genealogyADM
(aka Kimberly) |
Hello Everyone!
My name is Kimberly Powell and I would like to welcome you all to
the Genealogy site at About. Tonight I am joining you from my home
in Pittsburgh, PA |
| genealogyADM |
I am very
excited to be a part of a new concept in online genealogy - the
"Virtual Lecture." |
| genealogyADM |
This programming
provides people around the world the opportunity to learn together
in an interactive format without leaving home. |
| genealogyADM |
It's not
everyday that you get the opportunity to ask questions of expert
genealogists, and we hope that you enjoy this opportunity
<g> |
| genealogyADM |
The concept is
the brainchild of Jim Beidler, Executive Director of the
Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, and he has done a wonderful
job of pulling it all together. Thank you Jim :-) |
| JimBeidler |
Thanks very
much, Kimberly. Actually, the seed of this idea came from my wife.
I'm logged on from Jonestown, PA. As GSP Executive Director, I'd
like to thank our funders, PA Humanities Council and
HonoringOurAncestors.com |
| JimBeidler |
Also, my thanks
go out to Kimberly Powell and About.com |
| JimBeidler |
And, finally,
much gratitude to John Humphrey, for ignoring the fact that
pioneers take all the arrows! to test out this programming. |
| JimBeidler |
now, I'd like to
introduce one of GSP's Vice Presidents, Walt Stock. Take it away
Walt ... |
| Walt |
Walt from Philadelphia.
Sometime in Nov, the GSP will be setting up a Tech SIG to address,
among other things, how to use the Web to reach and involve our
members who do not live in the SE Pa region. I have high hopes
that this virtual lecture will be an early positive step in this
direction. |
| Walt |
Now I'd like to
introduce our first Virtual Lecturer to you. He's a nationally
regarded lecturer and Education Manager for the NGS. This summer
he appeared on the PBS Ancestors II series as an expert on church
records. So, let me give you John Humphrey... |
| JohnHumphrey |
I want to begin
by saying thanks to the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania and
its Executive Director, Jim Beidler, for inviting me to
participate in this, their first online lecture. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Online lectures
are a wonderful means to reach out to Society members and others
who have an interest in Pennsylvania families and/or Pennsylvania
research. |
| JohnHumphrey |
This lecture was
prepared about two years ago. It was given for the first time at
the 20th Annual Mennonite Historical Society Conference in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania. |
| JohnHumphrey |
It has since
been given at other locations. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Source material
for this presentation has been included (http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/uchumphreya.htm).
Those sources are a starting point for researching ancestors in an
area of this country that is genealogically significant, and an
area of the United States that has a wealth of information. |
| JohnHumphrey |
I do want to
note that I am coming to you from my office historic Glebe House
in Arlington, VA home of NGS |
| JohnHumphrey |
So lets have
some fun in exploring the kinds of records and information
genealogists can find on their 18th century Pennsylvania
ancestors. |
| JohnHumphrey |
We are open for
your questions. |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Penmark]
About when did local colonial paper making get started to relieve
the shortage of paper? I understand that it was difficult to
obtain paper which leads to problems in the records. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Yes, PenMark.
