USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Allegheny in Allegheny County > Recollections of seventy years and historical gleanings of Allegheny, Pennsylvania > Part 27
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
About the year 1800 he removed to Allegheny County, and settled in Ross township, in the part now embraced within the limits of the Fifth and Sixth Wards of the city of Allegheny, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 19th of January, 1842, in the ninety-third year of his age.
He was the father of a large family of children, thirteen in all, -two sons (Adam and Valentine), eleven daughters. The only ones of whom there is any authentic information, and who survived him, are, -
Sarah, who intermarried with Harry Faulkner ; Elizabeth, who intermarried with James Fletcher, born 1800, died 1875 ; Emily,
*
370
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
who intermarried with John Shaffer; Julia, who intermarried with Henderson Donly ; and Valentine, who was married to Polly Sellers.
All the above were born on the north side, in the territory now embraced within the limits of the city of Allegheny, ex- cept Valentine, who was born at what was then known as Tom's Run, near where it empties into Chartiers Creek, on the 17th of January, 1792. He died in 1883.
Mr. Short was an active participant in the glorious siege of Yorktown, battle of Bunker Hill, surrender of Lord Cornwallis, and many of the sanguinary encounters which marked the period of the nation's struggle for independence. At the momentous crossing of the Delaware, amid snow and ice, he had his feet severely frozen, the effect of which he felt to the day of his death.
On the uprising of the Indians of the North-West, and com- mencement of hostilities, he again enlisted, and participated in the disastrous defeat and rout of the army under the unfortu- nate but brave Gen. Arthur St. Clair, Nov. 4, 1791, by the combined Indian forces led by the celebrated Indian chief " Little Turtle." In that engagement he was severely wounded with a rifle-ball over the left eye, and was left on the field, where he was found by an officer, who bound up his wound, and gen- erously cared for him until they reached a place of safety, both barely escaping the roving bands who scoured the woods for stragglers of the routed army.
At the expiration of his term of service he was honorably discharged, and returned to his home in Allegheny County.
In 1802 he was employed by Messrs. Denny & Beelen in the erection of their glass-works on the north side, on the bank of the Ohio River immediately opposite the head of Bru- not's Island, and subsequently in the works of Messrs. Craig & O'Hara, on the south side, opposite the Point of Pittsburg.
He died poor, but highly respected, and was buried with the honors of war in the Methodist graveyard, the site of which is now occupied by the Union Depot. On the occasion of his interment, the Pittsburg Blues and other military organ- izations took quite a prominent part.
371
JOHN WOODS.
JOHN WOODS.
JOHN WOODS, an old settler on the north side, was born of Irish parents at Elkhorn Creek, James River, Va., in 1750. He came to Allegheny County, and settled at Peter's Creek, and was there married to Sarah Stephenson in 1780. She was born in Sussex County, Del., in 1752, of Scotch descent. Miss Stephenson was remarkable for her physical strength as well as for her strong mental powers. She was just the woman to mate with the hardy pioneer, and bear the rigors of a compara- tively unknown country, and circumvent the hostile intentions of the nefarious Indian foemen.
He settled in Ross township at the mouth of Wood's Run, April 1, 1794.
They had twelve children, -six sons and six daughters, - born in the following order ; viz., Fanny, Elizabeth, Ellen, Susan, James, John, Joseph, Rebecca, Sarah, Pressly, Jeremiah, and Peter.
Mr. Woods died at the old homestead at Wood's Run, Sept. 2, 1819. Mrs. Woods died at Racine, O., in May, 1844.
1 E 1
-
ยท
372
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
REV. ALLEN D. CAMPBELL.
ALLEN D. CAMPBELL, D.D., was born at Chorley, Lanca- shire, England, March 15, 1791. In his youth he came to the United States with his parents, who settled in the city of Balti- more, Md.
His father was a man possessed of more than ordinary ability and large attainments in spiritual matters, and was for many years a ruling elder in the Associate Reformed Church. The subject of this brief memoir was naturally of a vivacious and ardent temperament ; and, until enlightened by divine grace, the strictness of the parental management was highly distasteful to him.
