When I moved into my current house I found a Yough-A-Mon for 1944. Some of the names of the teachers listed are Florence Spiegel, Betty Steel-Good, E.L. Zimmerman, Virginia Cartright, Ella Winter, Hazel Hardey, Rosmer Bruce, Gertrude lindquist, Rose Floro-Arone, Mary Louise MgGrann, LelandDeWoody, Elfreeda Buhleier-Ahlquist,Julia Loya, Gene Lynch, Helen Jenkins, Doris Henderson, Eleanor Tobin, Virginia Schully-White, Louise Exner, Catherine Watson, Ruth Low, Hulda Ritchey, c Lillian Nelson, Jean Baird-Coursin, Anna Nelson, Margaret Kerezi, Norman Gibson, Charles Schaffer, Foster beatty, Dorotjhy Smedler, Lawrence Strong, Charles McKenery, J Robert Izod, G R Acklin, Donald Ferguson, Harry Pry, August Schad There's plenty more, I'll send later Cathy West

My NORRIS connection to the Port Vue/Glassport area is the following family. Brothers Joseph and Isaac NORRIS lived in the area in the late 1800s/early 1900s. Betsy NORRIS Banzen JRBEAB@aol.com Descendants of James NORRIS 1 James NORRIS 1827 - 1886 .. +Lovinia B. YOUNG 1831 - 1888 ... 2 Ruth Ann NORRIS 1851 - 1921 ....... +James Taylor GRIER 1849 - 1933 ... 2 Sarah Emma NORRIS 1856 - Unknown ... 2 Emanuel NORRIS 1858 - Unknown ... 2 Isaac John NORRIS 1861 - 1929 ....... +Mary Margaret ROMMELL 1864 - 1910 ... *2nd Wife of Isaac John NORRIS: ....... +Emma BOEHM 1873 - 1951 ... 2 Enoch NORRIS 1865 - Unknown ....... +Emma Unknown 1875 - Unknown ... 2 Joseph E. NORRIS 1871 - 1906 ....... +Mary Frances RYAN 1874 - 1911

In a message dated 4/4/01 3:46:47 PM, JRBEAB@aol.com writes: >Great grandfather, Joseph E. NORRIS, was a policeman/police chief, in >Glassport, from 1901 to 1905. Betsy, Would your gGrandfather have been connected to these NORRIS' ? (1) 1 Joseph NORRIS ( - ca1770)   b. from Scotland   d. ca 1770 |        (2) 1 William NORRIS |        |        (3) 1 Joseph NORRIS ( - 1836) |        |          d. 1836, Mohican Twp., Wayne Co., OH. |        |        & Margaret CARNS/KEARNS (ca1783 - 1851) <--------- my ggAunt, sister of Jane who married Thomas COPELAND |        |          b. ca 1783, PA. |        |          d. 1851, Wayne Co, OH. |        |          m. 4 Sep 1804, Mt. Pleasant Twp., Westmoreland, Co., PA. |        |        |        (4) 1 John NORRIS (1808 - ) |        |        |          b. 1808 |        |        |        & Sarah CLARK |        |        |          m. 25 Sep 1828, Wayne Co., OH. |        |        |        (4) 2 Joseph NORRIS ( - 1836) |        |        |          d. 1836, Wayne, OH. |        |        |        & Mary |        |        |        |        (5) 1 Amos John NORRIS (1813 - 1878) |        |        |        |          b. 1813, PA. |        |        |        |          d. 1878 |        |        |        |        & Margaret CARNS/KEARNS (1816 - 1890) |        |        |        |          b. 1816, PA. |        |        |        |          d. 1890 |        |        |        |          m. 1 Oct 1840 |        |        |        (4) 3 Thomas NORRIS |        |        |        (4) 4 William NORRIS |        |        |        (4) 5 Noah NORRIS |        |        |        (4) 6 Aaron NORRIS |        |        |        (4) 7 Lydia 'Liddy' NORRIS |        |        |        (4) 8 Nancy NORRIS |        |        |        (4) 9 Margaret NORRIS |        |        |        (4) 10 Mary NORRIS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Cora Ott <ArocMae@aol.com>

Dear Listers, If you come to the area & wish to bring alive old memories or research in these books, you can. I don't know how many we have off hand at the Elizabeth Twp. His. Soc., where we also keep the ones for Elizabeth Twp., but I do know they have the Yough-a-mons at McKeesport Heritage Center. If someone has information, brochures, programs, etc. Cynthia Neish trys to keep a file on each graduating class of donations to the building. I recently supplied her with a wealth of information for the Class of 1929, from an elderly deceased friends home. Louise Malin Owens. There was a graduation announcement in it, the program for that years graduating class & from about the 20th reunion on to the current time there were reunion programs. Added to this list were also some great pictures, most all identified by name and other odd items. One of the best things included were letters from some of the class and records of where some moved and obituary notices of their deaths. What a collection. So if any of you are interested in people for around that time, you will have fun going through those items. Regards, Ellen (ETHS)

