Feb 05

The Ministers of Zion Chatt, Rev. Jacob Albrecht (#16)

This is another short biography of one of Zion Chatt’s ministers. The information is from the ELCA Archives at Trinity Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, and from my personal research.

Rev. Jacob Albrecht

Rev. Jacob Albrecht

Jacob Emanuel Albrecht, Zion Chatt’s 16th minister, was born 26 August 1875, near Canton, Ohio. He was the ninth child born to Henry and Philipena (Schneider) Albrecht. He graduated from Capital University in 1900 and from the ELT Seminary in Columbus, Ohio, in 1903.

He married Clara Althoff on 25 April 1905 and they had three sons and four daughters. Of them, one son and one daughter died young. Their children that lived to adulthood were Carl H., C. John, Mary Magdalena, Martha, and Mildred.

Rev. Albrecht served at the following parishes: Akron Mission in 1903; three parishes in Weisberg, Indiana, from 1904-1907, where he also taught the parish school; St. Paul, Jenera, Ohio, from 1907-1914; Zion, Obetz, Ohio, from 1914-1919; Zion, Chattanooga, 1919-1931; and at Trinity, Galion, Ohio, from 1931-1940.

He retired from the ministry in 1940 due to illness and died of a hemorrhage in Galion, Ohio, on 23 February 1941, at the age of 65. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery Galion.

Obituary:
Rev. Jacob E. Albrecht, 65, died at his home, 322 North Market Street, Sunday at 12:45 p.m. He had been bed-fast 13 months. Death was caused by cerebral hemorrhage.

During his illness, the Rev. Albrecht’s place as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, has been taken by his brother, Rev. E.H. Albrecht, of Columbus. Rev. Albrecht and his family came to Galion from Chattanooga, Ohio 10 years ago. He had been pastor of the local church since June, 1931, and had been active in the ministry for the past 38 years.

He was graduated from Capital University in Columbus in 1900, from the seminary in 1903, and was ordained in the ministry from Martin Luther Church in Canton, on May 31, 1903.

Deceased was born in Canton on Aug. 26, 1875, the son of Henry and Philipine (Schneider) Albrecht. He had reached the age of 65 years, 5 months, and 7 days. On April 25, 1905, he was united in marriage with Clara M. Althoff, who survives. There are two sons and three daughters: Carl H. Albrecht, Norwood; C. John Albrecht, Canal Fulton; Mrs. Fred [Mary Magdalena] Stirm, northwest of Galion; Martha and Mildred Albrecht, at home. Alice Ann Albrecht, of Norwood, is a granddaughter. One son, one daughter, four brothers, and one sister preceded him in death. [1]

In addition, he was survived by several siblings: Alpheus Albrecht, Massillon, Ohio; Mrs. Newton Butler, Edith Vogelgesong, Norman Albrecht, and Mrs. Thurman Bachtel, all of Massilon, Ohio; Rev. E.H. Albrecht, Columbus, Ohio; and Harry O. Albrecht, Canton. [2]

His wife Clara died in 1967 and is buried beside her husband.

Rev. Albrecht served at Zion Chatt for about 12 years and while there he confirmed several groups of young adults as well as a group of adults. Those confirmation photos that survived:

1921 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

1921 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

In the above photo, 1921, Seated: Hugo Kuhn, Marcella Strabel, Rev. J. Albrecht, Martha Becher, Herman Kuhn. Row 2: Bertha Becher, Vic Andres, Margarette Laderman, Carl Albrecht, Oma Berger, Carl Brandt, Grace Huffman. Row 3: Luther Schott, Harold Huffman, Lea Schott, Leo Wesley Kallenberger, Luther Heffner.

1923 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

1923 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

In the above photo, 1923, Seated: Opal Strabel, Lucille Diener, Rev. J. Albrecht, Mary Berger, Ruth Schott. Standing: Edward Alt, Clela Diener, Fred Albrecht, Ardella Kallenberger, William Hoehammer, Edith Kuhn.

1925 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

1925 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

In the above photo, 1925, Seated: ?, Rev. J. Albrecht, ? Row 2: ?, Esther Lavina Grauberger, John Andreas Kallenberger. Others in the class: Ralph August Schott, Orval Paul Alt, Clifford Cornelius Becher, Paul Eugene Brandt, Reatta Carol. Marg Strable, Edna Ruth Heffner, Mildred Lucile Regedenz, Anna Louise Berger, Mary Magdalene Albrecht.

