The Kile Family History
The History and heritage of my family— Annotated Bibliography
I remember in the summer of 2014 I made a very memorable trip to Galeton, Pennsylvania with my Dad and Sister, older Brother, and Mom. We went there to visit my Great Grandparents, who are pictured in the center. We made this trip because it was the 20 year anniversary of when my grandfather dropped my Dad off at the airport for his trip to Boot Camp. Also, We made this trip to celebrate my Dad’s retirement after serving twenty years in the Navy. I remember rolling up to my Great Grandma’s house after a long two day drive. There was fresh snow on the ground, and her house overlooked the lake, and the small valley town. I remember walking in the house, and getting a huge hug from this rambunctious eighty-six year old lady, and shaking the hand of my Poppy, a World War II veteran. While we were all waiting for my grandparents to show up I listened to my Poppy’s stories about his time on the African front during the World War. When my grandparents finally arrived I vividly remember the look on my Papa’s face. It was a look of happiness, and he was crying tears of joy. We would spend the whole weekend together, and just catch up, and enjoy our time together as a family.
For my annotated bibliography I looked at two ethnic groups: the Scotch Irish and the Germans. I chose these two ethnic groups because they play strong roles in my family’s diverse culture. Also they are the foreground for my life and who I am as a person.
Also in this Bibliography I looked closely at Pennsylvania history, culture, and why people settled and stayed in this state. I chose to do this because my family has strong roots in Pennsylvania. Most of the roots come from strong ties to cheese production not only in Pennsylvania but also in New York. Also, I chose to look at this because I wanted to learn more about the state.
The Scotch Irish Ethnic Group:
Thernstrom, Stephan. Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic Groups. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap of Harvard U, 1980. Print.
Ethnic groups are one of the main defining factors in society today. It defines the culture of many different people.The Harvard Ethnic Groups Encyclopedia is an Encyclopedia database filled with different ethnic groups, and cultures that are documented. My main ethnic group is the Scotch-Irish ethnic group. This encyclopedia talks about the roots, why the Scots migrated to Ireland, and their cultural traditions. Also, this book explains why the Scotch — Irish emigrated to the New World and for what reasons. Some of the reasons for Presbyterian resentment in Ireland, and the Irish Potato Famine that was going on during the 18th and 19th centuries.
This encyclopedia gives a deep insight into my family’s heritage. It shows why my family left because George the I hatred towards the Presbyterian church. This strong hatred caused thousands of the Scotch-Irish living in Northern Ireland to leave in the late 1700s through the mid-1800s. Also, they left to find a better life in the New World, so they do not have to deal with the resentment and the famine going on over in Ireland.
I am using this information for the ground work of my research into my family’s roots and routes. I am using this to find out my family’s heritage. Try to figure out where they came from, and why the emigrated to the United States. I want to find out my culture and find out why my family settled where they did in Northern New York and Pennsylvania.
Perspectives on the Scotch Irish Life:
Blethen, Tyler., and Curtis Wood. Ulster and North America : Transatlantic Perspectives on the Scotch-Irish. Tuscaloosa: U of Alabama, 1997. Print.
The New World for new settlers is a vast environment of unknown possibilities. In Ulster and North America Transatlantic Perspectives on the Scotch-Irish, it talks about the political, cultural, and religious perspectives of the Scotch Irish. Also, it talks about the migration from the cold temperatures of the North to the mild temperatures of the South. the book also talks about the strong religious ties to the Protestant and Presbyterian church, and the religious issues that caused the Scotch-Irish to emigrate.
This book takes a deep dive into the lives of the Scotch-Irish not only in Ireland but also in the United States. It shows why the Scotch — Irish left Ireland because George the I’s resentment of the Presbyterian church. I was able to find useful information on religious views, and the political issues going on during the time they started to emigrate to the U.S. Most of the political and religious issues would play hand in hand due to the fact that George the I signed a law requiring the prosecution of Presbyterian Church members as the country grew more and more Catholic.
I am using this book for many reasons. First, I am using this book to discover my family’s religious history, and how this ties into their reasons for emigrating to the US. Also, I want to find out the regions they emigrated to in the US. Also, I want to find out why my family has these strong religious views. Also, why did they leave Ireland?Was it due to the famine? Was it due to the religious complications? This is what I to find out.
