Hi there Bob Lamparter -- At 8:59 AM -0400 8/28/97, you wrote in part: >>> I may be wrong, but I believe that this strain was brought to >>>the US by the returning GI's from WWI. {SNIP} >epidemic began in pigs, and jumped the species barrier to humans. I >recall that article mentioning that the flu epidemic began in the US. > >OK OK, so it's a little afield from genealogy - I'm Dutch. I say what's >on my mind. Thanks much for taking the time to post your response. One of my grandfathers died in the influenza epidemic of 1917-18 and I appreciate your remarks. Causes of deaths whether they explain single events, genetic/family risks or provide context for large losses of life within communities are a very real and valuable part of this darned search we share -- not afield from genealogy at all. Again, thanks very, VERY much for posting your response. Good luck and good hunting, Mark Merritt merroots@ix.netcom.com

Gerald, Although it's possible, I doubt that in fact you were the only one in your class with German heritage. First of all, true Anglo-Saxons are by their very origins, of German lineage. The Angles, Saxons and Jutes conquered and dominated Britain, giving the British Isles much of its non-Celtic, non-Gaelic and non-Welsh culture. The very name "England" means "land of the Angles" and "English" means "tongue of the Angles." Secondly, 80% of the population of the U.S. is said to have German heritage. So I would suggest that you can smile a little when you reminisce and recall how ignorant your classmates really were about their heritage. At least you new you had German roots. Cheers to all, Larry > ---------- > From: GeraldWR@aol.com[SMTP:GeraldWR@aol.com] > Sent: Thursday, August 28, 1997 7:00 AM > To: PENNA-DUTCH-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: Pickled Red Beets and Eggs > > As a child I had no idea of my ethnic background, until a teacher > assigned > the class to find their ethnic heritage. My parents said we were > German but > came before the World Wars. I was the only German in my school class. > Class > mates made fun of me as someone their fathers had fought in WW II. > This was > in Ansonia, OH. Pickled eggs was the ethnic food that I knew from > pre-school > days in my home, but didn't connect it as anything ethnic until I > started my > genealogical studies and discovered my PA-Dutch background. > > Gerald Rhoades > Harrisburg, PA >

As a child I had no idea of my ethnic background, until a teacher assigned the class to find their ethnic heritage. My parents said we were German but came before the World Wars. I was the only German in my school class. Class mates made fun of me as someone their fathers had fought in WW II. This was in Ansonia, OH. Pickled eggs was the ethnic food that I knew from pre-school days in my home, but didn't connect it as anything ethnic until I started my genealogical studies and discovered my PA-Dutch background. Gerald Rhoades Harrisburg, PA

>> I may be wrong, but I believe that this strain was brought to >>the US by the returning GI's from WWI. >>> >When I'm not doing genealogy, sometimes I teach microbiology. > David's right, GIs returning from Europe played a >substantial role in spreading the flu throughout the U.S. and Canada. ------snip------- >Recent thinking however is that the epidemic actually began in the >U.S., There was an article in one of my throw away journals withing the last 6 months concerning this. Someone at the AFIP (Armed Forces Institute of Pathology) took lung tissue from a young soldier who died in 1918 within 2 or 3 days of contracting the illness and extracted the viral DNA and then analyzed it. The virus of 1918 was very similar to one of the viruses we refer to as Swine Flu and the person suggested that the epidemic began in pigs, and jumped the species barrier to humans. I recall that article mentioning that the flu epidemic began in the US. OK OK, so it's a little afield from genealogy - I'm Dutch. I say what's on my mind. You can always tell a Dutchman, but you can't tell him much. Bob Lamparter

> John. <http://www.cgo.wave.ca/~hessian> I noticed the spelling of your name as MERZ rather than the more common MERTZ. and your reference to the Hessians, which I associate (perhaps incorrectly) with battles in PA. Are you descended from / related to the * Jacob MERZ * (b - abt 1838 d-1912 Philadelphia) who married *Sabina LAMPARTER* in Philadelphia July 1869? I only know about one child of this marriage who lived to adulthood - *Pauline MERZ* (b-1874 d-1972?) who married *John Georg SINGLE* (b-1864 d-1943) Bob Lamparter Selinsgrove, PA