1927 Zion Chatt Adult Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

1927 Zion Chatt Adult Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

In the above photo, 1927, Seated: Chloe Douglas Bollenbacher, Mrs. Bader, Rev. J. Albrecht, Margarette May Lehman Bender, Edna Daily Schaadt. Standing: Elmer Davison, Wavel Jennings Reef, Mary Rebeca Mariner Becher, John Eugene Reichard, Lewis Gale Davison.

1929 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

1929 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

In the above photo, 1929, Seated: Morris Huffman, Bernice Becher, Rev. J. Albrecht, Pauline McGough, Waldo Brandt. Row 2: John Albrecht, Herbert Brandt, Vernon Caffee, Elihu Davison, Werner Becher. Row 3: Reginald Fisher, Paul McGough, Charles Strabel, Luther Bollenbacher.

1931 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

1931 Zion Chatt Confirmation Class with Rev. Jacob Albrecht.

In the above photo, 1931, Seated: Laura Margarette Wilhelmina Kuhn, Rev. J. Albrecht, Martha Liberty Albrecht. Standing: Louise Brandt, Paul Eugene Caffee, Edith Lorina Schaadt, Louis Frederick Becher, Clara Fern Caffee.

 

[1] ”Ohio, Crawford County Obituaries, 1860-2004,” Galion Inquirer, 24 Feb 1941; FamilySearch.org (https://familysearch.org : accessed 4 Feb 2016).

[2] ”Ohio, Crawford County Obituaries, 1860-2004,” Bucyrus Telegraph Forum, 24 Feb 1941; FamilySearch.org (https://familysearch.org : accessed 4 Feb 2016).

 

Feb 02

Tombstone Tuesday–George Hiller

George Hiller, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen

George Hiller, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen

This is the tombstone of George Hiller, located in row 6 of Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

George Hiller
1846-1932

According to Zion Chatt’s records Johann “George” Hiller was born 15 November 1846 in Hamilton County, Ohio, the second child of John and Mary M. (Müller) Hiller. His parents immigrated in about 1839 and the family lived in the Hamilton County area about 8 years before moving to Mercer County, Ohio. George was baptized in Hamilton County and confirmed at Zion Chatt on 1 June 1862.

George was the younger brother of Jacob Hiller, who married Martha Sundmacher. The Hillers lived in Adams County, Indiana, near Chattanooga, and attended church at Zion Chatt. George and Jacob’s mother Mary M. (Müller) Hiller was the widow of Erasmus Stump when she married John Hiller, and George and Jacob Hiller also had three step-siblings, Philip, Catharine, and Gertrude Stump. That surname was sometimes spelled Stumpf in the church records.

In 1860 George Hiller, 13, and his brother Jacob, 16, lived with their parents in Jefferson Township, Adams County, Indiana, and had a New Corydon address. Their father was a farmer and both boys attended school. [1]

George married Carolina “Caroline” Brecheisen on 20 April 1872. She was the daughter of Martin and Catharina Brecheisen, and was born in Mercer County, Ohio. George was 25 and Caroline was 17 years old at the time of their marriage, according to Zion Chatt’s records. Her name was spelled “Backhaus” on their Mercer County, Ohio, marriage record. [2]

George and Caroline lived in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, after their marriage and George farmed. Their neighbors included Phillip Emerick, William Betzel, John Fisher, George Hoffman, Henry Kuhn, George Bollenbaugh, and Ferdinand Kable.

In 1880 George and Caroline lived on their Liberty Township farm with their three daughters: George, 33; Caroline, 25; Barbara, 6; Lena E., 4; and Henretta, 2. They likely had lived in Liberty Township since their marriage because their daughters were all born in Ohio. [3]

George and Caroline had the following children, as shown in Zion Chatt’s records:
Katharina Barbara (1873-1950), married Thomas J Spohn
Helen Elisabeth (1875-1883)
Henriette (1878-?)
Margaretha (1881-?)

George’s wife Caroline (Brecheisen) Hiller died 20 May 1884, at the age of 29 years and 9 days. She is also buried in Kessler Cemetery.

George Hiller married Catharine (Katherine/Kate) Alt on 30 November 1884. They were married at the home of Jacob and Maria Barbara Betzel, who were also the witnesses to the marriage. Catharina was the daughter of Friedrich and Ursula (Koch) Alt and was born in Liberty Township about 1863.

