Deeds are documents that show ownership of land and record the transfer of property from one party to another. In Pennsylvania, as well as other states, they are managed at the county level by the Recorder of Deeds office. Each one contains basic information, such as the names of the parties, date of the agreement, a description of the land—often including neighbors—and the amount for which the property was sold. When a land holder dies intestate—or without a will—the property transfer might be the only reference of the decedent’s death. This was the situation for my second great-grandmother, Mary Brown, in Lycoming County, PA.
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.
November 1919: When It All Began
My sister Marie impressed and delighted me when I asked if she knew the significance of November 1919. “That’s when it all began.” She couldn’t have been more certain if I had asked her about 1492, 1776 or the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, but the date in question was personal, relating to family history from a century ago. Our sister Patty easily identified the date too, providing the essential details: “It seems that both sets of our grandparents were wed in November 1919… Capone wedding the 17th – the Morelli wedding the 27!”
Remembering Alvin
This January 29th marks the 110th anniversary of the birth of my Uncle Alvin, who must have inherited physical stamina and endurance. He was named Alvin Rudolph Brown, but we always called him Uncle A. Alvin was the second child and oldest son of Charles Weldie Brown and Lucy Belle Swank. He was born in Davidson Township, Sullivan County according to his birth certificate, which his father signed, indicating there was no doctor or midwife present during his delivery.
Christmas Cookies
Once again the Christmas season is here. Lots of hustle and bustle abound as we prepare for the approaching holiday. In addition to sending cards, displaying decorations, buying and wrapping gifts, time is spent in the kitchen preparing holiday meals and making cookies and candies. Many people I know make the same holiday goodies year after year, some of which are long established traditions following family recipes that have been handed down over several generations. Continue reading
Anniversary of the Armistice
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. At that precise moment in 1918, the armistice to end the fighting of World War I went into effect, with the official peace treaty signed months later in Versailles. The war had raged in Europe for over 4 years, with most of the combat occurring in eastern France and western Russia. Regarded by many Americans as a European dispute, the United States maintained neutrality until the spring of 1917 when it entered the fray and declared war on Germany. Continue reading
The Spanish Flu of 1918
October 1918 was one of the scariest months for many Americans. That year the United States, and the world, suffered the deadliest influenza pandemic in history. One fifth of the world population is thought to have contracted the 1918 influenza virus, also referred to as the Spanish Flu. In the U.S., deaths from complications of the disease were estimated at between 500,000 and 675,000, with most occurring in October 1918. Fatalities worldwide have been placed at between 30 and 50 million. With the proportion of the population that was infected, it is likely every family knew someone who had the flu, or even succumbed to it. I found some cousins who had the Spanish Flu, but the closest family member known to be infected with it was my grandfather’s brother Ira Rugh Ludwick. Continue reading
Remembering Mazzie Marreta Que
On September 19, 1918, my grandparents Charles and Lucy Brown welcomed the arrival of their sixth child, Mazzie Marreta Que. Mazzie, or Peggy as she was commonly called, was born in Ralston, Lycoming County, PA just one week after her father registered for the draft for the First World War. Fortunately the war was near its end and Charles was not selected to serve. Shortly after Peggy’s birth, Charles relocated the family to Indiana County, PA, where Peggy would spend the majority of her life. Continue reading
Savoring Summer
With the bounty of summer comes the amazing tastes of fresh produce. Sweet juicy peaches that ooze down your chin. Corn on the cob dripping with butter. Ripe red tomatoes, zucchini, peppers, radishes, the list goes on. However, there are some summer flavors, like strawberries and grapes that seem to transport me back in time. Continue reading
Vital Records: Family Bibles
For a genealogist, family bibles can be a tremendous source of vital family information, although these details are not as easily accessible as civil or church records, which are generally available to the public at large. Family bibles, in addition to the Old and New Testaments, contain a center section to record family events, such as births, marriages and deaths. Since entries are handwritten, a family bible is a unique repository of family data. If a family had been religious in its entries, this book would hold a wealth of family history. The disadvantage, however, is that the audience is limited, since the book is kept by one family. Continue reading
Relatively Speaking Blog 