Germanna Foundation

Preserving the historic heritage of the original settlers of the Fort Germanna Colonies in Virginia

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Research Your Germanna Roots

Research Your Germanna Roots


Germanna is a Family of Families

Whether you are the first or the tenth generation to have a tie to Germanna, you are part of a decades-long project that has identified more than 130,000 Americans, Canadians, and Australians who trace their family back to Germanna. Are the Germanna colonists below in your family tree? Find out with this list of original Germanna settlers.

The 1714 Colony

The 1714 Colony from the Siegerland, settled first at Fort Germanna then at Germantown in present day Fauquier County.

Names are listed with families and town of emigration from the Siegerland.

Switzerland

  • Albrecht, Johann Juste

Müsen

  • Brombach/Brombach, Melchior/Melcherd
  • Kemper/Camper, Johannes
  • Merten/Martin, Johann Jost/John Joseph

Niederndorf

  • Cuntze/Koontz, Jost and wife Anna Gertrud Reinschmidt, children: Johannes, Anna Elisabeth, Catherina

Trupbach

  • Fischbach/Fishback, Philip and wife Elisabeth Heimbach; children: Maria Els (Elisabeth), Johannes, Hermann, Maria Els (Elisabeth)
  • Otterbach/Utterback, Hermann and wife Elisabeth Heimbach; children: Johann Philip, Johannes, Ellsbeth, Elisabeth Cathrina, Maria Cathrina, Anna Catharina
  • Richter/Rector, Hans Jacob and wife Anna Elisabeth Fischbach; son Johannes

Oberfischbach

  • Haeger/Häger, Rev. Johann Henrich wife Anna Catharina Friesenhagen; children: Agnes, Anna Katharina
  • Holtzklau/Holtzclaw, Hans Jacob and wife Anna Margarethe Otterbach; children: Johannes, Johann Henrich

Rehbach and Kaan-Marienborn

  • Heide/Heite/Hitt, Peter and wife Maria Elisabeth Freudenberg

Oberschelden

  • Spielmann/Spilman, Johannes

Eisern

  • Hoffmann/Hoffman/Huffman, Johannes
  • Weber/Weaver, Johann Henrich and wife Anna Margarethe Huttmann; children: Johannes, Cathrin, Tillman

 

The 1717 Colony

The 1717 Colony from the Kraichgau of Baden and Württemberg, as well as some from the Rhineland Pfalz (Palatinate) settled first across the Rapidan River from Fort Germanna, then from 1725 to 1727 began to move to the Robinson River Valley in present day Madison County and patent land in their own names.

Bonfeld, Württemberg

  • Motz, Johannes & Maria Apollonia (Maubars)

Bönnigheim, Württemberg

  • Amberger/Amburgy, Hans Conrad

Botenheim and Cleebronn, Württemberg

  • Schneider/Snyder, Hans Heinrich & Anna Dorothea (Schilling)

Bussnang, Thurgau, Switzerland

  • Heerensperger/Harnsberger, Hans & Anna Barbara (_____), ch: Stephen

Gemmingen, Baden

  • Klaar/Clore, Hans Michael & Anna Maria Barbara (______, ch: Agnes Margaretha, Andreas, Johann Georg
  • Mühleckher/Milker, Hans Michael & Sophia Catherina (Wimmer), ch; Anna Margaretha, Anna Catharina, Maria Barbara; wife’s sister (not named)
  • Schmidt/Smith, Hans Michael & Anna Margaretha (Sauter), ch: Hans Michael, Christoph; wife’s parents (not named)
  • Schmidt/Smith, Matthäus & Regina Catharina (Schlözer), ch: Matthäus
  • Weber/Weaver, Philipp Joseph & Susanna (Klaar), ch: Hans Dieterich “Peter”, Maria Sophia, Waldburga “Burga”/“Peggy”

Gross Sachsenheim, Württemberg

  • Majer/Moyers, Hans Georg & Anna Barbara (Klaar?), ch: Christoph, Johann Melchior/Michael, Maria Susanna, Catharina Barbara

Hüffenhardt, Baden

  • Utz, Johann Georg & Anna Barbara (Majer), ch: Ferdinand; stepch: Maria Sabina Charlotta Volck, Anna Louisa Elisabetha Volck

Marienthal and Falckenstein, Pfalz

  • Jäger/Yager, Nicholaus & Anna Maria (Seiber), ch: Adam, Anna Maria

Neuenbürg, Baden

  • Blanckenbühler/Blankenbaker, Hans Balthasar & Anna Margaretha (_____)
  • Blanckenbühler/Blankenbaker, Hans Mattheus & Anna Maria (Mercklin), ch: Hans Jerg
  • Blanckenbühler/Blankenbaker, Hans Nikolaus & Maria Apollonia (Käfer), ch: Zacharias
  • Fleischmann/Fleshman, Cyricaus & Anna Barbara (Schön), ch: Maria Catherina, Hans Peter, stepch: Anna Maria Blanckenbühler, Heinrich Schlücter
  • Thoma(s), Johannes & Anna Maria (Blanckenbühler), ch: Hans Wendel, Anna Magdalena