He graduated at the University of Philadelphia, then under the care of Rev. Drs. Gray and Wylie. For these eminent edu- cators he manifested a strong attachment, second only to his love and veneration for his theological instructor, the Rev. I. M. Mason, D.D., who exercised a wonderful influence over his pupils.
He was licensed by the presbytery of the Associate Reformed Church of Philadelphia in 1815, and was appointed by that body to preach in the vacant churches in Western Pennsylvania.
In the spring of 1817 he was married to Miss Nancy W., the accomplished Christian daughter of the late Benjamin Bakewell. In the following year he was ordained by the presbytery of Monongahela over the churches of Meadville and Sugar Creek, where he labored devotedly until the synod of Scioto separated from the church east of the mountain. He refused to go with them, and united himself with the presbytery of Red Stone of the Presbyterian Church.
In the fall of 1820 he removed to Tennessee, which brought with it new scenes of labor in the charge of the First Presby- terian Church of Nashville, where for seven years he labored
373
ALLEN D. CAMPBELL.
faithfully in his Master's work, amid many difficulties, and much pain and suffering from frequent attacks of illness. Whilst here, he found many warm friends. To Gen. A. Jackson he was particularly indebted for his unceasing friendship, and kind hospitalities received at the Hermitage.
The friendship thus begun was maintained by each as long as they lived. During the exciting political campaign, in which his friend and patron was conspicuously before the public as a Presidential candidate, he devoted himself, especially after his return to Pennsylvania early in 1827, ardently to correct the calumnies circulated about the old hero, and spared no pains to present his friend's good qualities in the most favorable and truthful light.
In the latter part of the following year, the family removed to Allegheny County, to their pleasant home overlooking the beautiful river, where he lived until the day of his death, which occurred Sept. 20, 1861.
Although for a while he had no settled charge, his labors were undiminished. Prior to his leaving Tennessee, the project of establishing a theological seminary in a locality more ac- cessible to Western students had commenced to agitate the attention of the church. Of this measure, so important and imperiously demanded by the growing interest of the West, he became the firm and zealous advocate, in view of which the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, at their session held July, 1825, at Chillicothe, O., appointed him a director of the contemplated seminary, which was two years after located, by authority of the General Assembly, on the common ground in the Reserve Tract opposite the city of Pittsburg.
A modest commencement was effected by the reception of four students, who were instructed in theology by the Rev. Joseph Stockton and Rev. E. P. Swift.
The subsequent election of the Rev. Dr. Janeway and inaugu- ration in October, 1828, seemed to argue auspiciously for the future of the infant institution ; and the warmest hopes were entertained for its growth and prosperity.
In proportion to these flattering hopes was the disappoint- ment experienced when Dr. Janeway resigned his position in
374
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
consequence of existing doubts in his mind as to the legality of the title by which the land was held on which the seminary was to be erected.
In the midst of gloom and despondency, growing out of this state of affairs, Dr. Campbell tendered his services as agent, to visit England and Scotland for the purpose of collecting theo- logical works : this offer was promptly accepted, and proved eminently successful in its results, securing to the institution a library of over two thousand volumes.
This labor of love, involving the hardships and dangers of a trip across the Atlantic ocean, and an absence of over eight months from the comforts of home-life, and considerable ex- pense, was performed gratuitously.
His intercourse with Dr. Chalmers, Edward Irving, and many other pious and talented ministers of Great Britain, was a source of profit and pleasure throughout his subsequent life.
He was subsequently induced to give up his charge of the Fourth Presbyterian Church, located on the north-east corner of Penn Avenue and Mechanic's Street, Pittsburg, where he had labored for many years under discouragement, and devote his entire time to the interests of the Western Theological Seminary.
The duties of his position as general agent, and instructor in church government and discipline, he discharged with rare fidelity. His official relation to the seminary terminated in 1840, yet he was to the close of his life the untiring advocate of what he deemed for the best interest of the institution.
