Earlier this month my Uncle Buck passed away. He was a typical Brown: fairly quiet with an “ornery” sense of humor, and often answered a question with, “I really don’t know much about that.” Named after his father, Charles Weldie Brown, it is unclear how he acquired his nickname Bucky. When I asked Buck about it, even he wasn’t sure. My sister vaguely remembers my father, Buck’s brother, telling a story about how Buck got his nickname; it was somehow related to hunting. This seems plausible as Buck was an avid hunter and would be out on the first day of deer season to get his buck.
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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
World War One Selective Service
2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the United States entering the Great War, more commonly known as World War I, which impacted many of our ancestors. It began on June 28, 1914 when a Serbian nationalist assassinated Austrian Archduke Ferdinand; a month later Austria Hungary declared war on Serbia. A few weeks later this regional conflict had escalated into a full scale war as most European countries had entered the fray, with the larger powers of Germany, Britain and France bearing much of the burden and casualties. Over the next three years as the war raged on with no end in sight, the possibility loomed that America might be pulled into it. Continue reading
Census Through the Years: Josiah Reese
The federal census was instituted by the U.S. constitution to count population to determine the number of representatives each state would receive. It is also a useful tool for the family researcher, even though the enumerated data can contain errors. The census has been conducted every ten years beginning in 1790, but some of the early enumerations for several states, like New Jersey, are no longer extant and much of the 1890 census was damaged in a fire. However, the census records that do survive can give insight into the lives of one’s ancestors. Continue reading
Misc. Tax Rolls — Westmoreland County PA
Personal income taxes are usually due on April 15th, although for 2017 the deadline was moved to April 18th. When the 15th falls on the weekend, the deadline is moved to Monday. However, Washington D.C., observes a work holiday for Emancipation Day on April 16, so when this falls on a Sunday, the observation is moved to Monday the 17th. This in turn bumps the tax deadline back one more day to April 18th giving citizens several more days to file—or in some cases procrastinate. Continue reading
Cemetery Citings: Stone Heap
When I was in college—before my passion for genealogy developed—my walks to town took a shortcut through a cemetery. However, I ended up lingering to read the inscriptions on the stones, identifying who was related and imagining what these people’s lives might have been like. I remember a row of markers from the 1860s for one family: a father, a mother and several of their infant children who died within a few years of each other. I considered the sorrow this family felt and wondered whether illness or accident caused the children’s deaths. Continue reading
Cousin Connections: Blanche
One of the joys of genealogy has been connecting with cousins, close and distant, who share an interest in researching the family. Over the years, I have made a number of wonderful connections on both sides of my family, with relatives as well as non-relatives with whom I have joined forces to fill in gaps on a mutual tree. Thinking about some of the family associations I’ve made, one special person comes to mind, my cousin Blanche. 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
Holiday Traditions
Many families have long held traditions they celebrate, especially around the holidays. These customs usually are familiar routines from our childhood, reminding us of an earlier time. Some of these might even have been brought over from the old country, handed down through the generations and connecting us to a long family heritage. Occasionally the practices that we follow can change over time, evolving into a new tradition. Continue reading
100th Anniversary of the DiCesare Family Immigration: Part 1
One hundred years ago on this date, my grandmother Rachel DeCesare arrived in this country. The DiCesare Family came as aliens to New York from Buenos Aires on December 11, 1916. In commemoration of their immigration, I proudly present their ship manifest, details about their family, and a few insights into American immigration a century ago.
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