A Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy
the genealogy & family research site of Kris Hocker
Rev. Caius Frederic Sophus Waage (1797-1884)
Rev. Caius Frederic Sophus Waage was born on 17 Aug 1797 in the Schleswig, Holstein, Denmark 1 He died 23 Aug 1884 in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He married Angelina Garber, daughter (I believe) of Benjamin and Hannah (Reiner) Garber. She died in 1897 in Pennsburg, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Jacob2 Hoover (Andrew1) and his wife Anna Maria (___) both died in German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Jacob died sometime between 13 Aug 1798 when he sold 126 acres of land to John Lance and 8 Sep 1800 when his will was proved—most likely in late August or early September 1800. 1, 2 His will named his wife as his executor and the following beneficiaries: wife, Mary, sons and daughters, George Hoover, Elizabeth Simes [Shinn], Cathrine Shoemaker, Margaret Smith, Mary Choffin [Chafin], Magdalina Shoemaker, Rosanna Hoover, Barbra Bakert [Bacus], Rachail Hoover, Jemimah Hoover, Hanna Hoover. The witnesses were Abraham Stuart, James Wilson and Michael Cox.
Anna Maria (___) Hoover died sometime between 2 Dec 1808 and 20 Dec 1808. She named George and Joseph Hoover as her executors. Her beneficiaries were: son George, Jacob Hoover son of George; daughters: Hannah Hoover, Rachel Gray, Elizabeth Shines [Shinn], Catherine Shoemaker, Madelina Shoemaker, Margaret Smith, Mary Chafin, Barbary Barcus [Bacus], Rozannah Hoover, Jemima Bowman; granddaughter Milly Shines [Shinn], Elizabeth daughter of Hannah Hoover.3 The witnesses were George Vance and Samuel Gordon.
Based on these documents, Jacob and Anna Maria (___) Hoover had children:
So, what happened to these children?
John Shoemaker is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1790 U.S. Census.6 The household had 1 male (>16), 4 males (<16), and 1 female. John Shoemaker is also found in the township in 1800: 1 male (45+), 2 males (16-25), 2 males (10-15), 1 female (26-44), and 1 female (10-15).7 By 1810, John Shoemaker and family had moved to Breckinridge County, Kentucky.8
George Hoover is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1790 U.S. Census.9 The household had 1 male (>16), 1 male (<16), and 1 female. He is no longer listed there in 1800. However, he is listed in tax lists for Ohio County by 10 Sep 1800.10 In 1810, George Hoover is found in Ohio Township, Ohio County, Kentucky.11 The family had in the household: 1 male (45+), 2 males (16-25), 1 male (10-15), 2 males (<10), 1 female (26-44), 2 females (10-15), and 2 females (<10).
Adam Shoemaker is found in the 1810 U.S. census for Ohio Township, Ohio County, Kentucky. 12 The household contained 1 male (45+) and one female (45+).
George Shinn and family are found in the 1800 U.S. census for Whiteley Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. 13 The household included: 1 male (45+), 1 male (10-15), 1 female (16-25), 1 female (10-15). In 1810, the family was enumerated in Wayne Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.14 In the household were 2 males (45+), 1 male (16-25), and 1 female (10-15). Elizabeth died prior to 6 Jan 1817, and may have likely died prior to the 1810 census enumeration.15
Godfrey Smith is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1790 U.S. Census.16 The household had 1 male (>16), 1 male (<16), and 2 females. Godfrey’s daughter Emily “Milly” married Jacob Bacus, son of Peter Bacus, on 27 Jan 1816 in Scioto County, Ohio.17 By 1819, Godfrey was living in Greenup County, Kentucky.18 They are found in this county in the 1820 U.S. census enumeration.19 The household included: 1 male (45+), 1 male (16-26), 1 male (16-18), 1 male (10-16), 1 female (45+), 1 female (16-26), 1 female (10-16), 1 female (<10). The family is still in Greenup County in 1830.20
Peter Bacus and family were in Green Township, Scioto County, Ohio by 1820 and may have been there even earlier.21 The family included: 1 male (45+), 1 male (16-26), 3 males (<10), 1 female (45+), and 2 females (10-16). The family is still there in 1830: 1 male (60-70), 1 male (15-20), 2 males (10-15), 1 female (60-70), and 1 female (20-30).22
Joseph Hoover is found in German Township, Fayette County in the 1800 U.S. census.23 The household consisted of 1 male (16-25) and 1 female (16-25). The family is also there in 1810.24 The household consisted of: 1 male (26-44), 1 male (10-15), 1 male (<5), 1 female (16-25), 1 female (10-15), and 1 female (<5). Joseph Hoover is listed in township tax records from 1800 through 1816 when he and wife Hannah sold the 75 acres they inherited from Mary Hoover to Hugh Gilmore.25
In 1808, James Gray was living in German Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania on a portion of the Hoover’s property. Mary Hoover gave this part of the property to her daughter Rachel in her will.26 I did not find James Gray in the Fayette County census records. However, there is a James Gray living adjacent Godfrey and Jacob Smith in Greenup County, Kentucky in 1820.27 The household includes: 1 male (26-45), 1 male (16-26), 4 males (<10), 1 female (45+), 1 female (16-26), and 2 females (<10). This could be the James and Rachel (Hoover) Gray family.
