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

Kudos to Indiana Indexers

Last Saturday I attended the Indiana Genealogical Society’s Annual Meeting at the Allen County Public Libraryin Fort Wayne.  Speakers included Debra Mieszala, CGSM, Michael Hall, Melissa Shimkus, and Curtis Sylvester. I focused on the Internet sessions, hoping to get some new information and tips about on-line research. [Update: Several hours after I posted this blog …

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Tombstone Tuesday–Albert “Bruno” & May R. Betzel

This is the tombstone of Bruno and May R. Betzel, located in row 5, Ward 11, North Grove Cemetery, Celina, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed: BETZEL Albert “Bruno” 1894-1965 May R. 1895-1978 Christian Friedrich Albert Betzel was born 6 December 1894 in Chattanooga, Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. He was baptized at home …

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Years Ago in Downtown Chattanooga, Ohio

Last week I wrote about the residents of Chattanooga, Ohio, as they were enumerated in the 1940 census. As I was going through some of my dad’s old photos I found a couple photos of Chatt.   According to the 1940 census Walter Heffner had a grocery. When I was young Harold Bollenbacher owned the …

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In Memory of Herbert Miller, 1925-2012

A member of The Greatest Generation passed away this past Saturday–my father, Herbert M Miller. This blog is devoted to his memory. Farewell brave soldier. We miss you so very much.   Thank you for being a wonderful father and thank you for your service for our country. May you rest in peace. Herbert M. …

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Chattanooga Happenings–April 1940

Yesterday I listed all the inhabitants of Chattanooga, Ohio, as they were recorded in the 1940 census. After that I decided I wanted to learn more about what was going on in the village back in 1940. So I went to the Mercer County Public Library in Celina and looked through several April 1940 issues …

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