Follow Friday: Following "Da Burgh" Roots

Being a genealogy fiend, I find it useful to belong to local historical and genealogy societies in the areas where I spend my valuable research time. Since air fare and time can be prohibitive, I really enjoy societies who have taken the time to really provide a great service and look into the past.

I've been a card carrying member of the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society for a number of years. I've gone through the process to be a certified (documented) member of the First Families of Western PA as well as sending a Civil War Era Diary of my great great aunt Hannah. For those who are interested, Hannah's diary was first published in 2006 in the WPGS Quarterly. My cousins and I thought that the Quarterly would be a great fit for the diary as Hannah was born, reared, and died in Allegheny Co, PA.

The WPGS website has gone through some fantastic renovations over the years. Now they offer early issues online for their members. So, if you've got some roots in Da Burgh, I would heartily recommend joining the society. It's a great value and I've met some friends through it over the years-- even though I live hundreds of miles away.

If you're looking for me over the next few days, just remember I'm busy looking at old journals in addition to the all volunteer group of folks indexing deaths and marriages from Pittsburgh newspapers. As an update, our little project now has over 13000 entries in less than a month! And it's all free and online!!

Click here for WPGS and here to go to the Allegheny Co Death Index.

Hot on the Trail-- 30 Years Too Late

Arrrrgggghhhhh. The sound coming from my throat filled the air. No, no, no. It just can't be.

Maybe I should go back in time just to catch up to today. I was cruising around some thirty year old genealogy journals when--- bingo-- there's familiar names jumping off the page. In the query section of the 1977 Western PA Genealogical Society Quarterly Journal, there is a notice of someone looking for my family.

I know for whom they search. They search for the oldest daughter of my 4th great grandfather. I can help. I can put them in touch with one of her descendants.

But the request is from 30 years ago! So I quickly type in my request to the WPGS to see if they can tell me if this lady is still a member. Oh, by the way, I am a card carrying member of the WPGS as well as a member of their First Family Section. So, you see, I am entitled to hold my head high. Yeah, right.

Anyway, the last address they have for her is in CA from 2002. Gee, guess when I joined? In 2003.

I've been searching for her. I found her husband who died in 1971 in Santa Clara, CA. I can't find her. But then, I don't have her first name. Chances are she, too, has gone on to meet her kin in spirit.

I did find someone on one of the paid sites who has her husband in his tree and I checked their tree to see one of the surnames the lady was searching for. I've madly jotted off an email to the tree owner to see if he has information on her. Now, I sit and wait.

The lady, Mrs. Gordon C. Broadbent, sent out her message 30 years ago for info on Barnett VANDERVORT and Elizabeth HENRY.

Mrs. B, I've seen your request, and I'm here to help fill the gaps. Even if is thirty years later.