Genealogical Gems

It was On This Day in 1963 that our 35 th United States President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas , Texas . He was fatally shot by Lee Harvey Oswald while riding in his motorcade with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by his side. Texas Governor John Connally and his wife were in the vehicle with them at the time.    There is nothing I can write that has not already been written about this fateful day in America ’s history. May His Memory Be Eternal.   Do YOU remember where you were that day when you heard the news of his death?   Source John F.Kennedy assassinated . 22 November 1963. History.com      On This Day is a prompt to further explore historical events.                  © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

David Kennedy lost his foot after a railroad related accident, it was announced On This Day in 1881. Kennedy is a brakeman on engine No 287 or the Pennsylvania railroad. He lives in Columbia , Lancaster County . The accident occurred in Downingtown, Chester County. A passing car ran over his foot. The foot was crushed so badly that it needs to be amputated. Kennedy was brought home to Columbia .   Sources Lancaster Daily Intelligencer. ( Lancaster , PA ), 16 November 1881. Chronicling America : Historic American Newspapers . Library of Congress.      On This Day is a prompt to further explore historical events.                  © Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015

The other day I visited the Octorara Presbyterian Church down along Route 372/Valley Road between Quarryville and Christiana, Lancaster County . I saw a grave marker I had not seen before. There was an outer circle reading “In honor of service.” Inside the circle is a star reading “N.S. U.S.D. 1812.” Unfortunately the stone had worn and was not readable.    N.S.U.S.D. stands for National Society of United States Daughters of 1812 . The organization was founded 8 January 1892 by Mrs. Flora Adams Darling for the descendents of those who fought for America in the War of 1812.   Think you might have an ancestor who served in the War of 1812? The NSUSD offers a database of member ancestors. Some entries are more detailed than others.    Francis Harbison ( member # 14849 ) was born in 1758 in PA. He served PA as a Private in the Chester County Militia. His entry also reveals his wife was Katherine Hart. They had a daughter, Jane, who married James Ewing...