Chasing History

  Week 37: The theme for Week 37 is “In the News.” Have you made a family history discovery in a newspaper? Minnie Jane Free Taylor Birth: 15 Mar 1870 Newberry, York, Pennsylvania Death: 14 Jan 1952 Rural Newberry, York, Pennsylvania 2nd great-grandmother  The death of my 2nd great-grandmother. I learned through Newspapers.com that Minnie's death was the result of being run over by a car. Her obituary states that she died at home, but it did not list a cause of death. I always assumed that she had died from old age.  I found a newspaper article about her daughter, Lillian, filing a suit for damages. The driver of the car was a man from Washington D.C. named Charles Maywood. Lillian filed for damages totaling $16,388.17.  Minnie was crossing the Old Trail in front of her house in Newberry Township when she was hit by Maywood's car. She suffered serious injuries and her death was determined to be a direct result of the crash. 

  Week 35: The theme for Week 35 is “Off to Work.” Who had an unusual occupation? Do you have memories of a parent going off to work every morning? What about someone whose occupation today would be obsolete, like telephone operators? Henry Repman     Born: December 1819 York, Pennsylvania Died: 31 January 1874 Newberry, York, Pennsylvania Buried: Cassel Cemetery, York Haven, Pennsylvania  4th great-grandfather  In 1860, Henry was a laborer living in Newberry Township, York County. A Civil War veteran, he was drafted in York October 24, 1862, and assigned to Co. A, 166th Pa Inf, serving at the rank of private and functioning as a wagoner. Honorably discharged July 28, 1863. What is a wagoner?  During the American Civil War, a wagoner was a solider that responsible for the supply wagons and teams of mules. Every wagon was pulled by a team of four or six mules.  Wagoners were also called Teamsters. They were in charge of keeping the wagons properly sup...

Why We Must Defend Honest History History is a complex tapestry of the ugly and the wonderful. It's often uncomfortable, difficult to reconcile, and yet, at its core, it is profoundly amazing. The most important thing we can do, in my opinion, is to continue telling history in an honest and truthful way. Museums aren't meant to be Hollywood movies. They shouldn't embellish or dramatize stories just to make their exhibits more interesting. While some may find museums "boring," for history enthusiasts like me, they are some of the most exciting places on earth. A quick look at the Smithsonian's website shows that it's "the world's largest museum, education, and research complex." The Smithsonian  dates back to British scientist James Smithson, who left his estate to the United States to found "an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge." This vision, brought to life by James K. Polk, has grown to include 21 museums, ...

  Week 34: The theme for Week 34 is “Play Time.” (This should be fun!) Who in your family tree had a playful demeanor? Anyone play a sport or an instrument? How about someone who was in a school play? Clair Edwin Gross   Born: 17 July 1929 Newberry, York, Pennsylvania, USA Died: 21 March 2009 The Carolyn Croxton Slane Residence, Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania, USA Although I've already covered my grandpa in previous posts, he's the perfect person for this theme. My grandfather was born, raised, and died in Newberrytown (his death occurred at a hospice facility after only having been moved there a few hours prior). He was a world-class athlete who dominated on the baseball diamond and the golf course. But his athleticism didn't stop there—he also excelled at roller skating, bowling, and ice skating. Beyond his physical prowess, he was one of the most playful people I've ever known, always ready with a joke he'd meticulously memorized. Every evening after dinner,...

Week 33: The theme for Week 33 is "Legal Troubles." There’s at least one in every family – that relative who seems to be in trouble more often than not. (Hey, at least they usually leave good records!) Who in your family tree had brushes with the legal system? Abraham Miller 1812–1856 3rd great-grandfather Jeremiah W Miller 1846–1890 2nd great-granduncle I am going to tell you the story of Abraham Miller, my paternal 3rd great-grandfather, and his son Jeremiah Miller, my paternal 2nd great-granduncle . It's a tragic story of murder and suicide.  Jeremiah never spent any time in prison, taking his life before the authorities could arrest him. Abraham was incarcerated in Carlisle, taking his life in his jail cell. Before their tragic ends, the men were known to the authorities, but never spent any significant time behind bars.  When Abraham Miller was born on January 1, 1812, in East Pennsboro, Pennsylvania, his father, Nicholas, was 46 and his mother, Catherine, was 27. He...

  Week 32: The theme for Week 32 is "Wide Open Spaces."Who in your family tree makes you think of the great outdoors? Who took advantage of homesteading? Who kept moving when the neighbors felt a little too close? David Erney 1880–1954 2nd great-grandfather When David Erney was born on February 20, 1880, in York, Pennsylvania, his father, Henry, was 37 and his mother, Leah, was 35. He married Amanda Ellen Spahr on June 23, 1913.  They had four children during their marriage. He died on August 19, 1954, in Fairview, Pennsylvania, at the age of 74, and was buried there. During his life in rural Fairview Township he was a laborer, working outside. He also enjoyed hunting.  David Erney is on the right. Posing with rabbits they had hunted.  Undated photograph. David Erney is pictured in the center of the front row.  David Erney (right) pictured with his son Bud. David's wife Amanda. Undated photograph.