Chasing History

Week 22: The theme for Week 22 is “Reunion.” Whether it’s a family reunion, a class reunion, or some other commonality that brings people back together, it’s an opportunity for connection and context. What reunions can you think about in your family tree? Yinger family reunions! Every year we'd gather in Lisburn for the annual Yinger family reunion.  Hazel Irene Yinger   Born: 16 January 1917 Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Died: 27 March  1995 Pennsylvania, USA My great-grandmother, Hazel Irene Yinger, was married to my great-grandfather, Elwood David "Bud" Erney. I don't remember Hazel as I was only an infant when she died. I grew up being able to meet and know my Yinger relatives through the family reunions that we would have in Lisburn.  Hazel's father was- Frank Smaling Yinger   Born: 17 April 1894 Fairview Twp, York Co, Pennsylvania, USA Died: 22 March 1958 Fairview, York, Pennsylvania, USA Hazel's mother was- Katie Rebecca Miller   Born: 6 January 1895...

On Sunday evening (May 18th), Geologist Jeri Jones invited me to be his guest at the sprint cars races happening at BAPS Motor Speedway,  colloquially  known as Susquehanna Speedway.  Opened in 1954, the Susquehanna Speedway (now BAPS) has been a staple in Newberry Township. No matter where you live in the immediate area, if the wind blows just right you'll be serenaded to sleep by the sounds of the dirt track races.  There is a property that sits adjacent to Turn 1. It has a tree with a fork in the middle and it overlooks turn 1. Jeri and I sat our lawn chairs up inside turn 1 and had a direct view of the tree. He explained that back in the day someone was smart enough to build a platform in the fork of the tree and take advantage of their proximity to get the birdseye view of the track.  "That tree and seat belonged to my Uncle Carl (Shorty). His son was a limited late model driver Carl Hughes. He had the best seat in the house!" Says Heather Hughes Gross. "Ca...

Week 21: The theme for Week 21 is “Military.” Who is someone in your family tree who served in the military? Who was a civilian whose life was affected by the service of a family member? This is a great week to write about them. My family has a long history of military service. Starting with my 6th great-grandfather Johann David Meisenhelter. Johann David Meisenhelter/ Meisenhelder  Born: 3 Nov 1753 Mount Joy, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States of America  Died: 10 Aug 1819 Dover, York, Pennsylvania, United States of America  Burial: Meisenhelder Cemetery, Dover, York County, Pennsylvania, United States of America The family coat of arms/ crest:  ... "At the port of Philadelphia, from the ship ''Neptune," John Mason, captain, Sept. 24, 1 75 1, landed a German immigrant by the name David Meisenhelder — erroneously given as David Maisheller. As to his birth and antecedents, the lapse of time has left no trace. He wended his way westward to Lancaster County. Pa., a...

Week 20: The theme for Week 20 is “Wheels.”  Not going to lie... I feel very uninspired by this week's prompt. Amy Johnson Crow, the creator of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks wrote " I have to admit that this prompt is dear to my heart, since my Dad owned and operated a service station for 50+ years. Anyone like that in your family? How about someone who took an epic road trip (or train trip – they have wheels, too!)". I don't have any race car drivers on the family tree. No train robbers, no adventures. Nothing that immediately jumps out at me for this prompt.  Elwood David "Bud" Erney   Born: 11 Oct 1915 Camp Hill, Crawford, Pennsylvania, USA Died: 28 Feb 2005 Lemoyne, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, USA My great-grandfather, Bud, worked on the railroad. He spent 40 years working for the Pennsylvania Railroad and Con Rail. He called all of us great-grandchildren Johnny and you couldn't leave his house without taking some baseball cards with you. Pap loved watchi...

Week 19: The theme for Week 19 is “At the Library.” Any librarians in the family tree? What about a fantastic find you’ve made at the library? This is a good week to write about it. I'm the Librarian, it's me!  No, really!  I have a Master's in Library Science and Information Studies with a minor in Archiving and Local History. Thanks, Clarion! I currently work for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals as a Branch Librarian for the Middle District of Pennsylvania (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and Harrisburg). This Memorial Day will be my 8th anniversary with the court. I cut my teeth at the York County Library System. I started volunteering at the Red Land Community Library at the ripe old age of 17. My high school bestie, Tory, volunteered at the library and I thought it would be fun to join her. I was a Junior in high school and failing Geometry (Thanks, Ms. Wolf for giving me a passing grade!). I was starting to worry about SAT scores and college applications. That...