Peter Ramseyer (c.1534)

c.1534 – ?

Christopher’s 11th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 12288 · generation 14
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Earliest name in Staker’s chain.

Unverified chain

Staker’s early Ramseyer generations are uncited and contain contradictions. They are kept as leads; verify against the Signau (before 1648) and Eggiwil registers now downloaded to the archive.

2002 Family Record (p. IX–X)

The Family Record gives the same line: Peter (b. 1535, Signau; wife Christina) → Ludwig (b. 1568) → Hans (b. 1594) → Ullrich (b. 1640) → Christian (b. 1672). It adds: Christina was present at a baptism at Lauperswil; the family’s children were baptized as infants (so not yet Anabaptist); Hans bought a farm in 1629; Ullrich was a saddler “who moved several times during his marriage”. The book credits Adolph Ramseyer, a Swiss police officer who researched Ramseyers, so it and Staker probably rest on the same unpublished research: they agree but are not independent confirmation.

In their lifetime

Research tasks

  • Verify in the Eggiwil/Signau parish registers (see Bern parish registers) task/ai

Searched 2026-10-31

Lauperswil, the parish of the hamlet Ramsei, has the oldest register in the area (from 1528), but baptisms for late 1531 to mid-1537 are missing, exactly his birth years. His marriage was not seen in Lauperswil marriages 1557–71. He is likely the earliest Ramseyer any parish record can reach.

Earlier bearers of the name (not proven ancestors)

Johans and Chünrat von Ramseia, burghers of Burgdorf, 1343–1361; Rudi Ramseis, 1369. About 190 undocumented years separate them from Peter. See Fontes Rerum Bernensium - Ramsei mentions (1343-1369).

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • undated: 2002 Family Record (p. IX–X): The Family Record gives the same line: Peter (b. 1535, Signau; wife Christina) → Ludwig (b. 1568) → Hans (b. 1594) → Ullrich (b. 1640) → Christian (b. 1672). It adds: Chr
  • 2026-10-31: Searched 2026-10-31: Lauperswil, the parish of the hamlet Ramsei, has the oldest register in the area (from 1528), but baptisms for late 1531 to mid-1537 are missing, exactly his birth years.
  • 2026-10-31 (from How far back each line goes): Ramseyer (Alvin C. Ramseyer Jr.) | Peter Ramseyer (c.1534) | 14 | 7, to Johannes Ramseyer (1780–1853) | Johannes → Isaac is a strong inference; Isaac → Christian (1700) is a compiled lead |

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Hochstetler (wife of Christian Stutzman)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 1)

Daughter of the immigrant Jacob Hochstetler. Taxed in her own name on the Bern Tp., Berks Co. lists 1771–1782 as a widow, near Shartlesville, Pa.; her son Christian is on the list 1782–87, when the farm was sold to Hans Fike. Her family therefore lived through the 1757 attack on her father’s farm, which is in the same Northkill settlement.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Hochstetler 1912 fam. 1 re-read: lists Barbara (fam. 8921) among the children of Jacob and his wife ‘probably Miss Lorentz’ (d. Sept 1757), with John, Jacob, Joseph, Christian and a daughter; fam. 8921: Christian Stutzman on Bern Twp. assessments from 1753(?) to 1771, so Barbara b. c.1730–35. Mother linked to the 1757 victim (family compilation; book never states it in so many words)
  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885, Hochstetler 1912 and Stutzman 1938 searched: her mother is the unnamed wife of Jacob Hochstetler (killed 1757); no source names her

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Mast (1765–1849)

Barbara Mast Hostetler

9 Dec 1765 – Aug 1849

Christopher’s 5th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 221 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Mast genealogy #563, third child of Bishop Jacob Mast. Married (1) John Hostetler, (2) John Zook/Zug.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n37763041["Michael Holly (arr. 1750)"]
  n16311282["Jacob Mast (1738–1808)"]
  n33985958["Barbara Mast (1765–1849)"]
  n61422105["Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)"]
  n33985958 --> n16311282
  n33985958 --> n61422105
  n61422105 --> n37763041
  class n37763041,n16311282,n33985958,n61422105 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christina Trachsel (16th c.)

? – ?

Christopher’s 11th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 12289 · generation 14
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Wife in Staker’s early Ramseyer chain (compiled lead, uncited).

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text ‘Christina Trachsel’ Ramseyer: no hits; Staker’s chain uncited; 16th-century registers rarely name a bride’s parents

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Haldimann (16th c.)

? – ?

Christopher’s 9th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 3073 · generation 12
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Wife in Staker’s early Ramseyer chain (compiled lead, uncited).

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text ‘Anna Haldimann’ Ramseyer: no hits; Staker’s chain uncited

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Ludwig Ramseyer (16th c.)

? – ?

Christopher’s 10th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 6144 · generation 13
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Named as parents of Hans, baptized at Signau on 20 January 1594 (K Signau 1, p. 48): "Ludi Ramseyer und Madlen Huser". See Hans Ramseyer (bapt. 1594).

‘Ludi’ in Staker’s chain; dates contradictory.

Unverified chain

Staker’s early Ramseyer generations are uncited and contain contradictions. They are kept as leads; verify against the Signau (before 1648) and Eggiwil registers now downloaded to the archive.

2002 Family Record (p. IX–X)

The Family Record gives the same line: Peter (b. 1535, Signau; wife Christina) → Ludwig (b. 1568) → Hans (b. 1594) → Ullrich (b. 1640) → Christian (b. 1672). It adds: Christina was present at a baptism at Lauperswil; the family’s children were baptized as infants (so not yet Anabaptist); Hans bought a farm in 1629; Ullrich was a saddler “who moved several times during his marriage”. The book credits Adolph Ramseyer, a Swiss police officer who researched Ramseyers, so it and Staker probably rest on the same unpublished research: they agree but are not independent confirmation.

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n46003800["Christina Trachsel (16th c.)"]
  n62500451["Peter Ramseyer (c.1534)"]
  n71408397["Ludwig Ramseyer (16th c.)"]
  n71408397 --> n62500451
  n71408397 --> n46003800
  class n46003800,n62500451,n71408397 internal-link;

Research tasks

  • Verify in the Eggiwil/Signau parish registers (see Bern parish registers) task/ai

Sources

Negative search (2026-10-31)

The marriage of Ludi Ramseyer and Madlen Huser is not in the Signau marriage register from its start (Apr 1589) to Dec 1594. They married earlier or elsewhere (Langnau, Lauperswil, Trub?). See How far back each line goes.

Baptism search (2026-10-31)

Not recognized in Lauperswil baptisms 1566–Mar 1570 (very difficult hand; weak negative). Next: Langnau 1 (1555–79) for c.1565–70.

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Michael Schrock (1782–1860)

1782 – 1860

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 104 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

His father Casper Schrock (Hostetler 1938, no. 3161; Plank reunion notes, 1926; Glades Star)

Named “son of Casper Schrock” (1938). Casper Schrock, born in Switzerland about 1745, married Mary Stuckey and settled near Berlin, Brothersvalley Twp., Somerset Co., Pa. (on its tax list); he “and two brothers migrated to America”. A 1926 Plank-family note lists Casper’s sons as Joseph (b. 1784), Henry, John, Christian (1780–1847), Nicholas, David, Abraham, Jacob and Peter, with one daughter: Michael is not in that list, though the Oak Grove history calls Michael a brother of minister Peter Schrock. Treat Casper as his father with caution. Note: the Oak Grove minister Peter Schrock (b. 22 Mar 1801, m. Fanny Plank) was a son of Joseph Schrock (b. 1784), son of Casper; he was too young to be Michael’s brother, so the “brother of minister Peter Schrock” in the Oak Grove history may mean a different Peter or be an error. Alternatives: Casper’s brother John, or Ulrich Schrock, both heads of Schrock households near Berlin at the time (Brethren history 1916; Troyer book). Michael lived at Berlin/Shanksville, Somerset Co., before moving to Wayne Co., Ohio. Best test: the Brothersvalley tax lists 1796–1810 and Somerset Co. estate papers for Casper (did a Michael inherit?).

Married Susanna Yoder (a Hostetler descendant) in Somerset County, Pa.; in Green Township, Wayne County by 1830. Ten children: Stephen (1811–1880), Tobias, Elizabeth, Sarah, Fanny, Samuel (1820–1893), Barbara, John, Moses, Michael.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n26429326["Michael Schrock (1782–1860)"]
  n22925690["Casper Schrock (immigrant)"]
  n26429326 --> n22925690
  class n26429326,n22925690 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Marriage 1828 in Somerset County (1986 history) conflicts with son Stephen’s 1811 birth — 1808 or earlier likely

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Marriage 1828 in Somerset County (1986 history) conflicts with son Stephen’s 1811 birth — 1808 or earlier likely

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hochstetler 1912 and Stutzman 1938 searched: 1938 no. 3161 lists Casper Schrock’s children (Henry, John, Christian, Michael, Katie m. David Stutzman, David, Joseph, Abraham…) but does not name their mother; the 1912 Casper Schrock (m. Mary Zook; son of John and Elizabeth Schrock, m. 1778) is a different, later Casper. Mother ‘Mary Stuckey’ rests only on the family notes

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Susanna Yoder (1791–1855)

Susanna Yoder Schrock

1791 – 1855

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 105 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Parents found (Hostetler 1938, no. 3161)

“Susanna Yoder, Orrville, Ohio, at death, was b. Apr. 4, 1791, near Summit Mills, Pa., and m. in 1828 Michael Schrock, son of Casper Schrock. Amish.” Children: Stephen, Tobias, Elizabeth, Sarah, Fanny, Samuel, Barbara, John, Moses, Michael. Parents: John Yoder (Somerset pioneer) and Magdalena Stutzman (fl. 1772); grandparents Christian Stutzman and Barbara Hochstetler, daughter of the immigrant Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776).
Pedigree collapse: the Ramseyer side (through Susanna) and the Miller side both descend from Jacob Hochstetler. (The “1828” marriage date is doubted in the 1998 Hochstetler book, since son Stephen was born by 1811.)

‘A Hostetler descendant’ (1986 history).

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Death 1855 (Find a Grave) vs 1848 as read on the family tree

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Death 1855 (Find a Grave) vs 1848 as read on the family tree

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Margaret Plank (m. 1767)

fl. 1767 – ?

Christopher’s 6th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 433 · generation 9
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

(1900 reunion paper)

Born in Switzerland (per the paper); emigrated with Melchior, indentured to pay their passage, lived in Lancaster and later Mifflin Co., Pa.; died “several years” after him (he d. about 1817). Her maiden name is still unknown.

Wife of John Melchior Plank; surname unknown (‘Margaret ?’).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text ‘Melchior Plank’ Margaret: only the Plank reunion story and family-history websites; maiden name not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)

Jacob Hochstetler (Hofstetter), Täuferlehrer

c.1666 – c.1722, born at Winterkraut, died at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

Christopher’s 8th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 1272, 1760 · generation 11
Evidence: identity documented
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Guggisberg baptisms searched, 1665 – Mar 1673 (2026-10-31)

K Guggisberg 4, images 30–62, entries 1–632, read in full: no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler/Hoffstettler father. Either he was born before 1665 (Guggisberg 3, 1637–64, not yet read), after March 1673, or the “c.1666” estimate is off.
Hostettler households baptizing at Guggisberg in these years (any could be his family):

  • Michel Hoffstettler: son baptized 1 Nov 1665; again 1668 (no. 277); son Ulrich, 30 Apr 1671 (no. 477)
  • Hans Hostettler × Anna Mischler: children 1666 (no. 70) and Christen, 24 Nov 1667 (no. 207). A Hostettler–Mischler marriage a generation before the Mishlers sailed with the Hochstetlers on the Phoenix (1749)
  • Heini Hostettler: child 1668 (no. 224); son Peter, 30 Sep 1670 (no. 426)
  • Heinrich Hoffstettler: son Hans, 1 Jan 1670 (no. 371)
  • Hans Hostettler: daughter Barbara, 6 Oct 1672 (no. 587)
  • Hostettler women as mothers: Anna (× Christen Bühler, 1669), Christina (× Hans Rohrbach?, 1669), Margreth (× Christen Kohler, 1668, 1671), Barbara (× Jacob Zbinden, 1670, 1672, and a son Jacob, 9 Feb 1673, no. 618: mother’s surname, so not ours)
    Also searched: K Guggisberg 3, images 116–151 (Jul 1656 – Dec 1664), read in full: no Jacob to a Hostettler father. So mid-1656 to March 1673 is ruled out.
    More Hostettler households found in 1656–64: Michel Hoffstettler × Barbara Zand (son Hans, 15 Sept 1661; note that Jacob’s second wife was a Verena Zand); Heinrich Hoffstettler × Elsbeth Zbinden (son Heinrich, 8 Mar 1663); Hans Hostettler × Anni Marti (1659); Hans Hostettler × Elsbeth Fuchs? (1663); Hans Hostettler × Anni Mischler already baptizing in 1662 (no. 325) and 1663 (no. 428).
    Guggisberg 3 now read in full, Jun 1637 – Dec 1664 (2026-10-31): no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler father in that volume either. With Guggisberg 4, Jun 1637 – Mar 1673 is ruled out. (Some 1649–54 entries are too faded to read.)
    The earlier Hostettler generation at Guggisberg (1637–56), any of whom could be his grandparents:
  • Jacob Hoffstettler × Elsbeth Schwarzengruber: Anna (Nov 1637), Barbara (1640), Peter (Oct 1643), a child 1645 (no. 545), Peter (Jun 1649), Samuel (early 1652). The only Jacob Hostettler head of household in these registers
  • Michel Hoffstettler × Margreth Zwahlen/Schwalen: Heinrich (Feb 1638), Margreth (Nov 1644)
  • Cuni (Conrad) Hochstettler × Benedicta Portner: Elsbeth (1639), Christen (Feb 1642), Christina (Jan 1644), Margreth (Nov 1650)
  • Ulrich Hostettler × Dichtli (Benedicta) Portner: Dichtli (Jun 1637)
  • Peter, Christen, Elsbeth, Catharina and Anna Hostettler often stand as godparents; a Mischler (Anna, Barbara, Christina) appears as godmother or mother nearly every year, and Zand and Küntzi families are in the same circle.
    A guess, not a finding: Jacob (b. c.1666) may be named after Jacob × Elsbeth Schwarzengruber, perhaps a grandson through one of their sons (Peter 1643/1649 or Samuel 1652), who would be marrying in the 1670s.
    Most likely now: born after March 1673 (which also fits better with a son born about 1712). Next: Guggisberg 4, images 63–100 (1673–1680); then Wahlern.

Probable father of the 1738 immigrant (the father–son link is believed, not proven; the archival facts about his own life are documented, cited through Hochstättler).

DateRecord
1697Markirch list: “Jacob Hochstettler”, Anabaptist, no property — one of 17, the first Swiss Anabaptists on French soil who could be called Amish. Shoemaker; buys a meadow “Le Prince Prey” in Echery.
1699Buys a shelter for 360 livres. Ammann recorded nearby at La Petite Liepvre.
9 Mar 1701”Jacob Amman, together with Jacob Hochstetler and Hans Zimmermann”, representatives of the Anabaptist community, petition Count Palatine Christian.
1702With Ammann, protests against being made Heimburgs (officials with military duties).
1707Living at La Petite Liepvre “as a neighbour to Jacob Amman”.
1712Expulsion property list: 1 house, 8 cows, 4 young cows, 1 pig, 3 goats (Ammann: 2 cows, 3 goats). Louis XIV expels the Anabaptists; Ammann vanishes. Jacob is one of only six families who stay.
1719With Nigi Blanck petitions to reduce back protection tax; community back to 14 households.
6 Mar 1720Bern Täuferkammer: Täuferlehrer Jacob “Hofstetter”, “born at Winterkraut near Guggisberg”, living at “Maria-Kirch”, came back to help Anabaptist women emigrate; arrested, released on paying costs and promising “with handshake” not to return.
10 Feb 1721Last signature. Dead by Oct 1723.

Tradition places a hidden room under the floor of the oldest house in Winterkraut, used to hide Anabaptists (JHFA) — not in Alsace. Wives: Christina Küntzi (probable mother of the immigrant), then Verena Zand (AMC genealogy). Other children (AMC): Peter (bapt. Wahlern 1697?), Elisabeth (m. Michel Blanck), Johannes (m. Anna Wagler), Verena (1716–1741).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Guggisberg baptisms searched, 1665 – Mar 1673 (2026-10-31): K Guggisberg 4, images 30–62, entries 1–632, read in full: no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler/Hoffstettler father. Either he was born before 1665 (Guggisberg 3, 1637–64, n

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)

Jacob Hochstetler (Hofstetter), Täuferlehrer

c.1666 – c.1722, born at Winterkraut, died at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines

Christopher’s 8th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 1272, 1760 · generation 11
Evidence: identity documented
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Guggisberg baptisms searched, 1665 – Mar 1673 (2026-10-31)

K Guggisberg 4, images 30–62, entries 1–632, read in full: no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler/Hoffstettler father. Either he was born before 1665 (Guggisberg 3, 1637–64, not yet read), after March 1673, or the “c.1666” estimate is off.
Hostettler households baptizing at Guggisberg in these years (any could be his family):

  • Michel Hoffstettler: son baptized 1 Nov 1665; again 1668 (no. 277); son Ulrich, 30 Apr 1671 (no. 477)
  • Hans Hostettler × Anna Mischler: children 1666 (no. 70) and Christen, 24 Nov 1667 (no. 207). A Hostettler–Mischler marriage a generation before the Mishlers sailed with the Hochstetlers on the Phoenix (1749)
  • Heini Hostettler: child 1668 (no. 224); son Peter, 30 Sep 1670 (no. 426)
  • Heinrich Hoffstettler: son Hans, 1 Jan 1670 (no. 371)
  • Hans Hostettler: daughter Barbara, 6 Oct 1672 (no. 587)
  • Hostettler women as mothers: Anna (× Christen Bühler, 1669), Christina (× Hans Rohrbach?, 1669), Margreth (× Christen Kohler, 1668, 1671), Barbara (× Jacob Zbinden, 1670, 1672, and a son Jacob, 9 Feb 1673, no. 618: mother’s surname, so not ours)
    Also searched: K Guggisberg 3, images 116–151 (Jul 1656 – Dec 1664), read in full: no Jacob to a Hostettler father. So mid-1656 to March 1673 is ruled out.
    More Hostettler households found in 1656–64: Michel Hoffstettler × Barbara Zand (son Hans, 15 Sept 1661; note that Jacob’s second wife was a Verena Zand); Heinrich Hoffstettler × Elsbeth Zbinden (son Heinrich, 8 Mar 1663); Hans Hostettler × Anni Marti (1659); Hans Hostettler × Elsbeth Fuchs? (1663); Hans Hostettler × Anni Mischler already baptizing in 1662 (no. 325) and 1663 (no. 428).
    Guggisberg 3 now read in full, Jun 1637 – Dec 1664 (2026-10-31): no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler father in that volume either. With Guggisberg 4, Jun 1637 – Mar 1673 is ruled out. (Some 1649–54 entries are too faded to read.)
    The earlier Hostettler generation at Guggisberg (1637–56), any of whom could be his grandparents:
  • Jacob Hoffstettler × Elsbeth Schwarzengruber: Anna (Nov 1637), Barbara (1640), Peter (Oct 1643), a child 1645 (no. 545), Peter (Jun 1649), Samuel (early 1652). The only Jacob Hostettler head of household in these registers
  • Michel Hoffstettler × Margreth Zwahlen/Schwalen: Heinrich (Feb 1638), Margreth (Nov 1644)
  • Cuni (Conrad) Hochstettler × Benedicta Portner: Elsbeth (1639), Christen (Feb 1642), Christina (Jan 1644), Margreth (Nov 1650)
  • Ulrich Hostettler × Dichtli (Benedicta) Portner: Dichtli (Jun 1637)
  • Peter, Christen, Elsbeth, Catharina and Anna Hostettler often stand as godparents; a Mischler (Anna, Barbara, Christina) appears as godmother or mother nearly every year, and Zand and Küntzi families are in the same circle.
    A guess, not a finding: Jacob (b. c.1666) may be named after Jacob × Elsbeth Schwarzengruber, perhaps a grandson through one of their sons (Peter 1643/1649 or Samuel 1652), who would be marrying in the 1670s.
    Most likely now: born after March 1673 (which also fits better with a son born about 1712). Next: Guggisberg 4, images 63–100 (1673–1680); then Wahlern.

Probable father of the 1738 immigrant (the father–son link is believed, not proven; the archival facts about his own life are documented, cited through Hochstättler).

DateRecord
1697Markirch list: “Jacob Hochstettler”, Anabaptist, no property — one of 17, the first Swiss Anabaptists on French soil who could be called Amish. Shoemaker; buys a meadow “Le Prince Prey” in Echery.
1699Buys a shelter for 360 livres. Ammann recorded nearby at La Petite Liepvre.
9 Mar 1701”Jacob Amman, together with Jacob Hochstetler and Hans Zimmermann”, representatives of the Anabaptist community, petition Count Palatine Christian.
1702With Ammann, protests against being made Heimburgs (officials with military duties).
1707Living at La Petite Liepvre “as a neighbour to Jacob Amman”.
1712Expulsion property list: 1 house, 8 cows, 4 young cows, 1 pig, 3 goats (Ammann: 2 cows, 3 goats). Louis XIV expels the Anabaptists; Ammann vanishes. Jacob is one of only six families who stay.
1719With Nigi Blanck petitions to reduce back protection tax; community back to 14 households.
6 Mar 1720Bern Täuferkammer: Täuferlehrer Jacob “Hofstetter”, “born at Winterkraut near Guggisberg”, living at “Maria-Kirch”, came back to help Anabaptist women emigrate; arrested, released on paying costs and promising “with handshake” not to return.
10 Feb 1721Last signature. Dead by Oct 1723.

