USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers > Part 108
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114
As may be readily believed, a citizen of his pro- gressive ideas and energetic nature has acquired not a little popularity. To a broad public spirit he joins a genial, generous temperament, a keen, alert intel- lect, and an unblemished name. He is, in politics, a life long Republican, and socially, is a member of Lititz Lodge, No. 1050, I. O. O. F.
On Nov. 5, 1877, Mr. Long was married to Mary, · a daughter of Jacob H. Miller, of Ephrata, Lancas- ter county. Four children have been born to them: · C. Eugene ; Florence V., who died in infancy ; Ber- tha ; and Mabelle. Both Mr. and Mrs. Long are : members of the Moravian Church.
SAMUEL S. CONNELLY. the popular and - efficient agent of the Philadelphia & Reading rail- road at White Oak station, belongs to one of the lead- ing families of Penn township, and an old one of Lancaster county.
Grandfather Jacob Connelly lived a long and · useful life in this county, following the trade of car- pet weaving, and also owned a small farm. He was a pious and godly man, a member of the religious body known as the River Brethren. By his marriage to A. Ritter he became the father of fifteen children, many of whom and their descendants are still resi- dents of Lancaster county : Nancy, deceased ; Jolin, deceased : Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin Geib ; Jacob, deceased ; Benjamin, a resident of Penn township ; Catherine. deceased; Samuel, deceased ; Joseph, of Rapho township : Henry, father of Samuel S. ; Polly, widow of Henry Eby; Rebecca, wife of Samucl
Gruber : Michael. deceased ; William, deceased : Fan- nie, wife of Henry Gruber ; and Abraham, deceased.
Henry Connelly, father of Samuel S., was born in Penn township in 1826, became a farmer, and fol- lowed that occupation until 1886. since which period he has been engaged in the coal business in White Oak. He is a valued member of the Baptist Church, and a man who enjoys the respect of the community. He married Susan Stoneroad. and they became the parents of ten children : Benjamin, of MIt. Jov : Liz- zie, Susan, John. Henry and Thomas, all deceased ; Samuel S. ; Jacob, a cigarmaker of Halfville; Cath- erine, wife of John McAllister ; and Joseph, a farmer on the old homestead.
Samuel S. Connelly was born at Mt. Hope, Dec. 7, 1864, and lived at home with his father until he was twenty-seven years of age, acquiring his educa- tion in the public schools. Very early in his business career he displayed those qualities which gained for him the confidence of the management of the Penn- sylvania & Reading Company, and he was considered the proper man to take charge of White Oak station, an office he has filled with satisfaction to all con- cerned. In 1895 lie was appointed postmaster at that place, and now combines the duties of both offices. In addition he finds time to most efficiently manage his father's coal business, and is one of the most capable young business men of this community.
Mr. Connelly was married to Miss Susan S. Min- nich, estimable daughter of Abram and Susan Min- nich, and one child has been born to this union, which passed away in infancy. Mr. Connelly is not only devoted to the interests of the great corporation which he represents, but he is public-spirited. and identifies himself with all enterprises which seem to promise to be of benefit to his community.
AMOS M. GREIDER, general farmer, and one of the substantial and respected citizens of West Hempfield township, Lancaster county, was born Sept. 3, 1850, on his present homestead, and is the youngest of the twelve children that crowned the marriage of Christian and Susannah ( Miller) Greider, natives, respectively, of West Hempfield and Rapho townships. .
Christian Greider engaged in farming until his ; seventieth year span was reached and passed, when he withdrew from labor, and for twenty years lived in quiet retirement, dying on his farm in 1880. aged ninety years, in the faith of the Mennonite Church, of which both he and his wife were devout members. His wife had passed away on the same farm in 186.4, aged fifty-five, and the remains of both are interred in the Mennonite cemetery at Landisville. The
twelve children that blessed the marriage of Chris- tian and Susannah Greider were born in the follow- ing order: John M. died in Ohio; Christian was married, had one child, and died on the old farm !; Benjamin, a luimberman and coal merchant at Mit. Jov. fell and died suddenly : Elizabeth was married to Daniel Mellinger, and died in Virginia; Martha
918
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
died young ; Mary died in infancy : Jacob M. is a re- tired farmer in West Hempfield township : Susan 's the wife of Andrew Garber, whose sketch appears elsewhere : Anna is the widow of Henry Brenneman, of West Hempfield township : Mary was first mar- ried to Christian Rohrer, and subsequently to John S. Nisslev, a retired farmer at Mt. Joy: Barbara is the wife of Jacob McAllister, a farmer in Pequea township: Amos M. is the gentleman whose name opens this sketch. Three of the sons were school teachers.