The first paper mill was operated in the Germantown area of
Philadelphia. But during the entire colonial period paper was in
short supply. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Supplies of
paper for books had to be purchased in Europe |
| JohnHumphrey |
This has caused
innumerable problems with such things as early church registers. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Penmark]
John - In your research into estate inventories, have you noticed
whether or not firearms are a common item in colonial households? |
| JohnHumphrey |
PenMark, in the
inventories I have worked with they were quite common. |
| JohnHumphrey |
But an
interesting question as it relates to Pennsylvania is the
frequency they can be found in estate records for Mennonites and
Quakers |
| JohnHumphrey |
Nest question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM daylynne]
Would you please explain the building abbreviations in the tax
assessment records: F.H.L.S., L.H. L.B, etc. Thank you |
| JohnHumphrey |
Daylynne, those
abbreviations are new to me. What records did you find them in? |
| daylynne |
County tax assessments,
triennial, 1832 |
| JohnHumphrey |
They could be
notations of the assessor who kept the records for a particular
county/township |
| JohnHumphrey |
Daylynne, which
county? |
| daylynne |
Columbia |
| daylynne |
similar
notations were in several different townships |
| JohnHumphrey |
I wish I could
help more on that one Daylynne, next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM JimBeidler]
John - In the lecture, you talk about journals and ledgers, and of
course these were not terribly common - how might these be useful
even if your own ancestors didn't keep them? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Jim, they can be
used for a number of things. |
| JohnHumphrey |
First they can
give you some background or insights into what life was like and
how it was lived. |
| JohnHumphrey |
The Moravians
for example kept diaries describing their journeys down the wagon
road to North Carolina |
| JohnHumphrey |
If you have an
ancestor who traveled that route you can get a feel for what
happened as one journeyed through the mountains of Virginia |
| JohnHumphrey |
But ledgers and
journals also have information on neighbors or people who may have
purchased items |
| JohnHumphrey |
Interesting and
useful information on troublesome families |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Meemaw] On
the 1798 US Direct Tax for PA, where can these be found. Are there
others years available? |
| JohnHumphrey |
MeeMaw, the 1798
tax was a Federal tax. It was taken only once. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Those records
are available from the National Archives in Washington DC |
| JohnHumphrey |
I believe you
can purchase them on microfilm |
| JohnHumphrey |
They are an
invaluable source for studying life in Pennsylvania. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Pennsylvania is
one of only a few states where these records have survived |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM marj] Can
you recommend a social history for colonial 17th century - I'd
like to learn about more "shared experiences" |
| JohnHumphrey |
Marj, there are
a number of studies that were done. |
| JohnHumphrey |
You should check
the biblio for this lecture |
| JohnHumphrey |
One I think is
very insightful is The Best Poor Mans County by James T.
Lemon |
| JohnHumphrey |
Another is The
Lower Sort by Billy G Smith |
| JohnHumphrey |
My favorite is
Hopeful Journeys by Aaron Fogelman |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Newengland]
John, What sections of Philadelphia in the 18th cent. were home to
the German enclaves as mentioned in your lecture? |
| JohnHumphrey |
The north wards
of the city |
| JohnHumphrey |
The Germans
created the first ethnic section in any American city in
Philadelphia. |
| JohnHumphrey |
There was also
Germantown but that was further out of town |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM daylynne]
What determines whether you appear on the tax rolls? age, head of
household? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Daylunne, that
would depend on the time period. |
| daylynne |
1820's-1830's |
| JohnHumphrey |
During the
colonial era the magic age was 21 and even the poor paid taxes |
| daylynne |
so even if you
were still in your father's house at 21, you appeared on the tax
rolls? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Tax records are
an invaluable source for studying Pennsylvania families during the
colonial era |
| JohnHumphrey |
Most certainly
yes. You might be listed as an inmate |
| JohnHumphrey |
Do not take that
word in the incorrect way as we would use it today. |
| JohnHumphrey |
It would simply
mean you were living in someone else's home |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| daylynne |
so there's hope,
thank you - are the rest of the early state tax records in
Harrisburg? |
| genealogyADM |
FROM AnnD] John,
you said source material has been included. Where do I find the
sources for the footnotes? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Ann, in the
lecture click on one of the footnote numbers and you will get all
of my citations. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Daylynne, those
records are generally at the local courthouse. |
| AnnD |
Thanks! I'll try
that after the chat is over. |
| JohnHumphrey |
However there
are a lot of them at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in
Philadelphia and those records have been microfilmed by LDS |
| JohnHumphrey |
The LDS
microfilms have been purchased by the Pennsylvania State Archives
and can be accessed by mictrofilm at the Archives in Harrisburg as
well |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM evmom] John
- I have an ancestor born in 1804 and the place is listed as Ohio
or Pennsylvania on various records. Ohio became a state in 1804.
