May-June 2012

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Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter

Volume 26, Number 3, May-June 2012

A PUBLICATION OF:

THE HENRY COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
P. O. BOX 231
DESHLER, OHIO 43516
www.henrycountyohiogenealogy.org

The Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter is now published bi-monthly. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted. The Newsletter is copyright protected, but the Society gives permission for material to be copied for personal research and to other chapter newsletters for their use. Any other use of this material should carry written permission from the Henry County Genealogical Society and acknowledge the source. Annual membership is $10.00 for 1-2 people at the same address.

Meetings will be held quarterly or as announced in the newsletter. Publications for sale are listed on the last page with the newest ones appearing on the first page.

We print all queries that are related to Henry County – membership is not required. Send queries to Henry Co. Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 231, Deshler, OH 43516 or to the editor as “Query” at wendypen@wcnet.org. After May 2016, queries may be directed to our website and will appear there.

Officers:

President – Jim Rebar – jamesrebar@roadrunner.com
Vice President – Bill Latta – billatta8@gmail.com
Treasurer/Membership Chmn. – Lucille Van Scoyoc – elvrrv2c@centurylink.net
Corresponding Secretary – Phyllis LaRue – 409 W. Maple St. Deshler, OH 43516
Recording Secretary and First Families Chmn. – Kathy Bishop – 10-292 Rd. E, Hamler, OH 43524 skbshp@embarq.com
News Reporter – Clara Ellen Courtney
Newsletter Editor – Karen Sunderman – wendypen@wcnet.org
Webmaster – Jim Rebar – jamesrebar@roadrunner.com

Meetings

May 21, 2012, Monday, 7:00 p.m.

Business meeting and research night.

June 18, 2012, Monday, 7:00 p.m.

Janis Knepley will speak on the DAR, who and what they are and what research help they may be for genealogists. She has assisted a number of applicants with their documentation.

July 16, 2012, Monday, 7:00 p.m.

Business meeting and work night.

August 2012 – No Meeting

See you at the County Fair!

New Members

No new members.

Membership is $10 per year. Dues are paid the first of each year and newsletters are mailed from that date. Please address correspondence to the website, the editor, or to our P. O. Box. Include your membership # (on address label). All Henry Co. queries are printed free.

Recent Publications…

Northwest Signal Obituaries, Vol. XXV (2011). The price is $22.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling.

Note: The price has changed on many of our publications and on shipping due to increased costs.

Looking Ahead…

Plan to travel with us to Defiance on Sunday, September 16th, to hear a program on “Winchester Camp Three: The Horrible Winter of 1812-13,” as part of the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the the War of 1812.

Queries

LOWE LOWERY
Philip Calvin Franklin Lowe b. 28 June 1828 Washington Twp., Franklin Co., PA d. 1 Jan 1909 in Hamler, Henry Co., OH and bur. in Ridgeland Cemetery according to death record. A Philip Lowe who is found in the Marion Twp. Cemetery (Ridgeland Cem.) has a Graves Registration Card with a birth date of 13 June 1812 d. 9 July 1887. Is this a father and son? That makes the father 16 at the time of the son’s birth and Philip C. F. was the 4th child in his family. Are these two Philip Lowe’s related and where is the younger Philip’s grave? Could it be near his sister, Barbara Lowe Lowery, who is buried in the same cemetery?
– Elizabeth Potts, Elida, OH 45807

BROWNING, LOWMASTER, MAHLER, HOOVER, MILLER, HENRY, ASH
Researching my father Carl Oliver Browning’s family of John Isaac Browning,  b. 1858 Franklin Co., OH (wife Alice Lillian Lowmaster b. 1869 b. 1869 Wood Co.) and his brother Kissinger Peter Browning (wife Harriet Mahler). Their parents: William Browning b. 1835 Bedford Co., PA; Elizabeth Ann Hoover b. 1837 Franklin Co. OH. Elizabeth came to Henry Co. with her mother, Amelia (Miller) Hoover, sister Martha (m. Ben Henry), brother Samuel (m. Mary Ann Ash).
– Mrs. Roger Hipsher, Fostoria, OH 44830

KIGAR, REED
Found: an obit for Rose Ann (Kigar) Reed b. 17 Apr 1923 in Napoleon, OH and d. 24 Nov 2010 in Anaheim Hills, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col. Warren Elliott Reed.

