Source: "For Sale- Live Stock," Want ad, Daily Telegram (Adrian, Michigan), 21 January 1911; page 7, column 2, Sale of two heifers by William Dyer; online images, Genealogy Bank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 10 March 2015), Historical Newspapers.
Transcription: FOR SALE -Two heifers, one 11 months old and one 14 months old. William Dyer, half mile east Raisin Valley seminary. 1-19-3Why would the above want ad be important for family history researchers? It is just a want ad for two heifers, no big deal, right? It was a big deal to me!
It wasn't so much that he was selling heifers. I am sure farmers sell a lot of livestock. It was where he was selling the heifers-half mile east of Raisin Valley seminary. One might assume that was William's farm, but I have made assumptions in the past only to find out I was wrong.
The above want ad led me to land record research in Lenawee County, Michigan and yes, this was the farm that William was living on at the time in 1911.
William B. Dyer left the farm by 1920 when he
was living in Adrian, Lenawee, Michigan, according to the 1920 U.S. Federal
Census. William's death certificate stated that he had valvular heart disease
for many years. William died 16 March 1922 in Adrian, Michigan.
Williaml B. Dyer is the son of William G. Dyer and Mary Ann Swallow, my third great grandparents. William B. is the sister of my second great grandmother Adeline L. Dyer Glover (1838-1917).
This want ad helped me to find William in the years between the census's. Don't overlook small details like a want ad in your research. You will be surprised what you can find.
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