During the memorable controversy of 1837, which demor- alized and sundered the Presbyterian Church, he was by no means inactive or a neutral spectator. Eminently qualified by his previous training, he championed the cause of orthodoxy and ecclesiastical order as against the cry of bigotry and ex- clusiveness raised against those who dared to battle for what they deemed the truth; and his candor and straightforwardness elicited the admiration, even of his opponents.
He was a true lover of his adopted country. The condition of affairs during the late Southern rebellion caused him much unhappiness.
375
ALLEN D. CAMPBELL.
His loyalty to the national cause, no one could doubt. As an evidence of the interest he took in the nation's cause, he accompanied a regiment of Home Guards, of which he had been appointed chaplain, in their parade through the cities of Pittsburg and Allegheny, July 4, 1861. His desire was to ac- company them into active service, nor would any thing have prevented him from so doing but the consciousness that the state of his health was too uncertain to bear the rigors and hardship of camp-life.
He was peculiarly happy in his marital relations, and owed much of his usefulness to the faithful and accomplished com- panion of his life. The asperities of his ardent nature, and impulsive utterances and actions, were wonderfully tempered by her dignity, intelligence, and habitual serenity of mind. To her literary ability and profound thought, the Church at large is eminently indebted.
Her ample means enabled her to feed the hungry, and relieve the distressed. Instead of surrounding her home with the display of wealth and the profusion of luxury, every thing was simplicity itself. She died Aug. 10, 1862.
Dr. Campbell and his amiable wife were both proverbial for their liberality and hospitality : their home was ever open to both friend and stranger, and their purse to the claims of be- nevolence. Many a theological student and struggling Christian minister have abundant reason to remember with gratitude their many acts of kindness.
They had seven children, -one son and six daughters, - named respectively, Benjamin B .; Ann B., wife of Rev. John Kerr; Euphemia, wife of B. P. Bakewell; Jane H., wife of William Bakewell ; Ellen, wife of B. Page ; and Sarah.
S
f S
376
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
REV. JAMES RODGERS, D.D.
SOME men are born, live their life, and pass away, leaving behind them a monument far more lasting than the shaft of granite ; "footprints on the sands of time" which cannot be washed away, and which serve to encourage many a poor, stranded fellow-being to start afresh instead of succumbing to what is called destiny or the inevitable. James Rodgers, a citizen of Allegheny, hewed his own monument, reared his own shaft, and was honored and beloved by all with whom he came in contact. He was an Irishman by birth, having been born near the town of Oneagh, Tyrone County, on the twenty- second day of December, 1800. His father, William Rodgers, was a member of the Irish Presbyterian Church. The family consisted of one daughter and three sons, of which James was the second born. When but seventeen years of age, he, hav- ing been educated as a civil engineer, left his home for Belfast, and then sailed for New York. Leaving New York, he went to Meadville, Crawford County, Penn. Here he made the acquaintance of the Rev. Daniel McLean, to whom he appealed for advice as to obtaining employment at his profession. At that time the services of civil engineers were not greatly in demand ; and Dr. McLean advised him to open a school, which he did. He succeeded so well in his vocation, that he sent for his parents, and purchased a farm, upon which he settled them. He taught until about 1821, when he retired to his farm, and applied himself to the study of Latin and Greek; and three years later he entered the Western University. He graduated with honor in 1827, and then entered the Theological Seminary of the Associate Church at Canonsburg, Washington County, Penn. At the close of the fourth session (1830), he was put on trial for licensure by the presbytery of Allegheny; and the fol- lowing September, by the presbytery of Miami for ordination.
C
t
I
b
b
e
th
3 I
377
REV. JAMES RODGERS, D.D.
