I am researching the surname WOODS who came from Ireland to America between 1768 and 1780. They migrated to Westmoreland County and then some on to Washington County. Some of the names were William,John,Thomas,James and Nathaniel.

The deeper I get into the WOODS, the more lost I become.

Joseph Harold Woods (Oct 12, 1873-?) married Birdie May Maxwell (1876-1948) on February 11, 1897, at the Beulah manse, Allegheny County PA.

They had two children: Earl (1897-?) and Hazel (1905-?)

My great grandmother was Florence Rose Woods, born May 1, 1871 or 1872, probably in Westmoreland County. However, she grew up in an orphanage and the story I was told was that her parents died of smallpox when she was born, then she was adopted by a family named Woods, but they died of small pox as well when she was 2 years old, so she ended up in the orphanage. Do you have any record of a Woods family in Westmoreland County in the early 1870s, where the parents (or at least the mother) died of smallpox around 1873?
Jessica (jmutts@ucdavis.edu)

The Woods Families I am trying to piece together Were: John Woods (b)1685 Ireland. He had sons: William, John, Thomas and George. They imigrated to America moved West to Westmoreland County and some moved to Washington County. William had a son James and John who were in Washington County, they had a contract with the Army to supply them with goods in 1785. James served in the Revolutionary War with the Crawford Campaign 22 May 1782. There may some early Wills on file in Westmoreland and Washington Counties which may have clues to them.

I do not have any records which are in the 1870's. The families were there earlier, some stayed and some moved on to Washington County. I have some records prior to 1800.The records I am missing are between 1700 and 1800 which would tie them together.