I think that's the same Surmacz that wound up out here in North Huntingdon Twp. I'll have to ask my son, Bill. Ellen (ETHS)

You mentioned Martha McCune in Phys. Ed. Martha lived down the road from the ETHS & died a couple years ago. She was a really nice person & was the neice of Richard Wiley who authored books such as Elizabeth & Her Neighbors. She was one of the daughters of Dr. McCune. She never married, was a member of the DAR & DAC in McKeesport. Ellen (ETHS)

Dear Listers, I know the Elizabeth Twp. Historical Soc. has the 1859, 1876, 1890, 1897/98 as the earliest directories in the holdings. There are others after that, but I don't want to quote without checking. As I said before, we have some that the McKeesport Heritage Center does not have & they have some we don't. Also keep in mind that the different towns are in the same volumes in different sections of the books. There is no fee to come & do research in our Elizabeth Twp. Historical Society, but some people give donations & after being there really wish to join. We also maintain museum rooms. All the workers are volunteers. There is a membership fee of $25. to join the McKeesport Heritage Center in order to work in their materials on site. Their main staff is paid but some people do volunteer time there. At both locations there is a fee for checking specific holdings to be done by mail. It is higher per hr. for non members than members at the McKeesport Heritage Center. Please do keep in mind that while some things may be duplicated at both places, the holdings do vary in scope. Also, please keep in mind that neither place has enough time & staff to do entire family genealogy researches, but do their best to give you what they can. I think this information may help some of you in your further searches. Ellen (ETHS)

Hi Marc Herbert Wilson took over in 1958 as Choir director. He was not nearly as gifted as Mr Barrett but he tried. The kids so loved Mr Barrett and felt his loss -( we didnt get counsiling back then ) that I think we resented Mr Wilson. I played the part of Aunt Eller in Oklahoma in 1958. Any other choir members out there. Our theme song was Wake Awake and until each person could sing it accapella without a mistake , we were not allowed to sing it in concert-- think any one does that today--strive for perfecion--it was a challenge and it took me a year and a half to learn it-- but I did.

South Hall 1997 Biology Lee Smith (grad MSHS 1970) 1992 - 2000 Band George Lepsch (band director took sabatical 2000 not sure if he is returning) 1992 - 1997 Dr Judy Bookhamer - COUNSELOR (I'm not sure what position she now holds 1992 - 1997 English Charlene DiCecco Greene (Class of 1969) is currently in administration McClure 1967 - 1968 9th Math Mr Malay 9th English Judy Bookhamer Barbara Jo Pollack Firda MSHS Class of 1971 http://www.delphi.com/McKeesportTiger/Start/ http://www.geocities.com/bfirda

Dear Friends: I guess I should fess up just a little here. Much of what I know came from my parents. My father graduated in 1926 and my mother in 1930. In High School my mother dated Jim Steel, Ben Desegi, and my dad - so I'm Marc Stauffer instead of Marc Steel, or Marc Desegi. My dad dated Mrs Schulhoff - I don't remember her maiden name before she married Mr. Schulhof. Many of the teachers mentioned were classmates and neighbors or belonged to the same church. Some things I will relate will be edited for the sake of both families privacy. Those on the list who also were children of School Employee's can understand. In addition my mothers aunt was Supervising Principal in Versailles Twp, My Uncle Clyde Taylor was on the School Board in Versailles Twp. One of the Mrs. Ripples was a cousin, the other was an Aunt - her husband ran Ripple's Butcher Shop across from the old reservoir. One thing I can assure you - most of these people were warm, loving, and truly concerned about their students and giving them a chance to escape a life of hard labor in the mills. They also played pranks on their teachers, got suspended for various reasons. As teachers they may have been strict - weren't quite so perfect when they were in school themselves. Marc M. G. Stauffer

Hello , The earnest entreaty to not send dispatch of letters on this address -- Best regards, bvn mailto:bvn@pivdenny.odessa.ua

I don't have a lot of information on the McKeesport Tin Plate Company. I have a personal library that could serve a small town. Between my office here at The Washington Post and three rooms full of books at home plus my archieves of family photos and history - I really need to hire a personal archivist to help manage the information. I do this as a hobby, avocation, love of McKeesport - but I have to do constant research to stay up to date with my Post assignments. I'm working as I can eke out time for several major projects; a book contract, and free lance assignments. I will certainly put your request in order or receipt and get to all them as soon as possible. As of today I have over 60 on my waiting list to be answered. Finally I'm involved in the release and review of a great new book The Wild Man due to be released on April 15, 2001 and a film project for a movie based on the book The Front Runner. Both are available through Wildcat Press at: www.wildcatpress.com or at your local book store. Writing and analysis is my profession- so I ask for tolerance on my response time. PLEASE - SEND PERSONAL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION TO ME AT MSTAUF511@AOL.COM. The Post is fair to me about this kind of thing but the volume is growing exponentially. Thanks for understanding. Marc M. G. Stauffer

