This book about Franklin County is on sale this week on ancestorstuff.com MARY ELIZA EASTON DIARY, Loudon, Franklin County, Pennsylvania , Diane E Greene, AG The colonial village of Fort Loudon lies quietly at the foot of the Tuscarora Mountains in Pennsylvania., its main street little changed during the past 150 years. Fort Loudon was a boom town in the mid-mid 19th century, serving the needs of pioneers who trekked across the often unfriendly mountains to the Ohio River on their way west. Fort Loudon gained national fame for its wagons, wagon gears, and blacksnake whips. Mary Eliza Easton (1851-1908) as a native of Fort Loudoun. Her diary preserves many details of daily life; weather conditions, the cost of every merchandise, the price of produce. The author transcribed Miss Eastons diary for its historical content regarding the Path Valley. Snippets from the local newspaper, Public Oppinion (printed in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania), supplement the diary entries. Book 2004, 5½x8½, paper, 136 pp. ISBN: 1585499447
This was sent to me on another network, I knew there were a lot of "fruit cakes" out there, but not especially among the genealogists. Apparently I was wrong ! Gordon Tuesday, September 28, 2010 6:37 PM Subject: This puts a SPIN on Genealogy?? This puts a SPIN on Genealogy??. Research could now include Music Lovers ? J IMMORTALIZE YOURSELF IN MUSIC: HAVE YOUR REMAINS PRESSED AS A VINYL RECORD rebecca boyle For those who can't afford to have their ashes sent to space or who may not like the notion of being screwed into the ground post-mortem, here's another solution: have your ashes pressed into a vinyl record and spin for all eternity. For about $3,400, your cremated remains, parts of your remains, or your pet's remains can be immortalized in a limited-edition run of 30 records. In a 24-minute segment, you can record your final thoughts or your favorite songs, or you can pay extra to have a UK band write a song for you. The company, And Vinyly, says you can "live on from beyond the groove." UK record-label founder Jason Leach, who is also part of a couple techno groups, came up with the idea after contemplating his own mortality, according to Wired UK. His mother started working at a funeral home, and he saw a TV program that showed someone in the U.S. putting ashes into fireworks. The basic package, which costs $3,400, includes standard "Rest In Vinyl" artwork decorating up to 30 albums, with audio provided by you. For extra fees, you can add in exclusive artwork, where UK artist James Hague adds your ash to the paint; original music by artists on Leach's record labels; and even worldwide distribution in record stores. The Web site is a bit cheeky - it includes a link to a "raveyard," which simply shows a bunch of headstones splashed in pulsating color. But it's a unique way to spend eternity once you shuffle off your mortal coil. Hey, you can't do it with an MP3. http://www.popsci.com.au/2010/08/immortalize-yourself-in-music-have-your-remains-pressed-as-a-vinyl-record/
Does anyone have access to old newspaper archives? I am trying to track down the name of the newspaper that published the announcement of the marriage of my grandparents, Perkins S. Wilhelm and Amanda Belle Kunkel. I have a copy of the article, but not the name of the paper it was in. They were married Nov. 24, 1880 in Greencastle, at the bride's mother's home (Amanda M. Wilhelm), South Carlisle St. The article appears to have been in the following day's paper (Nov. 25). The article is titled "A Fashionable Wedding". Thanks for any help you can give. Irma Wilhelm, in Maine
Hello-- I'm looking for the property owned by Abraham Freet between 1790 and 1809. Here are two notes in the various descriptions that may indicate where it was. 1. Sold a small tract of land in 1809 that included a school house on Warmspring Road. 2. Sold the majority portion of the land in 1809 in which the description states "Bounded and limited as follows Viz, Beginning at a post set for a corner near a grave yard, . . . " I imagine the school is long gone but there may be remnants of the grave yard. Can anyone tell me where this property may have been on Warmspring Road? Thanks, --Jack Trauth
I have a Family of FREY from Chambersburg. Frederick, born about 1818 in Bava and his wife Catherine Artz born 1826 in Germany. Their known children are Frederick b. 1853, Louisa 1856, Emma b. 1860, Elizabeth b. 1867 and Hanna b. 1868. I have not run across any Samuel FRY/FREY but let me check couple places for you. Scott Williams ________________________________ From: Kim Golding <kg@nventure.com> To: Franklin County PA <PAFRANKL@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sat, September 18, 2010 10:39:02 PM Subject: [PAFRANKL] Fry family - Chambersburg area Hello all, I'm new to this list. Was hoping someone might know about the Fry family of Chambersburg. My Fry connection goes back to Pennsylvania, but not sure exactly where. Only clue is a handwritten letter to my relatives in Ohio dated 1845 from a Samuel Fry in Chambersburg. Didn't say which state, but I put two and two together. I'm hoping it is more than a coincidence that Samuel Fry was writing from Chambersburg. There are many names in the letter, too, but they are not familiar to me. So my first task is to find out who knows about the Fry family (if anyone). My second task will be to ask you for suggestions (online resources and places to write to). Thanks, Kim Golding Tacoma, WA kg@nventure.com ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Hello all, I'm new to this list. Was hoping someone might know about the Fry family of Chambersburg. My Fry connection goes back to Pennsylvania, but not sure exactly where. Only clue is a handwritten letter to my relatives in Ohio dated 1845 from a Samuel Fry in Chambersburg. Didn't say which state, but I put two and two together. I'm hoping it is more than a coincidence that Samuel Fry was writing from Chambersburg. There are many names in the letter, too, but they are not familiar to me. So my first task is to find out who knows about the Fry family (if anyone). My second task will be to ask you for suggestions (online resources and places to write to). Thanks, Kim Golding Tacoma, WA kg@nventure.com