Amos M. Greider lived on the home farm until 1874, and then went to Harrisburg, where he was employed about three years in producing malt. Thence he moved to Landisville, this county, and for a year was in the tobacco trade, was next in the same line at Mt. Joy for two years, and then returned to the farm.
On Feb. IS, 1870, in Rapho township, Amos M. Greider married Elizabeth Cassel, and to this union were horn the following children : Harry C., who was graduated from the Millersville Normal School, was a school teacher in Manheim borough grammar school, but is now a merchant and resides at Landis- ville : he married Anna Hershey. D. Frank. general merchant and school teacher at Lancaster Junction. married Minnie Scachrist. Charles A., formerly a school teacher in Rapho township, and now a mer- chant at Mt. Joy, married Emma Nissley. Howard G., and Christian C. are at home.
Mrs. Elizabeth (Cassel) Greider was born in Rapho township. Oct. 28, 1850, a daughter of Eman- tel and Maria (Rohrer) Cassel. Emanuel Cassel was a farmer and school director, but the last ten years of his life were passed in retirement. and he died in Penn township in December, 1899. at the age of eighty years ; his wife, born in 1824. is a resident of Landisville, and is, as was her husband, a member of the Mennonite Church. The children of Emanuel and Maria Cassel were nine in number, viz. : Mary, unmarried and living with her mother: Susan, wife of Aaron Kling, a coal merchant at Mt. Jov ; Eliza- beth, Mrs. Greider : Emanuel, express agent at Leb- anon : John, a farmer in Penn township : Hettie, de- ceased : Emma, wife of John Eby, a farmer in Rapho township : Clara. married to Harry Swarr, a farmer of East Hempfield township; and Harry, farming in Penn township.
Amos M. Greider is in politics a Republican, and has served his fellow citizens as school director for six years. He is highly esteemed throughout the township and county, and he and his estimable wife are upright members of the Mennonite Church.
CHRISTIAN RUDY. The establishment of the Rudy family in Lancaster dates back to the year 1835. when George and Catherine Rudy brought their family across the ocean from Germany. The vovage was made in a sailboat, and lasted one hun- dred days. Among their children was a son. Martin. who at the time was eleven years of age. Being of
an industrious disposition. he took up the problem of self-support at an age when the majority of boys are in school. and during all of his active life he was a hard-working man. finding employment in the foundries, also with the city and in other capacities. In the sixties for about three years he was night watchman of Lancaster. calling out the hours. With advancing years his eyesight failed him, and now, in his blindness and age, he is cared for by his chil- dren. His wife Barbara, whom he married after coming to Lancaster, was like himself, a native of Germany. At the time of her death, which occurred in October, 1807, she was seventy-seven years of age. Both were from youth earnest members of Zion Lutheran Church. In their family were five children, namely: Christian : Maggie, who married George Hirsh, a tinsmith of Quarryville, Pa. : Mar- tin, who is employed on the Pennsvivania Railroad : Catherine, Mrs. Calvin Hess, of Lancaster: and Louis, an expert designer, living in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The school days of Christian Rudy came to an end when he was fourteen. Prior to this he had led a care-free existence in his native city of Lancaster. where he was born May 20. 1853. On starting out for himself he secured work in the cotton mills, start- ing in a very humble position and at the minimum of wages. After five years in the mills ne began to learn the baker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of two years, and then working as foreman for Mr. Goos for five years. The inception of his present bakery dates from 1878, when he started an independent business, and began building up the excellent trade he now receives at the hands of the people of Lan- caster. In order to meet the demands of his trade, two wagons are in constant use. The fine quality of the bakery goods, as well as the known integrity of the proprietor, contribute to give the establishment a recognized position in the line of its specialty. Dur- ing the course of his busy life Mr. Rudy has met with his share of reverses and has met with more than one narrow escape, notably at the time of the well-remembered explosion at the cotton mills. when a boiler was blown a distance of one square. He was working in the mills at the time, and narrowly es- caped death. While in politics he has never dis- played any partisanship. he is a decided Democrat and never fails to vote with his party. In religious connection he is a member of Grace Lutheran Church, in which he has served as deacon six years, and as elder three years, while fraternally he is as- sociated with the Knights of Pythias and Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows.
