Mysteries are Fun!
Brad Haubert
Genealogists love a good mystery – especially when their own family folklore is involved. Never sure when (or if) the mystery will be solved, the family historian eats up any information that may help to shed light on the situation.
My own family mystery is a changing of the spelling of my last name (Haubert) to another spelling (Hubbert). Interestingly enough, the change happened among brothers and sisters. Part are buried with “Haubert” on their tombstones. The other part – you guessed it – have “Hubbert.”
I’ve heard two separate stories about why the name change occurred. The more plausible story involves a family feud – though I never heard what that entailed.
The more interesting story goes like this: the wife (Mrs. Haubert) was a bit, let’s say, stuffy. It was told to me that a new pastor came to her church who had a stuttering problem. At one point, he was addressing Mrs. Haubert (either directly OR while introducing her to someone else) and said, “……Mrs. Ha-Ha-Ha Haubert…”
I was told she was so distraught – thinking the pastor was making fun of her name – that she changed the spelling.
Now, that’s a fun story! I don’t know how real it is – since the pronunciation ends up being the same (at least the way my immediate family pronounces “Haubert”). Maybe, she changed it since no one could spell it the way her family pronounced it. Even today, I find people wanting to spell it Hubbert when writing down my last name.
Wouldn’t it be interesting, though, to find out the pastor at the church that family attended and find that family’s genealogist to see if there is any record of a stuttering problem? Hmmm…. maybe that is my next task.
Anyone else have a fun and/or interesting mystery to share?
Port Royal Times Acquisition
Many thanks to Donna Swartz, owner of The Times, formerly located in Port Royal. She was so generous for providing a donation of newspapers beginning in the 1950’s!
The papers were temporarily stored at Orchard Hills Storage (generously provided by Teresa O’Neal). Once sorted, the papers will be kept in the Archives Room.
December 1, 1942 Gas Rationing
Gas Ration Card Sample
Just read this article about gasoline rationing on Wired.com and thought it was interesting enough to post here.
Now, I wasn’t around in 1942 so this information is new and interesting to me. Just wondering if anyone experienced this rationing around Juniata County. If so, would you be interested in posting photos and/or stories of how you handled the situation.
I’d be especially curious to see if there were any “behind-the-scenes” tactics used if you were in need of gasoline (borrowing other people’s ration cards, verbal agreements for gas locally, even secret gas-ration-card black markets and/or counterfeit cards). I think it’s safe to say that you’re safe to disclose this information. 🙂
Pomeroy Academia Covered Bridge wins Preservation Award
Pomeroy Academia Bridge
On September 17, 2010 at the State Museum in Harrisburg, the Pomeroy Academia Covered Bridge – owned by the Juniata County Historical Society – was awarded the Ralph Modjeski Award For Excellence in Transportation Design, Historic Preservation & Archaeology.
The award was presented by Preservation Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of historically and architecturally significant properties.
Pictured above from left to right are: Marty Malone , Lehman Engineering; Nancy Crago Vice President; Terry Wheeler, Past President and Audrey Sizelove, President, of the Juniata County Historical Society.
