Bob & Beck's

Dead Kin Hunt

You are thevisitor since the last time someone was here

Skip the chase and get to the Gedcoms.

                   

THE GOALS:

1.  To broaden and deepen all the surname databases.

2.  To provide the necessary information and/or documentation, to link and update these several Epler lines.  

THE PURPOSE:  The purpose of this page is to promote the exchange of information with other genealogy researchers, family historians, or family members wanting to develop and preserve family history.  

THE INTENT:  The intent of this site is to provide a catalyst to acquire new and otherwise undiscovered sources of family information.   We are looking for your input.   Also to provide the most current database and links to others conducting research for our families.

IF YOUR INTERESTED

 My Story

 Beck's Story

   Beyond My Story:  During the course of my research, I discovered many others researching the Epler past, their contributions are countless.   I can only identify a mere few in this webpage; however, these individuals can serve as the "Points of Contact" for their particular line.  

BERKS COUNTY, PA

More Eplers:   There 's another Epler line out there that we haven't been able to link to the Berks County line, but we hope that it's just a matter of time till we find a connection.

LANCASTER COUNTY, PA

 Fellow Gravediggers:   Helmut and Doris (nee Epler) Lasarcyk are researching the Epler family on our native soil, Germany.   Although we haven't made a connection to one of the Pennsylvania lines, again, it's just a matter of time.   You can take this link to Doris' homepage:  Epler Family, Germany, and/or contact her at: [email protected]  

The Gedcoms:   Currently there are two Gedcoms to select from.  In addition to the Epler's originating in Berks County, the Berks County Index also lists all the Surnames associated with our family.  Detailed information on the living has been excluded.

My Story:   My first thought of genealogy was in 1963 when my local newspaper "The Milton Evening Standard" was running 100 year articles from the Civil War.  In one of the articles it mentioned a James Miller who brought back the body of a man named Kepler (no relation) for burial.

After the Agnes Flood in 1972, my wife and I were staying with her parents (to get out of the flood plain).  While there I browsed through the Trinity Lutheran Church records (my father-in-law, the Rev. Dr. Walter Brandau, was the minister) I came across the marriage date of my grandparents.

I began talking to my aunts, uncles, and cousins to find out more about my ancestors.  In 1976, with the information I could gather, I was able to identify my great-great-grandparents on the Miller side.  Over the years I haven't been able to add much information to the Miller's because there are so darn many!

I began digging my Epler roots Sep 30, 1996 (I remember this day because it was the day before my retirement from the military).  The day prior, my mom (Mildred nee Epler), a couple of my sisters, my wife, and myself went to visit the place where my mom was born and raised till age 15, when her father died.  We stayed a couple hours talking to the current owners and looking around the house, barn, etc.  The house is in remarkable condition, even being 100 plus years old (I know that's not old by European standards). As we were leaving, I asked my mother where her dad, Franklin John Epler, was buried.  The answer I received was "I don't remember".  I believe that answer was due to my mom's age, and because he died so many years ago. After hearing that, I decided to find my dead-kin!  The next day, Sep 30, my wife and I visited some of my Epler cousins, including Joe Epler.  Not only did I get details about my grandfather Franklin Epler, Joe also took us to Franklin's grave site, where his wife Dorothy, his parents, John Francis and Emma Epler, and many of my Epler relatives are buried.  What excitement!

My cousin Joe, who took us to the cemetery, also provided me with a copy of a book written by Harry S. Epler during the years 1937-1939.  That gave me the names and burial locations of my 2d and 3d g-grandparents.  My wife and I visited their graves the following weekend documenting additional dates and names.  As it turns out, the cemetery is only about one mile from where my wife's brother lives, where we have been on many occasions.

After that, we visited other relatives gathering more information.  That led me to Donald Epler, a first cousin, at Harrisburg, PA.  He told me about Epler's from the Reading, PA. area; Don was a devoted researcher while living there.

With the information I obtained, I was able to determine when my ggggg-grandfather and family came to the USA.   I posted some of this information in a newsgroup and an individual from Germany e-mailed back with the correct spelling of the homestead in Germany.   He also stated that if I could provide more information he may be able to help me.   It was only five hours after I e-mailed him the information when he provided me three more documented generations of the Epler family.  I am now back to Nicolaus, abt. 1620.  Talk about luck!

Now I want to share my good fortune (my fortune is not monetary, just genealogy data, but don't I wish!) with others.  And be a springboard to those that may find their family ties elsewhere. 

Beck's Story:   My parents taught my brothers and myself very early in life the importance of knowing about your family history.  Although they didn't go into the great details of what we've learned through our genealogy research, they made sure that we had an understanding of our "roots".  I learned my parents' full names and birth dates as well as each of their parents and their grandparents.  I was fortunate enough to have gotten to know personally my great-grandmothers.  They each died when I was very young, but I still remember them.  This is something that my brothers envy.   I don't think that they remember much.

My husband's interest in his ancestors got us to digging up ancestors on my side also.  We are still searching for the particular areas in Germany where my ancestors lived.  Welker's are thought to have lived near Württemberg and Brandau's near Heidelberg.  I am currently working on finding out who Christian (ca. 1770) Welker's father was and if they were born in America. So all of you genealogists out there, if you have anything that you feel may be helpful or interesting, please contact me.

A mail list can be a great forum for discovery and discussion.   Join us in the Epler Mail List, click for the details!

 Please E-MAIL your comments, messages and queries to:  [email protected]