Shirley, Have you considered the likelihood that SHEAFFER spelling you have for your gggrandfather is an aberrant spelling and the family name was really SHAEFFER? Surname spellings were very fluid in the 18-19th Century. Have you tried posting your query on the SHAEFFER RootsWeb Listserv? Whether or not you agree that SHAEFFER is a possible spelling, you might get a helpful response if you post on that ListServ. To subscribe, go to: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/surname/s/shaeffer.html Nelson //////////////////////////////////////// ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 2:11 PM Subject: Re: [PA-Perry] Cemetery maps > Just a shot in the dark. I've traced my gggrandfather > George B. Sheaffer 1818-1902 of Ickesburg, also his > parents. My brick wall I cann't find any modern day > Sheaffer descendants.Have you any tips? Appreciate > any help. > Shirley [email protected]

Just a shot in the dark. I've traced my gggrandfather George B. Sheaffer 1818-1902 of Ickesburg, also his parents. My brick wall I cann't find any modern day Sheaffer descendants.Have you any tips? Appreciate any help. Shirley [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 11:46 AM Subject: Re: [PA-Perry] Cemetery maps > I am sure you know about this: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~paperry/perry_cemeteries.htm > > Jacquelin J Sheldon > Surnames: Walker, Dymond, Hollister, Jones, Whitlock; Keck, Simons > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

I am sure you know about this: http://www.rootsweb.com/~paperry/perry_cemeteries.htm Jacquelin J Sheldon Surnames: Walker, Dymond, Hollister, Jones, Whitlock; Keck, Simons

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Hoffman, Mullen, Fleisher, Meyers/Myers, Swanger, Kreider, Ramer, Baltosser, Cook Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/odB.2ACI/411 Message Board Post: My cousin is planning a trip to visit ancestral graves, and we wondered if it would be possible to obtain cemetery maps or layouts for several Perry Co. cemeteries, including Union Lutheran Cemetery, New Bloomfield Cemetery, and Mt. Gilead, among others. Are there sextons or contact persons or websites that we should start with to make this search more productive? Any help appreciated! Judi Regan [email protected]

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Pope,Noye,Reeder,Flickinger Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/5519/odB.2ACI/221.1 Message Board Post: I am gr grandaughter of Effie Catherine Noye through her daughter Helen Grace Noye. This obituary shows her parents as Thomas and Sarah. Other sources show William and Margaret. I would like to get in contact with anyone who knows for sure.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: FOLTZ-FOULTZ-FULTZ Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/odB.2ACI/410 Message Board Post: Looking for information on Adam Fultz and family. I am descended from his son Henry Foltz,b. 1782 in York co. But resided all of his life in Perry Co.(Tyrone and Rye townships) Adam Fultz died in 1816. Would appreciate any info.

