Pennsylvania Ancestors

This group is for anyone researching families from Pennsylvania at any point in time.
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  • David Lee

    I am researching a William Case of Redstone Castle area in Bedford Coounty before 1800. Had several sons, Reuben, William, Jacob, Joseph, and James. A cousin Nathaniel ran with the family. SE PA is my focus. Thanks.
  • george w. robertson

    This is George Robertson in Louisville, Ky. I am looking for info on my first known Robertson ancestor, Samuel Robertson, (ca.1744-1815). He die in Washington County (Springfield), Ky. We have never known where he came from but I am suspecting that he is the "Robertson" involved inthe exploits described int the book, The History Of tThe Hardin Family In The Early Settling of Kentucky. The people in the book started from Fayette County, Pa in 1780 down the Ohio river to Kentucky. Anyone with knowledge of Robertsons or Robinsons in Western Pa., please contact me
  • Dennis Steele

    Researching Samuel Steel b. 1768 in PA, his wife, children, and his ancestors, about whom I currently know nothing at all. His children ultimately settled in OH, IL, IA, KS, NE and MI.
  • Keith McKain

    I have a friend who just began working in genealogy research in PA and I offered to help. The questions asked or sources of confusion have me stumped....

    1. An inability to locate Court Minutes. Those Minutes were the main resource for southern research, of course, along with the census.
    2. An inability to find a research- how-to manual for PA research, the court names are extremely unfamiliar----prothonotary, etc., but duties of some of those offices I am finding online.
    3. An inability to locate online explanation of PA tax records, roughly 1750-1850. For example, in Bedford County I find this among tax records: "return of land", and I have never before seen that designation. Also, what does it mean when the tax record reads "non-resident", yet the individual is being taxed, as I recall in Bedford.
    4. What terminology does one use to obtain estates executors or administrators annual returns done until estate probate is completed?

    Can anyone help out?
    Thanks
    Keith
  • Dae Powell

    Searching for HART in Bucks County; MOORE and JACKSON in Chester County. Willing to share the information I've located thus far.

    Happy Dae·
  • S. J. Cruse

    Hi Keith
    I am Suz (SJ) Cruse and I have read your message about friend doing PA genealogy. I'm not sure I can come up with everything you need, but give me a bit of time and I'll see what I can dig up. If your friend is in or near Philly, the place to start would be the Historical Society of PA. when I was there I would give 'em $5, take a deeeep breath,go in and have at it., It's an amazing place. Now, I'm gonna dig in my stuff and see what I can come up with for you. If you want to email me at my email it is deafmtnbear@gmail.com
  • Karyn Mullen

    I am researching John Mullen born abt1780 in PA. I believe his father was James Mullen. I would like any info that can help with birth records. Trying to trace to immigration. John married Elizabeth Firestone in 1802 and had several children, he died in 1836 in Ohio.
  • Jim Smith

    Mooneysearch,

    You mentioned in an early post about family from Philly possibly being a Phila firefighter. Here is a link to the PFD fire museum. If he died in the line of duty they should be of some assistance. Good luck!
    Jim Smith
  • Libby McCann

    I am looking for information on looking for information on Valentine Miller (Mullar) born 22 Oct 1754. Died in 19 APr 1834. He was buried in the Stone Church, Mt Bethel Twp, Northhampton Co Pa. He married Susan Laubach in 1778
  • Karen Bowman

    Jim Smith, I believe that you were commenting on my post. Sorry it has taken awhile to get back to you. Thanks for your suggestion but the link didn't come through.
  • Vicki Koller Hartman

    Libby. My husband's maternal side descends from Valentine Muller's daughter Catherine "Caty Jane" Miller m: to Joseph Albert. Finding info for Northampton County is difficult if you are not in the area. I keep looking, but would like to plan a trip to the Marx Room at the Easton Library. It is supposed to be a great resource.
  • Catherine Ann Norris Allen