SHARTZER
Trying to find a death date for my gr-grandfather, John Shartzer b. ca. 1801 in PA. He
d. in Monroe Twp. Henry Co. OH sometime between the 1859 Property Reappraisement was taken and the 1860 census which was taken 25 June 1860.
– Barbara K. Helberg, Fort Wayne, IN 46845

CARTER, WELLS, PRATT
Seeking info on Nancy (Wells) Carter-Preatt b. VA ca. 27 Aug 1808. Parents Thomas Wells (b. abt. 1784 MD) and Susan (b. abt. 1789 PA) and living Harrison Twp. Henry Co. 1850 census. Nancy’s 1st marriage was to Carter and widowed ca. 1849-1850. Ch. from this marriage: John, Jane, Cassandra, Henry and Charles Carter. Searching for first name of this husband. Remarried 8 Jan 1850 to Abram Pratt and had son Thomas Pratt ca. 1856. Abram Pratt b. ca. 1799 and a widower. Any ch. from his first marriage? Further info on these families?
– Diana Boorsma, Osceola, IN 46561

German Language Help

Ever get stuck on translating German? Try http://www.wie-sagtman-noch.de/

From the Henry County Signal, 7 Oct 1886

DAVISVILLE* GLEANINGS – Signal Correspondence – Hog buyers are visiting this place often.

Cider making is on the rush at present. It flows as free as water.

Mr. SHULTY is on the sick list.

The debating society of Davisville is organized. Now go to work young men and do your best.

Mr. Henry FRANCE and family of Flatrock Township visited at Charles Bockerman’s on Sunday.

Joseph MYERS and his children spent Sunday in this place.

Wm. SHULTY and family of Defiance visited his father Henry SHULTY on Sunday.

Molasses making was begun last Tuesday at Henry SHULTY’s.

Why cannot the people of Napoleon Twp. get up a petition and kill out the two saloons north of here?

* (This hamlet is unknown to the editor and was not included in the Ghost Towns of Henry Co. book. If anyone knows exactly where it was located in Napoleon Twp., please write. The SHULTY and BOCKERMAN families lived across the road from each other in Sections 7 and 8 on Co.
Rd. 18 between Roads Q and R, according to the 1880 census, and two DAVIS families also lived nearby. At the present time this is near St. Paul Lutheran Church [Q1 & 17] and there is a collection of houses centered around Rd. R &17. Thanks to Bill Latta for researching this at the courthouse—editor.)

LETTER LIST—The following is a list of letters remaining at the Napoleon, Ohio, post office for the week ending October 7, 1886: Mr. SAMUEL, Fred SCHMIDT, C. H. FORD, Michael GRESSNER, James E. GARVINE, Miss Maggie LINGES, Jennie W. T. (sic).

From the Henry County Signal 1 April 1886

Frank WALKER and John WATTS, of Grelton, Ohio, have returned from Oregon, and report the wild flowers all in bloom, and spring work well advanced. They say there is no place like Oregon, and the intend going back there to stay.

PRENTIS-WEAVER—MARRIED – On the 25th of March 1886, at Mr. A. COOK’s near McClure, Ohio by Rev. J. W. MYERS, Mr. F. W. PRINTIS and Miss Mary WEAVER, all of Henry County, Ohio. A grand supper and good time was enjoyed by the numerous guests present.

Query

FELLERS, FELLER, FELLOWS, FILLERS, FETTERS, PRESSNELL, FOLK, FULK, PHILLIPS
Looking for info on the Fellers family. According to his death certificate, my gr-gr grandfather, Andrew Peter Fellers, was b. in McClure, Henry Co., OH on 13 Sept 1863 to Moses Fellers (1819-?) and Harriett Folk? (1833-?); was married to Alice May PRESSNELL 24 Nov 1887 in Hancock Co., and died 7 Mar 1941 in Findlay, OH. At the time of the 1870 and 1880 censuses he lived in Damascus, Henry Co., OH.