I have no information on Mary (Hoover) Chaffin, Rosanna Hoover, or Jemima (Hoover) Bowman. Do you have any information on any of these families you’d like to share? If so, please let a comment or drop me a line.
I just recently got the death certificate for the last of my direct ancestors who died after 1906—the year Pennsylvania started registering births and deaths at the state level, as opposed to the county level. Her name was Judith (Deysher) Snyder.
Judith (Deysher) Snyder Death Certificate
Judith was the widow of Joseph Snyder.1 She died of paralysis on 17 May 1906 and was buried on the 24th at the New Goshenhoppen Church Cemetery in East Greenville, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was born on 15 Aug 1830 to Peter Deischer and Maria Trump in Pennsylvania.
Judith married Joseph Snyder circa 1855 and had children:
An examination of 1850 census records showed a Peter and Maria Deisher, ages 55 and 56, in Hereford Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. 2 Presuming this is the correct Peter and Maria, then Judith likely had a brother Charles and a sister Amanda. The household was:
Peter Deischer can be found in Hereford Township in the 1820, 1840, 1850, and 1860 U.S. census records. He likely died sometime between 1860 and 1870 as Maria shows up in the 1870 census in Charles Deysher’s household.
Researching an individual is particularly difficult when they have a common name. It is even more difficult if there is more than one person of the same name in the same general location at apparently the same time. Such is the case with Christian Hoover of Hempfield Township, Lancaster County.
#6 Christian Hoover tract
Land documents show three warrants for tracts in Hempfield Township granted to “Christian Hoober,” all dated in 1743 or 1744.1 Two of the warrants were patented to Christian Hoober and the third was patented to Martin Hoover. An additional, adjacent tract in Warwick Township, warranted to “Christian Hooper,” was patented to Christian Hoober on 12 Dec 1747.2,3
The first tract was in the north eastern corner of present day East Hempfield (see #6 on map at right). It was warranted to Christian Hoober on 10 Jan 1744/5 and patented to him on 12 Dec 1747 (Patent Book A-13:328). The adjacent tract was the Warwick Township tract patented to Christian Hoober on 12 Dec 1747.4 These tracts belonged to the same man.
On 16 May 1767 Christian Hoover and wife Margareth sold 2 tracts of land to Jacob Oberholtzer—one of 57.5 acres and the other of 121 acres. Tract 6 on the warrantee township map was 57 acres.5 So, he sold this parcel and part of the tract in Warwick Township that he patented in 1747 that was warranted “Christian Hooper.”
Christian Hoover tract
The second tract was located to the south and west and apparently sat in both the present East and West Hempfield townships (see map left). This tract was warranted to Christian Hoober on 8 Jun 1743 and patented to him on 16 Jun 1743 (Patent Book A-11:145). It was surveyed on 12 Mar 1735/6.6 This tract later belonged to Christian’s son John Huber Esq.
