You also should know that land patents or warrants in the disputed area were often registered with the "residence" listed in the state that charged the least per acre. From some sources I have read, VA charged less per acre than did PA, so many land claims were to VA because it saved the settlers money! Gail On Jan 4, 2006, at 12:24 PM, MaeMay510@aol.com wrote: > You do want to not overlook Virginia records, as well. What became > Westmoreland Co., PA was prior to the Mason Dixon Survey (post > Rev.) disputed land > and Virginia claimed it as part of its land warranty from the king. > That is why you will see so many Virginias listed as a birthplace, > because > Kentucky, Pennsylvania, some parts of Maryland, Tennessee, etc. > were colonial > Virginia. > > In some cases court records are a good indication of where the > settlers > sympathies laid. If they traveled to a Virginian court in the > area, generally > they considered themselves as Virginians. If they traveled to > Pennsylvania > courts, they considered themselves as Pennsylvanians. However, > with the > mountains to traverse, this is not a concrete statement about > their loyalties. They > may have traveled to the nearest court to register land, etc. And > with the > mountains, they may have sincerely believed they lived in one or > the other > colonies/states. > > So do look for your SHIELDs in VA, too. > > Many southern names came from eastern colonial PA traveled down the > valleys > and the Great Wagon Road, and settled in western colonial VA. > Then returned > northward to the newly opened Ohio River Valley and Pittsburgh and > further > inland on the Ohio River. Others traveled over the mountains when > the > Cumberland Gap was opened.. > > You will need to know the history of the area in order to check > all sources. > So don't forget to check colonial VA records for your family > along with > earlier Quaker records in colonial Philadelphia area. > > Shirley Maynard > Hampton, VA > > > > > ==== PAWESTMO Mailing List ==== > > > >

You do want to not overlook Virginia records, as well. What became Westmoreland Co., PA was prior to the Mason Dixon Survey (post Rev.) disputed land and Virginia claimed it as part of its land warranty from the king. That is why you will see so many Virginias listed as a birthplace, because Kentucky, Pennsylvania, some parts of Maryland, Tennessee, etc. were colonial Virginia. In some cases court records are a good indication of where the settlers sympathies laid. If they traveled to a Virginian court in the area, generally they considered themselves as Virginians. If they traveled to Pennsylvania courts, they considered themselves as Pennsylvanians. However, with the mountains to traverse, this is not a concrete statement about their loyalties. They may have traveled to the nearest court to register land, etc. And with the mountains, they may have sincerely believed they lived in one or the other colonies/states. So do look for your SHIELDs in VA, too. Many southern names came from eastern colonial PA traveled down the valleys and the Great Wagon Road, and settled in western colonial VA. Then returned northward to the newly opened Ohio River Valley and Pittsburgh and further inland on the Ohio River. Others traveled over the mountains when the Cumberland Gap was opened.. You will need to know the history of the area in order to check all sources. So don't forget to check colonial VA records for your family along with earlier Quaker records in colonial Philadelphia area. Shirley Maynard Hampton, VA

Do we have any Cummins or Cummings family members or researchers on this list who live in Westmoreland County? My Cummins left for IN in 1816, and I am still trying to find out if any family stayed behind. You can contact me at _thecomyn@aol.com_ (mailto:thecomyn@aol.com) , thanks. Patrick Cummins Researching the Cummins, Hamilton, Smith, Kraft, Lewallen, Stover, Pennell, and related lines. Visit us at _www.thecomyn.com_ (http://www.thecomyn.com/) Trees Listed with _www.gencircles.com_ (http://www.gencircles.com/)

I am searching for John REED, born 1816/17 in Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth HOPPER and appears on the 1850-1880 Lewistown, Mifflin County, PA censuses. I am searching for the "needle in the haystack"--he was born somewhere in PA, but probably not in Mifflin. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, Sharon, Sharon_ra@msn.com and Sharon_ra2@yahoo.com. (AOL users please use Yahoo account)

