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The infamous tree: Turn 1 at BAPS

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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...
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Cassel's Cemetery, Newberry Township

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Cassel's Cemetery is located on Cassel Road in Newberrytown Township. It is a very old cemetery with the earliest known burial date of 1847, that of Jeremiah Cassel son of John and Susan Cassel.  Over the years, it has grown slowly but has remained part of many local family histories, including our own. Our ancestor, Michael Cassel donated the land for burial purposes when his grandson, Jeremiah Cassel died. Through the years, part of the cemetery land was purchased from Jacob Bruaw in 1904 and Maggie Cassel in 1928, making it what it is today, a beautiful, peaceful country setting. Cassel Church is now looking for people who are interested in helping to maintain and preserve the cemetery. Please review the list of names buried in the cemetery. You could help maintain your ancestor's final resting spot! Last names in alphabetical order: Albert  Altland  Andrews Anspach Baird Baker Baney Bare Bausticker Beard  Benson Bierbrower  Bower Brinton Bruaw Burgess  ...
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 39

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Week 39: The theme for Week 39 is “Disappeared.” All of us have someone on our family tree who seems to have just disappeared. This is a good week to write about them. (Who knows – maybe writing about them will help you spot some gaps in your research and give you ideas on new places to look!) Martin Stanley Taylor Born: 24 Jul 1874 • Newberry, York, Pennsylvania, USA Death: ?? Arizona??  2nd great-grandfather Martin Stanley Taylor, my 2nd great-grandfather is the brick wall that I can't seem to break through. I know when and where he was born. I know that he abandoned my 2nd great-grandmother and their daughter. I know he moved to Ohio, remarried, and then settled in Arizona. I know that he outlived his second wife... but that is where the trail ends.  He disappears completely off the records.  I can't find a death certificate or a grave listing.  His first wife, Minnie, is buried at Paddletown Cemetery in Newberry Township. His second wife, Anna, is buried in her f...
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