The Scotch — Irish: A Social History:
Leyburn, James Graham. The Scotch-Irish : A Social History. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina, 1962. Print.
Social History is the History that concentrates on the social, economic, and political aspects of a given place in time.In the Scotch-Irish a Social History, Dr. Leyburn talks about the social impacts of the Scotch Irish while living in Northern Ireland. He talks about their culture, traditions, and their Immigration to the New World. He talks about the change in culture overtime while living in the New World. Also, he talks about where they settled and why.
In Dr.Leyburn’s book he analyzes the many impacts that the Scotch-Irish had while in Ireland and in the New World. As I was reading this book and analyzing the different diagrams, I had this weird feeling, it felt like a sense of pride. These diagrams showed how my people migrated in the New World from Pennsylvania down to the southern states like South Carolina and even Georgia. This book also gave me a sense of freedom when Leyburn went on to explain why the Scotch-Irish left Ireland in order to find a better life.
Finally, I used this book in my research to learn the cultural aspects of the Scotch-Irish culture. To look at what my heritage did for fun, what they believed in, and try to enrich myself in my culture. Also, I tried to compare where they settled in America to where my family is located today, and the similarities in location is spot on.
German Americans in the Civil War:
“German Americans in the Civil War Era.” Max Kade Institute, mki.wisc.edu/research/immigration_communitiest/german-americans-civil-war-era.
A war riddled period of blood, sacrifice, and political differences would play a big role in the lives of deep rooted Americans, and the newly established immigrants.This war did not only include U.S born citizens, but also immigrants from foreign countries like Germany and Ireland. In an article written by the University of Wisconsin Madison they gave an overview of German American life in the civil war. It goes into the social aspects, where they lived, and what they did for a living. This article talks about how the Germans participated in the Civil War. Also, how families helped during the war effort.
In this research by the University of Wisconsin Madison, they analyzed German lives during the Civil War. Also, they talked about how most of the German Americans fought on the Union side of the war. Also, it talked about how some of the regiments in the war were mostly made up of German Americans. These regiments would be tightly rooted, and would be one of the big driving forces of the Union army.
I am using this research for mainly my family research, and possibly try and research my great grandfather that died in the Civil War. Also to research some of regiments, and possibly find what regiment he was in.
Historical Annals of Columbia and Montour County:
Historical Annals of Columbia and Montour County, Pennsylvania A Concise History of Two Counties and Genealogical and Biographical Record of Representative Families. Vol. 2, J.H. Beers & Co., 1915.
German Americans, what was immigration to America like for these people?What did they do for a living while in Columbia county? This book answers those questions. The main part of the book that I looked at was through a possible ancestor named George B Kile. George lived within Columbia county, and he worked for the American Car and Foundry Company at Berwick. George was also born in Jackson township which is a part of Columbia county. Also, we find out that he knew William Kile, which is one of my ancestors. In the book it stated that William owned a farm in Sugarloaf township of the county, and that he married Angeline Hess, also one of my ancestors.
This book gives me some strong insight into the lives that some of my ancestors lived during this time. In the annals it shows what some of my family ancestors, being William Kile and Angeline Hess, did for a living and what the family was like. This book also analyzes there political and religious beliefs. The book states that William was a Methodist and a Democrat. I thought this was quite interesting because I never remember having anyone in my family be a member of the Democratic party. Even though the party had very different beliefs back then as compared to today.
Finally, how am I going to implement this book into my research? I plan on using this book to look at specific family members, like William Kile for example. Try and figure out what my family did for a living and figure out if they still work in agriculture today. I am also going to use this book to find out more about my family’s roots. Mainly, why did they choose Columbia county, and why did they stay as long as they did?
The Forks of the Delaware:
Kieffer, Henry Martin. Some of The First Settlers of “The Forks of the Delaware”. First Reformed Church of Easton, Pennsylvania, 1902.
Who would have thought that the Methodist religion would play such a vital role in the lives of foreigners. The Methodist religion was established by Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation of the 1600s. This was to pull people away from the power of Pope in the early sixteenth century. This would later be known as the Protestant Reformation. In the First Settlers it talks about how the German migrants came to settle the city of Easton, Pennsylvania. In this book it also talks about how the First Reformed Methodist Church was established in Easton. Also, this book also has a list of the first members of the new church. In the list I found that my ancestor John Keil was one of the founding members.
