Charles Harness
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| The Harness Family Tree The family tree and related information featured on this web site concentrates on one branch of the Harness family as it evolved from the days of Colonial America, with the arrival in 1710 of a German emigrant, Michael Ernst, whose surname, through imperfect translation, became Americanized to "Harness". By selecting underlined names of persons in the file and then scrolling down the notes file you will often see detailed information on their lives and, in many cases, the times in which they lived and were involved in some way. Individuals in other families who intermarried or were otherwise associated with the Harness' down through the years (the Cunningham's, Stump's, Rennick's, Yoakum's, Van Meter's, Inskeep's, Welton's, Shook's and in more recent times the Allen's), as well as other families) may also be found in this family tree. Their stories, too are contained in extensive notes in many cases within that file. Just select the person's underlined name and the notes file should open. Then scroll down. There is a wealth of American history here, if you take your time and read the many extensive notes. Tracing a family's roots Tracing a family's roots, especially the early parts of it, is a lot like a murder mystery. You find lots of clues and perhaps circumstantial evidence in all sorts of places, from hard-to-read handwritten notes in family bibles to grave markings in old cemeteries, to the vast expanse of the Internet. In some cases, the earlier work of others who have sought their family roots becomes available in some form or another, and on rare occasions a professional historian's special expertise or a direct descendant of an individual verifies some already established information, uncovers previously unknown facts, and allows us to discard unverified or erroneous data that may have been passed down generation to generation with little or no basis in fact. Such is the case with the Harness family that is the focus of this web site and the families associated with them. The information collected here represents the combined efforts of literally dozens of people over many years. Most are simply ordinary people who have had an interest in finding their family roots, while a few are professional researchers. Unfortunately, everything you read on the Internet or that has simply been passed down from generation to generation isn't necessarily true. There can be many reasons for some of the discrepancies (and some of the stories that have been handed down generation to generation are real whoppers), but it makes the search for truth even more elusive, and the finding of credible information even more satisfying. This site was put together primarily to tell our branch of the Harness family story in a linear, cohesive, but easy-to-read manner, and as accurately as possible.The form in which we have chosen to present the information on this site will probably not completely satisfy professional geneaologists. That does not mean we have not tried very hard to distinguish clearly between what is known fact and what is simply family tradition, stories and other information handed down generation to generation but that has never been documented. We think by careful reading of the information, you will be able to easily distinguish fact versus family tradition. Acknowledgements: Information on this web site was obtained from numerous sources, some directly and others through their writings. They include John L. Tevebaugh, Henry Z. Jones, Jr., Karl Diefenbacher, Michael O. Reck and his associates (for their excellent work on the Shook family connection), Laurance B. VanMeter (who extensively updated the excellent book by his ancestor, Benjamin F. VanMeter), Gerald Harness, Harold Duncan Harness, Helen L. Harness, Helen Yocum Black, David and Dianne Bachmann, Jay and Kay Harness and Ernest Bracken. Other sources are acknowledged at the appropriate location on this web site. Special thanks to professional historian John L. Tevebaugh who has been most helpful and patient with us. John must have been one helluva history professor. He was a stickler for pointing out what is known fact and what is simply family tradition, and the quality of information on this site is better for his excellent input and counsel. I would be surprised if we have come up to his high standards, but we are constantly trying. Site compiler: Charles Harness If you have any comments or suggestions or additional information or corrections that would be helpful in improving this site, I would appreciate hearing from you via the E mail address shown below. |
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chasreader@comcast.net |