You Just Never Know...

Who is having fun? I am, of course!

The Staub line is ever changing. From time to time I find bits and pieces to add to this very large family tree and continue to be amazed by how the branches of the Wilt, Smith, Staub, and Groft lines intertwine. 

The latest and greatest find was at Hanover Area Historical Society's Yelland Research Library and Archives, where I volunteer, earlier this year. The find was from a historic account of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Oxford, Pennsylvania. I was actually looking in the church's book for a researcher to our library and found this gem. I won't relate how many attempts I made with the Motherhouse for the Sisters of Christian Charity asking for a photo of Sr. Gerardine

The image (below) is of Sr. Gerardine, Sister of Christian Charity. She taught school at the said Catholic Church school for a short time until she became ill with tuberculous and died in 1910 prior to taking her final vows. She was the sister to my husband's paternal grandfather John Lawrence Staub and daughter to John's parents Augustin and wife Mary Weaver-Staub. Her given name was Rose Stella Staub.

I brought this photo copy home to show my husband and surprisingly he did not seem as excited as I was. Several of his cousins and siblings did not show excitement like I experienced when I discovered her picture. 

I don't know what possessed me to look in the book, but I am glad that I did. I have a saying that I used with my kids as they grew up and still use with researchers when they come to the library, 'you just never know until you look.'

Happy hunting.

George John Groft 1887-1889

I remember Myrtle Mary, aka Mammaw, Staub from the reunions and playing cards on an occasional Sunday at the Staub household. I also vaguely remember her sister Violet. Now that I have researched your family, I wish now I had been more inquisitive. This is something I hear all the time when I volunteer. 

Myrtle and Violet had two siblings, Emma Marguerite and George John. I wrote about Emma in a previous posting. Recently learning about George John's burial location came from wanting to learn about John Lawrence Staub Sr.'s siblings. I consulted with the church office and they found that his remains are in Section R under Sacred Heart Basilica. 

As for cause of death, Pennsylvania's death certificates were made public as of 1906. Mortality schedules ended in 1880. My options to consider is a page from a family Bible, going to the Adams County Historical Society hoping to find a cause of death record there, and research through Newspapers.com, which is more doable and might provide me with an answer.

In the meantime, researchers that I have met all say the same thing....I wish I had asked questions when my family members were living. 

THE Staub Legacy Descendants

Over the years I learned that genealogy is more than names and dates. It is about researching the lives of those who lived before us and who shaped our lives today. It encompasses the hardships, family lore, and more importantly the memories we each hold near and dear to us. What I am sharing with you now is what was given to me and what I learned along the way to produce the documents (or reports) that complement what Jean Staub started years ago. Jean was a God-Send to me.

The documents I am sharing are about the Palatines to America and an Introduction. In Jean's original book, she talked about the Ark and the Dove, two ships that sailed together across the Atlantic Ocean to America. With some research I learned that the Ark and the Dove sailed in the mid 1600s. Johannes Adam Staub arrived in Philadelphia in the mid 1700s. He bought land in what is now Mount Pleasant. Arthur Weaner documented this land purchase.

The last of the documents is of the Descendants of Johannes Adam Staab/Staub. It includes all the changes Jean sent to me and more (updated as of February 2018). As for the accuracy, I cited my sources, Jean got her information the old fashioned way by walking through cemeteries, talking to families, and researching the Catholic church books. My time was spent on inputting the data into my computer (God Bless my external drive and Cloud to not fail me) and printing this extensive book.

NOTE:  I respect peoples' privacy. That being said for the Descendants of Johannes Adam Staab/Staub you will see names of living people show as Living.  I will, at your request send you the  report electronic version with living names shown. Please click here to send me a message. This book is not in narrative format, but more of a lineage report showing dates, etc. and will always be a 'work in progress.'

I welcome additions or corrections to this Staub Report. I thank all of you for your patience while I figured out how to share this with all of you regardless if you have a computer, tablet, or cell phone. This was truly a learning experience for me.

On another note, for those wishing to join the Sons of the American Revolution or the Daughters of the American Revolution (Staub or Smith) I will be happy to help you. I am close to joining the DAR for my Sherman family. Keep fingers crossed for me!!

AND...I will be attending another week-long genealogy class in June in Pittsburgh to learn Mastering the Art of Documentation. I cannot wait!!

If the links do not open, please let me know by sending me an email at staubmk@gmail.com.

© Copyright 2019 Mary Wildasin-Staub. All rights reserved.

Genealogy an ongoing process

There is a saying that genealogists share...

our work will be done when we go to our graves.   

It is May and, before we know it, the Staub Family Reunion will be here!

Last year Mike displayed the descendants of John and Mammaw.  I had one or two updates to the book, and would like for some way to have everyone update their family group. I tried to send a copy in this blog, but I can only send a digital photograph.  That being said, on to Plan B.

I will print family group sheets for each family, have them on display asking for everyone to take time to update their respective family group sheet.  I can promise you that this information will not be published on the Internet.  I will not be held responsible for other people's actions, but do request, per my disclosure below, that I be notified should someone want to share via the Internet or other social media.

