Centre County Roots

Centre County Roots, the newsletter of the Centre County Genealogical Society, is published quarterly and mailed to members as a benefit of membership. Issues include feature articles, research aids, news-related items, and queries submitted by members. For more information about Centre County Roots, contact Cindy Galbraith, Newsletter Editor. For previous newsletter issues, a CD-ROM, CCGS Newsletters, 1978-2007, is available for purchase.

In addition to the current regular features "Message from the President," "Upcoming CCGS Programs," "Welcome New Members," "Member E-mail Address Updates," "New Books at the Centre County Library," and "Books Available from CCGS," articles published in recent issues include:

• Winter 2007/2008 (Volume 32, No. 4)
  • War of 1812
  • Centre County Veterans of the War of 1812
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    October - Presentation by Bruce Teeple, local historian, on the political culture of moonshine in Central Pennsylvania
    November - Presentation by Jean Laughlin of the Mifflin County Historical Society
  • What's Old and New in the Pa. Room by Kitty Wunderly
  • Tavern Keepers (applications published in the Centre Democrat March 22, 1845)
  • Super Eights 2007
  • William Robb and Catherine Eakins
  • John Robb descendants
  • Our View - Valuing a region's heritage
  • Remembering Ken Hunter
  • Want to Discover your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors? Ulster Historical Foundation, USA lecture tours


• Fall 2007 (Volume 32, No. 3)
  • Pennsylvania State Land Records
  • "The Legend of Christian Van Pool, 1774-1866" by Mimi Reed
  • Genealogy Day - The State Library of Pennsylvania - September 29, 2007
  • Courthouse records lists of Civil War volunteers of upper Bald Eagle Valley
  • Some Sources For Genealogical Research at the Pennsylvania State Archives
  • 1829 in Bellefonte
  • Milestones
  • New Publication from the Society (The Cemeteries of Boggs Township)
  • Philipsburg -- A Town of Firsts (reprint of a handout prepared by Margy Marshall, Philipsburg Historical Foundation)


• Summer 2007 (Volume 32, No. 2)
  • PA-CENTRE Reunion June 18, 2007
  • Milestones
  • "The Name Quilt" by Anita T. Sprankle
  • "Ancestor Adventure Continued" by Judy Ream Hazel
  • Michael Weaver Dedication Ceremony held on May 27, 2007 at Millheim, PA; speeches by Justin K. Houser and Landy Gobes
  • Halfmoon Township, Centre County Presentation by Elwood Way, June 18, 2007 PA-CENTRE Reunion
  • Lancastrian Method of Teaching
  • Centre County Cares...
  • Epidemics
  • List of Spring Township Males Fit for Military Duty - 1864
  • Ladies "drafted" into Civil War service, Democratic Watchman September 26, 1861
  • Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865
  • Centre County Veterans' Club
  • Tavern Keepers recommended for license at August 1803 Centre County Court Sessions


• Spring 2007 (Volume 32, No. 1)
  • Memories of the Civil War - Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Simcox tells interesting story
  • Thrilling History of Woman's Life - Aged Resident Depicts Her Experiences With Husband During Civil War Days
  • Looking Back...the way it was, education and teaching
  • Nancy Hill Smith, a founder of CCGS
  • PACENTRE Listserv Reunion
  • Orphans Court Records: 29 Apr. 1818 - 27 Jun 1819
  • "Michael Weber, Patriot and Citizen" by Debra Weaver Nydegger


• Winter 2006/2007 (Volume 31, No. 4)
  • Independent Order of Odd Fellows
  • Introducing Your Officers for 2007 (Judy Heald & Sue Rossman)
  • Germania, Burnside Township
  • Roll of Honor, Pensioners Residing in Centre County
  • Centre County Residents in the Early Quakers of the Muncy Meeting (additional information)
  • "The Askeys: Making a Name for Themselves in Centre County" by Donald E. Askey
  • The Presbyterian Church in Penns Valley
  • The Potter Families in Centre County
  • Orphans Court Records: 27 Aug. 1817 - 2 May 1818


