Genealogical Gems

My first post this morning fell under Amanuensis Monday and was a letter written to my 3x great grandfather Chrispin Pierson Van Horn from Ramsey. As I stated in that post, some letters identify him as a friend and others state he was a cousin. Some include his last name as Dudbridge. Chrispin’s mother was Jane Dudbridge (born 1811).   The 1900 Census reveals a 16 year old Ramsey Dudbridge living in Warminster Township , Bucks County . The head of house is his older brother Harry. Harry was born in October 1875. Other household members are their mother (Elizabeth), their aunt Nancy Carr, brother Charles, and brother C. Carr. Their mother was born in September 1842. Aunt Nancy was born in September 1850. Charles was born in November 1878. C. Carr was born in June 1880. Ramsey was born in September 1883. The Census shows both mother and aunt were widows. Their mother had been married for five years and had four children, all of whom were still living. These four would ob...

My 3x great grandfather Chrispin Pierson Van Horn corresponded often with someone named Ramsey. Some letters identify Ramsey as a friend and some as a cousin. Some include his last name as Dudbridge, to whom Chrispin would be related.   In 1900 Ramsey lived in Hartsville, Bucks County , according to postmarks on various letters. Chrispin lived in Mortonville, Chester County at that time.   Below is one letter dated 12 April 1900: Dear Friend,   News of the (?) was received and was glad to hear that you stood your trip allright and that you are in good health, hoping you will still continue the same.   Auntie refunds the money to you because you need the money worst than she does and as for the (?) mess, that is free gratis. It is no more than right.   We do miss you so much. The table looks queer without you and the violin. It seems as if we had moved into another house.   The boys have been very busy the last week. They have g...

Chrispin Pierson Van Horn is buried at the Old Doe Run Cemetery on Strasburg Road in East Fallowfield, Chester County. He is my 3rd great grandfather. Chrispin P Van Horn Born 21 September 1839. Died 9 February 1902. He was the son of George Van Horn and Jane Dudbridge. He was the husband of Maria Rice. Tombstone Tuesday is a daily genealogy blogging prompt of GeneaBloggers, in which one depicts a tombstone.

May has been designated by Congress as National Military Appreciation Month. As such, Genealogical Gems is featuring a veteran or current member of the military each day. Today, I selected Benjamin Franklin VanHorn - the brother of my great great great grandfather, Chrispin P. VanHorn. On 2 September 1863, Benjamin was mustered into the Union Army at West Chester, PA. He served in Company H of the 90th Infantry. His term was a three year term. He was taken prisoner on 19 August 1864 at the Second Battle of Weldon Railroad in Virginia. On 26 November of 1864 the 90th Regiment consolidated with the 11th Regiment at the Siege of Petersburg. He was discharged at Annaplis, MS by General Order. Benjamin was born 8 March 1843 to George and Jane Dudbridge VanHorn in Coatesville, PA. His enlistment paperwork states he was a stone mason. At age 20 he stood 5'8", had light hair, a fair complexion and hazel eyes. He married Margaret Hensel on 24 April 1867 in Philadelphia, w...

Thank you to all who have served. Thank you to all who currently serve. Thank you to the families - the spouces, the children, and the parents - of those who serve. Thank you to my family members who have served: Joseph Ruczhak - s/o Joseph & Anna Kurenda Ruczhak (my dad) - Vietnam Teddy Ruzchak - s/o Theodore & Mary Chernecky Ruzchak (my cousin) - Vietnam Peter Ruczhak - s/o Panko & Bessie Matys Hruszczak (my uncle) - Korea John Kurenda - s/o Peter & Anna Kurenda (my cousin) - Paul Ruczhak - s/o Panko & Bessie Matys Hruszczak (my uncle) - WW2 Italy Nicholas Ruczhak - s/o Panko & Bessie Matys Hruszczak (my uncle) - WW2 South Pacific. He was awarded the Bronze Star for the Philippine Libration Paul Kurenda - s/o John & Frances Skrbalek Kurenda (my uncle) - WW2 KIA Joseph Welsh - s/o Martin & Catherine O'Flaherty Walsh (my uncle) - WW2 Leo Welsh - s/o Martin & Catherine O'Flaherty Walsh (my uncle) - WW2 Raymond Welsh - s/o Mar...

Benjamin Franklin VanHorn was my great-great-great grandfather's brother (me, Mom, Pops, Pierson George STILL, Jennie S VAN HORN, Chrispin Pierson VAN HORN who was brother to Benjamin). Chrispin and Benjamin were two children of George and Jane DUDBRIDGE VAN HORN. Benjamin was born in Bucks County on 8 March 1843. Benjamin joined the army in Chester County in 1863. He served as a Private in Company H of the 90th PA Volunteers. He was captured at Weldon Railroad in Virginia and was a POW from 19 August 1864 to 15 June 1865. He served his time at Liberty Belle Island in Richmond, VA. After the Civil War, he married Margaret Hensel on 24 April 1867. Their first daughter Virginia was born in 1868 in Virginia. By 1870 the family had moved to California and continued to grow. Special thanks to fellow family researcher and genealogist Jerrie Finley for copies of the photos here.