In October he was licensed and ordained, and appointed to the Miami Mission, which included a few vacancies in Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois. While there, his beloved mother died ; and, having completed his mission, he returned home, being then thirty-one years of age, and in the full vigor of his man- hood. Soon after his return, he received a call from the united congregations of Noblestown and Ohio, which he accepted, entering at once upon the performance of his duties. In 1832 he met his wife, Miss Eliza, youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas Livingston, and was married. He then settled in Noblestown, the distance between his two congregations being about eigh- teen miles. About this time a number of families applied for organization in Allegheny City. In 1837 they succeeded, and Mr. Rodgers was called upon to minister to their spiritual wel- fare. After considerable debate at the meeting of the Associate synod in session at Philadelphia, neither of his congregations wishing to part with him, he was installed. His first sermon was preached in a large hall on Federal Street ; his new congre- gation being poor, and unable to build. At that time Messrs. William Bell & Blackstock operated a large cotton-factory, which employed many hands ; and, seeing the want of a desira- ble place of worship for a congregation made up of toilers, they purchased a lot on the second bluff above the river, between Federal and Sandusky Streets, upon which was erected a large, substantial brick building, which was finished in 1839, and is now the Second U. P. Church. These gentlemen intended to present the property to the congregation, which, through the labors of Mr. Rodgers, soon became prosperous ; but, alas for human plans ! it was not to be so. The firm became embar- rassed, and the property was about to be levied upon by the sheriff. Through the perseverance and indomitable energy of Mr. Rodgers, however, it was finally saved.
In 1845 the Board of Jefferson College conferred the title of D.D. without solicitation upon Mr. Rodgers, and certainly was the title never more deservedly bestowed. In 1850 he com- menced a series of lectures on John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Prog- ress," which have since then been published in book-form. After finishing this course of lectures, he took a rest from his labors,'-
378
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
having increased the membership of his church from 270 (1840) to 430, - by taking a trip to Europe, staying two months. About this time his health became slightly impaired, suffering very much with a soreness of the throat. As he was chairman of the Board of Domestic Missions, he was appointed to visit the churches in the Far West, thus enabling him to take a rest from his duties. At first he improved, but soon the symptoms re- appeared ; and he arrived at home completely prostrated, and was compelled to take to bed. He was never after able to fill his pulpit, and sent in his resignation ; but so beloved was he by his congregation, that they rejected it, his pulpit being filled by substitutes. He a second time sent it in, and after much persuasion it was accepted, thus closing his career as a minister of the gospel ; the event taking place early in 1860, after hav- ing been in the ministry for thirty years, and of the Associate now the Second U. P. Church of Allegheny for twenty-one years and eight months.
Being now without occupation, he was, not long after, called to take charge of the book-store of the Board of Publication of the U. P. Assembly. He appeared to be the man for the place, and the concern thrived under his administration. His health, however, grew worse, and early in July Dr. Rodgers found it necessary to go home as a result of indisposition ; and after an illness of about three weeks, on the 23d of July, 1868, death claimed him, thus closing a long life of usefulness and goodness. He faced death as only a brave and good man can, - fearlessly. A wife and three children survived him, - Thomas Livingston, Elizabeth, and William B. Rodgers.
S
379
REV. THOMAS SPROULL, D.D.
REV. THOMAS SPROULL, D.D.
By Rev. J. W. Sproull.
THOMAS SPROULL was born in the northern part of West- moreland County, Penn., about a mile and a half from the village of Freeport, on the fifteenth day of September, 1803. His parents, Robert Sproull and Mary Dunlap, were natives of Ireland ; the former of County Tyrone, and the latter of County Derry. His father, the youngest of three brothers, unaccom- panied by any friend, came to America in 1784. According to his own record, " he embarked in the ship 'Congress' from Lon- donderry, in the twenty-second year of his age, July 23, 1784, and landed at New Castle the IIth of September the same year." For about ten years he remained in the eastern part of the State, when he removed to the neighborhood of Mercers- burg, Franklin County. There he met, for the first time, his future wife. With her mother, five brothers, and one sister, she had come to America about seven years later than he had. They were married on the twenty-fifth day of February, 1794. That same year they removed to Westmoreland County, locat- ing on a farm near the one they lived on at the time of his death.