• Fall 2006 (Volume 31, No. 3)
  • Some Centre County Connections
  • Centre County Residents in the Early Quakers of the Muncy Meeting
  • "Port Matilda Veteran Volunteered 65 Years Ago To Liberate Cuba" from the Centre Democrat, November 1, 1962
  • "Wagner Boys on the Orphan Train" by Andre J. Dominguez
  • Finding Boyd Heckman's Roots (includes Peter A. Heckman family genealogy by Beverly Foust)
  • "Super Eights"


• Summer 2006 (Volume 31, No. 2)
  • From Granger's Pic-nic to the Centre County Grange Fair
  • Spanish American War
  • Philippine-American War
  • Updates to Meyer Cemetery, Benner Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania
  • Orphans Court Records: 2 May 1817 - 27 Aug. 1817


• Spring 2006 (Volume 31, No. 1)
  • Women's Rights
  • "Lost and Found, The Story of Sarah Elizabeth Stover Needham" by Patricia Stover Fair
  • What is a Brick Wall?
  • "Houtz Family" by R. Fred Houts
  • Orphans Court Records: 27 Jan. 1817 - 28 Apr. 1817


• Winter 2005/2006 (Volume 30, No. 4)
  • Sleigh Ride Murder Trial of 1887 (reprint from Mifflin County Historical Society)
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    September - "Quaker Research in Chester County - or - Maybe I Really Am My Own Grandma" by Judy Heald.
    October - no meeting.
    December - annual potluck dinner.
    
  • Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU)
  • Bellefonte Church Census
  • Improved Society of the Red Men
  • Gravestone Cleaning and Photography
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 28 Aug. 1816 - 27 Jan. 1817
  • "Exploring Pennsylvania's Digital State Archives for your Veteran Ancestors"


• Fall 2005 (Volume 30, No. 3)
  • The Fall 2005 CCGS Surname Research File. This newsletter issue features the surname index to the pedigree charts and surname cards that have been submitted by members of the CCGS. The charts are housed in the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library in Bellefonte and in the State College Family History Center.


• Summer 2005 (Volume 30, No. 2)
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    April - Penn's Valley Area history and photos presented by Vonnie Henninger
    May - The Blair County Genealogical Society with Jim Snyder and Bob Hewitt.
    
  • J. and J. Potter Day Book
  • Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor (PACE)
  • Sunday School
  • History of the Spring Mills Union Sunday School 1828-1878
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 24 Apr. 1816 Pg. 185 - 26 Aug. 1816
  • Brief History of Cedar Creek Cemetery, Harris Township


• Spring 2005 (Volume 30, No. 1)
  • Thomas Ferguson
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    January - "Erbtown - A Look at Ferguson Township and Early Settlers" with Bob Hazelton
    February - "Juniata, River of Sorrows" with Dr. Dennis McIlnay
    March - presentations by the Preservation Department at Pattee Library, Penn State University
    
  • Society's 2005 Volunteer (Elizabeth Dutton)
  • Auction Treasure!
  • Walker Township Church Records
  • Commomwealth of Pennsylvania Burial Ground Rights
  • The Bank War
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 29 Nov. 1815 Pg. 174 - 22 Apr. 1816 Pg. 184


• Winter 2004/05 (Volume 29, No. 4)
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    October - "The Story of Orviston - All Company Towns Ain't Bad" with Jim Davy
    November - Annual Potluck Dinner
    
  • Ferguson Township Pioneers (issue focus)
  • Glenn Family
  • Borland Family
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 28 Aug. 1815 Pg. 169 - 29 Aug. 1815 Pg. 175


• Fall 2004 (Volume 29, No. 3)
  • In Search of Robert Moore
  • A new publication in the cemetery series! (The Cemeteries of Miles Township, Centre County)
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    August - "Bringing Families Together" at the Grange Fair
    September - Penns Valley Area Historical Museum in Aaronsburg
    
  • One hundred years ago...what a difference a century makes!
  • Marking the Spot
  • Descendants of Robert Moore
  • Civil War Researchers...Take Note
  • George Grove's Estate and the Fair View School


• Summer 2004 (Volume 29, No. 2)
  • Volunteer of the Year (Ellen Copper) (reprinted due to missing text)
  • NGS Standards
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    May - Speakers from the Alpine Star Lodge of the Sons of Italy, Lock Haven
    
