In a message dated 98-07-10 20:30:47 EDT, you write: > Joan, > On the 1895 Berks County map, Geigers Mills is just south east of > Birdsboro and north of Springfield, almost in the bottom tip of Berks > County. My guess is Geigertown and Geigers Mills are one in the same. > However, this map does not show Robeson Township or the name > Geigertown. Although the the Internet "Yahoo Get Local" map of Berks > County lists Geigertown, does not list Geigers Mills nor does it list a > Geiger in Somerset County. Perhaps neither exists now. I was hoping, > because Geiger was in Somerset County and so close the Westmoreland > County line, there may be a clue to Richard/Diedrich Geiger or the > Geiger families in that area. I will continue to look for info. > I have found the maps very interesting and have copied the information > from the homepage so you could read what the webpage was about. It > covers all of the US. Takes about 8 to 10 minutes of download time > for each map. There is no charge. Yes--from what you are describing Geiger Mills on the map is what is now Geigertown--the town named for Paul Geiger of Berwangen, Germany. I was pretty sure it would be but couldn't be certain without knowing the exact location since Christopher Geiger's mill in Gibraltar could also be called "Geiger Mills." The history of Robeson Township, Berks County states: "Geiger's Mill was built in 1781 by Paul Geiger, and this remains much as it was when erected. Its master wheel was in use for more than 100 years, fed by the Cold Run springs and powering the mill's crude grinding machinery. In later years gasoline power replaced water power. Near Geiger's Mill, John Geiger had a carding mill, and Paul Geiger had a sickle factory; both were discontinued. Close by was the Cold Run Creamery, in operation in 1885." The article goes on to say that in 1818 there were 11 mill sites in Robeson Township and several forges. Among the grist mills was: Geiger Mill in Gibraltar (later Kirlin's Mill). This reference was to Christopher Geiger's Mill. Remember now that Christopher Geiger was the son of Valentine Geiger of Ittlingen, Germany. I recently posted the history of the Berwangen Geigers on the list, and the Ittlingen Geigers are not known to be related to them, but it is possible that at some point back in Germany they could have been related since Ittlingen and Berwangen are very near each other and the Berwangen Geigers can be traced back in the mid 1600s to Richen which is even closer to Ittlingen (it is just south of Ittlingen). I looked on my map of Pennsylvania and found a town called Geistown sort of southeast of Johnstown near Westmoreland, Cambria, and Somerset counties--but I don't find any Geigertown. While we are on the subject of place names in Berks County I will point out an item from Oley Valley Heritage which shows a map of the Oley Valley Settlement in 1775. On this map right on the northern border of Robeson Township northwest of "Bird's Upper Forge" is shown Geiger Tavern. This would appear to be located in the area of Gibraltar--which would mean a probable connection to Christopher Geiger and not Paul Geiger. Joan