Oberöwisheim, Baden

  • Scheible, Johann Georg & Maria Eleanora (Ockert), ch: Anna Martha, Anna Elisabetha, Anna Maria

Ötisheim, Württemberg

  • Breuel/Broyle(s), Johannes & Ursula (Ruop), ch: Hans Jacob, Conrad, Maria Elisabetha

Ottmarsheim and Kirchheim am Neckar, Württemberg

  • Paulitz, Johann Philipp & Rosina Margareta (Schneider), ch: Maria Margaretha, Maria Catharina

Schwaigern, Württemberg

  • Koch/Cook, Johanna Michael & Maria Barbara (Reiner)

Stetten am Heuchelberg, Württemberg

  • Hold/Holt, Hans Michael

Sulzfeld, Baden and Bietigheim, Württemberg

  • Zimmerman, Johann Chrisoph & Anna Elisabetha (Albrecht), ch: Johann Martin, Andrew

Zaberfield, Württemberg

  • Käfer/Kaifer, Wolf Michael
  • Wegmann, Hans Georg & Anna Maria (Sellgle), ch: Maria Margaretha, Maria Gottlieb

Zazenhausen, Württemberg

  • Kercher/Kerker, Andreas & Margaretha (_____), chi: Anna Barbara

Unknown

  • Ballenger, Andrew
  • Barler/Barlow, Christoph & Barbara (_____), ch: Matthias
  • Crigler, Jacob

More German Immigrants to Virginia

Between 1717 and 1725, others arrived from the Kraichgau.

Some were related to the 1717 arrivals. Some were neighbors in Germany of the 1717 arrivals.

Others could have been here since 1717, but were either too young to be listed in 1717, or escaped official notice in the records.

Some who were traveling with the first wave in 1717 were left behind in England to wait for the next ship.

Whatever the reason for not being listed, some went to the Robinson River Valley at the same time as the earlier group and patented land in the same time period, while others stayed on their 1717 land near the village of York, which is now known as Stevensburg.

Enzweihingen

  • Zimmermann/Carpenter, Johann Wilhelm/William, and wife Elizabeth Castler/Kastler/Gessler
  • Zimmermann/Carpenter, Mathias, and wife Susanna Christina; children: Matthias Friedrich, Anna Magdalena

Sulzfeld

  • Kabler/Cobbler, Christopher
  • Kabler/Cobbler, Frederick, and wife Barbara
  • Kabler/Cobbler, Nicholas
  • Wayland/Wieland, Thomas, and wife Mary; children: Jacob and Catherine
  • Yowell/Uhl/Owell, Christoph, and wife Eva, children: Georg Frederich, Magdalena, Anna Catharina, Frederich David, Anna Barbara, Hans Jacob
  • Yowell/Uhl/Owell, Nicholas, and wife Catharine; son Jacob Michael

Westhofen

  • Rouse/Rausch, John, and wife Maria/Mary
  • Tanner/Danner, Robert, and wife Mary and five children

 

The Little Fork Colony

Beginning in 1734 several members of the First Colony purchased land across the River from Germantown in the forks of the Rappahannock and Hazel Rivers.

This land was located in present day Culpeper County and was purchased for speculation purposes and to encourage other Siegerländers to come to Virginia and purchase this land from their kinsmen.

These later settlers became known as the Little Fork Group.

Freudenberg

  • Bach/Back, Harman and wife Anna Margaret Hausmann. Harman Bach is the cousin of Georg Weidman/Wayman, their mothers are sisters
  • Hoffmann/Huffman, Hans Heinrich and wife, Anna Margaret Huettenhen. Cousin to Johann Hofmann, the 1738 Immigrant
  • Mueller/Miller, Johann Friedrich and wife, Anna Maria Arnd; child Matthias. Probably lived at the Little Fork with his brother, Hermann/Harman Miller
  • Mueller/Miller, Hermann/Harman, bachelor. Married Elizabeth Holtzclaw, the daughter of Jacob and Anna (Otterbach) Holtzclaw, the 1714 Immigrants
  • Noeh/Nay, Johannes and wife, Maria Clara Otterbach; children: Gerderuth, Anna Catherine, Maria Clara and Johann Jacob.
  • Maria Clara Otterbach is the niece of Hermann and Elizabeth (Heimbach) Otterbach,  the 1714 Immigrants
  • Weidmann/Wayman, Georg, bachelor. The cousin of Hermann/Harman Back/Bach