About two years ago I had the entire Staub descendants from Adam Staub printed at Staples.  That book is over 1600 pages double sided, and too heavy to cart around.  Not only that, I continually update the data in the book.  Some day I would  like to create a DVD for each family to share with their descendants.  It is a rich ancestry of where your family came from.

Note...I volunteer in the reading library for the York County Heritage Trust.  In just the past year I have encountered several people who mentioned that they are part of the Staubs from Brushtown.  I continue to get online requests for help from people who actually find this blog.  I continue to be amazed!



© Copyright 2011 Mary Wildasin-Staub Family Genealogist, Research, and Writer. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, reposting, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission. Be cool, don't plagiarize. Please ask before using.

A Tribute to our Country Heroes

Veterans Day is coming soon and in honor of all our family military heroes, I think I speak for many of our family members....

Thank you for your service to America.  

About a year ago I began yet another volunteering gig with Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hanover on Baltimore Street.  It has been a rewarding experience learning about our town's silent heroes and citizens.  In the accounts written about Mount Olivet Cemetery, numerous times the cemetery was called the 'city of the dead.'  I can see why, with over 14,000 buried within the cemetery.

I mention Mount Olivet Cemetery because in the upcoming weeks, two events will be held at the cemetery at the Victory Garden.  

• The God Bless America Motorcycle Honor Guard will hold an observance to our Veterans on Sunday, November 8 at 2 PM.  

• Wreaths Across America will again be holding their event on Saturday, December 12 beginning at 11:50 AM. I attended this event last year. It made me proud to see many young adults participating and placing wreaths at the numerous Veterans graves.  I believe the count is about 1,437!  

Why not plan to attend one or both of these events, perhaps bringing your children or grandchildren with you.  If you have a Scout in your family, I know that there are badges to be earned on history, genealogy, etc.  Cemeteries are living museums!

Now for my two-second commercial...Want to learn more about the 2016 events at Mount Olivet Cemetery?  Visit the Friends of Mount Olivet Cemetery website, follow us on Facebook. 

Your help is needed - Finding Elmer

A few weeks ago a lady contacted me via this blog. Her request was to learn about her great-grandfather, Joseph William Staub, born in 1864 in the Adams County, Pennsylvania area and died in Akron Ohio in 1933. 

Joseph was the eldest son to Austin Augustus Staub and his wife Mary Ann Weaver.  One of Joseph's siblings was Louis Raphael Staub, aka Bull Durham. 

Joseph married a Lucretia Lindsey from the Johnstown, Pennsylvania area about 1888.  They had a son, Elmer, about 1889.  Then the Johnstown floods happened and from that point the family mystery began.  Joseph moved to the Akron, Ohio area, remarried, and Elmer was last noted in the 1910 U.S. Federal Census and living with his dad and step mother.

The lady who contacted me said that family members told her that Elmer changed his name, and became a mystery.  The assumed name Elmer used was John Joseph Edwards.

So..... to make this request a bit more realistic, Joseph William Staub had a brother, Paul Augustus who would be Austin Staub Jr.'s (wife, Darlene Felix) grandfather. 

If anyone can help link me to a living relative to the Joseph William family (his siblings are long dead by now), I would appreciate it very much. 

The lady who contacted me mentioned that this is very important to her, as it is deep and personal, and she wants to leave this legacy to her daughter. I hope that I can give her some clues, or information that will fill in the missing pieces.

Social media is a wonderful too, if used for a good cause.

Thank you everyone! 

What I Thought Would Be a Quick and Simple Project...

For nearly four years I have been typing, researching, and proofing the data in my Johannes Adam Staab/Staub database.  I am officially taking a break and plan to focus on my family and maybe Myrtle Mary Groft-Staub's Groft family for a bit. 

Eventually I will post the book to this blog for all to see.  After all, this is your family and you should know who your ancestors were.  But, please allow me time to recuperate.

In the meantime, did you know?... 

John Lawrence Staub, Sr.

James and Mary

To some of you this was your grandfather, great grandfather, or gg grandfather, depending on your age.  John's parents were James Augustin Staub (1856-1917) and Mary Catharine Weaver (1854-1933), and they had 12 children. James' father, Leo Jacob Staub Sr. fought in the Civil War.  I just happened to get a copy of his original Civil War discharge paper two years ago, thanks to Mike. 

Of the twelve children three lived beyond the age of 60.  There was a set of twins born and died in 1887.  John's sibling sister, Rose Stella (1888-1910), became a nun with the Holy Name Convent/Sisters of Christian Charity.  She was buried at the convent in Danville, PA, and will soon be moved to Medham, NJ at the mother house.  Maybe now I will have time to make a trip to Danville or New Jersey to get a photo of the grave marker. 

Myrtle Mary Groft-Staub, aka Mammaw
Prior to 1983 you may remember Myrtle bringing a sister, Violet, to the Staub reunions.  Did you know that Mammaw had two additional siblings: George John (1887-1889) and Marguerite Emma (1894-1909).  I have yet to find the burial site for George.  Marguerite Emma is buried with parents Jerome and Annie in the Conewago Chapel Cemetery.

There is so much more to share.  I hope by next year I can have a DVD to put up on one of the four televisions at Brushtown, that is, if there are no races and ballgames playing!

If you want to ask me anything about the Staubs and Grofts, I am on Facebook and my email is staubmk@gmail.com!