The marriage of Christian Rudy and Anna M. Gilgore occurred in Lancaster in 1877. Born of this union were the following children: Charles C., who died Jan. 2, 188t : Walter H., who died Feb. 3. 1882: Bertha L., who married Walter K. Barley, of Lan- caster ; and Christian C., at home. Mrs. Rudy was born in Lancaster Oct. 20. 1853. a daughter of Will- iam and Julia A. (Bruner) Gilgore. Through her father, she traces her lineage to worthy Scotch ances-
919
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
:
tors, her grandparents, William and Rebecca Gil- gore, having been natives of Scotland ; while on her mother's side she is of direct German descent, hier maternal grandparents having been Jacob and Cath- erine Bruner, natives of Germany. After a busy life devoted to the occupation of a marble mason. William Gilgore died Aug. 12, 1890, aged sixty- eight years. For some years he was survived by his wife, who died in March, 1901, at the age of seventy- five years. Both were interred in the Lancaster ceme- tery. Their children were named as follows : Thomas J. : Lydia A .; William, deceased ; J. Au- gustus, a sculptor residing in Lancaster ; Anna MI .. Mrs. Rudy : Louis H., proprietor of a bookstore in Lancaster: John, a member of the police force of that city; George W. and Emma A., both of whom died in childhood; and Francis S., who is a partner of his brother in the book business.
JONAS E. SHANK, a prominent farmer of Lancaster township, belongs to a family well known in Lancaster county, and was born Jan. 30, 1858, on the farm where he now resides.
Grandfather John Shank was born in Lancaster township, where he lived and died, and followed the calling of a farmer. In 1835 he was ordained a minister of the Old Mennonite Church, in which body he was a faithful worker until his death, which occurred Nov. 2, 1857. He married Susanna Har- nish, and they had eleven children: Elizabeth, wire of Christian Herr: Jacob, who died unmarried Nov. 6, 1899 ; Mariah, wife of Michael Wheider, deceased ; Andrew H., father of Jonas E .; Jonas H., a farmer of Lancaster township ; Martin (deceased), a farmer of Lancaster township ; Susan, wife of Abner Miller, of Conestoga township: Barbara, unmarried ; Mar- tha, wife of Abram S. Stauffer, of Manheim town- ship; Sarah, unmarried, of Manheim township ; and Fannie, wife of John E. Nestleworth, deceased.
: 1
Andrew H. Shank, father of Jonas E., was born in' Lancaster township, on the old homestead, Nov. 4, 1818. When a young man he commenced farming on the farm now owned by his son Jonas, and con- tinued farming until April, 1882, when he retired and located in Millersville. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and for thirteen years was supervisor of the township. His religious affiliations are with the Old Mennonite Church.
The first wife of Andrew H. Shank was Catherine Harnish, and their marriage occurred Feb. 7, 1843. To them were born three children : Mary Ann, who died at the age of nine years ; and Harry (deceased) and Jonas E., twins. Mrs. Shank died Feb. 10, 1890. aged sixty-nine years, three days, and Andrew H. Shank subsequently married Mrs. Elizabeth Shirt- zer, widow of Benjamin Shirtzer.
Jonas E. Shank remained at home, working upon the farm, and receiving his education in the schools of the township. When he married he assumed charge of the Shank homestead, and has since die- voted himself to agricultural pursuits. His farm,
which is one of the finest in the township, consists of eighty-four acres, conveniently located one mile from Lancaster City, on the Lancaster and New Danville pike. The pleasant house, surrounded by shade and fruit trees, flowers and shrubbery, the well cultivated fields, neat fences and substantial outbuild- ings, all testify to the prosperity and good manage- ment of Mr. Shank. In addition to attending to his farming interests he is a director of the Lancaster and New Danville pike, and also a director in the Manor Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
On Oct. 25, 1881, Mr. Shank married Miss Catherine R. Landis, a daughter of Henry and Cath- erine Landis, of Manheim township iboth now de- ceased ), and the liveliness in their home. well-kept garden and many beautiful floral effects on their fine lawn prove that his choice was well made. To Mr. and Mrs. Shank four children have been born: Em- ma L., attending Prof. Moore's Madame Cotta Col- lege; Landis L., attending Wade's Pennsylvania Business College. Philadelphia : Andrew Hilke, who died at the age of five years, nine months, five days : and Walter L., at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shank are consistent members of the Old Mennonite Church, and no people are more highly esteemed than they in Lancaster township. Mr. Shank is a man of broad sympathies' and public spirit, and he always bears a leading part in all matters calculated to prove of benefit to the community.
