I Searched for John Rabenstine’s Parents and Found His Tavern (and Store) Instead

Join us for a special in-person presentation on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 5:00pm, featuring genealogist Jan Bankert.

In this engaging talk, Jan will share the fascinating family stories he uncovered by turning to often underutilized genealogical records such as land, tax, and estate documents. While his original goal was to locate a specific pair of ancestors, the research led him somewhere unexpected—and the discoveries he made along the way are truly remarkable.

“Sometimes when you search for a set of unknown parents leading back to an original emigrant, you find a forgotten story. Using the example of a maternal 3rd great-grandfather, John Rabenstine of York County,  Pennsylvania, I share a story never passed down in my family, nor recorded in any local or county history. As I uncover the story, I will highlight what I consider the three most underutilized sources of original documents.”

The presentation will take place at Cooper Memorial Library, Room 108. Please note that this event is in-person only and will not be recorded.

Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or still building your research skills, this program offers valuable insight into how overlooked records can unlock powerful stories from the past.