On 14 Dec 1758, the heirs of Christian Hoover, late of Hempfield Township—namely Martin Hoover and Catharine his wife, Jacob Hoover and Ann his wife, Henry Funk and Elizabeth (Hoover) his wife—sold to John Hoover, another son of Christian Hoover, 224 acres in Hempfield Township (see map #2).7 On 1 Sep 1764, Christian Hoffman and Barbara (Hoover) his wife sold their share of Christian Hoover’s property to Barbara’s brother John.8 And finally on 10 Jun 1769, John Bausler and Anna (Hoover) his wife sold their interest in the property to John Hoover.9 Two additional sons of Christian Hoover were mentioned in the deeds—Michael and Christian Jr. They apparently “died in their Minority unmarried without issue.” 10
#41 Christian Hoober tract
The third tract is located in the present day West Hempfield Township. It was warranted to Christian Hoober on 15 Aug 1744 and patented to Martin Hoover on 12 Apr 1750 (Patent Book A-15:337). It was surveyed 12 Apr 1737.11 Martin Hoover was Christian’s eldest son.
The West Hempfield tract that was patented to Martin Hoover was given to his sons Joseph and Isaac Hoover in his 1788 last will & testament.12
Based on the land warrant, patent and deed records, it is apparent that there were two different men named Christian Hoover in Hempfield Township. The first died sometime prior to 27 Nov 1757.13 The second Christian Hoover was alive at least as late as 1771 when he sold land he purchased in Lancaster Borough to Rupertus Hartaffel.14
Christian Hoover (died bef. 1757) had a son named Christian, but since he died prior to 1758, the second Christian Hoover can not be the son of the first. The first Christian was located in Hempfield Township prior to 1735/6 when tract #2 was surveyed. The second Christian was in Hempfield Township before 21 Feb 1746/7 when the first tract was surveyed.15
An examination of Martic Township, Lancaster County tax lists available for the years 1751 through 1772 shows the following Hoovers in the township.1
1751
1754
1756 (Tax list)
1756 (Assessment)
1757
1757
1758
15 Nov 1758
1759
7 Dec 1769
1770 (Assessment)
1770 (Tax list)
1771
1772
These Hoover families (4~5 families) have been referred to as the Byerland Hoovers because of their proximity to the Byerland Meeting house in Martic Township. They lived in southeastern Conestoga Township (now Pequea Township) and northwestern Martic Township (now Providence Township). The original settlers included Ulrich Huber (ca 1703—1757), Jacob Huber (ca 1698—bef 23 Nov 1739), Henry Huber (bef 1712—1758), Henry Huber (bef 1719—1767/69), and Jacob Huber (ca 1698—1759), son of Hans Huber of Earl Township.
Martic Township Hoover properties
Ulrich Huber’s Conestoga Township property was just to the north of and adjacent to Jacob Huber’s and Hans Boyer’s properties (see top left of the image).
Researchers have determined that somewhere between 1% and 4% of the human Eurasian genome is Neanderthal. It has always been believed that Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal were separate lines of descent from a common ancestor. So, how is it that we carry some of the same DNA?
“The most likely explanation, say the researchers, is that there was limited mating, or “gene flow”, between Neanderthals and the ancestors of present-day Eurasians.
This must have taken place just as people were leaving Africa, while they were still part of one pioneering population. This mixing could have taken place either in North Africa, the Levant or the Arabian Peninsula, say the researchers.”
What genes might they have passed on to us? The most telling differences between the two species are found in our physical appearance. The Neanderthals had stockier, more muscular physical frames. But there were likely behavioral differences too. Those traits that were carried on were likely those that proved useful to survival in our gene pool.
“So when we see that their anatomies are gone, this isn’t just chance. Those things that made the Neanderthals apparent to us as a population – those things didn’t work. They’re gone because they didn’t work in the context of our population.”
You can read the full article on the BBC News website.