Westmoreland County was then regarded as the frontier. Stories of Indian massacres were familiar, and, indeed, the fear of the red man had not entirely died away. It was still com- mon to conceal valuables, and go armed to daily labor. Greens- burg, the county-seat, was twenty-eight miles away ; Pittsburg, the chief market for the products of the farm, about thirty. Usually produce was taken to Pittsburg in canoes by river, the time occupied during a trip being three days. The nearest post-office was Freeport. The mail-carrier also supplied sub- scribers with the weekly papers. Few sounds were more wel-
380
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
come than the tooting of his horn, as almost the only means of hearing from the outside world those pioneers had was the weekly paper. School-facilities were very meagre. A pay- school for three months in the winter was the only opportunity for a long time parents had to secure an education for their children.
The subject of our sketch manifested a strong desire to ob- tain a thorough education, and availed himself of every oppor- tunity to increase his store of knowledge. The circumstances of his parents were such that he had largely to depend on him- self. When sixteen years of age he was so far advanced as to take charge of the winter school. In 1826 an opportunity was afforded him to prepare for college at a private academy taught by Rev. Jonathan Gill, a Covenanter minister, near Turtle Creek. In 1828 he entered the junior class of the Western University. Having been advanced a year, he graduated in 1829, and subse- quently taught in the same institution.
His ancestry on both his father's and mother's side were Covenanters. It is not strange, that, early in his life, his atten- tion was devoted to religious subjects, nor that, when he made a profession of religion, he identified himself with the Covenanter Church.
Early in life he had made up his mind to be a minister. After leaving college he studied three sessions under Dr. Black. He was licensed to preach by the Pittsburg presbytery on the - of April, 1832, in Pittsburg, and on the 4th of April, 1832, was ordained at New Alexandria to the ministry as a mission- ary.
In 1833 the Covenanter Church was divided on the subject of civil government. Dr. Black identified himself with what was subsequently known as the New-Light branch, and, being deservedly held in high esteem, was able to control a large majority of the members. At the first meeting of the adher- ents of the old side, but thirteen were present : subsequently others connected with them. In 1833 they called Mr. Sproull to be their pastor, and on the 12th of May, 1834, he was installed. That relation continued until Oct. 13, 1868, when, being re- quired to give his whole time to the seminary by direction of
38I
REV. THOMAS SPROULL, D.D.
synod, it was dissolved. From that congregation, there have been organized five distinct congregations, - Pine Creek, Wil- kinsburg, Allegheny, Pittsburg, and Central Allegheny. Dur- ing his pastorate it was the largest, wealthiest, and strongest in the church. Indeed, no other congregation in the body has ever attained so large a membership, or wielded so powerful an influence.
In addition to performing his duties as pastor, during the greater part of his ministry he discharged also those of pro- fessor in the Theological Seminary. In 1838 he was elected professor in the Western Seminary. In 1840, the Eastern and Western Seminaries being united, he was continued in that position. Resigning in 1845, he was re-elected in. 1851; and again resigning in 1868, he was re-elected the same year, with the understanding that he would obtain a release from his con- gregation. He was also one of the editors of "The Christian Witness" for two years, and for nineteen years was either editor or co-editor of " The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter."
He has also published a large number of sermons, lectures, and pamphlets. In 1882 he published his " Prelections on Theology," a volume of four hundred and fifty-five pages, which has been favorably received.
The title of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by Westminster College.
On July 1, 1834, he was married, by Rev. John Crozier, to Magdalena Wallace, third child of John Wallace, Esq., of Pitts- burg. Of their twelve children, seven reached maturity. The oldest, Christiana Wallace, married Professor Newell, who was licensed by the Covenanter Church to preach the gospel. The second, Rev. R. D. Sproull, was for some years pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Rochester, N.Y., but subse- quently of the Presbyterian Church of Providence, R.I. The third, Rev. J. W. Sproull, was for some time pastor of the Monongahela Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and afterwards of the Central Allegheny, and is one of the editors of "The Reformed Presbyterian and Covenanter." Mary Magdalena, the next, is the wife of Rev. C. D. Trumbull, pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Morning Sun,
r
t
(
0 .
f
t
.
