Hi List Members, I need some advice. I've gathered the information at the bottom of this list back to my gr gr grandfather and now I'm stuck. I'm coming to PA in a few weeks to do some research for birth, death and marriage records. Should I go to Pittsburgh first or should I just head for the State Library in Harrisburg? What is the best resource for finding Brethren records? I appreciate any and all help. My STUMP ancestors were probably in this country for generations but I've only gotten back as far as my gr gr grandfather. My family never talked about when my ancestors came to this country but family lore was that my that one of my grandfather's ancestors was "married to an indian squaw." I have the family Bible, circa 1850, but someone cut out the birth and death pages probably before 1890. I'm relatively sure that they were BRETHREN. Someone started writing deaths in the Bible in 1890 and also tucked a couple of obits, an empty envelope, and an 1828 letter in there too. So far, based on the death's in the Bible and census records, I have pieced together the following in the Stump line. GEORGE W. STUMP b. 1835 in PA, d. 6-12-1907. He was married to SUSANNA(H) ? b.about 1840 d. 12-14-1890. The 1880 census shows them living on Eighteenth Street in Sharpsburg with four children:WILLIAN(M) F. STUMP age 17 -the "m" on William is crossed out on the census records and a very bold "n" is written above , GEORGE THOMAS STUMP age 12, HENRY STUMP age 9, and CHARLES STUMPage 5. WILLIAN(M) F. STUMP b. 1864 d. 6-12-1907 in Braddock, PA married MARY ISABELLA MILLER (shown as "BELLA" in census records) b. 1865 d. 11/1865 and is shown in the 1900 census living on Corey Street in Braddock, PA with two sons, WILLIAM C. STUMP, b. 6-1886 and WALTER H. STUMP, b. Jan. 1890 and his brother-in-law, JNO (JOHN) W. MILLER b.8-1870. William F. and Bella were still living at 130 Corey in 1920. William F. worked for "the railroad" and owned several row houses in Braddock. He was said to be "quite the dapper Dan." WALTER H. STUMP b.Jan 1990 d.9-27-1948 married MABEL BEATRICE LAUFFER b. 9-1896 , d. 9-24-59. In 1920, lived in what looks like 114 Comerie or Comerad Avenue in Braddock. The film is very poor. They moved to Michigan during the depression and remained here. I'm also looking for information on ULYSSES JAMES STUMP who is listed in the family Bible as Ulysses Grant Stump which I believe is an error. He died in Cook County Illinois. His obit gave the following information: Ulysses James Stump died 9-25-1903 (Born abt. 1865). 38 years old, not married. His father lived in Allegheny City. Worked for the Rail Road. Killed in a switching accident on run to Elsdon. IL. Taken to Krugers Undertaker. Had boarded with Mr. R.W. Butterfield where he had roomed since 1893. Remains taken to Englewood, then to Fort Wayne and then to his home in Allegheny Pennsylvania. His father lived in Allegheny City and he had 5 brothers and 1 sister in Pennsylvania. Please check out my site for additional information: http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/d/o/u/Sue-A-Douglas/index.html I also have an old empty envelope that was addressed to MATTHEW T. KIRK of Curlsville, Clarion County, PA. The return address was the Paymaster General's Office, Washington, D.C. and it's dated October 5 (no year). It was free postage and probably contained military pay. I have found a Matthew T. Kirk who died in a military hospital in Virginia during the Civil War. He's probably my guy but I don't know which side of the family he fits with - my grandpa Stump or his wife, Mabel Lauffer Stump. I also have an 1828 letter is from JACOB HILES and, again, I have no idea of it's significance. Jacob may have been an indentured servant. He sent the letter to MR. WILLIAM MC MILLIN in Cannonsburg, Washington County, PA. The letter reads as follows: October the 2 1828 Shipensburgh Cumberland Co Dear sir I take this opportunity of letting you know that I am in a good state of health and I hope that you are in the same Dear Sir I am thinking long to hear from you and for to know how you are Dear Sir I never knew what it was to make a liven before I have worked both day and nighte since I left you. I think that I can make more tho if I had worked with you I will send sise dollars more which will make twelve dollars I have to pay too dollars per week for bording I am working for a man the name of Robbert Johnston in three weeks from this date I want to make for Brownsville Dear Sir I will be home the first of November if I am spared I need not write any more I will take you as much back as I have sent you you need not be uneasy about me Dear Sir I have not time to write Excuse my bad writing for I have not time Give my best respects to Mrs. W. Mc Millin and your mother and the rest of the family Mr William McMillin Jacob Hiles There is also a death listed in the Bible for a CHARLEY MACON with no date but, based on the order in the Bible, he died between 1890 and 1903. Again, I have no clue as to who he was. I have noticed that some of the eastern PA Stump families used the given names of George, Charles, William and Henry as does my family. Should I be looking at these families closer? If you have anything that might point me in the right direction, please let me know. I'm taking a trip to PA and I want to be barking up the right tree when I get there. (Pun intended) Thanks, in advance, for your help. Sincerely, Sue Stump Douglas