P.S.  A lesson to be learned...I wish that I had talked to my parents more about their lives and about my grandparents when I had the chance.  This is a common comment that I hear so often from researchers at the York County Historical Society .  So, why not begin to share with your kids and grandkids about their heritage. 

What NOT to do with your dad (or anyone else)!

I start each week with good intentions of updating this blog, and then get sidetracked. It has been, what, almost one year since my last post?

Since February 2014 I have been re-proofing the Staub genealogy book, and am spending time completing the records as completely as I can with birth or death dates, etc.  Then I get sidetracked and spend endless hours searching archived documents, like in this  post.

Joseph Bernard Weaver (age 64) and his son, John Andrew Weaver (age 36) died within hours of each other in 1939 from over excessive drinking.  Read the article (published in both the New Oxford Item and the Gettysburg Times in 1939) to see what their 'cocktails' consisted of.

So, why are there Weavers in the Staub ancestral line, and why do I send these posts to the Smith family?  Keep reading.... 

• Joseph Bernard Weaver (1875-1939) married Edith Lau, whose mother was Catherine Agnes Smith (1861-1936), and Catherine's parents were John Henry Smith (1831-1893) married to Anna Maria Groft (1841-1916). 
• Joseph Bernard's mother, Mary Catherine Staub (1848-1938), was a daughter to Leo Jacob Staub Sr. (1826-1899).  Leo was a 5th generation Staub and Mammaw Staub's husband, John Lawrence Staub, was a 6th generation Staub going back to Adam Staub who emigrated from Germany.

If you cannot read the article, and would like to, drop me a line.  I hope you enjoyed this tidbit of family lore. 

Sgt. Stubby Served Bravely

I subscribe to a genealogy blog and the lead story was about a dog, Sgt. Stubby, who served during World War I.  Read the full story on AncientFaces.  The story is so heartwarming that I wanted to share with the Stubby Staubs.

 



"The noise and strain that shattered the nerves of many of his comrades did not impair Stubby's spirits. Not because he was unconscious of danger. His angry howl while a battle raged and his mad canter from one part of the lines to another indicated realization." - New York Times Obituary 1926

 

 

 

 

 

Courtesey of Arba MorrowAncientFaces

The Dig is Worth the Find

By volunteering at the York County Heritage Trust I meet interesting people, all of whom share my fascination about history and digging into the past lives of ancestors, regardless if these ancestors are mine or ancestor-in-laws! 

Last week a lady walked into the research library, introduced herself, and said that she was researching the Topper family from McSherrystown in application to the DAR.  Not that this is a big deal, but I told her that this is a Staub branch and that we need to compare notes. 

With the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, social media, and my digging in family files, I have some new updates to share with you.  I hope I can encourage more of you to help in this research, share, or even to get involved in preserving history.  So, let me begin....

Staub Family Update
This family tree is forever changing.  If I continue to put off printing what I collected, then no one will be able to read about this family's heritage.  In another month I hope to print a copy of all of Jean Staub's notes to give to her and a DVD of the Staub family to give to interested family members.  Will advise when this happens-keep your fingers crossed that I will know when to stop!

Smith Family Update
I recently learned from Jean Staub, who is digging deep into the Smith family heritage, that one particular person on the tree does not belong there.  The document Mike has is titled Descendants of Charles Smith.  The very last person on this tree, Francis Joseph Smith (1789-1863) married to Rachel Sponseller (died 1863) is not a child of Charles and Anna Schmidt.  The record of this account is on file at the John Timon Reily Society; more to come later.

Smith siblings appeared in the recent Catholic Witness, pages 6 & 7. 

Wilt Family Update
Who do we have here?! 

The lady is Laura Virginia (Wolf) Wilt, Helen (Wilt) Smith's mother.  She is holding Earl Slagle, Mary Agnes (Wilt) Slagle's son.  Henry Elmer Wilt, Helen's father, is shown standing beside the grown up Earl.

Photos are courtesy of two Wilt descendants I met online, one living in New York and the other in Virginia.  I plan to compare notes with them.  More on this later.

Ephraim Wilt is a Civil War veteran.  With his wife and two sons, he is buried in Littlestown's Mount Carmel Cemetery, located along Rte. 97 south.  Their individual headstones are broken off from the base.  I mention this because of the restoration happening at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hanover, and of their recent vandalism.  History should be preserved.  Would any Wilt/Smith relatives be interested in finding out how much it would cost to preserve some of your family heritage?  Please give this consideration and contact me! 

Krafft/Groft Update
This is one family line that I put off, mostly because I became intrigued with the connections across the Staub/Smith/Wilt/Groft lines, resulting in skipping around.  However, a Groft descendant found this blog and wants to meet with me to share notes, photos, etc. More on this later.

My task list just keeps growing. 

Have a wonderful summer. 

Be safe. 

 

 

 

 

The Schmidt/Smith Family Saga

Everyone, I would like to introduce you to Peter Joseph Smith, his wife Martha Apolonia Shorb and his children.  I have yet to identify the children as they appear in this photo.  This was found on Ancestry.com from another family tree.

