I hope someone can clarify a bit of geographical confusion for me. I know the counties in PA changed quite a bit in the 1800s as people settled and resettled. I am researching the family of Joshua M. Perkins born in Bedford County, PA in 1828. I have located him living with his parents Joshua and Rebecca Perkins in both Bedford County and Blair County. His wife, Mary Blake was born in Huntingdon County. I know that Bedford was the "Mother" of many counties but I'm unclear on dates and exact boundaries. Maps online are helpful but I haven't been able to pinpoint specific townships to figure out exactly which county my ancestors lived in during any particular decade. If only the 1870 census was indexed!

I am particularly stumped on Joshua and Mary Perkins' children. My gggrandfather George Perkins was born in 1860, by some records, in Blair county. Others say he was born in Redbank, Allegheny County. I have information that says his brother Alexander, b. 1872 was born in Redbank, Union County, PA. The only Redbank township I've discovered has been in Armstrong County. Most records show Redbank as Red Bank but I had absolutely no luck searching that so I think Redbank is the township I'm looking for. Joshua, father of both George and Alexander (as well as John, Charles, Harvey and Edward who were probably born in Redbank as well) began working in the mines and is listed in most census records as an engineer although the 1850 census lists "collier" as his occupation.

Can anyone tell me what county Redbank was in from 1860-1872? Thanks so much! Jen