07/29/2026
Today's A.D. White Wednesday entry is, like so many historical tidbits, missing! Issue 8 is the Spring 2004 edition, and our understanding is that the cover article is "Who was A.D. White?" That question is so fundamental that we cannot simply skip to the next issue. Recently, Wil White, A.D.'s son and the current President of the A.D. White Research Society, shared these insights in the Welcome Letter to our series of republished works of A.D. White. If anyone has a copy of the Spring 2004 Issue 8, we'd appreciate the opportunity to scan it or take a photo of it!
Welcome to this special, commemorative edition of my father’s life’s work. As we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary through America250PA, it is an absolute joy to re-introduce the writings of Alvin Dinsmore White. A dedicated student of history, Dad was a meticulous researcher, a passionate educator, and a man who spent decades piecing together the vibrant stories of our region’s founding families.
To understand my father’s historical genius, you have to understand that A. D. White was a traveler. Whether he was driving through township school districts as a principal and supervisor, conducting summer school censuses, or leading students on exciting bus trips to Harrisburg and Gettysburg, Dad was always on the move. He filled his weekends with family day-trips to see local marvels—ranging from steam-powered farm equipment displays to fields affected by army worms. Every few years, he and Mom would board a Greyhound bus to visit family in far-off places like California, Texas, and North Dakota.
Everywhere Dad went, his notebook went with him. He listened to the stories of school board members, teachers, students, and neighbors. During his forty-year tenure as the historian for the "Lyles of Washington County" (descendants of Revolutionary War veterans), he corresponded with hundreds of cousins nationwide, tirelessly updating their family trees.
Yet, no history of his work is complete without honoring my mother, Laura White. For nearly seventy years, Mom was the steadfast heart of our home—raising our family of ten children and keeping the household running while Dad was out on the road researching, interviewing, and writing. His monumental work simply would not exist without her.
Over a lifetime of travel and letter-writing, Dad amassed a stunning treasure trove of local history. He wrote historical articles, spoke at community clubs, drafted church histories, and published books for local townships.
The A.D. White Research Society was founded to keep these "Leaves of History" alive. By passing this torch to the next generation of Pennsylvanians, we invite you to explore these pages, find your own family’s story, and help us preserve the enduring spirit of Avella and the Cross Creek Valley.
June 2026
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