Genealogy Forum NEWS
March, 1998

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Pennsylvania SIG

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PA SIG UPDATE
submitted by
GFS Susi@aol.com

Greetings, one and all whom visit the AOL Genealogy Forum!

I was pleased to note that for the last month we have been or nearly been, a full house, sell out for activities planned. Thank you, one and all, who have attended and made this such a great place to come and do research!!

As I prepare more information to be given to to all whom attend, I did some in house research. I found that the Pennsylvania and New York bulletin boards are probably the most used in the system, yes, I did read the count. We are doing a two-hour Special Interest Group and have been for almost a year for the Pennsylvania people. Our attendance has been at maximium capacity the last two weeks. This is a refresher for those who have not been there or do not know what we are doing.

We started the Pennsylvania Chat in November of 1996, by spring the requests were so great we went to two hours. Last July, 1997, I talked with other host and we expanded, with a chat about the forming of the State of Pennyslvania and then in August we started the development of the state, county by county, as the counties became a recognized affliate of the state.

We have covered the counties up to Greene County formed 1796, on 29 Jan in the Thursday AM chat , Reunion Room 9 AM Eastern, and 30 Jan 10 PM Eastern in the Reunion Room. Remember, we are doing this with each county in order of development not placement. The reason is for better knowledge of the areas that are needed to be researched.

I will give an example for you: Wayne County was formed in 1798 being taken from Northampton County,fortunately Northampton Co. was the parent county. But if you are looking at Schuylkill County which was originally associated with Philiadelphia County, around 1729, but by 1752 it was a part of Berks Co., and Northampton County. Later its upper eastern portion is part of Northumberland Co.. At this time, Lancaster County is its neighbor to the west.

In 1785, Dauphin County, is the neighbor to the west, Luzerne Co. is now the county to the NE, Northumberland Co., is the county to the north and northwest. Luzerne Co., also claims part of Schuylkill Counties ne portion. Northampton Co. claims the eastern area yet and Berks Co. the other portion. Schuylkill County comes into its own in 1811. It's boundaries after all this time, do not change. Schuylkill County's boundaries change neighbors in 1812 with the formation of Lehigh Co.,1813 Columbia Co. and Lebanon County 1813. The last change was with Carbon becoming its neighbor in 1843.

This is a very common problem in research. We have a name of county, thinking its right, in this one little spot. Depending on the date, it may not be where you expect to find it. Boundaries are a very important part of our research.

We are also doing the same thing for New York State. Our attendance is growing and the boards are pacted with queiries. We have even had a full house, a time or two on special areas of research. New York is only for one hour and the time flies by. I am looking at doing a morning NY Chat if I receive enough feedback to try one. It would be during the week, early am probably at 9 AM eastern.

We are looking at forming a Newsletter with the help of forum participants. We would like this Newletter to encompass the NY and PA areas. With enough help would like to see it encompass the Mid Atlantic region including the Dutch chat.

We are looking for helpers to develop these programs. Please contact GFSSusi, GFSHunt, GFHAnnE, or GFSEddie, if you can assist or wish to participate in this activity.

The schedule for PA for March 1998 is as follows:

Mar 5-6 Butler
Mar 12-13 Centre
Mar 19-20 Crawford
Mar 26-27 Erie Counties

The first date is Thursday 9 am the second Friday nites 10 pm both in the Reunion Room. Be sure to check the Chat Schedule for current dates/times.

New York schedule for March 1998 is as follows:

6 March, Stueben Co. 1796
3 March, Delaware Co 1797
20 March, Chenego Co., 1798
27 March, Oneida Co.,1798.

I hope this encourages others to attend SIG'S and learn more about their areas of research. Looking forward to seeing you on line and in forums.

GFSSusi