Land was undoubtedly a motivation. In Perry Co., PA, Joseph Wesley Huggins had a farm of about 80 acres. In Ellsworth Co., KS, he ended up with two sections (1280 acres). That opportunity was most likely the motivation. I'm interested in the background and context--how he learned of the opportunity in Kansas, whether people moved in groups, etc. Marvin -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 8:22 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer Marvin, Could land have been the attraction? But I don't think that with my family. First they settled in Belvue, Pottawatomie Co. then unk time later they moved onto Junction City, Geary (Davis) County. Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marvin Huggins" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:58 AM Subject: RE: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > I'm responding to the list on this, not because of the name involved but > because of the circumstance described. > > My ggrandfather, Joseph Wesley Huggins, also moved from Perry County, > PA, to Kansas with his family in 1879! He settled in Ellsworth County. > His brother-in-law named Hetrick also moved there. My other paternal > ggrandfather, Irvin Black, moved from Jefferson Co., PA, to the same > area in Kansas the same year. > > Does anyone have information about how these coincidental moves took > place? What attracted them to Kansas? Why the moves at that particular > time? Was there coordination? How many others did the same thing? > > Thanks for any thoughts and especially any evidence relating to this! > > Marvin Huggins > Saint Louis, Missouri > [email protected] > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 11:03 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > > Still looking for descendants. George B. Sheaffer(24 Jul 1818-19 Nov > 1902).Born Loysville died Ickesburg. Married > Eliza(elizabeth) Ritter d/o Jacob Ritter 31 May ,1842. My > GGrandfather, John William, was b. 1852 in Blueball > where his father had built a hotel. My ggrandfather took > his family to Kansas in 1879, that's the branch I'm from. > Thanking all in advance. > My e-mail [email protected] Shirley/Venice,Fl. > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy > records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Thanks very much for the reference. I will definitely follow up. This is the kind of documentation I am looking for. When it gets published in a county historical society publication, it's easy for those of us in other areas to miss it. I have read the articles in local Kansas newspapers touting the abundance of land, reveling in the numbers of immigrants flowing in and the prospects for the paradise in the making! Marvin -----Original Message----- From: Bill Hawk [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 9:13 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [PA-Perry] Pa to Kansas migration There are a number of articles on this subject in the Winter 1998 edition of Cumberland County History published by The Cumberland County Historical Society. You might be able to get a copy; if there are any back issues left, they are $5.00. CCHS, 21 N. Pitt St., Carlisle PA 17013. 717-249-7610 The migration began in earnest after the Civil War, in the early 1870's and there was another burst in 1878-79. The biggest attraction was abundant land, and the newspapers of the day contained glowing articles about Kansas. The railroads made it easy to get there, and had lots of land for sale. Pitch men came to PA from Kansas to raise parties to make the trip. Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marvin Huggins" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:58 AM Subject: RE: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > I'm responding to the list on this, not because of the name involved but > because of the circumstance described. > > My ggrandfather, Joseph Wesley Huggins, also moved from Perry County, > PA, to Kansas with his family in 1879! He settled in Ellsworth County. > His brother-in-law named Hetrick also moved there. My other paternal > ggrandfather, Irvin Black, moved from Jefferson Co., PA, to the same > area in Kansas the same year. > > Does anyone have information about how these coincidental moves took > place? What attracted them to Kansas? Why the moves at that particular > time? Was there coordination? How many others did the same thing?.... ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: FITZJARLD Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/odB.2ACI/409 Message Board Post: I was wondering if anyone can help me with some Fitzjarld (Fitzgerald) family history. My great grandmother was married to a ___ Fitzjarld. He must have died in about 1906 (as referenced on her marriage certificate to her second husband). He worked for the RR (Penn ?) and was a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainman. I have his Ball watch with the BofRT logo on the front. At the time of his death the couple was living in Millerstown (ville?), PA. Any help, including just general thoughts on this Fitzgerald name in the Perry County area would be greatfully appreciated. Bill Johnson Plymouth, MN

Just a little to add to this thread. A HUGGINS married a sister (Susan) of Elizabeth Charles - who was married to Joseph Charles. They are on a census of Vernon County, MO. Joseph Charles, Simon Charles, Benjamin Charles all moved to MO (Kansas border) from 1840 to 1855; along with a Huggins family, a Yocum family (a Jane Yocum was married to Simon Charles) and a Weyand family. Obviously I don't have my data right here in front of me. Its at work; and I'm at home! Susan Long _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com

My George B. Sheaffer m. Elizabeth(cemetary records say Elizabeth)Ritter in 1842. Her dob 11 Apr 1823. I think he had a brother named William . Their parents Daniel & Catherine (Miller, I think) Sheaffer Shirley / Venice,Fl. P.S. Those are my blank walls. Don't hear a word from any Sheaffer in Perry Co. & there must be dozens. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nikki Perry" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 3:47 PM Subject: Re: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > I have a George Sheaffer that married Eliza Rice d/o Zachariah and Anna > Maria "Mary" Knerr Rice. > Eliza was born in 1821. > Nikki Perry > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 11:02 AM > Subject: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > > > > Still looking for descendants. George B. Sheaffer(24 Jul 1818-19 Nov > 1902).Born Loysville died Ickesburg. Married > > Eliza(elizabeth) Ritter d/o Jacob Ritter 31 May ,1842. My > > GGrandfather, John William, was b. 1852 in Blueball > > where his father had built a hotel. My ggrandfather took > > his family to Kansas in 1879, that's the branch I'm from. > > Thanking all in advance. > > My e-mail [email protected] Shirley/Venice,Fl. > > > > > > > > ============================== > > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, > go to: > > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

