That PBS show on cemeteries of Allegheny County was great as was the one on the French and Indian War THE WAR THAT MADE AMERICA also WHEN THE FOREST RAN RED. Let's send an alert to the list when we know something good is scheduled for broadcast on PBS or the History Channel Carolyn > [Original Message] > From: Bill McKinney <sholly@adelphia.net> > To: <Scotch-Irish-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 2/18/2006 6:43:14 PM > Subject: Re: [Sc-Ir] sites for MILITIA OF PA > > Linda, > > Thought I'd say Hi again. > > I just received a small packet from the Allegheny County Prothonotary's > Office. I asked for and, for $2, received the naturalization papers for my > g-g-g-grandfather, William McKinney. > > They couldn't find the papers for his son, even though I gave them similar > information. They suggested other places that might have John's records. > > Anyway, I was thrilled to again see William's signature. It appears very > similar, but with less flourish at the end, to the signature on his will. > > Unfortunately, the papers -- initial petition in 1833 and final in 1836 -- > identify him only as a native of Ireland. Nothing about his county or his > family or his port of entry (which we believe was Baltimore in 1822). > > I really thought there'd be more in there to identify him. In those days, > was it only necessary to enter a petition in court and have the proper > witnesses? > > In William's case, I had already traced the deed to his land back to > previous owners, just for fun (and because the land was situated on > Braddock's Field). One of his witnesses, a John Frichman, happened to have > been a previous owner of the land William bought. A fun fact. > > Next step is to find what's available at the Allegheny County Cemetery > office. I'm virtually positive William and his clan were Presbyterians, but > I'm hoping the cemetery records have something to confirm that -- inasmuch > as the whole lot of them, along with a few inlaws, were buried there. > > I'm hoping, now that I'm retired (going on three weeks now) that I can get > down there for a day to look around. I'd been searching for their burial > ground when I was put in touch with a lady from Arizona whose husband's > ancestors are an offshoot of mine. > > We're sharing info, of course. Like me, she'd searched unsuccessfully for > the place of burial for her husband's Curry family. Then, she happened upon > a PBS TV show about Allegheny Cemetery, where all the "movers and shakers" > were laid to rest. She contacted them and hit gold. > > Amazing how genealogy links are discovered. > > I'm hoping to get a specific church out of all of this, so I can try for > information via that avenue -- knowing ahead of time that dealing with most > churches can try anyone's patience. > > Anyway, thought you'd like a success story of sorts. > > Take care and good hunting. > > Bill McKinney > Erie, Pa.