Prior to that how far west were Pennsylvania's borders considered
to be? |
| JohnHumphrey |
EvMom, I have
never seen any record putting the western border into Ohio. |
| JohnHumphrey |
I am certain
there was some overlap for a while, but that was not one of the
borders that caused serious problems for Pennsylvania. |
| JohnHumphrey |
In the case of
the southern boundary and northern boundary there were some early
problems |
| JohnHumphrey |
By 1804 the
western boundary of PA was fixed |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM evmom]
Who/what are Moravians? |
| JohnHumphrey |
EvMom, the
Moravians refer to the Moravian Church. |
| evmom |
Were members of
the Moravian church all of German background? |
| JohnHumphrey |
This is the
oldest Protestant Demonination established in 1457 in Kunewalde
Moravia |
| JohnHumphrey |
They were part
of the German immigration into Pennsylvania. |
| evmom |
Is there
anything distinct about researching a Moravian ancestor? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Their legacy is
the incredible records they have left us. I could do a whole night
on those records, believe me |
| evmom |
Wow, I didn't
know that. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Yes, you will
probably find more information on that/those ancestors than any
you have |
| evmom |
Of course, I
won't be lucky enough to have a Moravian ancestor... |
| evmom |
Where can we
find Moravian records? Microfilmed by the LDS? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Let me crow
here, 1/8 of my ancestors were Moravians (g) |
| evmom |
So, 1/8th of
your research is done, right? <g> |
| JohnHumphrey |
No Moravian
records have not been microfilmed by LDS. They are in the archives
at Bethlehem,PA and Winston Salem in NC |
| JohnHumphrey |
Don't I wish
EvMom (g) |
| evmom |
To access
Moravian records do you have to be on site? Or can some be done
via correspondence? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Basically
Moravian records need to be researched on sight. A lot have not
been translated |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next Question
Kimberly |
| genealogyADM |
FROM hileman]
when a Rev war soldier was granted land how did they go about this
process? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Hileman, he
would have gone through the land office in Pennsylvania and had to
prove that he served in the war. |
| hileman |
how did they decide what land to
give to him? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Interestying
question as it makes me wonder if ther proof they would have used
was kept in the file in a manner similar to what happened with
pension records |
| JohnHumphrey |
I do not know
but I think that could be a fun thing to search for |
| hileman |
often wondered why someone ended
up in a certain tract of land |
| JohnHumphrey |
I am certain
there were eligibity requirements. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Now that is a
totally different issue. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Where one
settled probably did not have a lot to do with eligibility |
| hileman |
grandfather
ended up with land in Armstrong co. and wonder if this was granted
to him |
| JohnHumphrey |
Certain lands
were set aside for donation or depreciation lands in western PA
which included Armstrong Co |
| JohnHumphrey |
You should check
the original land records at Harrisburg fior |
| JohnHumphrey |
for the details |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM daylynne]
What was the road tax (1841)? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Daylynne, my
quess is it was a tax to support or pay for the building of roads. |
| JohnHumphrey |
These kinds of
tax records did not exist in the 18th century. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Their existence
in the 19th is a sign of progress |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM LaniMacA]
Passenger lists in Strassburger & Hinke often include
notations such as "Messrs. Stedman" at the end of the
heading. I understand that indicates that those gentlemen were in
charge of hiring out the ship's passengers who could not pay the
expenses of their voyage. Who determined the person(s) in charge
of that process? Did Messrs. Stedman, or whomever, receive a
commission/fee for that service, and how much was it. Was the rest
of the money that was "raised" usual? |
| JohnHumphrey |
LaniMacA,
Messrs. Stedman et al were probably the owners of the ship. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Interesting that
you should mention that, because those names are a way of tracking
down where ships landed |
| JohnHumphrey |
The Philadelphia
newspapers from the period frequently note the sale of German
servants and they may mention men like Steadman |
| LaniMacA |
Could you
describe the process and experiences of an indentured servant?
