My Dad probably drove past this church and never knew. His office in Albany, New York from 1996 to 2003 was less than an 8-mile drive away.
My Dad never knew his fourth great grandfather was buried there at East Greenbush Cemetery, southeast of Albany. There's a Revolutionary War memorial marker there to mark his patriotic service.
I'm just starting to research Jeremiah Shontz, or Shants as the grave maker spelled it.
This much I know: The family was Dutch with the surname Schayaensch. Jeremiah's father, Christian, immigrated from the Netherlands in time to get married in Albany in 1719. Jeremiah was born, spent his life, and died in Albany.
My Dad's family history research papers show he knew he had a great great grandmother with the surname Shontz. But he never knew further back it led to a Revolutionary War Patriot nearby.
No comments:
Post a Comment