I have a George Sheaffer that married Eliza Rice d/o Zachariah and Anna Maria "Mary" Knerr Rice. Eliza was born in 1821. Nikki Perry ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 11:02 AM Subject: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > Still looking for descendants. George B. Sheaffer(24 Jul 1818-19 Nov 1902).Born Loysville died Ickesburg. Married > Eliza(elizabeth) Ritter d/o Jacob Ritter 31 May ,1842. My > GGrandfather, John William, was b. 1852 in Blueball > where his father had built a hotel. My ggrandfather took > his family to Kansas in 1879, that's the branch I'm from. > Thanking all in advance. > My e-mail [email protected] Shirley/Venice,Fl. > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >

Peggy etal, While the articles I mentioned are concerned mainly with the "Great Migration to Kansas in the 1870's", earlier times are mentioned a bit, with reference to groups who went in the 1850's, and also mention of the political strife of the free vs slave state status. During the war, migration practically stopped. That is a great story that Nelson told. Few of my family went west, but the ones who did were railroad men. My ggrandfather's brother John Edward Hawk was a car builder who worked in the shops of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois at Danville Ill. Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "peggyt" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:59 PM Subject: Re: [PA-Perry] Pa to Kansas migration > Bill, does this article mention earlier migrations? ....

Bill, does this article mention earlier migrations? My ancestor was from Perry Co.; got married in early 1840's. Had a son born in Cumberland Co.in 1842. Family moved to Pulaski Co., IN in about 1846. My ancestor, David Light, got original land grants signed by the then president of US. I understand that Indian territory in that vicinity opened up shortly before he went out there. There were also other family members who went along. I found them begining in the 1850 census. Alexander Moore, who was a brother-in-law to David Light, was among those who went. By 1920 some were still in Monterey, Pulaski Co., Indiana. Peggy Lyte Tyrrell Bill Hawk wrote: > There are a number of articles on this subject in the Winter 1998 edition of Cumberland County History published by The Cumberland County Historical Society. You might be able to get a copy; if there are any back issues left, they are $5.00. CCHS, 21 N. Pitt St., Carlisle PA 17013. 717-249-7610 > > The migration began in earnest after the Civil War, in the early 1870's and there was another burst in 1878-79. > The biggest attraction was abundant land, and the newspapers of the day contained glowing articles about Kansas. The railroads made it easy to get there, and had lots of land for sale. Pitch men came to PA from Kansas to raise parties to make the trip. > > Bill > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Marvin Huggins" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:58 AM > Subject: RE: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > > > I'm responding to the list on this, not because of the name involved but > > because of the circumstance described. > > > > My ggrandfather, Joseph Wesley Huggins, also moved from Perry County, > > PA, to Kansas with his family in 1879! He settled in Ellsworth County. > > His brother-in-law named Hetrick also moved there. My other paternal > > ggrandfather, Irvin Black, moved from Jefferson Co., PA, to the same > > area in Kansas the same year. > > > > Does anyone have information about how these coincidental moves took > > place? What attracted them to Kansas? Why the moves at that particular > > time? Was there coordination? How many others did the same thing?.... > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Bill, One of the Sulouffs from Juniata Co. who moved to Illinois married a Hawk girl in Illinois. Since I do not have the names for her parents, I would be interested in learning more about your great grandfather's Hawk family and particularly about John Edward Hawk or any other brothers who lived in Illinois. Jacob Oliver Sulouff (5/1/1897-11/17/1932) was a son of the John Edmund Sulouff who moved to Indiana and then returned to Juniata Co., about whom I told the earlier story. On 6/20/1913 Jacob married Emma Florence Hawk born 1/17/1892 (location unknown) and died 4/24/1975. Family records show their marriage as taking place in Toulon, Illinois; but one of their sons stated to me his parents were married in Sterling, Illinois, about 50 miles north of Toulon. As a resident of Sterling for some 20 years, Jacob was in the lumber business with his brother-in-law, David Hawk. Both Jacob and wife Emma are buried in Sterling. If you should happen to have ancestral information on this Emma Florence Hawk, I have information on her 37 descendants and 27 spouses of descendants to offer in exchange for her ancestral info. How's my luck on this possibility going to turn out? If you think other list subscribers will get tired of us, you can contact me at [email protected] . Nelson ///////////////////////////////////////////////// ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Hawk" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 10:16 AM Subject: Re: [PA-Perry] Pa to Kansas migration > Peggy etal, > While the articles I mentioned are concerned mainly with the "Great > Migration to Kansas in the 1870's", earlier times are mentioned a bit, with > reference to groups who went in the 1850's, and also mention of the > political strife of the free vs slave state status. During the war, > migration practically stopped. > > That is a great story that Nelson told. Few of my family went west, but the > ones who did were railroad men. My ggrandfather's brother John Edward Hawk > was a car builder who worked in the shops of the Chicago and Eastern > Illinois at Danville Ill.

