We currently are researching the following individuals who share our family name and may (or may not) be related. As we dig deeper, we hope to gather the facts that would establish a connection with precision.

~ Blas Minor and Zack Miner, Major League Baseball Pitchers ~

Blas Minor pitched in the Major Leagues from 1992 to 1997 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, New York Mets and Seattled Mariners. He was born on March 20, 1966 in Merced, Merced County, CA. He played collegiately at Arizona State University, where he pitched a no-hitter and was drafted by Pittsburgh in 1988. A right-hander, he had a lifetime record of 13 wins, 10 losses and five saves, appearing in 157 games and logging 225 innings. His career earned run average was 4.40. 

Zachary Charles "Zack" Miner was a relief pitcher from 2006 through 2009 for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He was born in St. Louis, MO on March 12, 1982. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves, he pitched in the minor leagues from 2001 to 2004, and then was traded in 2005 to Detroit. With the Tigers, he pitched in 157 games,, with a record of 25 wins, 20 losses and one save, with an earned run average of 4.24. After having Tommy John Surgery on his shoulder, he later was signed by the Kansas City Royals.

~ Nicholas J. "Nick" Minerd of Trenton, New Jersey ~

Nicholas J. "Nick" Minerd (1842-1881) was born in Prussia and came to the United States in 1855, settling in Trenton, NJ. In 1874, he opened a tobacco company at 29 South Green Street in Trenton, named the "Bee-Hive Cigar Manufactory." He was profiled in the book, Industries of New Jersey, published in 1882 by Historical Publishing Company of New York, Newark and Philadelphia. He married Amelia (1844- ? ) and had at least two children -- Walter Minerd (born 1868) and Ida M. Minerd (born 1870). He died at the age of 41 on Feb. 12, 1881, with interment at Riverview Cemetery.

~ Bradford and Emma (Minerd) Harshman ~

Bradford Harshman (1850- ? ) of Fayette County, PA married Emma Minerd ( ? - ? ).They are listed on page 551 of the 1976 book, The Harshman, Hashman, Hershman, Hersman Family, authored by Charles William Harshman, C.C. Harshman and Mavourneen Harshman. In 1870, the Pennsylvania-born Bradford was single and a laborer in Iowa on a farm in Greencastle, Jasper County. He has not yet been found on the 1880 census.

~ Mary Ellen (Luckey) Costolo ~

Mary Ellen Costolo (1865-1936), of near Lemont Furnace, Fayette County, PA has been a longtime mystery. Records differ as to the identity of her father. Her death certificate states that she was the daughter of a man named Minerd -- although other records shown she was the daughter of Joshua and Sarah (Abraham) Luckey.  She grew up under the name "Luckey" and married George Costolo. She also is said to have had a brother William Luckey. Who was her Minerd father, if true, and what was his first name?

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