In 1900 George and Catherine Hiller and their two sons lived in Liberty Township: George, 36; Catherine, 37; Henry, 14; and John 10. George and Catherine had been married 15 years and two of their three children were living. George was a farmer. [4]

By 1910 the George Hiller family had moved from Liberty Township to State Line Pike in Jefferson Township, Mercer County, Ohio. In 1910: George, 70; Kate, 47; Henry, 24; and John, 19. George and Catherine [Kate] had been married 26 years and this was George’s second marriage. Catherine [Kate] had given birth to 3 children but only 2 were living. George worked as a storekeeper in a grocery. [5]

George and Catharine (Alt) Hiller had the following children:
Heinrich Friedrich (1886-1966)
Maria Ursula (1888-1888)
John (1890-1981)

In 1930 George, 83, and his wife, named as Margaret in the 1930 census, aged 67, lived with their single sons John, 39, and Henry, 44, on a farm in Jefferson Township, Mercer County, Ohio. John was listed as the head of household. [6] Evidently Catherine/Katherine/Kate also went by the name Margaret, likely her middle name.

George Hiller died of nephritis on 5 January 1932 at the Mercer County Home at the age of 85 years, 3 months, and 25 days. Henry Hiller of Celina was the informant for the information on the death certificate. George was buried on the 7th. According to his death certificate he was a farmer, was married, and was survived by his wife Margaret. [7]

 

George Hiller buried near Hiller relatives, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

George Hiller buried near Hiller relatives, Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

[1] 1860 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, p.234, dwelling 1649, family 1629, John Hiller; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Jan 2016); from FHL microfilm 803242, from NARA microfilm M653, roll 242.

[2] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 27 Jan 20165), George Hiller and Caroline Backhaus, 20 Apr 1872; citing Mercer, Ohio, Marriages, Vol. 3, p.307; from FHL microfilm 914956.

[3] 1880 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 188, p.474C, dwelling 57, family 60, George Hiller; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Jan 2016); from FHL microfilm 1255048, from NARA microfilm T9, roll 1048.

[4] 1900 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 85, p.2B, dwelling 41, family 43, George Hiller; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Jan 2016); from FHL microfilm 1241304, from NARA microfilm T623, roll 1304.

[5] 1910 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Mercer, Ohio, ED 116, p.2A, dwelling 27, family 27, George Hiller; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Jan 2016); from FHL microfilm 1375227, from NARA microfilm T624, roll 1214.

[6] 1930 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Mercer, Ohio, ED 19, p.9A, dwelling 190, family 190, John Hiller; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Jan 2016); from FHL microfilm 2341584, from NARA microfilm T626, roll 1850.

[7] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,: database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 27 Jan 2016), George Hiller, 5 Jan 1932; citing Jefferson, Mercer, Ohio, file no. 4431, from FHL microfilm 1992566.

 

Jan 29

A Chattanooga, Ohio, Postmark

We know that Chattanooga, Ohio, once had its very own post office. At one time the post office was in the frame building that stood just south of where the Chatt Bar is today.

At that time the Chattanooga Post Office was in Egger’s Grocery. Semon Egger also had a mortuary in the upstairs part of the same building. There was a lot going on at Egger’s and it was likely the center of activity in Chatt.

I am sure a Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark is rare and I don’t believe I had ever seen one–that is until a few weeks ago.

Several weeks ago someone showed me a very old envelope with a Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark. This 1897 postmark would likely predate the post office that was in Egger’s store.

The envelope was from James Ohlen & Sons Saw Manufacturing Co. in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. It is dated 13 Dec 1897 and was sent to F.T. Kuhn, Chattanooga, Ohio.

From James Ohlen & Sons Saw Manufacturing Co, Columbus, Ohio. To F.T. Kuhn, Chattanooga, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

From James Ohlen & Sons Saw Manufacturing Co, Columbus, Ohio. To F.T. Kuhn, Chattanooga, Ohio, 1897. (2015 photo by Karen)

Chatt PM Envlp Front (2)

Close-up of above postmark, 1897. (2015 photo by Karen)

 

The other side of the envelope has the Chattanooga postmark. You can read Chattanooga, Ohio, clearly and the date is Dec 1897, but it is difficult to make out the exact day of the month. I am not sure why the Chattanooga postmark was stamped on the back of the envelope. Maybe someone knows why.

Chatt PM Envelope Back (1)

December 1897 Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark. (2015 photo by Karen)

Chatt PM Envelope Back (2)

December 1897 Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark. (2015 photo by Karen)

 

This letter was sent in the envelope to F. T. Kuhn:

 

1897 Letter to FT Kuhn (2)

1897 letter sent to F.T. Kuhn, Chattanooga, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

1897 Letter to FT Kuhn (1)

1897 James Ohlen & Sons letterhead, sent to F.T. Kuhn, Chattanooga, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

Mr. F.T. Kuhn,
Chattanooga, O.
Dec. 13, ‘97

Dear Sir,

Yours 9” received. We sell our special cut half oval file at $3.00 dz. Or $1.50 half dz. 10 inch Mill Files at $1.30 dz. Can t Hooks $1.25 each, Speed Indicators with bell $1.00 each, and without bell 60 cents each. Swedges Co. #1 at $2.75, and #0 at $3.25. We can ship promptly, and we will be glad to do some business with you.

