We know where Selma Amelia lived her life but not much about what she was like as a person. Selma Amelia was one of the eight children that were born in America. She is first mentioned in the 1880 Census as a baby at 126 Colfax Street (later numbered 82 Colfax) in Jamestown at age 8 months. The picture to the right shows Selma in the late 1890s. The 1900 Census shows her still living at home, 126 Colfax Street, at age 20.

Selma Amelia must have moved to Minnesota early in 1900 as she married Nelse G. Helander, a music teacher, in June, 1900. Between 1902 and 1907 they had one son and two daughters. The other picture below, right shows the Helander family during that time period. They were living at 14 East Avenue in Minneapolis, MN in 1910. In 1920 their address was listed as 1225 Eighth Street South, Minneapolis, MN, where they remained until atleast 1933.

Her husband Nelse died unexpectedly in an illuminating gas poisoning accident in 1933. Her son Arnold married Jeannette Mildred Bliedorn but had no children. Marguerite had one child Constance (unconfirmed spouse, Robert, listed on Marguerite's death certificate). Constance Oakes Miller wrote several books (including 'The Complete Afghan Hound') and many magazine articles about Afghan Hounds and related pure-bred dogs. Marionne married a man named Leonard J. Campbell and went on to live in Queens, NY working in public relations for a non-profit organization. Marionne passsed on in 1985, and Leonard one year prior. Selma Amelia died in 1960 after a lengthy illness.