  • June 3rd and 5th, 2004 at Centre County Memorial Park Cemetery
  • Centre Pioneers: The Curtins
  • An Ancestor's Story: John B. Kern
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 26 Apr. 1815 Pg. 163 - 28 Aug. 1815 Pg. 169
  • Residents of Centre County from the 1800 Census


• Spring 2004 (Volume 29, No. 1)
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    March - Centre County Courthouse Records with Joe Davidson, Recorder of Deeds
  • Volunteer of the Year (Ellen Copper)
  • The February 2004 CCGS Surname Research File. This newsletter issue features the annual surname index - 23 pages with more than 5800 surnames - to the pedigree charts and surname cards that have been submitted by members of the CCGS. The charts are housed in the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library in Bellefonte and in the State College Family History Center.


• Winter 2003/04 (Volume 28, No. 4)
  • February -- Black History Month
  • New Publications from CCGS
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    November - annual potluck dinner
    December - dinner meeting at Schitzel's Tavern in Bellefonte with Jim Beidler, columnist for German Life magazine
  • About Sheriffs. Centre County Guardians of the Peace
  • Section featured from The Black, Mulatto, and Allied Families of Centre Co. PA. Compiled by Contance Cole, 2003.
  • Cemetery Project
  • News from Our Neighbors ... Clinton County Genealogical Society


• Fall 2003 (Volume 28, No. 3)
  • Philip Benner, Centre County Pioneer and Businessman
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    September - Sons of the American Revolution with Don Mengle, Centre County Chapter of the SAR and Daughters of the American Revolution with Nancy Stover, Bellefonte Chapter of the DAR.
    October - "Pennsylvania in the Civil War" with Dr. David Valuska in a joint session with the Centre County Library and Historical Museum by a grant from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council in celebration of Family History Month.
  • Mann Axes - axe factory
  • Family of General Philip and Ruth Roberts Benner
  • October 2, 2003, 10th Annual United Way Day of Caring
  • Surname Files Wanted
  • Resource Online at www.MennoSearch.com


• Summer 2003 (Volume 28, No. 2)
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    May - revised meeting with attendees sharing names, locations, successes and brick walls in their research.
  • Education and Walker Township including Walker Township High School Graduates 1904-1956
  • Early Naming Practices
  • The National Archives Census Microfilm Rental Program - with brochure
  • Grange Fair -- Bringing Families Together
  • James Alexander Descendants Organize First Homecoming
  • CCGS Workshops for Beginning Researchers
  • Centre Pioneers: The Weavers


• Spring 2003 (Volume 28, No. 1)
  • Restoring Your Family Photos with Cyndi Carey, Graphic Design Specialist in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State (CCGS Feb. 2003 meeting focus)
  • "Crosthwaite" research results in book by society member
  • CCGS Meeting Highlights:
    March - Joan Wilson Hantel and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants
    April - The PAGenWeb Project: Its Promise and Pitfalls with Bob Baker, Website Coordinator for Centre County, GenWeb Project
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 26 Apr. 1815 Pg. 163 - 28 Aug. 1815 Pg. 169
  • Genealogists now have own B&Bs
  • He didn't want to be his own grandfather - from the Bellefonte Republican, December 17, 1891
  • Centre Pioneers: The Logans
  • Good News for Genealogists & Historians - Back in Print: Mother Cumberland


• Winter 2002/03 (Volume 27, No. 4)
  • The Winter 2002/2003 CCGS Surname Research File. This newsletter issue features the surname index - 20 pages with more than 5600 surnames - to the pedigree charts and surname cards that have been submitted by members of the CCGS. The charts are housed in the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library in Bellefonte and in the State College Family History Center.


• Fall 2002 (Volume 27, No. 3)
  • Pennsylvania Germans Were Good at Writing It Down with James Beidler, Executive Director of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (CCGS Oct. 2002 meeting focus)
  • Major Family History Resource Now Available at Schlow Library
  • Day of Caring
  • Mapping Centre County into the Future with Rod Brown, overseer of the Geographic Information System for Centre County (CCGS Sep. 2002 meeting focus)
  • Meet Our New President (Nancy Lee Stover)
  • Meet Our New Recording Secretary (Judy Heald)
  • A Day for Caring and a Month for Family History
  • Maps for Genealogists at Penn State Library
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 2 Dec. 1814 Pg. 156 - 25 Apr. 1815 Pg. 163
  • Centre Pioneers: The Mussers
  • Reminder about the Surname File - with pedigree chart


