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   7-15-12

   vkrecker says:

   Hi,

   I did a little research and it looks like Mary Nora Kessack, born 1919 in Harrisburg, PA, was the daughter of James H. Kessack and Ann Shafer (Shaeffer). They had three other children listed in 1930 Census, Helen M. b 1914, Anne C. b 1916 (married Gaffney) and James H.Kessack b 28 May 1917 in Steelton, PA. There is an obit listed for him you can google.

   James H. Kessack was the son of George Kessack b. 1861 and Caroline Harsh(Hursh). I couldn’t find a marriage record but most likely they were married sometime between 1880 and 1886. 1900 US Census, shows Caroline Kessack as a widow with four children, James H. Kessack b. 5 Dec 1886, Catherine R. b.9 July 1885, Nancy M b.28 Jan 1888 and Caroline H. b. 27 March 1891. They are living in the household of their grandfather, James Kessack in Harrisburg, PA. I could not find a death record for George but the city directory for 1901 list Caroline Kessack as the widow of George, so he died sometime between 1890 and 1901.

   George’s father was James Kessack b. 12 Dec 1827 and he immigrated from Scotland in 1843 and was a stone mason. He married Catherine ? and had at least three children, George b. 1861, Thomas b. 1863 and Mary 1864. He died in 1916.

   Most of this information is available from the US Census records 1860-1930 and various city directories. I didn’t find many vital records but you could contact the state of PA and they could let you know about availability. I hope this helps you a little with that side of the family.

   Cheers!

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