WOW FOLKS TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ! i HAVE 22 KNOWN BURIALS IN FRANKLIN CO., PA. AND ACCORDING TO THIS MANY OF THEM ARE SUBJECT COW PODS, SOY BEANS OR WHATEVER THE NEAR BY FARMER DECIDES HE WANTS TO DO. UNFORTUNETLY I LIVE IN THE PROGRESSIVE STATE OF MARYLAND WHERE CEMETERIES ARE PROTECTED BY LAW, SO I HAVE NO STANDING IN THAT LAWLWSS STATE. GORDON CROOKS ----- Original Message ----- From: Shaffer, Mark (PHMC) To: 'Gary Rea' Cc: gordoncrooks@verizon.net Sent: Friday, September 10, 2010 11:52 AM Subject: RE: Slate Hill Seceeder Cemetery Gary - We appreciate your concerns with this situation. Unfortunately, cemetery laws in Pennsylvania are not very comprehensive at all, and we are not aware of any law that forbids the planting of crops in a cemetery, particularly if the cemetery is located on a piece of privately owned property. One matter we suggest you look further into is determining who owns the cemetery. If there is an existing congregation affiliated with this cemetery, we would suggest that the congregation contact the farmer with its concerns. Our agency's website has some information concerning cemeteries in Pennsylvania, including both state and federal laws, but when you review this information, you will find out what a "gray" area this is in terms of the law, particularly, the state law. To access this information, go to www.phmc.state.pa.us Once at the website, click on the heading "Historic Preservation" from the column at the left of the screen. Then scroll down to the heading "Initiatives," and click on the sub-heading "Cemetery Recordation and Preservation." Unless there is a federal agency undertaking which is subject to review under the provisions of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, or unless a municipality is proposing to use the cemetery for some other purpose under the provisions of the Historic Burial Places Act of 1994, then the existing burial laws and regulations may not be applicable to this particular situation. This is unfortunate, and your friend in Franklin County may wish to consider contacting his local state legislators with his concerns and the suggestion that this is a topic which the state legislature should address through more comprehensive legislation. Mark Shaffer Historic Preservation Specialist Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office -----Original Message----- From: Gary Rea [mailto:garyrea56@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 9:18 PM To: Shaffer, Mark (PHMC) Cc: gordoncrooks@verizon.net Subject: Slate Hill Seceeder Cemetery Mark: Although I don't live in Pennsylvania, my ancestors did and I have been informed there is a farmer living in proximity to Slate Hill Seceeder Cemetery who has repeatedly violated the law by planting crops in this cemetery. A friend of mine, Gordon Crooks, who lives in Franklin County, alerted me to this. Although my ancestors were not buried in this particular cemetery, I still feel incensed that this is going on and has not been stopped. I certainly wouldn't want anyone doing this to my ancestor's remains and I can imagine how those with ancestors in Slate Hill Seceeder Cemetery must feel about it. I was told I should write to you to bring this to your attention so that appropriate measures can be taken. Thank you for your time. Gary Rea Seattle, Washington
I need the Early Greencastle Evangelical Lutheran church records checked for me, or possibly all of the early records transcribed, if someone wants to do that for a fee. I've seen posts that these records go back at least to 1811, and perhaps further back than that, since this church dates back to the 1700's. Does anyone know when they begin? The only early church records I can find under "Greencastle" with the LDS are: Church records, 1854-1880 [Greencastle Circuit of the United Brethren in Christ] United Brethren in Christ. Greencastle Circuit (Franklin County, Pennsylvania) which are much later than the above. Richard ____________________________________________________________ "Look Sweetie, I Made $3,000" Discover how these women surprised their husbands with big monthly checks http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3241/4c86324d26781a3e843st05duc
