Keys To My Heart

Archive for August, 2007

This is the most exciting thing that has happened to me in a long time. Many know how much of a history and genealogy buff I am. Luckily, I have spouted it off on many forums and have my files posted on several genealogy sites as this past month I was contacted by someone from Texas about one of my ancestors. I was asked if I knew of a John M. Sherfick. Of course, I did; I knew of two such men. One was my great-granduncle, and the other was my 1st cousin, 3 times removed. We exchanged some emails, and this person (I’m omitting their name for privacy) said that there was a bible that was found in their church in Texas. It is a Presbyterian Church in Dallas. The bible belonged to the 2nd John M. Sherfick. I’m not sure how the bible got to Texas yet as I never found him living there in any of the census lists. He was born around 1856 in Ohio and lived in Minnesota and California. The bible was copyrighted in 1829. You can’t imagine my excitement when it was offered to me!!! I just can’t thank this kind person enough for taking the time to write to me and send it. What a sweet person!

There are several names scribbled in the bible. Many of them have dates. One of the pages near the front has his name prominantly as well as his address: John M. Sherfick; Moss Run, Washington County, Ohio; September 15, 1872. JMS would have been 16 then. I’m wondering if it was his confirmation or baptism date. Maybe he was given the bible then. There are other names and dates through it though, so it could have been a Sunday School bible which was signed by students. I’ve not had much time since returning from Florida to do genealogy research, but a brief search of names found in the bible is leading to a connection with JMS’s stepfather.

There are no family lists (at least none remain as some pages are missing), but I am still so grateful to have this in my possession. I will continue to look for actual descendants though as this bible should be owned by one of John’s children’s children. I know he had one daughter and one son, but he wasn’t in their lives as he was a bit of a rover while they stayed in Ohio. As a genealogist it is an extremely important find for my family! The bible may not give up any clues about my ancestors, but just holding something this personal having actual handwriting samples is amazing!