The potential adoption of Frank and Willie Frame continues to be the focus of some of my research time. In this update, we look at Chicago Voter's registration records for Elias Apgar and Thomas Frame.
Part of the "reasonableness" of whether Elias Apgar adopted Willie and Frank Frame is tied to the residences of Willie and Frank Frame's father Thomas and how close that residence is to Elias Apgar. Keeping in mind that Elias Apgar died in 1894 and that his wife Ann(e or a) died in 1895, addresses in the 1880-1895 period are crucial. In attempt to locate and compare the family's whereabouts, I looked at their entries in the 1888, 1890, and 1892 Chicago. These lists (1888 Voter Lists, 
1890 Voter Lists, and 
1892 Voter List) are online and indexed at Ancestry.com.
Elias Apgar in the 1888 Chicago Voter's Registration Records
Elias Apgar in the 1890 Chicago Voter's Registration Records--as E. Apgar
Elias Apgar in the 1892 Chicago Voter's Registration Records
Thomas Frame in the 1888 Chicago Voter's Registration Records
Thomas Frame in the 1890 Chicago Voter's Registration Records
Thomas Frame in the 1892 Chicago Voter's Registration Records
Next?
Determine how close these addresses were at the end of the 19th century. I cannot use modern maps as the street numbers were changed after these records were created.
I am also going to search city directories at Fold3 for Chicago and determine if there are any clues in those records. I'm doubting it as those records too will just show proximity. They are unlikely to provide any direct evidence of the adoption of Willie and Frank by Elias and Anna (Hartmann) Apgar.
We will have an update after we've looked at the directories and contemporary geographic information.
Stay tuned.
