Hi, I am new to the list and had several questions...... I am researching my 4th great-grandfather, John Balsley/Balsle/Baltzle/Balzli, born ca. 1750, who supposedly was born in Holland, ( family from Canton Berne, Switzerland) brought over as a child, and is found in Shaefferstown in his early life. Information of a record was passed on to me by a fellow researcher with information below: " In 1765, our John "Baltzle" signed Declaration of Faith as member of German Reformed Church of Schaefferstown (Heidelsburg) Township, which was then in Lancaster County, later Dauphin Co., now Lebanon County Pennsylvania. According to church practice of this denomination, John would have been about 15 years. old. " Can anyone shed additional information on this church or this practice? Was this practice usually preformed at this age? Another question: Was it Schaefferstown and then Heidelburg? Would appreciate any reply on these two questions. John is found in 1771 Tax records of Lancaster County, in Heidelberg listed as " freeman" with Martin Walborn. By 1774 there are records of children's birth's of John Balsle and wife Margaretha recorded in Humphrey's book, in several churches in that area. John bought three lots in Heidelburg from Alexander Shaffer and his wife Anna Catrina in 1776. He bought several tracts of land in Paxton Twp. Dauphin county in 1793 from Lawrence Bennetch. He relocated to Harrisburg along with his two oldest sons, Jonathan and Jacob as sold various parcels of land bought from Bennetch, with last record in 1804. It is believed he relocated to Pittsburgh with other children but no probate records have been found so far. Karen Klaene <benklaene@compuserve.com> Cincinnati