| Pennsylvania Genealogy Chat Transcript | |
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Sponsored by the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
Transcript of Chat - 16 October, 2001
Page 2
<cyndihow>
Next -- The
Internet is abundant in reference material of all types.
<cyndihow>
Have you ever
had a place name, but weren't sure where it was in Pennsylvania?
<cyndihow>
Yale Peabody
Museum: GNIS
<cyndihow>
Search the
USGS Geographic Names Database. You can limit the search to a specific
county in this state and search for any of the following features: airport
arch area arroyo bar basin bay beach bench bend bridge building canal cape
cemetery channel church cliff crater crossing dam falls flat forest gap
geyser glacier gut harbor hospital island isthmus lake lava levee locale
mine oilfield other
<cyndihow>
park pillar
plain ppl range rapids reserve reservoir ridge school sea slope spring
stream summit swamp tower trail tunnel valley well woods.
<cyndihow>
The
Perry-Casta*eda Library Map Collection The University of Texas at Austin
<cyndihow>
1895 U.S. Atlas -
Pennsylvania
<cyndihow>
Next --
Pennsylvania is home to many different types of people and ethnic groups.
Chief among those are Germans, Quakers and other unique religious groups.
<cyndihow>
Germans in your
family? Pennsylvania
Dutch Family History and Genealogy
<cyndihow>
One of the
oldest genealogy sites online specializes in Quaker research:
<cyndihow>
The Quaker Corner
<cyndihow>
Another
interesting site: The
Schwenkfelder Library
<cyndihow>
Last -- One of
the things that genealogists excel at is Participating & Sharing
<cyndihow>
If you haven't
yet done so, join a genealogical society in your area of research.
<cyndihow>
Societies are
the backbone of genealogical research. This is where volunteers can really
make a difference through education and publications of genealogical
materials.
<cyndihow>
Genealogical Society of
Pennsylvania
<cyndihow>
Western
Pennsylvania Genealogical Society
<cyndihow>
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
<cyndihow>
Online,
volunteers also join or contribute to the
USGenWeb Project - PA
<cyndihow>
USGenWeb
Archives - Pennsylvania
<cyndihow>
The USGenWeb
Project hosts a page for each county in Pennsylvania. Some of the county
pages are just loaded with wonderful research material, while others are
still waiting for YOU to contribute.
<cyndihow>
All of the
sites I have referenced tonight can be found on these pages on Cyndi's
List:
<cyndihow>
U.S. Pennsylvania
<cyndihow>
U.S. Pennsylvania --
Localities: Counties, Areas & Regions
<cyndihow>
Mennonites
<cyndihow>
Quakers
<cyndihow>
All right Kim
-- I'm ready for questions!
<sawgrass>
I found on LDS
that my ggparents were married in St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Hanover,
York County. I have written them with a check to look it up and send me
info. I've heard nothing. Didn't cash check either. Can't find any info
online. Any suggestions? I live in GA.
<cyndihow>
Sawgrass --
First thing to do is see what the LDS church has in their catalog
<cyndihow>
hold on --
<cyndihow>
Sawgrass --
what year were they married?
<sawgrass>
Full question
was sent prematurely. LDS lists ggparents as being married there in 1870.
<sawgrass>
I sent a check
and a request to the church. No response. Didn't cash check either.
<cyndihow>
OK, for that
year, we need to look to the county for the marriage record.
<cyndihow>
If you don't
know what county Hanover is in, use the Yale site I mentioned earlier
<sawgrass>
York County
<cyndihow>
according to
that site, there are 3 places with the name of Hanover in Pennsylvania:
<cyndihow>
HANOVER : ppl :
Luzerne : 411108N 0755857W : Wilkes-Barre West HANOVER : ppl : Northampton
: 403942N 0752446W : Catasauqua HANOVER : ppl : York : 394802N 0765900W :
Hanover
<cyndihow>
One in Luzerne,
one in Northampton and one in York
<cyndihow>
Are you sure
yours were in York?
<sawgrass>
yes LDS says so
anyway
<cyndihow>
What type of
LDS record did you find it on?
<sawgrass>
I'm new at
this. It was going online in their search engine and typing last name.
First names came up with marriage date and place.
<cyndihow>
OK -- you will
need to determine what type of record it was they listed them on. It may
have been a database that was built through user contribution.
