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. 

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 ...