Abstracts of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Will Books E, F, and G (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798852330093)

Beginning in the 1890s, volunteers working for the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GSP) abstracted the early wills of some Pennsylvania counties (viz., Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York).

Today, digitized copies of the early Lancaster will books are available via the FamilySearch online catalogue and Ancestry.com. I often read these early Lancaster wills in the course of my research. For those who use the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania's will abstracts, it is important to know that not all information of genealogical value may have been abstracted. For example:

GSP Will Abstract:

MAYER, CATHARINE Lampeter Twp.December 1, 1808 October 20, 1810
Children: Catharine wife of Adam Oberly and Peggy.
Ex.: Adam Oberly.

My Abstract:
Lancaster Will L188:
Catharine Mayer, widow, of Lampeter Township, writ 1 December 1808, probated 20 Oct 1810.

1. "being weak and infirm of body"
2. To my daughter Catren, the wife of Adam Oberly: One bed and bedding.
3. To my daughter Peggy: One bed and bedding.
4. On account of "[my] son Isaac being disobedient to me given unto him seventy five cents to be his full share."
5. The remainder of my estate is to be sold at public vendue and the profits equally divided amongst these five of my children: John Weaver, Mary Hoffman, Catren Oberly, Jacob Mayer, and Peggy Mayer.
6. Executor: My trusty friend Adam Oberly.
7. Signed her name with a mark.
8. Witnessed by Philip Weicker and David Heiss.

This is a severe cases; however, I find that the GSP abstracts often omit names of interest. It also appears that grandchildren or other relations were frequently (and intentionally) left out. Further, the abstracts do not include servants, slaves, witnesses, land bequests, and other items of genealogical value.In consideration thereof, I have elected to re-abstract all Lancaster wills up to my own published abstracts covering the years 1821 to 1830.

Author: Edward N. Wevodau
ISBN-13: 9798852330093
Publisher: Independently Published
Language: English
Published: 07/14/2023
Pages: 366
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.87lbs
Size: 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.76d