Simon Brown (1825–1883)
Boatman • Bartender • Carpenter — a Life Along the Lehigh He was not famous, but he was necessary. Simon Brown’s life unfolded where the Lehigh River bends and the towpath use…
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Every family has a story worth remembering
At RootsScout, we research real American families — coal-region ancestors, Pennsylvania-German heritage, Southern freedmen lines, migrations, mysteries, and the stories that shaped who we are.
Recent Stories from Roots Trails
The Whistle in the Valley: The Life of Reuben Morris Grow, Railroad Conductor
In the anthracite hills of Carbon County, Pennsylvania, iron rails carved through forest and farmland, carrying coal, commerce, and hope. At the heart of this story is Reuben Morris Grow (1858–…
Read more →“Three Names on One Roll”: Southey Ezekiel Nottingham and His Sons in the 10th U.S. Colored Infantry
In the 1860s, on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the Nottingham name appears more than once on the same Union muster rolls. Southey Ezekiel Nottingham—born about 1815 near Capeville, Northampto…
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Starter Genealogy
4+ generation tree, documents, and an overview. Great for beginners.
Deep-Dive Ancestry Research
Coal region, German ancestry, Southern freedmen lines, and complex mysteries.
Migration Stories
Track how your ancestors moved over decades and why.
Cemetery Photos
Coal-region grave photos, transcriptions, burial research.
Newspaper Research
Clippings, articles, tragedies, victories — the real story of your family.
Family Mystery Investigation
Hidden relatives, surname changes, court records, criminal cases.
Our Roots Begin With Her
This is the face of a generation that shaped our region. Strength, hardship, resilience — the real coal-country story. RootsScout was built to preserve stories like hers, and families like yours, so they are never forgotten.
What Our Clients Say
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