This document gives me a strong insight into the origins of the German emigration to America in the sense of settling on the Delaware river. Also, it gives me the greatest insight on the establishment of the church. For the first part of the book it talks about how the Germans settled on the coast of the Susquehanna river that cuts through the middle of Easton. It also talks about the formation of the first Methodist church in the township. This document also goes deep into the history of the Church . It talks the Indians and how they settled the area, and how the church developed a treaty to try and assimilate the Indians.
Finally, what am I using this citation for? I am using this citation to find out more about my family’s religious history. Due to this book having rich religious history, and family history, this book is a great source. It also provides me with the origins of the Methodist religion in the Kile family.
First United Church of Christ:
“Family History and Genealogy.” First United Church of Christ — Easton, PA, 7 Mar. 2019, www.firstucceaston.org/our-church-history/family-historygenealogy.html.
The Church is a strong sign of family heritage in an area.This website is the main website for the First United Church of Christ in Easton, Pennsylvania. The church was formerly known as the First Reformed Church of Easton, Pennsylvania. The website gives a brief overview into the Genealogy and History into the family of the church. Also, it goes into the overall structural history of the church.
This website gives a rich history into the church its self. It talks about the first congregation, and how St. John Lutheran established and built the church. It also talks about the famous history of the Steeple and the Bell. They said that it was used to call the residents to the church for religious service. The bell is such a big deal to this church that they play it before every service. The church also talks about how the main bell was only rung a few times. The last time being its centennial anniversary.
So why this website? Why am I using it for my research? I am using this website to find out the recent history of the church. Find out some research on when the church was built and try to find out if any part of the church is a big part of its history.
The Encyclopedia of New York State:
Eisenstadt, Peter R., et al. The Encyclopedia of New York State. Syracuse University Press, 2005.
Why would some stinky rotten cheese be a vital role for a states economy?Cheese production is one of the biggest industries in the state of New York. Cheese is also a major delicacy in the state. In the Encyclopedia of New York State, it talks about the many different cheese factories with in the state. It also discusses the different type of cheese that is produced and gives a brief historical description on the factory. One of the factories that are included is the one that my grandfather worked at before it closed.
The Encyclopedia gives good insight into the history of cheese production in the state. It talks about what cheese is produced in the factories. Some of the cheeses include American, Cheddar, Gouda, and many others. This book goes into detail about the factory that my grandfather works at especially.
I am using this encyclopedia to find out the overall history of cheese in New York State. I also want to find out more on the cheese factory that my grandfather worked at, and this book gives me a lot of information on that. Also, I want to learn about the different cheeses that are made in New York.
Agriculture Production in Pennsylvania:
“Pennsylvania Agriculture.” Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, www.agriculture.pa.gov/Pages/Pennsylvania-Agriculture.aspx.
Two farmers and a Lumberjack are working on their lands in Pennsylvania. One is growing mushrooms, one is cutting down trees, and one is growing fruit. Which one is going to successful?
In the article provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (Pennsylvania DOA) they give a brief insight into the agriculture that is produced in the state of Pennsylvania. It also goes into extensive detail on the manufacturing, and technology that is found within the Pennsylvanian agriculture system. Also, it goes into detail on the different crops that are grown in the state.
There is a lot of small details that go into the agriculture industry of Pennsylvania. First the main source of agriculture that comes out of Pennsylvania are its forest products. In the article it states,” forests cover more than 60% of Pennsylvania’s land, and are growing” (Pennsylvania DOA). Therefore, Pennsylvania’s forestry export income reaches almost $700 million dollars by its self Also, Pennsylvania is also known as the “Snack Food Capital of the World”, as stated in the article. They gave Pennsylvania this name because it is the home of the Heinz company, Snyder pretzels, and the Hershey Foods Corporation. However, the dairy and fertilizer manufacturing industries are quickly establishing themselves in Pennsylvania.
Finally, why am I using this for my research? I am using this for my research to give a greater insight into the agriculture production that my ancestors may have helped establish during their lifetimes. I want to try to establish some idea of what my grandfathers did for the agriculture industry of Pennsylvania, and how it established the economic success of my family within Columbia county.
Cheese Stakes:
Scully, Tamara Jean. “Cheese Stakes.” Cheese Making in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, New Jersey Skylands, www.njskylands.com/fm_cheese_103.