I am stuck at Moses and his ancestors. Marriage registrations show him marrying Harriet Folk? On 16 Mar 1851 in Hancock Co. and Catharine Fulk? On 28 May 1871 in Henry Co. after Harriett died. Many family trees I’ve seen have him marrying Elizabeth Phillips 21 Nov 1848 in Hancock Co. but I’ve been unable to verify that. Birth, marriage and census records indicate Moses had at least 18 children.

Children with Harriett:
Andrew Peter (1863-1941, see above)
Irvin (b. 18 Oct 1869 in Damascus, Henry Co. OH)

Children with Catharine:
Jarias “Jay” (b. 15 May 1872 in Napoleon, Henry Co., OH – d. 9 Nov 1945 in Findlay, OH) Lydia.Lida/Leddie Ann (b. ca. 1875 likely in Henry Co. – m. Carlisle E. STEVICK ca. 1896) Corean/Corine Ann (b. 8 Jan 1877 in McClure, Henry Co. – m. Samuel Henry DORMAN ca.
1894 – d. 13 May 1925 in Hancock Co. OH)
Dorman (b. ca. 1894 – d. 13 May 1925 in Hancock Co. OH)
Moses Martin (b. 23 Sept 1879, likely in Henry Co. – m. Laura HARDING on 26 Jan 1920 in Detroit, MI)
Alice M. (b. 27 Aug 1880 in Damascus, Henry Co. – m. William BLACK 9 Nov 1905 in Putman

Children with mother unconfirmed:
William/Willizamth (b. ca. 1845 in Ohio) Loretta/Lurida/Loritta (b. ca. 1848 in Ohio) Solomon/Soloman (b. ca. 1853 in Ohio) Isaiah (b. ca. 1855 in Ohio)
Rosellah (b. ca. 1857 in Ohio)
Sarah (b. ca. 1859 in Ohio)
Margaret J. (b. ca. 1862 in Ohio)
Henry B. (b. ca. 1866 in Ohio)
Amos M. (b. ca. 1868 in Ohio – m. Maggie WULFF? on 5 Oct 1895 in Henry Co.) Jerimiah (b. ca. 1871 in Ohio)
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
–Joel Fellers, Bloomington, IL 61701

Napoleon Marriage Mill

With information provided by Sue OHair, Russ Patterson and Ray (Red) Gilbert*

About 1941 Probate-Common Pleas Judge J. M. Rieger, of Napoleon, had what he thought was a good idea. With military men about to leave for duty, he began to post notices as far away as Michigan that he would marry couples with no waiting period between obtaining the license and holding the ceremony. Since Michigan had a 3-day waiting period at the time, the idea was attractive to couples who lived there.

Staying open after regular hours, he issued 20,000 licenses in three years. Dallas “Cocky” Young was the Justice of the Peace. He married many couples after hours for an extra fee. This led to Napoleon’s reputation as a “marriage mill.”

By 1944, C. P. McClelland, president of the Judges’ Association of Ohio, termed the Napoleon wedding factory a “terrible disgrace,” calling for the impeachment of Judge Rieger and supporting State Representatives Kenneth Nash and George B. Marshall who were proposing a bill to shut down Judge Rieger and other counties doing the same thing.

They noted that the marriage certificates were sold for $2—a neat profit for the judges since they cost only 10 cents. Rieger had promised to shut down his operation at one time, but quickly re-opened it. Rep. Nash noted, “It [the State of Ohio] has a duty to protect young people against those who would take advantage of the impetuousness of youth for financial gain.”
Not everyone felt that the “marriage mill” was a bad idea, though, as told by Willard D. Thompson who was originally from Warren, Ohio, and who married Marjorie Odell from Rochester, New York. His daughter, Sue OHair recently contacted our society to find a 1941 marriage record for her parents. Having met Marjore while they were students at Hiram College in Ohio, Willard had joined the army in 1940. In his words:

“During the spring I had been trying to save up some of my money, and I had saved up 45 days of furlough time, so that in May I could get married. Marge and her folks had arranged things at the church and were in process of getting things arranged for a mid-May wedding, and I was going to take the entire month of May for the wedding. However, an order came out on the bulletin board [in Fair Haven, Ml] sometime after the 15th of April, that no leave would be permitted in excess of one day between then and September.

