.  Eli was born in Indiana and Cora was born in Ohio.

According to the census, both Eli and Cora had completed the 8th grade in education.  Eli's occupation was listed as a farmer.  The value of his farm was listed as $800.  At 74 years old, I wonder how much activity he was still able to do on the farm?

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.

Surname Saturday : Bräun

The BRÄUN surname is in my paternal line.  The origins of the surname are German.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 1401 : Anna Bräun (1674-1724).  Anna was born April 7, 1624 in Würrtemberg.  She married Christoph Stickel (1654-1771) on September 25, 1694 in Egenausen, Würrtemberg.  Christoph was baptized January 10, 1654 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  They had at least one son.  Christoph died November 14, 1771 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  Anna died January 18, 1724 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.

Ahntentafel # 2802 : Johannes Bräun (1648-1693).  Johannes was born September 16, 1648 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  He married Jacobina Kirn (1626-    ) on June 23, 1646 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  Jacobina was born January 5, 1626 in Egenhausen, Würrtemberg.  They had at least one daughter.  Johannes died July 18, 1693 in Würrtemberg.

Ahntentafel # 5604 : Michael Bräun.  Nothing further known.


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.

Exploratory Data Analysis : Elizabeth Caroline (Poe) Beals (1856-1935)

Elizabeth Caroline (Poe) Beals (1856-1935) was my maternal 3rd-great grandmother.  What follows is an exploratory analysis of the biographical data I have discovered about her.


1. Vital Records

     1.1. Birth Certificate

          Elizabeth was born September 28, 1856 in Morgan County, Indiana¹.  The State of Indiana did not require birth certificates until 1907.

          1.1.1. Birth Notice in Newspaper

               If Elizabeth's birth was recorded in a newspaper, I've not located it yet.  Will need to check with local libraries and state archives to see if they have any newspapers from the time period.

          1.1.2. Bible Record

               I'm not aware of any surviving Poe family Bible that might record her birth.  Will continue to reach out to extended family in hopes that one can be located.

          1.1.3. Baptismal Record

               I am not aware of any baptismal record for Elizabeth.  The family were members of the Society of Friends (Quaker) church.

          1.1.4. Adoption Record

               There is no indication that Elizabeth was adopted.

     1.2. Marriage License

          Elizabeth married Nathan Thomas Beals on September 26, 1876 in Hamilton County, Indiana².  Nathan was born February 17, 1856 in Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana.  They raised three daughters in Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska.  Nathan died February 16, 1915 in Leola, Grant County, Arkansas.

          1.2.1 Marriage Notice in Newspaper

               Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if mention was made of Elizabeth and Nathan's nuptials.

          1.2.2. Anniversary Notice

               Elizabeth and Nathan's 25th wedding anniversary would have been September 26, 1901.  Will need to search contemporary newspaper accounts to see if there was mention of any anniversary celebration.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.2.3. Divorce Decree

                  Though there is no indication of a divorce, will need to search court records in Hamilton County, Indiana to be sure there aren't records I've missed.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

     1.3. Death Certificate

          Elizabeth died September 27, 1935 near Greentown, Howard County, Indiana³.  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

               Elizabeth's obituary appeared in the September 28, 1935 edition of the Tipton, Indiana Daily Tribune³.  The cause of death was listed as paralysis and the obituary stated that she died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Lambertson.   This obituary was the subject of a previous post.

              Elizabeth's obituary appeared in the September 30, 1935 edition of the Noblesville, Indiana Daily Ledger⁴.

          1.3.2. Funeral Home Records

               Will need to search for funeral home records at the local historical society to see if there is any more information I can obtain about Elizabeth's funeral.  Will add this to my list of "to-do" items for my next research trip.

          1.3.3. Tombstone Photograph

               Elizabeth's tombstone in the Cicero Cemetery in Cicero, Indiana has been photographed⁵.  A link to her memorial at FindAGrave is located here.

2. Census Records

     2.1. Federal Census Records

          2.1.1. 1930 Federal Census

              On April 22, 1930, Elizabeth was enumerated as head of household in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana⁶ as Elizabeth Beals, age 73, widow.  She was renting her home for $23.00 per month.  Also living in the household were her daughter, Nellie Stober, aged 40, widow, and her granddaughter, Ruby Stober, aged 16, single.  Her address was 1963 Tallman Avenue.  Elizabeth could read and write and spoke English.  She was born in Indiana, her father was born in North Carolina and her mother was born in Indiana.