You might be interested in the Kansas Pioneers List. First go to Google, thentype in Kansas Pioneers List. Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 10:34 AM Subject: Re: [PA-Perry] Pa to Kansas migration > My ggg grandfather and his family migrated to Kansas in Apr 1877 from Mifflin Co. They settled in Osborn Co., Ks. I have no other info on them as yet. > Thank you for the info. > > Jan Storey > > ----- Original Message ----- > Wrom: YZUNNYCGP > Sent: Saturday, 04 May, 2002 09:15 > To: [email protected] > Subject: [PA-Perry] Pa to Kansas migration > > There are a number of articles on this subject in the Winter 1998 edition of Cumberland County History published by The Cumberland County Historical Society. You might be able to get a copy; if there are any back issues left, they are $5.00. CCHS, 21 N. Pitt St., Carlisle PA 17013. 717-249-7610 > > The migration began in earnest after the Civil War, in the early 1870's and there was another burst in 1878-79. > The biggest attraction was abundant land, and the newspapers of the day contained glowing articles about Kansas. The railroads made it easy to get there, and had lots of land for sale. Pitch men came to PA from Kansas to raise parties to make the trip. > > Bill > > ----- Original Message ----- > Wrom: KYLEJGDGVCJVTLBXFGGMEPYOQKEDOTWFAOBU > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:58 AM > Subject: RE: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > > > > I'm responding to the list on this, not because of the name involved but > > because of the circumstance described. > > > > My ggrandfather, Joseph Wesley Huggins, also moved from Perry County, > > PA, to Kansas with his family in 1879! He settled in Ellsworth County. > > His brother-in-law named Hetrick also moved there. My other paternal > > ggrandfather, Irvin Black, moved from Jefferson Co., PA, to the same > > area in Kansas the same year. > > > > Does anyone have information about how these coincidental moves took > > place? What attracted them to Kansas? Why the moves at that particular > > time? Was there coordination? How many others did the same thing?.... > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

