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Wanda Ray 1924–2018

Public Tree Person

What is a Public Tree Person?

A Public Tree Person is an ancestor documented independently by multiple YourRoots tree owners. When several researchers' family histories converge on the same person, we publish a shared page that combines what they've documented.

Why this is a Public Tree Person

Full name consistent across 2 independent trees
Birth year and location consistent across 2 trees
Death year and location consistent across 2 trees

Compare a Public Tree Person with your own tree using Compare Tree.

A Reliability
A
Reliability Score: A
Strong — based on the source tree
Grade scale
  • A 3 criteria (Strong)
  • B 2 criteria (Medium)
  • C 1 criteria (Basic)
Verification checklist
  • Record available
  • Descendant's record available
  • Star tree owner

2 researchers on YourRoots have Wanda Ray in their family trees — each with their own records and documentation. Trace the migration path across 9 generations. If this ancestor is in your tree too, you can compare what you've found and fill in the gaps together.

Last updated: August 25, 2026 · Reliability: A — verified across 2 independent trees, with linked records

Born 6 Jun 1924 · New Castle, Henry, Indiana, USA
Died 26 Jun 2018 · Vermillion County, Indiana, USA
Father Orville Sears
Mother Opal Mae Mellinger
Spouse Ben Ray
Children Ben F Ray, Bruce E Dunn
Siblings Carl Sears, Cecil E Sears, Duane Sears, Randall Sears, Welmar Court Tim Sears
Records
1920 United States Federal Census 1940 United States Federal Census 1950 United States Federal Census Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944 Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017 Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001 AncestryDNA Matches from Franny Meritt Indiana, Marriage Certificates, 1917-2005 Newspapers.com - Tri-County Banner - …
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Researchers connected through Wanda Ray 1924–2018

Immediate Family

Biography

Wanda Ray was born in 1924 in New Castle, Henry, Indiana, USA, the child of orville sears and opal mae mellinger. In 1920, Wanda Ray resided in Henry, Henry, Indiana, USA. In 1935, Wanda Ray resided in Rural, Henry, Indiana. Wanda Ray married ben ray, joseph brewster dunn, and had children including ben f ray, bruce e dunn. Wanda Ray passed away in 2018 in Vermillion County, Indiana, USA.

Sources

  1. 1
    Census 1920 United States Federal Census

  2. 2
    Census 1940 United States Federal Census

  3. 3
    Census 1950 United States Federal Census

  4. 4
    Birth Records Indiana, U.S., Birth Certificates, 1907-1944

  5. 5
    Death Records Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2017

  6. 6
    Marriage Records Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001

  7. 7
    Record AncestryDNA Matches from Franny Meritt

  8. 8
    Record Indiana, Marriage Certificates, 1917-2005

  9. 9
    Record Newspapers.com - Tri-County Banner - 20 Dec 1951 - 2

Life Timeline

1920
Wanda Ray resided here in Henry, Henry, Indiana, USA
Residence
1924
Birth of Wanda Ray in New Castle, Henry, Indiana, USA
Birth
1935
Wanda Ray resided here in Rural, Henry, Indiana
Residence
1940
Wanda Ray resided here in Spiceland, Henry, Indiana, USA
Residence
1950
Wanda Ray resided here in Blue River, Henry, Indiana, USA
Residence
2018
Death of Wanda Ray in Vermillion County, Indiana, USA
Death

Oldest Ancestor Line from Wanda Ray

This ancestor line traces from Virginia, Virginia, USA (1683) to New Castle, Henry, Indiana, USA (1924) across 9 generations.

Direct Lineage
generations

Frequently Asked Questions

Wanda Ray (1924–2018) was born in New Castle, Henry, Indiana, USA and died in Vermillion County, Indiana, USA. 2 researchers on YourRoots have this ancestor in their family trees, each with their own records. This page combines what they've independently documented and assigns a Reliability Score (A) based on cross-tree validation.
Right now, 2 researchers on YourRoots have Wanda in their trees. They're working independently, so connecting with them is a good way to cross-check your records and find things you might have missed. You can also explore the ancestor migration map that traces 9 generations of this lineage geographically.
It varies by researcher — some have census records, others have marriage certificates, parish registers, or family Bible entries. Scroll up to see exactly what each person has cited.
Use the "Compare Tree" button on any researcher's profile above. You can compare your tree side by side with theirs, see where your records overlap or differ, and collaborate to fill gaps.

Related Records

Orville Sears
Father
Opal Mae Mellinger
Mother

Wanda Ray's Ancestors

Pedigree chart — 3 generations on record

Self
Wanda Ray PTP
1924–2018
New Castle, Henry, Indiana, USA
Parents
Unknown
Unknown
Grandparents
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown

Wanda Ray's Descendants

1.
WR
Wanda Ray PTP 1924–2018