“I communicated it to Marge in Rochester and she said she would come out there and we would get married anyway. This made for all sorts of interesting situations in that Ml required a waiting time, blood tests, and so forth. Somewhere along the way I had found the card of one Dallas Young, Justice of the Peace, Napoleon, OH, in which he advertised his office hours through the week including Sundays, and that he was available to perform marriages. We settled on Sunday, May 4th, as the time to go down and see him.

“Marge and her folks came by train, then we drove separately and met at the courthouse in Napoleon where Justice Young had his office. My folks came up from Ohio, bringing my grandparents and Alice [friend]. However, when we went into the courthouse there was a note on the door saying that the church was having its Strawberry Festival and there would be no afternoon office hours, but evening hours would still be held.

“Ray [friend], Marge and I investigated a barge canal south of Napoleon. (There was a path laid out and a park.) We spent a pleasant spring afternoon hiking along that tow trail. At 7:00 we were waiting at the Courthouse when the clerk came in to start making our marriage license and we were the first ones to be called. (As we were ushered to Justice Young’s desk) we heard a noise and turned around. My folks had stayed behind and had been hiding behind the door when we came into the office.

“So Dad, Alice, and Grandfather and Grandmother Thompson were present for the wedding. They saw that the job was done right. The ceremonies didn’t take long and the folks headed back for Warren. Ray, Marge and I headed back toward Fair Haven. I can’t recall where, but somewhere on the way back up we stopped for pie and ice cream.”

*Russ Patterson worked at the Shaft Drug Store and “Red” Gilbert was part owner of the Gilbert & Herr Drug Store, which was diagonally across from the Courthouse where the Greyhound Bus stopped. Gilbert was also a “registrar,” who certified some public records. Russ Patterson remembers saving a newspaper with a story about this (from which much information was derived) even though JP Young tried to buy all of them. This was ca. 1944.

German Documents Found

Documents written in German were found in a house that had been sold. The new owners gave them to Napoleon Library and they were subsequently passed along to our society. Many seem to be birth or baptismal certificates. Please contact us if you believe these documents concern your family members. Two translators have volunteered to help with them. Names we could decipher were:

Arthur Herman Wilhelm BENIEN
Alfred BOCKELMANN (and Wilhelm)
Ferdinand Karl Dietrich H. H. BENIEN
Martha Friderika Bertha Sophia NAGEL
Wilhelmina NAGEL Johann Wilhelm NAGEL (1859)
Diana Wilhelmina Freidarick (?) NAGEL dau. of William and Wilhelmina
Ferdinand BENIEN

Garster Family Photos and Documents Found

One more genealogical guardian angel has come forth this month. Many years ago he purchased some old items and found among them many photos, marriage license, and death certificates of people in the GARSTER family. He would like assistance in finding descendants of A. F. R. GARSTER, John GARSTER, George GARSTER all of Ohio. He would like to find living family members in order to give these items to them.

You may contact the Henry Co. Gen. Soc. (see front page for information) and they will contact the finder of the photos: Jerry Davis, Okahumpka, FL 34762

From The Deshler Flag, 10 June 1926 -25 years ago (1901)

Daniel CROW, 65, tramping from Thomdale, PA to St. Paul, Minnesota, who had been acting as choreman at the camp of the railroad graders, was killed by a fast line in the west yards.
Wires to people whose names were found on letters in his possession brought replies that he was unknown. He was given a Catholic burial here by Undertaker HUBER.

The Deshler Granite and Marble Works had opened up for business in the C. R. CALLIHAN room, with L. W. UNDERHILL manager and W. D. PORTER as stone cutter. The sale and lettering of monuments was the main part of the business

From an old book in the courthouse, not otherwise identified:

Additionals and Deductions in Bartlow Twp. Del(iquent tax) 1876 Mary LAMBERT SE 1/4 Sec. 19 160 acres.

Online Translation Help

www.leo.org/index en.html
LEO stands for Link Everything Online, service of the Tech University of Munich. Supports German < > English, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Russian. For Russian (& Chinese it is assumed) it provides a virtual keyboard for Cyrillic input. The link above is for the English language screen.

Land, Town Lots and Chattel Returned Deliquent

By the Treasurer of Henry County January January 10, 1854, Delinquent 1853. More information on the taxes owed is in the book, but not included here. These were early settlers or landowners in these townships.

