Patricia McCreary McConnell Howdershelt, 80, was born November 8, 1922 at Shenango Valley Hospital, New Castle, to Samuel Arthur and Florence McCormick McCreary of Hickory Township.  She died May 26, 2003 in Grand Prairie, Texas. Pat was a graduate of East Brook High School, Class of 1939, and attended Westminster College.  Through several educational institutions she studied accounting, and became one of the first women Certified Public Accountants in the state of Texas.  She was employed by a number of accounting firms in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Pat married high school classmate Glenn Howard McConnell on June 22, 1942.  Glenn was a member of the 30th Division, U.S. Army.  He was killed in action at St. Lo, France on July 15, 1944.  Pat then joined the U.S. Navy W.A.V.E.S., serving until the end of World War II. She married Walter Dayton Howdershelt, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army on November 2, 1946.  He preceded her in death.  She is survived by three children, Edward Arthur Howdershelt of Spring Hill, Florida, Florence Jane Plecki of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Alice Maureen Crawford of Grand Prairie, Texas; and by one grandchild, Amanda Jeannette Crawford.  Also, surviving are two sisters, Reba Bender of Washington Township, Lawrence County and Ann Nager of Daphne, Alabama. After retirement, Pat was active in the Friends of the Library, Grand Prairie, and in the Dallas area National W.A.V.E.S. Organization.

Researchers create 1852 census index for Hanover, Germany
A couple living in Hanover, Germany, Mr./Mrs. Jens Koppe, professional researchers, have decided to create an index to the 1852 census of the former Kingdom of Hanover. 
This census was the first one to list all inhabitants by name, and gives information such as age, marital status, occupation and religion.  The majority of the 1852 lists for the 175 districts and 45 towns have been preserved.  Any missing ones will substitute information from 1855, 1858, 1861 or 1864.
The original 1852 lists are scattered among 4 state archives, and many county and town archives. 
The SLC Library has filmed those in Hannover, but not the others.  As indexing progresses, the lists for various areas will be published in booklet form for sale.  The overall name index will be available on the website of the Koppe's at www.edition-hist.de.
Thanks to the Immigrant Genealogical Society Newsletter.

Norwegians in the US Civil War?
Why would Norwegians fight in the Civil War? 
Norwegian overpopulation forced many young men to emigrate, many to America.  Some enlisted in hope that the enlistment bonus would enable them to purchase a farm and start a new life in America.
Jerry Rosholt, a historian at Vesterheim and former NBC News field producer, became interested in identifying such Norwegian soldiers.  He has now published a book about 6,500 Norwegian immigrants he has identified who fought in the Civil War in the United States.
You can find details about the book at www.vesterheim.org.

Mehaffey discovers letters and pictures in her basement...are they yours?
Old letters and pictures were found in an old trunk in my in-laws' basement. 
Letters from Newell Culbertson Shields, U.S. Army Pvt. (1918) were written to his mother Mrs. Venora Shields at 232 W. Sixth St. in Loveland before he was killed in France. 
There is a paper flag with the note on the back "Newell Culbertson Shields killed in action 11 NOV 1919, buried in France." 
A "last will & testament" for Joseph Culbertson mentions these names: (daughters) Venora, Maggie, Minnie and (sons) William D. and Chad S.  Also mentioned are John Culbertson and Eula.  A baby picture of T.C. Foster from Cushing, Oklahoma was found along with a graduation picture of Jim Jeffries from Willamette U. College of Law, '09, Salem, Oregon. 
Sorry to say there are plenty of old pictures with no ID.
Sure would like to find a person/family who would cherish and maybe recognize the people in the pictures. Thank you for your help. 
Sonja Mehaffey, LCGS Member Thank you to the Larimer County Genealogical Society Newsletter.  (Please contact us at The Family Tree and we'll let Ms. Mehaffey know you have clues for her regarding her "treasure" find!)

A new Revolutionary War museum planned
The story of the American Revolution has been told in bits and pieces by museums across the United States, but now a new museum is being planned as the "premier educational, historical and cultural institution concerning the American Revolution."
The National Park Service and the National Center for the American Revolution have teamed up to create a place to display the world's most comprehensive collection of Revolutionary artifacts. 
Located at the trailhead of Valley Forge National Historical Park, the museum will show visitors the events leading up to the revolution, the 1777-1778 encampment of General George Washington and the Continental Army at Valley Forge, and a chronicle of the was itself.  The 21-acre museum complex will be completed in 2005. 
Visit http://www.valleyforgemuseum.org to learn more.
Thanks to the Larimer County Genealogical Society Newsletter.

The Genealogist's Ten Commandments
1.  Thou shalt find that the human species has been lying, sheating, stealing and exaggerating for quite sometime.
2.  Thou shalt not always believe the printed word.  All things written were set down in print by other humans. See commandment number one.
3.  Thou shalt not always believe family tradition.  All things oral were passed down by other humans.  See commandment number one.
4.  Thou shalt not expect to trace thine ancestry back to Adam and Eve in the first ten minutes.
5.  Thou shalt not expect to find royal blood, land barons, ancient planters, patriots or presidents in thine lineage.
6.  Thou shalt not expect to prove descent from thine "Indian Princess."
7.  Thou shalt not expect to find the "three brothers that came on the first ship to Jamestown, Virginia."
8.  Thou shalt expect to find felons, illiterates, illegitimate insolvents and immorality, in general, in thine lineage.  See commandment number one.
9.  Thou shalt not brag endlessly about thine ancestors to everyone thou canst "collar."  After all, they are dying to brag about their own lineage.
10. Thou shalt not believe that the library staff has a memory any better than thine own.  The library staff is indeed called "miracle worker," but shall not remember every book thou hast ever used.
Thanks to the Tazewell County Genealogical & Historical Society Newsletter.

Here's help if you're working on Swedish ancestry!
The Swedish Colonial Society, founded 1909, is the oldest historical group in the United States that celebrates the history and legacy of the New Sweden Colony in America, 1638-1655. 
The SCS's biannual Swedish Colonial News spotlights historic sights from the New Sweden Colony and each issue includes the biography and lineage of one immigrant ancestor (a "Forefather").
Membership activities include an annual Swedish Christmas dinner and a spring Forefathers luncheon honoring these first settlers. 
All Timem Stiddem Society members are most welcome to join - and TSS Descendant Members qualify as SCS "Forefather Members."
Contact Doriney Seagers - Registrar, Swedish Colonial Society, 371 Devon Way, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380 or visit us on the web at www.ColonialSwedes.org.
Thank you to The Timen Stiddem Society Newsletter.