Genealogy Wise
Pennsylvania Ancestors
Question about research strategies
I have traced my family surname, ARNEY, back to a Jacob Arney (????-1782)
Jacob Arney's first Wife, was Anna Ursula KRON (1722-1761)
She arrived, from Essenheim, Germany, with her family in 1741.
Together, Jacob and Anna Ursula Arney, had four "known" children:
Christian "Christy" Arney, Sr. (1750-1834), died in Lincoln County, North Carolina
Adam "Lawrence" Arney (1751-1802), died in Burke County, North Carolina
Johann Heinrich "Henry" Arney, Sr. (1755-1830), died in Owen County, Indiana
Anna "Elisabeth" Arney-Setzer/Setser (1761-1849), died in Caldwell County, North Carolina
Their children were born in the area of York(town), York County, Pennsylvania.
York(town) was established in 1741, meaning it would have originally been in Lancaster County.
York County was established in 1749, that's why I say York(town) would have been in Lancaster
County, prior to being in York County, Pennsylvania.
At this time, I do NOT know who, the Parents and Siblings of Jacob Arney were.
So, what I would like someone to answer is:
Where should I concentrate my research, in order to solve this mystery?
Should I be looking in Lancaster County, because they may have been living there,
prior to being in York County, at its' creation?
Should I be looking in York County, Pennsylvania, because that's where the children
would have been born and raised, prior to there moving from the area around 1767?
Jacob Arney moved his family, from York(town), York County, Pennsylvania, around
1767, moving them to North Carolina, and settling in the area of Tryon County, NC.
Tryon County, NC, was dissolved in 1779, therefore they then lived in Lincoln County, NC.
I really want to solve this mystery (brick wall), to learn where my Jacob Arney came from,
to find who his parents and siblings were, etc.
Therefore, I'm asking for expertise, as to where I should concentrate my research,
Lancaster County/York County/elsewhere?
Would it be more "cost effective" to hire a Professional Genealogist in the area OR
figure out where to search and travel there myself?
I truly want to solve this mystery, IF it's possible to ever solve it.
Your feedback, would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, for your time, consideration, and cooperation.
Kate Wagner
I will probably be up in York doing research in the next month. Get in touch with me and I will see what I can find for you. For any other period, Susie's suggestion that you look in Deeds and Wills would be a good source but since I assume you are referring to the colonial era, before 1800, these documents largely did not exist in PA as they were not required. Tax lists are a good source but they are not indexed so be prepared to make a painstaking search to make certain you have covered the entire area (Lancaster, York, Adams, etc.).
Jan 22, 2013
Kate Wagner
Also, the danger in using an online resource such as rootsweb is the uncertainty of the data and the citation (if one exists). I will use an online source to get an idea of what/who to look for but never trust it as the be all end all. That's placing my work in someone else's hands. I want to see the source document for myself.
Jan 22, 2013
Stan Arney
Jacob Arney (????-1782)
We do not know who his Parents and Siblings were, and where were each of them born.
So let us take a look, at the families "surrounding" him.
Jacob ARNEY married his 1st Wife, Anna Ursula KRON
Anna Ursula KRON (1722-1761), born in Essenheim, Germany
Arrived in the United States, in 1741, aboard the Ship "St. Mark" w/ her family
Jacob & Anna Ursula Arney's 1st Son
Christian "Christy" Arney, Sr. (1750-1834)
Married Anna Catharina KIENER (1754-1833)
Her Father was Abraham KNUR (1717-1795)
Arrived in the United States, from Germany, in 1741, aboard the Ship "Lydia"
Jacob & Anna Ursula Arney's 2nd Son
Adam "Lawrence" Arney (1751-1802)
Married Anna Catherine LUTZ (1762-1862)
Her Father was Johann Jerg/George LUTZ, Jr (1739-1777)
Arrived in the United States, from Germany, in 1749, aboard the Ship "Lydia"
Jacob & Anna Ursula Arney's 3rd Son
Johann Heinrich "Henry" Arney, Sr. (1755-1830)
Married Magdalena FULK (1755-1849)
Her Father was Andreas Volck (1722-1790)
Her Grandfather was Andreas VOLCK (1678-1747)
Arrived in the United States, from Germany, in 1708, record of ship lost
Jacob & Anna Ursula Arney's 1st Daughter
Anna Elisabeth Arney (1761-1849)
Married Johannes "Adam" Setzer/Setser, Sr. (1758-1843)
His Father was Jacob SETZER (1730-1766)
Arrived in the United States, from Germany, in 1753, aboard the Ship "Brothers"
Looking at this chronologically
1708 Andreas VOLCK
1741 Anna Ursula KRON
1741 Abraham KNUR
1749 Johann Jerg/George LUTZ, Sr.
1753 Jacob SETZER
So, odds are very good, that our Jacob ARNEY (or his Parents, etc.), also came from Germany.
They might also have arrived between 1708-1749, maybe even earlier.
What do you think?
Thank you, for your time, consideration, and cooperation, I appreciate it.
Jan 27, 2013