The 1980s Lepley Lines newsletters are now digitized and available at lepleylines.consultchris.us. These newsletters were meticulously created and distributed by Don and Mildred (Millie) Lepley. Millie passed away on December 6, 2025, but Don remains active in Lepley genealogy at 91 years old. He generously donated one of his two remaining sets of the newsletters, which I have scanned and posted for public access.
The Origins of the Connection
My introduction to Don came through my Uncle Bill. He met Don and Millie years ago when they were traveling across the country tracking down Lepley family branches. Bill noted that our Lepley lines are likely related to Don's, though the precise connection remains unclear. Don holds a vast collection of Lepley stories in his memory, and I hope to share more of those insights with you all in the future.
Calling All Lepley Researchers: Past and Present
If you were part of the original Lepley Lines mailing list, welcome back. You might remember reading features like Emma Sanders’ piece, "My Recollections of Grandpa Lepley," or the cover story of Rev. Daniel F. Lepley testing his new invention in the Spring 1985 issue. For those of you who read these when they were first mailed, I hope these archives jog your memory and bring back a few familiar names.
To the new generation of Lepley researchers: I invite you to read through these archives. The genealogical breadcrumbs left by those who came before us are invaluable, and it is up to us to pick up the trail and keep the research moving forward.
The Meyersdale Discovery
During a recent genealogy research trip, my primary goal was to trace my 3x great-grandfather Jacob back to his time living near his father, John Sr., and brother, John Jr., in Columbiana and Trumbull Counties in Ohio. I was also seeking more information on John Sr., who we suspected was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
This led my research to the Pennsylvania Room at the Meyersdale Public Library in Somerset County. Before the trip, Don had mentioned a local researcher to me:
"Have you ever had any contact with Marguerite Cockley in Meyersdale, PA? Millie and I visited and corresponded with her back in the seventies. I think she was a retired librarian back then and was very interested in the Lepleys. I think Lepley must have been her maiden name. She introduced us to the Lepley Family Reunions in that area." – Don Lepley
The Pennsylvania Room turned out to be the exact location where Marguerite conducted her research, and her physical files remain preserved there today.
The Precursor: Lepley Reports
While spending the day researching in Marguerite's files, we uncovered a thick binder hand-labeled Lepley Lines. Inside were the four issues Don had provided to me, but there was more: the binder also contained the precursor to the newsletters, titled Lepley Reports.
These reports functioned like a pre-internet chat room. They are transcripts of a nationwide roundtable discussion among researchers desperately trying to untangle the origins of the Lepleys in America, track migration paths, and identify our European ancestors. Through these mailed reports, unknown cousins exchanged ideas across the country and formed deep friendships. The binder also held original correspondence between Marguerite, Don, Millie, and other researchers.
The Complete Archives
I immediately contacted Don for permission to copy and publish the Lepley Reports alongside the Lepley Lines, and he gave his full approval. Both publications are now live on the site.
To make navigating these archives easier, I have created and posted a combined name index for every issue of the Lepley Lines and Lepley Reports. Whether you are looking to revisit a treasured family story from decades past or follow a new trail of evidence, the index is there to help you find exactly what you need.
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