Hello,
I'm looking for some advise on what is the best path to follow in my
research. I will be in the Indianapolis area next Friday and Saturday
(coming from the east coast) and need to maximize my research time as it is
so limited. Would my time be better spent in Indianapolis or
Crawfordsville? Let me give some details.
I am looking for information about Melvin Louis (or Lewis) Alexander, my
grandfather. He left left my father and his family before my father was
one. My father has developed a medical condition that I need to determine
if it is hereditary or not. Out of curiosity, I would like to find out all
I can about Melvin but most importantly I'm looking for information about
his cause of death, a copy of his death certificate, and an obituary. If I
can find a surviving spouse (2nd wife), that might be helpful also.
This is what I do know. Melvin was born December 9, 1910 in Dewey,
Champaign County, Illinois, and was the son of Harry Clyde Alexander and
Minnie Marie (Lorenz) Alexander. He had one sister, Evelyn. Melvin married
Lois Glenadean Ehler on December 13, 1932. Together they had three sons;
Richard, John, and Donald. In 1937, Melvin left Lois and his sons. They
were divorced in 1938.
Minnie Alexander died April 29, 1946. Her obituary states that at that time
Melvin was living in Crawfordsville, Indiana and "was recently discharged
from war service". An article reporting her funeral service states that
Melvin was living in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Harry Alexander died January 2, 1961. His obituary states that at that time
Melvin was living in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Evelyn Alexander died in 1972 but I have not found a copy of the obituary to
see if there are more clues of Melvin's location.
The Social Security Death Index gives Melvin's death date as January 1975.
My father believes Melvin was in the Army. He thinks he remembers someone
saying that Melvin was buried in a military cemetery near Indianapolis but
it could be a military marker on the grave. He, nor his brothers, have ever
seen the grave nor did they go to the funeral.
Since my in-state time is limited, do I go to Crawfordsville or
Indianapolis? Should I go to the historical society or library or somewhere
else? Would you know hours of the facilities? I think I should look at
newspaper archives and if available a cemetery index. Both might narrow
down the death date to a specific date rather than just the month, then I
could request a copy of a death certificate.
Any help would be appreciated.
Lisa
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