    I am researching the Cunningham family, specifically Joseph & Eliza Cunningham. I have no idea at this time what area of PA they are from. I only know they were born in PA & married there, & several children were born there. They came to Kentucky in the 1830"s. I hope there is someone researching Cunningham's that may be able to help me.
  • Sherri S

    Greetings,

    Has anyone lived in Lansford ~ Carbon, PA in the past or perhaps still. I located an aunt & uncles address on the 1930 census (East Patterson St.) and viewed it on Google Streets. I have a question on a business that used to be next door to their home circa 1970's, that is now an empty lot. If anyone is familiar with that area; I will detail the specifics. Thank you!
  • Pauline Gray-Snitwongse

    I am researching my maternal GGgrandparents John S. and Catharine McCormack (various spellings). They show up in the 1870 census-Van Buren Twp., Clay Co., Indiana. Both age 29, born in Ireland. Then in the 1880 census they appear in New Castle, Lawrence Co., Pa he is 40 and his wife is 43. I am sure these are the same people despite the ages as the children are the same in both. Catharine dies in New Castle in 1882 and John dies in Pittsburgh in late March 1889. The same day his brother Edward dies in Ohio. It would appear they both worked in glass factories and died of complications of working there. Their oldest daughter Catherine is my Ggrandmother. She married James Hoover and their daughter Margaret E. is my Grandmother. Catherine later married Charles H. Jones, It appears they lived in Braddock/Pittsburgh. My Grandmother Margaret E. Hoover/Jones m. Rev. James William Clair. The Clairs also lived in Braddock.

    While I am unsure of the accuracy of this connection, the only group that appears to be them in passenger lists is in July 1857 where their names appear on a manifest from Londonderry arriving in Philadelphia.

    Pauline
  • Ron Johnson

    I'm researching Abraham Reifsnyder, born 1804 in PA, and his wife Mary Schnell, born 1811 in PA. They were married 10/27/1833, and had a son John S. Reifsnyder, born 7/7/1844 in New Hanover, PA. Need more info on them and their parents.

    Thanks,

    Ron
  • Richard R Wagner

    looking for info on stoudt an wagner lines from Reading PA
    these trees merged in my parents looking for more info further back
  • Susan Trudell

    Looking for Ludwig or Louis Kaffenberger from Chambersburg, PA
  • Chris Raines

    Looking for information on the Guzinsky family from Schulykil, PA area. Some family may have changed spelling to guzinski, gayzinsky. One named Boleslaw Guzinsky moved to New Jersey, one named Adam Guzinsky moved to VA. Any info, please let me know.
  • Jayne McCormick

    Found this... closest yet to Boneslaw

    New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957
    about Bronislaw Guzinsky
    Name: Bronislaw Guzinsky
    Arrival Date: 3 Sep 1924
    Birth Year: abt 1897
    Age: 27
    Gender: Male
    Ethnicity/Race­/Nationality: Polish
    Port of Departure: Danzig
    Port of Arrival: New York, New York
    Ship Name: Estonia
    Search Ship Database: Search the Estonia in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database

    Source Citation: Year: 1924; Microfilm serial: T715; Microfilm roll: T715_3534; Line: 17; Page Number: 64.




    I found no "Boleslaw" in the census but did find the following Guzinsky's who were from Schuylkill

    Social Security Death Index
    about Adam Guzinsky
    Name: Adam Guzinsky
    SSN: 225-14-1093
    Last Residence: 23452 Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, Virginia, United States of America
    Born: 2 May 1914
    Last Benefit: 23518 Norfolk, Norfolk City, Virginia, United States of America
    Died: Jul 1979
    State (Year) SSN issued: Virginia (1960)

