#14 Brick Wall 52 Ancestors in a Year--Pennsylvania Dutch Shaffner's

#14. Brick Wall. 52 Ancestors in a Year. Pennsylvania Dutch Shaffner's

Researching genealogy often finds one up against a brick wall.  And I have several, oh which one to choose!

I am choosing my Shaffner ancestors!  Grandpa Shaffner said we were “Pennsylvania Dutch” and I simply can’t find any records in Pennsylvania Dutch land!  (April Fool’s as I am writing this one 1 April 2019).

Seriously, I do believe they were Pennsylvania Dutch and came in as aliens!  With 90% certainty, I believe I have confirmed my 3rd great grandfather, Henry Shaffner as well as his wife Catherine.  In Pennsylvania.  But there are more than 1 Henry or Heinrich Shaffner.

In the 1850 census, Catherine is living with her son, Gabriel, who is my 2nd great grandfather. But her maiden name has ever been confirmed.

What happened to Gabriel’s father?  In 1824, Catherine was receiving a payment from Commissioners for poor children in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for Gabriel and his brother Henry.  Catherine is listed as a widow.  Since Gabriel was born in 1817, Henry must have died between 1816 to 1824.  Gabriel is mentioned in an article with his sister, Catherine, who married Jonas White.  Gabriel’s siblings were baptized at the Manheim Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mannheim, Pennsylvania but he was not.   Gabriel’s older brother was baptized on 11 February 1816 and his parents listed were Henry and Catherine.  

The first child of Henry and Catherine was born in 1805, so when did they marry?  And where?

And who were the parents of Henry and Catherine?

My father with the Shaffner Family Bible.  And no mention of my 3rd great grandfather!

Interestingly, my Grandfather, John F. Shaffner, who wrote his life history never mentioned his great grandfather.  And there is no mention of his great grandfather or great grandfather in the Family Bible.  He knew his great grandmother, but his great grandfather died when he was 4.

My next goal is find a will and probate from 1816 to 1824 for Henry Shaffner.  Second goal is to look for a marriage record or church record for Henry and Catherine.  Third goal is to identify Catherine's maiden name.  There are lots of options on internet trees but I need proof!