Tradition places a hidden room under the floor of the oldest house in Winterkraut, used to hide Anabaptists (JHFA) — not in Alsace. Wives: Christina Küntzi (probable mother of the immigrant), then Verena Zand (AMC genealogy). Other children (AMC): Peter (bapt. Wahlern 1697?), Elisabeth (m. Michel Blanck), Johannes (m. Anna Wagler), Verena (1716–1741).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Guggisberg baptisms searched, 1665 – Mar 1673 (2026-10-31): K Guggisberg 4, images 30–62, entries 1–632, read in full: no Jacob baptized to a Hostettler/Hoffstettler father. Either he was born before 1665 (Guggisberg 3, 1637–64, n

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Joseph Gerig (fl. 1841)

fl. 1841 – ?

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 106 · generation 7
Evidence: identity family compilation · link to parents family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

Christina Gerig’s father; brought the family from Alsace about 1841. ‘Joseph’s parents were Christian and Elizabeth Goldschmidt Gerig’ (1986 history).

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n44829800["Christian Gerig (fl. 1800)"]
  n88004213["Joseph Gerig (fl. 1841)"]
  n17342458["Elizabeth Goldschmidt (fl. 1800)"]
  n88004213 --> n44829800
  n88004213 --> n17342458
  class n44829800,n88004213,n17342458 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Mast (1738–1808)

Bishop Jacob Mast

1738 – 8 Feb 1808

Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 264, 442 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Search of the Guggisberg baptisms (2026-10-31)

No baptism found for Jacob, 1737 – early 1740

Claude read every baptism in K Guggisberg 6 (scan images 100–123) from 1 Jan 1737 to mid-Feb 1740. No Jacob Mast was baptized at Guggisberg in that window.

Mast families having children there at the time ([bracketed] = uncertain reading; Mast and Marti can look alike):

  • Christ Mast and Eva Lädermann — children baptized away from home at Corsier and Lausanne (Judith 1728, Marthe Louise 1731, Jacqueline 1733, Maria Elisabeth 1735), entered at Guggisberg in 1737 — a Mast family living in the Vaud.
  • [Christen] Mast and Cathri [G’rosten?] — son Christen, 3 Nov 1737.
  • Hans Mast “an der Egerten” and Anna Hostettler — son Christen, 8 Dec 1737. A Mast–Hochstetler marriage in Guggisberg.
  • Hans Mast and Anni Glauss — son Christen, 25 Jul 1738.
  • Hans Mast and Anni [Dägerler?] — son Hans, 10 Aug 1738.

Why he may be missing: an Anabaptist family would not have had him baptized in the Reformed church; he may have been born in another parish (Wahlern, or among Bernese refugees elsewhere); or “1738” (from his age in 1750) may be off by a few years. Guggisberg has no surviving death registers before 1875, so the parents’ deaths (he arrived an orphan in 1750) can’t be checked there.

Mast marriages in the Guggisberg register, 1723–1737 (K Guggisberg 6, marriage section, images 175–186; read by Claude 2026-10-31). These couples were of the right age to be Jacob’s parents:

  • 12 Oct 1725: Christen Mast × Barb. Stoll (clear reading).
  • 5 May 1735: Hans Mast × Anni [Bigler/Dägerler?] (p. 367), probably the parents of the Hans baptized in Aug 1738.
  • 18 Feb 1735: Hans [Mast?] × [unreadable] (p. 366).
  • 1726 (p. 350): a “Barb. Mast” bride, groom [unreadable].
  • No marriage was found for Christ Mast × Eva Lädermann (Vaud), Hans Mast × Anna Hostettler, or Hans Mast × Anni Glauss. Those couples probably married elsewhere.

No Jacob Mast baptism was found in the Guggisberg baptisms for 1737 – Feb 1740, nor in the 1735–1736 marriage pages checked. Jacob’s parents are still unknown. The best candidates are the couples above, but nothing yet ties any of them to the 1750 orphans.

Baptisms 1725–1726 (K Guggisberg 6, images 16–23), read 2026-10-31:

  • Oct 1725: Joseph, son of Hans Mast and Anna [Zwahlen?]; godparents Peter Mast and Christina Mast (image 17, p. 31).
  • 8 Feb 1726: Joseph, son of Christen [surname unreadable] and Barb. Stoll (image 20, p. 36). This could be the first child of Christen Mast and Barbara Stoll, married 12 Oct 1725, but the father’s surname can’t be read at this resolution. Unconfirmed.

Baptisms Mar 1735 – Dec 1736 (K Guggisberg 6, images 85–98), read 2026-11-01: no Jacob. Mast families baptizing:

  • 27 Mar 1735: Barbara, daughter of Peter Zwahlen and Anni Mast (image 86).
  • 25 Dec 1735: Anna, daughter of Hans Mast and Anna Hostettler; godparents Hans Stöckli, Anna Beyeler, Elsi Glauss (image 91). The Mast–Hochstetler couple again (son Christen, Dec 1737).
  • 27 Feb 1736: Christen, son of Hans Mast and Anna Zwahlen (image 92); the couple who baptized a Joseph in Oct 1725. One godparent may read “Elsbeth Mi[ß]ler”.
  • 23 Nov 1736: Elsbeth, daughter of Peter Zwahlen and Anna Mast (image 97).
  • 21 Dec 1736: Christen, son of Hans Mast [im Flüstrund?] and Anna Beyeler; godparents Hans Nydegger, Christen Mast, Barbara Beyeler (image 98). A new Hans Mast couple.

So at least four Hans Mast households were baptizing at Guggisberg in 1735–38 (wives Hostettler, Zwahlen, Beyeler, Glauss), which is why the orphans’ father can’t be picked out by name alone. Still to read: 1733–34 and 1740–46.

Baptisms Apr 1740 – Apr 1741 (K Guggisberg 6, images 124–131), read 2026-11-01:

  • 27 Nov 1740: Joseph, son of Hans Mast and Anna Beyeler (second child found for this couple, after Christen, Dec 1736); godparents Peter Zwahlen, Heinrich Hostettler, Elsbeth Beyeler (image 128).
  • 27 Nov 1740: Christina, daughter of Hans Bonni and Barbara Mast (image 127).
  • 5 Feb 1741: Barbara, daughter of Hans Mast “ob dem Stalden” and Anna Zand; godparents Christen Zand, Anna Hostettler, Barbara Zand (image 130). A fifth Hans Mast couple.

That makes five Hans Mast households at Guggisberg in 1735–41 (wives Hostettler, Zwahlen, Beyeler, Glauss, Zand). Still to read: Apr 1741 – 1746 (images 132–174) and 1733–34.

The Guggisberg Hans Mast puzzle

Between 1725 and 1741 the Guggisberg baptism register names five couples whose father is “Hans Mast”:

WifeChildren baptizedFarm or locality
Anna HostettlerAnna (Dec 1735), Christen (Dec 1737)“an der Egerten”
Anna ZwahlenJoseph (Oct 1725), Christen (Feb 1736)—
Anna BeyelerChristen (Dec 1736), Joseph (Nov 1740)“im Flüstrund” (uncertain)
Anni GlaussChristen (Jul 1738)—
Anna ZandBarbara (Feb 1741)“ob dem Stalden”

A sixth, Hans Mast × Anni Bigler/Dägerler (married May 1735; son Hans, Aug 1738), may be the Beyeler couple misread.

They are probably not five different men: widowers remarried quickly, and surnames are hard to read. But overlapping dates (Hostettler, Zwahlen and Beyeler children within months of each other) mean there were at least three or four Hans Masts in the parish at once. That’s why the pastor added farm names like “an der Egerten” and “ob dem Stalden”. Mast was a common Guggisberg name, and Hans was the most common boy’s name.

What it means for Jacob: any of these couples could be the parents of the orphans who came over in 1750, and a first name can’t decide it. It will take a record tying one couple to the orphans: a guardianship (Vogtei) record, an emigration permit, or an estate inventory.

Method note: reading surnames page by page in this register is slow and error-prone (Mast, Marti and Maag look alike). A handwriting-recognition pass (Transkribus) over K Guggisberg 6, 1726–1746, or a hired Bern researcher, would be the reliable way to list every child of Christen Mast × Barbara Stoll and test them against Jacob’s siblings (John and four sisters).

  • Extend the search: Guggisberg 6 for 1733–34 and 1740–1746 (1735–36 and Apr 1740–Apr 1741 done 2026-11-01), and Guggisberg 7 (1747–50) for the orphans’ siblings task/ai
  • Search the Wahlern registers (catalog ID 220239) for Mast baptisms 1730–1745 task/ai
  • Run Transkribus (or hire a Bern researcher) on K Guggisberg 6, 1726–1746, to list all Mast baptisms task/human
  • Identify which Mast couple lost both parents before 1750 (marriages in Guggisberg 5–6; Täuferkammer lists) task/human

Life and evidence

A double ancestor — through his daughter Barbara Mast (1765–1849) (Ramseyer side) and his son Christian Mast (fl. 1800) (Miller side).

  • Born 1738 in Switzerland “of Swiss parents”; came as an orphan with his younger brother John and four sisters in the care of his uncle Johannes Mast on the Brotherhood, Philadelphia 3 Nov 1750 (from Rotterdam via Cowes; list shows “Johannes Mast” with Andreas and Michael Holly).
  • Settled in the Northkill congregation — the same community as the Hochstetlers. Married Magdalena, daughter of fellow passenger Michael Holly. After an Indian attack in 1760 moved to the Conestoga Valley on the Berks–Chester line.
  • One of the leading Amish bishops of his day; visited congregations in Berks, Lancaster, Chester, Somerset and Cambria counties yearly. His coat and wedding vest are at the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society.
  • Children (12): John, Magdalena (Zook), Barbara (John Hochstetler, then John Zug), Jacob, David, Mary (Coffman), Nancy (Kurtz), Fanny (Zug), Elizabeth (Holly), Christian (Susan Kurtz), Esther (Zug, Holly), Daniel.

Origins: Guggisberg

Modern trees agree on Guggisberg, Canton Bern. WikiTree’s line (father “Christen or Ulrich”; grandfather Hans Mast b. 10 Mar 1661 × Anna Mischler; Peter Mast b. 1636 × Barbara Stöckli; Benedict Mast c.1597 × Barbara Marti) is a hypothesis until the orphans’ parents are found. If right, the Schwarzenburg district supplies three of Christopher’s lines (Hochstetler, Mast, Mishler).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Father unknown: ‘Christen or Ulrich’ (WikiTree) vs Jacob Mast × Barbara Berkey (Geni)
  • Magdalena’s father: Michael Holly (1911 book) vs Johannes Hooley (Mast Family Stories)

Research tasks

  • Search the Guggisberg registers (downloaded) for Mast baptisms c.1736–1740 and the orphans’ parents task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Father unknown: ‘Christen or Ulrich’ (WikiTree) vs Jacob Mast × Barbara Berkey (Geni)
  • Magdalena’s father: Michael Holly (1911 book) vs Johannes Hooley (Mast Family Stories)

Research log

  • undated: No baptism found for Jacob, 1737 – early 1740: Claude read every baptism in K Guggisberg 6 (scan images 100–123) from 1 Jan 1737 to mid-Feb 1740. No Jacob Mast was baptized at Guggisberg in that window.
  • undated: No marriage was found for Christ Mast × Eva Lädermann (Vaud), Hans Mast × Anna Hostettler, or Hans Mast × Anni Glauss. Those couples probably married elsewhere.
  • undated: No Jacob Mast baptism was found in the Guggisberg baptisms for 1737 – Feb 1740, nor in the 1735–1736 marriage pages checked. Jacob’s parents are still unknown. The best candidates are the couples abov
  • 2026-11-01: K Guggisberg 6 baptisms, images 85–98 (Mar 1735 – Dec 1736) read page by page: no Jacob Mast. Mast entries: 27 Mar 1735 Barbara d/o Peter Zwahlen & Anni Mast; 25 Dec 1735 Anna d/o Hans Mast & Anna Hostettler; 27 Feb 1736 Christen s/o Hans Mast & Anna Zwahlen; 23 Nov 1736 Elsbeth d/o Peter Zwahlen & Anna Mast; 21 Dec 1736 Christen s/o Hans Mast [im Flüstrund?] & Anna Beyeler (godparents Hans Nydegger, Christen Mast, Barbara Beyeler)
  • 2026-11-01: K Guggisberg 6 baptisms, images 124–131 (Apr 1740 – mid-Apr 1741) read: Mast entries: 27 Nov 1740 Joseph s/o Hans Mast [im Flüstrund?] & Anna Beyeler (godparents Peter Zwahlen, Heinrich Hostettler, Elsbeth Beyeler); 27 Nov 1740 Christina d/o Hans Bonni & Barbara Mast; 5 Feb 1741 Barbara d/o Hans Mast ‘ob dem Stalden’ & Anna Zand (godparents Christen Zand, Anna Hostettler, Barbara Zand); Hans Mast and Barbara Mast also stand as godparents. No sibling of Jacob identifiable

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Smiley (1822–1879)

Rev. John Smiley

2 Oct 1822 – 18 Sep 1879, born at Somerset County, died at Smithville

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 50 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Son of Nathan and Anna Smiley (his obituary). Born Somerset County, Pa.; moved with his parents to Elkhart County, Indiana, 1842; joined the Amish Mennonite Church in Mifflin County 1845; married Mary Conrad of Wayne County, 15 Jan 1846; ordained minister 1849; lived near Goshen from 1847; moved near Smithville in the fall of 1866 and was a leading Oak Grove minister until 1878. Died suddenly of apparent heart failure while threshing grain on his farm, 18 Sept 1879.

He had seven/eight daughters and no surviving sons, so the Smiley name died out among the Amish (Luthy).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n63931845["Nathan Smiley (1797–1872)"]
  n57993883["John Smiley (1822–1879)"]
  n32215555["Anna Stutzman (fl. 1822)"]
  n57993883 --> n63931845
  n57993883 --> n32215555
  class n63931845,n57993883,n32215555 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Forks Mennonite Church history (1957): ‘John Smiley (Schmeily in German)’, born Somerset Co. 2 Oct 1822, preacher of the Clinton congregation from 1849; trustee in the 1863 Elkhart deed (Deed Book 31 p. 557). MHB 2006 cover note: grandfather Irish, grandmother English, father reared by John Troyer

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena (wife of Hans Blank) (d. 1796)

Magdalena Blank

Hertzler 1885, Fam. 554 (copied from "Dr. Blank's manuscript")

Hans Blank “married to Magdalene ——, who died in Apr., 1796.” “Hans and Magdalene Blank were members of the Reformed Church. They fled from Switzerland by reason of being persecuted for their religious faith … [raiders] made a raid on their house by night when he was from home. His wife, being alone, took up her child two weeks old, and fled for safety by night in a deep snow. Following a path into the mountains all night, meeting no person, but a large black dog which she met gave the path, and she passed on to friends who provided for her wants until her husband came to meet her. Hans Blank and wife then united with the Amish Mennonite Church and emigrated to America prior to 1752.”

Mother of Anna Blank (fl. 1770) (wife of Joseph Hochstetler), and of John (m. Fanny Smucker), Catharine (m. John Holley), Barbara (m. Christian Umble), Magdalene (m. Christian Zug) and Christina (m. Jacob Yoder). Lived in Heidelberg Twp., Berks Co., until 1769, then in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co.

She and her husband are among the few ancestors in the tree who are recorded as converts to the Amish. Her maiden name is unknown; “Ziegler” (an AMC genealogy, cited on Hans’s note) is unconfirmed.

More from Bishop John Blank and Family (Sadie R. Blank Mast, c.1962), Mast (Sadie R. Blank) - Bishop John Blank and Family (1962)

  • Hans and Magdalena “brought two orphan boys along, Christian Umble and John Holley. These boys later married Hans’ daughters” (Barbara and Catharine).
  • “Both are buried on the homestead near Cains, Pa.” In 1962 “there are still three members of the sixth generation of this family residing on the Old Homestead.” The booklet prints a photograph of the Hans Blank Homestead (p. 17).
  • Retelling the raid, it says the black dog “led them on in the path”, and gives the move to Salisbury as spring 1767 (Hertzler 1885 says 1769).
  • Nothing more on where in Switzerland, or when, the raid happened.

The Blank heirs' deed, 1798 (Lancaster County deed index)

31 October 1798, Deed Book D03, pp. 457 and 459, Salisbury Township: Christian & Barbara Umble, John & Catharine Hooley, and Joseph & Anne Hochstetter convey and release to John Blank, Christian Zug and Jacob Yoder. These are the six children of Hans and Magdalena Blank and their spouses, dividing the homestead two years after Magdalena died. It is the first original record tying Anna Blank, wife of Joseph Hochstetler, to the Blank family. (Index only; the deed image is not yet seen.) See Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds - online index (1729-).

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885, Fam. 554 (from Dr. Blank’s own manuscript): wife of Hans Blank, died April 1796; maiden name left blank. ‘Ziegler’ comes only from an AMC genealogy cited on Hans’s note
  • 2026-10-31: Mast, Bishop John Blank and Family (c.1962) read: reprints the Hertzler raid story; adds the two orphan boys (Christian Umble, John Holley), burial on the homestead near Cains, photo of the homestead; no Swiss place or date for the raid. Mast 1911 and Hochstetler 1912 only repeat Hertzler
  • 2026-11-01: Lancaster deed index: her children and their spouses divided the Salisbury property on 31 Oct 1798 (D03 pp. 457/459), consistent with her death in Apr 1796

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Reich (1826–1894)

Barbara Reich (Rich) Ramseyer

24 Jun 1826 – 3 Oct 1894, born at Maximo

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 49 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

Born at “Maximo” (a modern label — the name dates from about 1853), Stark County, Ohio. A daughter’s 1927 marriage license calls her “Barbara Richard”.

Her parents — Jacob Reich and Louise Eckinger — are named by three sources (Staker, the 1986 tree, the 1986 history) but none cites a record. Possible relatives buried with her in the Paris Township Amish Cemetery: Leah Reich Yoder (1828–1891, wife of Joseph Yoder) — a good candidate for a sister; Daniel Rich (c.1807–1857) and wife Catharine. An early Gotleib Eckinger (1776–1824) is buried at Indian Run Cemetery, East Canton (Find a Grave).

Not to be confused with the Rich family of the 1907 Ramseyer-Rich reunion (Joseph Rich of Lutter, Alsace, who married Peter’s sister Barbara) — whose English-descent tradition is told in The Rich family English-descent tradition.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n347016["Jacob Reich (c.1795–1873)"]
  n40516889["Louise Eckinger (c.1797–1873)"]
  n40487033["Barbara Reich (1826–1894)"]
  n40487033 --> n347016
  n40487033 --> n40516889
  class n347016,n40516889,n40487033 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birthplace: Stark County (Staker, Find a Grave) vs ‘Germany’ (1850 census)

Research tasks

  • Search 1830/1840 Paris and Washington Township censuses for a Jacob Rich household task/ai
  • Find Leah Reich Yoder’s obituary (possible sister) task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birthplace: Stark County (Staker, Find a Grave) vs ‘Germany’ (1850 census)

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Herald of Truth (English) for the death year searched by name, date and place (Stark/Wayne): no obituary found. Stark County Amish Mennonite deaths were probably reported in the German Herold der Wahrheit (not yet searched)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jeptha Plank (1803–1846)

1803 – 1846

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 108 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

‘Jeptha, the seventh child of Jacob and Mary Plank, married twice. First Barbara Zook and second Fanny Kurtz. There were nine children. Jeptha was a farmer and a mechanic’ (1986 history).

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n17151422["Mary Yoder Plank (d. 1850)"]
  n16842627["Jeptha Plank (1803–1846)"]
  n25625077["Margaret Plank (m. 1767)"]
  n448651["John Melchior Plank (m. 1767)"]
  n51209839["Jacob Plank (1768–1851)"]
  n16842627 --> n51209839
  n51209839 --> n448651
  n51209839 --> n25625077
  n16842627 --> n17151422
  class n17151422,n16842627,n25625077,n448651,n51209839 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christina Gosteli

Named as mother at Eggiwil in 1698, 1700 and 1706; recorded as "anabapt." in March 1706 (K Eggiwil 2, p. 46). Baptized at Bolligen on 4 Aug 1665, daughter of Jacob Gosteli and Anna Zoss (K Bolligen 3, checked 2026-10-31).

bapt. 4 Aug 1665 – ?, baptized at Bolligen

Christopher’s 7th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 769 · generation 10
Evidence: identity documented

Family

Life and evidence

Children of Jacob Gosteli × Anni Zoss, Bolligen baptisms (K Bolligen 3, read 1665–1676 on 2026-10-31)

BaptizedChildImage
4 Aug 1665Christina (our ancestor)144
21 Feb 1668Niclaus (godparents Niclaus Cuntz, Niclaus Krieg, Rosina Kauffmann, the pastor’s wife)150
25 Feb 1670Barbara (godparents Marti Wäli, Barbara Blanck, Barbara Baldiswyl)154
17 Jan 1673Anna (godparents Bast Stämpfli, Anni Zoss, Madle Krieg?)158
Jacob also stands as godfather in Dec 1668 and Jul 1669. Caution: a different Jacob Gosteli, married to Christina Krieg, baptized children at Bolligen in Sep 1669, Jan 1672 and Aug 1673: only entries naming Anni Zoss are counted here. Not yet read: 1655–64 (an older sibling and the couple’s marriage) and after 1676.