Holland

  • Button, Harmon and wife Catherine. Not from Nassau-Siegen, but intermarried with the immigrants
  • Button, Johann Holland

Niederndorf

  • Cuntz/Coons/Koontz, Johann Jost,  bachelor, the nephew of Joseph Cuntze, the 1714 Immigrant
  • Weissgerber/Whitescarver, Tillman and wife Anna Margarethe Cuntze; children: Anna Maria, Anna Maria, Hermann, Anna Catharina and Maria Catherina. Anna Margarethe Cuntze is the sister of Joseph Coons, the 1737 Immigrant. Anna Margarethe Cuntze is the niece of Joseph and Anna Gertrud (Reinschmidt) Cuntze, the 1714 Immigrants

Trupbach

  • Fischbach, Hans Jacob and wife Anna Catharina Holdinghaus. Jacob is the nephew of Philip  and Elizabeth (Heimbach) Fischbach, the 1714 Immigrants. Jacob’s godfather is Hans Jacob Holtzclaw, 1st Colony
  • Fischbach, Frederick. The eldest son of Johannes and Agnes (Haeger) Fischbach, the 1714 Immigrants
  • Spilman/Speilmann, James. The son of Johannes/John and Mary Elizabeth (Fischbach) Speilman/Spilman, the 1714 Immigrants
  • Utterback/Otterbach, Johann Henrich, bachelor. Emigrated with his uncle, Johann Henrich Otterbach (Henry Utterbach of Fauquier Co.) and his aunt, Maria Clara (Otterbach) Noeh, and her family
  • Jung/Young, Johannes and wife, Anna Maria Baeumer; children: Maria Gerderuth, Harman, Elizabeth; and Elizabeth Catherine Jung and Anna Cathrin Jung, perhaps cousins. John Jung/Young is the son of Johann and Anna Katherina (Holzklau) Jung, the sister of  Jacob Holtzclaw, the 1714 Immigrant

Oberschelden

  • Grimm/Crim, Johann and wife Gertrud. Son of Elisabeth Spilman, sister of John Spilman, the 1714 Immigrant
  • Grimm/Crim, Johannes Jacob and wife Margaret. Brother of Johannes and son of Elisabeth Spilman, sister of John Spilman, the 1714 Immigrant

Seelbach

  • Hanback/Heimbach, Johann Jacob. His father, Johannes Heimbach, is a first cousin of John Jung/Young, the 1734 Immigrant. Johann Jacob is the nephew of Elizabeth (Heimbach) Otterbach/Utterback, the 1714 Immigrant

Research More:

Germanna Records – Germanna genealogy books

Germanna’s Genealogy Database:

Get exclusive access to the Germanna Foundation’s genealogy database, GermannaFamily.org, with over 130,000 records by becoming a member of the Foundation for $50 a year. The database is considered one of the larger German ancestry databases in the world.

As a member, you will also receive an 8 to 12-page full-color newsletter with genealogy information mailed to your home four times a year. Also meet your Germanna cousins who love genealogy too at our annual multi-day Germanna Reunion/Conference held every July.

Become a Member of the Germanna Foundation

Join our mailing list to stay informed about Germanna:

Comments

  1. Gregory Williamson says

    Johannes Broyles; father of Hans Jacob Broyles, grandfather of Jacob Broyles, and great grand father of Keziah Broyles Williamson (wife of Rev Thomas Williamson). Thomas Williamson, born in Greeneville, TN/NC in 1770. Thomas and Keziah Broyles Williamson were my 6 X Great Grand Parents.

    Reply

      • Jimmy Pendleton says

        Benjamin Rector who’s son Ludwell Lee Rector is my fourth great grandfather on my paternal great grandmother’s side of the family. Her name was Celia Rector, her family was owned as slaves by Ludwell Rector. All of this learned through DNA testing and family stories passed down to the elders.

        Reply

    • Vickie Goodger Schoppe says

      Thomas and Keziah Broyles Williamson were my 4th great grandparents! I have not been able to find Thomas’ parents names since they were apparently killed in an Indian raid around 1777 in Tennessee.
      Janet….Johannes is also my 7th great grandfather!

      Reply

    • Andrew Daniel Lucas says

      Michael Willheit/Wilhoit/Wilhite and wife Anna Maria Hengsteller are my 6th great grandparents. Anyone trace back to this family or know of any history?

      Reply

      • Anita Trotter says

        Yes, my kids father is a descendant though Peter Stout Benton. He married Martha Wilhite, daughter of John and Mary Polly Wilhite from Greene Co. Tennessee area. I am just now researching her family. I am just finding out about this German migration to Virginia.

        Reply

  3. Pat Kizzia says

    I was looking for any information on my 6th Great=Grandfather Jacob Manspile . I have the Germanna Record #6, but I would love to know more about his life.

