I have an ancestor named Philip Geines. We have multiple census records stating that he was born in PA around 1785. No luck in finding him even with a few paid researchers. The family was ill iterate, so we have found the last name spelled multiple ways. He was married to Catherine Gutthatel ... can not find her anywhere either. What information we do have can be found at http://genealogy.gynzer.com/getperson.php?personID=I23264&tree=Gynzer
Some have suggested that they came from the English "Gines" family, however they spoke German in the home and the name at that time was spelled in other ways than "Gines". They were always around other families that came from German or Swiss decent.
Any ideas, suggestions or assistance would be greatly appreciated. We have been trying to find him for almost 40 years.
Ron Gines