Baptism found in the original register (2026-10-31)

Bolligen baptisms (K Bolligen 3), image 144, 4 August 1665: Christina, child of Jacob Gosteli and Anna Zoss, confirming Staker’s date and parents.

Marriage not yet found. It is not in the Eggiwil marriage register for 1687–1699 (K Eggiwil 17, images 18–22, checked 2026-10-31). A bride usually married in her home parish, so the next place to look is Bolligen (c.1690–97), then Wohlen, where the first child, Barbara, was baptized on 3 April 1698.

Wife in Staker’s early Ramseyer chain (compiled lead, uncited).

Sources

Baptism found in the original register (2026-11-01)

Mühleberg baptisms (K Mühleberg 1), p. 225, 22 September 1700: “Christen Ramsÿer uß dem Eggiwyl, und dißmalen [living at a mill in the parish], und Christina Gosteli haben einen ehelichen Sohn tauffen lassen, namens Christen.” Godparents: Jacob [Lüthy?] of Gümmenen, Christen [Gehriß?] of Mauß, Elsbeth Remund of Kleingümmenen. See Bern K Muehleberg 1 - Baptisms 1651-1726 and Marriages 1651-1752.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: K Bolligen 22 (marriages), images 75–86 (Feb 1690 – Oct 1697) read page by page: no Christian Ramseyer × Christina Gosteli. A ‘Christina Gosteli von hier’ married Hans S[altzgeber?] von Stadorf on 12 Feb 1692 (image 79): a different Christina, or a first marriage. Many Gosteli marriages at Bolligen in these years. Next: Wohlen and Mühleberg (where Christian’s son was baptized 1700) and Eggiwil 1697–1700
  • 2026-11-01: Mühleberg baptism 22 Sep 1700 (p. 225): wife of Christen Ramseyer of Eggiwil, mother of Christen. Marriage not found at Mühleberg 1692–1704
  • 2026-11-01: neighbouring parishes searched, marriage registers c.1688–1700 read page by page: Wohlen (K Wohlen 2, 1689–98, images 182–186), Neuenegg (K Neuenegg 3, 1688–1700, images 148–150; faded), Frauenkappelen (K Frauenkappelen 2, 1691–1701, images 90–93): no Christen Ramseyer × Christina Gosteli. Incidental: Wohlen 19 Aug 1696 ‘Joseph Dürrwächter von Uettligen × Anna Ramseyer’; Frauenkappelen 2 Nov 1694 ‘Niclaus Neuenschwander × Elsi Walter’ (permission from Langnau). Ferenbalm 13 (catalogued ‘Eherodel 1661–1705’) is an alms account, not marriages. Conclusion: probably an unrecorded Anabaptist marriage, or one in the Gosteli home parish (Bolligen searched 1690–97) or the Ramseyer home parish (Eggiwil searched 1687–99)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1700)

Baptism checked in the original register (2026-10-31)

Eggiwil, baptisms elsewhere (K Eggiwil 10), p. 21: “zu Mühleberg ein Christian, 2 — d. 22ten Herbstmonat 1700”, parents “die obigen” = Christen Ramseyer and Christina Gosteli (whose daughter Barbara, baptized at Wohlen 3 April 1698, is the entry above).

Still unverified: that he was Isaac’s father. Isaac (born about 1747, La Sagne, Neuchâtel) does not appear in the Eggiwil register of children baptized elsewhere for 1739–1779 (K Eggiwil 11 index: only Magdalena and Barbara, daughters of Ulrich, and a Christian). The Christian (1700) → Isaac link rests on Staker’s reconstruction of the Neuchâtel Anabaptist lists, not a record naming Isaac’s parents.

bapt. 1700 – ?

Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 384 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Staker’s proposed father of Isaac. Baptized 1700.

Unverified chain

Staker’s early Ramseyer generations are uncited and contain contradictions. They are kept as leads; verify against the Signau (before 1648) and Eggiwil registers now downloaded to the archive.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n88864834["Barbara Stauffer (17th c.)"]
  n52315492["Christina Gosteli"]
  n17065231["Anna Haldimann (16th c.)"]
  n16873136["Ulrich Ramseyer (17th c.)"]
  n24533069["Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1672)"]
  n88254489["Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1700)"]
  n37828221["Hans Ramseyer (bapt. 1594)"]
  n88254489 --> n24533069
  n24533069 --> n16873136
  n16873136 --> n37828221
  n16873136 --> n17065231
  n24533069 --> n88864834
  n88254489 --> n52315492
  class n88864834,n52315492,n17065231,n16873136,n24533069,n88254489,n37828221 internal-link;

Baptism found in the original register (2026-11-01)

Mühleberg baptisms (K Mühleberg 1), p. 225, 22 September 1700: “Christen Ramsÿer uß dem Eggiwyl, und dißmalen [living at a mill in the parish], und Christina Gosteli haben einen ehelichen Sohn tauffen lassen, namens Christen.” Godparents: Jacob [Lüthy?] of Gümmenen, Christen [Gehriß?] of Mauß, Elsbeth Remund of Kleingümmenen. See Bern K Muehleberg 1 - Baptisms 1651-1726 and Marriages 1651-1752.

Research tasks

  • Verify in the Eggiwil/Signau parish registers (see Bern parish registers) task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: FOUND: Mühleberg baptisms (K Mühleberg 1) p. 225, 22 Sep 1700: son Christen of ‘Christen Ramsÿer uß dem Eggiwyl’ and Christina Gosteli. Parents confirmed from the original register

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Nancy Hostetler (1836–1860)

Nancy Hostetler Plank

Feb 1836 – 25 May 1860

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 55 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

1912 genealogy #6975; the seventh of Christian and Elizabeth’s nine children. Sibling: Rev. David Hostetler (1839–1928).

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n33985958["Barbara Mast (1765–1849)"]
  n61422105["Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)"]
  n16805015["Nancy Hostetler (1836–1860)"]
  n16311282["Jacob Mast (1738–1808)"]
  n35490291["Christian Hostetler (1801–1875)"]
  n6099635["Anna Blank (fl. 1770)"]
  n83640307["Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812)"]
  n54249478["Elizabeth Yoder (1799–1890)"]
  n76265796["John Hostetler (d. 1807)"]
  n16805015 --> n35490291
  n35490291 --> n76265796
  n76265796 --> n83640307
  n76265796 --> n6099635
  n35490291 --> n33985958
  n33985958 --> n16311282
  n33985958 --> n61422105
  n16805015 --> n54249478
  class n33985958,n61422105,n16805015,n16311282,n35490291,n6099635,n83640307,n54249478,n76265796 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Burial: Oak Grove (Find a Grave) vs Amish Plank (‘President’s’) Cemetery north of Wooster (1986 history, Geni)

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Burial: Oak Grove (Find a Grave) vs Amish Plank (‘President’s’) Cemetery north of Wooster (1986 history, Geni)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena Lantz (wife of Abraham Kurtz)

Magdalena Lantz (Zook) Kurtz

Christophel; Commemorative Biographical Record (1889)

Born Lantz; widow of a Zook when she married Abraham Kurtz (1769–1830) (after June 1808). Mother of Fanny Kurtz (b. 3 Jun 1810). After Abraham died in Wayne County in 1830 she “lived the rest of her life with her daughter Fanny”.

Her first husband is not named. Family links: her stepson Joseph Kurtz (b. 1808) married Lydia Zook, daughter of David Zook and Anna Lantz (Lantz Family Record), so the Lantz, Zook and Kurtz families were already tied together. The Lantz and Zook families were Amish neighbours from Mifflin County who settled together in Green Township, Wayne County (Christian Lantz and John Zook gave the Paradise cemetery land in 1824). Lead: Jeptha Plank’s first wife was a Barbara Zook; whether she was Magdalena’s daughter by her first marriage is unknown.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Jacob W. Lantz, The Lantz Family Record (archive.org lantzfamilyrecor00lant) searched: the Caernarvon/Mifflin Lantzes descend from Hans Lantz (d. after 1778) and Anna Maria; his son Christian (m. 1st Barbara Kurtz; to Mifflin Co. early 1790s; killed c.1806–10) had a daughter Magdalena, but she was born 26 Apr 1803 and married Henry Stutzman, so not this Magdalena. Christian’s daughter Anna (b. 1778) married David Zook; their daughter Lydia married Joseph Kurtz (Abraham’s son, b. 1808). No Lantz Magdalena married to a Zook and then Abraham Kurtz is in the book. Her parents are probably among Hans Lantz’s other sons (John, Jacob, Samuel, Peter, Henry)
  • 2026-11-01: Christophel Kurtz genealogy: ‘Mrs. Madelene Zook (maiden name Lantz)’, second wife of Abraham Kurtz (b. 1769); 1889 Wayne-Holmes biography: mother of Fanny Kurtz Plank, lived with her after Abraham’s death. First husband (a Zook) not identified

Record compiled 1 November 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Yoder (widow, immigrant)

Life and evidence

( Mast Family History, 1911, note to fam. 1261)

A native of Switzerland; her husband died at sea on the way to America and was buried in the sea. She arrived in Pennsylvania with eight sons and one daughter: sons included Yost, John (m. Magdalena Mast) and Christian; the daughter married Christopher Beiler. “One of the first of the Yoder name in America”; ancestor of a very large part of the Pennsylvania Amish Yoders. Her own maiden name and her husband’s name are not given here.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Brief Biographic Memorial of Jacob Hertzler) footnote to Fam. 383 read: the original of the Mast 1911 account. Adds: natives of Switzerland, arrived before 1727, lived in Oley Twp.; sons Yost, John (m. Magdalene Mast), Christian (d. 1772, Hamburg) and others; daughter m. Christopher Beiler; grandmother of Jacob Yoder (b. 1758, Reading; Revolutionary soldier, first flatboat to New Orleans). Her own and her husband’s names/parents not given

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Joseph Plank (1834–1914)

3 Mar 1834 – 26 Mar 1914, born at Wayne County (Ohio)

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 54 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Born Wayne County; A.M. (Amish Mennonite) Church member. ‘United in marriage to Nancy Hostetler, Mar. 18, 1856. To this union were born 2 daughters, Fanny and Elizabeth.’ Nancy and Elizabeth died before him. Remarried Elizabeth Hartzler 30 May 1861; two sons incl. Joseph K. Plank (1871–1947), Fanny’s half-brother.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n17151422["Mary Yoder Plank (d. 1850)"]
  n16842627["Jeptha Plank (1803–1846)"]
  n25625077["Margaret Plank (m. 1767)"]
  n448651["John Melchior Plank (m. 1767)"]
  n51209839["Jacob Plank (1768–1851)"]
  n34988141["Joseph Plank (1834–1914)"]
  n15752324["Veronica Fanny Kurtz (1811–1889)"]
  n34988141 --> n16842627
  n16842627 --> n51209839
  n51209839 --> n448651
  n51209839 --> n25625077
  n16842627 --> n17151422
  n34988141 --> n15752324
  class n17151422,n16842627,n25625077,n448651,n51209839,n34988141,n15752324 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena Stutzman (fl. 1772)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 2)

Eldest-listed child of Christian Stutzman and Barbara Hochstedler; died at Shanesville, Ohio. Married John Yoder (Somerset pioneer).
Through her, the Ramseyer side descends from the immigrant Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776), already Christopher’s ancestor on the Miller side: a new case of pedigree collapse across two grandparents.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Veronica Fanny Kurtz (1811–1889)

Veronica “Fanny” Kurtz Plank

1811 – 1889

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 109 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Jeptha Plank’s second wife, born 3 Jun 1810 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania; came to Wayne County, Ohio, about 1830 with her parents Abraham Kurtz (1769–1830) and Magdalena Lantz (wife of Abraham Kurtz); married Oct 1832; eight children; living at the old home in 1889 (Commemorative Biographical Record, 1889).

Cross-link (found 2026-11-01): her father was a grandson of the immigrant Abraham Kurtz (arr. 1749), who is also the grandfather of Veronica Kurtz (1800–1845) on the Miller side. So the two Veronica Kurtzes were first cousins once removed (through Abraham’s two wives, who were sisters, the Bolingers), and Christopher descends from the immigrant Abraham Kurtz on both sides. Which of the immigrant’s German-born sons (Christian or Jacob) was her grandfather is not known. See Double ancestors.

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth: 3 Jun 1810 (1889 county biography, given while she was living) vs 1811 (Find a Grave / 1986 tree)

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Commemorative Biographical Record of Wayne and Holmes (1889), Solomon K. Plank: Fanny Kurtz b. 3 Jun 1810 in Huntingdon Co., Pa.; came to Wayne Co. at 20 with parents Abraham and Magdalena Kurtz; m. Jephtha Plank Oct 1832 (Wayne Co. marriage index: Freny Kurtz, 30 Oct 1832, D. Zook minister). Christophel Kurtz genealogy identifies Abraham as Abraham Kurtz b. 1769, d. 1830, grandson of the 1740/1749 immigrant; Mast 1911 fam. 169 confirms she is NOT a daughter of Joseph Kurtz × Fanny Miller (15 children listed, no Plank marriage)
  • 2026-10-31: Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912) full text and Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler and Christian Stutzman (1938) full text searched: no Jeptha Plank; both confirm only the other Veronica (Fanny) Kurtz, b. 1800, dau. of Joseph Kurtz and Fanny Miller (m. Abraham Mast); a sister relationship is possible but unsupported

Record compiled 1 November 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Elizabeth Goldschmidt (fl. 1800)

fl. 1800 – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 213 · generation 8
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

( Joseph Goldsmith, 1796–1876, and his descendants, quoting the Mennonite Encyclopedia)

“The great grandmother of J. S. Gerig, Smithville, Ohio, was Mrs. Christian Gerig, née Elizabeth Goldschmidt, of Markirch, and therefore the Ohio Gerig families are descendants of the Markirch Goldschmidts.” The Goldschmidts were a Swiss Mennonite family: several brothers came from Richterswil (Canton Zurich) to Markirch (Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines), Alsace, in the early 1700s. Markirch is where Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722) lived with Jakob Ammann.
A genealogist’s chart of the Markirch Goldschmidts (Jules Rebert-Goldschmidt, 1930s) is in the Mennonite Church Archives at Goshen.

Joseph Gerig’s mother (1986 history).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text (‘Christian Gerig’ Goldschmidt): Meyer genealogy and Mennonite Encyclopedia (already used); The Family of Joseph and Fannie (Roth) Gerig is a different line (Johannes Gerig b. 1782 of Rosheim, son of Johannes Gerig and Barbara Goldschmidt), showing repeated Gerig-Goldschmidt marriages but not this couple’s parents. The Jacob and Josephine Gerig Family Record (mentions an earlier Christian Gerig of Ste-Marie-aux-Mines) would not download (server error)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Abraham Kurtz (1769–1830)

Abraham Kurtz (1769–1830)

Christophel, Ascending and Descending Genealogy of Joseph Kurtz and Lydia Zug

Born 22 Feb 1769. Married Miss Fisher in Lancaster County about 1793; moved to Mifflin County, where she died 2 Jun 1808. “Later Abraham married Mrs. Madelene Zook (maiden name Lantz). They moved to Wayne County, Ohio, near Wooster.” Died 1830; buried 1½ miles east of Wooster.

Why he is in the tree: the 1889 Wayne County biography of Solomon K. Plank says his mother Fanny Kurtz (b. 3 Jun 1810, Huntingdon County) came to Wayne County at twenty “with her parents, Abraham and Magdalena Kurtz”, and that her father died there. Fanny was born two years after the first wife’s death, so she is a daughter of the second marriage. Place (Mifflin/Huntingdon), dates (move c.1830, death in Wayne County) and wife’s name all agree; no single record states the whole chain.

His grandfather was the immigrant Abraham Kurtz (arr. 1749), through one of the two sons born in Germany to his first wife (Christian or Jacob; the family never learned which). See Double ancestors: if right, Christopher descends from the immigrant Abraham Kurtz on the Ramseyer side as well as the Miller side.

The family chart

  • Which son of the immigrant was his father, Christian or Jacob (born in Germany, came 1740): Berks/Lancaster tax lists and deeds of the 1760s–90s for Christian and Jacob Kurtz, and any baptism-sponsor or estate record naming an Abraham born 1769 task/ai

Children in this vault

Half-brother of Fanny: Joseph Kurtz (1808–), who married Lydia Zook in Fairfield County, Ohio (father of Bishop Jonathan Kurtz of Ligonier, Indiana).

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Death: 1830 (booklet text; MQR 1957) vs 5 May 1831 (booklet chart)

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Christophel booklet Table I (chart, image 11) read: confirms Fanny (b. 1810, m. Jeptha Plank) as a child of his second wife; his father is ‘Christian Kurtz (?) / Jacob Kurtz (?) — not sure which’; death given as 5 May 1831. Children: (1st wife) Barbara 1794, Jacob 1796, Elizabeth 1798 (m. Christian Plank), Abraham 1801, Magdelena 1803 (m. Samuel King), Anna 1805 (m. M. Plank), Joseph 1808 (m. Lydia Zook); (2nd wife) Fanny 1810, John 1812, Lydia 1813, David 1824
  • 2026-11-01: Christophel Kurtz genealogy (archive.org ascendingdescend00chri): b. 22 Feb 1769; m. (1) Miss Fisher c.1793 (d. 1808, seven children incl. Joseph b. 1808); m. (2) Mrs. Magdalena Zook née Lantz; moved Mifflin Co. → Wayne Co., Ohio; d. 1830. Grandson of the immigrant Abraham Kurtz through Christian or Jacob (lead: which son not known)
  • 2026-11-01: MQR 31 (1957) p.161 n.13 (Oak Grove history): ‘Abraham had lived in Lancaster county and in Mifflin county … before moving to Wayne, where he died in 1830’

Record compiled 1 November 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Hostetler (1801–1875)

18 Apr 1801 – 27 Oct 1875, born at Juniata County (Pennsylvania), died at Wooster

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 110 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

1912 genealogy #6943; seventh of John and Barbara’s eight children. Came by wagon from Juniata County about 1829; the homestead still stood in 1986. Buried in the Amish Plank Cemetery (1986 history).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n37763041["Michael Holly (arr. 1750)"]
  n95735197["Hans Blank (arr. 1751)"]
  n33985958["Barbara Mast (1765–1849)"]
  n61422105["Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)"]
  n84009264["Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)"]
  n16311282["Jacob Mast (1738–1808)"]
  n35490291["Christian Hostetler (1801–1875)"]
  n83640307["Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812)"]
  n6099635["Anna Blank (fl. 1770)"]
  n76265796["John Hostetler (d. 1807)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n35490291 --> n76265796
  n76265796 --> n83640307
  n83640307 --> n99487970
  n83640307 --> n84009264
  n76265796 --> n6099635
  n6099635 --> n95735197
  n35490291 --> n33985958
  n33985958 --> n16311282
  n33985958 --> n61422105
  n61422105 --> n37763041
  class n37763041,n95735197,n33985958,n61422105,n84009264,n16311282,n35490291,n83640307,n6099635,n76265796,n99487970 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Mary Yoder Plank (d. 1850)

? – 1850

Christopher’s 5th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 217 · generation 8
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

(1900 reunion paper)

Died 28 March [1850], aged 79 years 1 month 15 days, so born about mid-February 1771. One of three Yoder sisters who married the brothers Jacob, Christian and John Plank in Pennsylvania (Lancaster or Mifflin Co.). Her parents are not named; they would be a Yoder couple of Lancaster/Berks or Mifflin Co., about 1765–75.

Wife of Jacob Plank; buried in the Amish Plank Cemetery (1986 history).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 and Mast 1911 searched for Jacob Plank’s wife: the Zug appendix has Leah Zug m. a Jacob Plank (another family); no Mary Yoder m. Jacob Plank; parents not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Hostetler (d. 1807)

? – 1807, died at Mifflin (Juniata County)

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 220 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

1912 genealogy #6527. ‘Buried with his father on the Solomon Brubaker farm about a mile east of Mifflin’; estate inventory filed 20 July 1807. Married Barbara Mast, daughter of Bishop Jacob Mast — so Bishop Mast is an ancestor on the Ramseyer side too.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n95735197["Hans Blank (arr. 1751)"]
  n66959082["Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)"]
  n84009264["Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)"]
  n83640307["Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812)"]
  n6099635["Anna Blank (fl. 1770)"]
  n76265796["John Hostetler (d. 1807)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n76265796 --> n83640307
  n83640307 --> n99487970
  n99487970 --> n66959082
  n83640307 --> n84009264
  n76265796 --> n6099635
  n6099635 --> n95735197
  class n95735197,n66959082,n84009264,n83640307,n6099635,n76265796,n99487970 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Conrad Sr. (1757–1829)

Rev. Jacob Conrad Sr.