Pennsylvania did not keep State/County records of births or marriages until way past your time frame. Church, land and will records are going to be your best bet. Another possibility is to look at UK ship arrival lists. Bob Warren Sharon <smorris9@msn.com> wrote: Happy New Years to all, I am a complete novice in research in the U.S., despite being an American! All of my ancestors came from the U.K. and I have become very familiar with what resources are available there. Until now, that is! I've just learned that one of my 3rd great grandfather's was born in the United States. According to the 1841 and 1851 Lancashire Census records, Hugh Shields, @ 1782, was born in the States. Unfortunately, no other details were given. I know that Hugh was in England by 1827, as he had a daughter born there. So, I began my search on Ancestry.com, for early census records. Pennsylvania seems to be the place with more Shields families than anywhere else. the 1800 Westmoreland census shows John Shields 2221-121-- Armstrong Township the 1810 Westmoreland census shows John Shields 5--1-2--1- Fairfield Township the 1820 Westmoreland census shows Hugh Shields 2--1-2-1-- Fairfield Township I don't see any Shields after 1820 in Westmoreland County. All of this seems to fit - the names and approx ages are good. But, now I'm stuck!! Are there records of births, marriages, etc. that go back to the 1700's? Is there any way I can find more details on the families listed above? Any help or advise on how to proceed would be much appreciated. Many thanks from a U.S. newbie. Sharon Sequim, Washington ==== PAWESTMO Mailing List ====

Sharon, The name SHIELDS is still very much in the Westmoreland and Armstrong Co region. Since 1800 is about the time Armstrong Co was formed from Westmoreland Co, I would suspect that the Armstrong Twp you refer to is the same area. That is also where I know the SHIELDS family still resides. I grew up in Leechburg, which is in Armstrong Co adjacent to Westmoreland Co. One of my close friends and neighbors was a SHIELDS. The SHIELDS family had a long history to the area in southern Armstrong Co. I should also note that the LDS files at FamilySearch show many SHIELDS in the Westmoreland, Armstrong, Indiana, and Venango counties area. At 10:00 PM 1/3/2006, you wrote: >From: "Sharon" <smorris9@msn.com> >To: <PAWESTMO-D@rootsweb.com> >Subject: New lister > >Happy New Years to all, > >I am a complete novice in research in the U.S., despite being an >American! All of my ancestors came from the U.K. and I have become >very familiar with what resources are available there. Until now, >that is! I've just learned that one of my 3rd great grandfather's >was born in the United States. > >According to the 1841 and 1851 Lancashire Census records, Hugh >Shields, @ 1782, was born in the States. Unfortunately, no other >details were given. I know that Hugh was in England by 1827, as he >had a daughter born there. So, I began my search on Ancestry.com, >for early census records. Pennsylvania seems to be the place with >more Shields families than anywhere else. > >the 1800 Westmoreland census shows John Shields 2221-121-- Armstrong Township > >the 1810 Westmoreland census shows John Shields >5--1-2--1- Fairfield Township > >the 1820 Westmoreland census shows Hugh Shields >2--1-2-1-- Fairfield Township > >I don't see any Shields after 1820 in Westmoreland County. All of >this seems to fit - the names and approx ages are good. But, now >I'm stuck!! Are there records of births, marriages, etc. that go >back to the 1700's? Is there any way I can find more details on the >families listed above? Any help or advise on how to proceed would >be much appreciated. > >Many thanks from a U.S. newbie. >Sharon >Sequim, Washington

Happy New Years to all, I am a complete novice in research in the U.S., despite being an American! All of my ancestors came from the U.K. and I have become very familiar with what resources are available there. Until now, that is! I've just learned that one of my 3rd great grandfather's was born in the United States. According to the 1841 and 1851 Lancashire Census records, Hugh Shields, @ 1782, was born in the States. Unfortunately, no other details were given. I know that Hugh was in England by 1827, as he had a daughter born there. So, I began my search on Ancestry.com, for early census records. Pennsylvania seems to be the place with more Shields families than anywhere else. the 1800 Westmoreland census shows John Shields 2221-121-- Armstrong Township the 1810 Westmoreland census shows John Shields 5--1-2--1- Fairfield Township the 1820 Westmoreland census shows Hugh Shields 2--1-2-1-- Fairfield Township I don't see any Shields after 1820 in Westmoreland County. All of this seems to fit - the names and approx ages are good. But, now I'm stuck!! Are there records of births, marriages, etc. that go back to the 1700's? Is there any way I can find more details on the families listed above? Any help or advise on how to proceed would be much appreciated. Many thanks from a U.S. newbie. Sharon Sequim, Washington