<cyndihow>
If so, you take
everything there with a grain of salt.
<sawgrass>
True
<cyndihow>
But let's
assume it was York County. If so, visit VitalRec.com next.
<cyndihow>
She shows:
<cyndihow>
Historical
Society of York County 250 East Market St. York, PA 17403-2090(717)
848-1587
<sawgrass>
I live in Ga
now. Will they do phone lookups?
<cyndihow>
York County
Clerk 28 East Market Street York, PA 17401-1501 (717) 771-9675
<cyndihow>
You never know.
It is best to check online first -- does the Historical Society of York
County have a web site?
<cyndihow>
Check my
Pennsylvania page to see if I have a link.
<cyndihow>
If I don't,
check with a search engine.
<genealogyADM>
York
County, PA Historical Society
<cyndihow>
After checking
online, give them a call.
<sawgrass>
Thank you. I
will.
<cyndihow>
Jim Beidler
says: ""Lutheran Archives in Gettysburg might also be a place for sawgrass""
<cyndihow>
Anyhow, for
marriage records in York county -- check the two sources above.
<cyndihow>
NEXT
<Fudge>
How do I find
info on laws/policies that would allow Ohio residents to marry in PA
without residency and first cousins marrying, etc. ? Or should I just hunt
for their marriage records in Erie or? - Also, do you ever have volunteers
work with you?
<cyndihow>
Side note to
everyone -- I'm going to continue to use the sites I referenced earlier --
to show example.
<cyndihow>
Hi there Fudge.
<cyndihow>
Laws/policies
in what time period?
<Fudge>
Greetings - I'm
honored to be speaking with you.
<cyndihow>
I'm not sure I
know the answer, but would assume visiting the govt. web site for the
state of PA would help.
<Fudge>
Early 1900's
<Fudge>
1910 - 1920 or
so
<cyndihow>
Back that
early, you may just start looking for the marriage record first.
<cyndihow>
Let me think on
the law question....I'm not sure I could get you that answer quickly.
<Fudge>
I just heard a
rumor of Erie - might be logical to start there?
<cyndihow>
Yes, but can
you place them living in Erie? Census record?
<genealogyADM>
Fudge - are you
looking for old laws or current laws?
<Fudge>
No, lived in
Ohio - for 1900's to about 1920
<Fudge>
non-residents
of PA, but didn't marry in Ohio - I was told probably PA because of the
laws in OH and PA
<cyndihow>
But you think
they married in Erie County in Pennsylvania/
<Fudge>
possible
<Fudge>
one case is 1st
cousins, the other couple eloped
<cyndihow>
Erie County
Clerk 140 West Sixth Street Erie, PA 16501-1011 (814) 451-6000
<cyndihow>
Use the county
maps on the site I referenced earlier.
<Fudge>
OK
<cyndihow>
Is Erie County
close to where your ancestors lived in Ohio? If so, seems OK to spend time
<cyndihow>
researching the
marriage record in Erie Co, PA
<Fudge>
about 1.5 drive
now
<cyndihow>
If not close,
you might question the rumor/family story.
<cyndihow>
Not in distance
to travel, but are the two counties next to one another? As opposed to all
the way across the state?
<cyndihow>
See where I'm
getting at?
<genealogyADM>
Erie County
borders OH
<Fudge>
We're northeast
in OH - but the laws would have counted - the first cousins issue
<cyndihow>
Thanks Kim --
couldn't get to the map site fast enough myself.
<genealogyADM>
I live about 2
hours from Erie so didn't have to look it up :-)
<Fudge>
Very helpful!
:)
<JimBeidler>
A PA marriage
license taken out in any one county is OK to use for a marriage taking
place in any other PA county (just thought that might complicate things
further!)
<cyndihow>
As to your
question about volunteers helping me -- no. Right now my sis-in-law,
Michele, helps me. Also my husband, Mark, when he has free time.
<Fudge>
yep - what
about residency issues
<genealogyADM>
Tell me about
it Jim - makes it hard to find some of my transient PA ancestors ;)
<cyndihow>
Thanks Jim!
<cyndihow>
Fudge - please
e-mail me with your question. I will look into the question of the laws
for you.
<Fudge>
Thanks much!
<Fudge>
Will do!
<cyndihow>
It will take
too much time in this chat otherwise.