1757 – 17 Nov 1829, born at Bern, died at Paris Township (Stark County)

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 204 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Born Bern, Switzerland; came from near Montbéliard, France, in 1819; founding pastor of the Beech Mennonite Church, Stark County. Married Barbara Elisabeth Schmucker 1785. Buried in the Amish Cemetery, Paris Township — where Peter and Barbara Ramseyer were later buried.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Graber, The Joseph Conrad Family (Allen County PL, archive.org): came from Switzerland 1823 (vault says 1819) to Louisville, Ohio; brother Martin stayed in Switzerland, both ministers; eight children with Barbara Schmucker incl. Daniel (18 Aug 1798, m. Catherine Zook) and John (1791-1861, m. Barbara Rich, stayed in Switzerland). His parents not given

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Alvin C. Ramseyer Sr. (1880–1948)

Alvin Conrad Ramseyer Sr.

17 Jan 1880 – 23 Jul 1948, born at Paris Township (Stark County)

Christopher’s great-grandfather · ancestor no. 12 · generation 4
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

His two student essays in the Herald of Truth (read 2026-10-31). Full text and scans: A. C. Ramseyer - Herald of Truth essays (1902, 1904)

“China” (Herald of Truth, 15 Dec 1902, p. 378; signed “A. C. Ramseyer, Elkhart, Ind.” while a student at Elkhart Institute): a missions essay. China has five times the population of the United States, enough to fill 4,523 churches the size of the whole 80,000-member Mennonite Church. He describes Chinese medicine (fire, water and wind; pills of powdered snakes, centipedes, toads; tiger-bone tonic) as an opening for medical missionaries, and ends: he is not asking for money, prayers or missionaries, but for sympathy, and if readers count the Chinese as brethren, “I shall be perfectly at ease with regard to your money, prayers, and lives.” archive.org
“The Missing Link of Modern Civilization” (Herald of Truth, 28 Jul 1904, pp. 246–247; signed “Smithville, O.”): his Goshen College senior oration (academic class program, 17 June 1904). A pacifist speech: the man who will “wear the crown of the twentieth century” is the one who solves universal peace; war is “cold-blooded murder” that cannot deliver the justice it claims; he criticizes mothers who give boys “the plume and the sword” and calls for a patriotism that does not mean “shouting when the soldiers come home” or “my country, right or wrong”. It ends by asking America to lead civilization “not by turning plow-shares into swords, but swords into plow-shares.” Quoted in Creative Congregationalism (Oak Grove history, 1978). archive.org

Born near Paris, Stark County. Known as the “Potato King”, an Ohio Master Farmer, with citrus interests in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas; Bluffton College trustee; lifelong member of Oak Grove Mennonite Church.

Died of a heart attack on 23 July 1948 aboard the British SS Mauretania, travelling with a Wayne County group to the London Olympics and to visit his daughter Edna, then leading an MCC summer unit in Germany. Funeral at Oak Grove, 4 Aug 1948. A third obituary: Gospel Herald, 31 Aug 1948, pp. 821, 823.

Marriages:

  1. Grace Melvine Yoder (1881–1907) (“Mellie”) of Mingo, Ohio, 22 Dec 1905 — one daughter, Irene Mildred Ramseyer Musser (1907–1989).
  2. Mary Ellen Schrock (1886–1972) of Orrville, 11 Apr 1909.

His two wives were first cousins

Mellie’s mother was Mary Ann Schrock Yoder (1856–1945), a daughter of Moses Schrock (1828–1909); Mary Ellen’s father David Schrock (1858–1903) was Mary Ann’s brother. Shown on the 1986 illustrated tree and the 1986 tour list.

Children surviving in 1948: Irene Musser; Edna (later Edna Ramseyer Kaufman (1910–2001)); Erma (Johnson, 1912–2002); Esther (Mrs. Miller, Mission, Texas, 1916–2018); Frances Rebecca (Gundy, 1919–2006); Alvin C. Ramseyer Jr. (1921–2008); Mary Kathryn (Gerig, 1923–1995); Arden Daniel Ramseyer (1927–2017); Phyllis.

The name “Conrad” almost certainly comes from his grandmother Mary Conrad (1825–1912) (inference).

Business: dairy, potatoes, Texas citrus

See The Ramseyer farm fortune for the full story and sources. In brief:

  • 1906 Guernsey dairy herd imported from the island of Guernsey; over 200 cows by the late 1920s.
  • 1923 first potatoes; sold direct to Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Columbus and Mansfield.
  • 1932 a barn fire killed the herd, so he switched to potatoes: about 2,000 acres; 1940 about 1,300 acres around Smithville plus 300 acres of seed potatoes at Coudersport, Pa.
  • Ohio Master Farmer; trustee of Bluffton College; “extensive interests in the citrus industry of the Rio Grande Valley”; 1946 reportedly sold half his Wayne County land for 3,000 acres in Texas.
  • Died on the Mauretania bound for the 1948 London Olympics.

“Mr. Ramseyer had attained prominence many years ago as a dairy farmer. Later he specialized in potato growing, being honored with the title of Master Farmer in the State of Ohio.” — Mennonite Weekly Review, 19 Aug 1948

From the Internet Archive sweep (2026-10-31)

WhenWhat
c.1900–1904Student at Elkhart Institute / Goshen College, class of 1904: literary-society president, class treasurer, orator; wrote in the Herald of Truth (“China”, 1902; “The Missing Link of Modern Civilization”, 1904)
c.1905–1924Mara Alva Farm Guernseys; sale manager of the Ohio Guernsey Breeders’ Association; one of the importers of the large 1918 shipment of Guernseys from the island
1912Ohio State winter course; article “Draining the Rolling Land”
winter 1926–27Ohio Master Farmer, one of the twenty named by The Ohio Farmer
1927606 bushels of potatoes on one acre, “the champion potato grower of Ohio and perhaps of the United States”; 150 acres in potatoes. Joined Dr. E. L. Nixon’s Pennsylvania potato tour, which he called “A New Light” (Guide Post, May 1937)
1927–1948Bluffton College board of trustees
1932–33Penn State farm tours and agricultural engineers visit his farm
c.1935Potato partnership in Potter County, Pa. with Edward D. Fisher (seed potatoes)
1940”A large gift” remodels the Bluffton College chapel, later called the A. C. Ramseyer Chapel
Dec 1943$8,000 for Bluffton’s College Hall, on condition an equal sum be raised
Feb 1942Medal of Award, Pennsylvania Potato Growers’ Association
1942Gas well on his land, Sec. 22, Green Twp., 500,000 cu ft
1948”Smithville’s potato king” encouraged the founding of Boys’ Village

First wife Mellie Yoder’s dates are confirmed by her gravestone (31 Jan 1881 – 25 May 1907) and the 1938 Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler (which wrongly calls A.C. “son of David Ramseyer”). Source: Internet Archive full-text sweep (2026-10-31).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n53559232["Catherine M. Zook (1801–1875)"]
  n49867489["Peter Ramseyer (1822–1880)"]
  n63931845["Nathan Smiley (1797–1872)"]
  n37384099["Daniel Ramseyer (1856–1942)"]
  n40092133["Alvin C. Ramseyer Sr. (1880–1948)"]
  n31667365["Johannes Ramseyer (1780–1853)"]
  n40487033["Barbara Reich (1826–1894)"]
  n347016["Jacob Reich (c.1795–1873)"]
  n40516889["Louise Eckinger (c.1797–1873)"]
  n53370897["Mary Conrad (1825–1912)"]
  n33449834["Rebecca Smiley (1856–1932)"]
  n17242263["Barbara Kaufmann (1779–1844)"]
  n57993883["John Smiley (1822–1879)"]
  n32215555["Anna Stutzman (fl. 1822)"]
  n86033669["Daniel Jacob Conrad (1798–1882)"]
  n40092133 --> n37384099
  n37384099 --> n49867489
  n49867489 --> n31667365
  n49867489 --> n17242263
  n37384099 --> n40487033
  n40487033 --> n347016
  n40487033 --> n40516889
  n40092133 --> n33449834
  n33449834 --> n57993883
  n57993883 --> n63931845
  n57993883 --> n32215555
  n33449834 --> n53370897
  n53370897 --> n86033669
  n53370897 --> n53559232
  class n53559232,n49867489,n63931845,n37384099,n40092133,n31667365,n40487033,n347016,n40516889,n53370897,n33449834,n17242263,n57993883,n32215555,n86033669 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Find a Grave header gives death 23 Aug 1948, Wooster — error for 23 July 1948 at sea (obituaries and family tree)

Sources

In the Washington Post, 21 January 1928 (society column)

“Miss Dorothy E. Teeple, of Akron, Ohio, is at the Grace Dodge Hotel for the week-end. She is accompanied by Mr. A. G. Teeple, also of Akron; Mr. A. C. Ramseyer and Miss Edna Ramseyer, both of Smithfield [sic, Smithville], Ohio.”
A party of four: A.C. (aged 47) and his daughter Edna (17), with Dorothy E. Teeple and A. G. Teeple of Akron (relationship not stated). Who they were (checked 2026-11-01): Aaron G. Teeple of Akron was a co-owner of The Akron Pure Milk Company (bought 1904 with O. N. Harter, H. D. Teeple, J. M. Sumner and W. Teeple), its secretary and treasurer in 1907–09 and secretary in 1920 and in A History of Akron; in 1928 he and Harry D. Teeple were directors of the Depositors Savings & Trust Co. of Akron. In 1909 his household at 236 S. Balch St. included Mary F. (wife), Beulah I. (student) and Edna P. Dorothy Elizabeth Teeple (A.B. Hiram College) was a teacher at Norton Township High School in 1925, living at 241 Merriman Rd., Akron; in 1921–22 she was librarian and Beulah Teeple principal at the Southern Christian Institute, Edwards, Mississippi (a Disciples of Christ school). So Dorothy was probably Aaron G. Teeple’s daughter (Beulah’s sister), not proved. Likely link to A.C.: in 1928 A.C. still ran his Guernsey dairy (about 200 cows until the 1932 barn fire), and Akron Pure Milk bought and bottled milk about 30 miles away; a supplier–buyer acquaintance is plausible but unrecorded. (By 1926–29 another man was listed as Akron Pure Milk’s secretary-treasurer, so Teeple’s role may have changed.) Sources: Akron City Directory 1909 (archive.org akron-city-directory-1909); American Legion 2nd National Convention program 1920; A History of Akron (historyofakron0000jame); Trust Companies of the United States 1928; Hiram College Alumni Directory 1925; World Call, Dec 1922. The Grace Dodge Hotel, near the Capitol, was the YWCA’s hotel for women. Purpose of the trip not stated. Source: archive.org per_washington-post_1928-01-21_18846.

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Find a Grave header gives death 23 Aug 1948, Wooster — error for 23 July 1948 at sea (obituaries and family tree)

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: History of Wayne County (1910) p. 988: born 17 Jan 1880, Goshen graduate, married first Miss Yoder and second Miss Schrock; bought 118 acres from his father
  • 2026-11-01: Washington Post 21 Jan 1928 society column read: A. C. and Edna Ramseyer with Dorothy E. Teeple and A. G. Teeple of Akron at the Grace Dodge Hotel, Washington
  • 2026-11-01: Teeples identified: Aaron G. Teeple, Akron Pure Milk Co. officer; Dorothy E. Teeple, Hiram graduate and teacher, probably his daughter (lead). Beacon Journal obituary suggested by Christopher is paywalled (not read)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Fanny H. Plank (1857–1942)

Fanny H. Plank Schrock

23 Feb 1857 – 28 Feb 1942, born at Smithville, died at Orrville

Christopher’s 2nd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 27 · generation 5
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Born Wayne County; married David Schrock; died at the Orrville home of her daughter Emma (Mrs. Daniel Musser). Children named: Mrs. Daniel Musser, Mrs. Alvin Ramseyer, Smithville, Alvin Schrock, Wooster. Surviving (half-)brother Joseph K. Plank of Creston. Her parents are documented by her father’s 1914 obituary (her own Gospel Herald obituary does not name them; Find a Grave’s ‘Joseph and Nancy (Gostetfev) Plank’ = Hostetler). Middle initial H. probably Hostetler (unconfirmed). 1912 genealogy entry #6976.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n17151422["Mary Yoder Plank (d. 1850)"]
  n16842627["Jeptha Plank (1803–1846)"]
  n33985958["Barbara Mast (1765–1849)"]
  n16805015["Nancy Hostetler (1836–1860)"]
  n51209839["Jacob Plank (1768–1851)"]
  n36146830["Fanny H. Plank (1857–1942)"]
  n34988141["Joseph Plank (1834–1914)"]
  n35490291["Christian Hostetler (1801–1875)"]
  n76265796["John Hostetler (d. 1807)"]
  n54249478["Elizabeth Yoder (1799–1890)"]
  n15752324["Veronica Fanny Kurtz (1811–1889)"]
  n36146830 --> n34988141
  n34988141 --> n16842627
  n16842627 --> n51209839
  n16842627 --> n17151422
  n34988141 --> n15752324
  n36146830 --> n16805015
  n16805015 --> n35490291
  n35490291 --> n76265796
  n35490291 --> n33985958
  n16805015 --> n54249478
  class n17151422,n16842627,n33985958,n16805015,n51209839,n36146830,n34988141,n35490291,n76265796,n54249478,n15752324 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birth 23 Feb (obituary) vs 22 Feb (1912 book)

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth 23 Feb (obituary) vs 22 Feb (1912 book)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Peter Ramseyer (1822–1880)

Peter (Pierre) Ramseyer

5 Nov 1822 – 24 May 1880, born at Maîche, died at Paris Township (Stark County)

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 48 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Born at Maîche, Doubs, France, to a Swiss Anabaptist family. Came with his parents and siblings from Le Havre on the Richmond, arriving New York 5 July 1835 (passenger list: “Pierre, 12”); up the Hudson, the Erie Canal, Lake Erie and the Ohio–Erie Canal to near Canton. Worked on the Sandy and Beaver Canal (“Legend has it that Peter had 50¢ left upon arrival”).

Married Barbara Reich on 24 Nov 1844, Stark County, in a double wedding with his sister Elizabeth (who married Michael Zehr). Worked for his father-in-law; bought a hill farm, then in 1857 160 acres near Paris, Ohio; owned 412 acres at his death. The log cabin, and the 1859 house and barn (used for early Amish Mennonite services), still stood in 1979. Buried with Barbara under a shared stone.

Eleven children (county history and 1907 booklet): Jacob (c.1846), John, Peter, Joseph (1850–1926, m. Elizabeth Smiley), Catherine (1852–1927, m. John C. Conrad), Leah (1854–1920, m. John Sommer), Daniel Ramseyer (1856–1942), Mary (1859–1944, m. Christian Schloneger), Elizabeth “Lizzie” (1862–1896, m. Jacob Conrad), Sarah (1865–1930, m. David Hooley, then Cornelius Maaswinkel), Amos (1868–1936, m. Lillie Shaffer), Amanda (1871–1936, m. Michael Krabill).

Wealth

From “50¢ left upon arrival” to **412 acres and about 1,000 to Daniel). See The Ramseyer farm fortune.

The "1834" arrival explained (2002 Family Record, p. X)

The family sent Peter’s brother Joseph to scout Ohio in 1834, and he returned before the whole family sailed in 1835. That scouting trip is the likely source of the “1834” in the county history and the 1986 booklet. Peter is probably no. 11 in the Family Record’s numbering (Johannes = 1, his ten children = 2–11 in birth order); confirm on the page.
The book’s map (p. XIX) marks Peter and Barbara’s 1859 farm, house and barn north of Paris, and the Old Beech Cemetery where they are buried.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n49867489["Peter Ramseyer (1822–1880)"]
  n97585052["Edith Balsiger"]
  n31667365["Johannes Ramseyer (1780–1853)"]
  n43742666["Isaac Ramseyer (c.1747–after 1817)"]
  n2234993["Peter Kaufmann (d. 1803)"]
  n17242263["Barbara Kaufmann (1779–1844)"]
  n11511160["Barbara Klopfenstein (fl. 1779)"]
  n88254489["Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1700)"]
  n26652546["Anna Augsbourg (fl. 1780)"]
  n49867489 --> n31667365
  n31667365 --> n43742666
  n43742666 --> n88254489
  n43742666 --> n97585052
  n31667365 --> n26652546
  n49867489 --> n17242263
  n17242263 --> n2234993
  n17242263 --> n11511160
  class n49867489,n97585052,n31667365,n43742666,n2234993,n17242263,n11511160,n88254489,n26652546 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birth day: 5 Nov 1822 (French civil index via Staker) vs 5 Oct (headstone)
  • Arrival: 1834 (county history, 1986 booklet) vs 5 July 1835 (Richmond passenger list) — prefer 1835

Sources

From his son Daniel's biography, History of Wayne County, Ohio (1910), pp. 986–987

Peter “was loyal to his parents and worked hard, contributing to their support”; when he married he had “but fifty cents in cash”. He worked for his father-in-law (Jacob Reich), then bought a small farm in the Stark County hills on credit, “commencing with a yoke of oxen”. In 1857 he bought 160 acres near Paris, Ohio, where he spent the rest of his life; at his death he owned 412 acres and $12,000. “He invariably sold his crops at the top of the market.” Amish Mennonite from boyhood. Children: Jacob, John, Peter, Joseph, Catherine, Leah, Daniel, Mary, Lizzie, Sarah, Amos. See History of Wayne County, Ohio (1910).

  • Read the German Herold der Wahrheit page images for the death year (archive.org derheroldderwahr*; Fraktur OCR unusable) for an obituary task/ai

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth day: 5 Nov 1822 (French civil index via Staker) vs 5 Oct (headstone)
  • Arrival: 1834 (county history, 1986 booklet) vs 5 July 1835 (Richmond passenger list) — prefer 1835

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: History of Wayne County (1910) pp. 986–987 (son Daniel’s sketch): worked to support his parents; married with 50 cents; worked for his father-in-law; hill farm with a yoke of oxen; 1857 bought 160 acres near Paris; died owning 412 acres and $12,000; Amish Mennonite from boyhood; eleven children named
  • 2026-11-01: Herald of Truth (English) for the death year searched by name, date and place (Stark/Wayne): no obituary found. Stark County Amish Mennonite deaths were probably reported in the German Herold der Wahrheit (not yet searched)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1672)

Baptism checked in the original register (2026-10-31)

Eggiwil baptisms, vol. 1 (K Eggiwil 1), p. 148: “d. 26. Maij, dem Ulli Ramseyer und Barbli Stauffer ein Christen getaufft.” Witnesses: Christen Haldiman, Christen Ramseyer, Elsbeth [Oppliger?].

Staker gives 23 May in one place and 26 May in another; the register says 26 May 1672.

He and his wife became Anabaptists. When their daughter Anna was baptized at Eggiwil on 12 March 1706, the pastor wrote “anabapt.” under Christina Gosteli’s name (K Eggiwil 2, p. 46); in July 1708 son Ulrich’s parents were entered as “Anabaptiste in der Riedmatt” (p. 61). This is the generation that joined the Anabaptists on the Ramseyer line.


bapt. 1672 – ?

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 768 · generation 10
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Staker’s proposed father of Christian (1700).

Status of the early chain (2026-10-31)

Checked in the registers: Hans bapt. Signau 1594 to Ludi Ramseyer and Madlen Huser; Ulli Ramseyer × Barbli Stauffer married Eggiwil 1663; Christen bapt. Eggiwil 1672 to them. One link is still unproven: that Ulrich (m. 1663) is Hans’s son. Signau has no baptisms for 1618–1650, so it must come from other records (Hans’s 1629 farm purchase, inheritance or Chorgericht records). Peter (c.1534) → Ludwig is also unchecked.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n88864834["Barbara Stauffer (17th c.)"]
  n71408397["Ludwig Ramseyer (16th c.)"]
  n31304850["Madlen Huser (16th c.)"]
  n17065231["Anna Haldimann (16th c.)"]
  n16873136["Ulrich Ramseyer (17th c.)"]
  n24533069["Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1672)"]
  n37828221["Hans Ramseyer (bapt. 1594)"]
  n24533069 --> n16873136
  n16873136 --> n37828221
  n37828221 --> n71408397
  n37828221 --> n31304850
  n16873136 --> n17065231
  n24533069 --> n88864834
  class n88864834,n71408397,n31304850,n17065231,n16873136,n24533069,n37828221 internal-link;

Baptism found in the original register (2026-11-01)

Mühleberg baptisms (K Mühleberg 1), p. 225, 22 September 1700: “Christen Ramsÿer uß dem Eggiwyl, und dißmalen [living at a mill in the parish], und Christina Gosteli haben einen ehelichen Sohn tauffen lassen, namens Christen.” Godparents: Jacob [Lüthy?] of Gümmenen, Christen [Gehriß?] of Mauß, Elsbeth Remund of Kleingümmenen. See Bern K Muehleberg 1 - Baptisms 1651-1726 and Marriages 1651-1752.

