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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 47

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  Week 47: The theme for Week 47 is “The Name’s the Same.” Chances are there are some people in your tree who have the same name as someone else. This is a good week to write about the people who carry a family name or a time when you’ve had to sort out two unrelated people who happen to have the same name.  This has become one of my favorite stories to tell.  Everyone who knows my family knows that my dad's name was Barry, my mom's name is Gail and my brother's name is Justin. Doesn't get more run-of-the-mill American than that, right? Then there is me- Dominish. I was born and raised in central Pennsylvania. The first question I usually get asked when I meet someone for the first time is " How do you pronounce your name?"  Question number two is "What's the story behind your name?".  I was named after my dad's mother, Dominish Mae Casini Miller Clark. My parents had an agreement. My mom got to choose my brother’s name, and when I came along...
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 46

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  Week 46: The theme for Week 46 is “Wartime.” Who in your family has served in the military? Alternatively, do you have someone who couldn’t or wouldn’t serve? Have you had any breakthroughs using military records?  My family's service to the United States of America started with the Revolutionary War and continues today. I'm proud to have so many wonderful family that have served in the military.  Johann David Meisenhelder , my 6th great-grandfather on the Erney side. My Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot.  Birth: 3 Nov 1753 • Mount Joy, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA Death: 10 Aug 1819 • Dover, York, Pennsylvania, USA Burial: Meisenhelder Cemetery, Dover, York County, Pennsylvania, United States of America  David Meisenhelter born 1753, came from Lancaster County and settled on 200 acres in Dover Township in 1787. In 1800 the Meisenhelter family built the meetinghouse. December 3, 1839 shows that John Meisenhelter of Dover Township gave title to Dav...
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 45

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Week 45: The theme for Week 45 is “Multiple.” Any twins or triplets in the family? What about someone with multiple names?  Twins: Janette Pearl Gross Lowery Born: 28 November 1924 Newberrytown, Pennsylvania Died: 9 November 2007 Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, USA Grandaunt   My maternal grandpa's sister, Janette, had a set of twin girls, Kim and Michelle.  Multiple Names:  Maria Elisabetta Antonia Nolfi Mosca Born: 4 March 1794 Assergi, L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy  4th great-grandmother  Giacinto Carmine Antonio Nolfi Born:  17 May 1792  Bugnara, L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy 1860 4th great-granduncle It was common to have multiple given names, often using a saint's name as a second name, especially for boys. Bugnara is a medieval village in the Abruzzo region of Italy, known for its historic architecture, stunning natural surroundings, and status as one of Italy's most beautiful villages. Located in the province of L'Aquila.
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 44

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  Week 44: The theme for Week 44 is “Rural.” Many, if not most, of us have ancestors who lived in a rural area. Having trouble who to choose? There’s nothing wrong with picking someone at random ! Henry Stetler  4th great-grandfather Born:  20 Mar 1786 • Newberrytown, York, Pennsylvania, United States Died:  5 March 1856 • Newberrytown, York County, Pennsylvania, United States of America Burial:  5 Mar 1856 • Rockey's Burial Ground, Newberrytown, York County, Pennsylvania, USA Henry was born and raised in Newberry. Newberrytown is an unincorporated village in York County, Pennsylvania. It was founded by the Quakers who settled there in 1745, the Newberry Friends. Being an unincorporated village, Newberrytown is small in size and population. In 1786 it was even more rural than it is today. The Newberry of 1786 would look vastly different than it does today. No Dunkin Donuts, Rutters, Fulton Bank, ExxonMobil, or taco trucks. No tractor-trailers, elementary school...
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52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Week 43

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  Week 43: The theme for Week 43 is “Urban.” What ancestors lived in town? Any memorable trips to the big city? How about an ancestor named Urban? This is their week. Bernardino James Napoleone Born: 11 May 1904   Assergi, L'Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy  Died:   31 Oct 1968   Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA great-granduncle On May 31, 1916, Bernardino James Napoleone arrived in New York via the ship Giuseppe Verdi. The Giuseppe Verdi was a historical passenger steamship that sailed between Italy and New York from 1914 to 1943. It was built in 1914 by Societa Esercizio Bacini in Riva Trigoso, Italy. It sailed the Transatlantica Italiana Line, primarily on the Italy-New York route. The ship was 9,757 gross tons and could carry 2,185 passengers. The Giuseppe Verdi was sold to the Japanes and later renamed the Yamato Maru before being sunk during WWII.  After arriving in New York, Bernardino settled in the Pittsburgh area. Many Italians immigrated to Pittsb...
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