settlers, many of them not arriving in Lancaster County until the late 18th century or early 19th cen- tury. Higher criticism of local historiography has resulted in some interest- ing debates, not least of which is the authenticity of Hans (or Christian?) Herr. But as long as local historians apply a

historiography is accurate and well' done. Amateur local histor- ians, 'especially, appear to have had uncanny insights at times. The worth of the local historian must be measured by the degree to which all profession- al historians are indebted to him, not simply by his unsophisticated approach to local history