As we celebrate Veteran’s Day, I am proud to take time to pay tribute to Daniel Dugan, my 4th great grandfather, for his contribution to the United States army when it was in its beginning. To have an ancestor who fought for this nation’s independence is a great honor. To be able to read his recounts of some of his experiences adds to the appreciation.
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
Aunt Susie: Always Smiling
This month marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of my Aunt Susie. Born Elizabeth Naomi Jane, she was the first child of Charles and Lucy Brown, and her maternal grandmother helped to deliver her on September 19 in Davidson Township, Sullivan County, PA. She was known to most as Susie, although some called her Lizzie. Susie grew up in the Sullivan County area until she was about 6 years of age, and she likely knew something of her grandparents. Continue reading
Asa and Mary: Leaves of Gold on the Fowler Tree
Most people look to family and friends throughout their life to share joyful moments like weddings and baptisms, to witness important decisions similar to making a will or transferring land, and to offer support in challenging times when struggling to raise a family or a death occurs. When doing family research, if any of these events are documented it helps to paint a broader picture and bring to life a name on the family tree. Such was the case with Asa Fowler, a brother to my 2nd great grandfather John Fowler as well as an uncle to my great grandfather Charles Fowler. Continue reading
Mattie’s Maiden Name Mystery
Several years ago I compiled my research on the family of my 4th cousin, Kaye, into a book. I was intent on trying to answer several questions before I finished it, especially, “Who were the parents of Martha Irene Kline?” Martha, Kaye’s great grandmother, was also known as Mattie. I had found conflicting clues about her maiden name and attempted to sort it out. But the more I searched, the less clear the answer became. Continue reading
Marriage Tributes
This June marks my 5th wedding anniversary and it makes me appreciate the ancestors throughout history who have engaged in the rite of marriage—some with a church wedding, some with a civil service, and some without a formal ceremony but living under “common law”. Occasionally, an ancestor might have been born out of wedlock and his/her parents separated, such as in my case with my great grandmother, but most of my known ancestors took the plunge and made a vow to be bound in marriage. Many were fortunate to celebrate numerous years together—hopefully, happy ones. While I have information about when the marriage took place and perhaps a few statistics surrounding the event, for the most part, information about how they met or their courtship is absent. Continue reading
Garden Roots
Every year as Memorial Day approaches and the weather gets warmer, I start thinking about gardening and planting vegetables. For much of my adult life I’ve had some type of summer garden, planting at least tomatoes, along with some other typical vegetables, such as peppers, radishes, and eggplants. Living in the city, we are fortunate to have a modest plot of about 300 square feet in a community garden not far from home; it is sufficient to harvest fresh vegetables to eat throughout the summer and to preserve some to enjoy over the winter months. This year as I was readying our plot, I contemplated my attraction to working the land and feeling the dirt in my hands. I recognized how agriculture is a part of my history. Continue reading
Misc. 1860’s Tax Rolls – Lycoming County PA
Taxation has been in existence for centuries. In the United States, April 15th, is a day most people know as “Tax Day”. It is fast approaching, and for procrastinators it will now be a rush to get their personal income taxes filed before the deadline; although this year they have till the 18th to complete their forms. For those fortunate to have a piece of the American Dream, that is owning the home they live in, there is the luxury of an additional burden throughout the year– property taxes. In some areas in the 1800s, not only was land and the buildings situated on the property taxed, but also livestock, such as cattle, horses and even dogs. In addition, those living on the land as a renter were also taxed for some years. Below are some extractions from tax records of yesteryears found during some family research in Lycoming County. Continue reading
The Flood of St. Patrick’s Day
Today St. Patrick’s Day is often celebrated with festive parades, Irish food and drink, and all things green to obtain some luck of the Irish. But eighty years ago, for many Pennsylvanians, March 17 was not a time of merriment but one of misfortune. The day before, temperatures reached the 50s rapidly melting the winter snow and ice and quickly swelling nearby waterways. Weather forecasters warned of possible rising water, but a steady rain that accompanied this warm weather resulted in floods more severe than anyone had anticipated. Continue reading
Catherine and the Springs of Lycoming
During the War of 1812, Catherine Spring, a 23 year old widow, married her second husband, Daniel Dugan, a veteran of the earlier war waged against Britain to gain independence. Daniel was 40 years Catherine’s senior when, according to records, they married on August 19th 1813 after a Methodist meeting in Moreland Township, Lycoming County, PA. This was Daniel’s third marriage, having fathered seven children with his previous wives. Catherine had five young children with Mr. Spring, one of them a baby boy, named Peter, who had been born within the year, indicating her husband had recently died. Continue reading
Relatively Speaking Blog 