Viola Mildred Beyl

Documented History

For the Beyl family, I will start with Viola Mildred Beyl.  As I explained on my About Me page, I will not reveal my relationship to Mildred.  This is to protect myself and those family members who are still living and to respect our privacy.  I will say that Mildred is a grandmother of mine.  I will not say how many generations back.  I do happen to know that she went by Mildred.

According to the Bartholomew County, Indiana, Birth Records Index, 1882-1920, Viola Mildred was born on February 17, 1914, the same year World War I began.  Her mother is listed as Edna M. Applegate.  Her father is listed as Edward.  Also listed on this record is Viola’s sister: Margaret L. Beyl, born 3 January 1913.

According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, Mildred lived at 848 Prospect Street, Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, with her parents and siblings.  Her dad, Edward Beyl, was 31 years old at the time.  Edna’s mom was 26.  Her sister, Margaret, was 6, Mildred was 5, and their brother, Charles, was 3 years and 8 months old.  Edward was a Foreman at a Bakery at the time.  The record also shows that their paternal grandfather was born in France, while the rest of their grandparents were born in Indiana.

In 1930, Mildred lived with her parents and siblings at 1329 East Street, Center Township, Marion County, Indiana, per the 1930 United States Federal Census.  Edward, her father, was 43 years old.  Her mother, Edna, was 35 years old.  Margaret was 17, Mildred was 16, and Charles was 13.  They had a new baby sister, Mary Lou, who was 1 year old at the time.  Edward was a Dispenser at a Bakery Company, and Margaret was a Saleslady at a Dry Goods Retail Store.

---

Marriage

Mildred married Charles Beckett Buchanan on May 25, 1935, in Marion County, Indiana, as per the Marion County, Indiana, Marriage Index, 1925-2012.  Mildred was 21 years old at the time.  Charles was 22.  U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 shows Charles and Mildred living at 211 E. North, Apartment 36 in 1936.  Charles was a salesman at Hiller Office Supply Company.

On 12 July 1936, Mildred gave birth to Barbara Ann at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  She was full term, per Barbara’s Certificate of Birth.  At the time, Charles and Mildred lived at 2033 Houston, Indianapolis, Indiana.  Charles was a Salesman at L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriters and had been there for 2 months.  Charles was 23, and Mildred was 22.  Barbara was their first child.

In 1937, according to U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Mildred and Charles Buchanan lived at 2033 Houston, Indianapolis, Indiana. Charles was a typewriter salesman with L.C. Smith & Corona.

According to the U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2, Mildred Buchanan resided at 1260 Farr View Court, West Linn, OR 97068-4011 at some point. I do not recognize this address and do not recall any stories about them living in Oregon. But the birthday on the record is the same: 17 February 1914, so this appears to be the same person. Mildred was 26 years old at the time.

U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995, Volume 2, shows that Charles and Mildred Buchanan lived at 1260 Farr View Court, West Linn, OR 97068-4011 in 1940.  However, in 1942, U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 show they lived at 2538 Guilford Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana.  I do know from stories passed down verbally that they did move out of state for a stint.  The City Directory lists Charles as an “mtcemn.”  Now, I’ve tried to research what that term is precisely, but haven’t found much success.  My best guess is that it means he was a maintenance man.

Charles and Mildred lived at 55 N. Sherman Dr., Indianapolis, Indiana, per the U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995.  Charles was, at that time, a Foreman at RCA.  In 1956, the City Directory lists them at 3705 N. Ritter Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana.  So apparently, they moved around a lot.  But Charles had the same job at this time.

Sometime within the next 30 years, Charles and Mildred moved to Florida.  The U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1, listed them at 13613 Allyn Dr., Hudson, FL 34667-1505.  They lived in a house right on the Gulf of Mexico with a boat docked in their backyard.  I remember Charles letting me drive that boat in the Gulf when I was little.  And I remember him teaching me how to play pool in their Florida room.

Death

Mildred passed away on January 21, 2000, according to the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007. It showed that in January 1937, her name was listed as Mildred Beyl Buchanan. Her social security number was issued in Indiana before 1951, according to the U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014.

That’s all for now, I’ll check back regularly and update this page as I find additional information.  Also, be sure to check out her Memorial at Find A Grave.

I’ll leave you with a common Genealogy phrase:

Research: What I’m doing, when I don’t know what I’m doing.

Happy researching!

~Kris

Karen says:
March 17, 2017 at 11:00 am
Mildred was a grandmother, a very sweet one. She was a fabulous cook and her Spanish Rice and homemade spaghetti and meatballs were legendary. I was always amused how she would prepare a plate for the dog before she fed the family, he even got a buttered dinner roll! She was also a great card player, a favorite pastime for her and Charles. She was one of those people that you always enjoyed seeing as she was smiling and genuinely happy to see you. She worked very hard taking care of the home and family as a quite old fashioned lady, by our standards today in 2017. We shared a habit that I didn’t know we shared until years after her death. Every new place she visited she brought home a rock and placed it in her garden. She could grow anything! As we walk through our gardens we remember those fond times, people, and places. Now as I walk through my garden I also remember my connection to Mildred.