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Lawrence Shook was born in 1733, but his birthplace is unknown.
In 1758 he purchased 100 acres of a large tract of land, called "Maiden's
Choice," in Frederick Co. (now Washington Co.) Maryland. After living there 16 years,
he migrated to Hardy Co. Virginia (now in West Virginia) in 1773. With four of his sons
who were seeking more land, he migrated again in 1801, at the age of 68, to St. Clair Co.
Illinois. He died there c. 1820.
The story of Lawrence's life and family is described in Lawrence Shook. Most of Lawrence's descendents have been traced by Earl Close, Jr. over the past 38 years, and his research has been privately published in "The Family of Cleveland Eldred Shook," 2nd. ed. 1996. Cleveland "Ted" Shook was a great- great-grandson of Lawrence, and Earl is the husband of Ted's daughter, Marjorie. The author of this webpage, John R. Shook, is a great-grandson of Ted, and Earl is my great-uncle. From Earl and my father, Robert H. Shook, I have finally caught the genealogy fever. Besides picking up some of the many threads of further research, I am contributing my computing skills to present my family's research to the genealogy community.
The GEDCOM files in Maiden's Choice include far more than just the many hundreds of descendants of Lawrence. Earl has researched both the paternal and maternal ancestors of his wife, Marjorie. The many families in Ted's ancestral tree, some traced back for 12 generations, include Hinkle, Hale, Corwin, Wright, Kip, Swartout, DuBois, DeHooges, Blanchan, and Roosevelt. Among the families (some going back 15 generations) of the ancestral tree of Marjorie's mother, Linnie Fay Rockwell, are Barnhart, Slentz, Metz, Canfield, and Treat.
Also presented in Maiden's Choice is the ancestry of my own mother, Joan Shook nee Brown. Her brother, Charles LeBrun, and a cousin, Audrey B. Personius, have discovered genealogical records tracing those families back to Puritan settlements around Boston, and from there across the ocean to their English roots. Some lines go back as many as 20 generations, and prominent names include Taylor, Row, Guy, Straw, Preston, Coffin, Greanleaf, Carminowe, Rowell, and Thorold.
To examine the genealogies of Maiden's Choice, proceed to the Surname Index.
One possible link between Lawrence and another family, that of Herman Shook, is
emphasized in Maiden's Choice. Herman had resided in Hardy Co. at least 24 years before
Lawrence took up residence nearby. Herman had a sister, Catherine, and many children who
migrated into Tennessee. Their genealogies are included in the GEDCOM files.
Their families are described in Herman and
Catherine Shook.
Over 30 other genealogies can be examined in other families. Additions to these genealogies
are very welcome!
Websites of other researchers, colonial genealogy, and link lists
are in essential links.
Suggestions on the origins of the Shook, Shock, Shuck, etc.
surnames; historical overviews of European events and religious disputes causing
emigration of these families; and some data on these surnames' history and distribution in
the United States, is offered in historical information.
What's NEW: Contribute to GenForum's new discussion
list for the surname SHOOK.
Ruth Bemiller has contributed the descendants of George Philip Shook (1782-?) of OH.
Earl and I would like to thank the many people who have contributed to the Lawrence Shook
genealogy: Kenneth C. Kaufman, Ruth Lame, Irene H. Kane, Ann Hickle Gable, Iola H. Kaiser,
Matthew L. Figi, Janet Morrison, Laureen Bostedt, Marion Crews, Louis Holmes, Lynn Wright,
Frederic E. Kip, Richard and Ardith Hart, Dick and Bev Kai, Jo Ann and Gerald Cox, Manley
and Lil Shook, Howard and Loretta Shook, Roberta Kornock, Sharon and Tom Sevenker.
John R. Shook
The texts of Maiden's Choice are copyrighted © 1987-2000 by H. Earl Close Jr. and John R. Shook.
The genealogy data may be freely shared.