DANIEL S. NEFF. a progressive and enterpris- ing agriculturist living near Central Manor. Manor township, was born upon his present farm Sont. 21, 1863, son of Benjamin and Anna ( Shenk ) Neff, and grandson of Henry and Susanna ( Neif) Neff. The father spent his entire life upon that farm, engaged in agricultural pursuits. By his ballot he supported the men and measures of the Republican party. and for eighteen years he efficiently filled the office of school director. In religious belief he was a Men- nonite. He was twice married, his first wife being Anna Hostetter. who died in 1854. at the age of twen- ty-six years, and of the two children born of that union, Cyrus, the elder, is also deceased. Benjamin is a resident of Central Manor. The second wife was Anna Shenk, daughter of Henry Shenk, of Manor township, and to them were born two children : Dan- iel S. and Anna. the latter the wife of Harry Gamber. of Landisville, Lancaster county. The father died in June, 1880, at the age of fifty-eight years, the mother in 1897, at the age of sixty-five.
Daniel S. Neff grew to manhood on the old home- stead and attended the district schools of the neigh- borhood. He early became familiar with all the du- ties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and on the death of his father took charge of the home place. consisting of seventy-three acres, which he has since successfully operated. He has made many valuable improvements upon the farm, including the erection of a fine brick residence in 1800.
In 1888 Mr. Neff married Miss Annie R. Herr.
920
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
daughter of Henry and Lizzie Herr, and to them have come two children : Ira IL .. born in 1889. and Harry C., born in 1893. Since attaining his majority Mr. Neff has been identified with the Republican party, and he has taken an active part in its work, doing all within his power to insure its success. He is pro- gressive and public-spirited. and has capably served as a member of the school board in his district since 1898.
PHILIP AUGUSTUS METZGER. head of the firm of Metzger & Haughman, dry-goods merchants at Nos. 38 and 40 West King street, Lancaster, be- longs to one of the very oid families of Lancaster county.
Philip Metzger, his first ancestor in this country, came to America from the Palatinate, Germany, in 1749, leaving his beautiful Old World country be- cause of bitter religious persecution. He had three sons-Jacob. Philip and John-and one daughter. Philip A. Metzger, of Lancaster, is the fourth Philip in the direct line of descent, and his son Philip, who died in 1878, when five years old, was the fifth. The commodious old brick dwelling at No. 25 South Queen street. Lancaster, was built by the grandfa- ther of Philip A., and there, in the same room, have been born his father and himself, and two of his children. This home was in the possession of the Metzger family from ifor to ISgt, when it passed into other hands. Philip Metzger (2), according to the records, was the grandfather of Philip .A. Metzger, whose father's name was also Philip. The latter married Eliza Wayne Sprigman, a cousin of the late John W. Forney, the well-known journalist. and to this union were born ten children, five of whom are now living: Anna, widow of B. F. Charles ; Louisa, widow of I. F. Abele ; Margaret, unmarried : George W., of Lancaster; and Philip Augustus.
Philip Augustus Metzger was born in the old homestead in Lancaster. Nov. 27, 1839, and was edu- cated in the public schools of that city, leaving the high school to enter the dry-goods store of R. E. Fahnstock, with whom he remained twenty-six years. At the end of that long period he severed commercial relations with Mr. Falinstock to enter into business for himself. For more than twenty- two years he has been a merchant in Lancaster, and he and his partner have conducted a most successful business. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Metzger bought the present store, which in former days was the "Golden Lamb Hotel," and in 1887 a large addition was made to the building. They enjoy a very flatter- ing patronage.
Mr. Metzger was married in 1866 to M. Elizabeth, daughter of the late George A. Weaver, a member of one of the old Lancaster county families ; her great-grandfather was a captain in the Revolution- ary war. To this union were born five children, two of whom are still living: Miss Mary Gertrude is at home; Carrie Louisa is the wife of Charles Emory
i
Long, who is now engaged in the leaf tobacco trade, and they have two children, Elizabeth M. and Philip M.
Sir. Metzger was for more than thirty-five years a mentber of the Duke Street Methodist Church, and a trustee for about twenty years. When the new church building was erected on the northwest corner of Duke and Wainin streets, in 1891, Mr. Metzger, by his nudlefatigable energy, zeal and liberal contri- butions, prevented the cutting out from the plans of the beautiful rower that so fittingly adorns it. In February and March. 1807, he accompanied the popular and beloved pastor, Rev. J. T. Satchell, D). D .. on an extensive trip to the Bermudas and the West Indies.
Mr. Metzger is now a member of the First Pres- byterian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and time and time again has been nominated by his party in the Second ward for the Select Council. Several times he was strongly urged to become his party's nominee for the position of mayor of Lancaster, but for various reasons felt impelled to decline. Fra- ternally Mr. Metzger belongs to the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He is a most genial and charming gentleman. His business integrity is be- vond question, and his standing in the business world of Lancaster most enviable.
