I have been working on and off for more than 35 years on this history of the Yost family. Over the years, we've gathered information from uncles, aunt and cousins. My mother, Alice Florence Yost Diederich was very proud of her Yost heritage and wrote many letters to her cousins on my behalf.

We've researched the probate, vital records and land deeds at courthouses throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. We've examined the old parish registers of many Lutheran and Reformed churches. We've transcribed gravestone inscriptions in scores of cemeteries. We've searched census records, newspaper files, microfilm and other sources at historical societies. We've spent many days at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

This family history is the result of all that effort. And there's more to come. This is a preliminary edition. It is by no means complete.

Please send us your corrections, changes and suggestions. If you have any information, newspaper clippings or old pictures which should be included in subsequent editions, please let us know. I promise you we will handle your old records and pictures with care and return them to you.

Acknowledgments

In addition to all those who took the time to fill out my questionnaires and answer my letters, these are to be especially commended because of their assistance:

Research on Hans Casper Youst of George Towne, Maryland:

• Mrs. Marsha Stanley

Information about Johann Conrad Jost, Anna Maria Nicholas and Frederick Bingaman of Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania

• Mrs. Alice Yost Diederich
  of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

• Dr. Albert H. Gerberich
  of Bethesda, Maryland

• Mrs. Rhoda Yost Russell
  of Parkesburg, Pennsylvania

• Mrs. Mary Jane Schaff
  of Des Moines, Iowa

Research on Nicholas Yost of York County, Pennsylvania and his descendants:

• Mrs. Becky Anstine
  of Dallastown, Pennsylvania
  Ranstine@aol.com

• Mrs. Sonia Glines
  of Laguna Niguel, California
  Smglynes@cs.com

• Ms. Elenora Green
  Elangreen@aol.com

• Ms. Carla Lankow
  of Renton, Washington
  speciesiris@yahoo.com

• Mr. Oakey Mertz
  oakeymertz@worldnet.att.net

• Mr. Richard A.Sherer
  of Rendondo Beach, California
  rasherer@ix.netcom.com

Research on Peter Yost of Barnstable, Massachusetts and his descendants:

• Mr. Donald Keith Yost
  of Fort Collins, Colorado

Research about Samuel and Mary (Bigony) Yost and their descendants, and Mary Bigony's antecedents.

• Mrs. Charles A. (Mary Elizabeth) Barnes

We are also grateful to the following for their assistance:

• The staff of the  Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• The staff of the  Historical Society of Montgomery County
  1654 DeKalb Street
  Norristown, Pennsylvania  19401-5415
  (610) 272-0297

• The staff of the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society
  2215 Millstream Road,
  Lancaster, Pennsylvania  17602
  Phone:  (717) 393-9745