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An Exploration of my Family's Genealogy, Ancestors and Their Journey Through History
Chasing Family Ghosts
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The Art of Jacob B. Schoener
Following up on last week's post , here are some examples of Jacob's artwork. The following three works are from my personal collection....
Aug 25, 20241 min read
The Portrait & Miniature Painter
Jacob Boyer Schoener was born in Reading, PA in 1805, the eldest child of William and Catherine ( née Boyer) Schoener. By the age of...
Aug 18, 20244 min read
My Sparks Line
As one story goes, Simon Sparks was born in a highland clan in Western Scotland. Others state that he was born in England or Ireland. ...
Aug 11, 20243 min read
The Combat Engineer, Part 3
For Part 2, click here . Elmer Shaner reported to the Group Commander at Karlsruhe Airfield on 2 April 1952 and assumed command of the...
Jul 22, 20245 min read
The Combat Engineer, Part 2
For Part 1, click here. After arriving in Hampton Roads, Elmer remained there until 1 September 1945 when he received 30 days...
Jul 14, 20247 min read
The Combat Engineer, Part 1
Elmer Ellsworth Shaner was born on 3 March 1921 in Turtle Creek, PA. He was the only child of George L. and Ruby (née Ayers) Shaner. By...
Jul 7, 20248 min read
A Blue In Gray
John Monroe Blue was born March 25, 1834, four miles north of Romney, Virginia, now West Virginia, along the banks of the South Branch of...
Jun 30, 20245 min read
The U.S. - Dakota War of 1862
In 1862, President Lincoln had more to contend with than just a Civil War. In 1845, shortly after their marriage in Illinois, Jonas and...
Jun 23, 20246 min read
Reading's Piano Maker
John B. Schoener was born in Reading, PA in 1807. He was the second child and second son of William B. and Catherine (née Boyer)...
Jun 16, 20243 min read
William B. Schoener, Jr. - Part 2
William's story continues. For Part One, click here. Besides mulberry trees, William also had a vineyard a peach orchard that contained...
Jun 9, 20244 min read
William B. Schoener, Jr. - Part 1
Welcome to my 250th post! William B. Schoener, Jr. was born on 29 February 1812 in Reading, PA. He was the fourth child and third son of...
Jun 2, 20243 min read
The Memorial Day Poppy
Around Memorial Day, red poppies begin to make their annual appearance, pinned to people's lapels, tote bags or even hats. These...
May 26, 20244 min read
Cigar Anyone?
When people think about states that grow tobacco, Pennsylvania is probably not one that comes to mind. The tobacco history in...
May 19, 20244 min read
The Battle For The Soul Of Mother's Day
Following up on a post I did two years ago (see here), I wanted to detail how the founder of Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis success soon...
May 12, 20245 min read
The Sheriff of Luzerne County
John Stephen Oberrender was born on 4 September 1829 in Ebersdorf in Saxe-Coburg, Germany. He was the oldest child of Johann Nicholaus...
May 5, 20243 min read
Walpurgisnacht
Walpurgis Night, also known as Walpurgisnacht in German, is a holiday that occurs on the 30th of April in different parts of Europe. It...
Apr 28, 20246 min read
The Life & Times of Daniel Shaner, Jr, Part 2
Daniel's story continues after moving to Washington Territory. Click here for Part 1 In early 1886, Daniel moved his family west from...
Apr 21, 20245 min read
The Life & Times of Daniel Shaner, Jr, Part 1
Daniel Shaner, Jr. was born in Eastbrook, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania on 18 May 1845. He was the eldest son of Daniel Shaner, Sr. and...
Apr 14, 20247 min read
"Little Short of Madness"
DeWitt Clinton and the Erie Canal In the early years of the United States, transportation of goods between the coastal ports and the...
Apr 7, 20245 min read
The Easter Witches
As a nod to my Scandinavian DNA, particularly related to Sweden and Denmark, here is a post about an unusual Easter tradition. Unlike...
Mar 31, 20243 min read
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