Hello, Isabelle White born in England 1870 died after 1930 ? marrried Benjamin Higgins born England 1868 died after 1930? their children are: Ambrose b 1884 m Ethal E Shindehite William b 1892 Rebecca b 1895 James A b 1897 Florence b 1899 Edward b 1903 Jennie b 1907 Isabella b 1907 Sherry

Beth, In the 1900 Census for Jeannette, Westmoreland Co., Pa., there is an Adolph Nelson living on 2nd Street. His family appears as follows: Nelson, Adolph b. Dec. 1851, b. Sweden Dairyman Josephine b. Sept. 1854 b. Sweden Jennie b. Aug. 1876 b. Sweden Augusta b. May 1880 b. Sweden Algrt ? (hard to read) b. May 1883 b. Sweden Gus b. Nov. 1884 b. Sweden Charles b. Mar. 1887 b. Sweden Julia b. Apr. 1892 (first child born in Pa) Mary b. Mar. 1893 b. Pa. Oscar b. May 1895 b. Pa. George D. b. July 1898 b. Pa. Their immigration years were listed as follows: Adolph 1888 Josephine 1890 Jennie 1892 Augusta 1890 Algrt? 1892 Gus 1892 Charles 1892 In St. Clair Cemetery, Hempfield Twp., Westmoreland County the following graves appear: Nelson, John A. (this has to be John Adolph) 1851-1914 Josephine 1854-1908 Augusta P. 1880-1963 Charles J. 1887-1960 U.S.N. Mary J. 1893-1916 In the 1910 census the family was living in 3rd Ward Greensburg, Pa. (That census info is messed up on Ancestry. When trying to download the images they send you to another city) In 1920 John A. (Adolf) and Josephine are deceased, but their daughter Augusta is still living in 3rd Ward Greensburg. The household appears as follows: Talbot Ave. 128-205-334-Nelson, Augusta 38 Anderson, C.A. Brother in law 31 Retail Grocery Merchant Anderson, S. A... Sister 28 Anderson, George Nephew 1 6/12 Nelson, George Brother 21 I believe some of this 1920 census is incorrect. Because also in St. Clair Cemetery, Hempfield Twp. are buried: Anderson, Carl 1888-1976 Julia N. 1891-1965 Richard Carl July 29, 1917-July 30, 1917 George H. 1919-1973 I think on the 1920 census the wife should have been J. N. Hope this helps! Helen -------------- Original message -------------- From: Beth Bubonovich <bethbub@atlanticbb.net> > I am searching for information about my grandfather, Adolf Nelson. > perhaps spelled Adolph Nilsson, who lived in Greensburg in an area > known as Swede Hill in the 1890s and possibly into the early 1900s. He > arrived from Sweden in about 1891. This is the only information I > have. Can anybody help me out? > Beth > > > ==== PAWESTMO Mailing List ==== > >