Research tasks

  • Baptism verified (Eggiwil 1, p. 148)
  • Marriage to Christina Gosteli searched in six parishes (Eggiwil 1687–99, Bolligen 1690–97, Mühleberg 1692–1704, Wohlen 1689–98, Neuenegg 1688–1700, Frauenkappelen 1691–1701): not found; probably unrecorded. Left open for a human reader of the Bern registers

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: K Bolligen 22 (marriages), images 75–86 (Feb 1690 – Oct 1697) read page by page: no Christian Ramseyer × Christina Gosteli. A ‘Christina Gosteli von hier’ married Hans S[altzgeber?] von Stadorf on 12 Feb 1692 (image 79): a different Christina, or a first marriage. Many Gosteli marriages at Bolligen in these years. Next: Wohlen and Mühleberg (where Christian’s son was baptized 1700) and Eggiwil 1697–1700
  • 2026-11-01: Mühleberg baptism of son Christen, 22 Sep 1700 (p. 225): father ‘Christen Ramsÿer uß dem Eggiwyl’, wife Christina Gosteli. Marriage not in Mühleberg marriages 1692–Jan 1704 (images 201–204) nor Bolligen 1690–97 nor Eggiwil 1687–99
  • 2026-11-01: neighbouring parishes searched, marriage registers c.1688–1700 read page by page: Wohlen (K Wohlen 2, 1689–98, images 182–186), Neuenegg (K Neuenegg 3, 1688–1700, images 148–150; faded), Frauenkappelen (K Frauenkappelen 2, 1691–1701, images 90–93): no Christen Ramseyer × Christina Gosteli. Incidental: Wohlen 19 Aug 1696 ‘Joseph Dürrwächter von Uettligen × Anna Ramseyer’; Frauenkappelen 2 Nov 1694 ‘Niclaus Neuenschwander × Elsi Walter’ (permission from Langnau). Ferenbalm 13 (catalogued ‘Eherodel 1661–1705’) is an alms account, not marriages. Conclusion: probably an unrecorded Anabaptist marriage, or one in the Gosteli home parish (Bolligen searched 1690–97) or the Ramseyer home parish (Eggiwil searched 1687–99)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Yoder (husband of Barbara Reichenbach)

Life and evidence

( Mast Family History, 1911, footnote to fam. 943)

“Elizabeth Yoder was the daughter of John Yoder and Barbara Reichenbach, who was the son of John Yoder and Magdalena Mast, who was the son of Barbara Yoder, whose husband died at sea coming to America.”
Parents of Elizabeth Yoder (1799–1890). The Reichenbachs were a Berks Co., Pa. Amish family (Jacob Reichenbach × Barbara Hertzler, Hertzler Genealogy fam. 153).

Children in this vault

Sources

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Zoss (fl. 1665)

Life and evidence

Children of Jacob Gosteli × Anni Zoss, Bolligen baptisms (K Bolligen 3, read 1659–1676 on 2026-10-31 and 2026-11-01)

BaptizedChildImage
c. 20–27 Oct 1660Johannes (godparents Dürs Schnal, Hans Wali the innkeeper, Frau Johanna Häberi?)133, p. 263
8 Dec 1661Bendicht (godparents Daniel Wagner, church warden; Bendicht Stämpfli of Habstetten; Anna [Teras?], Claus Krieg’s wife)135, p. 267
15 [Feb] 1663Marthi (Martin) (godparents Andreas Baltzli; Peter Schaller; Cathrina Stämpfli, Bendicht Zoss’s wife)138, p. 243
4 Aug 1665Christina (our ancestor)144
21 Feb 1668Niclaus (godparents Niclaus Cuntz, Niclaus Krieg, Rosina Kauffmann, the pastor’s wife)150
25 Feb 1670Barbara (godparents Marti Wäli, Barbara Blanck, Barbara Baldiswyl)154
17 Jan 1673Anna (godparents Bast Stämpfli, Anni Zoss, Madle Krieg?)158
[!documented] What the earlier baptisms add (K Bolligen 3, read 2026-11-01)
  • Three older brothers of Christina: Johannes (Oct 1660), Bendicht (Dec 1661) and Martin (Feb 1663). Johannes is the first child found, so the couple probably married about 1659–60 (none found Aug 1659 – Apr 1660).
  • Home: Ostermundigen (Anna is “Jacob Kostelis frauw zu Ostermundigen” as a godmother, Sept 1663), in Bolligen parish just east of Bern.
  • Bendicht Zoss and Catharina Stämpfli were baptizing at Bolligen at the same time (daughter Barbara, Oct 1660; son Niclaus, Oct 1661), and Catharina was godmother to Martin in 1663: Bendicht was very probably Anna’s brother (or another close relative). Anna in turn was godmother in 1663, 1664 and 1665.
  • Many other Gosteli (Kosteli) households in the parish then: Niclaus at Ostermundigen (× Margreth Schütz), Hans “im Thal” (× Christina Kosteli), Bendicht at Flugbrunnen (× Susanna Krieg), Bendicht “der Baur” at Steinstein?, Marthi “der Amman” and others.

Jacob also stands as godfather in Dec 1668 and Jul 1669. Caution: a different Jacob Gosteli, married to Christina Krieg, baptized children at Bolligen in Sep 1669, Jan 1672 and Aug 1673: only entries naming Anni Zoss are counted here. Not yet read: 1655–64 (an older sibling and the couple’s marriage) and after 1676.

Named as mother of Christina Gosteli at her baptism, Bolligen, 4 Aug 1665 (K Bolligen 3, image 144).

Search of the Bolligen baptisms, 1636–1647 (2026-10-31)

K Bolligen 3, images 65–99, read page by page. No baptism of Jacob Gosteli or Anni Zoss was found. Gosteli families were baptizing at Bolligen then (Benedict Gosteli at Flugbrunnen, Martin Gosteli at Ostermundigen, Hans Gosteli, Benedict Gosteli “vom Baraustein”); any of them could be Jacob’s family, but nothing ties him to one. Zoss never appears in these years, which suggests Anni was born in another parish (Zoss is a Worb/Vechigen-area name) and married into Bolligen. The handwriting is hard and the scans poor, so a missed entry is possible.

Research tasks

  • Other children found 1660–1673 (2026-11-01)
  • Their marriage c.1659–60: Bolligen 22 image 40 is now partly read (Bendicht Zoss’s 1659 wedding is there). A full Transkribus transcription of the page (free account) would let us check every 1659–60 entry for Jacob Gosteli × Anna Zoss task/human
  • Bendicht Zoss (× Catharina Stämpfli, married at Bolligen Fri 23 Sep 1659, K Bolligen 22 image 40), probably Anna’s brother: his and Anna’s baptisms (Bolligen c.1630s, or Worb/Vechigen) task/ai

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: K Bolligen 22 image 40 (left page, 1659), read with help from a Transkribus test by Christopher and checked by eye: ‘Uff Frytag den 23. 7bris Bendicht Zoss und Katharina Stämpfli’ — marriage of Bendicht Zoss, probably Anna’s brother, Friday 23 Sep 1659 (Transkribus read 27; only the 23rd was a Friday in the Julian calendar of 1659). Other entries on the page: Jacob [Schmutziger?] × Maria [?] (Mon 1 Aug 1659, by order of the Bern consistory); Fri 14 Oct 1659 Bendicht [?] × Barbara [Zürgi?]. The rest of the page (about 100 more lines) still to read for Jacob Gosteli × Anna Zoss
  • 2026-10-31: (earlier session) Bolligen baptisms 1665-1676 read: children with Jacob Gosteli; her own baptism and parents to search in the Bolligen registers before 1645
  • 2026-10-31: K Bolligen 3 (Taufrodel 1615-1683) images 65-99 read (Aug 1636 - Dec 1647), page by page: no baptism of a Jacob Gosteli or an Anna/Anni Zoss seen. Gosteli/Kosteli fathers present: Benedict Gosteli zu Flugbrunnen, Martin Gosteli zu Ostermundigen, Hans Gosteli, Benedict Gosteli ‘vom Baraustein’. The surname Zoss does not appear at all in these years. Old German script on poor scans: a missed entry is possible. Not yet read: 1615-1636 (img 1-64) and 1648-1664 (img 100-143)
  • 2026-10-31: next: Worb and Vechigen baptism registers c.1630-1645 (Zoss families), and the Bolligen/Worb marriage registers
  • 2026-11-01: K Bolligen 3 images 130–143 (Aug 1659 – Apr 1665) read: children Johannes (Oct 1660), Bendicht (8 Dec 1661), Martin (15 Feb 1663); home Ostermundigen; Bendicht Zoss × Catharina Stämpfli baptizing 1660–61 (probably Anna’s brother). No child Aug 1659 – Apr 1660, so marriage c.1659–60
  • 2026-11-01: K Bolligen 22 (Eherodel 1605–1761) downloaded (Staatsarchiv Bern ID 221000, D94433.pdf) and read for 1659–1663 (images 40–43): no Jacob Gosteli × Anna Zoss marriage found in Oct 1660 – 1663. The 1659 – early 1660 page (image 40, left) is badly faded and could not be read with confidence; the marriage may be there, or they married in Anna’s home parish

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Hans Ramseyer (bapt. 1594)

bapt. 20 Jan 1594 – ?, baptized at Signau

Christopher’s 9th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 3072 · generation 12
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Baptism found in the original register (2026-10-31)

Signau baptisms, vol. 1 (K Signau 1), p. 48, entry 336, 20 January 1594: “Ludi Ramseyer und Madlen Huser ein Sun toufft, heisst Hans.” Witnesses: Christian Baldenegger, Hans [Zaum?], and the wife (Anna) of Hans [Ab…?].

This confirms both his parents’ names exactly as Staker and the 2002 Family Record give them. “Ludi” is the Bernese short form of Ludwig.

Staker’s chain.

Status of the early chain (2026-10-31)

Checked in the registers: Hans bapt. Signau 1594 to Ludi Ramseyer and Madlen Huser; Ulli Ramseyer × Barbli Stauffer married Eggiwil 1663; Christen bapt. Eggiwil 1672 to them. One link is still unproven: that Ulrich (m. 1663) is Hans’s son. Signau has no baptisms for 1618–1650, so it must come from other records (Hans’s 1629 farm purchase, inheritance or Chorgericht records). Peter (c.1534) → Ludwig is also unchecked.

2002 Family Record (p. IX–X)

The Family Record gives the same line: Peter (b. 1535, Signau; wife Christina) → Ludwig (b. 1568) → Hans (b. 1594) → Ullrich (b. 1640) → Christian (b. 1672). It adds: Christina was present at a baptism at Lauperswil; the family’s children were baptized as infants (so not yet Anabaptist); Hans bought a farm in 1629; Ullrich was a saddler “who moved several times during his marriage”. The book credits Adolph Ramseyer, a Swiss police officer who researched Ramseyers, so it and Staker probably rest on the same unpublished research: they agree but are not independent confirmation.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n62500451["Peter Ramseyer (c.1534)"]
  n71408397["Ludwig Ramseyer (16th c.)"]
  n31304850["Madlen Huser (16th c.)"]
  n46003800["Christina Trachsel (16th c.)"]
  n37828221["Hans Ramseyer (bapt. 1594)"]
  n37828221 --> n71408397
  n71408397 --> n62500451
  n71408397 --> n46003800
  n37828221 --> n31304850
  class n62500451,n71408397,n31304850,n46003800,n37828221 internal-link;

Research tasks

  • Baptism verified: Signau 1, p. 48, 20 Jan 1594 (2026-10-31)
  • The 1629 farm purchase (Bern land records, Signau Kontraktenprotokolle) task/human

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Johann Jacob Stutzman (arr. 1727)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 1)

Arrived at Philadelphia 2 Oct 1727 on the ship Adventurer, Capt. John Davies, from Rotterdam, last from Plymouth (Pennsylvania Colonial Records III, 288; Rupp, 30,000 Immigrants, p. 53). One of the earliest Amish immigrants; a later source says he became a Dunkard (Brethren). His son Jacob’s son Christian married Barbara Hochstetler.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text (‘Jacob Stutzman’ Adventurer 1727): many repeats of the 2 Oct 1727 arrival (Hertzler 1885, Joseph J. Stutzman descendants, Miller story); none gives his parents or home village

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)

1712 – c.1776, born at Echery

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 636, 880 · generation 10
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents hypothesis
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

The immigrant of 1738, and a double ancestor. Christopher descends from him twice: through Joseph (Ramseyer side) and John (Miller side). 7th great-grandfather on both sides.

  • Born 1712 at Echery near Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Alsace, a second-generation Swiss refugee, in the founding Amish community. His father (probably) was the Täuferlehrer Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722).
  • Arrived Philadelphia 9 Nov 1738 on the Charming Nancy: “Jacob Hochstetler, age 26,” with wife and two children (John and Barbara).
  • Northkill: land warrant 27 Feb 1739 with Valentine Neu for 100 acres (“Ipswich”); more in 1747 and 1755. Helped found the Northkill congregation (1740), one of the first Amish congregations in America.
  • Attacked September 1757. Refused, on Anabaptist nonresistance, to let his sons shoot (“He would not disobey God, who had said, ‘Thou shalt not kill’”). His wife, son Jacob and a daughter were killed; he and sons Joseph and Christian were taken.
  • Escape (April 1758): after 17 days’ march to Fort Machault and Presque Isle, held at the Seneca village of Buckaloons; trusted to hunt, he walked east 6 days, built a bark raft, floated down the Susquehanna eating only grass, and was spotted drifting past Fort Augusta. Sworn statement 5 May 1758 before Col. Bouquet.
  • Petitioned Governor Hamilton 13 Aug 1762 for his sons. Bought a new farm away from the Indian paths; died about 1775–76. The 1776 deed names his widow Anna (probably a second wife) and heirs John, Joseph, Barbara Stutsman and Christian.

See The Hochstetler massacre of 1757.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n66959082["Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n99487970 --> n66959082
  class n66959082,n99487970 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Immigration: 1736 on the Harle (1912 book) — a different Jacob (b. 1704, wife Eva); ancestor came on the Charming Nancy 9 Nov 1738, aged 26
  • Attack date: 19 Sept 1757 (Fort Allen report) vs 29 Sept, 30 Sept–1 Oct, 12 Oct, 20 Nov in other sources

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Immigration: 1736 on the Harle (1912 book) — a different Jacob (b. 1704, wife Eva); ancestor came on the Charming Nancy 9 Nov 1738, aged 26
  • Attack date: 19 Sept 1757 (Fort Allen report) vs 29 Sept, 30 Sept–1 Oct, 12 Oct, 20 Nov in other sources

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Ships and journeys of the immigrant ancestors): 1737/1738 | Charming Nancy (of London) | Charles Stedman | Rotterdam → Plymouth (1737) / Cowes (1738) → Philadelphia | Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776), wife and children including John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805) (qualified 9 Nov 1738

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)

1712 – c.1776, born at Echery

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 636, 880 · generation 10
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents hypothesis
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

The immigrant of 1738, and a double ancestor. Christopher descends from him twice: through Joseph (Ramseyer side) and John (Miller side). 7th great-grandfather on both sides.

  • Born 1712 at Echery near Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Alsace, a second-generation Swiss refugee, in the founding Amish community. His father (probably) was the Täuferlehrer Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722).
  • Arrived Philadelphia 9 Nov 1738 on the Charming Nancy: “Jacob Hochstetler, age 26,” with wife and two children (John and Barbara).
  • Northkill: land warrant 27 Feb 1739 with Valentine Neu for 100 acres (“Ipswich”); more in 1747 and 1755. Helped found the Northkill congregation (1740), one of the first Amish congregations in America.
  • Attacked September 1757. Refused, on Anabaptist nonresistance, to let his sons shoot (“He would not disobey God, who had said, ‘Thou shalt not kill’”). His wife, son Jacob and a daughter were killed; he and sons Joseph and Christian were taken.
  • Escape (April 1758): after 17 days’ march to Fort Machault and Presque Isle, held at the Seneca village of Buckaloons; trusted to hunt, he walked east 6 days, built a bark raft, floated down the Susquehanna eating only grass, and was spotted drifting past Fort Augusta. Sworn statement 5 May 1758 before Col. Bouquet.
  • Petitioned Governor Hamilton 13 Aug 1762 for his sons. Bought a new farm away from the Indian paths; died about 1775–76. The 1776 deed names his widow Anna (probably a second wife) and heirs John, Joseph, Barbara Stutsman and Christian.

See The Hochstetler massacre of 1757.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n66959082["Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n99487970 --> n66959082
  class n66959082,n99487970 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Immigration: 1736 on the Harle (1912 book) — a different Jacob (b. 1704, wife Eva); ancestor came on the Charming Nancy 9 Nov 1738, aged 26
  • Attack date: 19 Sept 1757 (Fort Allen report) vs 29 Sept, 30 Sept–1 Oct, 12 Oct, 20 Nov in other sources

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Immigration: 1736 on the Harle (1912 book) — a different Jacob (b. 1704, wife Eva); ancestor came on the Charming Nancy 9 Nov 1738, aged 26
  • Attack date: 19 Sept 1757 (Fort Allen report) vs 29 Sept, 30 Sept–1 Oct, 12 Oct, 20 Nov in other sources

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Ships and journeys of the immigrant ancestors): 1737/1738 | Charming Nancy (of London) | Charles Stedman | Rotterdam → Plymouth (1737) / Cowes (1738) → Philadelphia | Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776), wife and children including John Hochstetler (c.1735–1805) (qualified 9 Nov 1738

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Isaac Ramseyer (c.1747–after 1817)

c.1747 – after 1817

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 192 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

A Ramseyer minister in the Jura, 1780

The Langnau Täufer roll (K Langnau 36, p. 19) records that Christen Röthlisberger and Barbara Steiner were married at Trondai, Moutier-Grandval, “by Peter Ramseyer” on 10 Nov 1780. So an Anabaptist minister named Peter Ramseyer was serving in the Moutier mountains when Isaac’s son Johannes was born (1780). Whether he was Isaac’s father, brother or other kin is unknown.

Named as parent in four French civil entries (1809–1817); alive and signing ‘Isach Ramseier’ in 1817, aged 70 (Staker). Lived in Neuchâtel (Les Brenets, Le Locle) and then the French Jura (Mancenans-Lizerne).

2002 Family Record (p. X, XII)

“Issak, grandson of Christian (1672), son of Christian (1700), lived in the area of Mancenans, France.” Wife: “Anna Augsburger”. The book also names Isaac’s brother, Abraham Ramseyer, whose grandson Johannes (b. 1800) married Isaac’s granddaughter Marguerite. The Christian (1700) → Isaac link is the same unverified link as in Staker.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n88864834["Barbara Stauffer (17th c.)"]
  n52315492["Christina Gosteli"]
  n97585052["Edith Balsiger"]
  n43742666["Isaac Ramseyer (c.1747–after 1817)"]
  n16873136["Ulrich Ramseyer (17th c.)"]
  n24533069["Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1672)"]
  n88254489["Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1700)"]
  n43742666 --> n88254489
  n88254489 --> n24533069
  n24533069 --> n16873136
  n24533069 --> n88864834
  n88254489 --> n52315492
  n43742666 --> n97585052
  class n88864834,n52315492,n97585052,n43742666,n16873136,n24533069,n88254489 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: context: Langnau 36 p. 19 records a Täufer marriage at Trondai (Moutier-Grandval) on 10 Nov 1780 performed ‘by Peter Ramseyer’, i.e. an Anabaptist minister Peter Ramseyer active in the Moutier mountains in 1780. Possible kin of Isaac (Le Locle c.1780); unproven

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)

Anna (Lorentz?) Hochstetler

? – Sep 1757, died at Northkill (Berks County)

Christopher’s 7th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 637, 881 · generation 10
Evidence: identity unresolved
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Wife of the immigrant Jacob, killed in the 1757 attack: stuck in the cellar window while escaping the burning house, she was seen by a warrior eating peaches in the orchard (Tom Lions), and stabbed and scalped. Her maiden name is an open question.

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Maiden name: Lorentz (1912 book, Wikipedia, 1986 booklet) vs Burki, daughter of Christian Burki (AMC genealogy) vs unknown (JHFA)
  • Whether she was the mother of John (b. c.1730) or a later wife

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Maiden name: Lorentz (1912 book, Wikipedia, 1986 booklet) vs Burki, daughter of Christian Burki (AMC genealogy) vs unknown (JHFA)
  • Whether she was the mother of John (b. c.1730) or a later wife

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 291 note) read: tells the 1757 captivity (dated 17 Aug 1757, Heidelberg Twp.) but does not name Jacob Hochstetler’s wife or her family

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)

Anna (Lorentz?) Hochstetler

? – Sep 1757, died at Northkill (Berks County)

Christopher’s 7th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 637, 881 · generation 10
Evidence: identity unresolved
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Wife of the immigrant Jacob, killed in the 1757 attack: stuck in the cellar window while escaping the burning house, she was seen by a warrior eating peaches in the orchard (Tom Lions), and stabbed and scalped. Her maiden name is an open question.

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • Maiden name: Lorentz (1912 book, Wikipedia, 1986 booklet) vs Burki, daughter of Christian Burki (AMC genealogy) vs unknown (JHFA)
  • Whether she was the mother of John (b. c.1730) or a later wife

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Maiden name: Lorentz (1912 book, Wikipedia, 1986 booklet) vs Burki, daughter of Christian Burki (AMC genealogy) vs unknown (JHFA)
  • Whether she was the mother of John (b. c.1730) or a later wife

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Fam. 291 note) read: tells the 1757 captivity (dated 17 Aug 1757, Heidelberg Twp.) but does not name Jacob Hochstetler’s wife or her family

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Yoder (Somerset pioneer)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 2)

“A pioneer in Somerset Co., Pa., likely the John Yotter whose farm joined the farm of John Hochstetler”; moved to Ohio and bought land there in 1812 (later owned by his great-grandson Robert S. Yoder; the family died at Shanesville, Ohio). Married Magdalena Stutzman (fl. 1772). Children: Barbara, Sarah, Daniel, Elizabeth, Stephen, Christian, Susanna (1791).