Very truly,

James Ohlen & Son’s Saw Manufacturing Co.
Wm Felton

The James Ohlen Company also sent a repair ticket with the letter:

Repair Ticket Chatt PM (1)

1897 repair ticket from James Ohlen & Sons, sent to F.T. Kuhn. (2015 photo by Karen)

Repair Ticket Chatt PM (2)

1897 repair ticket from James Ohlen & Sons, sent to F.T. Kuhn. (2015 photo by Karen)

I am not sure who F.T. Kuhn was, but in 1916 an F.T. Kuhn lived south of Chatt, just south of Schaadt Road. He is listed in the 1916 The Farm Journal Illustrated Directory of Mercer County on page 103:

T. Kuhn, wife Mary, 5 children, farmer, tenant, 5 horses, 11 cattle, at route 5 Rockford, with an Indiana telephone.

What an interesting piece of Chattanooga history!

Jan 26

Tombstone Tuesday–Jacob Edward Hiller

Jacob Edward Hiller, Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

Jacob Edward Hiller, Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Jacob Edward Hiller, located in row 8 of Kessler Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier Ruhet in Gott
Jacob Edward
Hiller
Son of
Jacob [?]
Hiller
Geb. 20 Sept. 1878
Gest. 10 Sept. 1895
Alt
16 Jahr, 11 Monat
Und 20 Tag

Translation: Here rests in God, Jacob Edward Hiller, son of Jacob [unreadable] Hiller, born 20 September 1878, died 10 September 1895, aged 16 years, 11 months, and 20 days.

Jacob Edward Hiller was born 20 September 1878 in Adams County, Indiana, the son of Jacob and Martha (Sundmacher) Hiller. He was baptized 10 November 1879 with Jacob and Gertrude (Mueller) Deitsch serving as his sponsors. The Hillers attended Zion Chatt at that time and this information is recorded at Zion.

Jacob Edward was enumerated in only one census, the 1880 census. He was just one year old and was enumerated with his parents and five siblings in Jefferson Township, Adams County, Indiana: Jacob, 38; Martha, 32; George, 11; John, 9; Henry, 8; Mary, 7; Lizzie, 4; and Edward, 1. [1]

Jacob was confirmed at Zion Chatt by Rev. J.F. C. Soller on 9 April 1893. His confirmation verse was Matthew 24:13.

According to Zion Chatt’s records Jacob Edward Hiller died of typhus/malaria fever on 10 September 1895 at the age of 16 years, 11 months, and 20 days. He was buried on the 11th. He was survived by his parents and siblings.

Jacob Edward Hiller, Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

Jacob Edward Hiller, Kessler Cemetery, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. (2015 photo by Karen)

By the time the 1900 census was taken Jacob Edward and his sister Elizabeth Wilhelmine (Hiller) Huffman had both passed away. Elizabeth died just a month after her brother Jacob Edward, on 9 October 1895. Jacob Edward is buried near his sister and near other family members in Kessler Cemetery.

 

[1] 1880 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 133, p.50B, dwelling & family 51, Jacob Hiller; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 27 Oct 2015); from NARA microfilm T9, roll 263.

Jan 22

Schinnerer and Schumm Cousins

Last fall Paul asked members of the “I’m a Schinnerer” Facebook group if someone would show him and his wife around the Schumm area while they were here from California, visiting family in Columbus, Ohio. While he was “in the area” he wanted to see Schumm and the farm where his great-great-grandfather Martin Schinnerer lived before selling everything and moving to California around the turn of the century.

So Joe and I had the privilege of showing Schinnerer (and Schumm) descendant Paul Scott and his wife Lynne around the area in October.

When I hear of someone whose ancestors hailed from the Schumm area and who has names like Schinnerer and Schumm in their family tree, I figure there is a very high probability that we are related. Actually, probably related in more than one way.

Karen, Paul, & Lynne Scott at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm. (2015 photo by Karen)

Karen with Paul & Lynne Scott at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm. (2015 photo by Karen)

But before they arrived I had a little homework to do. How were Paul and I related and where did Martin Schinnerer once live? Whether Paul liked it or not, I was going to bore him with some family history.

