This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MarshaJAllen Surnames: BLACK - SCHWARTZ Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.cchs/1051.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi! I am also working on BLACK families in Clarion county that were SCHWARTZ before BLACK. Are you aware that the word black in German is schwartz? I wasn't for a long time. Mine are in Elk Township and came from Frederick County, Maryland. See: 1850 census - Elk Twp. p.3, #16-16 BLACK, William - age 54, farmer, $2500 real estate, $300 personal value, born PA. wife - Sarah (Berlin) age 52 born PA children - Paul, age 22, born PA - my Great-Grandfather Mary age 20; Frances age 18; Margaret age 14. William's parents were Frederick BLACK b.1782 Frederick Co Maryland, & Mary Ann RUPERT, b.1784 Maryland. Frederick's parents were Adam BLACK, b.1744 Germany and wife Margaretha b.1752 of Frederick Co., MD. Adam BLACK had a son Jacob, b.1774 MD and d. 1804 Huntingdon Co., PA. Adam also had other sons Adam Jr., Frederick (my line), Henry, and Peter. Back to Clarion County: Look at 1860 census Beaver Township: Levi BLACK age 65, farmer, $800 $300 born PA; wife Elizabeth age 58, born Maryland; and children born PA. I feel that Levi BLACK of Beaver Township b.1795 and my Frederick BLACK b.1782 are cousins, whether 1st or 2nd I don't know. My Frederick came through Westmoreland County after leaving Maryland. We have proof that their German name was Schwartz. Last year I was in touch with a couple other researchers on the German BLACK lines, and I would love to dwell into it more, but am in the process of moving and most of those files are already packed. Please contact me again in December or January. There are a couple "Family Trees" posted on RootsWeb.com Be aware that many BLACKS in southern Clarion county are of Irish/British descent. Many worked in the coal mines. I suggest you look closely at your families in the 1880 census, since that will list where their parents were born (if they answered correctly). Look again at 1850 census for David BLACK age 65, born PA, and his wife Catharine age 69 born New Jersey. Some Blcks came to PA by way of New Jersey. >From what I remember: Some came by way of Adams, Huntingdon and Lancaster counties in PA before coming to western counties of Clarion, etc. This will be quite the interesting project for everyone. I hope to continue watching this message board for your comments and discoveries. I will hop back on in a couple of months. Have you gone to the court houses and find their first land deeds to see if it lists where they moved from? Have you gotten their estate settlements and see if other family members are listed with locations. Siblings could still be in original area of homesteading. Happy hunting! Marsha Gold Allen Tempe, AZ Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.