Rod, We are back from our trip, and had a great time. Now, I have a problem. Can you tell me how to sign back on to the PENNA-DUTCH listserver? I got transferred to the new one automatically when we had all the trouble a few months ago while you were gone, and do not have instructions about how to sign back on. I've tried a couple of things, but they haven't worked. Thanks, Howard (groffh@aol.com)

>If it's OK with everyone else, I'll collect the list of churches >and cemeteries. I can think of two ways to do this: > Just a thought re:cemeteries. Has any one checked the courthouse at Sunbury for a list of cemeteries. I was able to get one in Sullivan Co. for Sullivan Co. through a veteran's affairs(?) office. Seems the list was a requirement, some thing to do with veterans burials. Tom G. ----------------- Thomas C. Gross e-mail tomgross@tiac.net 542 Old Main Street CompuServe 71161,156 Rocky Hill CT 06067-1512 voice (860) 529-4370 -----------------

searching for others researching YOUNT family in PA; particularly looking for siblings and parents of Jacob YOUNT b. April 6, 1829; Brookville, PA area; married Eliza Jane WILSON; also looking for origin/meaning of name BYRL; it is used as a first name and a middle name for males in my family but no one knows the origin. Any suggestions for meaning or resources that I might check. Thanks, Ron Yount, Jr.

Does anyone know if Matterstown, PA still exists. I recently learned that a relative in my MATTER/MOTTER family was born there in 1861. I assume it would be in Dauphin Co. Would like to know the history behind this town. Thanks, Roger Cramer, Rockford, IL

Try this site about the Spanish Influenza: http://www.pioneerplanet.com/archive/cent/dox/cent3.htm --Sue bosevich@ilinks.net > > Vee L. Housman wrote: > > Nadine, > > I am certainly not the one to give you any overall history of the flu > > epidemic of 1918 in PA, but..... > > vee

Hi Vee & All! Just to add something to Vee's great recipe. I usually bring all the liquid plus the sliced beets just to a boil, then pour over the freshly peeled warm eggs & refrigerate at least overnight. (The longer you can refrigerate, the better they are!!) When you use the hot liquid & warm eggs, the color seems to penetrate better!! I also use about a 1-to-1 vinegar to sugar ratio (we like them a bit sweeter!!) and add a medium sliced onion. In Lebanon County we just call them "Red Beet Eggs"!! -Linnea

>I, too, lost relatives in 1917-8 Flu epidemic in NC. My grandmother and my >uncle (age 19) died. It was a severe strain and they had very little >medication. I may be wrong, but I believe that this strain was brought to >the US by the returning GI's from WWI. >> >Good Searching - Good Finding - Good Luck! >David Huffines >Searching Hofheintz/Huffines/Huffhines/Hoffein/et.al. >and Williamson, Wakefield, Underwood, Paisley, Sikes, Lipscomb When I'm not doing genealogy, sometimes I teach microbiology. Last spring I did a freshman seminar called Microbial Disease and Human Society, which covered everything from the Black Death to AIDS and a lot more, including the 1918 flu. David's right, GIs returning from Europe played a substantial role in spreading the flu throughout the U.S. and Canada. Recent thinking however is that the epidemic actually began in the U.S., not Spain as was originally supposed, was carried over to Europe by a few troop ships, and then spread there before it returned to the U.S. in full force. I turned up a couple of interesting web sites for my students that you might enjoy also: http://www.webcom.com/~fuzzy/flu.html the story of Poker Alice in Deadwood SD; I actually learned about this one through a genealogy connection! http://www.seattletimes.com/education/centennial/march/photo/flu.html a photograph of people in Seattle in 1918, wearing masks to protect against flu exposure I also strongly recommend the following book: Collier, Richard, The Plague of the Spanish Lady: the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919. Macmillan, 1974. This is very readable, and fascinating. Elizabeth Harris chlamy@acpub.duke.edu