How does one person go through process to make the great delicacy that we call Cheese? In this article provided by New Jersey Skylands they go into extensive detail on Cheese production in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. But for this article I looked at mainly the Pennsylvania dairy farms. Some of these farms produce many different types of cheeses from regular cheese made with Cow milk, all the way to Goat cheese.
Over the course of me looking at this article I kept my focus on two of the Cheese makers that are in Pennsylvania. These cheese makers are the Klein Dairy Farm and Creamery located right outside of Easton, and the Sal Lee Farm located in Bangor, Pennsylvania. The Klein Dairy Farm is known for its fresh Milk, and their aged Cheeses. They mainly produce mozzarella, milk, yogurt, and cheese spreads. The Sal Lee Farm is mainly known for its Milk sales. They sell their rich Milk to other cheese manufacturers. The article it states, “Sal Lee Farm a small family- run farm…. Sends their mixed-breed, high butter fat content, raw cow’s milk “(Scully). This quote shows the excellent quality that goes into their milk.
So, why am I using this article? I am mainly using this article to find out more on cheese production within Pennsylvania. What ingredients do they use, and how do they produce the cheese? Also, I looked at these two dairy makers specifically because they are both close to where my grandfather grew up.
Pennsylvania Maple Festival:
“History.” Pennsylvania Maple Festival, Pennsylvania Maple Festival, www.pamaplefestival.com/history.html.
Who does not love pouring warm Maple Syrup on their pancakes first thing in the morning? Well people that attend the Pennsylvania Maple Festival sure do enjoy putting syrup on their pancakes. This festival is held during the last week of March and the first week of April. This festival has a very deep history. The first festival was held on March 18th, 1948. And the festival would happen every year. This festival would put the city of Meyersdale on the map.
For this article I was looking at more of the history of the festival. The idea for the festival came during a radio broadcast hosted by Kate Smith. During the broadcast she would sing songs about the community of Meyersdale, Pennsylvania. In the article it states,” on her April 17,1947, national broadcast, Miss Smith sang…. pronouncing our local syrup to be the sweetest she had ever tasted” (Pennsylvania Maple Festival). This garnered the attention of the state governor at the time, Daniel B. Strickler. The first festival was held on March 18, 1948 where former governor Strickler was a guest speaker. Today the current festival has about 1,500 spectators everyday during the festival. Meyersdale is known as the “Maple City, USA” because of this event.
This event plays a strong part in my research. For my research I am not only looking into the history of my family, but I am also looking into the historical ties my family could have had to the state of Pennsylvania. This article gives a strong historical significance not only to Meyersdale, but also to the whole state of Pennsylvania. Maybe some of my ancestors or my grandfather attended this event. Also, it shows the strong ties to the agriculture industry.
A Dairy Farmer Cooperative:
Spector, Joseph. “Upstate Niagara, a Dairy Farmer Cooperative, to Buy Campbell Plant, Save 150 Jobs.” Pressconnects, Pressconnects.com, 30 June 2017, www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/new-york/2017/06/30/new-owner-keep-open-campbell-plant-save-150-jobs/103310382/.
Successful cheese producers are known to fire and layoff employees all the time, But not to the extent of the of the Kraft-Heinz facility in Campbell, New York. In the article provided Press Connects it goes into detail on why the factory laid off so many employees, one of these employees being my grandfather. This article goes into the politics on the factory, it also talks about the mass layoffs of the facility.
This article talks about why the factory was in the stages of closure. The factory was trying to layoff workers, so they can have more money to be able to buy newer machinery to keep the cheese production at a steady pace. In the article it states,” Campbell and pledged to keep at least 150 workers who were set to lose their jobs with the plant’s imminent closure” (Spector). But Governor Andrew Cuomo and Senator Charles Schumer gave an agreement allowing to keep the company open, and that Kraft-Heinz would invest 10 million dollars into new machinery needed for the factory.
This is relevant because my grandfather used to work for this factory. He used to work as a recycling foreman and would help determine which materials were deemed recyclable or not. Also, he would work in processing these recycled materials into new products used to package the different cheese products produced by the factory. I have visited this factory with him once, so he could show me where he worked, and seeing this factory in the news brings back many fond memories of me and my grandfather.
