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 and genealogy research for over 35 years and am Credentialed as a Board-certified genealogist by the Board for Certification of Genealogists®, 2003-2024, retired 2024. My main genealogical interests are family research, cemetery research, and historical and genealogical research of the Chatt area. I also 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 U.S. Daughters of 1812, First Families of Ohio, and First Families of Mercer and Van Wert Counties. I am a retired dental hygienist and our church organist for over 60 years. 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

Apr 08

Advertisers in Willshire’s 1948 Willow

After spending time looking at occupations and businesses in the village of Willshire in 1880, I am leaving the 19th century and fast-forwarding about 70 years, to look at some Willshire businesses in the mid-1900s. But instead of using census records I am using the advertisers in Willshire’s yearbook, the Willow.

Apr 05

Tombstone Tuesday-Caroline Huber

This is the tombstone of Caroline Huber, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Caroline Huber
Born 6, 10, 1842
Died 2, 13, 1924
Age 81 Years
8 MO, 3 DA

Apr 01

Willshire Occupations & Businesses in 1880

I am still stuck in Willshire’s 1880 census enumeration. This is a time in history that I really enjoy studying. Plus, I like looking through census records. Add to that, this year is Willshire’s Bicentennial and we have a win-win. Today, occupations and businesses of Willshire’s residents in 1880.

Mar 29

Tombstone Tuesday-Candle Tombstone Symbol

A candle with a flame, as tombstone art, symbolizes life, eternal life, and light. A burning candle brings light to darkness.

Mar 25

Willshire, Reported Disabilities in the 1880 Census

Recently I have been scouring the censuses for information about the inhabitants of the village of Willshire during the last half of the 1800s. Willshire is of particular interest this year because they are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the founding of the town by Captain James Riley. Their Bicentennial. As I was going through the 1880 census of Willshire Township I noticed something that I had missed before. Totally missed.