Genealogy of the Woodcock Valley

The Riley family has been putting flags on seven of the Woodcock Valley cemeteries for many generations.  We finished putting flags on for Memorial Day 2013 this evening.  My husband and I usually do the flags, but we had to add some extra help this year since my husband broke his leg!  My father-in-law was glad to help; and I enjoyed his help, because it was like a walking history lesson.

I was contacted by Dale Norris this past year, who found another vetera...

And, I guess we are just going to have to say I am DNA cursed!!!

In the summer of 2012, I had my husband do the Family Finder DNA test through Family Tree DNA.  I had one purpose in mind...to once and for all solve the mystery of his James K. Isett (1813-1863)  family tree.  Well, he had 190 distant "cousin" matches, and a few closer matches, but all we did was prove he had no close matches to any oth...

Lonnie Smith shared some photos of Aitch on his website, Huntingdon County PA History and Heritage, and he had a photo there that I had never seen before of an engine surrounded by miners of iron ore in the Woodcock Valley.

I was "raised" in Penn Township, Huntingdon County, and always heard my dad talk about the ore mines.  As a child, I always had visions of large mines you could walk into and...

I was recently contacted by a Fisher cousin, Richard Fisher.  We began comparing notes on our Fisher lines and quickly came to the same conclusion:  We both have the same Fisher brick wall!  I spent large chunks of whole days pouring through information on the  Fisher family over my recent Easter vacation.  Unfortunately, I'm still as lost as ever.

Marklesburg is a tiny town located in the heart of the Woodcock Valley.  It is a quaint and quiet little town that has had it's share of commerce through the years, but always a friendly spot known for it's tight knit family atmosphere.  It is a borough located within the boundaries of Penn Township.  Throughout it's history, the town has sported general stores, a shoe shop, gas station, post office, and a variety of other specialty shops.

Sam Hinish recently ...

I would like to start this post by wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!!!!  I hope 2013 brings you health and happiness and wonderful genealogy finds!  

While I have not been a very active researcher the last several months, I always have my eyes open, and love to hear from others.  I am sometimes slow to respond, but I will always get back to other researchers in time.

Others on the site have been working hard and posting new information ...

Gerald Isaac Grubb was a Woodcock Valley hero who paid the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.  

I was recently contacted by Nancy, who aquired Gerald Grubb's World War II service journal.  From entries she shared, Gerald was the radio operator on air flights during the war.

Gerlad Isaac Grubb was born October 8, 1921.  He w...

The 53rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry was formed very early during the Civil War.  Company C of the 53rd P. V. I. was formed from the Huntingdon and Blair County areas of central Pennsylvania.  Many of the men to enlist in September and October of 1861 were from the Woodcock Valley area of Huntingdon County.  Most were mustered in October 17, 1861.

I have created a new page dedicated to the men of

With progress comes change.  Change was necessary for the construction of Raystown Lake.  The ridges and valleys of the Woodcock Valley lost some historical treasures in the face of progress.  One of the local landmarks lost to visitors was the Norris Cemetery.  

The Norris Cemetery was located on property owned by Joseph Norris, Sr. (1729-1813).  Long time Norris researc...

I scanned a number of school photos when I visited with Clair Grove.  After posting them to the website, I went through to make sure I included the teacher names on the Schools pages.  One of the scans I found was a list of the Penn Township teachers from an unknown year.