There are a number of articles on this subject in the Winter 1998 edition of Cumberland County History published by The Cumberland County Historical Society. You might be able to get a copy; if there are any back issues left, they are $5.00. CCHS, 21 N. Pitt St., Carlisle PA 17013. 717-249-7610 The migration began in earnest after the Civil War, in the early 1870's and there was another burst in 1878-79. The biggest attraction was abundant land, and the newspapers of the day contained glowing articles about Kansas. The railroads made it easy to get there, and had lots of land for sale. Pitch men came to PA from Kansas to raise parties to make the trip. Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marvin Huggins" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:58 AM Subject: RE: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > I'm responding to the list on this, not because of the name involved but > because of the circumstance described. > > My ggrandfather, Joseph Wesley Huggins, also moved from Perry County, > PA, to Kansas with his family in 1879! He settled in Ellsworth County. > His brother-in-law named Hetrick also moved there. My other paternal > ggrandfather, Irvin Black, moved from Jefferson Co., PA, to the same > area in Kansas the same year. > > Does anyone have information about how these coincidental moves took > place? What attracted them to Kansas? Why the moves at that particular > time? Was there coordination? How many others did the same thing?....

My ggg grandfather and his family migrated to Kansas in Apr 1877 from Mifflin Co. They settled in Osborn Co., Ks. I have no other info on them as yet. Thank you for the info. Jan Storey ----- Original Message ----- Wrom: YZUNNYCGP Sent: Saturday, 04 May, 2002 09:15 To: [email protected] Subject: [PA-Perry] Pa to Kansas migration There are a number of articles on this subject in the Winter 1998 edition of Cumberland County History published by The Cumberland County Historical Society. You might be able to get a copy; if there are any back issues left, they are $5.00. CCHS, 21 N. Pitt St., Carlisle PA 17013. 717-249-7610 The migration began in earnest after the Civil War, in the early 1870's and there was another burst in 1878-79. The biggest attraction was abundant land, and the newspapers of the day contained glowing articles about Kansas. The railroads made it easy to get there, and had lots of land for sale. Pitch men came to PA from Kansas to raise parties to make the trip. Bill ----- Original Message ----- Wrom: KYLEJGDGVCJVTLBXFGGMEPYOQKEDOTWFAOBU To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:58 AM Subject: RE: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > I'm responding to the list on this, not because of the name involved but > because of the circumstance described. > > My ggrandfather, Joseph Wesley Huggins, also moved from Perry County, > PA, to Kansas with his family in 1879! He settled in Ellsworth County. > His brother-in-law named Hetrick also moved there. My other paternal > ggrandfather, Irvin Black, moved from Jefferson Co., PA, to the same > area in Kansas the same year. > > Does anyone have information about how these coincidental moves took > place? What attracted them to Kansas? Why the moves at that particular > time? Was there coordination? How many others did the same thing?.... ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Marvin, Could land have been the attraction? But I don't think that with my family. First they settled in Belvue, Pottawatomie Co. then unk time later they moved onto Junction City, Geary (Davis) County. Shirley ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marvin Huggins" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:58 AM Subject: RE: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > I'm responding to the list on this, not because of the name involved but > because of the circumstance described. > > My ggrandfather, Joseph Wesley Huggins, also moved from Perry County, > PA, to Kansas with his family in 1879! He settled in Ellsworth County. > His brother-in-law named Hetrick also moved there. My other paternal > ggrandfather, Irvin Black, moved from Jefferson Co., PA, to the same > area in Kansas the same year. > > Does anyone have information about how these coincidental moves took > place? What attracted them to Kansas? Why the moves at that particular > time? Was there coordination? How many others did the same thing? > > Thanks for any thoughts and especially any evidence relating to this! > > Marvin Huggins > Saint Louis, Missouri > [email protected] > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 11:03 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > > Still looking for descendants. George B. Sheaffer(24 Jul 1818-19 Nov > 1902).Born Loysville died Ickesburg. Married > Eliza(elizabeth) Ritter d/o Jacob Ritter 31 May ,1842. My > GGrandfather, John William, was b. 1852 in Blueball > where his father had built a hotel. My ggrandfather took > his family to Kansas in 1879, that's the branch I'm from. > Thanking all in advance. > My e-mail [email protected] Shirley/Venice,Fl. > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy > records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > > > > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 >