Christian Zety of Brocks Gap in Rockingham County, VA, married about 1783 to Barbara Miller. Was she the daughter of the Abraham Miller who lived in the vicinity? I think these Millers were Church of the Brethren. Sheridan C. Randolph

Seeking parents of Thomas M. Gabbert, born in VA 1809. He went to South Carolina where he married about 1833. He and his bride moved to Alabama where he died in Walker County in the 1860's. Sheridan C. Randolph

Anyone working on these SNEATH families or related lines? George and Ann (nee?) SNEATH of Ireland no proof they came to US. One known child from this marriage. Richard b. 1751 became a Circuit Riding Minister George remarried and had another son, George b. 1753 who md Jane Osborne abt 1774/5 and lived in Chester Co. Pa where he had a store. Rev. Richard SNEATH b. 1751 Ireland md Sarah CAVAN abt 1774 lived in Chester & Lanc. Co. Pa and after Sarah's death, he remarried & lived in Gloucester Co, NJ abt 1820 til 1824. 8 Children: Jane md James JEFFRIES poss. lived in Middletown, Dela. Co Pa Sarah md Rives MACKLIN lived in Frederick Co Maryland Robert md Elizabeth BARTON lived in Fred. Co. Md some kids to Ohio George no info Wm md 1st Sarah LINGENFELTER/LINGENFIELD 2nd Elizabeth ALBRIGHT some kids to Illinois Ann md George QUIGLEY Mary md Robert THOMPSON Richard no info Surnames of known grandchildrens' spouses TODD, SNYDER/SCHNEIDER, SECHRIST, CLAIR, WITMER, FRALICH/FRIDAY, SCHULTZ, VANETTE, PYLE, BELL, PERRILL, BACHERTON Surnames of gr-grandchildrens' spouses WITMER, CONKLIN, BAKER, REED, STAMP, WILSON, RHODES, STAUFFER, SHOOKERS, DEVELIN, MCCUE, CHRIST, KLINE, BUSH & poss. NEDICH If you have a SNEATH connection. I do have other families information that I have gathered and may be able to help you. Selma jbonew@setnet.net

Dear Group, Well, I guess I certainly awakened a few list members' memories and taste buds when I mentioned pickled red beets and eggs! I had posted the following recipe to the list back in October but it's obvious that our list has gained a number of new subscribers since then. Not only have they missed out on some of our posts regarding old PD recipes, I'm certain there will be a few of you "oldies" from the list who will smile when I mention that one of the new members asked me if I had ever dyed eggs with onion skins! Dear Kathy, I urge you to ask that question of the group when it gets close to Easter time and I assure you that it's a subject that's worth bringing up again. In fact, I no doubt saved all the exchanges of messages dealing with it. As I recall, another related Easter subject was the one involving Easter Egg Birds. I believe that these old customs can't be brought up enough times. Now, back to PICKLED RED BEETS AND EGGS 2 doz. hard boiled eggs 2 cans sliced beets, drained (add enough water to beet liquid to make 3 cups liquid) 2/3 cup sugar 1-1/2 cup vinegar 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/2 teaspoon allspice 1 teaspoon salt Combine liquid with sugar and spices and stir until sugar is disolved. Add red beets and peeled eggs. Refrigerate covered for several days to color egg whites all the way to the yolks. To me the above treat was always associated with the week after Easter because it was a good way to use up the many hard boiled Easter eggs and it kept them from spoiling. But most recently, I have especially enjoyed both the beets and eggs sliced over a green salad. It adds such a pretty color and, of course, it adds a nice unique flavor to a salad that might have gotten to be a bit humdrum. BTW, if you want to fit right in with the old PD families that still remain in the PD area, make certain you are specific in calling beets RED BEETS! That will label you as a genuine "Dutchman!" vee