Peter Joseph Smith (1870-1949) was a first cousin to Vitus Joseph Smith (1876-1934).  Why am I sharing this with you?  It started with updating my computer database with the obituary for Aunt Mert's husband, Jim (aka Gerald).  Realizing that I had a data entry problem, I got some help at the John Timon Reily Society, and finally got the families (Staubs and Smiths) connected correctly! 

Jim's first wife, Florine Elizabeth Livelsberger, was a descendant to Adam Staab/Staub. Jim's wife, Aunt Mert, is also a descendant to Adam Staab/Staub.  I unknowingly had duplicate records in my database for both Jim and Aunt Mert.  To make life crazier, I learned that Jim's father had married twice.  Long story short, I finally got it straight. While doing so, I found the picture above.  It is amazing what one can find! 

Here is how all of this relates back to Charles Schmidt and Anna Spitler.  If you get a headache reading this, you may understand why it took me this long to make the connections.  I walked away from the Smith/Staub saga several time.
 

• Charles and Anna Schmidt/Smith had a son, Peter/Petrus Schmidt.  He married Magdalena Adams. 
• Peter/Petrus and Magdalena had 11 children, two of whom are of importance to this post:
• Son Peter George Smith married Helen J. (Kuhn).
• Peter Joseph Smith, son to Peter George Smith and Helen J. (Kuhn), married Martha Apononia (Shorb).
• Peter Joseph had a son, Maurice Joseph Smith, Sr.  He was Jim's father. 
• Son Francis James Smith, and brother to Peter George, married Agnes (Fleshman).
• Son Vitus Smith was a 1st cousin to Peter Joseph and married Margaret Ann Murren.
• Vitus's son, Joseph Edward, was Aunt Mert's father.

I am so happy that these Peter's had middle names!  It made life a bit easier for me.

I could use your help ...

... It has been an interesting two years researching the Staub family, and I am still amazed at what I am finding. This would not have been possible without the help of Jean Staub, who started this research and who lives in York, and Gloria Staub who lent me her Staub book. Now I could use some help from you.

• Military - I have found Staub ancestors back though the Revolutionary War. I would love to hear from you about Staub family members who served and details like when they served, where they served, company information, medals earned, etc. Photos would be cool, too.
• Religious - A few generations ago it was not uncommon for several members of a family to enter a religious order. You may not know names of those ancestors who became a nun or priest or their order, but if you could help me with a resource (s), I would appreciate it.
• Nicknames - Did you ever wonder how someone got their nickname? Ben Staub alluded to how Raymond "Bo" Staub Jr. got his nickname. Now I want to research how Mammaw's kids and grandkids got their nicknames. Can you help?
• Stories - I know along the way you heard an interesting story retold about when your mom or dad was young. This, too, I would love to add to this database.

You are probably wondering, why?

• At some point in time I hope to give a PDF file to the eldest of Mammaw's children's on a CD. I probably will not post to Ancestry.com in the near future, and if I do, all living descendants names will not be made public. That is a promise.
• I may even post that a family tree is available upon request. Ancestry.com allows that option. However, until I cite sources for as many ancestors that are in my database, this may not happen in my lifetime.

So, if anyone can help me with one or several of my requests, I would be greatly appreciative. I would like you to send any information to my email address, staubmk@gmail.com, and not post to Facebook.

Again, thanks for sharing with me. Also, if you can think of anyone on Facebook who I can ask to become friends and to add to this group, please send me their names.

Snapshot of Private Leo J. Staub

A few weeks ago, Mike and Bo had lunch at the Knights of Columbus in McSherrystown.  Mike came home and said that someone was sending him a JPEG image of the original Civil War discharge paper for Leo J. Staub, Sr.  Of course, I got excited!  Now that I have the image, I want to share this with the Staub family.  I apologize for the lengthy explanation, but I can't just share a photo without telling the story, now can I?!

Leo, 4th generation descendant of John Adam Staub who immigrated from Germany to America in the mid 1700s, was born in 1826 and died March 27, 1899. He and his wife Catharine are buried in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, New Oxford. Their 5th child, James Augustin Staub, was the father to John Lawrence Staub, married to Myrtle 'Mammaw' (Groft) Staub. 

Leo mustered in on the 29th day of August, 1864, at age 38.  His beloved wife, Catharine, and eight children, remained behind waiting for his return one year later, the 3rd day of August 1865.  He served as a Private with Company C, the 202nd Regiment in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Leo returned home to his wife, children, and farming.   Three more children followed after his return. 

You probably wonder why I am telling you all of this.  It helps to know how, in the scheme of things, who this Leo was and how he is related to you.  Below is a short outline.

1. Johannes (John) Adam Staub  (1717-1773) buried in Conewago Chapel Cemetery
2. Jacobus (John) Adam Staub  (1750-1821) buried in Conewago Chapel Cemetery; also the oldest remaining Staub headstone in the cemetery
3. William Staub (1799-1852)
4. Leo J. Staub  (1826-1899) buried in Immaculate Conception Cemetery
5. James Augustin Staub (1856-1917) buried in Immaculate Conception Cemetery
6. John Lawrence Staub, Sr. (1890-1948) buried in Conewago Chapel Cemetery

The discharge paper above is available to you as a JPEG.   Just send me an email, and I will share it with you. The owner of this original document is James William Staub, Jr., aka. Snook?  I think this is correct.  Bo and Mike can clarify that for you. 