Beth, I will try to see if Jennie turns up anywhere. But here are some Sonnie census records- 1920, ED 109, Greensburg, 5th Ward, p. 12 William N., head, 50, immigrated 1881, na 1892, b. Denmark, parents born Denmark, miner, coal mine Mary C., wife, 47, immigrated 1886, na 1892, born Denmark, parents born Denmark Alfred W., son, 18, born PA, electrician, electric co. Carl T., son, 16, born PA, electrician, electric co. Viola C., daughter, 13, born PA Elizabeth M., daughter, 11, born PA John A., son, 10, born PA Esther M., daughter, 5, born PA Also in 1920 in Greensburg, 5th Ward, p. 11A D. H., head, 29, born PA, parents born Denmark, miner, coal co. Ruth, wife, 22, born PA, father born PA, mother born WV Howard, son, 4 0/12, born PA Richard, son, 1 11/12, born PA William and Mary are still in Greensburg in 1930 with Esther M., their daughter. They own their own home (worth $5,000) and have a radio. William was 19 when first married and Mary was 16. This record says he immigrated in 1884 and Mary in 1886 and that both are naturalized. William is still a coal miner. According to the SSDI the following Sonnies died while they lived in Greensburg. Bertha, 25 Mar 1899-Jan 1974 Betty Jean Sonnie, 27 Nov 1923-15 Jul 2000 Carl T., 30 Jun 1904-13 Oct 1994 Elaine C., 28 Feb 1947-22 Dec 2002 Isabel M., 27 Jan 1921-24 Jul 2002 Walter, 14 Apr 1897-Nov 1967 In the World War II Enlistment Records there is a Kenneth E. Sonnie. As he may still be alive, I will send you the info. directly if it will help. The obit for Carl T. may be available at www.pittsburghlive.com . I'll keep looking! Dawne ----- Original Message ----- From: "Beth Bubonovich" <bethbub@atlanticbb.net> To: "Dawne Temple" <dtis4me@zoominternet.net> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 1:54 PM Subject: Re: [PAWESTMO-L] Adolf Nelson > Dawne, > Thanks for your reply. Here's the story I have pieced together: > I do know that Adolf Nelson, born in Morup, Sweden on September 19, 1873, > married Jennie Sonnie (Sonney) in 1903 in Ohio. But perhaps he met her in > Greensburg because Jennie's family was living there in 1890 when her > sister Sadie was born. Their parents anglicized names were Peter and Ida > Sonnie and I have a detailed genealogy of them from Sweden and Denmark > done by a professional genealogist for my father's second cousin. I > hadn't posted it yet, but I'd also like to know about the Sonnie family's > time in Greensburg. > > I have never been able to find out anything about Adolf's family and such > a common surname is a problem. My cousin just wrote to me that she found > notes from an interview she did with out aunt in the early 1980s and that > is the information I posted. I know also that he married in Ohio, that > they had their first child in St. Louis, and then moved to the > Bentleyville area of Washington County where they lived until their > deaths. I can trace them accurately only after their move to Washington > County. > > It is the early part of Adolf's life in the United States that I am > trying to learn about. Apparently his parents did not come to America > because Adolf's brother Albin returned to Sweden when his parent's died > because he had inherited the family farm. There was also another brother > named Julian or Julius who immigrated to the United States and died in > Florida about 1970. I don't know if the brother's arrived together or > separately. > > On his death certificate. my grandmother listed Adolf's father as Nels > Nelson and his mother as "unknown" Anderson. I question that his father's > name was actually Nelson in Sweden. > > I really want to find out where Adolf lived in Greensburg, about how long, > his occupation and if he was possibly married before his marriage to my > grandmother. > > Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. > Beth > > On Jan 2, 2006, at 5:57 AM, Dawne Temple wrote: > > Do you know his wife's name? > > Dawne > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Beth Bubonovich" > <bethbub@atlanticbb.net> > To: <PAWESTMO-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 1:11 AM > Subject: [PAWESTMO-L] Adolf Nelson > > >> I am searching for information about my grandfather, Adolf Nelson. >> perhaps spelled Adolph Nilsson, who lived in Greensburg in an area known >> as Swede Hill in the 1890s and possibly into the early 1900s. He arrived >> from Sweden in about 1891. This is the only information I have. Can >> anybody help me out? >> Beth >> ==== PAWESTMO Mailing List ==== >> > > >

Here is an article about the G C Murphy's store in Irwin, PA. It is written by my brother who likes to write historical articles. JoAnn Cupp http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_408278.html