    World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
    about George Guzinsky
    Name: George Guzinsky
    County: Schuylkill
    State: Pennsylvania
    Birth Date: 2 Aug 1882
    Race: White
    FHL Roll Number: 1926599
    DraftBoard: 2
    Occupation: Manager Shoe Store
    Nearest Relative: Mrs Bessie Guzinsky
    Height/Build: Slender
    Color of Eyes/Hair: blue/brown
    ----------------
    U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
    about George Guzinsky
    Deceased 30 Jun 1943
    Name: George Guzinsky
    Birth Date: 30 Sep 1884
    Birth Place: Russia
    Residence: 121 Centre St. Mahanoy City, Schuylkill Co, Pennsylvania
    Roll: WW2_2240344
    Age: 58
    Occupation: Self Employed - Mahanoy City
    Nearest Relative: Bessie Guzinsky
    Height/Build:
    Color of Eyes/Hair:
    Signature: View image
    ----------------
    World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
    about Simon Guzinsky
    Name: Simon Guzinsky
    County: Schuylkill
    State: Pennsylvania
    Birthplace: Pennsylvania;United States of America
    Birth Date: 5 Aug 1896
    Race: Caucasian (White)
    FHL Roll Number: 1926597
    DraftBoard: 1
    Age:
    Occupation: Manager worked for his Monther
    Nearest Relative:
    Height/Build: tall/slender
    Color of Eyes/Hair: blue/brown
    ----------------------
    U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
    about Simon Guzinsky
    Name: Simon Guzinsky
    Birth Date: 5 Aug 1896
    Birth Place: Schuylkill
    Residence: 405 S. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland
    Roll: WW2_2242058
    Age: 45
    Occupation: Tailor
    Nearest Relative: Daniel Guzinsky, 226 Renner (?) Ave, Newark, NJ
    Height/Build:
    Color of Eyes/Hair:
    ------------------
    U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942
    about Walter Guzinsky
    Name: Walter Guzinsky, 227 West Ruddle Street, Coaldale, Schuykill Co., Pennsylvania
    Birth Date: 11 Mar 1894
    Birth Place: Warsaw, Poland
    Residence: Schuylkill, Pennsylvania
    Roll: WW2_2240344
    Age: 48
    Occupation: Lehigh Navigation Coal Co
    Nearest Relative: Anna Guzinsky (same address as above)
    Height/Build:
    Color of Eyes/Hair:
    Signature: View image
    ----------------
    These were the only census years with Guzinskys listed

    Several Guzinskys in the 1900 census 2 or 3 families
    1910 census - 3 families in Schuylkill
    More in 1920 - 3 or 4 families
    None from Schuylkill in 1930 census
  • nancy ann cole

    looking for a George HRANKA who came to Lansford,Pa. in 1900-1901. He got hurt in a coalmine accident, and was never heard from again. he was my grandmaAGNES HRANKA ' father who came from Kuslove , Moravia. His son John Hranka came here in 1912 to look for him . No one ever found him...
  • Jayne McCormick

    Nancy, I went through Ancestry and the ONLY George Hranka I found was one in the 1920 Census. He was listed as being in the Kankakee State Hospital, Kankakee, IL, was 44 years old, single and born in IL. If he miss "missing" and in a State Hospital in IL... that *might* be a reason he couldn't be found. (?) Speculation, I know, but maybe something to be checked into.

    Good luck!!
  • nancy ann cole

    Jane, thanks for looking him up. I too found a George Hranka in Ill. Didn't find the part of him being in a State Hospital, tho. I will check into him deeper,tho.I don't think the years match. him, I will try to match him up.with my great-grandpa. Will chech on find a grave site too.I found some Hrankas in Clearfield Co. Pa. and in Pestone Cemetery in DUBOIS, Ill. They may be related. will check on the contributers of those sites. Thank you again for looking him up. I never knew anything past my grandma,Agnes Hranka, daughter of George till Tom Vadjik got in touch with me on this site, and I found out he is my cousin in Canada. I am in California. nancy cole
  • Co Ordinator

