When Jacob Peter died, he named three sons-in-law in his will named Baer. They were John, John Adam and Jacob. Since our Jacob Baer, who we know was Jacob Peter’s son-in-law, had two brothers named John and John Adam -- and since marriages of siblings to siblings happened very often back then -- I am assuming that is the case here.

And it is that belief, that Jacob Peter’s son-in-law John Baer was the brother of his other son-in-law Jacob, which leads to the conclusion that John’s wife, Magdalena, was Jacob Peter’s daughter.

So, there is a little bit of circular reasoning going on here -- but that is the way I work. I try to put a theory in place to fit the known facts -- and then look for more facts to either substantiate my reasoning or prove it wrong.

But, in Magdalena’s case, I do also have her 1753 baptism record at Egypt Reformed Church and her parents were named as Jacob and Mrs. Elisabetha Peter.

Johannes was named several times in the records of Lowhill Church.

• Johannes with wife Magdalena sponsored the 1773 baptism of Johannes, son of Jacob and Elisabetha Baer. I believe Jacob and Elisabetha were Johannes’ brother and Magdalena’s sister, respectively.

• Then, also with wife Magdalena, he sponsored the 1777 baptism of Maria Magdalena, daughter of Adam and Anna Margaretha -- illustrating, I believe, yet another double sibling combination.

I do not see any baptisms where Johannes and Magdalena were the parents.