In summary, I enjoy digging in old files looking for interesting facts about our family past.  I hope you enjoy learning about these as I find them. 

Stubby Staubs at it again...

Meet a small representation of the Staub family.  Today, they are gearing up to walk in the American Cancer's Relay for Life in Hanover, Pennsylvania.  Their goal was $6,000; they raised $7,638 so far. By noon tomorrow, that number will have increased. 

Cancer touches our lives whether we want it to or not.  It has touched our own family more than once.  Research is gaining ground on this disease; yet it still exists.  You can still contribute and help the team.  Clicking here will lead you to the team's web page on the Relay for Life web site.

From sidetracked to on-track ...

Happy Fourth of July, everyone.  Our house is just too quiet, as our children relax and celebrate the holiday at their homes.  I miss the grandsons and their parents, but we have been fortunate to have celebrated previous holidays with them. So, I am directing my energies elsewhere today. 

It has been quite a while since my last post, and there is a very good reason why.  I knew it, and  I broke the rule. What rule?  Research one family at a time.  This is difficult to do when the Staub, Smith, Wilt, and Groft families overlap.  But then I discovered some of my Wildasin ancestors married one of the aforementioned Staub ancestors.  I got sidetracked, and my punishment was three days of sorting, rechecking my database, and filing.

Another rule that I broke I made up myself:  all newly found research should be added to my database within 24 hours and not tossed aside.  I couldn't read my writing and some papers became mixed with others making it confusing to make sense of it all.  After three afternoons, I finally got the mess contained, a new filing system established, and have photographs to scan. 

In a nutshell, this is what I have been up to and where my work is headed:

• Nothing new or earth shattering has been uncovered. 
• The Staub family lineage data entry is complete to my satisfaction.  However, I won't be satisfied until I confirm each person with the U. S. Census data, city directories, farm directories, and church records and that they really did exist and that the information is accurate.  Good citations are a MUST in any research.  The wonderful lady who gave me this information told me where she got the information and that much of the information came 'word of mouth,' but that is not good enough.
• I plan on identifying each of the relatives who joined a religious order and who also served in the military.  I found several who fought in the War of 1812 and Revolutionary War as well as most recent wars.  This research will not stop the final step, and that is to create a DVD to provide to family members. The Staub book will be too expensive to print - double sided the number of pages totals nearly one ream of paper. 

Be safe this holiday and remember to be ever grateful of our ancestors who fought for our independence.  Their sacrifice ensured our freedoms that we enjoy today.

I forgot what to do what?!

This little cutie is the center of attention at this Staub family reunion. The photo was taken in the 1973/74 time period.  How many do you know?

Mr. Manners

No, Mr. Manners was not related to Ann Landers.  Nor did he write a book on etiquette, and this really cute doggy is not 'Mr. Manners.'

I learned about this 'Mr. Manners' when researching a Valentine Wilt, who may have been the ancestor that the Wilt family, aka Helen Wilt's great, great, great......I haven't counted back that far yet.  Valentine Wilt settled in the York, Pennsylvania area and was quite wealthy.  Evidently he donated money to several Catholic churches, St. Patrick's in York would be one.  His will stipulated that his widow continue to donate 5 pounds annually to a 'Mr. Manners' from the Adams County area.

Now, Mike knew of 'Mr. Manners' and that this was a real person, but 'Manners' was not his given name.  Does anyone care to guess?  The name was assumed to protect himself from non-Catholics at this time in history.

Use the comment box below to send me your thoughts. 

Grave findings ...

For the past year I entered a lot of data about the Staub Family Tree and am ready to do some in-depth research into the Staub ancestors - verifying Census data, church records, and land deeds.  Before I begin the next leg of my research journey, I needed a break.  So I started digging through files and family genealogy books to learn about the Wilt family tree. 

The story about Ephraim Wilt, grandfather to Helen Elizabeth Wilt, continues.  To read more on the Wilt History, click here to open and continue to read the story on Ephraim and his life. 

This headstone was found at the Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Littlestown, PA.   The monument marks the grave site for Ephraim, his wife Mary, and sons George and Isaac. 

George W. Wilt, son to Ephraim and Mary, is propped up against the larger monument.  All of the four headstones are broken off the footer and in bad condition. 

Helen Elizabeth Wilt Smith

In remembrance of Helen Elizabeth Wilt born March 18, 1904.

Folks, I am now beginning to unravel the Wilt family ancestors.  As I opened my database this afternoon, I selected Helen's record and discovered that this Sunday, March 18 would have been her birthday - just 108 years young. 

(NOTE:  If the birthdate and year are incorrect, please use the comment section below to tell me so I can change my database.)

Happy birthday, Helen!

Loving Sentiments

"There is a language, little known,

Lovers claim it as their own.

Its symbols smile upon the land.

Wrought by Nature's wondrous hand;

And in their silent beauty speak,

Of life and joy, to those who seek

For Love Divine and sunny hours

In the language of the flowers."

