Learning about one’s genealogy

Genealogy fascinates many people, who explore the subject for a variety of reasons, including learning about their ancestry. When looking into one’s genealogy, a person should keep several tips in mind.

Genealogy and family history are subtly different. Genealogy is a line of descent traced continuously from an ancestor, while family history is defined as the history or narrative of a family. They are intertwined but not synonymous.

Vital records are key. Genealogists explore vital records to obtain information about their ancestors. Vital records include documentation of ancestors’ life events, including births, deaths and marriages. Civil registration began at different times around the world, and even across North America, so it may be challenging, though possible, to develop an accurate history.

Surnames were not commonplace until around the 11th century in Europe, so surnames may be different. Surnames fall into four general categories: place or geographical features, such as Hill; nicknames or appearance, such as Little; occupation, for example, Baker; and father’s name, like Peterson. Some names may have been recorded incorrectly, so a person’s last name actually may be a derivative of the real name or it could be a misspelling. Some immigrants even changed their own surnames to fit in with the culture of the land they were immigrating to.

When searching for records of ancestors, people should also keep in miind that borders and municipalities can change over time. The Family Tree Factbook provides European maps from throughout history and a timeline of

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and York, with others to be added over the next few months.

Pennsylvania GBA will offer international business support and global advisory services harnessing expertise from Pennsylvania businesses and universities. It will also work in close collaboration with other international organizations in Pennsylvania. Industries served will include agriculture, finance, health care, life sciences, energy, tourism, logistics, and higher education.

Pennsylvania GBA’s goal is to be a complementary, B2B source of international information and expertise, leveraging, but not replacing, free and low-cost assistance available from federal, state, and regional trade organizations. The GBA will refer companies to those organizations as well as offering GBA member services where appropriate and useful.

Areas of expertise range from strategic planning and market research to more tactical and transactional based services in areas such as international logistics, law, real estate, education and banking, in addition to individual country, cultural, and language expertise. A combination of free and fee-based services will be offered depending on a client’s individual needs as well as the nature and scope of work.

European border changes, which may help with research.

In addition to uncovering mysteries of one’s heritage, dabbling in genealogy helps to preserve family history by confirming tales and tracing ancestors’ journeys. It also may help shed light on the history of artifacts or jewelry that ancestors owned and passed down.

One motivator behind genealogical research is to uncover relatives. Cousins from all over the world can discover they are related, which may be particularly important to those who were adopted and hope to understand more about where they came from for personal or health-related reasons.

Genealogy is a hobby enjoyed by many people. Through the internet and growing databases of civil records, people can seek to trace their family line.

For more information, visit https://gba.ccedcpa.com.

ATGLEN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH: E. Main and Dallas Sts., Atglen, PA. Joe Newsome, Interim Pastor. Join us Sundays at 11am as we preach Christ crucified, risen and coming again so all may come to a personal, saving relationship with Christ.

COMMUNITY OF LOVE LUTHERAN CHURCH

117 N. 4th Street, Oxford, PA 19363 Sunday Service 10 am(in-person & online) 610-998-0282 collutheranchurch@gmail.com

For more info, visit www.collutheranchurch.org

ENCOUNTER CHURCH: 300Hideaway Drive, Quarryville, PA 17566 Sunday Service & Kid’s Church held at 8:30 am and 10:45 am. Church e-mail: office@encounterchurchpa.org www.encounterchuchpa.org Church phone: 717-786-2756

FAITH BIBLE CHAPEL: “Ordinary People

Serving An Extraordinary God.” Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. (Children’s Service during Pastor’s Message). Wednesday Prayer Meeting at 6:30 p.m. We are locatedat 140 Bernard Ave., Cochranville. Pastor Scott Althouse 610-593-6333 fbchapel@zoominternet.net

GAP COMMUNITY CHURCH: located at 835 Houston Run Drive, Gap PA 17527. Sunday morning gathering at 10:00 am as well as streaming live.To learn more, please check out our website at: http://gapcommunity.church

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH: Dedicated to the serious preaching & teaching of God’s Word. Traditional hymns & praise songs accompanied by guitar. Sunday Service 10:40am. 53 Hurley Rd, Parkesburg, PA 19365. 610-593-7123. www. gracecommunitychurch-parkesburg.com for messages, ministries and directions

HEALING SHEPHERD, ECC

Progressive, Inclusive, Democratic, Catholic!

