Any other outlets of history than historical societies, they lack settler years

[49er12]

No fault to there own I’m not trying to trace Jesus times, but historical societies only have the information that was given which is nice however they lack the early years, because of my friend and myself going back early as 1873 county maps understand much but so much more missing and if it wasn’t for going in the woods and discovering foundations that they never marked we would never no. Again the early settlers civil war earlier came lived off the land which I thought all land was on record but maybe not. I’m sorry I just want to understand more I’d give a week of my life to experience what was 200 years ago, maps can’t give you the perspective that you need, remember no cars, only horse and buggy. I only wish I took interest decades ago. Briefly here in far western Pennsylvania there’s a story untold, no old timers to educate you, so the imagination is all you have. Anyone out there like me that wants to get to the beginning, thanks

 

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[CreakyDigger]

There are a lot of books on the history of Western PA. Dig into the Whiskey Rebellion. Also, church histories. Old Redstone, by Joseph Smith; A History of the Presbytery of Kittanning, by Sloan; Fort Ligonier and its Times, by Sipe, many more. I have them for sale but you might find them at your local library, or they could get them through interlibrary loan.

 

[49er12]

Thanks

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Google --> Books --> (Free Google E-Books + 19th Century)

 

[FloodcityTom]

Look into old diaries and journals. "From trail dust to star dust" was written in the early 1960's...forget by whom. Lot of interaction with local indians and first settlers around Johnstown Pa, lots from journals & letters.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Look into old diaries and journals. "From trail dust to star dust" was written in the early 1960's...forget by whom. Lot of interaction with local indians and first settlers around Johnstown Pa, lots from journals & letters.

“Edward A. Starr” according to Google.

Might be kind of hard to find unless you buy from a local museum??

 

[ToddsPoint]

In my county, the oldest plat maps are 1875. I found out recently one of the first residents of our county arrived in 1821. I can find very little on the period from 1821 until 1875. So yes, you're right. There's a lot missing, especially in the map department. Gary

 

[samlarson]

No fault to there own I’m not trying to trace Jesus times, but historical societies only have the information that was given which is nice however they lack the early years, because of my friend and myself going back early as 1873 county maps understand much but so much more missing and if it wasn’t for going in the woods and discovering foundations that they never marked we would never no. Again the early settlers civil war earlier came lived off the land which I thought all land was on record but maybe not. I’m sorry I just want to understand more I’d give a week of my life to experience what was 200 years ago, maps can’t give you the perspective that you need, remember no cars, only horse and buggy. I only wish I took interest decades ago. Briefly here in far western Pennsylvania there’s a story untold, no old timers to educate you, so the imagination is all you have. Anyone out there like me that wants to get to the beginning, thanks

you can try out your luck to find some old documents in the national archive. Its a lengthy process where you need to issue an official statement to them where you mention the purpose of your research yadayadayada and after a month or so if everything is ok they could loan you the documents.