I am researching the following families in Fairfield Co OH. I would love to exchange information. Virginia ECKERT O'Shea *********************************************************************** About 1798: Jacob L. Eckert and his brother George Eckert (both born early 1770's) came from Lancaster Co. Pa to settle on land obtained by their father, George Eckert (resident of Lancaster Co, Pa), by grant/title 6/13/1811. Jacob L. Eckert married Catherine (Kitty) Shellenbarger(berger?) and they had either 4 or 7 children including Lemente( a/k/a Lemont, Lemoyne,Lemunday)(b about 1806-1810), Lewis, Sally. Catherine (Kitty) died about 1816-17 and Jacob K. married Rebecca Johnston, by whom he had one child, George. In a few years, Jacob died, and Rebecca married Jacob Ream. Jacob L, and his first wife Catherine (Kitty) are buried in the Crawfis-EmeryCemetery in Lancaster, Ohio. The Reams are buried in the Ream cemetery about a mile away. Guardians were appointed for the minor/infant children: Isaac Coons (Koontz) for Lemente(called Lemunday in the guardianship records); Samuel and Henry Shellenbarger, John Graybill were guardians for the other children. Lemente married Nancy VanTries, daughter of Isaac and Mary Vantries of Lancaster Co Pa. They were living with one child in Fairfield County Ohio at the time of the 1830 census. At some point they moved to Bucks Twp, Hardin Co Ohio, and appear as farmers on the 1860 census there with their younger children David, Angeline, Ziba and Edwin S.(My grandfather). (Older children Sarah, Jane, Rebecca and Susannah had apparently married and were no longer at home.) Lemente and Nancy are buried in the Sieg Cemetery in Kenton, Hardin Co, Ohio. Am seeking ANY persons who are descended from Eckert, Shellenbarger(berger), VanTries. I realize I'm not furnishing much information, but 3 years ago I wasn't even sure of my grandparent's names. I never knew any of my father's people. (He died in 1944, so the trail is very cold). With no training or knowlege of how to research geneaolgy, I used what has been called a "shotgun approach". ("Fire a large blast in a general direction and hope you hit something"). After writing (almost 500) letters to every Eckert in Ohio phone books, and also in several other states, and watching Soundex census tapes until I was dizzy, I've learned a lot more, but there are still many branches missing from the family tree. In fact, I can't even find a trace of 3 of my father's brothers! (Walter E., Edwin W and Harry S.V.) So I have a lot more searching to do! So if you know anyone who has an Eckert, Shellenbarger or VanTries even several generations back in their family tree, I would love to hear from them..."just in case" we are related. Thank you for having the patience to wade through this. I will appreciate any suggestions or help you may be able to give me. Virginia Eckert O'Shea