    Reply

  4. Jonathan Owen says

    I found this website through ancestry.com…via the Hebron Church. MANY of my ancestors are listed above.

    Wolf Michael Kaifer – 7th great uncle
    Cyriacus Fleischman and wife – 7th great grandparents
    Hans Michael Clore – 7th great uncle
    Jacob Crigler 7th great grandparent
    Phillip Joseph Weaver 6th great grandparent
    Nicholas Yager and wife 7th great grandparents

    and then from 1725 list:
    Andreas Garr 6th greatgrandfather
    Johann Michael Willheit/Anna Maria Hengsteller and related double to me…. 6th great grandparents AND 7th great grandparents

    Pretty cool

    Reply

    • Jeremy Edward Fleshman (Fleischmann) says

      Direct descendent of Cyriacus Fleischman and wife. Jeremy Fleshman,Father William,his father Lorenza,His father Ladrue,his father William George,His Father Simeon,His Father Moses,His Father Robert F,His Father Hans Peter,his father Cyriacus, his father Veltin….

      Reply

      • Pennie fleshman-pulver says

        Iam also direct descendant of Cyriacus Fleichmann.. my grand father is Dowel Fleshman wife Matilda Webb and father is Henry Fleshman.

        Reply

    • tricia Sluder Cason says

      If you are kin to Cyriacus Fleischman and Anna Barbara Schone you should be kin to Heinrich Schlucter and the Blankenbakers. Also Peter Fleischman and Maria Catherine Fleischman who married a Broyles.

      Reply

  5. Frances G Rowell says

    As the granddaughter of Jesse Boyd Carpenter, I am related to many of the families who came as part of the first, second and later colonies including Carpenter/Zimmerman, Clore/Klaar, Fishback/Fischbach, Cristler/Christler, Kerker, Weber/Weaver, Otterbach/Utterbach, Fray/Frey, Gaar, Heinbach, Hoffman/Huffman, Haeger, Blankenbaker/Blankenbuhler, Kaifer/Kafer. I am proud of my ancestors who braved coming to America for a better life for themselves and their descendants.

    Reply

  6. patricia Sluder cason says

    Direct desc of Cyriacus and Anna Barbara Schone Fleischmann and Henry Schlucter and Sarah Schlucter. Also kin to Blankenbuhler/blankenbaker, Broyles also. Tricia Sluder Cason

    Reply

      • tricia Sluder Cason says

        I am a direct descendant of Heinrich Schlucter and Sarah. We have an extended family with Anna Barbara being married 3 times.

        Reply

  7. carol j cherich says

    Looking for Karns, Hutsenpillar, Vanosdal family names as they lived in and around Madison in the mid 1700-1800’s,

    Thanks, Carol Cherich – my cell is 301-956-3185

    Reply

  8. Frances G Rowell says

    I am planning a reunion of the Fishback family at the next Germanna Reunion. It will be help on July 12, 2018 at 3:30 pm at the same time as the Clore family. Details will be sent out next year. If you are descended from the Fischbachs, I hope you will come to the union to meet your many cousins.

    Reply

  11. Susan Avery says

    I know there is only one reference to my Germanna ancestor Wilhelm Kahl (William Call later) and his wife Catherine (who I have discovered to be Anna Catharine Pfau) in the Germanna records – but I sure would like to see him listed as a Germanna settler somewhere on the “lists”. We know he was there and it is just sad to me to tell my Call cousins about Germanna and have them come to the website and learn the history of how and where our ancestor came to America and have his name left out of everything. Any chance he can be included instead of searching (he is there is you really really search for him) for him? Thanks! Susan Balde Avery – I have my tree on Ancestry and I have had my autosomal DNA done on Ancestry, Gedmatch, My Heritage and Family Tree DNA and I have found DNA matched Call cousins and there is now a “group” of us and I tell each new cousin about Germanna!

    Reply

  13. William Van Horn says

    My paternal grandmother’s father (Andrew Herman) was descended from Johann Jost Merten and her mother (Ella Mae Van Meter) from Jacob Holtzclaw.

    Reply

    • cathywoodosborn says

      i, too, descend from Johann Jost Merten and Maria Kathrina Otterbach thru their son Henry.

      Reply

  14. tricia cason says

    Cyriacus Fleischmann, Anna Barbara Schone Fleischmann, Heinrich Schlucter and wife Sarah 7th great grandfather, and Cyriacus Fleischmann was my 8th great grandfather.

    Reply

  15. Teresa Rains says

    Trying to make the connection with my current day Sluder family and the Schlucter here. I think we are the same family.