There is an A G Nelson in Hempfield Twp. in 1900. Nelson, A.G., born May 1853, age 47, married 11 years, born Sweden as were his parents, immigrated 1883, lived in the US for 17 years, was naturalized and was a coal miner, could read, could write and could speak English. Mary, wife, b. June 1861, age 38, in the US for 11 years, married 11 years, 4 children, 4 children living, born Sweden as were her parents, immigrated 1889, in US 11 years, could read, write and speak English. The children were all born in PA. Yudith, Oct. 1889, age 10 George, July 1891, age 8 Ester, Aug 1893, age 6 Olga, Oct 1895, age 4 Also in the 1900 census were an A E Nelson from Greensburg, Ward 5 and an Adolf Nelson in Jeannette, Ward 3. What was your Mother or Father's name? That would make things easier to match up. The reason I am saying this is because an Andrew Nelson, wife Mary, daughter Olga show up in 1920 which means the A G Nelson above is probably Andrew and then not your grandfather. The Adolph (immigrated 1888) in Jeannette was married to Josephine and the A E Nelson in Greensburg was married to Annie. Any little tidbit would make it easier to to pinpoint the correct family. Dawne ----- Original Message ----- From: "Beth Bubonovich" <bethbub@atlanticbb.net> To: <PAWESTMO-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 1:11 AM Subject: [PAWESTMO-L] Adolf Nelson >I am searching for information about my grandfather, Adolf Nelson. perhaps >spelled Adolph Nilsson, who lived in Greensburg in an area known as Swede >Hill in the 1890s and possibly into the early 1900s. He arrived from Sweden >in about 1891. This is the only information I have. Can anybody help me >out? > Beth > > > ==== PAWESTMO Mailing List ==== > > > >

I am searching for information about my grandfather, Adolf Nelson. perhaps spelled Adolph Nilsson, who lived in Greensburg in an area known as Swede Hill in the 1890s and possibly into the early 1900s. He arrived from Sweden in about 1891. This is the only information I have. Can anybody help me out? Beth

I am looking for info on the RUTKOWSKI family. Many name variations: RUTKOWSKI RUTKOWSKY RUTKOSKY RUTKISKE RUTKOWSK RUTKOSKE RUSKOSKY RUSKOWSKI etc... Stanslaw and Catherine RUTKOWSKI immigrated abt. 1886. They had 4 children: Frank, William, Martha and John. Stanslaw died before the 1900 census. In 1900, Catherine is living in Export with her daughter Martha Baldiga. John lived in the Penn Twp. area. Some of his sons changed their name to ROCKWELL. Anyone working on this RUTKOWSKI-ROCKWELL family? Linda

Here are some from the 1933 Directory of American Hospitals. Cresson State Sanitorium Cresson, Cambria County Specialized hospital for all stages of pulmonary tuberculosis Separate building for children Services free, a state institution Opened 1912 Average number of patients 721. Hamburg State Sanitorium for Tuberculosis All stages of pulmonary tuberculosis Patients 534 County Institution Monaca, Beaver County Beaver County Sanatorium For all stages of pulmonary tuberculosis 63 bed Please note at this time (1931) it was a county facility. Later it became Woodville State Hospital Woodville, Allegheny County Allegheny County Home and Hospital for Insane You're right, it was called the Allegheny County Home and Hospital for Insane. I don't know how I missed it since that is where I did my psychiatric nursing work for 3 months. Should have added the following about Woodville. Opened in 1853 2,778 beds Cared for mental diseases, tuberculosis, and the aged of Allegheny County. These are the ones in the 1933 directory. There may have been more prior. I'm on vacation and will try to check another source when I get back to the library. On Mon, 26 Dec 2005, laney wrote: > Does anyone know if there were any other Tuberculosis Hospitals in Pa in the 1930's besides the State Sanatorium for Tuberculosis, at Cresson, Cambria County and South Mountain Hospital, Adams County? > > > ==== PAWESTMO Mailing List ==== > > > Hannah Millward Fisher Information Services Librarian Hannah@ahsl.arizona.edu The University of Arizona (520) 626-2933 (voice) Arizona Health Sciences Library 1501 N. Campbell, P.O. Box 245079 (520) 626-2922 (fax) Tucson, AZ 85724-5079 "The statements expressed herein are my own and should not be taken as a position, opinion or endorsement of the University of Arizona."

Does anyone know if there were any other Tuberculosis Hospitals in Pa in the 1930's besides the State Sanatorium for Tuberculosis, at Cresson, Cambria County and South Mountain Hospital, Adams County?