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 searched: several Somerset/Bedford Yoders (e.g. children of Christian Yoder d. 1772) but none identifiable as the John who m. Magdalena Stutzman; parents not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Gerig (fl. 1800)

fl. 1800 – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 212 · generation 8
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

The Gerigs in Alsace ( Genealogy of Meyer Family; Joseph Goldsmith and his descendants)

“The parents of Jacob Gerig (Christian Gerig and Elizabeth Goldschmidt) were wealthy land owners and farmers”; the family were Swiss Anabaptists who “had moved to France from Switzerland about 1750” and spoke “Alsatian Dutch”. Their son Jacob lived at Pfastatt (now part of Mulhouse), lost his inheritance through bad investments, and had 13 children; the grandchildren came to Wayne County, Ohio, then Iowa and Oregon, to escape military service. Jacob was presumably a brother of Joseph Gerig (fl. 1841) (inference).

Joseph Gerig’s father (1986 history).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text (‘Christian Gerig’ Goldschmidt): Meyer genealogy and Mennonite Encyclopedia (already used); The Family of Joseph and Fannie (Roth) Gerig is a different line (Johannes Gerig b. 1782 of Rosheim, son of Johannes Gerig and Barbara Goldschmidt), showing repeated Gerig-Goldschmidt marriages but not this couple’s parents. The Jacob and Josephine Gerig Family Record (mentions an earlier Christian Gerig of Ste-Marie-aux-Mines) would not download (server error)
  • 2026-10-31: next: Ste-Marie-aux-Mines Anabaptist records / Rebert-Goldschmidt chart at Goshen (MC USA Archives)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Catherine M. Zook (1801–1875)

Catherine M. Zook Conrad

5 Sep 1801 – 1875, born at Mifflin County

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 103 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

Dates and a tested lead (2026-10-31)

Only a Twig: “Catharine Zook, Aug. 5, 1801 – July 15, 1875, m. Daniel Conrad, Feb. 18, 1798 – July 18, 1882, son of Preacher [Conrad]”. Several books cite Records of Descent from John Yoder, Jacob Zook, Daniel Conrad and Nathan Smiley (Mennonite Publishing House, Scottdale), a family record covering exactly this branch: worth finding.
Lead tested, not supported: Bishop Jacob Mast’s daughter Fanny (Freni) Mast married a John Zook on 20 Nov 1796 and lived in the Kishacoquillas Valley, Mifflin Co. (her father’s account book, in A Brief History of Bishop Jacob Mast, 1911). But the book lists only two children, Mattie and Elizabeth, not Catherine. There were several John Zooks in Mifflin Co., so Catherine’s father is probably a different one.

Born Mifflin County, Pa.; daughter of John Zook, ‘the extensive land owner’ (1986 history).

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n53559232["Catherine M. Zook (1801–1875)"]
  n21642344["John Zook (fl. 1820)"]
  n53559232 --> n21642344
  class n53559232,n21642344 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912) full text and Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler and Christian Stutzman (1938) full text searched for Daniel Conrad / Catherine Zook: no match for her mother
  • 2026-11-01: Herald of Truth (English) for the death year searched by name, date and place (Stark/Wayne): no obituary found. Stark County Amish Mennonite deaths were probably reported in the German Herold der Wahrheit (not yet searched)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Zook (fl. 1820)

fl. 1820 – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 206 · generation 8
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

‘John Zook, the extensive land owner’ — father of Catherine Zook Conrad (1986 history p. 50).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Graber, The Joseph Conrad Family: Daniel Conrad ‘Married Catherine Zook’, no parents for her; Peter Krabill Record also lists the marriage (text download failed); Hertzler 1885 Zug appendix has a John Zook (1774-1842, m. Elizabeth Kurtz 1801, Binkley’s Bridge) but no daughter Catherine b. 1801 to connect

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Daniel Jacob Conrad (1798–1882)

18 Feb 1798 – 18 Jul 1882, born at Vaufrey

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 102 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

Born at Vaufrey, Doubs, the same French Jura district as the Ramseyers. ‘Daniel Conrad, son of minister, Jacob Conrad of Beech Church in Stark County, Ohio, came with his parents from France in 1819. Two years later he married Catherine Zook… [they had] 12 children and lived a short distance from the Michael Schrock homestead’ (1986 history p. 50, which twice calls him ‘David’). Children include Mary (Smiley), Leah Morrell, Daniel (1832–1861), Catherine Smiley (1837–1931).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n91133157["Jacob Conrad Sr. (1757–1829)"]
  n1612363["Barbara Elisabeth Schmucker (1770–1825)"]
  n86033669["Daniel Jacob Conrad (1798–1882)"]
  n86033669 --> n91133157
  n86033669 --> n1612363
  class n91133157,n1612363,n86033669 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Herald of Truth (English) for the death year searched by name, date and place (Stark/Wayne): no obituary found. Stark County Amish Mennonite deaths were probably reported in the German Herold der Wahrheit (not yet searched)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Elizabeth Yoder (1799–1890)

Elizabeth Yoder Hostetler

1799 – 1890

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 111 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

( Mast Family History, 1911, footnote to fam. 943)

“Elizabeth Yoder was the daughter of John Yoder and Barbara Reichenbach, who was the son of John Yoder and Magdalena Mast, who was the son of Barbara Yoder, whose husband died at sea coming to America.” She died 8 May 1890.

Last burial (1890) in the Amish Plank Cemetery (1986 history).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Reich (c.1795–1873)

c.1795 – 1873

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 98 · generation 7
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

Stark County cemetery book (vol. 1, Amish-Mennonite Cemetery #93)

Barbara’s stone stands near Daniel Rich (c.1807–1857) and his wife Catharine (c.1819–1871), with a child Emmeline Rich (d. 1884, d/o D & B, a later Daniel). Daniel may be Jacob’s brother or a cousin: a lead only. No stone for Jacob or Louise was copied.

  • Stark County naturalization index 1809–1852 (lending copy, archive.org indextonaturaliz0000laur): look for Jacob Reich/Rich task/human

Barbara Reich’s father, per Staker and both 1986 family sources (tree gives 179?–187?). No record yet. Peter Ramseyer ‘worked for his father-in-law’ (1910 county history).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Cemetery inscriptions, Stark County, Ohio (DAR/LDS, vols. 1-6, archive.org) searched for Reich/Rich/Eckinger: Barbara Rich Ramseyer is in the Amish-Mennonite Cemetery #93, Washington Twp., beside Daniel Rich (d. 8 May 1857 aged 50-1-11, so b. c.Mar 1807) and Catharine (w/o Daniel, d. 1871 aged 52); no stone for Jacob or Louise. Daniel is too young to be Jacob’s father; possibly a brother (unproven)
  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text: ‘Jacob Reich’ + Stark, ‘Rich, Jacob’ + naturalization: no relevant hit. The Stark County naturalization index 1809-1852 (Laurer) is lending-only; worth checking for Jacob Reich task/human
  • 2026-11-01: Herald of Truth (English) for the death year searched by name, date and place (Stark/Wayne): no obituary found. Stark County Amish Mennonite deaths were probably reported in the German Herold der Wahrheit (not yet searched)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Ulrich Ramseyer (17th c.)

? – ?, married at Eggiwil 15 May 1663

Christopher’s 8th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 1536 · generation 11
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Marriage found in the original register (2026-10-31)

Eggiwil marriages (K Eggiwil 17, Eherodel 1648–1800), image 7, 15 May 1663: “Ulli Ramseyer und Barbli Stauffer”. The same couple, “Ulli Ramseyer und Barbli Stauffer”, had Christen baptized at Eggiwil on 26 May 1672 (K Eggiwil 1, p. 148).

On 25 Sept 1663 a Peter Ramseyer married Elsbeth Stauffer in the same parish: possibly a brother marrying a sister (unproven). A later “Ulli Ramseyer und Elsbeth Stauffer” marriage (1693) may be a second marriage of Ulli after Barbli’s death, or another man.
Link to Hans (1594) still unproven: a marriage in 1663 fits a birth about 1635–40, but the Signau baptism register has a gap from 1618 to 1650, so Ulrich’s own baptism cannot be checked there.

Staker’s chain; dates contradictory.

Status of the early chain (2026-10-31)

Checked in the registers: Hans bapt. Signau 1594 to Ludi Ramseyer and Madlen Huser; Ulli Ramseyer × Barbli Stauffer married Eggiwil 1663; Christen bapt. Eggiwil 1672 to them. One link is still unproven: that Ulrich (m. 1663) is Hans’s son. Signau has no baptisms for 1618–1650, so it must come from other records (Hans’s 1629 farm purchase, inheritance or Chorgericht records). Peter (c.1534) → Ludwig is also unchecked.

2002 Family Record (p. IX–X)

The Family Record gives the same line: Peter (b. 1535, Signau; wife Christina) → Ludwig (b. 1568) → Hans (b. 1594) → Ullrich (b. 1640) → Christian (b. 1672). It adds: Christina was present at a baptism at Lauperswil; the family’s children were baptized as infants (so not yet Anabaptist); Hans bought a farm in 1629; Ullrich was a saddler “who moved several times during his marriage”. The book credits Adolph Ramseyer, a Swiss police officer who researched Ramseyers, so it and Staker probably rest on the same unpublished research: they agree but are not independent confirmation.

Six children baptized at Eggiwil, 1664–1679

Anna (1664), Elsbeth (1668), Ulli (1669), Christen (1672), Hans (1675), Barbara (1679); from 1668 at the farm Diepoldsbühl. Details and godparents: Ulrich Ramseyer + Barbara Stauffer (m. unknown).

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n62500451["Peter Ramseyer (c.1534)"]
  n71408397["Ludwig Ramseyer (16th c.)"]
  n31304850["Madlen Huser (16th c.)"]
  n17065231["Anna Haldimann (16th c.)"]
  n16873136["Ulrich Ramseyer (17th c.)"]
  n46003800["Christina Trachsel (16th c.)"]
  n37828221["Hans Ramseyer (bapt. 1594)"]
  n16873136 --> n37828221
  n37828221 --> n71408397
  n71408397 --> n62500451
  n71408397 --> n46003800
  n37828221 --> n31304850
  n16873136 --> n17065231
  class n62500451,n71408397,n31304850,n17065231,n16873136,n46003800,n37828221 internal-link;

Research tasks

  • Verify in the Eggiwil/Signau parish registers (see Bern parish registers) task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Michael Holly (arr. 1750)

Michael Holly (Hooley)

fl. 1750 – ?

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 530, 886 · generation 10
Evidence: identity compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Passenger on the Brotherhood, 1750; Magdalena’s father per the 1911 Mast book.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 searched: Hans Blank’s daughter Catharine m. ‘John Holley’ (Salisbury Twp.; Fam. 262), a Holly of the next generation; no parents for Michael. Mast 1911 re-read: Michael Holly crossed on the Brotherhood with the Masts

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Moses Schrock (1828–1909)

10 Jun 1828 – 22 Apr 1909, born at Smithville

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 52 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 3290)

“Moses Schrock, Orrville, Ohio, at death, was b. June 10, 1828, d. Apr. 22, 1909 and m. Christina Gerig who was b. Apr. 17, 1831, and d. Oct. 21, 1909.” Children: Catherine (1854), Mary (1856), David (no. 3300), Joseph, John, Daniel (1862?–1881), Amos (1866–1899), Lydia, Levi.
Both of A. C. Ramseyer’s wives were Moses’s granddaughters: his first wife Grace Melvine “Mellie” Yoder (no. 3296) was the daughter of Moses’s daughter Mary (m. Andrew J. Yoder, 1877); his second wife Mary Ellen Schrock (no. 3303) was the daughter of Moses’s son David. The two wives were first cousins.

Born near Smithville; died ‘on the farm where he was born’ — the Michael Schrock homestead (four generations: Michael, Moses, Levi, Raymond). Married Christina Gerig 15 Sept 1853; ‘six sons and three daughters; three sons… preceded him’. Children include Mary Ann (1856, Mrs. Andrew Yoder — mother of Mellie Yoder), David (1858), Joseph (1860–1938), John J., Levi N.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n26429326["Michael Schrock (1782–1860)"]
  n22925690["Casper Schrock (immigrant)"]
  n45558266["Moses Schrock (1828–1909)"]
  n17908649["Susanna Yoder (1791–1855)"]
  n45558266 --> n26429326
  n26429326 --> n22925690
  n45558266 --> n17908649
  class n26429326,n22925690,n45558266,n17908649 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birth 10 June (obituary) vs 5 June (Find a Grave)

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth 10 June (obituary) vs 5 June (Find a Grave)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Stutzman (fl. 1822)

Anna Stutzman Smiley

fl. 1822 – ?

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 101 · generation 7
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

Nathan Smiley’s first wife and John Smiley’s mother. ‘Anna’ from John’s 1879 obituary; ‘Stutzman’ from the 1986 family history.

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912) full text and Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler and Christian Stutzman (1938) full text searched: no Nathan Smiley; the Anna Stutzmans in them are other women (e.g. Anna m. Jacob Miller, no. 3212); parents not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena Mast (wife of John Yoder)

Life and evidence

( Mast Family History, 1911, footnote to fam. 943)

“Elizabeth Yoder was the daughter of John Yoder and Barbara Reichenbach, who was the son of John Yoder and Magdalena Mast, who was the son of Barbara Yoder, whose husband died at sea coming to America.”
Which Mast family she belonged to is not stated. (Bishop Jacob Mast’s sister, also Magdalena, married Michael Troyer, so this is a different Magdalena.)

Which Mast family? (checked 2026-11-01)

A 1972 article in The Diary (Rickenbach family series) says her son, John Yoder “Preacher Yotter Hannes”, was born about 1754 and that her husband John Yoder was born around 1725. So she was probably born about 1725–35, in the same generation as Bishop Jacob Mast (1738–1808) or older. She was not his daughter, and not his sister Magdalena (who married Michael Troyer). She could belong to an earlier Mast immigration (a Mast family was in Pennsylvania by the late 1730s), or be a cousin of the bishop. No source found names her parents, so no new double-ancestor link here for now.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: The Diary (Gordonville, Pa.), May 1972, Rickenbach family series (archive.org diary04oldo): their son John Yoder (‘Preacher Yotter Hannes’) b. about 1754, brother of Bishop ‘Rote Yost’ Yoder; his father John Sr. b. around 1725. So Magdalena was born about 1725–35: too early to be a daughter of Bishop Jacob Mast (b. 1738) and not his sister Magdalena (m. Michael Troyer). Her Mast family is still unknown
  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Brief Biographic Memorial of Jacob Hertzler) (Fam. 513 and 383 notes) and Mast 1911: named only as John Yoder’s wife; which Mast family she came from is not stated

Record compiled 1 November 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Alvin C. Ramseyer Jr. (1921–2008)

Alvin Conrad “Al” Ramseyer Jr.

9 Mar 1921 – 16 Apr 2008, born at Smithville

Christopher’s grandfather · ancestor no. 6 · generation 3
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Christopher’s maternal grandfather. Born at Smithville, Wayne County, Ohio; attended Bluffton College; married Ruth S. Neuenschwander on 4 Nov 1945. His obituary names his parents, birthplace, dates, wife (of 62 years) and burial at Oak Grove.

His brother Arden Daniel Ramseyer (1927–2017) published the family’s 2002 genealogy, and his sister Edna Ramseyer Kaufman (1910–2001) compiled most of it.

Through his mother he descends from the captive Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812) of the 1757 Hochstetler massacre.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n49867489["Peter Ramseyer (1822–1880)"]
  n37384099["Daniel Ramseyer (1856–1942)"]
  n48818908["David Schrock (1858–1903)"]
  n40092133["Alvin C. Ramseyer Sr. (1880–1948)"]
  n57998085["Mary Ellen Schrock (1886–1972)"]
  n40487033["Barbara Reich (1826–1894)"]
  n45558266["Moses Schrock (1828–1909)"]
  n2034856["Christina Gerig (1832–1909)"]
  n16805015["Nancy Hostetler (1836–1860)"]
  n53370897["Mary Conrad (1825–1912)"]
  n36146830["Fanny H. Plank (1857–1942)"]
  n34988141["Joseph Plank (1834–1914)"]
  n33449834["Rebecca Smiley (1856–1932)"]
  n90976361["Alvin C. Ramseyer Jr. (1921–2008)"]
  n57993883["John Smiley (1822–1879)"]
  n90976361 --> n40092133
  n40092133 --> n37384099
  n37384099 --> n49867489
  n37384099 --> n40487033
  n40092133 --> n33449834
  n33449834 --> n57993883
  n33449834 --> n53370897
  n90976361 --> n57998085
  n57998085 --> n48818908
  n48818908 --> n45558266
  n48818908 --> n2034856
  n57998085 --> n36146830
  n36146830 --> n34988141
  n36146830 --> n16805015
  class n49867489,n37384099,n48818908,n40092133,n57998085,n40487033,n45558266,n2034856,n16805015,n53370897,n36146830,n34988141,n33449834,n90976361,n57993883 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christina Yoder (fl. 1832)

Christine Yoder Gerig

fl. 1832 – ?

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 107 · generation 7
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

Christina Gerig’s mother (1986 tree and history).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler (1912) full text and Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler and Christian Stutzman (1938) full text searched: no Joseph Gerig; the Christina Yoders in them are later women; parents not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Edith Balsiger

? – ?

Christopher’s 6th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 385 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Wife in Staker’s early Ramseyer chain (compiled lead, uncited).

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: archive.org full text ‘Edith Balsiger’: only modern Swiss women; Staker’s early Ramseyer chain remains uncited. Needs the Signau/Langnau parish registers for Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1700)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Madlen Huser (16th c.)

? – ?

Christopher’s 10th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 6145 · generation 13
Evidence: identity documented

Family

Life and evidence

Named as parents of Hans, baptized at Signau on 20 January 1594 (K Signau 1, p. 48): "Ludi Ramseyer und Madlen Huser". See Hans Ramseyer (bapt. 1594).

Wife in Staker’s early Ramseyer chain (compiled lead, uncited).

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from How far back each line goes): 13 | Ludwig Ramseyer (16th c.) × Madlen Huser (16th c.) | named as Hans’s parents, Signau 1594 | ⚠ compiled lead (Ludwig’s 1568 birth is from family research; Signau baptisms start only in 1589) |

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Casper Schrock (immigrant)

? – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 208 · generation 8
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

Born Switzerland c.1745; m. Mary Stuckey; farmed near Berlin, Brothersvalley Twp., Somerset Co., Pa. (tax list; History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District, 1916; Glades Star vol. 9; Plank reunion notes 1926). Came with two brothers. Sons named in 1926: Joseph (1784), Henry, John, Christian (1780–1847), Nicholas, David, Abraham, Jacob, Peter; one daughter.

Wynigen lead: Schrag/Schrock Anabaptists from Laumberg near Wynigen (Canton Bern) lived in the Münster valley in the 1700s and received Wynigen citizenship papers in 1763 (Delbrück/Bernese Anabaptists, 1953).

‘An immigrant probably from Wyningen [Wynigen, Canton Bern], Switzerland’ (1986 history).

A second account: born in Pennsylvania? ( History of the Church of the Brethren of the Western District of Pennsylvania, 1916, sketch of Elder George Schrock)

George Schrock’s great-grandfather “migrated to America and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, about the year 1700. From this family came two sons, Casper and John, who settled near Berlin in 1765.” Their names are on the Brothersvalley Township tax lists until 1796. Casper “lived on a farm some distance north of Berlin”; his son Christian (1780–1847) married Franie Good and joined the Brethren (Dunkards).
Conflict: this makes Casper American-born (the “about 1700” is probably too early), while the Plank and Glades Star notes say he was born in Switzerland about 1745. Both agree on Berlin, Brothersvalley Twp., a large family, and his brother John.
Other Schrock households near Berlin at the time: John (Casper’s brother), Ulrich, and Benedict Schrag (Troyer, Treier, Treyer). Casper’s grave is reportedly on the Wills farm a mile north of Berlin.

Where they lived

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Born Switzerland c.1745 (Plank notes, Glades Star) vs. son of a Lancaster Co. immigrant, settled near Berlin 1765 (Brethren history 1916)

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: The Diary (July 1979), ‘The Schrock Family’ (arrangements by Dr. Hugh Gingerich): Casper came as a minor, first taxable in Lancaster Co., then Lebanon Valley, ‘probably married Mary Stuckey’, then Somerset Co.; children Henry 1777, John 1778, Christian 1779, Michael 1782 (m. Susanna Yoder), David, Joseph, Catherine, Abraham, Jacob, Peter. ‘The above three Schrocks immigrants [Hanes 1730-1797, ship Polly 1766; Ulrich b. 1740, ship 1769; Casper] are generally regarded as brothers, being of Claus Schrock of Europe’: a tradition, not linked

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

David Schrock (1858–1903)

18 Feb 1858 – 10 Aug 1903, born at Orrville

Christopher’s 2nd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 26 · generation 5
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Parents: Moses Schrock and Christina Gerig

1912 Hochstetler genealogy #6976: “David Schrock who d. Aug. 10, 1903, aged 45 yrs., 5 mos., 22 days, the son of Moses and Christianna (Gerige) Schrock, Orrville.” Also the 1986 history (“the third son of Moses and Christina Gerig Schrock”) and the illustrated tree. Four further clues agree (Geni’s exact birth date; Moses’s obituary’s ‘six sons… three sons preceded him’; a gap at 1858 among the siblings).