    Nance the 1930 census has 24 Hranka's listed
    Find a Grave has 8 listed
    Social Security Death index has 20 listed
    Plus I found this here:
    http://www.ellisisland.org/search/passRecord.asp?pID=605212010216&a...
    and has others too
    this one may be him as you have him from Kuslove
    but the above has him from Kuselava
    Very similar in spelling
    Here you will find the whole listing of Hranka's:
    http://www.ellisisland.org/search/matchMore.asp?LNM=HRANKA&PLNM...
    Hope that this helps
    Wayne
  • Pauline Gray-Snitwongse

    Hi Jayne, I am researching my McCormick ancestors who lived in New Castle, Pa. and Pittsburgh area. I beleive the arrival date was 1857 from Londonderry. Their names were John S. and Catharine McCormick (McCormic, McCormack) John's father might have been Thomas. Does any of this ring a bell for you?
  • Ellen M (Procopio) Kramer

    For those seeking information on the Staudt-Stoudt-Stout family, the reunion is August 8 at Umbenhauer's Park, Bernville, PA. See website www.Staudt-Stoudt-Stout.org.
    Ellen Kramer
    Family Historian
  • Lewis Hartswick

    I am trying to determine if the Frank Edward Hartswick (1914-1936) ,Son of
    John George Hartswick (1873-1952) that I have in my family tree is the same
    one I discovered in California married to a Margaret Seigler. The California one
    had a son Donald James (1936- ) born in CA.
    The Pa., Frank may have lived in Altoona as a youngster but I'm not sure. He is
    buried there. I haven't found him on census records. I have not found any index
    of marriages for Blair Co. ???
    Thanks for any help or ideas.
    ...Lew...
  • Robert Lee Gavin

    new to this group, looking forward to getting involved. My Irish, German, English and French ancestors settled in the Philadelphia area.
  • Gail Ann Gruszka Reitz

    Im new to the group too Robert, I am looking for a marriage for Joseph Gruszka and Rose Bonk in either town of Coaldale Penn. One is in Bedford county and the other in Schuykill. One clue is that my Grandparents had two of their children there Katherine "Katie" 12 Sept 1914 and John "Johnie" on 02 June1916. If someone here knows of those towns I would really appreciate some information regarding the above. Thanks.
  • Robert Lee Gavin

    Gail, I'm not familiar with Coaldale, PA, except one of them is located not too far from Allentown, PA. However, I did a quick search for Joseph and Rose Gruszka on Ancestry.com and found a couple by that name on the 1930 census living in Chicago. They were both born in Poland, he around 1888, her around 1890. They had 4 children ages 11 to 19, but no Katherine or John.

    There is also a WWII draft registration (April 26, 1842) for Joseph Gruszka, age 54, living in Cleveland. Rose Gruszka is listed as his contact person.

    You may know all this, or maybe it's not connected, but I'll pass it on since it's not a common surname. Good luck.
  • Kathy Boody

    Im related to all of the Kinters from Pa. and so many other families as well.
  • Family Griot

    I came across this file while requesting information on my own family. I believe that they were added to my information on accident. But my minor annoyance could be someone's good fortune. This is a service record and disabilty record for a James Straney who served in Co A. 57th PA Infantry. I hope this helps someone. SCAN4329_000.pdf

  • Jeanne Imperati

    I am researching: Logsdon, Durbin, Simons and wells w/ related families.
  • Dawn Kurth-Minard

    Searching for Kurth info in Montgomery Co
  • Karen Groh Amspacher

    I am a new member.  I am searching the names Amspacher, Worley, and Hamm.  They are primarily from York Co.
  • Kathleen Mangold

    Hello everyone. I'm a new member searching many lines in Pennsylvania, but one of my persistent "brick walls" is information on William Haines b. Sep 1847 and his wife Lydia (maiden name unknown) b. Jun 1852 in Pennsylvania. They were married in approximately 1880 and are enumerated in the 1900 and 1910 censuses in Harrisburg (Ward 7, in the "Allison Hill" area). Their children included: William, b. 3 Jul 1884; Jane B., b. Apr 1886; Annie L., b. Sep 1888; and Charles B., b. 4 Nov 1893 and died 4 Apr 1894 (age 5 months). Charles is buried in the Dauphin County Alms House cemetery. From what I can gather, they were very poor--William worked for a livery, Lydia worked as a laundress, and Jane was a domestic. William and Lydia are my gg-grandparents. Any information about my family would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
  • Lower Bucks Genealogists

    Lower Bucks Genealogy Club Regular Monthly Meeting:

    May 14, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    Team Toyota Service Center (NOT the dealership!!!)