George Hoober of Mount Pleasant Township, York County, Pennsylvania signed his will on 21 Oct 1772; it was proven on 2 Feb 1775. He named his son John and friend George Fisher as his executors. In the document he also named his wife Barbara, daughter Barbara wife of Conrad Staly, and “my three grandchildren of Jacob Hoober Deceased.”1
In the Nam [sic] of God amen, I George Hoober of mound [sic] plesent [sic] Township
in the County of York and Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman being weak in Body but
of Sound and Perfect understanding Considering the uncertain continuance of my Life
and the many Hazards and Dangers that it is obnoxious To and being Desirous to
leave that small Estate and fortune Which God has been Pleased to Pass me with in
my family and That I may have Nothing of this Transitory World or the Intanglements [sic]
Thereof to Incumber [sic] my thoughts and Contemplations With at my going out of it but
to think and meditate of the next World and the Inestimable Blessings and Comforts
That are There to be Enjoyed, I Do make this my Last will and Testament In
maner [sic] following Hereby Revoking all former wills by me made and first I Resign my
Soul to the Great and most merciful God That made it and my Body I commit to the
Grave to be Decently Buried and as to my Worldly Estate I Dispose thereof as Followeth
that is to Say I do first appoint all my Lawfull [sic] Debts and funeral Expences [sic] to by paid out of
my Estate by my Executors Herein after Named Item I give to my Son John Hoober all my
Estate Both Real and Personal to hold to him his Heirs Executors administrators and Assigns
and I do or[ther] That my Belovid [sic] Wife Barbara Hoober shall have her Suficent [sic] mentaine-
nce [sic] out of the aforesaid Estate During her Natural life by my aforesaid Son or his Heirs Item
I Give and order that my aforesaid son his Heirs Executors administrators shall pay
unto my three grandchilderon [sic] of Jacob Hoober Deseased [sic] the sum of Twenty Pounds to by
Equily [sic] Devided [sic] amongst them and that three years after my Desease [sic] and Barbara my
Wife and Twenty Pounds I Give and order to my Daughter Barbara the wife of Conrad
Staly to be paid by my said son John as aforesaid in four years after my Desease [sic] and my wife
as aforesaid and I make ordain my well beloved son John Hoober and my frind [sic] Thomas
fisher Sole Executrix of this my Lasat [sic] will and Testament in Trust for the Intents and
Purposes in this my will contained to Perform according to my True Intent and meaning
in Witness whereof I the said George Hoober have to This my Last will and Testament Set
my Hand and Seal The Twenty First Day of october in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven
Hundred and Seventy Two———
Signed Sealed and Published by the said George Hoober in the
Presents [sic] of us who subscribed our names in the Testators presence } George Huber (seal) [German script]
and at his request —————
Johannes Georg Huber [German script]
[German script, can’t read]
John SmithYork County Ss Before me Samuel Johnston Esquire Deputy Register for the Probate of
Wills and Granting of Letters of Administration in and for the County of York in the Province
of Pennsylvania personally came Johann George Hoober and John Smith Esquire two of the
subscribing Witnesses to the foregoing Instrument of Writing and the said Johann George
Hoober on his solemn Oath taken according to Law and the said John Smith on his Solemn
Affirmation taken according to Law he conscientiously scrupling to taking of an oath do
respectively say they were personally present and saw and heard George Hoober the Testator above
named Sign Seal publish and declare the foregoing Instrument of Writing as and for his last
Will and Testament that at the time of doing thereof the said George Hoober was of sound dispo
sing Mind Memory and understanding according to the best of this Deponents and Affirments [sic]
Knowledge and belief that they subscribed their Names as Witnesses to the same in the presence
of the said Testator and at his request and that they also saw Detter Hobarh sign his name
to the same as a Witness at the same time in the presence of the said Testator and at his request
Sworn Affirmed & Subscribed————– Johann Georg Huber
before me at York the 2 Day of February 1775 } John Smith
Saml Johnston Depy Regr
Both Exrs sworn Inventory in 2 monthsA true copy compared with the original at York
Sam Johnston Depy RegrMemorandum That Letters Testamentary in Common form
were granted to John Hoober and Thomas fisher of the Estate of George Hoober late
of York County Yeoman Deceased Inventory to be Exhibited into the Registers Office
at York at of before the second Day of April next and an Account or Reckoning at
or before the second day of February next Given under my Hand and the Seal of the said Office
at York the second Day of February 1775.
John Huber of Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania wrote his will 6 Oct 1792; it was proven 15 Dec 1792. He named his friends Henry Hershberger and John Bechtol his executors and named his wife Susanna and his children John, Jacob, Anna and Susanna as his heirs.1 This is a transcription of his last will and testament.