Call them directly...they have always been helpful. http://www.elcgreencastle.org/Home/tabid/6518/Default.aspx Grace United Church of Christ in Greencastle has a published history and I can look up names for you. Rob Shinafelt ----- Original Message ----- From: <zxcqwe123@netzero.net> To: <pafrankl@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 8:37 AM Subject: [PAFRANKL] Early Greencastle Evangelical Lutheran church records >I need the Early Greencastle Evangelical Lutheran church records checked >for me, or possibly all of the early records transcribed, if someone wants >to do that for a fee. I've seen posts that these records go back at least >to 1811, and perhaps further back than that, since this church dates back >to the 1700's. Does anyone know when they begin? > > The only early church records I can find under "Greencastle" with the LDS > are: > Church records, 1854-1880 [Greencastle Circuit of the United Brethren in > Christ] United Brethren in Christ. Greencastle Circuit (Franklin County, > Pennsylvania) > > > which are much later than the above. > > Richard > ____________________________________________________________ > "Look Sweetie, I Made $3,000" > Discover how these women surprised their husbands with big monthly checks > http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL3241/4c86324d26781a3e843st05duc > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message
I am a bit late responding to the posts regarding missing records for Franklin Co., and would like to post my family ties to Franklin Co. Still searching for a date and place of marriage for my ancestors James THOMSON (1772--1847) and Nancy WRIGHT, b. abt. 1776--d. c, 1815--1819 (thought to have died after the birth of this couple's seventh child, Robert #2, 1815--1883). James was born in what was then Cumberland Co., leaving the Chambersburg area in March 1807 moving west to Allegheny Co., PA w/ wife Nancy and three of their seven children... Elizabeth b. c.1800 (mcTAGGART); Hannah, b. c. 1802 (WYLIE); and Ann Jane b. 1804 (CAROTHERS) born in Franklin Co. Their first child Robert #1 died in infancy and is most likely buried in Franklin Co. Margaret b. 1808 (LAMBIE); James b. 1812 (Margaret PLANKERTON), and my direct line Robert #2 b. 1815 (Ellen B. CARSON) were born in Allegheny Co. James (1772--1847) was a sicklemaker by trade. He was the 14th child born to Alexander and Elizabeth (nee EDMONSTONE) THOMSON who settled in Cumberland/Franklin Co., in 1772. They were staunch Scottish Covenanters and early pew holders in the Rocky Spring Presbyterian Church. Surnames of spouses of James' siblings include: LINDSAY COLHOUN GREER ANDREWS PURVIANCE WATSON (Andrew and William) COWAN RHEA/REA SHAW EDGAR LOGAN WRIGHT PEEBLES SHIELDS and McCLELLAN[D]. If anyone has further info about Presbyterian church records for this time period, and how to access them, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. A safe and enjoyable Labor Day weekend to All. Marybeth C. northeast OHio acmbjc@aol.com
Well while all of you blather about the situation of the cemetery and it being plowed up by some farmer, I have filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Historical Commission in Harrisburg which has jurisdiction in this matter. So get off your butts and send a e mail to: twalke@state.pa.us and file a complaint, the more the merrier. Their web site is www.phmc.state.pa.us Get busy Gordon
I was reading the posts regarding the situation in Mercersburg. I work with farmers and unfortunately this is an all too common senerio. However there are many out there that do respect the history on there land. I can tell you that when ever there is a conservation plan done on a farm paper work is filled out to document such items on the farm through a "Cultural Resources" Worksheet and it is is forwarded to the PA State NRCS Office for review. If there is a concern it is forwarded over to the PA State Historical Commission. Farmers are not technically allowed to do anything that will impact the historical significant of what is on there land. There are laws on the books and this is the reason they are there. Has anyone reported this to the 1) local historical society? 2) PA State Historical Commission? Here's also some info regarding the cemetery laws that are on the books in PA. http://www.pa-roots.com/index.php/saving-graves There is a link at the bottom to get this cemetery on the endangered cemetery list. If the planting just occured on this farm it was not soybeans that was planted. It would of been a grass, alfalfa, or small grain. Amy
Gordon, How sad. Is this what is known as the Church Hill Cemetery in Peters? If so, the list of graves is here: http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/franklin/cemeteries/chur0001.txt I went looking for that graveyard earlier this summer and couldn't find it. Now it is gone. If that is the same graveyard, Reverend King's grave is gone and Archibald Irwin (Grandfather to a First Lady of the United States) is also gone. It is a crime. Ray ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon Crooks@verizon.net" <gordoncrooks@verizon.net> To: "Joseph Barnhart" <joe.susieq@comcast.net> Cc: PAFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 7:42:07 PM Subject: Re: [PAFRANKL] Farmers and Cemeteries on their land Unfortunately I was so upset at what I saw I forgot to take pictures, it looks like it might be soy beans, the act was very deliberate and he only planted what was the approx. boundaries of the cemetery Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Barnhart" <joe.susieq@comcast.net> To: <PAFrankl-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 7:36 PM Subject: [PAFRANKL] Farmers and Cemeteries on their land > Hi All > I too am appolled that farmers don't respect burial grounds on their > farms. > There are laws on the books but unless you have the money to sue to make > them take