Crails in the Indy Directories

In my quest to locate my Crail ancestors, I have searched the Indy directories [primarily] from 1855 until about 1952.

The earliest entry was for Sylvester Crail in 1863. He resided in west Indianapolis and was listed as a soldier. Entries were spotty from 1865-1873. Sylvester appeared 5 times, his step-son William, 3 times and brother John once.

Using census and other records to assist the search, I have been able to match most of the Crails within four groups, those of the four brothers: Sylvester, John, Aaron and George.

Knowing when certain family members were elsewhere - having moved, military service, etc. has been helpful. So utilizing the census, marriage, military, tax, land, death and other record groups is crucial to the search. Family lore can help too!

For example, knowing that Aaron's family [widow Catherine and kids] was in Hamilton Co., IN during most of the 1870s was helpful. The 1880 census placed them back in Hamilton Co. [Eldest son James, a blacksmith, at least was in Indy for 1778-80.]  James next shows up in Indianapolis in the 1913 directory [1911-12 are missing].

Knowing that he was in Peru or Tipton, IN through the early 1890s, steered me away from Indy. Various records [birth, marriage, veterinary college, directories, census, federal employment ] gave me his location until 1911, when he was transferred back to Indy.

It takes a variety of records to complete a story!