-p.407
John Huber, deceased
In the Name of God Amen
I Huber of Cocalico Township in the County of Lancaster and State of Penn
sylvania Yoman being sick and weak in Body by of perfect sound
Mind Memory and Understanding thanks be to God therefor having-p.408
taken into consideration the mortality of mankind have thought pro
per to publish this my last Will and Testament in Manner and form
following that is to say Principally and first of all I Recommend my
immortal Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it to be in
mercy received through the merits of my Redeemer Jesus Christ and my
Body I give unto the earth to be buried in a Christian and decent
manner at the discretion of my herein after named Executors and as tou
ching those Worldly estates wherewith it has pleased God to Bless me with
in this life, after my Just debts & funeral expences [sic] shall be paid I give
devise and bequeath in manner & form following that is to say Impromis
I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Susanna Huber all
and singular my Messuage or Tenement Plantation Pieces of Tracts of
Land Together with all and singular the Goods Household Stuff Im
plements and furniture of what kind or nature soever to be held
possessed and enjoyed by my said wife and children until my eldest
son John Huber arrives to the age of one and twenty years if she remains
a widow and names her After my name and then my said Messuage
or Tenement Plantation Pieces or Tracts of Land shall be valued & appraised
by four Arbitrators indifferently chosen between my executors herein after
named and shal [sic] sell all my personal estate by public sale and my
said beloved wife Susanna shall have the third share of both Real
and Personal estate (if she remains a widow as aforesaid) and my
said son John shall have the said Messuage or Tenement Planta
tion Pieces or Tracts of Land for said valued price and my executors
shall have ful [sic] power and authority to grant him a Deed for
the same and to fix for him the terms of payment I order that the
said Valued sum and of the Personal estate shall be distributed to and
among all my heirs share and share alike after my said beloved
wife Susanna have Received her share as aforesaid Yet nevertheless
that he my said son John Huber with his other Brother and Sisters shall
have and inherit out and from said state on equal full share
and dividend with the other of my Children viz: Jacob Huber,
Anna Huber and Susannah Huber Item It is my will in case my said
beloved wife Susanna Huber should get an inclination for a other place
at any time or times after my decease I allow her to bury me-p.409
wherever she shall seem meet (to have and to hold the same until my
said son John shall arrive to the age of one and twenty years then and
in that case I allow and it is my will that my executors shall have
full Power and authority to sell me whole estate both real and Perso
nal by Public sale for the best prices they can get and give such Deed
or Deeds Conveyances as by the Buyer or Buyers shall be lawfully
required and to give part thereof unto my said beloved wife for the
Purchase of her [intended?] place and the Remainder there to put
upon Interest until my said son John Huber shall arrive to his age
aforesaid and then the same shall be sold again by my executors
aforesaid and Divided as aforesaid Further it is my Will that if my
said beloved wife Susanna Huber should marry again then and in
that case my executors shall sell my whole estate in manner and form
as aforesaid and my said wife shall have no more but her third
According to law Further I do enjoyn [sic] my executors to give my said
Children good scholing [sic] and to put my said two sons John & Jacob
too [sic] trade and lastly I nominate ordain and appoint my beloving [sic] friend
Henry Heshberger and John Beikdol executors of this my last Will and
Testament hereby revoking making null and void all former Wills
by me made Ratifying and allowing this an no other to be my last
Will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set me hand
& Seal the sixth day of October in year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and ninety two
John Huber (seal)Signed Sealed publish
ed declared and pronounced by said John Huber his last Will and Testa
ment in the presence of us the Subscribers who in the presence and at the
request of said Testator and in presence of each other signed our names Mi
chael Young George Heft Lancaster County [Ssr?] On the fifteenth day
of December Anno Domini 1792 Before me the Subscriber personally appear
ed Michael Young and George Heft the two subscribing witnesses to the with
in Instrument in writing and upon their Solemn affirmation according to
Law did declare and say that they were present and saw and heard John
Huber the Testator therein named Sign Seal publish pronounce and declare
and declare the said writing as and for his last Will and Testament and that
at the time of doing thereof he was of sound and well disposing Mind
Memory and Understanding to the best of their Knowledge Observation and belief
Be it Remembered that on the fifteenth day of December Ann Domini 1792
the last Will and Testament of John Huber late of Cocalico Township Yeoman
deceased was proved in due form of Law and Letters Testamentary thereon
were granted to Henry Hersberger and John Bechtol the executors therein na
med they having first been duly qualified well and truly to administer
the estate of the said deceased and especially to exhibit a true and perfect
Inventory thereof into the Registers Office at Lancaster within one month from
this Date and render a just and true Account of their Administration on
said estate within one year or when thereto lawfully required Given under
the Seal of said Office G. Ross RegisterExamined & recorded G.Ross Register
Abstracts are an invaluable source of information for genealogical research. They allow you to compile more information in less time across multiple family lines. But if they include—at best—ambiguously worded or—at worst—incorrect information, they can also cause confusion. Don’t stop at the abstract. If you find a useful reference in an abstract, always get the original document, too!