--J. S. H., from The Language of Flowers, London, 1875

The poem is taken from the book, A Heritage of Herbs, History, Early Gardening, and Old Recipes.  On this day when people young and old celebrate their love for each other, it proved to be even stronger.  Eleven years ago on this day our daughter Laura was told that she had cancer.  She took it like a trooper, but in desperate need of having her love, Ian, with her.  And as fate would have it, Ian walked in just moments after the doctors left us,  surprising her with his love, support, and red roses for his love. 

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Twiddling thumbs?

Since my last post one might wonder, how is Mary doing with this Staub research?  Did Mary take up twiddling her thumbs like Mammaw Staub? 

Well, I had a slight setback and couldn't sit at my computer for very long.  Then I got sidetracked and began to explore another family - the Wilt line.  If you are a Smith, you will know what this means. 

I can report that I am back on track, close to the end of the Staub Family Tree book, Volume I.  I don't know how many pages I have typed, but the total number of records to date is 24,000 and growing.  Slower, but growing.

How is this growing slower?  You would have to see the book to understand.  It is on file at the John Timon Reily Historic Society, if you are interested.  But the last section is an overlap of the previous sections.  Families are connecting - lots of Staub and Smiths and Grofts intermarried, and it is still happening.  No surprise, right? 

I started the Staub research about a year ago.  Next I want to add photos of your ancestors and visit the Adams County deed office to find land titles.  I am nosey, right?

My son Justin and daughter-in-law Jess gave me a fun gift for Christmas.  It is the DVD creator for my software so I can bring this history to your computer or to the television.  Perhaps one day we can convince the Staub men to not turn on the TV at the reunion and watch the video!

I am sure that what I am doing is not exciting right now.  I felt compelled to give you an update on what I am doing, and warn you that I will begin asking for photos.

Now, if anyone wants to be a part of my adventure in finding photos, I would like to hear from you and partner up. 

Civil War Veterans Reunited

This is about a Civil War veteran soldier footage, captured between 1913 and 1938, and is an awesome video clip composed by the Rio Norte Junior High School in Valencia, CA.  Even if you are not a war buff, click to open, I encourage you to watch it. 

As I uncover this family's history I find ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, etc.  Without spoiling the surprise, watch as  two sides come together once more in an amicable situation and without the bloodshed.   Let me know what you think.

The all-American pass time ...

"As Ruth stepped back, Willie shot another pitch through the strike zone. It was a 'quick pitch', then legal in the National League, but Umpire Charlie Pfirman refused to call the Big Bam out because the quick pitch was barred in the American League. A wild scene followed . . ." - from an article in the July 1960 Baseball Digest about Willie Sherdel pitching to Babe Ruth in the 1928 World Series.

"Probably the most efficient relief pitching job ever was performed by Wee Willie Sherdel of St. Louis July 30, 1924. . . three outs on a single pitch in relief!" - from an article in the June 1977 Baseball Digest about Sherdel getting George Harper to hit into a triple play

This is an excerpt from one of several web sites about William Sherdel (aka. Wee Willie Sherdel).  So how did I learn about him?  His wife was a Strasbaugh, and when I came across her file while adding Staubs into my database (22,000 records and growing), I needed to know more about her husband. And what a treasure I found. 

He was born, raised, and returned to McSherrystown where he died.  After retiring, he and his wife opened a restaurant in McSherrystown. The Fr. Lawrence Sherdel is a descendant of William Sherdel.  Read this clip to get his stats and to learn more.

This is an image of a baseball card being sold on Amazon for a cool $200+. 

A chapter was written about Sherdel in the book, Hanover Raiders, written by Hanovarian John G. Coulson.  You can find it at the Guthrie Memorial Library, but only after I return it next week.

How does Sherdel fit into the Staub family?  His wife, Mary Ethel Strasbaugh, was the great, great, great granddaughter of the infamous German immigrant, Adam Staub.  (FYI - open the Staub tab at the top of this blog to read about Adam's life.)

Another notable Staub ancestor, Louis R. Staub (aka Bull Durham) is a direct descendant to the Staubs.  Adam Staub was his great, great, great grandfather.  So both families are distantly related.

Please feel free to share with your cousins, uncles, and friends.  The more the merrier who follows this blog, the better. 

Caught in the spirit ...

... I found myself flipping through the TV channels this evening and stopped at Charlie Brown's Christmas program. Did you know that this first aired in 1965, and focuses on holiday commercialism, but at a child's level.

So, I asked myself, is the lady who pepper sprayed shoppers on Black Friday also watching Charlie Brown tonight? I hope that she finds the holiday spirit and for all the right reasons.

May you all have a wonderful holiday season!

Mammaw (Myrtle Groft's) parents and grandparents

Everyone,

Meet Jerome Henry Groft and Annie Marie Smith, parents of Myrtle (aka Mammaw) Groft Staub.  I don't know the exact date that the photo was taken but it had to be before 1897, as Annie died that year.  The occasion for this photo also is not known.  What I do know is the generous contributor of this photo ... Gloria Staub.  Thank you, Gloria, for sharing your heritage with everyone.

The photo below is of Myrtle's grandparents John Henry Smith and Anna Maria Groft - yes, the Smith/Groft connection!  I am sure that you can determine who John and wife Anna are, but do you see Annie Marie?  She is standing to the left rear of her mother.  Well, at least I think that would be her.  Impressive to say the least. 

