Genealogical Gems

(from the Village Record 13 March 1860) In East Fallowfield, on the 24th ult, Mrs. Agnes Still, wife of David Still, aged 41 years and 1 month. That's it - short and simple. However, one can still gleam a great deal of knowledge from this announcement. 1. "In East Fallowfield" -- Obviously, her location. East Fallowfield is a township in Chester County, PA. 2. "on the 24th ult" -- she actually passed on February 24th. 3. "Mrs. Agnes Still, wife of David Still" -- wife not widow so therefore David is still living, presumably in East Fallowfield. 4. "aged 41 years and 1 month" -- she was born January of 1819.

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The Chester County Historical Society has a row of file cabinets just for news clippings. The files are organized by subject (Still, C. -- for example) alphabetically and many contain copy of newspapers no longer in existence. Often valuable finds are discovered here. Sometimes mistakes are too. I discovered one of those mistakes on Wednesday. An article dated 29 December 1900 from the Local is titled "An Old Copy Book." It reads: Catharine Shimer, of Birchrunville, Chester County, has an old German copy book which belonged to her grandmother. It is well preserved and bears the date of 1795. It contains this memorandum: // Catharine Sheldrake, daughter of David and Mary Ann (Laubaugh) Sheldrake, born July 21, 1784, married 10th December 1800 to Charles Still, who was born September 6th, 1779, son of Charles and Margaret (Rhoads) Still. Charles Still, Jr., served his country during the Revolutionary War, the son Charles being born while he was in service. David and Mary...

In my glory at the chester county historical society!

My own ... that sounds kind of morbid I realize but as often as we go visit cemeteries, have you ever stopped to consider what YOU want YOUR tombstone to look like and what info to include? Otche spoke the other Sunday about last wishes (his actual talk was to remind everyone that if we did not include him on the visitation list and the "allowed to speak to" list then the doctors and medical staff might not make him - or any other priest - aware of any grave illnesses). It got me thinking. While my family has all been told what I want, I have not put my wishes in writing. As for my tombstone ... I would like simply my name and stats. I would like my name to include my maiden name so therefore it should read: Jeanne nee Ruczhak Eckman or maybe just hypenate it. I really - even after seeing and visiting as many tombs as I have - have NO clue what kind of stone I would like for myself. My great grandparents have a rather simple stone: The only decoration - for lack of a b...

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NARAtions » Are You Preparing for the 1940 Census? We are! Mark your calendars -- April 2, 2012 the 1940 US Census will be available! According to the National Archives it will be available FREE ONLINE!