Township Owner’s Name Owner’s Name
Ridgeville BRAKSECK?, John
DODD, Wm.
HABERKAMP, Fr.
OVERLIGHTNER, Jacob
TUBBS, John CHATTELS
COWEN, Robt. G.
HAWLEY, L. P.
MAGILE, Geo.
O. L. Investment & Trust
TOWNSEND, H. & D.
Chattels
Freedom LORD, Rollin
ABBOTT, Jason
BOALT & BLACKWELL
COOK, Jonathan
CHENY, James
HALSEY, Harvey
HANSON, John
KAST, Thomas
RUDESILE, Saml.
USENHUGNUG(?), H.
STUCK, Feminan
BUTLER, J.
B & J Rail R. Co.
CORWIN, Rot G.
DICKERSON, Wm. C.
HICKENLSORLY(?), E.
JACKSON, John
PATRICK, L. L.
SCHUMAKER, Daniel
WILLIAMS, A. C.
Chattels
Napoleon LINGLE, John
BRAKE, George
FRIBLEY, Daniel
HOMAN, Saml.
KRUSSKY(?), JESSE(?)
LOWREY, Archibald
MAGILE, Geo.
PATRICK, L. L.
SMITH, Thomas
UNDERHILL, Walter
WAITE, Leroy
WILLIAMS, Benj.
COHRES, John T.
FLACK, Peter
HOPKINS, Seth
KRUSE, John
LUCE, Joseph
NEWELL, Robt.
SHURDEN (?), John
SISCO, Wm.
Van YSE(?), Isaac
WALLACE, Chas.
KORDES, John
Liberty (1853) BOALT, C. L.
Richfield (1853) Sturgeon, Robert

Ken Thompson Translations for German Scrapbooks at Library

Several years ago a three-volume set of family scrapbooks was donated to our society. The items were cut from at least one German-language newspaper from this area, but not dated or otherwise identified. It is possible that some of the articles came from Per Defiance Herold (1895-1920) and included items regarding families in western Henry Co. and in Twps. transferred to Defiance Co. Ken Thompson is attempting to translate the items for us. An index will be printed as each is finished.

ANTENER, Lydia Margarethe [SIGG] w/o Fritz ANTENER obitvol. 1 pg. 8,11
ART, Elizabeth (SUNDHEIMER) widow of Wilhelm ART Vol 2 pg 96 obit
BROWN, Glen age 3 obit vol. 1 pg.9
COOK, Mary obit vol. 1 pg.9
COOPER, Raymond M. son of Ernst and Daisy COOPER, vol. 1. Pg. 7 age 9 obit
DREXLER, Johann Sr. widower of Barbara HOHENBARGER Vol 2 pg 16 or 96 obit
DURK/DUERK, John son of Martin and Susanna DURK, widow Sophia [MULLER] obit vol. 1 pg. 8
EBERLE, Matthew and wife Friedericke (ROTH) -80th birthdays
FIGLEY, Lavina wife of John FIGLEY obit vol. 1 pg. 9
FROEHLICH, Helen w/o Jacob FROELICH – family portrait
FROELICH, Andrew m. Anna DDESCH – family portrait
FROELICH, Harold – family portrait
GOTTWALD, August vol. 1 pg 5 obit sister Mrs. Josephine SPRING, brothers John and Christian GROSSMANN, Arthur J.[John] son of Christ.
GROSSMANN [Barbara WOLFRUM] 13 mo. obit vol.l pg. 8,11
HAGEN, Paul Ludwig husband of Anna [SCHATZ] obit vol. 1 pg.9
HOOKER, William H. Vol 2 pg 16 obit
HORNUNG, Charles – owned potash plant
HUBER, Felix – family portrait, bio
HUNTER, Harriet widow of David HUNER obit vol. 1 pg. 9
KISSABETH, Mrs. Simon – (HUBER) family portrait
KISSABETH, Olin – (HUBER) family portrait
LaFAVE, Joseph widower Vol 2 pg 16 obit
LAMBERT, Floyd age 10 weeks vol. 1 pg.9
LEHMAN, Bernie son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter LEHMAN age 6 obit vol. 1 pg. 9
MANGAS, Mrs. A. J. (Frances F. Wolsiffer) wife of Albert J. (or Andrew Martin?)
MANGAS Vol 2 pg 96
MANGAS, Sarah (Jackman), widow of Peter MANGAS Vol 2 pg 16 obit
NAVEAU, Francis [David] son of Cornellius [Etta Bauman) NAVEAU age 2 obit vol. 1 pg 7
PAHL, Albine (WILLMANN) widow of Peter – family portrait
PESSEFALL, Mrs. Anton C. [Caroline HOSSEL/HOESSEL] vol. 1 pg. 7 obit
PORTER, Alfred H. Vol 2 Pg 96? obit
RAU, Frank obit vol. 1 pg.9
RHYNARD, B. F. wife WILSBERG, _____ Vol 2 pg 16 obit
ROMAINE, J. C. obit vol. 1 pg. 8,11
SCHAUFELE, Johann vol. 2 pg 16 obit
SMITH, Anna C. 1st wife of Henry Christopher GHERKE – obit
STEVER, Johann George and Sarah (TOBEREN) – 50th Anniversary
STURGIS, Alice E. Vol 2 pg 16 obit
UMBS, Joseph Michael son of Jakob and Margarethe
UMBS killed in bridge collapse vol. 1. Pg. 7
WONDERLY, Mrs. Seneca – (HUBER) family portrait
YETTER, Anna unmarried age 36 dau. Fred & Mary YETTER obit vol. 1 pg 8