Were families indentured together, or split up? |
| JohnHumphrey |
They also note
the docks where the sale took place |
| JohnHumphrey |
Maps exist that
show those docks |
| JohnHumphrey |
So you can find
where your German ancestor set foot on American soil for the 1st
time |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM hugh] Can
you recommend particularly good repositories for shared social
history in Lancaster Co.? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Hugh, repositories?
hum, Lancaster County has a great historical society |
| hugh |
Is that the best
place to start? |
| JohnHumphrey |
on President Ave
next the the home of our 15th President, James Buchannan. That is
a great place to start |
| JohnHumphrey |
A lot has been
published on Lancaster County. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Also try the
Mennonite Historical Society again near Lancaster city |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Newengland]
How long did these Germans tend to stay in the city before leaving
for the outer lying counties? |
| JohnHumphrey |
That is a
difficult question to answer because quite frankly we do not know |
| JohnHumphrey |
It depended on
individual families. |
| JohnHumphrey |
We can find
evidence some went out into the "bush" rather quickly
and others lingered in Philadelphia |
| JohnHumphrey |
I think it had a
lot to do with how much money they came with |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM LaniMacA]
Passenger lists in Strassburger & Hinke often include
notations such as "Messrs. Stedman" at the end of the
heading. The gentlemen in charge of hiring out the passenger who
couldn't pay their expenses, I hear. Could you describe the
procedure and the experiences of indentured servants? |
| JohnHumphrey |
It came down to
who could pay for passage and who could not. |
| JohnHumphrey |
From the
evidence that survives, and that is limited, they were sold on the
dock by the owners of the ship. |
| JohnHumphrey |
They could be
purchased individually or as family units. |
| JohnHumphrey |
But that
depended on the amount of money that had to be paid and who was
buying. |
| JohnHumphrey |
I have an
ancestor who arrived in Philadelphia on 27 Sep 1773 with his 8
children. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Over the course
of the next several days 4 of those children were sold into
servitude and the family was split up |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| JohnHumphrey |
as a side note,
that really made searching for that family rather difficult |
| LaniMacA |
In what resource
did you find that info on your indentured ancestors? |
| JohnHumphrey |
and I think a
lot of problems we have researching 18th century families are attributable
to servitude |
| JohnHumphrey |
A list of
Germans sold from 1771 to late 1773 survived and was published by
the Pennsylvania German Society in 10-7-1907 |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM sue] How to
locate baptismal records Philadelphia Pa 1819-1850 if church
attended is not known? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Sue, there are
no easy answers there. You really have to do a church by church
search. |
| JohnHumphrey |
One possible way
to shorten the process, have you found them in the census? |
| JohnHumphrey |
If you have them
on the census or perhaps on a deed, then start with the closest
church |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Maryemma]
Did the 1798 Federal Tax list for Delaware survive? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Maryemma, I
quite honestly do not know. I do not research that state/colony.