Dear Barbara Jo: Thanks to you and to your mother - she's remembering some of the teachers I could picture but couldn't name. Your mother remembered Mr. Beatty. His wife Wynona Beatty taught English either at White Oak School in the 1950's or in McKeesport I can't remember which. This is more fun than a barrel of monkey's. I wish I had all my old Yough-A-Mons to look up some other teachers. I have sent a request to my entire family for teachers names - that should cover - 1942 - 1990. I've spent time talking about the past - and this is just FYI to the list. I am also the Uncle of Dana and Jennifer Stauffer who graduated from MASHS between 1986 and 1988. I also have cousins who graduated in the mid 1970's - George, John, Becky and Carla Stepansky. Other cousins who graduated from MASHS- twins Terry and Jerry Miller, Cheryl Seperek, Martha Rudolph. As for older cousins - Larry Rudolph - 1955, Ida Marie Miller - 1953, Emerson Miller - 1938 or so. Bonnie Ripple - 1957, and probably a few I'm missing - I'm laughing out loud - a HUGE family is so much fun but so hard to keep track of. I will be in McKeesport Area for Easter - doing the funeral of another cousin on Saturday. Don't know yet how long I'll be hanging around. Marc M. G. Stauffer

McKeesport High School Principals 1890 - 1891 James A Watt 1891 - 1893 S.S. Gressly 1893 - 1894 John A Keys 1895 - 1907 Ell S. Day 1907 - 1939 John F Bower 1939 - 1956 Dr Howard C McElroy 1957 - 1966 Dr Wayne E Mason 1966 - 1968 Benjamin B Disegi 1968 - 1971 James C Steel 1971 - 1974 Robert D Myers 1974 - 1975 Vernon Tipton 1975 - 1978 William F Ermlich 1978 - 1985 Myles M Stepanovich 1985 - 1995 Robert W Meredith 1995 - Present Joseph E Catalina VOC Principals 1940 - 1954 Frank J Weigle 1954 - 1956 Arthur O Horn 1956 - 1957 Dr Wayne E Mason 1957 - 1966 Benjamin B Disegi 1966 - 1968 Louis H Dunlop 1968 - 1978 Michael G Hritz After 1978, the Voc building came under the auspices of a coordinating high school principal Glenn "Dutch" Shample English Teacher - was teaching at the High School in 1968 and was still teaching into the mid-late 1990's Dutch passed away about a yr or so ago *Tiger Stadium which is adjacent to the high school is named after 2 TIGER coaches - Charles "Ding" Schaeffer and Harold "Duke" Weigle. The field was built in 1963 but varsity football games continued to be played at the World War Memorial Field at Tech Hi until 1978. Barbara Jo Pollack Firda http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/f/i/r/Barbara-J-Firda/?Welcome=984880983 Researching the following surnames: COATES, FIRDA, GIRMAN, LESNIK, LOGAN, POLLACK, SCHULTE, TKACH, AND VOELKER any information greatly appreciated!

Based on Marc's teacher info, I have placed what teachers & schools go together. The following I am not sure of: Jim Steel - teacher, principal and member of class of 1932 - taught MSHS, then Vice-Pricipal of MASHS. (both old and new buildings) Shelby Irwin - old and new high schools - retired 1964. Joe Lynch - father of Adam Lynch - MSHS Wayne Mason - Principal - MSHS, and I think first principal of MASHS. Helen G. Malseed - class of 1926 and Speech & Debate Coach - MSHS, MASHS, and then counselor MASHS - best student was probably Hedda Bluestone Sherrapin, producer of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. Thelma Mermelstein - sister of Dr. Mermelstein - one of the grade schools Coach Ding Schaefer - History and Coached Football - from Windber, PA - MSHS and MASHS- was assistant coach under Duke Weigle during whole tenure. In fact they were both hired away from Windber Sr. High School to come to McKeesport. Glenn Schriber - Chemistry - MASHS - only a short time. class of 1966 Dutch Shample - MASHS - not sure of years George Stoll - Social Studies MASHS, class of 1959, then taught at Norwin until 1979 or 1980. This is beginning to sound like I'm the old man in this group - surely there are others on our list, who remember some of the teachers from 1926 forward. Marc M. G. Stauffer