    2nd Floor Community Conference Room

    401 East Lincoln Highway

    Langhorne, PA.  19047

    http://lbgc19047.webs.com

    We hope to see you there!

  • Eileen Souza

    I am a new member of the group.  My research is primarily in Northumberland County, PA, especially in Shamokin and Mount Carmel.  I may have a line of Pennsylvania Germans that go back into Berks County.

  • Gene Moffitt

    I am searching MOFFIT (MOFFAT)   BOYLE   CARTWRIGHT    MAYS  in   Clearfield,   Centre and Cambria  Cos.
  • Daniel M. Ream

    Hi , I am a new member. I have a brickwall of course. I am looking for info on Peter REAM and Anna Catherine Zeller. According to census ,he says he was born in PA Also 2 of his daughters were born in Mifflin Co. PA Some of the other children were born in Lycoming Co. PA I am trying to find his parents and where he was born.
  • Kate Steere

    Dates for Peter Ream?
  • Sarah Ann Ashley

    Hi

    I am interested in the Gullifords.  They originated in Somerset in the UK.  Simon Gulliford arrived in 1859, his wife n kids a couple of years later.  Can follow them via the census to 1930. 



  • Daniel M. Ream

    Hi Kate, The headstone years are 1787 for Peter REAM birth and 1788 for birth of Anna Catherine Zeller. Online you will see dates of 1786. There are alot of Peter Ream's, mine is married to Anna Catherine Zeller. Peter died Jan 6 1858.  Anna Catherine died March 4 1860.
  • Savannah Teel

    Is anyone here Decedents of the name Yufer? It is a common name in the north.
  • Cathy Transue

    Seeking information on Travis & Patterson Surnames - Philadelphia

     

  • Katherine A. Jones

    Re. Peter Ream..Was his father Abraham Ream and mother Elizabeth Neidig?
  • Daniel M. Ream

    Hi Katherine, I have been researching for several years and cannot find the parents of Peter REAM. My Peter REAM was married to Anna Catherine Zeller. I can't find positive proof yet. To my knowledge Abraham REAM and Elizabeth Neidig are not his parents, can't find proof.
  • Joanne Malene

    Looking for information on Sarilda Whitehill, born March 1838 in Helen, Clarion County, Pa. Father was one of the many David Whitehill - mother was a Rebecca Fulton.  She married Solomon Raifsnyder in/about 1860.  Thanks for any info.
  • Lower Bucks Genealogists

    Lower Bucks Genealogy Club Monthly Meeting

    10/08/2011 @ 2:00 PM

    Team Toyota Service Center (NOT the dealership!!!)

    401 East Lincoln Highway

    2nd Floor Community Conference Room

    Langhorne, PA.  19047

    All are welcome. We hope to see you there!

    For more information: http://lbgc19047.webs.com

  • Cathy Milioto

    Hi my name is Cathy Milioto and I am researching my grandfather's family-Langdon/Lanxton that lived in Allegheny County, Deer Township. I have several children I cannot find information for: Ann Jane b. 1859, Mary b. @1852, James M b. @ 1864 and William b. Sept 1850. Any help will be appreciated!
  • Kate Wagner

    I am researching Christopher (Christoffell) Turnpaugh (Dornbach) (abt 1735 - abt 21 Aug 1805) and resided in the area surrounding York, PA (abt 1750) before acquiring land in Baltimore County, MD (1762).