care of the area, you will just make them angry and they will > encroch closer and closer and maybe just plough the whole thing up and > plant > crops there. Unless there is a will somewhere stating that the area is to > be > a burial ground forever, we are at the farmers mercy. Good Luck with this > guy, and keep your cool and pray to GOD for him to leave it alone. > Take pictures to preserve whats left for posterity. > Joe Barnhart > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Gordon Crooks@verizon.net" <gordoncrooks@verizon.net> > To: <PAFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 3:01 PM > Subject: [PAFRANKL] Seceeder Cemetery > > >> Folks: That farmer plowed up the Seceeder Cemetery on Route 16 just >> outside of Mercersburg and planed a crop with 6 ft of the few tombstones >> left, he deliberately got as close as he could to the stones and memorial >> and did not plant a crop on the near by fields.I have a burial there and >> I >> resent this common treatment of a burial ground, let raise hell and >> protest his deplorable actions. >> >> Gordon Crooks >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Unfortunately I was so upset at what I saw I forgot to take pictures, it looks like it might be soy beans, the act was very deliberate and he only planted what was the approx. boundaries of the cemetery Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Barnhart" <joe.susieq@comcast.net> To: <PAFrankl-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 7:36 PM Subject: [PAFRANKL] Farmers and Cemeteries on their land > Hi All > I too am appolled that farmers don't respect burial grounds on their > farms. > There are laws on the books but unless you have the money to sue to make > them take care of the area, you will just make them angry and they will > encroch closer and closer and maybe just plough the whole thing up and > plant > crops there. Unless there is a will somewhere stating that the area is to > be > a burial ground forever, we are at the farmers mercy. Good Luck with this > guy, and keep your cool and pray to GOD for him to leave it alone. > Take pictures to preserve whats left for posterity. > Joe Barnhart > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Gordon Crooks@verizon.net" <gordoncrooks@verizon.net> > To: <PAFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 3:01 PM > Subject: [PAFRANKL] Seceeder Cemetery > > >> Folks: That farmer plowed up the Seceeder Cemetery on Route 16 just >> outside of Mercersburg and planed a crop with 6 ft of the few tombstones >> left, he deliberately got as close as he could to the stones and memorial >> and did not plant a crop on the near by fields.I have a burial there and >> I >> resent this common treatment of a burial ground, let raise hell and >> protest his deplorable actions. >> >> Gordon Crooks >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message
Hi All I too am appolled that farmers don't respect burial grounds on their farms. There are laws on the books but unless you have the money to sue to make them take care of the area, you will just make them angry and they will encroch closer and closer and maybe just plough the whole thing up and plant crops there. Unless there is a will somewhere stating that the area is to be a burial ground forever, we are at the farmers mercy. Good Luck with this guy, and keep your cool and pray to GOD for him to leave it alone. Take pictures to preserve whats left for posterity. Joe Barnhart ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon Crooks@verizon.net" <gordoncrooks@verizon.net> To: <PAFRANKL-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 3:01 PM Subject: [PAFRANKL] Seceeder Cemetery > Folks: That farmer plowed up the Seceeder Cemetery on Route 16 just > outside of Mercersburg and planed a crop with 6 ft of the few tombstones > left, he deliberately got as close as he could to the stones and memorial > and did not plant a crop on the near by fields.I have a burial there and I > resent this common treatment of a burial ground, let raise hell and > protest his deplorable actions. > > Gordon Crooks > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >
Folks: That farmer plowed up the Seceeder Cemetery on Route 16 just outside of Mercersburg and planed a crop with 6 ft of the few tombstones left, he deliberately got as close as he could to the stones and memorial and did not plant a crop on the near by fields.I have a burial there and I resent this common treatment of a burial ground, let raise hell and protest his deplorable actions. Gordon Crooks
I have found deeds that were registered over 100 years after the land changed hands. At one time the seller simply signed off and gave the original copy to the new owner. This was especially true when the land was being passed down in the family. I have many original deeds in my possession that were passed down through my husband's family. They are now all recorded (don't know when the law finally required same) When checking at the court house, you need to read years and years ahead of when the land was most likely sold. As Donna points out, sometimes it seems as if a deed never existed. For example, a sign on the stone post in front of the Lower Path Valley Cemetery (Metal Twp, Franklin Co) says that Alexander Walker gave the land for the cemetery. This information is also in the Walker family bible, but I have never been able to find anything to prove that he did or that anyone else did either.