Sunday Mass: 10am 2109 Art School Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425 610-969-5932 www.healingshepherd.com

HIGHLAND BAPTIST CHURCH: 1 East Highland Rd., Parkesburg PA 19365 610-857-1670 www.highland-bc.org

Sunday Services: Sunday School for all ages 9:30 am, Morning Service 10:45 am (nursery is available), Prayer Service 4 pm Wednesday Youth programs 6:30-8:00 pm. Thursday Ladies Bible Study 10:00 am

IMPACTCHURCH: Impacting lives with the Hope of Jesus Christ. Sunday Gatherings at 9 am & 10:30 am. 101 East 1st Ave., Parkesburg. Pastor Mike Bailey. 610-857-3887. Visit us online at WWW.IMPACTPA.CHURCH

LITTLE BRITAIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

255 Little Britain Church Rd., Peach Bottom (between 222 and 272). Sunday School Classes all ages 9:15 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Youth Groups for Elementary, Jr. High and Sr. High, Choir, Bell Choir, Small Groups. Rev. Thomas Milligan, 717-548-2266. Web site: www.littlebritainchurch.org

E-mail: lbpc1732@gmail.com Hearing assistance devices.

MANOR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (PCA)

“Come find spiritual life in Christ for your family.” Cochranville: Rte. 926, halfway between Rte. 41 & Rte. 10. Rev. Daniel Henderson, Pastor. Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 am. Fellowship & Refreshments from 10:15-10:35 am. Worship with classes for infantsPre-K at 10:45 am Kidsworship for K5th is held during the sermon time. Youth Group for 6th-12th grades twice a month at 6:30 pm 610-869-2402. www.manorpresbyterian.com

MAPLE GROVE MENNONITE CHURCH : 549 Swan Rd., Atglen. 610-593-6658, Lead Pastor: Mike Clemmer, Music Minister: Matt Chambers. Sunday School 9am, Sunday Worship 10am, Children’s Church, Nursery. Youth Group Wed., 7pm. Christian Preschool. Visit us online at www.maplegrovemc.com

MIDDLE OCTORARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH : 1199 Valley Road Quarryville. Sunday Services: Sunday School 9 AM; Blended Worship 10:30 AM. 717-786-3402 Visit us online at www.middleoctorara.org

MT. VERNON CHRISTIAN CHURCH: Growing Deeper, Reaching Farther. 1 Lighthouse Dr, Kirkwood. Pastor Tony Murrin. Sunday School- all ages 9am, Worship 10:00am. Handicap Access. Phone: 717-529-4102. Visit us online at mtvernonchristianchurch.com

PARKESBURG BAPTIST CHURCH: 103 West St., (next to Parkesburg Library & Minich Park). 610-857-9135 or Email: info@parkesburgbaptist.org. Pastor: Rev. Mary C. Lewis. Sunday Worship 10:30 am - Nursery Care & Jr. Church provided.

SANDY HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH : 420 S. Sandy Hill Rd., Coatesville 610-857-3959; www.sandyhill.net. Sunday service: 10:15am; Bible teaching, music; Children’s classes, staffed nursery; Adult classes, 9:15am, Youth Min., Sundays, 5:30-7:30pm. Small Groups. A Friendly, Christ-centered church. Preschool: Enrolling-2 1/2-5 years, 610-857-1922

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Where everyone can find a place to belong!

116 Lancaster Pike, Oxford (Rt. 472 at the Rt. 1 bypass ramps). Sunday in-person Holy Communion Service at 10:00 AM, also live-streamed. When people warmly welcome you, you will know you have found a church home where you can come just as you are. The Episcopal Church is Catholic in the way we worship and Protestant in the way we think. You’ll find beautiful music, good preaching, and an inclusive community in which to worship God. YOUBELONGHERE! Check out St. Christopher’s website, YouTube, or Facebook for updates and links. Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Mertz rector@stchrisoxford.org 610-932-8134 www.stchrisoxford.org

UPPER OCTORARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (EPC) : 1121 Octorara Trail (on Rt. 10 a mile south of Rt. 30), Parkesburg. Christ-centered, Handicapped accessible. Sunday School all ages 9:30 am (Sept-May). Sunday Worship (Blended style) 10:30 am. Adult choir, mid-week Youth Group & a variety of adult groups. Bill Kelly, Pastor; Bill Cliff, Asst. Pastor. (610)857-5787 www.uopc-epc.org Find us on Facebook. Christian Preschool: (610)8570236

Please Note:Updates can be made to your church’s listing for 1st issue date of each month only.

(Changes must be submitted by the previous Wednesday.)

For More Information On Church Listings And Rates, Call Justin at 717-492-2533