A large percentage of those who went west in these migrations outlined by Bill Hawk were seeking land. However there were other motivations as well. Many followed the railroads west seeking commercial, industrial, and financial opportunities. As to the question of coordination, as Bill points out, there were pitch men spreading the word, and there were ads in the media, and there were letters sent back to Pennsylvania from earlier migrants, all encouraging more people to join the move westward. Let me pick out just one example from the many families who joined the westward migrations in the last quarter of the 19th C. My great-grandfather Sulouff was a builder in Juniata Co., Pa. He had developed a specialty as a "framer" of large buildings, mostly barns. Attracted by what was presented to him as a golden opportunity, in 1882, at the age of 32, he decided to move his family of wife and four children to Elkhart, Indiana. He was to be employed as a builder for the railroads, putting up large maintenance and repair sheds for their engines and cars. On the long train ride to Indiana they were among a host of families moving west. A piquant story has been preserved from that trip. My great grandparents, Edmund and Hannah Sulouff, kindly helped a younger couple take care of their restless children enroute. In gratitude, that couple gave Ed and Hannah a pen and pencil set to keep as a memento of the warm friendship that had sprung up between them on the train. Both couples knew that upon parting at their destination, they probably would never see one another again. That gold-tipped pen and pencil set is still in its original case with an inscription on the lid thanking my great grandparents for their kindness. It has been handed down, along with the touching story, via Edmund's oldest son and a grandson to this present writer. I especially treasure the memory of a kindness performed by my great-grandparents and the comfort and joy they imparted as is symbolized by this honored gift from another couple on the train. I thought if I shared the story with you other subscribers it would bring alive something of what it was like for our ancestors to move west during the last quarter of the 19th C. I feel the story imparts some of the excitement of moving west, and it also provides some insight into the task of pulling up roots in Pennsylvania, enduring separation from parents, grandparents, and friends, and the trauma and stress people endures as they strove to open up the vast expanse of our whole country. We live in a very mobile society today, and we don't think too much about making cross-country moves, but for those who lived over a century ago, it was truly a major undertaking to make the moves they did. While most families stayed where they settled after migrating west, my great-grandfather returned with his family to Juniata Co., Pa. Family tradition says the return was at the urging of Ed's wife, Hannah. They had four children before they moved to Indiana, had only one child born in Indiana, and they lost their sixth child during the tumultuous days of preparing for return and travelling back to Pa. They had five more children born after their return to Pa., all of whom lived long lives. They ended up with 57 grandchildren in Pennsylvania, one of whom was my father. As a result I was born a Pineknotter, but I feel I came close to being a Hoosier!(:D) Nelson R. Sulouff ////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Hawk" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 7:13 AM Subject: [PA-Perry] Pa to Kansas migration > There are a number of articles on this subject in the Winter 1998 edition of Cumberland County History published by The Cumberland County Historical Society. You might be able to get a copy; if there are any back issues left, they are $5.00. CCHS, 21 N. Pitt St., Carlisle PA 17013. 717-249-7610 > > The migration began in earnest after the Civil War, in the early 1870's and there was another burst in 1878-79. > The biggest attraction was abundant land, and the newspapers of the day contained glowing articles about Kansas. The railroads made it easy to get there, and had lots of land for sale. Pitch men came to PA from Kansas to raise parties to make the trip. > > Bill > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Marvin Huggins" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:58 AM > Subject: RE: [PA-Perry] George B. Sheaffer > > > > I'm responding to the list on this, not because of the name involved but > > because of the circumstance described. > > > > My ggrandfather, Joseph Wesley Huggins, also moved from Perry County, > > PA, to Kansas with his family in 1879! He settled in Ellsworth County. > > His brother-in-law named Hetrick also moved there. My other paternal > > ggrandfather, Irvin Black, moved from Jefferson Co., PA, to the same > > area in Kansas the same year. > > > > Does anyone have information about how these coincidental moves took > > place? What attracted them to Kansas? Why the moves at that particular > > time? Was there coordination? How many others did the same thing?.... >