JOSEPH H. MCGLAUGHLIN, one of the lead- ing residents of the town of Mechanicsburg, was born in Horse Hollow, Martic township, Lancaster county, June 11, 1607. a son of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Henry ) McGhughlin.
Samuel MeGlaughlin, one of the leading citizens of Conestoga Conter, was born in Providence town- ship Oct. 26, 1334, a son of Joseph and Sarah ( Peo- ples ) MeGlaughiin. The family records show that Joseph McClaughlin was born Aug. 12, 1799; his mother's maiden name was Hettie McKorkle. On Dec. 30. 1824, he wedded Sarah Peoples, who was born Oct. 10. 1802.
Samuel McGlaughlin was formerly supervisor. and is now tax collector of Conestoga, his adminis- tration being considered one of the best and must judicious the county has ever had. During the Civil war he served as a soldier in Co. E, 79th P. V. I .. under Gen. Hambright. and was often in posts of great danger. having charge of some of the trans- portation. On Oct. 12. 1865. he was married, by Rev. J. J. Strine, to Elizabeth Henry, who was born between Conestoga Center and Rock Hill. Jan. 10. 1843. a daughter of John and Magdalena (Thomas ) Henry. The children of this union were as follows : (1) Joseph H. is the subject of this article. (2) A. Laura. born in Conestoga Center Jan. 13, 1870. was married Oct. 22, 1001. to Tilden Falk, a machin- ist by trade, and now resides in New York City. (3) Harvey M. of the firm of Diehm & Mclaughlin. coachmakers at Honey Brook, Pa., was born m Conestoga township Dec. 13, 1871. and was married Dec. 26, 1900, to Miss Heien Wesley, of Little Brit
1
920
P.A. Meyer
921
BIOGRAPHICAL ANNALS OF LANCASTER COUNTY
ain township. (4) M. Letitia, for some time a school teacher and seamstress, was born in Pequea township Dec. 24, 1873, and on Jan. 26, 1902, was married to Robert A. Erb, and now lives on a farm at Mount Nebo, Pa. (5) John Miles, deceased, was born in Conestoga Center Feb. 26, 1876. (6) Effie N., of Lancaster, was born in Conestoga Center Jan. 23, 1878. (7) Franklin P., stenographer and book- keeper for Follmer, Clogg & Co., umbrella manu- facturers at Lancaster, was born Nov. 10. 1881. Both Sanmel NicGlaughlin and his wife are members of the Oll Mennonite Church. John Henry, father of Mrs. Elizabeth ( Henry) McGlaughlin, was born Jan. 26, 1804, a son of Michael and Susan ( Rathfon ) Henry, and was a stone mason and shoemaker by occupation. He married Magdalena Thomas, who was born Jan. 16, 1810, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Kecports) Thomas.
!
Joseph H. McGlaughlin was reared on the home farm. and between the ages of ten and fifteen years he assisted neighboring farmers. Ile then learned the cigarmaker's trade, but only as a means of enabling him to gratify his ambition for a higher education. His inclinations led him to the profession of teacher. and he entered the Millersville State Normal School to prepare himself for that calling. In the fall of 1887 he began his eminently successful career as an instructor, and has continued to teach ever since. sometimes even teaching summer sessions. His work has been appreciated through the county, and he is very popular with both patrons and students. Mr. McGlaughlin has done much in the interest of edu- cation in his locality, and his influence has been the means of promoting and instituting a number of needed reforms. He has also during the summer seasons been engaged extensively in trucking. His artistic sense has found expression in highly orna- mental penwork, and many specimens of his handi- work have found their way into the possession of his acquaintances, and are now scattered over much of our country.
On March 30, 1893, Mr. McGlaughlin was united in marriage. by Rev. D. W. Gerhard, with Miss Clara W. Weinhold, daughter of Peter G. and Eliza (Weinhold) Weinhold, and this union has been blessed with two children: Elsie Mabel, born in Upper Leacock township Jan. 9. 1894, who died Sept. 3. 1897 ; and Grace Leona, born Dec. 25, 1895. In religious connection Mr. and Mrs. McGlaughlin are members of Heller's Salem Reformed Church. Mr. McGlaughlin has been prominently identified with the Republican party for many years, and for four years was judge of elections. He is a genial, pleas- ant citizen. and is well known and highly estecmed.
Peter G. Weinhold, father of Mrs. McGlaughlin, was born in Fast Cocalico township, between Denver and Muddy Creek, Jan. 5. 1840, a son of Philip Wein- hold. He is now a prominent farmer in Upper Lea- cock township. His wife. Eliza (Weinhold) Wein- hold, was born in East Cocalico township April 18, 1848, a daughter of Peter S. and Leah (Yagi) Wein-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.