DUBOIS – The DuBois Area Historical Society will host a book-signing event by author and genealogist Sandra Kring Leonard, and some local artists on June 3, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., at the society’s museum, 30 W. Long Ave., DuBois.
The activities are part of the annual Art Walk on the Block event in DuBois and are free and open to all. The E. D. Reitz Museum will also be open to the public.
Leonard’s latest book is “From Bavaria to Brady – The George “Philip” Swope Family.” Leonard, born in Johnstown, graduated from Chestnut Ridge High School in Bedford County, and Lock Haven University.
She has been a genealogist since 1973, and she previously wrote and published, “From Sea to Shining Sea,” the “Kring Family,” and “The Brendlinger Family History 1660-1994.”
Research began on the Swope family in 2006 and culminated in tracing George “Philip” Swope Sr., back to his arrival in Brady Township between 1828 and 1831, his marriage to Elizabeth Yoas and the births of their 10 children, the eldest having died as an infant.
George and Elizabeth, and many family members are buried in St. Luke’s Cemetery in Luthersburg, while others are buried in DuBois.
Leonard is the wife of Keith W. Leonard, who was born in Grampian to the late Herbert and Charlotte “Ella” (Swope) Leonard. Ella was the youngest daughter of George Samuel and Florence Agatha (Seyler) Swope of Luthersburg.
The hardbound book on the Swope family contains 746 pages, more than 200 photos of family members and homesteads, timelines of each child’s life, deeds, wills, census records, maps and a complete index of thousands of known family members.
The book contains the families of: George and Elizabeth (Yoas) Swope, Henry and Sarah Jane (Brisbin) Swope, George and Catherine (Swope) Passmore, Philip and Hannah (Horn/Wood) Swope, William and Louisa (Swope) Wingert, Jacob and Margaret (Swope) Heilbrun and Philip and Malinda (Swope) Arnold.
Also expected to be on hand are Frank Rossman, Aaron DeWyer and Viviana Forrest. All are graduates of the DuBois Business College.
They demonstrate art projects and do hands-on activities with young people visiting the museum during the Art Walk.