County Orders Book

The Henry County Genealogical Society has published a book ( 2 Vols.) of U.S. Patent Deeds and Ohio State Deeds as these transactions were found in the deed records of the Recorder’s Office in the Court House. An old Orders Book was found in the attic of the Court House which lists original purchasers of land in each township. These records do not always agree with the previously published findings, but are being printed here to help researchers find their ancestors or help prove early entry into the county. Other information (section, amount paid) may be available by contacting the newsletter editor.

Name of Original Purchaser Township Sale Date
GARSTER, John Damascus 22 Dec 1855
ABT, Jacob F. Damascus 22 Dec 1855
TYLER, Asa H. Damascus 22 Dec 1855
ROGGS, Henry Damascus 22 Dec 1855
HOCKMAN, Jacob Damascus 22 Dec 1855
MYERS, John G. Damascus 22 Dec 1855
HOCKMAN, David Damascus 22 Dec 1855
SMITH, Amos Richfield 22 Dec 1855
REYNOLDS, John Richfield 22 Dec 1855
THOMPSON, A. I.(?) Richfield 22 Dec 1855
SIPE, Daniel Richfield 22 Dec 1855
GOODMAN, Geo. Richfield 22 Dec 1855
MOORE, John Richfield 22 Dec 1855
REYNOLDS, John E. Bartlow 4 May 1861
NOFSINGER, Jacob Bartlow 4 May 1861
BAILEY, John Bartlow 4 May 1861
WEAVER, John Bartlow 4 May 1861
RICHARD, Gotlip (ss?) Bartlow 4 May 1861

War Relief Orders Returned

H. D. TAYLOR paid over to A. PILLIOD 25 Aug 1862 $82.50 total

County Poor Orders Returned

H. D. TAYLOR paid over to A. PILLIOD 15 Aug 1862 $19.32

Returned School Fund Sec. 16

LIST, J. C. 8 Mar 1861
CONRAD, J. E. 8 Mar 1861
HAMLER, John 8 Mar 1861
BEWEL (?), C. 8 Mar 1861
REED, Henry 8 Mar 1861
RECTER, Reuben 8 Mar 1861
HORNUNG, Charles 8 Mar 1861
GAMELE (?), Dan’l 8 Mar 1861
HUDSON, R. 8 Mar 1861
COWDRICK, J. E. 8 Mar 1861
MORRISON, T.(?) L. 8 Mar 1861
McWilliams, c. r. 8 Mar 1861
MILLER, Geo. 8 Mar 1861
ROWAN, J. R. 8 Mar 1861
DURBIN, Jas. 8 Mar 1861
CRAWFORD, Geo. 8 Mar 1861
LATTY, A. S. 8 Mar 1861

 

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