Karen Bennett

Greetings from the Chattanooga, Ohio, area. Yes, Ohio has its very own Chattanooga, aka Chatt, a small village in west-central Ohio, near the Indiana border. I have been doing family history research for over 20 years and am a Board-Certified genealogist, certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists®. My main genealogical interests are family research, cemetery research, and historical and genealogical research of the Chatt area, with a focus on two area Lutheran Churches, both named Zion Lutheran, one in Chatt and the other in Schumm, Ohio. Family names I am researching include Miller, Schumm, Brewster, Rueck, Reid, Headington, Huey, Bryan, Whiteman, Schinnerer, Scaer, Breuninger, Bennett, and a few others. I belong to several lineage societies, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, U.S. Daughters of 1812, First Families of Ohio, and First Families of Mercer and Van Wert Counties. I am also a retired dental hygienist and our church organist. I hope you enjoy Karen's Chatt.

Most commented posts

  1. Golden Wedding Anniversary — 37 comments
  2. Haunted Mercer County? — 34 comments
  3. The Old Willshire Hotel — 30 comments
  4. Metal Cemetery Monuments — 25 comments
  5. The Milligan Painting — 24 comments

Author's posts

Happy Easter!

Religious themes are probably the most common type of tombstone art and around here Christian symbols are the most prevalent religious designs on the monuments. This Sunday is Easter and to celebrate of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ here are some of my favorite monument photos that remind me of the …

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Tombstone Tuesday–Oscar J. Scaer

This is the tombstone of Oscar J. Scaer, located in row 2 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed: Oscar J. SCAER Oct. 17, 1906 Nov. 9, 1992 Oscar Johann Scaer was the fifth child born to John and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Schinnerer) Scaer, born 17 October 1906 in Willshire …

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The 1969 Mercer County Grange Drill Team

Last week I wrote about the local Farmers’ Institute meetings and that me reminded me of another rural organization that our family belonged to in the 1960s–the Chattanooga Grange. The Chattanooga Grange meetings were held at the old Parish Hall east of Chattanooga on Tama Road. In addition to the monthly meetings the Chattanooga Grange …

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Tombstone Tuesday–Lydia A. Schinnerer

This is the tombstone of Lydia A.  Schinnerer and her parents, located in row 4 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. Their marker is inscribed: SCHINNERER Henry F. 1867-1952  Louise M. 1870-1952  Lydia A. 1897-1985 I featured this tombstone a few weeks ago and wrote about Lydia’s parents Henry F. and Louise …

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The Farmers’ Institute

Years ago there was an event many people in our rural community looked forward to during the dreary winter months. It provided something for everyone, young and old, rural and village dweller. It was the annual Farmers’ Institute. I had never heard about this locally-held event until recently, but some of you might remember attending …

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