Brian, I apologize if this is a duplicate post. I sent it yesterday and it didn't show up in my email, so I am not sure if it went through or not, Also some of the below is a duplicate of information posted by Laney. I took a quick look at the census information and found a Joseph (not John) Geary (a shoe maker) married to Catherine in Derry Twp. (1850), he is 51, Catherine is 48, and they have the following children-John, age 22-Catherine, age 20-Elizabeth, age 18-Joseph, age 16 and Peter, age 13. There is also a John Geary in Derry Twp. in 1850, age 60 married to Catherine Geary, age 57. He is a shoemaker with the following children-John, age 23 (also a shoe maker)-Joseph, age 23-William, age 21-Elizabeth, age 19-Jacob, age 17-Catharin, age 15-Rebecca Geary, age 13 and listed again Rebecca Geary, age 5. All were listed as being in PA. In 1860, in New Derry, I found Joseph Geary, age 59, farmer, born PA with wife Catherine, age 58, born PA and son John (a shoe maker), age 29 and born in PA, Joseph, age 26, a laborer, born PA, Peter, age 22, born PA and Patric Coil, age 17, farmer, born PA. In 1870, Joseph Geary (age 48) is in Derry Township with Margaret ( age 41) with James E. (12), John M. (9), George B. (7), Catherine (5), Jospeh (1). In 1880, Joseph is not listed, Margret, at age 52, is the head of the household and a farmer with the following children-James E., 22, book pedler-John M., 19-George, 17-Catherine, 15-Joseph, 11. In 1900, Margaret ( born July 1829, age 69, widowed, five children, four living) is in Latrobe Boro, living with her son, George B., born Oct. 1862, age 37, married 12 years. George's wife is Maggie B., born Sept. 1862, Raymond L,, born July 1889-Lewis H., born Nov. 1890-Francis L., born Apr. 1892-Joseph A., July 1893-Eleanor G., July 1893-Ailana? E., Feb. 1899. The Adams Memorial Library in Latrobe has several obituaries for this family. At a glance, I see that James E. died in 1906. Here is a link to their site. http://www.adamslib.org/catalogs/deadabase/ Also, I don't know if this is any help or not, but the Westmoreland E services has records for later Geary marriages. Here is a link to that too. http://westmorelandweb400.us:8088/EGSPublicAccess.htm Dawne

Brian, I saw in an earlier post that you were interested in a John and Jane Geary from Ireland. The only Jane Geary I found from Ireland is in the Philadelphia census (19th Ward) in 1860. She is- Jane Geary, 47, Widow,born Ireland John Geary, 23, Gentleman, b. Ireland Mary Geary, 19, born Ireland Sarah Geary, 17, born Ireland Margaret Geary, 16, born Ireland Eliza Geary, 14, born Ireland Dawne

I am not connected to this family, but saw that a family history had been printed and was for sale at this site. http://www.hackerscreek.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cat=4&cart=42997 . I thought it might help some one with this family name. Dawne

Hello, Is there anyone who is planning to do research at the Westmoreland County Historical Society during the Holiday break, or in the next few weeks, and would be willing to help me along on my Geary genealogical research? I am primarily looking for information on two of my ancestors. The first is Joseph Geary (approx. 1822-1876), who was married to Margaret Easley Geary (1829-1902), and is burried in St. Mary's/Holy Family Cemetery in Latrobe, PA. The second is John Geary (1789, Ireland - 1872, Latrobe, PA), who was the father of Joseph Geary and married to Catherine (possibly Coyle) Geary (1792-1872), and is burried at St. Mary's/Holy Family cemetery. I believe that he may have emigrated from Dublin, Ireland to Philadelphia, PA between 1815 and 1821. Would anone have the time to do one or more of the following searches? Whether the dates of death or burial of John and Joseph Geary at Holy Family/St. Mary's Cemetery of Latrobe are in the "Cemetary Listings"? Whether the Geary surname is listed in the "Genealogical Correspondence File of over 3,000 surnames"? Whether the John Geary or Joseph Geary listed above are on the "Index of Landowners and Joiners (1769-1905)"? Whether the John Geary or Joseph Geary and their spouses are listed on the "Marriage and Death Records"? Whether the John Geary or Joseph Geary and their spouses are listed on the "Naturalization Records (1805-1850)? I would appreciate any help that anyone would be willing to give to me. In return, I would be happy to snail-mail or fax copies of the history of an Irish family surname, on which I have considerable information, and reimburse for any photocopies which are made. Thank you. Sincerely, Brian Geary