Is there anyone here familiar with PA

[photogirl12]

I have been researching my mother's side from Pennsylvania. Her family is from the York County area (Hellam Township/Kreutz Creek area to be specific). I have hit a brick wall on my research and I am not sure what to do. I am researching the Crumling family. I have hit a brick wall. There are no further records, or immigration records or anything! I am in the early 1800's. Would this be about the time that York County broke away from Adams County? And if so, where in Adams County would I go to do the research? York County is easy - Heritage Trust and Archives, but I have no clue where to go in Adams or if I even need to go to Adams. For all I know, it might be Lancaster!

[CBHagman]

1. Here are some links.

I've been doing research on relatives from Lackawanna County and have found the local genealogical research society to be of real help in getting vital records, city directory entries, wills, obituaries, and in one case naturalization papers. They do everything by volunteers and have a modest schedule of fees. Their website also runs query boards and includes a newsletter.

Are you doing this all via long distance -- i.e., Internet, U.S. Postal Service? Do you have someone on the ground to visit the local libraries and cemeteries? Or are you right there yourself?

PA GenWeb Project:

http://www.pagenweb.org/

State library link:

http://www.statelibrary.state.pa.us/libraries/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=37502

Sites for Adams County:

http://www.kindredtrails.com/PA_Adams.html

http://www.rootsweb.com/~paadams/adams.htm

http://www.pa-roots.org/data/index.php?68

http://genforum.genealogy.com/pa/adams/

Lancaster County:

http://www.pa-roots.com/~lancaster/

http://www.lancasterhistory.org/

York County:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~payork/

I apologize if anything above is old information to you.

By the way, Family Tree magazine has more than once run a fine article on how to break through brick walls. Among the tips were:

*Expand the search to other relatives in the same line.
*Look at records for friends and neighbors.
*Create a timeline.
*Treat every bit of information as a clue.

I have referred back to that article again and again. I think you ought to be able to find a reprint somewhere. If not, PM me and I'll see what I can locate.

Here's a condensed version of the article:

http://www.familytreemagazine.com/articles/dec02/secrets.html

Brick wall section on Cyndi's List:

http://www.cyndislist.com/hitbrick.htm

Good luck! I hope you find everyone you're looking for. :hi:

[photogirl12]

2. I have been doing both.

I still have family in Pennsylvania, I have a couple distant cousins that I keep in touch with and I do research online. I just wasn't sure when the counties broke away from each other. Thanks for your help.

[Bitwit1234]

4. If you haven't done so already

the first thing to do is join the rootsweb list. Then if you post in any of the counties, ask the listers these questions. You will find that there are lots and lots of people who will know the history of the county and the separation of some areas of the state into another county.

My relatives lived in Rappahannock county. My ancestors address had changed three or four times. Not. The county was part of at one time or other, Orange, Culpeper and Fauquier (and even some parts of Frederick,Va) Then there were about four counties that were in Virginia and ended up in WVA. And the same might have happened in Pa and Md. If yout counties border Maryland check Frederick County , Md, Washington County and Alleghany County Md. So that just gives you an idea of frustration that you find when you try to narrow it down.

[CBHagman]

3. Bumping in case newbies have info.

You never know!

[Rosie1223]

5. Check www.footnote.com

It is a subscription service but the Pennsylvania archives they have are free.

Good luck

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. Possible spelling/name change?

With the area being so German, might they originally have been Krummlings or Kremmlings? Just a thought. Our Smiths were originally Pennsylvania Dutch, and were Schmidts.