<cyndihow>
NEXT
<JimBeidler>
Cyndi, can you
give us an idea of how ARIAS, the PA State Archives online service you
mentioned, stacks up against other states' online efforts?
<cyndihow>
ARIAS stacks up
VERY well!
<genealogyADM>
Fudge - you
currently don't have to be a PA resident to obtain a PA marriage license
<cyndihow>
There are few
states with similar efforts online.
<genealogyADM>
Not positive on
the law around 1920, but would imagine it would be the same
<Fudge>
Would that have
applied in the early 1900's also?
<Fudge>
Great!
<cyndihow>
As I mentioned
earlier, primary sources online --- scanned, digitized images of original
records -- are few and far between right now.
<JimBeidler>
Good to hear. I
know they have made considerable investment in it.
<cyndihow>
In some cases
the state government is working on digitizing records, in some cases it is
archives or libraries.
<cyndihow>
Jim -- I'll be
honest. I wasn't aware that the ARIAS records were online until I started
research for this lecture.
<cyndihow>
I was very
excited!
<genealogyADM>
They only went
online a few months ago Cyndi
<JimBeidler>
It had been in
the works for several years -
<cyndihow>
Digitizing
records is a HUGE job, and a very expensive one.
<cyndihow>
It isn't a
small thing and we are very lucky that we have what we do.
<cyndihow>
Kim -- other
questions?
<JimBeidler>
And now they
are working on the published PA Archives series, as well as the Civil War
cards
<Fudge>
I have another
- what does the Records Certificate from the University of Toronto help
you do?
<Lyndsey>
I'm a newbie
and I wouldn't normally ask this without trying harder first
<Lyndsey>
but since you
are desperate for questions, LOL/...
<cyndihow>
Fudge -- I'd
have to look to be sure, but basically it is another form of online
education.
<cyndihow>
The more
education the better!
<Lyndsey>
i have the date
of birth for someone in Penn, likely Ebensburg
<cyndihow>
Lyndsey ---
newbie questions are helpful for EVERYONE
<Fudge>
Does it give
you any official status?
<Lyndsey>
1800
<Lyndsey>
how would I go
about finding his parents?
<cyndihow>
Fudge - no
<Fudge>
Thanks
<cyndihow>
not as in
certification, if that is what you mean.
<cyndihow>
Lyndsey --1800
birth
<Lyndsey>
yes
<cyndihow>
Have you worked
your way back from yourself to this person first, through all records to
PROVE that he/she is your ancestor?
<Lyndsey>
I
was left some papers and letters, one called Davis Family Register, which
had a bunch of names and dates on it
<cyndihow>
In other words,
be sure you don't jump directly from 2001 to 1800. You have to work one
ancestor at a time and prove each connection.
<Lyndsey>
he is my ggg
grandfather
<cyndihow>
OK, let's
assume you have (but if you haven't, be sure you follow up later with
documentation for those in-between years).
<Lyndsey>
i know for a
fact he is my gr grandmother's grandfather
<Lyndsey>
i even have his
photo in gr aunt's scrapbook
<cyndihow>
What you need
to do is track this person through census, tax, land and will/probate
records.
<cyndihow>
Do you know
when he died?
<Lyndsey>
yes, I know he
died 25 mar 1890 in Pleasant Valley Iowa
<cyndihow>
Very good!
<Lyndsey>
I
have his obit from paper
<cyndihow>
You should be
able to locate him on the census records from about 1820 (as a young
adult) through 1880. Each of these records will give you a bit of
information.
<Sand>
(SUPPRESSED)
I have a
question my great great grandfather was from Penn. His name was Isaac
Harding born about 1814. Two sons that I know of Milton Harding born about
1851 and Isaac Sylvester Harding born October 09, 1853, Eaton Penn. in
Wyoming County. I can't find any thing?
<Lyndsey>
i looked online
for ambria census 1820, and found a David Davis and a John Davis
<JimBeidler>
(A church
baptism in Ebensburg or Cambria County for 1800 could be helpful here,
too)
<Lyndsey>
(this guy is
Ezekial Davis)
<cyndihow>
Visit the LDS
Family History Library Catalog online and determine which rolls of
microfilm you need for the census.
<cyndihow>
If you believe
he was in Iowa in 1880, start there. Then work backwards with each census
record.
<cyndihow>
Did his obit
mention where he lived in his life?
