Another mystery for the Rooters to solve!! Am trying to locate descendants or genealogists tracing the family of George BECK who appears in the 1820 US Census, PA, York Co., Hopewell Twp. (Would like to ask about his children's names...Wife.... Could he have moved from Hopewell Twp. by the mid-1820's?) Could his original name have been John George BECK? Did he move to Manheim Twp., York Co., PA. by mid-1820's and become John BEKKER in 1826 in the following church record: Hinkle, William J.,(copier) Church Record of Emmanuel's Reformed Church Hanover, York County Pennsylvania. Vol. I. 1770---1856, pub. Aug 1939, p. 65:" . . . John Bekker (+ wife) Maria (child:) Christianna b. Febr. 7, 1826 bapt. July 30, 1826 (Witnesses:) Parents . . . " By the 1830 US Census, PA, York Co., Manheim Twp.it appears that his name was spelled John BECKER: "1830 US Census, PA, York Co., Manheim Twp. [No enumeration date given] Head: John Becker[.] Free White Persons---Males---5 thru 9: One[;] Free White Persons---Males---30 thru 39: One[;] Free White Persons---Females---Under 5: Two[;] Free White Persons---Females---5 thru 9: One[;] Free White Persons---Females---30 thru 39: One[;] Free White Persons --- Under 20: Four[;] Free White Persons---20 thru 49: Two[;] Total Free White Persons: Six[,] Total---All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): Six." My vitals for John BEKKER/BECKER (orig. name John George BECK?) are: born Between 1791---1800 in PA. (Place of Birth verified by known children who reported it during Census taking); Died 31 Dec 1838 and 01 Jun 1849 (most likely in PA.). His wife Maria AKA Mary appears in the 1850 US Census, PA, York Co., Manheim Twp.: Enumerated 18 Sep 1850. "Mary Becker, age 53, Occupation blank; Levi Becker, age 11." It appears that John George BECK AKA John BEKKER AKA John BECKER's first son was George; therefore, I am extrapolating that John BEKKER's original name was John George BECK , later GEORGE BECK (1820 US Census), then John BEKKER (church record 1826) then in 1830 US Census as John BECKER. His widow Mary BECKER was listed in an 1876 legal document as "Mary Baker (german name Becker)" , which does shed more light on the true surname. Her executor was her son George BECKER who began to use the name BAKER by the time he left home. He does not appear with his birth family in the 1830 US Census; therefore, my conjecture is that he was serving an apprenticeship in another household by 1830. Any leads would be appreciated. I do not know where the patriarch is buried. I found his wife Mary Baker buried in St. Emanuel's Union Church graveyard, Jefferson, North Codorus Twp, York Co., PA. There are many empty spots between graves however. Perhaps he was buried there? I still do not know her maiden name, birthplace. Whence did John's ancestors come here? A BECK/BEKKER/BECKER Bible from this era would also be helpful:) !!! Has anyone had luck looking up hardcopy Bibles at archives or historical societies??? Perhaps his ancestry will be in Lancaster Co. Historical Society records??? Laura Dague [email protected] Sincerely, Laura:)