Married Fanny Plank; bought a farm northeast of the Schrock home place along the Smithville–Orrville Road. “Suffered a heart attack and died at night during wheat harvest on August 10, 1903.” Children: Emma (1882, Mrs. Daniel Musser), Mary Ellen (1886), Alvin J. (1890).

Rejected earlier lead: Samuel and Lydia (Smucker) Schrock — no room for a son born 1858; Samuel was David’s uncle.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n48818908["David Schrock (1858–1903)"]
  n45558266["Moses Schrock (1828–1909)"]
  n17342458["Elizabeth Goldschmidt (fl. 1800)"]
  n2034856["Christina Gerig (1832–1909)"]
  n44829800["Christian Gerig (fl. 1800)"]
  n88004213["Joseph Gerig (fl. 1841)"]
  n26429326["Michael Schrock (1782–1860)"]
  n79673397["Christina Yoder (fl. 1832)"]
  n17908649["Susanna Yoder (1791–1855)"]
  n22925690["Casper Schrock (immigrant)"]
  n48818908 --> n45558266
  n45558266 --> n26429326
  n26429326 --> n22925690
  n45558266 --> n17908649
  n48818908 --> n2034856
  n2034856 --> n88004213
  n88004213 --> n44829800
  n88004213 --> n17342458
  n2034856 --> n79673397
  class n48818908,n45558266,n17342458,n2034856,n44829800,n88004213,n26429326,n79673397,n17908649,n22925690 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Death 10 Aug 1903 (Find a Grave, 1912 book, 1986 history) vs 17 Aug (Fanny’s 1942 obituary) — prefer 10 Aug
  • Marriage 16 Dec 1880 (1912 book) vs 18 Dec 1881 (Fanny’s obituary)

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Death 10 Aug 1903 (Find a Grave, 1912 book, 1986 history) vs 17 Aug (Fanny’s 1942 obituary) — prefer 10 Aug
  • Marriage 16 Dec 1880 (1912 book) vs 18 Dec 1881 (Fanny’s obituary)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Mary Ellen Schrock (1886–1972)

Mary Ellen Schrock Ramseyer

16 Jun 1886 – 21 Dec 1972, born at Orrville, died at Wooster

Christopher’s great-grandmother · ancestor no. 13 · generation 4
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Born at Orrville, Ohio; listed in the 1912 Hochstetler genealogy (#6976) as “Mary E., June 16, 1886”. Married Alvin C. Ramseyer Sr. 11 Apr 1909. Died at the Glendora Nursing Home, Wooster; survived by 7 daughters, 2 sons, 29 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

The Schrock Ramseyer Story (1986) was written by her children for the centennial of her birth. She remembered the four-poster canopy bed in her grandparents Moses and Christina’s bedroom.

Her brother Alvin J. Schrock (1890–1973) married her husband’s sister Mary Viola Ramseyer (1892–1973) — the two Alvins were brothers-in-law twice over.

Through her mother she descends from the Hochstetler captive Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812) — see The Hochstetler massacre of 1757.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n16842627["Jeptha Plank (1803–1846)"]
  n48818908["David Schrock (1858–1903)"]
  n57998085["Mary Ellen Schrock (1886–1972)"]
  n45558266["Moses Schrock (1828–1909)"]
  n2034856["Christina Gerig (1832–1909)"]
  n16805015["Nancy Hostetler (1836–1860)"]
  n88004213["Joseph Gerig (fl. 1841)"]
  n26429326["Michael Schrock (1782–1860)"]
  n36146830["Fanny H. Plank (1857–1942)"]
  n34988141["Joseph Plank (1834–1914)"]
  n79673397["Christina Yoder (fl. 1832)"]
  n35490291["Christian Hostetler (1801–1875)"]
  n17908649["Susanna Yoder (1791–1855)"]
  n54249478["Elizabeth Yoder (1799–1890)"]
  n15752324["Veronica Fanny Kurtz (1811–1889)"]
  n57998085 --> n48818908
  n48818908 --> n45558266
  n45558266 --> n26429326
  n45558266 --> n17908649
  n48818908 --> n2034856
  n2034856 --> n88004213
  n2034856 --> n79673397
  n57998085 --> n36146830
  n36146830 --> n34988141
  n34988141 --> n16842627
  n34988141 --> n15752324
  n36146830 --> n16805015
  n16805015 --> n35490291
  n16805015 --> n54249478
  class n16842627,n48818908,n57998085,n45558266,n2034856,n16805015,n88004213,n26429326,n36146830,n34988141,n79673397,n35490291,n17908649,n54249478,n15752324 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Death: 20 Dec 1973 (Gospel Herald, a typo) vs 21 Dec 1972 (Find a Grave, family tree); age 86y 6m 4d fits Dec 1972
  • Find a Grave birthplace ‘Wayne County, Indiana’ — error for Wayne County, Ohio

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Death: 20 Dec 1973 (Gospel Herald, a typo) vs 21 Dec 1972 (Find a Grave, family tree); age 86y 6m 4d fits Dec 1972
  • Find a Grave birthplace ‘Wayne County, Indiana’ — error for Wayne County, Ohio

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Louise Eckinger (c.1797–1873)

c.1797 – 1873

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 99 · generation 7
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

Barbara Reich’s mother, per Staker and the 1986 family sources. If she was a daughter of Gotleib Eckinger (Indian Run Cemetery, not Amish), she may have come from outside the Amish community — unproven.

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Cemetery inscriptions, Stark County, Ohio (DAR/LDS, vols. 1-6, archive.org): Eckingers in Stark County are later (John, GAR 1839-1910; William Henry 1868-1946; Mary F, Robert E); no Louise or Gottlieb; archive.org full text ‘Louise Eckinger’, ‘Gottlieb Eckinger’: nothing relevant
  • 2026-11-01: Herald of Truth (English) for the death year searched by name, date and place (Stark/Wayne): no obituary found. Stark County Amish Mennonite deaths were probably reported in the German Herold der Wahrheit (not yet searched)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)

Magdalena Holly (Hooley) Mast

c.1740 – 26 Oct 1820

Christopher’s 6th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 265, 443 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead
Pedigree collapse: Christopher descends from this person 2 times.

Family

Life and evidence

Died 26 Oct 1820 aged 80; buried beside Bishop Jacob at Pine Grove. Daughter of Michael Holly (1911 book) or Johannes Hooley (other trees), fellow passengers on the Brotherhood.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n37763041["Michael Holly (arr. 1750)"]
  n61422105["Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820)"]
  n61422105 --> n37763041
  class n37763041,n61422105 internal-link;

Sources

Lancaster tax lists — added 2026-10-31 by Claude

“John Holly” held 200–212 acres in Salisbury Township in 1772 and 1782, next to the Amish Planks and Kurtzes. A Johannes Holly was on the Brotherhood in 1750. This supports the “Johannes Hooley” version of her father as a real Lancaster landholder; it does not decide between Michael and Johannes. See Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames): Magdalena Holly (c.1740–1820): father Michael Holly (1911 book) or Johannes Hooley (other trees) | ‘John Holly’, Salisbury Twp, 1772 (200 acres) and 1782 (212 acres); a Johannes Holly was on the Brotherhood (1750) with Michael and

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Melchior Plank (m. 1767)

fl. 1767 – ?

Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 432 · generation 9
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

The 1900 reunion paper ( Life and Progress of the Plank Pioneers)

“Melchoir Plank and wife were born in Switzerland in the early 1700’s — emigrated to America about the year 1745. Were kidnaped and brought to N.Y., sold to a man near N.Y. to pay their passenger charges; afterwards taken to Lancaster Co., Pa., where they paid the balance of their fare charges at hard labor.” Children, all born in Lancaster Co.: John, Jacob, Peter, Christian, Barbara and Margaret. About 1800 they moved to Mifflin Co., Pa.; Melchior died about 1817, his wife several years later.
A second note (Solomon K. Plank, b. 1837): Melchior was “a native of Rotterdam, Holland”; “he & his wife stowed away on a ship to America”, were “sold to a Mrs. Morgan, Berks Co., Pa., to pay passage”.
Three versions of one story: kidnapped, stowed away, or carried off after staying aboard overnight (1986 history). All agree they arrived penniless and were indentured to pay their fare. The dates conflict: emigrated “about 1745” (1900) vs. married at Rotterdam in 1767 (1986); son Jacob was born about 1767.

‘Our maternal great-great-great-great-grandparents were John Melchior Plank and Margaret ?. They were married in 1767 at Rotterdam’ (1986 history pp. 47–48).

Family legend: the accidental voyage

While saying goodbye to friends leaving for America, they were invited aboard for the night — and the ship sailed with them still on it. Arriving with no money, they were indentured in Pennsylvania until their passage was paid. They settled in Berks County.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Lancaster tax lists — added 2026-10-31 by Claude

A “John Plank” (with ”& Son” in 1772) was taxed in Salisbury Township 1771–1782 and a “Planck” in Rapho in 1779. Either could be Melchior or Hans Blank (arr. 1751) (“doctor” in 1782). See Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames): John Melchior Plank (m. 1767) (children ‘all born in Lancaster Co.’) | The same Salisbury ‘John Plank & Son’ (1772) could instead be him; ‘Planck’ in Rapho 1779 | Fits the family’s Lancaster residence before the move to Mifflin Co

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Nathan Smiley (1797–1872)

16 Apr 1797 – 9 Mar 1872, born at Ireland

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 100 · generation 7
Evidence: identity family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

The Irish orphan raised by the Amish. See Nathan Smiley - the Irish orphan.

  • Luthy (1973): born in Ireland 1797 to a British mother; came at four with his mother; “for reasons unexplained” placed in an Amish foster home in Somerset County, Pa.; joined the Amish; married twice; moved to Elkhart County 1841.
  • The Schrock Ramseyer Story (1986), p. 51: “a red headed Irish orphan deserted by his mother after immigrating from Ireland and coming to Philadelphia. An Amish family by the name of Troyer took him into their home and accepted him as a son. Nathan married first Anna Stutzman and second Margaret ?”
  • 2nd wife: Rebecca Margaret Miller (1810–1884), m. 1831 — Rebecca Smiley was probably named for her.
  • Buried at Elkhart Prairie Cemetery, Goshen — the same cemetery as D. D. and Maggie Miller a century later (coincidence of place).

Two independent accounts (Luthy 1973; family 1986) agree; no contemporary record yet.

This is not the Miller-side English-ancestor story — see English ancestor recollection (Miller side).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Conflicts

  • 1986 tree names his wife (John’s mother) ‘Margaretha Miller’ — John’s obituary says Anna; Margaret/Rebecca Margaret Miller was his 2nd wife (m. 1831)

New records and accounts (2026-11-01)

  • 1823, first contemporary record: “Nathan Smiley” is on the list of taxable inhabitants of Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, alongside Stutzman, Nisly, Yoder, Hostetler, Lehman, Mishler, Weaver and Kauffman households and a John Conrad. See History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties (1884).
  • Foster family named: “Reared in the home of John Troyer”; his mother “an Englishwoman who had immigrated to Pennsylvania with her four year old son” (Mennonite Historical Bulletin, 2006; Mennonite Historical Bulletin 67 (2006) - cover note on John Smiley and Mary Conrad). It names his wife as Anna Miller, not Anna Stutzman: a conflict to resolve.
  • The 1841 scouting trip: Nathan was one of four men (with Preacher Joseph Miller, Daniel S. Miller and Joseph Speicher) who took a boat from Pittsburgh down the Ohio to Cairo and up the Mississippi to Burlington, Iowa, then walked through the country and chose “the Land of Goshen” (Forks Mennonite Church history, 1957; MHB 1968). The families moved in 1841.
  • In Elkhart County: “Nathan Smiley, of Elkhart prairie” was the first man known to grow clover there (about 1845) and the first treasurer of the county agricultural society (Twentieth Century History of Elkhart County, 1905).
  • A Scots-Irish Smiley family in Somerset County since 1780: Robert Smiley and his wife Rhoda Boyd (a former Indian captive) settled in Jenner Township; children Agnes, George, Sarah, John, James, Robert (1884 county history). Nothing ties Nathan to them, but they show Irish Smileys were already in the county. Worth testing against the orphan story.

Ship and Irish origin: no record found. There are no federal passenger lists before 1820; the Philadelphia 1800–1819 customs lists (published by Tepper, 1986) are lending-only online. An arrival around 1801 at age four with his mother would be in those if anywhere. Nothing yet names his Irish county or his mother.

Death notice, Herald of Truth (1872)

“On the 9th of May, on Elkhart Prairie, Elkhart Co., Ind., Nathan Smeiley, aged 74 years, 10 months, and 22 days. Sermon by Benjamin Schrock and Jacob Burkey.” So he died in May, not March, and was born about 17 June 1797. No birthplace given.

Research tasks

  • FamilySearch (free login): 1850 and 1860 census, Elkhart County, for Nathan Smiley’s stated birthplace; 1800 and 1810 census, Somerset County, for Smiley households and John Troyer task/human

  • Look for Troyer households in Somerset County 1800–1820 that took in a boy Nathan task/ai

  • Check 1850/1860/1870 censuses for birthplace Ireland task/ai

  • Obtain Luthy’s original 1973 article and his source task/human

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Death: 9 May 1872 (Herald of Truth 1872 death notice) vs 9 Mar 1872 (vault); age 74 y 10 m 22 d implies birth c. 17 Jun 1797, not 16 Apr 1797
  • First wife: Anna Stutzman (family 1986, vault) vs Anna Miller (Mennonite Historical Bulletin 2006)
  • 1986 tree names his wife (John’s mother) ‘Margaretha Miller’ — John’s obituary says Anna; Margaret/Rebecca Margaret Miller was his 2nd wife (m. 1831)

Research log

  • undated: Two independent accounts (Luthy 1973; family 1986) agree; no contemporary record yet.:
  • 2026-11-01: History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton (1884): ‘Nathan Smiley’ in the 1823 taxable inhabitants of Conemaugh Twp., Somerset Co. (first contemporary record). Mennonite Historical Bulletin 2006: mother an Englishwoman who came to Pennsylvania with him aged four; reared by John Troyer; wife ‘Anna Miller’; sons John and Samuel. Forks Mennonite Church (1957) and MHB 1968: one of four scouts (with Joseph and Daniel S. Miller and Joseph Speicher) who went down the Ohio from Pittsburgh in 1841 seeking land, choosing Goshen. Twentieth Century History of Elkhart County (1905): of Elkhart Prairie, first known clover grower c.1845; first treasurer of the county agricultural society. Ship: no passenger list found; there are no federal arrival lists before 1820 and the published Philadelphia 1800–1819 lists (Tepper) are lending-only online
  • 2026-11-01: tested the Robert Smiley (1732–1810) × Rhoda Boyd (1748–1827) family of Jenner Twp., Somerset (1884 and 1906 county histories; Somerset Herald 17 Jul 1895; OGS 1991 library list): children Agnes, George, Sarah, John (1787–1839), James, Robert; no Nathan named. Jenner borders Conemaugh (Nathan, 1823). Verdict: unproven, unlikely as parent, possible as wider kin; tests listed in the Irish-orphan story note
  • 2026-11-01: Herald of Truth 1872 (archive.org heraldoftruth09unse): ‘On the 9th of May, on Elkhart Prairie, Elkhart Co., Ind., Nathan Smeiley, aged 74 years, 10 months, and 22 days. Sermon by Benjamin Schrock and Jacob Burkey.’ No birthplace or parents
  • 2026-11-01: Standard History of Elkhart County (1916) p. 85: first treasurer of the Elkhart County Agricultural Society (organized 1851). 1850/1860 census and Somerset 1800/1810 census are not in free full text online (FamilySearch, free login, needed)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Klopfenstein (fl. 1779)

fl. 1779 – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 195 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Mother of Barbara Kaufmann (Staker). Klopfenstein is a prominent Swiss Anabaptist name of the Montbéliard–Belfort region.

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Staker, Amish Mennonites in Tazewell County parts 4-5 searched for Klopfenstein/Kaufmann/Florimont: other Klopfensteins of Belfort only; parents not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christian Stutzman (d. 1770)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 1)

On the Bern Tp., Berks Co., Pa. tax lists 1753–1771; will dated 5 Sep 1770, probated 17 Nov 1770. Son of Jacob Stutzman, son of John Jacob Stutzman, who arrived at Philadelphia 2 Oct 1727 on the Adventurer (Rotterdam via Plymouth). Married Barbara Hochstetler (wife of Christian Stutzman). Children: Magdalena, Anna, Mary, Christian, Jacob, Elizabeth, Fanny, John.

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Stutzman note), Stutzman 1938 no. 1 and archive.org full text: his mother (wife of Jacob Stutzman) is never named

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Reichenbach

Life and evidence

( Mast Family History, 1911, footnote to fam. 943)

“Elizabeth Yoder was the daughter of John Yoder and Barbara Reichenbach, who was the son of John Yoder and Magdalena Mast, who was the son of Barbara Yoder, whose husband died at sea coming to America.”

Her parents (found 2026-11-01)

Amos Fisher’s 1972 Rickenbach series in The Diary names her as a daughter of John Rickenbach (d. c.1790) and Ann of Caernarvon Township, Berks County, and granddaughter of the immigrant Henry Rickenbach (arr. 1740). Her husband John Yoder, “Preacher Yotter Hannes”, was born about 1754; they lived in Bedford (Somerset), Mifflin and Centre Counties, Pennsylvania, and he died in Wayne County, Ohio. (The Hertzler register’s Reichenbachs, from the 1733 Pink Mary immigrant John and Veronica, are a different family.)

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Fisher, The Rickenbach Family (The Diary, 1972): daughter of John and Ann Rickenbach of Caernarvon Twp., Berks (John d. 1789–92), granddaughter of the immigrant Henry Rickenbach (Friendship 1740); m. John Yoder ‘Preacher Yotter Hannes’ (b. c.1754); nine children incl. Elizabeth (1799–1890, m. Christian Hostetler)
  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Brief Biographic Memorial of Jacob Hertzler) read: names her only as wife of John Yoder (Fam. 513, 228 notes). The register’s Reichenbachs descend from John Reichenbach (from Switzerland, Pink Mary, Caernarvon Twp., Berks) and wife Veronica; Barbara is not listed among their children. Parents not found

Record compiled 1 November 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Augsbourg (fl. 1780)

fl. 1780 – ?

Christopher’s 5th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 193 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Wife of Isaac Ramseyer; name spelled many ways in French civil records (Staker).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Staker parts 4-5 searched for Augspurger/Augsburger: several Ste-Marie-aux-Mines and Strasbourg Augspurgers (e.g. Nicolas, son of Nicolas Augspurger and Barbe Fongond, 1768-1809) but none tied to her; parents not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Stutzman (son of the 1727 immigrant)

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 1)

Son of the 1727 immigrant Johann Jacob Stutzman; father of Christian Stutzman (d. 1770).

Children in this vault

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 and Stutzman 1938 searched: his wife/mother not named; Hertzler’s Christian Yoder family has a daughter Anna m. ‘Jacob Stutzman’ (a later Jacob, probably not him)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Stauffer (17th c.)

? – ?, married at Eggiwil 15 May 1663

Christopher’s 8th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 1537 · generation 11
Evidence: identity documented

Family

Life and evidence

Marriage found in the original register (2026-10-31)

Eggiwil marriages (K Eggiwil 17, Eherodel 1648–1800), image 7, 15 May 1663: “Ulli Ramseyer und Barbli Stauffer”. The same couple, “Ulli Ramseyer und Barbli Stauffer”, had Christen baptized at Eggiwil on 26 May 1672 (K Eggiwil 1, p. 148).

On 25 Sept 1663 a Peter Ramseyer married Elsbeth Stauffer in the same parish: possibly a brother marrying a sister (unproven). A later “Ulli Ramseyer und Elsbeth Stauffer” marriage (1693) may be a second marriage of Ulli after Barbli’s death, or another man.
Link to Hans (1594) still unproven: a marriage in 1663 fits a birth about 1635–40, but the Signau baptism register has a gap from 1618 to 1650, so Ulrich’s own baptism cannot be checked there.

Wife in Staker’s early Ramseyer chain (compiled lead, uncited).

Six children baptized at Eggiwil, 1664–1679

Anna (1664), Elsbeth (1668), Ulli (1669), Christen (1672), Hans (1675), Barbara (1679), at the farm Diepoldsbühl. See Ulrich Ramseyer + Barbara Stauffer (m. unknown).

