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

Mar 10

Johann Georg Schumm II Family in Ruppertshofen

So far I have written about the parents, grandparents, and in-laws our immigrant ancestor Johann George Schumm II. Today, Johann George Schumm II’s family in Germany, from the Ruppertshofen church records. Once again, the church records give up some surprises.

Mar 07

Tombstone Tuesday-Harold G. & Mildred L. (Giessler) Merkle

This is the tombstone of Harold G. and Mildred L. (Geissler) Merkle, located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:
MERKLE
Harold G.
1904-1956
Mildred L.
1911-1971

Mar 03

Fischer Family, Wife of JG Schumm

Last week I wrote about our immigrant ancestor John Georg Schumm’s grandparents and parents. Today, some information about our immigrant ancestor John Georg Schumm II’s wife Anna Maria Fischer and her family.

Feb 28

Tombstone Tuesday-Music Symbols

Music has been popular for centuries and it is no surprise that people would incorporate musical symbols on their tombstones.

Feb 24

Adding to the Schumm History

One thing about genealogy is that the family history you think you know may not be entirely complete or accurate. Your family history may change as records become available and are analyzed. As more records become accessible we may be able to add information to our family history. Sometimes we learn new revelations. At a minimum, we may get a better understand of our ancestors’ lives.