<cyndihow>
Use those clues
for the census as well.
<Lyndsey>
i have him
tracked in censuses back to 1830
<cyndihow>
Also, since you
know a date of death, you will next look at wills and probate records.
<Lyndsey>
he's in Cambria
then
<Lyndsey>
how would a
will find his parents? they'd be dead
<cyndihow>
Just as in the
movie: ""show me the money!"" You can always follow people through records
of money changing hands
<genealogyADM>
Cambria is a
great county for research! The courthouse staff are wonderful :)
<genealogyADM>
That's where
all of my Polish PA ancestors are from
<Lyndsey>
he died when he
was 90, he wouldn't have left anything to his parents
<cyndihow>
Lyndsey -- you
have to track all documentation about each individual throughout his life.
<cyndihow>
In his
will/probate packet you may learn more about his siblings, which may lead
to the parents.
<Lyndsey>
ok will do,
thanks
<cyndihow>
You may have to
search their wills, their census records, etc.
<cyndihow>
What you do is
you build a story through the records.
<genealogyADM>
I'm going to
open up the room for everyone now. Just please be considerate and don't
bombard Cyndi all at once or I'll have to gag you <grin>
<Guest1826>
Looking for
info on early western PA- pre 1783- Fort Pitt area on Joseph Ralston &
wife Jane _? who took wife & 2 sons Joseph & Samuel to Fort Pitt for
safety from indians while he worked his land on Kings creek area- which
later became Ohio co VA, then Brooke co VA. Also looking for info on a
Joseph Ralston listed on Bounty land warrants cards says see Robert Vance
on his file in Richmond va says- Joseph was a private, died...
<Lyndsey>
thank you Cyndi
<cyndihow>
If you were
unable to determine his parents names through the census records you
searched so far, you can research a ""cluster"" of people to help you.
<Guest1826>
...in the
army, belonged to the 13th Augusta Co VA regiment, ? where do I find out
more? Nat'l archives has nothing on him. 2nd sources say this Joseph was
my fellow (5th great-grfather- per letter in 1930 from a Rev.J.H. Ralston
Gr grandson of Joseph, says 2 sons served in the War & his ancestor joseph
was captured by Indians & taken to Canada after his release the family
settled on Kings creek) No records in DAR or SAR on him?
<cyndihow>
That cluster
might include siblings, neighbors, etc.
<Guest1826>
Land papers
for a Joseph Jr. say he had a settlement on the land on Kings Creek in
1775. Sorry for long note, been searching for soooo long, have tons of
records from Brooke- census, wills, deeds, marriages, cemetery, etc on
them after 1783 period but stuck getting on back, Excited to chat with
you, first time here..thanks, Happy Trails, Kim in Okla
<sawgrass>
Cyndi, this has
been very helpful.
<UnkHiram>
HI Cyndi, Just
for the Record I was not quite, they had me gagged and Cookie MOnster was
sitting on me so I couldn't raise my hand
<cyndihow>
Through the
cluster, you start to see patterns as to who lives near your ancestor.
This helps you point to the right DAVIS as being the parent.
<cyndihow>
Lyndsey -- does
this make sense?
<rikkihost>
*evil grin*
<cyndihow>
Because there
weren't birth records in 1800. So you use the combination of other records
and your documentation, to build a case.
<cyndihow>
Hey UNK!
<cyndihow>
I didn't know
they had a gag big enough.... <running and ducking>
<SharonHOST>
Cyndi,
I learned about the ""cluster"" approach from you in a previous
chat---broke down a 20 yr brickwall, Thanks so much
<UnkHiram>
ROFL, sure pick
on the tied up redneck
<cyndihow>
OK - Guest1826
<genealogyADM>
We've had lots
of practice Cyndi <grin>
<cyndihow>
Sorry 1826 --
you lost me in some of the details.
* rikkihost
licks her
finger and touches Cyndi's shoulder.....*SIZZLE* Dang she's hot Unk!! LOL
<UnkHiram>
lol
<SharonHOST>
LOL rikki
<rikkihost>
better watch
out Unk...you're outnumbered tonight! :)
<cyndihow>
Sharon -- so
glad to hear you were successful with the cluster!
<cyndihow>
Sawgrass --
thanks for the comments!