And note the Smith/Groft connections.  Same families both times.  When I printed a pedigree chart, it was awesome to see how the three families came together.  And, the data that I have entered into my database is quite confusing at times. 

What I need now are photos of Helen Wilt and husband Joseph Smith, Vitus Joseph Smith with wife Margaret Ann Murren, and Francis James Smith with wife Agnes Fleshman.  Can anyone help to find these photos, or tell me who to contact? 

  

Changes

Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal. ~ Arthur Schopenhauer

It was time that I made some changes to my blog site.  Why?  Well, my Staub research and data has become rather extensive ... no, huge!  Family members are crossing over with other family lines, namely the Grofts and the Smiths. My database is 19,000+ records large and still growing, along with my anxiety over connecting the correct people and families.

I struggled with how to keep the family blogs separate. I can't justify nor manage four separate blogs.  So, I reconfigured my blog page to incorporate four separate family pages and one home page.  My next change will be to reconfigure the Family Connections contact list on Facebook.  But not today. 

I hope that you will like the subtle changes that have been made to the blog design. Later ...

The good 'ole days ...

... well, to our generation the days back in the 1950s may not have been so great.  Try living without Facebook, computers, cell phones, the microwave, dishwashers, and cable TV.  These are a few of the things that we take for granted.  But in 1959, to Mammaw and your aunts and uncles those days were great.

A few weeks ago I posted this photo of Mammaw with her grown children on my blog, Blogging through History.  I asked if anyone could name the people in the photo.  A few of you did, but not too many that I am aware of.  So, the names of the Staubs in the photo are:  (back row left to right)  Marguerite Stuller, Ethel Felix, Ann Klunk, Lillian Stuller, Clyde, Raymond, and Earl; (front row left to right) Mary Keefer, Joan Riser, John, and Carroll.  How well did you do?

Doing genealogy research has grown to be quite a habit.  Everyday I learn something new.  One thing that I did learn, and probably has not changed much from the 1950s, is that Mammaw's family would gather on Sundays for a picnic and a pickup baseball game, girls vs. boys.  The first Sunday in July was their annual family reunion, and the uncles would play a 'World Series' baseball game.  These Sundays were spent in Aunt Ethel's orchard in Mount Misery.

My research continues on the Adam Staub, who immigrated from Germany, and of his ancestors. As soon as I have this data in my computer, I will post a PDF of the family tree for you to view.  Would you believe that there are over 14,000 people in this database, and I haven't researched the Grofts, Smiths, or my family in depth yet. 

Share this blog with others in the family.  In a few days you may see changes to the Family Legacies link on my Facebook wall.  All of this is being done with the hope of finding your global ancestors who have roots to Ludwig Staab, Frederick Krafft, and Charles Smith.

Thanks for visiting!

Is this really me?

I know that I spend a lot of time on my computer, linking to new Facebook friends, entering lots of information given to me by Jean Staub, and Googling, but I can assure you that I know when to call it quits! 

However, I probably look just as crazed when I find interesting links between the Staub, Smith, and Groft families.  I had no idea that this hobby was so addicting.

I also get excited when I can trace a family back to Germany and when they arrived in America.  Right now I have the Staub family traced to Ludwig Staub, born circa 1646 (John Lawrence Staub's family line).  Adam was the man who at age 21 sailed across the ocean to start a new life and bought land in what is now Brushtown.  I traced Mammaw's family (Myrtle Groft and John's wife) back to the mid-1700s when Fredrich Krafft (no, not the food giant), arrived to the Port of Philadelphia with his pregnant wife.  And Charles Smith (Glady's family) who arrived about the same time and through the Port of Philadelphia.   

All of this has been backed up with facts and family research, so I feel certain that I am on the right track.  Once I figure out how to reduce the size of the ancestry chart (it is over 8 sheets of 8.5"x11" pages) to add to my blog, I will share it with you. 

I have learned so much in a little bit of time - about the early Catholic church in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Germans, the German Palatine movement, and the bridging of these families.  I have come to respect their hardships and successes.  To imagine leaving one's family to sail to another country, not knowing what to expect, is inconceivable.  Would I have let my kids do this?  Probably not. 

Time to shut down the computer and give it a rest.  Until next week ...

P. S.  You may share this blog link with other family members who may also have Facebook.  The idea is to grow the members and continue to learn and increase sharing.  You may send me a personal email to share, add, or to ask me a question.

Searching for the greatest treasure - our ancestors!

Myrtle and John Staub's descendants gather each July for an annual reunion.  In my last blog post, I asked if anyone could remember when the reunions began.  A reliable source mentioned that they could remember back to the early 1970s and Mammaw's orchard in Mt. Misery.  So, if you were born before the 1980s, you may not remember this.