1
382
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
Io. Thomas Alexander, the next, was pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of New Alexandria until his death, on the 8th of April, 1878. William Oliver, the next, is professor of Latin and Arabic in the University of Cincinnati. Theophilus, the youngest living, is a member of the firm of Myers Shinkle & Co. of Pittsburg. All received a college education.
383
ALEXANDER YOUNG.
ALEXANDER YOUNG.
ALEXANDER YOUNG, Sen., was born in Lanarkshire, near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1784.
He came to the United States in 1819, and settled in what was then Ross township, Allegheny County, on the bank of the Ohio River, on an out-lot of the Reserve Tract, immediately above the mouth of Strawberry Lane, in April, 1820. From here he removed to the mansion and large farm of the late Thomas Cromwell in 1822, and in April, 1823, to Ferry Lane (now Beaver Avenue), a short distance west of Island Lane (now Washington Avenue).
In 1826 he purchased from Marguerite S. Parke the ten- acre out-lot, No. - , lying on the river-bank on both sides of Beaver Avenue, upon which he erected a substantial frame dwelling, opposite the mouth of Western Avenue : the building is still standing, one of the last of the landmarks of the olden time.
April 1, 1839, he removed to a large farm in Lower Burrell township, Westmoreland County, upon which he resided until December of the following year, when he returned to his for- mer residence in Allegheny County, where he died on the six- teenth day of February, 1841. Having made no will, his large estate was divided under the intestate laws of the Common- wealth.
Mr. Young was educated a farmer ; his teachings and experi- ence in the old country were brought into use here ; and he was considered one of the most thorough, extensive, and successful market-gardeners in Allegheny County.
He was, in the strictest meaning of the term, a self-made man, starting in life without any of the appliances of wealth, and but meagre opportunities for acquiring an education : by his courage, forethought, indomitable perseverance, and integ-
384
HISTORICAL GLEANINGS OF ALLEGHENY.
rity of character, he acquired considerable wealth, and attained a most respectable position in the community in which he had cast his lot.
Endowed by nature with a generous disposition, he was charitable without ostentation, and strictly honorable in all his relations, while at the same time he was earnest, resolute, and determined.
He was united in marriage in Lanarkshire, in the year 1814, to Miss Elizabeth Smith, who died in Allegheny, March 24, 1872, in the eighty-fourth year of her age, in the full use of her mental faculties, beloved by her children, and highly respected for her many Christian virtues.
They had seven children ; five survived them, - two sons and three daughters ; and two died in infancy.
Alexander Young, D.D., L.L.D., the eldest, was born in Lanarkshire, June 4, 1815; was educated for the ministry ; graduated, was called and ordained pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of St. Clairsville, O., in 1842, the pulpit of which he occupied with marked acceptance for sixteen years, from 1842 to 1858. In 1855 he was chosen professor of the- ology in the Associate Reformed Theological Seminary at Oxford, O. Subsequently, he was elected to a similar position in the Theological Seminary at Monmouth, Ill., occupying at the same time the pulpit of the first U. P. Congregation, and subsequently that of the second congregation of the same place.
He also, during the sixteen years of his connection with the above, filled acceptably various professorships in the Monmouth College.
On his return to Allegheny County, in 1874, he was elected professor of Pastoral Theology and Apologetics in the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in the city of Allegheny.
During the thirty-three years of his teachings in Ohio and Illinois, he never failed to meet a class, at the hour appointed for recitation, on account of sickness.
Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, was also born in Lanarkshire, Jan. 31, 1817 ; is the widow of the late Abraham Patterson, builder and contractor. He was for several years a member of the councils of Manchester and borough of Allegheny.
385
ALEXANDER YOUNG.
Stephen was born in city of Pittsburg, Penn., Nov. 24, 1819; is a farmer, and occupies a part of the farm in Westmoreland County.
Jennette was born in Ross township, Oct. 22, 1829; is the wife of Mr. B. Kennedy, journalist, for many years connected with the press of Pittsburg and Allegheny.
Agnes was born also in Ross township, Feb. II, 1830; is the wife of J. T. Simpson, who at present manages a mill and farm at Sampler Station on the Pittsburg and Western Railway. .
8226
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.