This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: frostfreedet Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.greene/10856/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Richard wrote, 'Can anyone tell me what the religion was of the German families that settled on land in Dunkard Twp., Greene Co., Pa. in 1770-1800? I am mainly interested in Johann Peter Beckenbach/Pickenapugh family . . .' While Dunkard Ck. and Dunkard Twp. were named after Mennonites called 'Dunkards' who settled in the area, not all Germans were of this faith. Others of the Beckenbach / Pickenpaugh surname, living across the Monongahela River in Menallen Twp., Fayette Co., make some appearances in records of the Union Church, Lutheran and Reformed, in German Twp. Among those appearing were Catherine, widow of (George?) Peter, Frederick and wife Elisabeth, and George and Charlotte. These records were not consulted by the writers of the book on this surname. The authors assumed that all of this surname were descended from the 1750s immigrant family but do not provide evidence for this assumption, and do not provide evidence that all who appear in SW PA by the 1780s were actually the same persons as same-named individuals who had been in Frederick Co., MD. Finding the evidence, if it exists, is up to current researchers who have much better potential access to actual records than did the writers of 40 and 50 years ago. But the records still must be consulted where they are, in such treasure houses as archives and courthouses. The Mennonites did not hold to infant baptism, so their records differ from the Lutheran and Reformed Protestant Churches' records. Good hunting, Jade 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.