Category Archives: Family Lines

Howell’s in the Censuses – Henry, Gideon, and Peter

Posted on September 21, 2025 by Don Taylor

Exploring the census records of Henry, Gideon, and Peter Howell in Buckingham County, Virginia, to uncover clues about the father of Peter M. Howell (1805–1865). This research examines 1840–1870 census evidence, agricultural schedules, and possible family connections. Continue reading →

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Nancy Strain (1802-1844): A Link Between the Strain Line and the Listers of Ohio.

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Don Taylor

Roberts ResearchRoberts-Barnes-Lister-Strain LineBy Don Taylor Nancy Strain Lister lived during a time of transition and expansion in early 19th-century America. Born in 1802, likely in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Samuel Strain, a man whose four … Continue reading →

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Nancy Strain (1802-1844)

Posted on August 14, 2025 by Don Taylor

Nancy Strain (1802–1844) was likely born in Pennsylvania and married William Lister of Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1822. Together they had five children before her untimely death at 42. This ancestor sketch explores her life, conflicting birth records, and the research still needed to uncover her full story. Continue reading →

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The Heer Surname: Origins & Ancestors

Posted on July 30, 2025 by Don Taylor

This post explores the origin and meaning of the Heer surname, once a noble title in Switzerland, and follows its lineage through eight generations in Canton Glarus. From Sarah Heer to Florence Wilma Huber Darling, it traces the family’s deep Swiss roots and highlights modern surname distribution and descendant statistics. Continue reading →

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The Brewer Surname: Origins, Ancestors & Legacy

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Don Taylor

Discovering Brewer Roots 🧬🍺

From 17th-century Wales to colonial Maryland and colonial Virginia, my wife’s Brewer ancestors left a remarkable legacy. The surname “Brewer” comes from the Old English brÄ“owan — to brew — and today over 160,000 people share this historic name. Her earliest known Brewer, John Brewer (1620–1664), helped lay the foundation for generations that followed. Continue reading →

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