You could write to the National Archives and ask |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| JohnHumphrey |
I think some
records for the 1798 tax still exist for Maryland and Virginia but
they are not as complete as those for Pennsylvania |
| genealogyADM |
FROM daylynne]
are children listed on the 1798 Direct Tax of PA? |
| JimBeidler |
John-There's
Window Tax for Massachusetts, too, but I don't know about DE
either |
| JohnHumphrey |
No, the 1798
direct tax list property. But it describes property as in how many
stories, how big, type of construction |
| JohnHumphrey |
Interestingly it
also lists renters so you can use these records to find people and
locate them who may not have owned property |
| daylynne |
so, over 21
again? |
| JohnHumphrey |
I have used
these records to track sons in law etc |
| daylynne |
where are they
again? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Dylynne this tax
was a property tax, not a head tax. |
| JohnHumphrey |
To own property
you had to be 21 |
| WaltStock |
1798 tax lists
in city of Phila give some street addresses |
| JohnHumphrey |
Thanks Walt |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Newengland]
I think many people (including myself) may be wondering as to your
next publication. Will it be the next PENNSYLVANIA BIRTHS book
perhaps? Always curious... |
| JohnHumphrey |
Good question. I
was recently hired to manage the education program of the National
Genealogical Society |
| JohnHumphrey |
That has cut
into the amount of time I have to work on my own books |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| Newengland |
Let me say that
they are of great use in my library here in Boston |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Mayfly]
John, How many Pa. counties have preserved their poor commission
registers? |
| JohnHumphrey |
I am pleased to
hear that New England. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Mayfly, I really
do not know. Pennsylvania has a lot of counties and well I have
not looked in the records of even half of them |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM LaniMacA]
From the B & C lists (oaths of allegiance), it appears that
30-40% of the early immigrants didn't know how to scratch out
their own names. Didn't they have need of that skill in their
homelands? If not, why did many other immigrants have that skill? |
| JohnHumphrey |
LaniMacA, I have
never seen any record in Germany where people there had to learn
how to write their own names |
| JohnHumphrey |
But you also
have to remember, generally poor people emigrate. |
| JohnHumphrey |
People with a
better station in life tend to stay put. |
| LaniMacA |
So, there was
nothing they had to sign (oaths, registers, etc.)? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Yes, they signed
two lists. One was the oath to the Crown and the other to the
Proprietor of Pennsylvania |
| JohnHumphrey |
Well I should
say they signed an oath of allegiance to the Crown and another to
the Proprietor aka the Penn familyoat |
| JohnHumphrey |
|
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM ladyaudris]
John, is there a peculiarity in PA German research we should all
know about? |
| LaniMacA |
But back in
their homelands, was there anything (registers, etc.) they had to
sign, which would be a reason to learn how to sign their own
names? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Ladyaudris,
there is a lot about German research that is unique. A lot that
makes our job as family historians easier |
| JohnHumphrey |
For example, we
have those oaths. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Descendants of
English, Welsh and Irish ancestors do not have those immigration
records |
| JohnHumphrey |
We also have
those crazy mixed up misspelled names. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Researching
Welsh families makes one appreciate crazy names |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM hileman]
the inventory list have a lot of articles I'm not familiar with
can you give a source for definitions |
| JohnHumphrey |
Hileman, off the
top of my head I can't name a source but there are books out there
with that kind of information |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Sharon] A
British soldier deserts & joins the colonists to fight in the
Revolutionary War. Why is it so difficult to find any records? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Hileman try
Cyndi's List Dictionaries & Glossaries http://www.CyndisList.com |
| genealogyADM |
FROM AnnD]
Kenneth L. Smith's "Estate Inventories: How to Use Them"
is a good source for defining items in inventories. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Sharon, good
question and I am not certain I have a good answer. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Why do we have
