Census Sunday : Ralph Fisher household, 1940, Madison County, Indiana

My maternal first cousin three times removed, Ralph Fisher, was enumerated in the 1940 census in Anderson, Madison County, Indiana.  He was living in a rented home in Ward 2 of the city.

1940 US Census, Madison County, Indiana, population schedule, Ward 2, Anderson, enumeration district (ED) 48-14, SD 11, sheet 7B, household 159, 130 West North Street, ; digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 22 March 2015); National Archives, Washington, D.C..

The family consisted of Ralph, aged 34, his wife, Helen, aged 29, and two children, Clara, aged 15, and Betty, aged 7.  Ralph, Helen and Betty were born in Indiana, and Clara was born in Illinois.  The residence in 1935 for Ralph and Helen were listed in the same place, but for Clara it was listed as Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  Perhaps in 1935, Clara was living with another relative, as Ralph and Helen were married in 1931 in Madison County, Indiana.  Mt. Vernon, Illinois was where Ralph had lived with his first wife, Nellie.

Ralph's occupation was listed as a fender mechanic at an auto parts manufacturer, and Helen's was listed as a billing clerk for the Assessor's office.  Ralph had only completed the 6th grade in education, and Helen had completed one year of college.

Prior to this find, I was not aware of the existence of Clara, daughter of Ralph from his first marriage.  I will have additional research to do to find out more about her and her mother. Cousin Helen eventually became the second wife of my maternal great-grandfather, Clemon Lambertson as well.  


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.

Birthday Party With An Unnamed Guest Of Honor

"Orestes News Notes," announcement, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 22 August 1913; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Young entertained at their home in honor of the birthday of their son.  Games were played and refreshments served.  Among those present were : Maude Youngs, Iva White, Clara Snethen, Mary Judd, Mary Youngs, Ruth Etchison, Josie Steward, Hazel King, Pearl Little, Mary Moore, Isabel Pyle, Helen Etchison, Nettie Athan, Mary Carver, Bertha Allen, Mary Whitten, Allean Etchison, Pearl Cummins, Bessie Laycock, Messrs. Emmet Moyer, Everett Judd, Chas. Cummins, Chas. Bicknell, Chester King, Virgil Wright, Arthur Peet, Troy Fox, Lee White, John Cook, Jay Noble, Floyd Miller, Edward Blake, Jim Jarret, Jesse Porter, Virgil King, Mr. and Mrs. George Judd, and Mr. and Mrs. E. Moyer.

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This interesting announcement about a birthday party that was attended by my maternal 2nd-great grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), contains references to several people who were related to him.  The party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Young for their son, but the name of the son is not given. 

I believe that the birthday party was held in honor of Samuel Roscoe Young (1895-1934), son of Daniel R. and Gertrude (Johnson) Young.  He was born August 27th, and was Virgil Wright's first cousin once removed.  Their common ancestors were Daniel King and Elizabeth Shaw.

I also believe that the newspaper made a few errors : the Chester King mentioned right before Virgil Wright was likely Chester Wright, brother of Virgil. 

The rest of the names are locals and cousins of the family, some of whom I have yet to place.

Virgil Wright Obtains Diploma, 1912

"Diplomas For Students," notice, Alexandria Times-Tribune, 15 April 1912; online images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : accessed 14 March 2015).

Searching the archives of the Alexandria-Times Tribune, I found mention of my maternal great-grandfather, Virgil Lee Wright (1894-1972), listed among the graduates of the eighth grade in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Some of the names of listed graduates are very familiar to me in the area.  One name, Ruby King, maybe a relative.  

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DIPLOMAS FOR STUDENTS

Twenty-two In Monroe Township Passed First Eighth Grade Examination.

Of the 59 Monroe township students who took the examination for graduation from the eighth grade on March 18, 22 were successful, according to the figures given by the County Superintendent, J.W. Frazier.  In the whole county there were 389 applicants, of whom 140 passed.  The highest grade was obtained by Harry Leonard of Jackson township, 95 2-5.  Wesley Canup, of Van Buren township, was second, with 94 1-9.  In Monroe township Frank Swindell, of the Spiceland school, had the highest grade, 92 2-5 with Marie Thurston, of the Olive Branch school a close second.

The successful students in Monroe township were Virgil Wright, Marie Thurston, Delbert Smith, Earl Blake, Delbert and Frank Swindell, George Hall, Maggie Morton, Esther Baxter, Frank Wyatt, Verta Tomlinson, Mary Sanders, Letha Hughes, Clarence Clock, Everett Janney, Marie Blake, Ruby King, Kenneth Rogers, Hellen Henshaw, Leon Hook, Robert Grizzle and Marion Marquess.

In Van Buren township the successful students were Forest Riday, Leslie Canup, Wesley Canup, Oren Collier, Madge Ellsworth, Walter Hiatt, Kenneth Tomlinson, Wilifred Harris, Chester Hiatt, Herbert Carey, Mary Brook, Herbert Winn, Garnet Martin, Harry Spitzmesser, Clyde Morris, Hazel Kirkpatrick, Willie Inglis, Florence Peele, Veda Knight, Hazel Browne, and Marie Kirkpatrick.

The Successful ones in Boone township were Charles Austin, Clyde Cartwright, Gladys Cunningham, Ward Jones, Anna Vison, Clarence Overshiner, Paul Swain, Claire Metcalf, Donald Achor and Clarence Tutlow.

Another examination will be held next Saturday, when those who failed in the first examination will have an opportunity to try again for a diploma.