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Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day, a Day of Rememberance

 Today is a day of reflection, and thanks to all the past American's and it's citizens that have fought to make our country free.

 We thank those that have gone before so we could be here now.

 We thank those that hare here now that we could be here now.

 We thank those that are coming so we can still be there then.

 From minor skirmish to major battle, it does not matter it is
 that you did your part to make us free and keep us free.
 Thank You.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Traveling Soon, Ten Should Do's


Ten Should Do’s to have a great Trip.
 Susi Pentico     SusiCP@cox.net

1.    Set up the Family Groups, you are going to work on, it
         can/should be more than one if in same area.

2.      Prepare the resource research papers that you will be using for information, not repeat it later.(better Sourcing) 1 at least per name

3.      Whether library or relatives home, let them you’re your arriving and about when. (day/morning/afternoon)

 4.      Notify library of the names you will be working,
          Also of the places in their region.

5.     Contact the Genealogical/Historical Societies before you arrive, the same courtesy, as you are the libraries.(Names, Dates you will be researching)

6.       Contact any kin you may have in this region, distant or close. Information from previously unknown distant kin is vital information (it does not have to be your direct line).

7.       Contact any other researcher that the Library or Societies say are researching your names.

8.      Be aware of what the Court House or Chamber of Commerce may have to offer when you arrive, before you go.

9.       Check on their newspapers, are they old established or rather new.

10.     Now your ready to pack your bags. 
           Place the mentioned above information in a binder.
          
Yes, you can use a laptop. Be aware that not all places allow laptops, cameras or cell phones in their building. 
Generally, Societies are not that strict unless they have had massive damage from previous researchers. The same applies to pen and pencils, bring lots of pencils.


Remember camera, mini cassette player for audio, extra chip for camera, and other favorites you use.

          All Rights Reserved, Ask You May Receive

Friday, May 18, 2012

Westmoreland Co. Pa Information Shared

 One of the big things when researching in the early developing states is the boundary changes that take place.  Many are large big counties and then some of them are shrunk down to so small they almost disappear. Like Philadelphia Co., PA was huge and now basically covers the City and small out lying areas.

So if your researching Westmoreland in 1778 or pre States Establishment you have lots of places to look.
And after establishment of the country you have even more places to look.

Remember early Colonial Records were kept in court houses and England.

 The state for this county says look first for early 1729 or so, Lancaster County.

 But back up wait a minute.  Mr. Penn came to Pennsylvania under a King's Rule.

 Western Pennsylvania was developed under the Ohio Company pact under the previous Queen.

  Taxes after Penn came and tried to claim western PA was higher, the entire government was handled different.  People who migrated into western Pa in the mid 1700's were promised they would not have to do the Church tax of PA and the land taxes of PA etc. The Virginian's signed papers stating they were in Virginia country and Pa was not a ruler there.   HA, ha, ha  said Penn or his people.

So for western Pennsylvania coming from the east you look at these counties for data.
 Lancaster was developed in 1729,  it was taken from Chester County, then Cumberland County was developed in 1750, so records could be now found there, then Bedford County is formed in 1771, remembering this is a warring time. Westmoreland County was founded in 1773.  Coming from the east and Penn's rule.

 Now remember the earlier statement. Virginia already claimed the western portion of Pennsylvania and so people paid tithe and taxes and bought and sold land and goods under Virginia rule. Very different from PA rule.

After much arguing Pennsylvania took over the southwest portion of Pennsylvania by 1783.  It was not recognized by Virginian's until almost 1800.  I found a deed of land bought in 1760's in VA by a resident that moved to today Greene Co. PA, that sold it under Virginia rule in 1805.

There was a big exodus from sw Pa to Ohio, Kentucky  etc when Pennsylvania won the final round for claiming the land and making the state a rectangle. Many signed papers affirming they were Virginian's and wanted no part of Penn's state.

This exodus started by 1800 and was in full swing by 1812. Many of my family made the change between 1810 and 1826.

Going back to remind you Virginia had claim to all the land to the Mississippi with the grant from the Queen, which covered this territory until a state was created and declared valid.

 I have kin that had land in both Ohio and PA and were in the process of moving when he died.
He had a Will in both sw PA court and Ohio. The Pennsylvania Line by Iscrupe has good maps and USGENWEB.ORG has moving maps to show the changes of boundaries.  There are many good books to read about this part of Pennsylvania.


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Westmoreland County, Pennnsylvania 16 May

Tonight we will be reviewing & finishing our talk on Who is Your Neighbor?  Why it is important to learn.  We then will move into Westmoreland Co. PA research.  This will overlap into some Washington Co. area also since it was all one county at the development. Washington, Fayette and Greene Co were all part of Westmoreland in the beginning.

More fun it was bordering the Virginia Counties in this region.

6 pm to 7:50 Lemon Grove Library,       on Broadway behind Anna's Resturaunt, across from St. John's Catholic Church.

Susi's Chatty Performances on Genealogy: Taking on the Big Guys, Lots of Questions? NBC

Neighbors, Who Are They, Why Are They Important - Genealogy Wise

contact me at SusiCP@cox.net