Sr. Janet, my 1st cousin 2x, was the original family historian for the Guth and Selker families. Many years ago she very kindly shared all of her research with a young college student who was curious about family history. Sr. Janet photocopied her meticulously organized hand typed family group sheets and newspaper articles without thought.
With so much enthusiasm she told me the story of how our shared ancestor Joseph William Selker departed Germany and opened his own cigar manufacturing business in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She also told the story of his return trip to Germany in 1906 and how his two nieces came back with him. I never imagined that day when I went to visit her that I would walk away with what would become the foundation of my research for the Guth and Selker families.
With so much enthusiasm she told me the story of how our shared ancestor Joseph William Selker departed Germany and opened his own cigar manufacturing business in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. She also told the story of his return trip to Germany in 1906 and how his two nieces came back with him. I never imagined that day when I went to visit her that I would walk away with what would become the foundation of my research for the Guth and Selker families.
Over the years Sr. Janet and I remained in touch. Christmas cards and notes were exchanged. When I made trips to my hometown I would stop by to visit with her at Mount Saint Benedict. We always enjoyed our visits together talking about our favorite subject - family history. In time I continued to build on her original research. Research updates were sent as I learned more about our shared Guth, Selker and Loll ancestors.
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| Sr. Janet and I during a visit in 2014 |
We all owe Sr. Janet a debt of gratitude. Her legacy lives on through the children she taught and through the research she completed. Her research was very well organized and very detailed. It is truly the foundation for what we know about the Guth and Selker families. Sr. Janet will most certainly be missed. I am most grateful she was my family history mentor and I had the opportunity to learn from her.
Sr. Janet was buried at Trinity Cemetery in Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania. To view her obituary visit the website for the Benedictine Sisters of Erie.
Sr. Janet Staab is my 1st cousin 2x removed. Our shared ancestors are Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth.
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