My maternal Uncle Jack was a large man in size and presence with a booming voice; he was a Marine after all. But what I remember most about him was his big persona; you knew when he came into a room. Yet he was good natured with a jovial disposition. He moved out of Pennsylvania before I was born, but he visited every couple of years, which gave me a chance to become familiar with him while growing up. My first memory of him was when I was very young and Jack and his family stopped by to visit us. I don’t recall the details except excitement around his arrival and departure, most likely because we knew it would be some time before his next visit. Continue reading
Ludwick
Misc. Tax Rolls — Jefferson County PA
Some years ago when visiting the Jefferson County courthouse I copied several property tax lists for my ancestor Abraham Ludwick and some of his sons. 1837 was the first tax year I copied for Abraham in Young Township; he had moved his family to Jefferson County sometime in the mid-1830s. By the early 1840s Abraham’s sons John and George, now adults, were also listed on the tax rolls for the county in Gaskill Township. By the 1850s more of Abraham’s sons who had reached adulthood and owned land appeared on the tax rolls, now in Winslow Township. It’s possible that the Ludwick families never moved, but the townships around them changed as new ones were formed. In 1855, which is about the time Abraham and Mary moved back to Allegheny County, Abraham’s name was scratched out with a note that property should be assessed to Samuel Ludwick. Continue reading
Commemorating David B. Ludwick
Whereas Veteran’s Day in November honors all men and women who have served in the United States military, Memorial Day in May commemorates those whose lives were lost in the line of duty. With restrictions due to Covid19 in place, Memorial Day 2020 celebrations in many areas will be quieter than other years with no parades or ceremonial gatherings. Nevertheless, on May 25, I will be remembering veteran David B. Ludwick, my 2nd great granduncle, who was one of the more than 620,000 casualties of the Civil War. Continue reading
Vital Records: PA Register of Births
Recently I decided to search Pennsylvania birth records for my maternal grandparents Marjorie and Bill Ludwick, who were born in 1894 and 1895, respectively. Finding documents related to births in Pennsylvania before the 20th century can be challenging. Between 1893 and 1905 reporting births was under the county jurisdiction, and compliance was inconsistent. These records, located in the Orphan’s Court Division of the county courthouse, are usually referred to as the county Register of Births. Continue reading
Census Through the Years: Alpheus Ludwick
Alpheus Henry Ludwick, my great grandfather, lived the latter part of his life in the small town of Youngwood, PA. My mother remembered Alpheus, her grandfather, who would walk through town and shake his cane at motorist he thought were driving too fast. From her stories I picture him as a gentle and loving man, despite a number of sad life experiences.
County Histories: Westmoreland County Rughs
Around the turn of the 20th century, comprehensive histories were compiled for many of the U.S. state counties, providing background on the early events of the area, the formation of the county and its townships, and its industry, politics, and religions over the years. Mentions of prominent residents of the area, sometimes with a detailed biography were often included, but the profiles of these county citizens were more family stories, rather than documented accounts. Typically the subject’s national origin was listed, with a lineage that traced back to his first known ancestor to inhabit the county. Family members were identified often along with details about education, occupations and places the family had settled. In addition, these histories mentioned births, deaths and marriages, listing a year, and in some cases an exact date, though details would need to be verified, as the information might contain inaccuracies. Continue reading
Christmas Letters
The holidays are a wonderful time for connecting with family and friends. Since the 1840s, many have sent greetings to loved ones with Christmas cards expressing sentiments of good tidings for the holiday season and happiness for the upcoming year. Sometimes in the card the sender jots a short line or two or includes a letter. In the past 25 years, with the popularity of computers, the letters have become typed and printed on festive paper, allowing the writer to produce many copies with the same content. Occasionally these form letters are sent in place of the typical greeting card. Continue reading
The Case of the Missing Will of Henry Brinker
Probate records often contain significant information and provide proof for particular family facts. Wills are probably the most widely known type of probate records. A person who creates a will, called a testator, gives a directive for what items after his death are left to whom, often mentioning names of children, or relationship of any named heirs. Witnesses, especially for older wills, usually were a relative or friend of the testator and could aid in supplying additional clues about the family. Continue reading
Ludwick Centennial Anniversary
January 25 marks the 100th anniversary of the marriage of my grandparents, William “Bill” Eden Ludwick and Marjorie “Madge” Belle Fowler. They were married in the United Brethren Church in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W.A. Knapp, with his wife Mrs. Knapp as the witness. After their wedding they travelled by train to New York City to spend their honeymoon. Continue reading
No Deed Unturned—Searching Westmoreland County Deeds
When early records are scarce for a family, land records, especially deeds, can sometimes provide clues. A deed can establish residency and provide information about immediate neighbors who were sometimes relatives. When a married man sold property, his wife was named and interviewed, apart from her husband, to determine that she was in agreement with selling the land—perhaps as a way for her to protect her dowry. Family members often sold property to their children or siblings, keeping it in the family. If an owner died, a deed might list the heirs who inherited the land—quite useful if no will was made. It was my hope that deeds might help with my search of the Blackston family. Continue reading
Relatively Speaking Blog 