    Reply

  17. John F. Negley Jr. says

    I’am related to many of the family as well. My 8th Great Grand Parents are Peter Hitt and Elisabeth Outterbech and my 6th Great Grand Father is John Hoffman and my 9th Great Uncle Is Kemper. And we are inner married to the Hartzclaw and Fishbeck family’s too. As for Peter Hitt, I ‘am a direct decent to him and to John Hoffman. Peter’s son John Hitt is my 7th Great Grand Father. It is neat to know that your family came all this way to live here and make a life in the new world.

    Reply

    • Diane Hitt Frazier says

      I am just now getting interested in pursuing my genealogy. I saw the monument at Germanna over 40 years ago, as a teenager, and asked an elderly first cousin about it. She confirmed that my father’s side of the family were descended from Peter Heide/Hitt and came over to work for Governor Spotswood in the mines. My father was James Edward Hitt, his father Thomas Edward Hitt. He had a brother, Charles Edward Hitt and one sister. As a child I met one of my father’s cousins; I do not recall his name. I do not yet know my grandfather’s parents’ names, but I plan to research and find out. I know my great grandfather was referred to as Ed Hitt. I do know that my grandfather Thomas married Mary Elisabeth Woodard (I think that’s the middle name) whose mother was a Gooch.

      Do any of these names sound familiar to you?
      There is also visible a signature for a Jacob Heide, next to the one for Peter Heide dated 1707.
      Do you know anything about him?

      Reply

    • Jennifer Hilligoss Shaul says

      We are cousins! I am a descendent of Peter and John also! Sarah Hitt married Elisha Curtis. This is my line to the Hitt family.

      Reply

  18. Anita Newsom Nail says

    My earliest known HOLT ancestor was LARKIN HOLT. We have been unable to discover Larkin’s father, but Y DNA results have verified that we are descended from MICHAEL HOLT. Larkin was born 1784 in NC, died 22 Jan 1855 in Gilmer County, GA. He married Mahala Holt 23 Apr 1805 in Franklin County, GA.

    Reply

  19. Debbie Kimbrough says

    My grandmother’s family came over in the 3rd group. Ludwig/Lewis Fisher would have been my great. great……
    grandfather.

    Reply

    • Sharron Leonhirth says

      I am descended from Rebecca Crees and Timothy Swindle who married at Hebron (1740) and whose 5th child was Geog Washington Swindle, my 4th great grandfather. Hebron Church is beautiful and within an hour of our home in Richmond Va. Do you know if Timothy was English, descended from the 1620s Va settler or from Germany? Currently researching Lawrence Crees (Greys) father of Rebecca. – Sharron Swindall Leonhirth, The Villages, Fl.

      Reply

      • Cathy Swindell says

        Hi, Sharron!

        Danny (my husband) is descended from Timothy born sometime around 1712 in Farnham Parish, Virginia, and died in 1790 in Culpepper Co. (now Madison Co.), Virginia. His father was John Swindle (b. 1676 in Virginia) , and HIS father was Timothy Swindle, b. 1651 and dying in 1683; it\\\’s assumed that he is the first in America. I\\\’m not sure if he was English but it\\\’s likely he wasn\\\’t German. From little bits and pieces I\\\’ve come across, it\\\’s possible he was an indentured servant and maybe even Irish (the Swindle spelling was found there). It looks like he never was a member of Hebron and that\\\’s kind of telling. Your ancestor, George, appears to be a brother to Danny\\\’s ancestor, John. Over time, the spelling in Danny\\\’s family changed to \\\”Swindell\\\”; in the mid-1800\\\’s, one of Danny\\\’s ancestors attempted to change the name back, but the son went back to the \\\”-dell\\\” spelling.

        The Swindles pretty much stayed in Virginia through Timothy but the branch started roaming; John went to Kentucky and helped found Boonesborough and died there in 1839. John was a Revolutionary War veteran. Then his son went to NC, then to Georgia after the death of his first wife. The family continued moving west to Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and finally, Texas where my husband is from.

        I\\\’d love to share information with you…my email is clswin57@gmail.com if you want to stay in touch! I hope to make it up to the area of Virginia the Swindles settled in and see that beautiful church, Hebron. I\\\’m sure pictures don\\\’t do it justice.

        Have a great evening!

        Cathy

        Reply

      • Cathy Swindell says

        Hey, Sharron, I posted a nice long reply and don\’t see where it went! My email is clwin57@gmail.com. Let\’s communicate about the shared ancestry! It appears your George is brother to my husband\’s ancestor, John. I don\’t know for sure if Timothy was English but it doesn\’t appear he was German, either. But certainly his wife and her family was; John also married into the Germanna community.

        Cathy

        Reply

        • Ann Swindle Schneider says

          Hi Cathy, I must be related to your husband. I just posted a reply to Sharon with
          our information and connection to Timothy Swindle.