Dear George, Oh Wow! Walnut St. School! Mrs. Quantz - yep we sure did quake in our shoes if we were not prepared! You Did Not enter that class without knowing the topic to recite - but do you know what? She gave me a love for colonial history & she really was a darn good teacher. I only had her 1/2 a year because I transferred to Centennial & had Miss Welty there. She was good too, but not as good as Quantz & I did miss her. Now, when you say fear! FEAR that was Ms. Conroy. I think she must have been around long enough to be a wife of Dracula! My mom had her too. Mom said she was her "Pet" & used to draw maps for her. I was Far from her Pet!!! Hated her class & frankly, after her "boxing bout" with a friend of mine & all the newspaper publicity, she's the reason I made the move to the "school on the hill" in the middle of the year. I thought I might be next on her hit list. Mom said she saw her pick up a boy by the front of his shirt one time & the buttons popped off. The Twin Coaches was on Rt. 51 going towards Uniontown. Ms. Anderson was a sweetheart. She used to walk down toward our home & would walk with me sometimes. I had her too. Think she married a Brown as I remember dad calling him Brownie. You are talking about "Pete" Pazuchanics. I don't know him until he became the Forinsics teacher at North Huntingdon Highschool around 1952 or thereabouts. Had him as a teacher there. He was really nice. Had been in the Army Air Corps & I remember a story he told us about how he almost got hit by a propeller. His leather jacket got cut on the arm from it. He's dead now quite a few years. Know he was married with children. I recall how funny we thought it was in 9th grade at Shaw Avenue to have Mr. Vitsas as our girls gym teacher. That was "A Hoot" Does anyone on here remember learning how to do "The Waltz" in 6th grade at Shaw Ave. School? Bye, Ellen (ETHS)

I concur. Blank page.

Dear Erin, There is a famly that belongs to St. Johns Lutheran church in McKeesport by the name of Gibbons. Bus Gibbons, now deceased, was a real estate ageny & his son Fred runs the ageny now but it's called Remax, I think. Bus's wife is Mercedes. They also have twin daughters. I think there is something about the Skelly name in a book "The First One Hundred Years of McKeesport". Ryan also owned a Florest Shop but it may be a different one. Ellen (ETHS)

Hi Bob, I remember Mernelstein. How she dressed was really something else. She was related to Dr. Mermelstein who had his office on Market St. My mother told me something funny about her one time, but I can't repeat it on here. Also remember Mr. Steel. He was an okay person. I had Pauline Reed when I was younger for Music, but don't remember much about her except her having me do the scales to see how large a range I had & then putting me in the girls chorus. Ellen (ETHS)

Hello and thank you for this wonderful site. I have been away from McKeesport for 40 years. I was born in the first ward in what was called "strawberry alley" just below the police station. I grew up just across the bridge in 10thward.I attended West Side School until the 5th grade and then Saint Peters Grade and High School.I graduated from High School in 1953.Between 10th ward and Ohio I lived in the old White Street Apartments across from Balsamos and then on Scott Drive in Dravosburg.Later my parents moved to Port Vue. For as long as my parents lived I traveled back several times a year with my children,I watched with great sadness the changes that took place ,but never saw these areas with less love than when i was growing up. After I retired from nursing i began a second career as a full time storyteller.Along with several other tellers we do handicap awareness programs in the schools on behalf of the Easter Seal Society.I teach storytelling at Lorain County Community College ,am a member of The Western Reserve Association for the Preservation of Storytelling, Cleveland Association of Black Storytellers,Florida Storytelling Association and The National Association of Storytelling.I produce 4 -30 min T.V.programs each month(Stories,Who Tells!!! Who Listens?)on public access out of Amherst Ohio and do workshops and in service programs for health care and teaching groups .Last year I presented at the American School in Campinas Brazil. I work to promote the appreciation of our elders and there stories. My Husband is retired from the FAA and was a native of the Lawrenceville area of Pittsburgh. We have 3 adult children .All three have teaching certification but only one has remained in the profession and he has made his home in Brazil.Our oldest lives in Chicago and the youngest (our daughter)lives in Cleveland Ohio When I first began doing programs with the dementia and Alzheimer patients in the nursing homes I met a delight full senior by the name of Leona Stevenson(nee Wadsworth)she was 88 years old at the time of her death in 1993. I mention this because of all the comments on teachers.Mrs Stevenson worked in the McKeesport district, as an elementary school teacher for 35 years and a sub,for 6 years retiring in 1976.She was a member of the First United methodist Church in Versailles Boro. She was always happy to have me spend extra time with her so we could talk about Mckeesport.She truly loved and missed her home there. She had no family left and so she was here with a nephew.I wonder if any one on this site ever had her for a teacher and would like to know that even under her unhappy circumstances she was still warm and gracious and a pure delight. dmk