problems finding records for any ancestor. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Some people did
want to avoid the government, the agency responsible for creating
those records |
| JohnHumphrey |
Perhaps an
Englishman who deserted did not want to be found, even by his
descendants |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM daylynne]
Do you know the purpose of bounties paid by the County for fox,
wolf, etc. "scalps"? in late 1700's, early 1800's |
| JohnHumphrey |
Daylynne, They
wanted to cut down on the wolf population |
| JohnHumphrey |
I understand
Pennsylvania had similar bounties even in the 1930 on things like
snakes |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Val] What
industry is Berks county known for? Is there a certain occupation
that would bring people to Berks as opposed to other PA counties? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Its called pest
control |
| JohnHumphrey |
Val, what time
period? |
| Val |
1822 |
| JohnHumphrey |
In 1822 you had
the beginnings of industrialization, iron factories. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Berks County had
a number of them around Reading, but I do not see the iron
industry in 1822 attracting a lot of people |
| JohnHumphrey |
Most of Berks
County residents were farmers |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM mmary] I
was surprised to read that the immigrant Germans had to renounce allegiance
to the Pope. Were there Catholics among the immigrants? |
| JohnHumphrey |
MMary, yes there
were. Surprising numbers actually. |
| JohnHumphrey |
The problem with
the allegiance and the need to renounce the Pope goes back in
English history to the problems of Henry VIII, his daughters Mary
and Elizabeth I |
| JohnHumphrey |
That is a long
and interesting story and well not one we need to get into here. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM frankbarton]
would indentured servants who were children be "forced"
to serve in the military in stead of a master? I have a 13 year
old ancestor who served as a fifer in a Philadelphia regiment |
| JohnHumphrey |
No, interestingly
the Militia laws of Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War
and the Revolution exempted servants |
| JohnHumphrey |
Servants were
far to valuable to send off to war. Send your sons instead (g) |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM LaniMacA]
What role did the church play? Were there many churches in the
interior, or were services held in a home? How often? Is it true
that, since Phila. had so many churches, people often switched
denominations depending on how they liked the minister, or was it
that they were "trying out" different denominations
because they weren't used to having so many choices? |
| WaltStock |
Keep in mind
that military quartermasters issued rations based on the number of
names on the rolls. It was clearly in the interest of commanders
to enlist and keep ANYONE (regardless of age) on the rolls if it
could be done without disrupting the organization. |
| JohnHumphrey |
A lot depended
on the time period. Early on services were held in private because
there were no ministers |
| JohnHumphrey |
I doubt there
was much "church hopping" because of the social side of
the church |
| JohnHumphrey |
It was a
important part of their life and they had friends and relatives in
the church they attended |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| LaniMacA |
My Moravian
ancestors began in the Luth. church in Phila., then Moravian, then
Reformed, then Luth., so there was some church hopping. |
| genealogyADM |
FROM AnnD] You
mention PA tax lists for tracking land usage. In what years were
they taken-and how many survive? (Cumberland Co.?) |
| JohnHumphrey |
LaniMacA, do you
have evidence of actual church membership or was this a situation
where that is where the baptism was recorded? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Ann I am not
certain what the survival rate was for Cumberland County. |
| JohnHumphrey |
But tax records
are far more important to genealogists than land usage. |
| JohnHumphrey |
They can really
help unstick some difficult problems |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM
ClarionPAGenWeb] Questions regarding migration east to west in C18
PA. I've tracked a huge correlation between Berks and Clarion
County families. Was there back-and-forth of family members once
they moved west? Did many go back east? What was the average
number of migrators from a family? |
| JohnHumphrey |
We can track a
number of migrations, i.e., groups from one county going to
another at the opposite end of the state or even into Ohio. |
| JohnHumphrey |
It happened
especially after the Revolutionary War. As to going back I have
