This year marks the semi-quincentennial anniversary of Westmoreland County PA’s formation. Formed from Bedford County, Westmoreland was the parent county of Fayette, Greene, Washington and parts of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver and Indiana counties in southwestern PA. There are many historical places in this region and some of my maternal ancestors, like Michael Rugh Sr., participated in the early history of these counties. Having grown up in Westmoreland County, I traveled around many of the same places that my ancestors had decades before. Continue reading
Ludwick
The Will of Jacob Ludwick
The will of Jacob Ludwick, my 4th great grandfather, was entered into probate in Allegheny County, PA, on September 23, 1800, suggesting he died shortly before. Unlike other ancestors of mine, various anecdotes about Jacob exist. However, some have conflicting information, which requires deciphering these tales to determine what may or may not be accurate. Continue reading
Commemorating David W. Blackson
This Memorial Day I remember David W. Blackson, my 2nd great-grand uncle, who served during the Civil War, fighting to preserve the Union. The son of Joseph and Mary Weaver Blackson, David was born about 1840 in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, PA, where he grew up. In the 1850 census, David was 10 years old, residing with his parents, and his siblings Louisa, Mary, Isaac, Jacob, Catherine and Permelia. In 1860, David was listed as 18, and was now the oldest child in the household with five younger siblings. Continue reading
Remembering Kathryn
My mother was a woman of many qualities: caring, amusing, outgoing, strong willed, and a bit of a spit fire. 100 years ago today, February 6, she was born in Youngwood, PA to Marjorie Fowler and William E. Ludwick, also known as Bill and Madge. My mom was the youngest of three children and the only girl; her older brothers were Bill and Jack. Continue reading
Edith Ludwick Hutchinson: Census Through the Years
When my mother told me about her aunts and uncles, she recounted one summer, perhaps during World War II, that she visited her aunt and uncle, Edith and John Hutchinson. John, who was called Beany, had a farm, and during the few days my mother was there, she assisted with the daily farm chores. My mother mentioned that she got a compliment from her uncle about what a good worker she was. Continue reading
New Castle County DE Tax Rolls for James Blackston
One of my goals this year is to confirm the parents of my 4th great grandfather, James Blackston. According to family, James was a widower with a large family when he came to Westmoreland County PA from either Maryland or Delaware. After his arrival, James married Elizabeth West. A bill of sale in that county in December 1819 revealed James sold a mare, a horse and a cow harness. Continue reading
Census Through the Years: Zachariah Adam Deemer
Sarah Best was my second cousin three times removed on my Ludwick line. During the 1830s our mutual Ludwick ancestors, Abraham and Mary, moved to Jefferson County PA for almost 20 years before they returned to Allegheny County. Many of their children who grew up in Jefferson County chose to remain there and raise their families. Sarah, great granddaughter of Abraham and Mary, was born in 1837 and spent her entire life in Jefferson County. Continue reading
Cemetery Citings: Brush Creek
Cemeteries are the resting place of the dead, and for a genealogist they are teeming with information. Gravestone inscriptions are a short bio about the deceased, often supplying name, birth and death information, relationships and sometimes even an epitaph. When relatives are in the same cemetery, the grave markers can reveal a family narrative. Perhaps it’s this richness that fascinates me when I walk through a graveyard reading the stories of the standing stones. Continue reading
Catharine Reclaimed
When I was younger and I drove through Pleasant Unity with my mother, she would often point out a house up a long driveway where her grandmother Mary Frances, known as Fannie, grew up. The house was owned by Fannie’s grandfather Joseph Blackson. My mother mentioned Fannie spoke about growing up in Pleasant Unity as a girl although my mother couldn’t recall the details; my impression was that Fannie’s childhood was not the happiest. Fannie was illegitimate and her step-grandmother did not look favorably on her. Continue reading
Census Through the Years: William Edgar Ludwick
When I began gathering information for my family tree, I was told my great-grand Uncle Will Ludwick had lived in Nebraska and was a minister. Will, formally William Edgar, was brother to Eden and my great-grandfather Alpheus. They were orphaned before they were teenagers, and perhaps because of this, they held a strong value for family and stayed in touch throughout their lives. Although subsequent generations lost contact, some time ago I connected with the wife of Will’s grandson who added to the anecdotes told by my family, which census enumerations helped to substantiate. Continue reading
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