• Summer 2002 (Volume 27, No. 2)
  • Trip to Harrisburg Productive for Some
  • So, Where Is My Family in the 1930 Census?
  • The Earliest "Pennsylvania Dutch" with Annette Burgert, noted scholar and genealogist (CCGS Apr. 2002 meeting focus)
  • A new CCGS publication, The Cemeteries of Curtin, Howard, and Liberty Townships, Centre County, Pennsylvania
  • Centre County's 1930 Enumeration Districts and Special Places
  • Local Story - by Lloyd and Sue (Edworthy) Robinson
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 24 Aug. 1814 Pg. 146 - 2 Dec. 1814 Pg. 155
  • The Scotch-Irish of Central Pennsylvania with Dennis Lowe, an antique arms dealer and presently working for the Boal Mansion, Boalsburg (CCGS May 2002 meeting focus)
  • Centre Pioneers: The Hulls
  • Rockview Prison and Centre County Jail 1930 Census


• Spring 2002 (Volume 27, No.1)
  • Centre County Catholicism - A Look Back with Father D. Timothy Grimme of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Bellefonte (CCGS Mar. 2002 meeting focus)
  • Primary Records
  • Cemetery Publications
  • CCGS joins Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania "Partners" program
  • The Underground Railroad of Centre County with Candace Dannaker, candidate for Lieutenant Governor and ex-mayor of Bellefonte (CCGS Feb. 2002 meeting focus)
  • 1930 Census
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 25 Jan. 1814 Pg. 137 - 24 Aug. 1814 Pg. 146
  • Local Story - A Bellefonte Experience by Marlene Ford
  • Centre Pioneers: The Livingstons


• Winter 2001/02 (Volume 26, No. 4)
  • The Winter 2001/2002 CCGS Surname Research File. This newsletter issue features the surname index - 20 pages with more than 5,500 surnames - to the pedigree charts and surname cards that have been submitted by members of the CCGS. The charts are housed in the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library in Bellefonte and in the State College Family History Center.


• Fall 2001 (Volume 26, No. 3)
  • Telling Stories a Critical Link to the Past with Bonnie Kyofski, Professor of Education at Mansfield University and Director of the Northern Tier Cultural Alliance (CCGS Oct. 2001 meeting focus)
  • New Penn State Website of Help to Genealogists
  • Quakers of Central Pennsylvania with Elwood Way (CCGS Sep. 2001 meeting focus)
  • Eagle Scout Candidate Oversees Cleanup of Friends Cemetery
  • The Penns Valley Infantry
  • CCGS Gives Grange Fairgoers Double Dose of Family History
  • Photographic History on Display at Penn State
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 23 Aug. 1813 Pg. 127 - 25 Jan. 1814 Pg. 137
  • Centre Pioneers: The Rhones


• Summer 2001 (Volume 26, No. 2)
  • Day-Long Conference Helps Searchers in Building Bridges
  • Major New Database of 1880 U.S. Census Now Available in Bellefonte
  • The Underground Railroad in Central Pennsylvania with Charles Blockson, foremost collector of African-American memorabilia, historian of renown and author of a number of books, held on the Penn State campus (CCGS Apr. 2001 meeting focus)
  • More Historical Pennsylvania Records Now Available in Digital Space Archive
  • Faiths of Our Fathers and Mothers Shared at Methodist Conference
  • RootsWeb.com: Popular Internet Site Revamped
  • Centre Pioneers: The Eminhizers
  • Grandma and the Family Tree poem
  • Neff Funeral Home Records - 1853-1939 index of names Robb thru Zimmerman
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 25 Nov. 1812 Pg. 121 - 24 Aug. 1813 Pg. 127