not seen much evidenc e of that |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Karen]
John, in my ancestry there are 3 German-speaking Swiss families
arriving in Philadelphia prior to 1750 and associating with the
Reformed Church. Is it fair to assume that the socialization
patterns of the Swiss were consistent with the German experience
in Colonial PA? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Karen, they were
very much a part of the German culture. You have to realize that
many of the "so called Germans" were actually Swiss, in
that they migrated from Switzerland to Germany and stayed there
for a generation and their children came on to Pennsylvania |
| JohnHumphrey |
Annette Burgert
has done some interesting research on some of these Swiss families
who came as Germans |
| JohnHumphrey |
but were
actually Swiss in origin |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Bob] when
were the earliest mills built in PA |
| JohnHumphrey |
Bob, there were
mills constructed along the Wissachakon (sic) in the late 17th
century. |
| JohnHumphrey |
I am shooting in
the dark here but I would imagine the early Swedes had mills even
before that |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM daylynne]
Is there any way to identify a certain parcel of land from tax
rolls? What type of land map/records are available in late 1700's? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Daylynne, first
thanks for hanging in there all this time. |
| JohnHumphrey |
As to tax maps,
there is not a whole lot out there that I have seen. |
| JohnHumphrey |
I would suggest
the best place to search is the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
in Philadelphia in their manuscript collection |
| JimBeidler |
The 1817
Whiteside maps are about the earliest maps in PA |
| daylynne |
all discussion
very interesting thank you |
| JohnHumphrey |
I have been
putting together a map for Northampton County on my own based on
the original warrants and surveys |
| daylynne |
excellent! |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM LaniMacA]
If a German immigrant of that period farmed in South Phila. or
Northern Liberties, how was his life different from that of the
interior farmer described in the text of your lecture? |
| JohnHumphrey |
It would have to
have been very different. |
| JohnHumphrey |
First of all his
neighbors were much closer. |
| JohnHumphrey |
He could get his
grain to the market a lot easier and he could purchase the goods
he needed a lot easier |
| WaltStock |
The one guy who
knows more about maps in SE PA is Rich Boardman at the Map Dept at
the Free Library. He enjoys challenges. Give him a call. |
| JohnHumphrey |
And there were
churches nearby with ministers to take care of his spiritual needs |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM jayhawks]
Do you know of any journals, etc. written by Scotch/Welsh/Irish
settlers? I am particularly interested in those that settled just
south of Pittsburgh (Monongahela area). Thanks! |
| JohnHumphrey |
JayHawks, I do
not know of any for that area, but I do know the person to ask. |
| JohnHumphrey |
Marilyn Holt at
the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM ladyaudris]
John, with regard to Swiss Germans -- this was an interesting
point you brought up. I have one line, Heckathorn, that I've had
many problems trying to determine its origins. Census and church
records are leading me nowhere. Any suggestions? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Where in
Pennsylvania did you find them? |
| ladyaudris |
Berks Co. |
| ladyaudris |
Also, what were
the prime areas in PA that gunsmithing took place? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Berks County
records are better than most. What time period? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Are you looking
for his origins in Germany or are you having problems here? |
| ladyaudris |
I'm having
problems here in PA during the late 1790's/early 1800's |
| ladyaudris |
well, I'm not in
PA, but CO :) |
| JohnHumphrey |
Have you tracked
him with tax records? The tax records for Berks County are fairly
good |
| JohnHumphrey |
Ok try tax
records via an LDS family history center |
| JohnHumphrey |
Next question |
| genealogyADM |
FROM daylynne]
are you familiar with Coal Scandal in Northampton co. regarding
land of a traitor? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Daylynne, no.
Elaborate |
| daylynne |
William Thomas
was convicted of treason and land seized was later sold to my
ancestors |
| daylynne |
there was
reference to some type of scandal when he returned and sued to get
it back |
| JohnHumphrey |
How interesting |
| genealogyADM |
FROM Bob] If a
person in1750 to 1780 was considered "well to do" what