          Reply

      • Ann Swindle Schneider says

        Hi Sharon, I just became a member and discovered this thread. Our family are also direct descendents of Timothy Swindle and Rebecca Crees (my dad’s 4th gt grandparents) and his son Michael Swindle and Elizabeth Utz (3rd gt grandparents). Michael’s son (John) “Daniel” Swindle (after the death of his wife Nancy “Dicey” Daily) along with his son, William (my dad’s gt grandfather) who later married Harriet Elizabeth Busby, were the first in our family to move from Laurens County, SC to Walker Co, AL in 1800’s. My dad’s grandparents are “Jim” James Wesley Swindle and Lucinda “Jane” Wood and their son Lewis Cephas Swindle and “janie” Mary Jane Reed are the parents of my dad, George Swindle.
        Have you discovered more about Timothy’s heritage prior to moving to Germanna? Our last name is spelled Swindle.
        So nice to meet a cousin! I live in Portland, OR but plan to visit Germanna when we can return to normal from the Covid pandemic.

        Reply

        • Cathy Reese says

          I am also a descendant of Michael Swindle & Elizabeth Utz. They are my 6G. I believe that John and Daniel Swindle are two separate people. I am descended from Daniel & Nancy Dicey Daily, then their daughter Nancy who married James F Boatner. Then their daughter Mary Jane Boatner and George W Burns were my 3G. Their daughter Kate Burns married my 2G Robert Haggard Hutchinson. Their daughter Carrie Dew Hutchinson (who died in the Great Flu Epidemic in 1918) and James Young were my Grandmother’s parents. We all ended up eventually in the Nashville area, and now I live in Jonesboro, AR. I had never heard of the Germanna Settlements and am very excited to learn more!! Cathy

          Reply

          • Ann Swindle Schneider says

            Hello Cathy! And 3rd cousin! I also just discovered Germanna Settlement and Foundation shortly before Covid.
            Yes, I believe you are right that John and Daniel are 2 distinct and separate sons of Michael Swindle and Elizabeth Utz and I do now have documents that support that. I am also descended from Daniel and Nancy Dicey Daily, who moved from SC to AL about 1820. Their son William, who must be the brother of your ancestor, Nancy Swindle,(and wife Harriet Elizabeth Busby) are my 2nd gt grandparents and their son James Wesley Swindle and Lucinda “Jane” Wood are my 1st gt grandparents. Their son Lewis Cephas Swindle and Mary Jane Reed are my grandparent and their son George Swindle and Hazel Harris are my parents. This Swindle family lived in Northern AL from about 1820 and many still do today. My parents left when I was a toddler and I grew up in Montana. I’ve lived in Oregon for many years now and my siblings live in AZ and CA.
            When we can all travel safely, I am looking forward to traveling to Germanna and exploring the area.
            Do you have a public family tree I can view? I have one on Ancestry.com under the name AKSchneider. It is so nice to make a connection with you!
            Ann Swindle Schneider

      • Ann Swindle Schneider says

        Hello Sharon, I also descend from Timothy Swindle and Rebecca Crees and their son Michael and his wife Elizabeth Utz, my 4th gt grandparents. Michael & Elizabeth moved to SC and their son Daniel & wife Nancy Dicey Daily, my 3rd gt grandparents, moved with their children to Alabama about 1820. I am a descendent of their son William Swindle and (Harriet) Elizabeth Busby.
        It is so nice to connect with you, a cousin. I only discovered Germanna Foundation shortly before Covid hit but I am so looking forward to visiting Germanna and exploring the area. My family left the south when I was a toddler and I grew up in Montana and I have lived in Oregon for many years. We have visited the Richmond, Charlottesville area previously and have friends in the area, but had no idea my ancestors had lived nearby so we are looking forward to attending the conference and exploring & going on the Germany trip when we can all safely travel again.
        Ann Swindle Schneider

        Reply

  21. Park Way says

    I am a descendant of Thomas Wieland (Wayland) and his wife Maria Barbara Seppach of the 1725 group. Our family moved first to Ohio and then north central Missouri. I appreciate the Germanna org. Henry Parker Wayland Jr.

    Reply

  22. Frances Rowell says

    I am planning a reunion of the various Germanna families who attend the Reunion on July 18, 2019. It will be held at the Best Western Hotel in Culpeper, VA and will take place from 5pm to 7pm. I hope you will join us and get a chance to meet your coursn

    Reply

    • cathywoodosborn says

      Please post details. I have checked box to be notified of new comments via email. Thank you!

      Reply

      • Brenda says

        I would love to be included soon, I am descending from Koch, CLore, Gar, Blankenships, so so many, its amazing, thats just one paternal side of the family

        Reply

  23. Chuck Crisler says

    Yea Crisler!
    Virginia to Kentucky to Missouri and then Louisiana and the world.
    My Great was Robert Stanton Crisler, a blacksmith at Hebron, Kentucky
    My Grampa was Otto Smith Crisler, a Kentucky state veterinarian, and later at the University of Missouri. Due to the anti-German hysteria, he always referred to himself as O.S. or “Doctor.”
    Dad was Robert Morris Crisler, 88th Infantry in Italy, geographer, professor, and collector of postage stamps and license plates.