I did a dumb thing last week. I subscribed to another mail list! It's the NY State History mail list. And for the past week I have been enjoying the many challenges of delving into the history of New York State and coming up with bits and pieces from my records and memories to share with the group. As a result, this evening I posted to the group a message having to do with our local celebration of Labor Day. All the while I was composing it, I was remembering a similar celebration I attended in Bainbridge, Conoy Township, Lancaster Co., in September of 1972. It was their Heritage Days grand celebration and there Audrey and I were with other members of her family lining the main street of tiny Bainbridge enjoying the same sort of parade that I described below. And as I asked the NY group, "What does it have to do with NY history?" I'll ask that of the PD group. And the answer remains the same. I guess you might call it a continuing "living history." Enjoy a good old fashioned Labor Day wherever you are! vee Labor Day weekend is fast approaching and I wanted to let you know that it still remains the most glorious weekend of the year in our small village of Youngstown, Niagara Co. Am I talking about the history of New York? You betcha! For about the past 75 years the Volunteer Fire Company of our village has had their Field Day on Labor Day. And, frankly, I don't know if it has changed all that much over the years. Hey, Jim Corsaro! When you lived in Niagara Falls, did you ever go to Field Day in Youngstown on Labor Day? Well, I grew up in Niagara Falls also, and I don't remember our family ever missing a one. What does it have to do with history? Well, I guess you might call it a continuing "living history"--what was done over 75 years ago hasn't changed all that much. By this coming Sunday, all of the carnival-type rides and games of chance will have been put into place and then at noon on Monday, Labor Day, is when it all begins. That's when the parade starts. Oh, the magnificant Labor Day Parade down Main Street in Youngstown!! It seems that there is mile after mile of fire trucks from every small town, village and city in the entire Niagara County. It often makes me wonder what would happen if a fire broke out at noon on Labor Day--who is left who is tending the store? :-D Of course, the fire trucks don't just drive slowly by in the parade, the ears are deafened by their sirens and honking of horns. And if you like sounds, how about the many "kilty" bands--the Highlander bands in kilts from Buffalo, Canada and heaven knows where else. If you like bagpipes, you'd LOVE Labor Day! And there's always a high school band or two that will bring a tear to your eye (if you're as emotional as I) with their rendition of a Souza march. And a small town parade wouldn't be complete without the local politicians going through the crowd lined up along Main Street, shaking hands with anyone and everyone, hoping someone will remember them on election day! And what would a parade be without the little baton twirlers! Or the 40 & 8, or the homemade floats! And we always thrill at the reenactment group from local Fort Niagara in their 18th century uniforms and muskets. And we always laugh at the occasional clown on a tricycle! What do we do after the parade ends? Well, what do you think? We all gather at the park where the amusement rides are set up and line up for our annual bowl of chicken chowder. And (ahem!), there is also a never-ending line at the beer tent! As I say, things haven't really change in all these many, many years. And so, as our many posters remind everyone around here, "Save Labor Day for Youngstown!" And for those of you who are interested in history, step back in time to an event that has always been put on for the local population, without one thought for the tourists! :-D vee housman

To all readers of this list: In regards to the misleading misnomer "Pennsylvania Dutch", I invite you to read the article available at this website <http://www.kalglo.com/padutch.htm> which will be helpful to all researchers of Pennsylvania families. Although I have no personal interest in this matter other than for historical correctness, I love to read all your messages in order to learn more about the rich history of Pennsylvania. My interest are the Hessians of the American Revolution, and I have to admit that I am also guilty of perpetrating a misnomer: "Hessians", because those soldiers also came from all parts of Germany, not just from Hessen. John. <http://www.cgo.wave.ca/~hessian>

Vee L. Housman wrote: > > Nadine, > > Mother said that the deaths were so numerous on a daily basis that the > Health Dept.(?) would drive up and down each street in Steelton with a > horse and wagon every day and (I may be confused on this point) call out > to the residents, "Bring out your dead." It was all that the local > carpenters could do to keep up with the demands for even a simple pine > box coffin. As noted, little Paul was buried the day after he died > which would indicate that there was an urgency to bury the dead. > Vee - My mother was raised in a village in central PA (Clearfield County) and she always said the only spanking she ever remembered receiving was when she and her sister, walking along the road during this time, accepted a lift on what in those less-euphemistic days was called the 'dead wagon.' Neither of them got the flu but I think she said a cousin died of it. jan