Myrtle, aka. Mammaw is pictured above and a bit of her life history follows:

• She was born to Jerome Henry Groft and Annie Maria Smith on June 26, 1890, and died on December 11, 1986.  FYI...Annie is a Smith link. 
• Mammaw married John Lawrence Staub (January 24, 1890-May 21, 1948) on August 26, 1913.  They are pictured sitting in the wedding photo to the right. Her sister, Violet and husband Charles Henschke are shown standing.
• Mammaw's father, Jerome (June 14, 1861-June 28, 1947), was the son of George H. Groft and Mary Ann Storm. 
• At age 18, Jerome worked as a farm hand for the John and Jane Jenkins family in Mt. Pleasant Township, Adams, PA, USA. (1900 U. S. Census)  Later, he worked as a cigar maker and was a member of the Irishtown Fire Company.  On December 28, 1886 Jerome married Annie Maria Smith (June 29, 1866-May 4, 1897) at the Conewago Chapel.  Annie died at age 31 from tuberculosis.  (The New Oxford Item, obituary publish date May 7, 1897)  Annie's parents, Mammaw's grandparents, were John Henry Smith and Anna Maria Groft.  FYI ... this is one of the Smith/Groft family connections.
• Jerome, age 45, lived in New Oxford, Adams, PA, USA with daughters Myrtle, age 19, and Violet, age 17. (1910 U. S. Census)  According to the Conewago Chapel Book of Baptisms another daughter, Marguerite Emma, born on October 1, 1894 to Jerome and Annie.  I found in a newspaper archives that Marguerite Emma died on January 21, 1909 following surgery for appendicitis at the York Hospital.  (The New Oxford Item, publish date February 3, 1949, page 10, '40 Years Ago Today' column)

One Sunday afternoon I visited the John Timon Reily Society in McSherrystown to learn more about the Groft family.  Research by the Harold Groft family showed that Mammaw and Violet may have had a brother, George John Groft (November 2, 1887-April 26, 1889).  I must research this further.

• At age 68, Jerome lived with his daughter Violet and her husband Charles F. Henschke. (1930 U. S. Census). 

I know little about John Lawrence Staub except that his parents were James Augustin Staub and Mary Catherine Weaver. 

• Would anyone have a photo of Jerome and wife Annie to lend me for a future blog?
• What do you remember about Myrtle and John so I can share with everyone?

You may send your memories and scanned photos of Jerome or John or Myrtle to me directly to my email Inbox by clicking here. 

Thanks for visiting my blog! 



Blogging through history ...

I began my research journey this past February.  Ultimately, I envisioned publishing the research online, and eventually in print.  For now, I settled on a blog.  

Writing a blog is easy, but my problem was where to start, how to tell the story in a way that it is an interesting read for the various generations, and to keep it short.  So I started by giving a brief overview of part of the Staub history by mentioning Adam (Staab) Staub in my first blog post.   FYI … there is more to this history to share! So I began with Myrtle (aka. Mammaw) and husband John Lawrence Staub.

Every July the Staubs meet in Brushtown for an annual reunion.  Do you remember Mammaw and her sister, Violet, who came to the reunions until they died?  So when did these reunions start?  Was Mammaw’s husband, John Lawrence, still living when the reunions began? Can anyone tell me this?  I would love to know, and so would others.  Add what you know in the comment box below. 

This photo is dated July 1959, and is of Mammaw and John’s children.  (Another FYI, John Lawrence died May 21, 1948.) Sitting center is Mammaw, of course.  Now, how many of you can identify her children?  This is not a contest but a walk down memory lane.  Enjoy! I will post the names in a later blog post.
 
Watch for next week's blog to learn more about John Lawrence, Mammaw and your German roots.  Until then …

Generations ...

... On Saturday, August 6, 2011, three generations of Raymond and Gladys "Nell" Staub's family held its first of many family reunions.  I am sure that Raym and Nell were watching over everyone, and enjoying their grandchildren and great-grandchildren from above.  (I wonder what they may have been thinking.)  The little ones don't quite understand what happened that day, but someday they will.

A few years ago I began to research our family history, and life got in the way.  I recently resigned from my job and found my unfinished projects.  Genealogy was one of those projects.  Several months later, over 200 clocked hours, and a database of 7,000+ people (and it continues to grow), I am finding interesting facts about Raymond's parents, John Lawrence Staub and Myrtle Groft, not to mention their ancestors who date back to the mid-1600s.  To share this with everyone at the reunion would have been challenging. 

So I will use this blog to share what I find, and to perhaps connect to distant relatives.  I hope that you will find it as interesting as I do.  For those of you who use Facebook religiously, this blog is connected to a page on my Facebook.  Feel free to help with this research by sharing your memories and photos of your grandparents, Myrtle (aka. Mammaw), and even asking your cousins about the family and what they remember.  Please know that I respect your privacy and will not post personal information of living relatives.  Consider this your family portal for continuing our legacy.

History lesson number one: At age 21 (and as far as I can find, he sailed without relatives) and in 1738, Johannes Adam Staab arrived in the Port of Philadelphia on the passenger ship, the Winter Galley, and settled in Berks County, PA.  His wife Catherine Bewertz, arrived a year later on the Loyal Judith with her father and siblings.  They met and married a few years afterward.  He moved his family to what is now known as Adams County, mainly Brushtown.  In the image below, you can see McSherrystown towards the upper right corner of the image.  If you follow Rte. 116 to the left you will see three tracts of land (highlighted in yellow).  These three tracts were owned by Johannes Adam Staab and his wife, Catherine.  A complete story of his unfortunate struggle to hold onto his land rights can be found by clicking here.

Please let me know what you think of my postings and of this research.  Until the next time ...