kind of occupation or business might he have been in ? |
| JohnHumphrey |
He was probably
a merchant or land speculator. |
| JohnHumphrey |
A lot of people
made money buying land and dividing it up into smaller parcels and
then reselling it |
| Bob |
were mills owned
privately? |
| JohnHumphrey |
The real money
however was made in Philadelphia by the merchants |
| JohnHumphrey |
Yes, they were
privately owned |
| genealogyADM |
FROM ladyaudris]
Also, what were the prime areas in PA that gunsmithing took place? |
| JohnHumphrey |
One are was
Lancaster County. Another was Northampton County where you had the
Henry Gun factory |
| JohnHumphrey |
Thanks Daylynne
and thanks to everyone else for being so pat |
| JohnHumphrey |
Before we end
this I want to thank everyone for being here and I hope I have
been able to help |
| JohnHumphrey |
I have a passion
for Pennsylvania and its early families! |
| daylynne |
we sure
appreciate your spending the time with us, John |
| ladyaudris |
Thank YOU John,
for being on the other side of our monitors! :) |
| JohnHumphrey |
Its been fun |
| daylynne |
I have gotten so
much information from "day books" or merchant's account
books. I can practically tell what my ancestors had for breakfast
- now if I could only find their parents! |
| ladyaudris |
I'm sure many of
us learned quite a lot tonight. |
| JohnHumphrey |
and as I said I
hope I was able to give you some insights |
| JohnHumphrey |
Daylynne, that
is the fun part (g) |
| JimBeidler |
John, on behalf
of us all and Genealogical Society of PA, thanks very much for
being our first Virtual Lecturer. |
| JohnHumphrey |
I have one I
chased for more then 30 years! |
| JohnHumphrey |
But I found him] |
| daylynne |
so, don't give
up, eh? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Jim, as a long
time member, thank you! |
| JimBeidler |
A feedback sheet
will be going out to everyone who preregistered - please return
this so we can know how to hone the concept and do it again! |
| ladyaudris |
John, I missed
the first hour of the seminar. Did you cover any specific peculiarities
regarding Pennsylvania research as opposed to any other states? |
| JohnHumphrey |
No it was all
Pennsylvania |
| genealogyADM |
I'd also like to
thank everyone for visiting my site tonight and being a part of
this chat :-) |
| anneke |
FYI, I have
evidence that one early Swedish family gave a name to their home
here in Pittsburgh. Perhaps the name someone was looking for is a
name given to a home??? |
| JimBeidler |
Please do visit Genealogy
at About.com - there are a lot of good things on it! |
| daylynne |
it is a great
concept and I hope to see more, Kimberly! |
| genealogyADM |
You can sign up
for my newsletter if you want to keep up with what is going on
here http://genealogy.about.com/blnews.htm |
| genealogyADM |
And Jim and I
hope to continue with these Virtual Lectures |
| LaniMacA |
Jim, thank you
and GSP for arranging this Virtual Lecture, and thank you Kimberly
for moderating. |
| genealogyADM |
It has been a
lot of fun and, thanks to John, I have learned a few new things
myself :-) |
| MrChips |
Thanks for the
Chat John and everyone I learned a lot Goodnight |
| JimBeidler |
Yes, thank you,
Kimberly for all your work in setting this up for the Genealogical
Society of PA |
| Kristine |
Thank you all
for an enjoyable and educational evening! |
| JohnHumphrey |
Jim as a member
of your society I agree. This is a wonderful service |
| Ellen |
Jim, is there a
web site for the genealogy society of PA? I'd like to join. |
| genealogyADM |
Thank you Jim
and John and GSP for an excellent evening! |
| genealogyADM |
And thanks so
much to everyone for coming! |
| JimBeidler |
Ellen - Yes,
www.libertynet.org/gspa |
| Ellen |
Who would be a
resource for York, Lancaster, & Adams Co 1700's, Scots-Irish
immigrants? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Scotch Irish
immigrants are a hard group to search. |
| Ellen |
Tell me about
it-20 years, and still stuck. |
| JohnHumphrey |
My suggestion is
things like tax records |
| ladyaudris |
John, are there
specific peculiarities to Pennsylvania research as opposed to
other state's? |
| JohnHumphrey |
Yes, there are
significant differences in the colonies that few people appreciate |
| JohnHumphrey |
Hey its been a
long day. I gotta get out of here but this has been fun |
| Ellen |
Thanks a lot
John. Wish I had been here earlier. |
| tj12761 |
Good night John
and Thank you |
| genealogyADM |
Thank you so
much for spending the evening sharing your knowledge with us John |
| Kristine |
Thank you for
your time and experience, John |
| JohnHumphrey |
Kimberly, thank
you |
| tj12761 |
Well, all, it
has been fun. Thank you again Kimberly. Good night. |
| genealogyADM |
Goodnight
everyone! Thanks again for coming and stop back soon :-) |