    Reply

    • Sue Scheiwe says

      I’d love to share information with you…my email is scheiwegp@gmail.com
      My 4th great grandparents are Jane Stanton & George Hume of Madison VA . Their son George married Susanna Crigler whose family founded Hebron Church. Susanna Hume and descendants up to and including my parents are buried in Richmond KY.

      Reply

  24. Carolyn Whaley Vosburg says

    Just found this list yesterday and I’ve spotted three couples to add to my tree: 1717 arrival included Bathazar Blakenbaker and wife Anna Margaretha, and Johann George Utz and wife Anna Barbara Majer; the 1725 arrival included Thomas Wieland/Wayland and wife Maria Barbara Seppach. NOW, I’m wondering if Hans George Majer with wife Anna Barbara are the parents of my Anna Barbara Majer! Interesting, yes?

    Reply

  25. Jessica Busby says

    I am a direct ancestor (granddaughter) 10th generation of Johannes Hoffman. I don’t like in Virginia but would love any information or contact with anyone who also has him in their family tree. I’ll include my email:
    jesselm@outlook.com

    Reply

  26. Sue Scheiwe says

    Jacob Crigler was my 5th Great Grandfather. AM searching record of his death as well as for birth, baptism, marriage, death record of his son Christopher (Christoff) and granddaughter Susanna or Susan who married George Hume. Also searching for revolutionary War service of Christopher Crigler including whether Christopher and Jacob signed patriotic declarations.

    Reply

  27. Kathy D. French says

    Johannes Kemper/Camper was my 7th generation grandfather/great-grandfather. My maternal grandfather, John Camper, was named after him and his grandson John Camper. He was born in Northeast Alabama. Johannes’ line was Harmon Kemper, John Camper (name spelling changes here), Simon Camper, Benjamin Camper (who moved from Tennessee to NE Alabama, Blooming Camper to John Camper. There are 19 descendants still living now from Johannes to John Camper in Alabama.

    Reply

    • Jamie Kemper says

      Johannes Kemper is my 6GGF directly through my paternal Kemper line. His son Tillman was my 5GGF. .here is the rest of the line..
      Tilmans son
      Charles Weaver Kemper
      Jasper Kemper
      William Kemper
      Byron Kemper
      James Kemper
      If you have anymore information about this line please share. We all live in Kentucky and surrounding areas.

      Thank you,
      Jamie Kemper
      kemperhealer@gmail.com

      Reply

      • Erica Lee Kemper says

        Johannes Kemper is my 8GGF. The line as I’m aware is:

        John Kemper
        Peter Kemper
        Moses Kemper
        Peter Kemper
        Elias Kemper
        Otto Kemper
        Edgar Kemper
        Marvin Kemper
        Terry Kemper

        I’d like help clearing up the line. My immediate family are the only Kemper’s I’m aware of that live in Florida. We came from Illinois, where our branch of Kemper’s lived for some time.

        Thanks,

        Erica Kemper
        Ericalkemper@gmail.com

        Reply

  28. Debbie Hadler says

    I’m looking for ancestor Baron Ludwig Von Fischer came from Bavaria Germany with son Johnnus Christopher Fischer to Germana Virginia. Baron Ludwig died in 1777 in Madison County Virginia

    Reply

    • Debbie Hadler says

      There seems to be some conflicting stories on the German heir to the land. Baron Ludwig Von Fischer was sent to America because of killing a deer on Royal property next to his family property? I have my Great Great Great Grandmothers papers she had carried in her wallet for all her years about her ancestor. My cousin and I would like more information if you have any in the records in Germana. We are planing a trip to Germany to go find out exactly where this land was that he inherited. Or the story behind it.

      Reply

      • Debbie Hadler says

        Also, I just watched the video on Germanna. Very interesting! Are there only two Colonies? The names listed after the first two I didn’t have time to look for my ancestors names. Not sure if they were even listed. This is our starting point back to Germany and would love to know if we should make a trip to Virginia if there is more information we can find before we go to Germany. Thank you for any help we can get on this.

        Reply

        • Debbie Kimbrough says

          I have been to Virginia and found information there about my grandmother’s family who were early settlers there. We are descendants of Ludwig Fisher. He would be my great…..great grandfather.

