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 everything in between.
Recent Stories from the 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 research, documents, and a family overview. Perfect for getting started.
Deep-Dive Ancestry Research
Coal region, Pennsylvania-German heritage, Southern freedmen ancestors, and family mysteries.
Migration & Movement Stories
Where your ancestors came from, how they moved, and why.
Cemetery Photos
Local coal-region cemetery photos, transcriptions, and burial research.
Newspaper History Packets
Historic articles, clippings, tragedies, crimes, victories — whatever shaped your family.
Family Mystery Investigation
Background checks, surname changes, hidden relatives, criminal records, and untold stories.
Our Roots Begin With Her
This is the face of a generation that shaped who we are. A coal-region life marked by strength, struggle, and resilience. RootsScout was created to preserve stories like hers — and families like yours — so they are never forgotten.
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