• Spring 2001 (Volume 26, No. 1)
  • The Personal Side of the Civil War's Centre County Regiment with Doug Macneal, editor of Centre County Heritage (CCGS Mar. 2001 meeting focus)
  • Centre County by the "New Numbers" (Census 2000)
  • Estates Through the Years with Roger Bierly, Centre County's Register of Wills and Clerk of the Orphan's Court (CCGS Jan. 2001 meeting focus)
  • Understanding Genetics and Medical Family History with Gerald McClearn, Evan Pugh Professor of Biobehavioral Health at Penn State (CCGS Feb. 2001 meeting focus)
  • Neff Funeral Home Records - 1853-1939 index of names Lucas thru Robb
  • Building Family Bridges Conference information and registration
  • A Celebration of Centre County's Methodist Heritage
  • Centre Pioneers: The Allisons
  • Member Profiles
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 30 Apr. 1812 Pg. 115 - 27 Jan. 1813 Pg. 121


• December 2000 (Volume 25, No. 4)
  • Genealogical Society Reflects on a Quarter Century
  • "Central Pa. Settlers From Slovakia" with Dr. Michael Kopanic, a Commonwealth speaker with Pennsylvania Humanities Council (CCGS Oct. 2000 meeting focus)
  • What's New at the Library" with Lee Stout, archivist and librarian for Special Collections, held at the Pattee and the Paterno Library (CCGS Nov. 2000 meeting focus)
  • The December 2000 CCGS Surname Research File. The Surname Index -16 pages of surnames - to the pedigree charts and surname cards that have been submitted by members of the CCGS. The charts are housed in the Pennsylvania Room of the Centre County Library in Bellefonte and in the State College Family History Center.


• September 2000 (Volume 25, No. 3)
  • Family Heritage Afternoon...a Resounding Success
  • Happy 25th Birthday, CCGS!
  • A Month in the Life of a Genealogist
  • Member Profiles
  • What's in a Family History Center? with Donna Chin (CCGS Sep. 2000 meeting focus)
  • Centre Pioneers: The Housers
  • Neff Funeral Home Records - 1853-1939 index of names Holt thru Lucas
  • 1840 & 1850 Census Township Population Maps
  • Remembering Our Patriots
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 20 Sep. 1811 Pg. 105 - 28 Apr. 1812 Pg. 114


• June 2000 (Volume 25, No. 2)
  • Cemetery Care Day
  • "Making Iron on the Bald Eagle" with Dr. Gerald Eggert, Professor Emeritus (CCGS May 2000 meeting focus)
  • Counting Centre Countians One More Time with Phil Cappel, Census 2000 State College-based office manager (CCGS Apr. 2000 meeting focus)
  • Finding U.S. Bureau of the Census Records in Centre County
  • Ancestor Adventure
  • County's Cemeteries jointly held with the Centre County Historical Society at Centre Furnace Mansion (CCGS Mar. 2000 meeting focus)
  • Tombstone Readers at Union Cemetery
  • Just Dying to Read About Cemeteries?
  • Centre County Genealogical Society Cemetery Inventory Project
  • Member Profiles
  • In Memoriam
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 27 Aug. 1811 Pg. 98 - 24 Apr. 1809 Pg. 104-5
  • Neff Funeral Home Records - 1853-1939 index of names Daily thru Holmes
  • 1820 & 1830 Census Township Population Maps


• March 2000 (Volume 25, No. 1)
  • The Importance of Values in Genealogy with Bruce Teeple, curator of the Aaronsburg Museum (CCGS Feb. 2000 meeting focus)
  • Centre County's Bicentennial
  • "Ask the Expert" Night in January with Margy Marshall of the Philipsburg Historical Foundation, Gladys Murray who was in charge of the Pennsylvania Room's genealogical collection at the Centre County Library for 23 years, and Nancy Stover who has published several books on Centre County Records (CCGS Jan. 2000 meeting focus)
  • Who qualified for bounty land claims?
  • Some Thoughts about "Living Legend" Status for Gladys Murray
  • Adopt-a-Cemetery
  • Local Railroad History presentation by Mike Bezilla of Lemont and Jack Rudnicki of Havertown
  • 1800 & 1810 Census Township Population Maps
  • Was one of your grandparents an Enumerator? (listing of the 1900 Census Centre County enumerators)
  • History of The Centre Reporter
  • Centre Pioneers: The Krapes
  • Orphan's Court Docket A abstracts: 27 Nov. 1810 Pg. 91 - 27 Aug. 1811 Pg. 98
  • Neff Funeral Home Records - 1853-1939 index of names Adams thru Cyphert
  • CCGS Index for Volume 24 -- 1999