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
Rugh
IRS Tax Assessment Lists–1862
The 2022 tax deadline has arrived! In past April posts, I included various Pennsylvania county property tax records. These records showed taxes on property, including land, buildings, and some livestock. Sometimes an occupation or a militia tax was conducted. This year instead of property tax records, I am highlighting the federal IRS Tax Assessment Lists, particularly 1862. Continue reading
Family Reunions: Past and Present
September is Brown family reunion time. A couple of weeks ago my family gathered for our annual gathering in Indiana County PA. Despite the cool rainy start of the day, almost 40 descendants of Charles and Lucy Brown were in attendance. This marked the 24th consecutive year, excluding 2020 when it was cancelled due to Covid. Continue reading
Newspapers: Family Visits
Summer is a great time to take a break and vacation, even if it is for a quick weekend getaway to relax or visit family. Today, many people share pictures and posts of their travels on Facebook. But in the first half of the 20th century and before, the newspaper was the social media of the time informing readers of the adventures of their neighbors. Whether it was spending a week, a few days or just an evening enjoying dinner or celebrating an occasion, one might find a small blurb in a local newspaper recounting the event. 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
“Home” for the Holidays
“I’ll be home for Christmas” is a song that expresses the desire to be with family and friends to celebrate during the holidays when circumstances might prevent it. That may be a common sentiment this year as Covid19 continues to pose health threats and forces many to downsize plans. Instead of large parties with extended relatives, only immediate family members will get together to open presents around the tree. Fortunately, with modern day technology, video chats will be prevalent to connect with loved ones this season. Continue reading
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
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
Relatively Speaking Blog 