Just as I figured, Paul and I are related through both the Schumms and the Schinnerers. In several ways.

On the Schumm side Paul is my third and fourth cousin once removed, with George Ludwig and Barbara (Pflueger) Schumm as our common ancestors. On the Schinnerer side he is my fourth cousin, with Georg Michael and Anna Barbara (Zeller) Schinnerer as our common ancestors.

Paul’s great-great-grandfather Martin Schinnerer was the brother of my great-great-grandfather Friederick Schinnerer. Martin was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1834 and immigrated to America in 1852. He likely followed his brother Friederick, who had already settled in the area. Martin married Maria Schumm in 1860. She was the daughter of Ludwig and Barbara (Pflüger) Schumm. (Ludwig and Barbara were my great-great and great-great-great-grandparents, depending on which of their descendants you look at, either my grandmother or my grandfather.) Maria (Schumm) Schinnerer died in 1870 and Martin married Maria’s sister Rosina Schumm in 1871. Paul descends from Martin and Rosina. Martin and Rosina and some of their family moved to California about 1903 and remained there the rest of their lives. Martin died in Los Angeles in 1930.

As I prepared for Paul and Lynne’s visit I looked at the 1886 Willshire Township plat map and was very surprised at what I saw. I couldn’t believe where Martin Schinnerer lived before moving to California. I knew right away that I was going to be able to show Paul more than just the land that Martin once owned.

Martin Schinnerer purchased the land from Christian Airman in 1854, the northeast quarter of Section 28 in Willshire Township. His farm was next door to the farm my Schumm grandparents ended up owning and living on years later.

On 19 October 1903, before moving to California, Martin Schinnerer sold the 160 acre farm to John Scaer.

John Scaer (1865-1940), my great-grandfather.

John Scaer (1865-1940), my great-grandfather.

This is where the truly amazing part comes in and where things get really interesting.

John Scaer was my great-grandfather, the father of my maternal grandmother Hilda (Scaer) Schumm. After their marriage John and Elizabeth (Schinnerer) Scaer lived near Monroeville, Indiana, where my grandmother Hilda was born in 1895. John Scaer purchased the farm, with a frame house on it, from Paul’s great-great-grandfather Martin Schinnerer and the Scaers moved from Monroeville to the farm between Willshire and Schumm about 1903.

But it gets better.

When John Scaer purchased the property from Martin Schinnerer in 1903 there was a frame house on the farm, the home that Martin Schinnerer and his family would have lived in before moving to California. Today a brick house is situated on the property, situated where the frame house stood. That is the house we drove by and showed Paul on his visit to Schumm. I just learned this past week that the frame home was not destroyed but that brick was put around it and a living room was added. According to this person, the frame house is still there, although the outside looks very different. John Scaer added the brick sometime around 1915, give or take a couple years.

And I just happen to have a photo of that frame house. Yes, I was able to give Paul a photo of the home his great-great-grandfather Martin Schinnerer lived in before moving to California in about 1903!

The photo below shows the old frame house as it looked on the John Scaer farm about 1904. Standing in front of the house are John’s children, Willie, Elsie, Hilda, and Edna Scaer.

John Scaer home east of Willshire, c1904. Willie, Elsie, Hilda, Edna Scaer.

John Scaer home east of Willshire, c1904. Willie, Elsie, Hilda, Edna Scaer.

Former home of John & Lizzie (Schinnerer) Scare, Van Wert County, Ohio, built c1914 (2001 photo)

Former home of John & Lizzie (Schinnerer) Scare, Willshire Eastern Road (2001 photo by Karen)

On our sight-seeing tour east of Wilshire last October we viewed the homes and farms between Willshire and Schumm, drove through both villages, and toured Zion Lutheran Church and Zion’s Cemetery. Paul and Lynne were very impressed with Zion’s beautiful church and commented that it was much larger than they had envisioned.

Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm (2015 photo by Karen)

Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm (2015 photo by Karen)

We looked at several tombstones of our common ancestors in the cemetery. Visiting Zion Schumm’s cemetery is always a very humbling experience.

Karen and Paul by John Georg Schumm's tombstone. (2015 photo by Karen)

Karen and Paul by John Georg Schumm’s tombstone. (2015 photo by Karen)

It was a beautiful autumn day and we all enjoyed the beautiful countryside and colorful trees.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm. (2015 photo by Karen)

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm. (2015 photo by Karen)

It was great to meet my third/fourth cousin Paul and his wife and to show them around our area and share a little of the history of our common ancestry.