          2.1.2. 1920 Federal Census

               On January 27, 1920, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Marion Blanton household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana⁷, as Elizabeth Beals, age 63, widowed, servant.  Elizabeth could read and write and speak English.  She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.

          2.1.3. 1910 Federal Census

               On April 16, 1910, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Nathan T. Beals household in Cicero, Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana⁸, as Elizabeth C. Beals, wife, age 52.  She had been married for 33 years, and was the mother of 1 child who was still living.  She was born in Indiana, as were both of her parents.

          2.1.4. 1900 Federal Census

                On June 1, 1900, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Nathan T. Beals household in Jackson Township, Hamilton County, Indiana⁹, as Elizabeth C. Beals, wife, born September 1856 in Indiana.  She had been married 24 years and was the mother of 3 children, 2 of whom were living.  Her father was born in South Carolina and her mother in Indiana.  She could read and write and spoke English.

          2.1.5. 1880 Federal Census

               On June 12, 1880, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Nathan Beales household in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska¹⁰, as Elizabeth Beales, wife, age 24, born Indiana.  Her father was born in Indiana and her mother was born in North Carolina.

          2.1.6. 1870 Federal Census

               On August 17, 1870, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Isaac S. Poe household in Washington Township, Hamilton County, Indiana¹¹, as Elizabeth Poe, age 13, born in Indiana.  She had attended school within the year.

          2.1.7. 1860 Federal Census

               On August 3, 1860, Elizabeth was enumerated in the Isaac Poe household in Monroe Township, Morgan County, Indiana¹², as Elizabeth Poe, age 3, female, born in Indiana.

     2.2. State Census Records

          On June 4, 1885, Elizabeth was enumerated in the N.T. Beals household in Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska¹³, as Elizabeth Beals, age 28, wife. 

     2.3. Agricultural Census Records

          I have not yet investigated these types of census records to see what light they might shed on the Beals family.

3. Military Records

     3.1. Draft Registration

          Not applicable, as Elizabeth was female.

     3.2. Pension Records

          Elizabeth's father, Isaac S. Poe, served during the Civil War in Co E, 12th Indiana Infantry.  I need to check and see if she received any benefits as a result of his service.

     3.3. Service Records

          Not applicable, as Elizabeth was female.

4. Land Records

     4.1. Deed Records

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

     4.2. Plat map / county map

          Plat maps of Hamilton County, Indiana and Richardson County, Nebraska to see what information might be relevant to my search for Elizabeth.

5. Supplemental Records

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

Sources :

1. Beals, John, "Chronology of the Beals Family", Butler Printing House, Noblesville, Indiana, 1912, page 49.
2. "Indiana Marriage, 1811-1959," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VXPP-TJB : accessed 15 Oct 2013), Nathan T Beal and Elizabeth E Poe, 1876
3. Mrs. Elizabeth Beals obituary, Tipton Daily Tribune, Tipton, Indiana, September 28, 1935, page 4.
4. Mrs. Elizabeth Beals obituary, Noblesville Daily Ledger, Noblesville, Indiana, September 30, 1935.
5. FindAGrave, Inc., FindAGrave (www.findagrave.com : accessed 8 December 2014), Elizabeth Caroline Beals tombstone.
6. 1930 U.S. census, Marion County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 1, Indianapolis, enumeration district 49-11, SD 8, page 20B, dwelling 312, family 317; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
7. Marion Blaton household, 1920 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jackson township, ED 99, SD 9, sheet 5, dwelling 89, family 89; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 435.
8. Nathan T. Beals household, 1910 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Cicero, ED 104, SD 9, sheet 2, dwelling 33, family 34; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 353.
9. Nathan T. Beals household, 1900 U.S. census, Hamilton County, Indiana, population schedule, Jackson township, ED 85, SD 9, sheet 1, dwelling 15, family 18; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 375.
10. Nathan Beales household, 1880 U.S. census, Humboldt, Richardson County, Nebraska, population schedule, ED 320, SD 1, page 27, dwelling 61, family 63; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 754.
11. Isaac S. Poe household, 1870 U.S. census, population schedule, Washington Township, Hamilton County, Indiana, page 76, dwelling 597, family 583; National Archives micropublication M593, roll 319, page 216.
12. Isaac Poe household, 1860 U.S. census, Morgan County, Indiana, population schedule, Monroe Township, Mooresville P.O., page 62, dwelling 433, household 442; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 17 January 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C.
13. "Nebraska State Census, 1885," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X3F4-G2K : accessed 22 January 2015), N T Beals, 1885; citing NARA microfilm publication M352 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 499,573.

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.