          Reply

  30. Debbie Kimbrough says

    I have a newspaper account about the estate of Ludwig Fisher. The heirs met in at a Louisville, Ky hotel of Feb 6, 1890 to discuss what they knew about a fortune that belonged to each of them from his estate. More than 150 family relations attended the meeting and elected officers (Mattie Fisher as secretary) and agreed to formulate a plan of action to investigate and pursue the so called $61 million estate that was supposed to be available in Germany. The family relations were asked to subscribe in a membership donation to obtain monies for the upcoming search of the fortune. The elected committee and the attending heirs approved and appointed Judge David R. Murry of Cloverport, Ky., to travel to Germany at the heirs expense and in person to make all necessary investigations of the possibility of rescuing the Ludwig Fisher estate. During the following months, Judge Murry made an expensive extended trip to Germany and upon his return, he made his report of his finding during the Sept 10, 1890 meeting of the Fisher heirs executive committee. He told of his trip to Germany where he visited Bremin, Berlin, Hamburg, and other places and stated he employed a competent and reliable agent to engage in the investigation of the Fisher fortune. Judge Murry reported the “Fisher estate” in Germany was indeed not a myth and he verily believed the estate worth as much as $61 million did exist and the descendants of Ludwig Fisher were indeed the heirs. The disappointing fact of his report came when he stated with certainty that the German government would not permit the recovery of the vast Fisher fortune. He stated even though all the records concerning this estate were over 100 years old and the information he was able to gather justified the belief that the estate was as valuable as had been stated. Afterwards interest dwindled.

    Reply

  32. Amy Hansen says

    I am a descendant of Jost Cuntze and his wife Anna Catherina Reinschmidt (my 8th Great Grandparents). I live not too far from the Germanna Visitor Center and did not know about my 8th great grandparents until a couple years ago thanks to Ancestry.com. I will need to come and visit the center since it is just down the road.

    Reply

  33. Joan E Allison says

    My mother was a Hitt. She is from a line that settled early on in central Mississippi. I have that line well-traced back to Peter Hitt at Germanna if anyone needs it.

    Reply

  34. Joni Jundt says

    From my research, I see that Christopher Barlur/Parlur/ Barlow and wife Barbara are my 7x G-Grandparents. On FamilySearch someone changed the last name to Zollinger. I don’t see any source documents showing that Christopher Barlur/Parlur/ Barlow was ever known as Zollinger. Christopher Zollinger/Sullinger/Suellinger died in Pennsylvania. There are Probate records for a Christopher Zollinger in Pennsylvania, NOT Virginia. If I see anything connecting the two, I’ll change my records to reflect that. I’ve heard the German name of Barbara, is Pavera.

    Reply

  35. Brenda J Whiteman says

    I can’t even believe this right now, I found all my paternal greats here and haven’t even started on maternal.

    Reply

  36. Sharon Blackwell says

    I learned this week that my biological great grandmother was a descendant of Johannes Carpenter/Zimmerman. I am very excited to learn more about my newly found family.

    Reply

  37. Thomas Cook says

    Some time ago I began tracing the Cook family paternal line. Using Ancestry.com and adding what I knew from my grandparents, last year I found my great grandfather Andrew Lora Cook’s grave in an unincorporated area south of Lebanon, Indiana. I thought I’d struck gold going that far back. I checked back recently and discovered my ancestry goes through the Germanna colony. And I thought we were of English descent. Fascinating! I’ve now traced my lineage back 9 generations to Germanna settler Johann Michael Koch (Cook) and still a further generation beyond to Mikel Michael Koch, a decendant from Hollenbach, Wûrttemberg, Germany. Thank you to the staff and volunteers at Germanna!

    Reply

  38. Bonnie Mikel says

    My 8th grandfather was Johannes Michael,,,i believe they settled in rowan north carolina….My family tree on ancestry and family search and wiki tree shows my distant grandmother as Mary polly Back and her Bach lineage was Wilhelm Bach all the way up to Veit Bach…..but when i reseached storys and bach trees i dont see where my Michael family connects tp Bach through Mary polly Back Michael….she was married to John Michael

    Reply

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Phone: 540-423-1700
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Fort Germanna Visitor Center, Museum & Library

2062 Germanna Highway (Route 3)
Locust Grove, VA 22508
(Next to the Germanna Community College campus)

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturdays, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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Behind the Fort Germanna Visitor Center is our 170-acre Siegen Forest nature and hiking trails along the Rapidan river. Trails are OPEN 7 days a week, during daylight hours. When visiting the trails, please practice “Leave no Trace” ethos. If you enjoy the trails, consider donating to the Germanna Foundation to help support their upkeep.

 

About

The Germanna Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to exploring the Colonial Virginia frontier via the historic 1714 Fort Germanna and its German colonists and their descendants.

It conducts archaeological exploration and conservation, genealogical research and publishing, and historic preservation and interpretation.

The Foundation owns and maintains several historic sites and properties, such as Salubria Manor, that were part of or closely connected to the Germanna colonies, the town of Germanna, and the other early colonial Virginia settlements and towns in the Piedmont area of Virginia.