A case in point: I’ve been working on the Hoovers of the Conestoga/Martic Township area. I’ve also been compiling information on other families they interacted/intermarried with in the neighborhood. A series of deeds in the Lancaster County Deed Book B abstracted in Lancaster County Pennsylvania Land Records 1729-1750 and Land Warrants 1710-1742 provide information on the children of Peter and Margaret Good of Martic Township.
An abstract of a deed between the heirs of Peter Good and Christian Shank includes the following:
“Margaret Good widow of Peter Good of Lancaster Co., yeoman dec’d, Jacob Good eldest son of dec’d, John Good another son of dec’d, Michael Prennaman and Anna his wife daughter of dec’d, John Shaffer and Margaret his wife and daughter of dec’d, Elizabeth Good and Mary Good daughters of dec’d’s younger son Peter, to Christian Shank who intermarried with Barbara daughter of dec’d…”1 [Emphasis mine]
From this abstract it would be logical to conclude that Elizabeth and Mary were granddaughters of Peter & Margaret Good, and daughters of their youngest son Peter. My reading of the deed itself, reveals something different:
“This Indenture made the thirtieth day of December in the year of our Lord 1748 Between Margaret Good widow and relict of Peter Good late of the county of Lancaster in the Province of Pennsylvania yeoman Dec’d Jacob Good eldest Son of the said Dec’d John Good another Son of the said Dec’d Michael Prennaman and Anna his wife John Stovar and Margaret his wife another of the Daughters of the said Dec’d Elizabeth Good and Mary Good two more of the said Dec’d Daughters and Peter Good youngest son of the sd Dec’d of the one part and Christian Shank who intermarried with Barbara one of the Daughters of the said Dec’d of the other part…”2 [Emphasis mine]
The deed itself is much clearer about who was Elizabeth and Mary’s father—Peter Good (Sr.). Take a look yourself and see if you agree:
Good & others to Christian Shank (1748) (Click to enlarge)
The abstracts for the deed recorded prior to this one—Good & others to Good [Deed Book B:579]—and the one after this one—also Good & others to Good [Deed Book B:581]—use the same wording, implying that Elizabeth and Mary were daughters of Peter’s son Peter. The deeds themselves refer to Elizabeth and Mary as “two more of the said Decedants Daughters.”3,4
Peter Good Heirs Signatures
Furthermore, while both Elizabeth and Mary signed the deeds, Peter Good did not. This, I believe, is because he was underage in 1748, being only about 13 years of age—making it nearly impossible that Elizabeth and Mary were his daughters.5
So, while abstracts can—and should—play a valuable part in your family research. It’s always a good idea to get the original document if it’s available. You never know what might have been lost or changed in the transcription.
I just got a delivery of articles that I ordered from PERSI. 87 pages of genealogical material to go through looking for information that could help my research. I love getting new materials to go through, so this was like getting a packet of genealogical joy in my mailbox! Just browsing through it, I’ve already seen several more sources to look up.
What’s PERSI? It’s the PERiodical Source Index. The good people at the Allen County Public Library have been collecting genealogy and local history periodicals since the 1800s. Over the past decade or so, they’ve been indexing it by surname, location, and research methodologies (for how-to articles). There are nearly 1.8 million items in the index from thousands of publications.
You can search the index through HeritageQuest—available in a lot of libraries, sometimes with remote access—or Ancestry.com. Once you find something of interest, you can order copies of the article from the Allen County Public Library Foundation. There is a handling fee and a per page copying fee. All in all, I got 87 pages of materials for less than $25.00. The order form is available online or you can download a PDF. Simply print it, fill it out, write out a check, and send it to the address on the form. 6-to-8 weeks later you may get your own bundle of genealogical joy.