Hunting for Melvin (even while typing this)
Well, I'm down to the last few folks and another generation is done. But this guy is really a pain. Years ago I paid for a researcher to copy the marriage of every Spengler she found in the Waupaca Courthouse. Everyone matched to my Wisconsin cousins - except Melum P. Spengler, son of William and Johanna. He married Ida Rowen, daughter of William and Agnes, in 1886. That's all I knew. I could never match him with my William and Johanna Spengler in any record or census.
Yesterday I found my first lead - the Waupaca marriage records online. Melvin P. Spengler married Ida Bowen. I'd tried everything to find Melum (even looked for Peter/Paul/Philip in case he went by a middle name), but never Melvin. Searching for Ida Bowen, today I found Ida Rowen (the online record is incorrect - she is indeed a Rowen) in the 1880 census. But still no Melvin Spengler.
I have to admit, having the census records online is a REAL blessing. A decade ago I spent hours, well, days, scanning the microfilms. Now I can get the 1870 and 1900 FREE online. 1880, it looks like, will still require in person research.
Tonight, I just found Melvin P. SPRINGER in the 1880 census, son of ... you guessed it, William and Johanna Springer. That would be it ... except the 1900 census has a Melvin of the right age married to MARY rather than IDA ... and naturally the system is down at the moment so I can't verify how long they've been married (and the possibly/probability Mary is a second wife). And it would have been even nicer if the Spengler Carpenter of the very first record matched either the Springer Farmer or the Spengler Dry Goods Merchant. Ahh well, it's only scientific curiosity now. He's not a relative (just confirmed him in the 1870 census).
If you're looking in public records, recognize they don't always get it right. For example, in the 1880 online census, my William is married to a Galania ... weird spelling for Johanna! I want to see that one in person.
One advantage to hunting for Melum/Melvin, this is the first time I've tracked a family through every available census!
The 1870 census names one female child.
The 1875 census numbers 3 males and 3 females.
The 1880 census names one male child.
The 1885 census numbers 2 males and 5 females.
The 1895 census numbers 2 males and 4 females.
The 1900 census names 2 males and 4 females, mom having born 7 with 5 surviving.
Everything would be perfect except for the darn 1885 census. The first female married before 1880. Two unknown children lived between 1870 and 1880 (one male, one female) leaving the one son in 1880. BUT WHO are the additional females in 1885? Oh wait. I'll bet eldest daughter and granddaughter are back in the house. Except I have no proof of that first marriage. I'm not even sure where that information came from. And the 1880 census doesn't have the marriage information I need. I love reconstructing data. Hmm.
Enough for now. It's been fun journaling as I search. But I do have to get some sleep. I haven't gotten rid of this stupid cold and working all night won't help!
Yesterday I found my first lead - the Waupaca marriage records online. Melvin P. Spengler married Ida Bowen. I'd tried everything to find Melum (even looked for Peter/Paul/Philip in case he went by a middle name), but never Melvin. Searching for Ida Bowen, today I found Ida Rowen (the online record is incorrect - she is indeed a Rowen) in the 1880 census. But still no Melvin Spengler.
I have to admit, having the census records online is a REAL blessing. A decade ago I spent hours, well, days, scanning the microfilms. Now I can get the 1870 and 1900 FREE online. 1880, it looks like, will still require in person research.
Tonight, I just found Melvin P. SPRINGER in the 1880 census, son of ... you guessed it, William and Johanna Springer. That would be it ... except the 1900 census has a Melvin of the right age married to MARY rather than IDA ... and naturally the system is down at the moment so I can't verify how long they've been married (and the possibly/probability Mary is a second wife). And it would have been even nicer if the Spengler Carpenter of the very first record matched either the Springer Farmer or the Spengler Dry Goods Merchant. Ahh well, it's only scientific curiosity now. He's not a relative (just confirmed him in the 1870 census).
If you're looking in public records, recognize they don't always get it right. For example, in the 1880 online census, my William is married to a Galania ... weird spelling for Johanna! I want to see that one in person.
One advantage to hunting for Melum/Melvin, this is the first time I've tracked a family through every available census!
The 1870 census names one female child.
The 1875 census numbers 3 males and 3 females.
The 1880 census names one male child.
The 1885 census numbers 2 males and 5 females.
The 1895 census numbers 2 males and 4 females.
The 1900 census names 2 males and 4 females, mom having born 7 with 5 surviving.
Everything would be perfect except for the darn 1885 census. The first female married before 1880. Two unknown children lived between 1870 and 1880 (one male, one female) leaving the one son in 1880. BUT WHO are the additional females in 1885? Oh wait. I'll bet eldest daughter and granddaughter are back in the house. Except I have no proof of that first marriage. I'm not even sure where that information came from. And the 1880 census doesn't have the marriage information I need. I love reconstructing data. Hmm.
Enough for now. It's been fun journaling as I search. But I do have to get some sleep. I haven't gotten rid of this stupid cold and working all night won't help!