Hello Folks: When searching deeds, please remember that there was actually no real enforcement on recording a deed to a property... normally the peice of paper just changed hands (literally) between the two parties.... if there was any deed to begin with! Donna ----- Original Message ----- From: <colene6@juno.com> To: <PAFRANKL@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 10:07 AM Subject: [PAFRANKL] rrecords > > We have found deeds date 1849 registed in 1927. go figure!
Yes, they do have some -- I found transcribed Pleasant Hall, Salem First Evangelical Lutheran church records at the Adams County Historical Society, Kathy T. T. -------------------------------------------------- From: <WolfordMigration@aol.com> Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 4:50 PM To: <pafrankl@rootsweb.com> Subject: Re: [PAFRANKL] Early Franklin Records - Fatt Butt Syndrome > > Ah the Fatt Butt Syndrome appears to be alive and well. People who are > afraid to get off their fat butts and help you, tell you the records > burned. > You go away downhearted and they retreat to a corner and laugh their > silly > laugh. > > This may help you and may not. Take it for what it is worth. The Adams > County Historical Society acquired the Lutheran Church records from the > Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. They have records for several Lutheran > churches. I > get over their occasionally and would be glad to look up anything for you. > They do not have records for all the Lutheran churches however. But who > knows ... They do have some Franklin Co records > > Let me know. > > Jim Avery > Dover PA > > > > In a message dated 8/16/2010 6:27:01 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, > wevo@verizon.net writes: > > > I don't have inside information, but we all should assume that the early > records are extant but inaccessible. > Compared to other South Central Pennsylvania counties, Franklin County > (from > a genealogical standpoint) is...well...a mess. > But, take Cumberland County, for example. Their earliest records (apart > from > estate and deed) also were largely inaccessible. They currently have an > archivist scanning them and posting them on the Internet. The records > were > always there, they were just in boxes and on shelves in the basement (as > well as a secondary story area in another building). Though they were > public, the staff was reluctant to allow visitors to explore these > cluttered > areas unsupervised. (I have a relative who works there.) > Franklin is probably the same. A staff member once told me that the > administrative bonds and inventories that I requested were in the > building > but not "accessible." > It will take patience and prodding. I do know that a roll of microfilm > at > the Pennsylvania State Archives has complete estate files for Franklin > County decedents from 1784 to about 1815. I found this by accident once. > It > had the papers I had been looking for. > And: Nothing burned. It's a myth. It's there. And the answer you need is > always in a document that one day you will find. If you keep pressing. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject > and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >
Ah the Fatt Butt Syndrome appears to be alive and well. People who are afraid to get off their fat butts and help you, tell you the records burned. You go away downhearted and they retreat to a corner and laugh their silly laugh. This may help you and may not. Take it for what it is worth. The Adams County Historical Society acquired the Lutheran Church records from the Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. They have records for several Lutheran churches. I get over their occasionally and would be glad to look up anything for you. They do not have records for all the Lutheran churches however. But who knows ... They do have some Franklin Co records Let me know. Jim Avery Dover PA In a message dated 8/16/2010 6:27:01 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, wevo@verizon.net writes: I don't have inside information, but we all should assume that the early records are extant but inaccessible. Compared to other South Central Pennsylvania counties, Franklin County (from a genealogical standpoint) is...well...a mess. But, take Cumberland County, for example. Their earliest records (apart from estate and deed) also were largely inaccessible. They currently have an archivist scanning them and posting them on the Internet. The records were always there, they were just in boxes and on shelves in the basement (as well as a secondary story area in another building). Though they were public, the staff was reluctant to allow visitors to explore these cluttered areas unsupervised. (I have a relative who works there.) Franklin is probably the same. A staff member once told me that the administrative bonds and inventories that I requested were in the building but not "accessible." It will take patience and prodding. I do know that a roll of microfilm at the Pennsylvania State Archives has complete estate files for Franklin County decedents from 1784 to about 1815. I found this by accident once. It had the papers I had been looking for. And: Nothing burned. It's a myth. It's there. And the answer you need is always in a document that one day you will find. If you keep pressing. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PAFRANKL-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message