<Guest1826>
looking for pre
1783 records in western pa, for Rev war info on Joseph Ralston in 13th
Augusta co VA on a Bounty land warrants, Kim in OK,
<cyndihow>
Everyone -- say
HI to my cousin, Chad. He's a newbie to this chat. Be nice!
<rikkihost>
Hiya Chad!
<Fudge>
Welcome Chad
<genealogyADM>
Welcome Chad -
glad to have you :-)
<SharonHOST>
Hi Chad!
Welcome
<sawgrass>
Hey Chad.
* rikkihost
looks Chad up
and down.....
<Guestsujon>
HI Chad
<CN>
Hello
everyone... I'm in class just watching this Chat...
<rikkihost>
Funny
Cyndi...he doesn't look like you?
<rikkihost>
:)
<Glo>
Hi Chad
<cyndihow>
Guest1826 --
OK. This looks like a longer answer.
<Glo>
Hi Chad
<Guest1826>
Hi Chad &
everyone I'm a newbie too....kim in OK
<cyndihow>
I need to read
up on my military history there.
<cyndihow>
You read the
NARA web site about bounty land warrants? Rev. files?
<genealogyADM>
Hi Kim in OK -
my name is Kim too :)
<cyndihow>
Rikki -- no, he
doesn't. He looks like his Dad.
<cyndihow>
But much better
looking.
<Glo>
Hi Kim
<CN>
Thanx!
<Glo>
Hi Kim
<cyndihow>
;-)
<Guest1826>
Western Pa
before state line came in was Westmoreland area etc, gets confusing, but I
have a Joseph who took wife & kids to Fort Pitt while he worked the land,
<rikkihost>
*giggle*
<cyndihow>
Hold on 1826-
<genealogyADM>
I live in
Pittsburgh Guest :)
<genealogyADM>
Which used to
be Fort Pitt way back when
<Guest1826>
Natl archives
has nothing, DAR or SAR nothing, Land paper say he had settlement on land
in 1775, became Brooke co VA.
<cyndihow>
1826 -- have
you looked at the Library of Virginia
library card catalog online?
<cyndihow>
They have
scanned images of their card indexes
* rikkihost
wishes NY would
get with the program....sheesh.
<Guest1826>
Richmond VA
records from Bounty land warrants say he was a private died in the army...
<UnkHiram>
Unk convinced
NY doesnt know what the program is
<cyndihow>
1826 -- Joseph
his first or last name?
<Guest1826>
letter from Gr
grandson a Reverend J.H. Ralstons says the 2 sons served in war (doesn't
say which war?) & his ancestor Joseph was captured by Indians & taken to
Canada.. LASTname was RALSTON, thanks so much for help treasure it,
<cyndihow>
OK -- looking
for Ralston now
<cyndihow>
Hey 1826!!!!!!!
<cyndihow>
Lookie here:
Ralston, Joseph 2 December 1795
<cyndihow>
Ralston, Joseph
3 December 1795
<cyndihow>
Those are from
the Library of Virginia database
<cyndihow>
Land Office
Patents & Grants/Northern Neck Grants & Surveys
<Guest1826>
I think Joseph
son Joseph was born abt 1764 by tombstone rubbing, but dates on land
papers say Joseph Jr. had land on King Creek in 1775?
<cyndihow>
are those too
late?
<Guest1826>
Got land grant
papers one for Joseph jr say he had a settlement in 1775
<cyndihow>
Description:
<cyndihow>
Description:
100 acres on the south side of the south fork of Kings Creek adjoining
Nath Davis.
<cyndihow>
Hold on --
there was also a Joseph, Jr.
* rikkihost
pushes Unk's
tongue up against the frozen pole outside...
<Guest1826>
thats one of
them,
<genealogyADM>
1826 - where
does western PA come in?
<Guest1826>
& all of them
seems to name a kid Joseph?
<cyndihow>
Whoo-hoo!!!
<cyndihow>
Description:
400 acres on Kings Creek including his settlement made thereon in 1775.
<genealogyADM>
I think I lost
part of the story when I got booted from the chat room :)
<Guest1826>
Their land
borders the state line of Hanover twp, Wash Co PA
<cyndihow>
Location: Ohio
County.
<Guest1826>
Kings creek
goes up into Wash co PA & Beaver co PA
<genealogyADM>
When you say
borders the state line - you mean back in the 1700s?
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