Sources

Candidate relative: Uli Stauffer of Eggiwil, 1653 — added 2026-10-31 by Claude

One of the twelve Bernese ringleaders of the 1653 Peasants’ War who escaped abroad was “Uli Staufer, von Eggiwyl, im Amte Signau” (Vock 1831, pp. 411–412). Barbara married at Eggiwil ten years later. Same surname and parish only; no record links them. The rebels’ property inventories (Staatsarchiv Bern A IV 187–188; transcription DQ 805) are the place to test it. See 1528, 1653 and the Anabaptist files - family-name matches.

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Marriage found in the original register (2026-10-31): Eggiwil marriages (K Eggiwil 17, Eherodel 1648–1800), image 7, 15 May 1663: ‘Ulli Ramseyer und Barbli Stauffer’. The same couple, ‘Ulli Ramseyer und Barbli Stauffer’, had
  • 2026-10-31: Candidate relative: Uli Stauffer of Eggiwil, 1653: One of the twelve Bernese ringleaders of the 1653 Peasants’ War who escaped abroad was ‘Uli Staufer, von Eggiwyl, im Amte Signau’ (Vock 1831, pp. 411–412). Barbara marrie
  • 2026-10-31 (from 1528, 1653 and the Anabaptist files - family-name matches): Uli Stauffer of Eggiwil was one of twelve Bernese ringleaders who escaped arrest and fled abroad (Vock 1831, pp. 411–412). Ten years later, on 15 May 1663, Barbara Stauffer (17th c.) married Ulrich Ramseyer at Eggiwil. Candidate r
  • 2026-10-31 (from How far back each line goes): 11 | Ulrich Ramseyer (17th c.) × Barbara Stauffer (17th c.) | married Eggiwil 15 May 1663 | ⚠ compiled lead: the weakest link. Signau baptisms are missing for 1618–1650 |

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Anna Blank (fl. 1770)

Anna Blank (Plank) Hochstetler

fl. 1770 – ?

Christopher’s 6th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 441 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Joseph’s wife; daughter of ‘Dr. Hans’ Blank (Mast book footnote: ‘Hans Blank, who arrived at Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 4, 1751, on ship Queen of Denmark’); mother Magdalena (Ziegler?). Born in Switzerland. Hochstättler notes the Blanck–Hochstetler ties at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines (Nigi and Michel Blanck) and calls them ‘remarkable in the same way as in America’ — possibly the same family (unproven).

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n6099635["Anna Blank (fl. 1770)"]
  n95735197["Hans Blank (arr. 1751)"]
  n6099635 --> n95735197
  class n6099635,n95735197 internal-link;

Sources

The Blank heirs' deed, 1798 (Lancaster County deed index)

31 October 1798, Deed Book D03, pp. 457 and 459, Salisbury Township: Christian & Barbara Umble, John & Catharine Hooley, and Joseph & Anne Hochstetter convey and release to John Blank, Christian Zug and Jacob Yoder. These are the six children of Hans and Magdalena Blank and their spouses, dividing the homestead two years after Magdalena died. It is the first original record tying Anna Blank, wife of Joseph Hochstetler, to the Blank family. (Index only; the deed image is not yet seen.) See Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds - online index (1729-).

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885, Fam. 554: daughter of Hans Blank and Magdalene (d. Apr 1796), first-named of six children, ‘married to Joseph Hostetler’; mother’s maiden name not given
  • 2026-11-01: Lancaster deed index: ‘Joseph and Anne Hochstetter’ among the Blank heirs releasing to John Blank, Christian Zug and Jacob Yoder, 31 Oct 1798, D03 pp. 457/459, Salisbury Twp.: original-record support that Anna Blank, wife of Joseph Hochstetler, was Hans Blank’s daughter

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812)

c.1746 – 24 Aug 1812, born at Northkill (Berks County), died at Mifflin (Juniata County)

Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 440 · generation 9
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

The captive. Christopher’s 6th great-grandfather on the Ramseyer side. Born on the Northkill about 1746 — American-born.

On the night of the 1757 attack, about 11 years old, he opened the door and (per Wikipedia) was shot in the leg. With his brother Christian he loaded the hunting guns, but their father refused to let them be used. Captured, he escaped and was recaptured; separated from his father at Fort Presque Isle and adopted by a Native family. Handed over at Fort Augusta after Bouquet’s 1764 treaty; his Native family urged him to visit and think of them as “brothers”, and he reportedly returned often to the village. He always held that if his father had let them shoot, the attackers would have fled.

Married Anna Blank (Plank) (“Joseph’s wife, the mother of his children, was Anna Blank” — 1912 book); named with “Ann, his wife” in the 1776 heirs’ deed (Lancaster Deed Book R, p. 118). Settled in Mifflin County; buried on the Solomon Brubaker farm east of Mifflin with his son John.

Full story: The Hochstetler massacre of 1757. The family’s “Indian blood” saying (which Christopher has heard) almost certainly comes from his adoption — see that note.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n84009264["Anna Hochstetler (killed 1757)"]
  n66959082["Jacob Hochstetler (c.1666–c.1722)"]
  n83640307["Joseph Hochstetler (c.1746–1812)"]
  n99487970["Jacob Hochstetler (1712–1776)"]
  n83640307 --> n99487970
  n99487970 --> n66959082
  n83640307 --> n84009264
  class n84009264,n66959082,n83640307,n99487970 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birth given as 1742, 1744 or 1746
  • Who was shot at the door: Joseph (Wikipedia) or Jacob Jr. (1912 preface)
  • Death 24 Aug 1812 vs c.1823 in some summaries

Sources

The Blank heirs' deed, 1798 (Lancaster County deed index)

31 October 1798, Deed Book D03, pp. 457 and 459, Salisbury Township: Christian & Barbara Umble, John & Catharine Hooley, and Joseph & Anne Hochstetter convey and release to John Blank, Christian Zug and Jacob Yoder. These are the six children of Hans and Magdalena Blank and their spouses, dividing the homestead two years after Magdalena died. It is the first original record tying Anna Blank, wife of Joseph Hochstetler, to the Blank family. (Index only; the deed image is not yet seen.) See Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds - online index (1729-).

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth given as 1742, 1744 or 1746
  • Who was shot at the door: Joseph (Wikipedia) or Jacob Jr. (1912 preface)
  • Death 24 Aug 1812 vs c.1823 in some summaries

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: Lancaster deed index: Joseph and Anne Hochstetter, grantors with the other Blank heirs, 31 Oct 1798, D03 pp. 457/459 (Salisbury Twp.)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Kaufmann (1779–1844)

Barbara Kaufmann Ramseyer

1779 – 1844, born at Florimont

Christopher’s 4th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 97 · generation 7
Evidence: identity compiled lead · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Born on the St. André farm at Florimont (Territoire de Belfort), daughter of Peter Kaufmann and Barbara Klopfenstein (Staker). ‘Born in Alsace, France, in 1777’ (1907 booklet). Thought to be buried in the Amish/Old Beech Cemetery, Paris Township.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n11511160["Barbara Klopfenstein (fl. 1779)"]
  n2234993["Peter Kaufmann (d. 1803)"]
  n17242263["Barbara Kaufmann (1779–1844)"]
  n17242263 --> n2234993
  n17242263 --> n11511160
  class n11511160,n2234993,n17242263 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birth 1779 (Staker) vs 1777 (1907 booklet, 1986 tree)

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth 1779 (Staker) vs 1777 (1907 booklet, 1986 tree)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Christina Gerig (1832–1909)

Christina Gerig Schrock

17 Apr 1832 – 21 Oct 1909

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 53 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

(Hostetler 1938, no. 3290)

Born 17 Apr 1831 (the vault’s 1832 is from another source), died 21 Oct 1909, six months after her husband Moses Schrock.

Born in Alsace, France; came to America with her parents at age 9 (about 1841); married Moses 1853; nine children, six surviving; Amish Mennonite.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n17342458["Elizabeth Goldschmidt (fl. 1800)"]
  n2034856["Christina Gerig (1832–1909)"]
  n44829800["Christian Gerig (fl. 1800)"]
  n88004213["Joseph Gerig (fl. 1841)"]
  n79673397["Christina Yoder (fl. 1832)"]
  n2034856 --> n88004213
  n88004213 --> n44829800
  n88004213 --> n17342458
  n2034856 --> n79673397
  class n17342458,n2034856,n44829800,n88004213,n79673397 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birth year 1832 (obituary) vs 1831 (family tree)

Sources

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth year 1832 (obituary) vs 1831 (family tree)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Hans Blank (arr. 1751)

“Dr.” Hans Blank

fl. 1751 – ?

Christopher’s 7th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 882 · generation 10
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Hertzler 1885, Fam. 554, copied "off Dr. Blank's manuscript"

“Hans Blank was born of Swiss parents in Switzerland; occupation, doctor of physics; P. O. address when died, Cain’s, Lancaster Co., Pa.; died in Jan., 1790; married to Magdalene ——, who died in Apr., 1796.” Children: Anna (m. Joseph Hostetler), John (m. Fanny Smucker), Catharine (m. John Holley), Barbara (m. Christian Umble), Magdalene (m. Christian Zug), Christina (m. Jacob Yoder). The couple were Reformed, fled Switzerland after a night raid on their house, joined the Amish, and came before 1752. They lived in Heidelberg Twp., Berks Co. (near the Northkill) until spring 1769, then bought 303 acres in Salisbury Twp., Lancaster Co., from Hugh Jenkins, where “Hans Blank there practiced medicine”. Before he died he divided the land between Catharine and John Holley (137 acres) and his son John (166 acres).

This settles the Salisbury candidate: the “Jno. Plank, doctor” taxed in Salisbury 1771–82 was Hans or his son John, who was also “farmer and doctor of physics” there. Wife: Magdalena (wife of Hans Blank) (d. 1796).

Arrived Philadelphia 4 Oct 1751 on the Queen of Denmark (Mast book). Wife Magdalena (Ziegler?) (AMC genealogy).

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Sources

Candidate: "Jno. Plank, doctor", Salisbury Twp, Lancaster Co., 1782 — added 2026-10-31 by Claude

The 1782 Lancaster tax list has “Jno. Plank, doctor” in Salisbury Township, the Amish settlement; “Jno. Plank” is taxed there from 1771 (200 acres; “John Plank & Son” in 1772). Hans = John, Blank and Plank interchange, and “doctor” matches his nickname. Not yet linked by a deed or will. See Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames.

More from Bishop John Blank and Family (Sadie R. Blank Mast, c.1962), Mast (Sadie R. Blank) - Bishop John Blank and Family (1962)

  • Hans and Magdalena “brought two orphan boys along, Christian Umble and John Holley. These boys later married Hans’ daughters” (Barbara and Catharine).
  • “Both are buried on the homestead near Cains, Pa.” In 1962 “there are still three members of the sixth generation of this family residing on the Old Homestead.” The booklet prints a photograph of the Hans Blank Homestead (p. 17).
  • Retelling the raid, it says the black dog “led them on in the path”, and gives the move to Salisbury as spring 1767 (Hertzler 1885 says 1769).
  • Nothing more on where in Switzerland, or when, the raid happened.

Ship list confirmed (2026-11-01)

Pennsylvania German Pioneers, list 174 C: “Hans Blanck” took the oath at the Philadelphia Court House on Friday, 4 October 1751, arriving on the Queen of Denmark, George Parish, commander, from Rotterdam and Cowes. A Johannes Blanck signed the same list (a second man, or a clerk’s repeat). This matches the Mast book’s date exactly.

The Blank heirs' deed, 1798 (Lancaster County deed index)

31 October 1798, Deed Book D03, pp. 457 and 459, Salisbury Township: Christian & Barbara Umble, John & Catharine Hooley, and Joseph & Anne Hochstetter convey and release to John Blank, Christian Zug and Jacob Yoder. These are the six children of Hans and Magdalena Blank and their spouses, dividing the homestead two years after Magdalena died. It is the first original record tying Anna Blank, wife of Joseph Hochstetler, to the Blank family. (Index only; the deed image is not yet seen.) See Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds - online index (1729-).

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31 (from Lancaster sources scanned for family surnames): Hans Blank (arr. 1751), called ‘Dr.’ in the Mast book | ‘Jno. Plank, doctor’, Salisbury Twp, 1782; ‘Jno. Plank’ there 1771–1782, ‘John Plank & Son’ 1772 (200 acres). Also ‘John Blank’ and ‘John Blank Jun’r’, Cocalico Twp, 1771–178
  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885, Fam. 554 (copied from Dr. Blank’s manuscript): born of Swiss parents in Switzerland; doctor; Reformed, fled persecution, joined the Amish, came before 1752; Heidelberg Twp., Berks, until spring 1769, then a 303-acre farm in Salisbury Twp., Lancaster (bought of Hugh Jenkins); died Jan 1790 at Cain’s; wife Magdalene d. Apr 1796; six children named. His parents not given
  • 2026-10-31: Mast, Bishop John Blank and Family (c.1962) read: reprints the Hertzler raid story; adds the two orphan boys (Christian Umble, John Holley), burial on the homestead near Cains, photo of the homestead; no Swiss place or date for the raid. Mast 1911 and Hochstetler 1912 only repeat Hertzler
  • 2026-11-01: Pennsylvania German Pioneers vol. 1 (Strassburger & Hinke 1934), list 174 C: ‘Hans Blanck’ signed the oath at Philadelphia, 4 Oct 1751, ship Queen of Denmark, George Parish, from Rotterdam and Cowes; a ‘Johannes Blanck’ is on the same list
  • 2026-11-01: Lancaster deed index: 31 Oct 1798, D03 pp. 457/459, Salisbury Twp.: the heirs (Umble, Hooley, Hochstetter couples to John Blank, Christian Zug, Jacob Yoder): the estate settlement after Magdalena’s death

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Peter Kaufmann (d. 1803)

? – 1803

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 194 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Father of Barbara Kaufmann, of the St. André farm at Florimont (Staker).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Staker parts 4-5 searched: no more on Peter Kaufmann of St. André, Florimont; parents not found

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Mary Conrad (1825–1912)

Mary Conrad Smiley

16 Jan 1825 – 31 Mar 1912, born at Smithville

Christopher’s 3rd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 51 · generation 6
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Born near Smithville; one of 12 children. ‘8 daughters (2 of whom died in their infancy)’. After John’s death lived with her daughter’s family, John H. Spiker’s. Wayne County death certificate #18789 (cited on the memorial, not yet examined).

Daughters linked on Find a Grave: Lydia Smiley Yoder (1846–1922), Mary Ann Smiley Yoder (1850–1916), Elizabeth Smiley Ramseyer (1853–1928). Probably the source of the family middle name Conrad.

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n53559232["Catherine M. Zook (1801–1875)"]
  n21642344["John Zook (fl. 1820)"]
  n1612363["Barbara Elisabeth Schmucker (1770–1825)"]
  n53370897["Mary Conrad (1825–1912)"]
  n86033669["Daniel Jacob Conrad (1798–1882)"]
  n91133157["Jacob Conrad Sr. (1757–1829)"]
  n53370897 --> n86033669
  n86033669 --> n91133157
  n86033669 --> n1612363
  n53370897 --> n53559232
  n53559232 --> n21642344
  class n53559232,n21642344,n1612363,n53370897,n86033669,n91133157 internal-link;

Research tasks

  • Examine Wayne County death certificate #18789 task/human

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Rebecca Smiley (1856–1932)

Rebecca Smiley Ramseyer

23 Nov 1856 – 22 Feb 1932, born at Goshen (Indiana)

Christopher’s 2nd great-grandmother · ancestor no. 25 · generation 5
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents strong inference

Family

Life and evidence

Born near Goshen, Indiana; her parents moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1866. “One of a family of eight daughters, six of whom established homes in this community.” Sisters living in 1932: Mrs. John Spiker and Mrs. Samuel Smucker.

Her parents: John Smiley and Mary Conrad (strong inference)

Her obituary doesn’t name them, but every distinctive detail matches John and Mary Smiley’s obituaries:

DetailRebecca (1932)John and Mary Smiley
Familyone of eight daughtersMary: “8 daughters (2 of whom died in their infancy)“
Indianaborn near Goshenlived near Goshen from 1847
To Ohioparents moved 1866moved near Smithville fall 1866
Spikersister Mrs. John Spikerwidow Mary lived with “her daughter and family, John H. Spiker’s”
ChurchOak GroveJohn a leading Oak Grove minister 1866–78

Staker (Part 5, p. 141), Find a Grave and the 1986 family tree also name them.

Her sister Elizabeth Smiley married Daniel’s brother Joseph Ramseyer (1873) — two Smiley sisters married two Ramseyer brothers.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n53559232["Catherine M. Zook (1801–1875)"]
  n21642344["John Zook (fl. 1820)"]
  n1612363["Barbara Elisabeth Schmucker (1770–1825)"]
  n53370897["Mary Conrad (1825–1912)"]
  n33449834["Rebecca Smiley (1856–1932)"]
  n86033669["Daniel Jacob Conrad (1798–1882)"]
  n91133157["Jacob Conrad Sr. (1757–1829)"]
  n63931845["Nathan Smiley (1797–1872)"]
  n57993883["John Smiley (1822–1879)"]
  n32215555["Anna Stutzman (fl. 1822)"]
  n33449834 --> n57993883
  n57993883 --> n63931845
  n57993883 --> n32215555
  n33449834 --> n53370897
  n53370897 --> n86033669
  n86033669 --> n91133157
  n86033669 --> n1612363
  n53370897 --> n53559232
  n53559232 --> n21642344
  class n53559232,n21642344,n1612363,n53370897,n33449834,n86033669,n91133157,n63931845,n57993883,n32215555 internal-link;

Research tasks

  • Find Rebecca’s 1932 Ohio death certificate or 1877 marriage record naming her parents task/human
  • Check the 1860 Elkhart County census for a John Smiley household with Rebecca about 3 task/ai

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: History of Wayne County (1910) p. 988: ‘In 1875 Daniel Ramseyer married Rebecca Smiley, a native of the state of Indiana’; her parents not named

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Daniel Ramseyer (1856–1942)

30 Jul 1856 – 6 May 1942, born at Paris Township (Stark County)

Christopher’s 2nd great-grandfather · ancestor no. 24 · generation 5
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents documented

Family

Life and evidence

Born near Paris, Stark County, Ohio, son of Peter and Barbara; married Rebecca Smiley on 11 Oct 1877. Received $1,000 from his father at 22; bought a 124-acre Wayne County farm in 1878 and built a large barn in 1890; by 1910 owned 322 acres in Greene Township and had given 118 acres to his son A. C. A Democrat who voted for McKinley (1910 county history).

In 1942 his only surviving sibling was Mrs. Mary Sloneger of Madisonburg, “the last remaining member of the Peter Ramseyer family of 11 children.”

Children (Rebecca’s obituary, the county history and Daniel’s obituary agree): Alvin C. (1880), Amanda (1883), Melvin (1886, died about age six), Chauncey (1888, died about 1928/29), Mary (1892, Mrs. Alvin J. Schrock), Ward (1894).

Business

Fed and sold purebred Norman horses, with eastern buyers coming to the farm; built a 90 × 45 ft barn for 32 horses (1890); 322 acres worth about $40,000 by 1910; sold 118 acres to son A. C. (1910 county history). See The Ramseyer farm fortune.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n49867489["Peter Ramseyer (1822–1880)"]
  n37384099["Daniel Ramseyer (1856–1942)"]
  n31667365["Johannes Ramseyer (1780–1853)"]
  n40487033["Barbara Reich (1826–1894)"]
  n347016["Jacob Reich (c.1795–1873)"]
  n40516889["Louise Eckinger (c.1797–1873)"]
  n43742666["Isaac Ramseyer (c.1747–after 1817)"]
  n2234993["Peter Kaufmann (d. 1803)"]
  n17242263["Barbara Kaufmann (1779–1844)"]
  n11511160["Barbara Klopfenstein (fl. 1779)"]
  n26652546["Anna Augsbourg (fl. 1780)"]
  n37384099 --> n49867489
  n49867489 --> n31667365
  n31667365 --> n43742666
  n31667365 --> n26652546
  n49867489 --> n17242263
  n17242263 --> n2234993
  n17242263 --> n11511160
  n37384099 --> n40487033
  n40487033 --> n347016
  n40487033 --> n40516889
  class n49867489,n37384099,n31667365,n40487033,n347016,n40516889,n43742666,n2234993,n17242263,n11511160,n26652546 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • 1910 county history: born 1853, married 1875 — obituaries: born 1856, married 11 Oct 1877 (prefer obituaries)
  • Earlier AI research: died 1941, born in Illinois, mother Verena Zug — all wrong (obituary)

Sources

Biography, History of Wayne County, Ohio (1910), vol. 2, pp. 985–988

Born in Stark County 30 July 1853 (sic; other sources 1856), son of Peter and Barbara (Reich) Ramseyer. Married Rebecca Smiley (native of Indiana) in 1875, aged 22; his father gave him $1,000. Moved to Greene Township, Wayne County, in 1878: 124 acres, later 322; known far and wide for feeding and selling Norman horses to eastern markets; built a 90 × 45 ft barn in 1890. Children Alvin C. (1880), Amanda (1883), Melvin (1886), Chauncey (1888), Mary (1892), Ward (1894). Amish Mennonite; a Democrat who voted for McKinley. Full transcription and page images: History of Wayne County, Ohio (1910).

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth year: 1856 (vault) vs 30 Jul 1853 (History of Wayne County 1910, p. 985)
  • 1910 county history: born 1853, married 1875 — obituaries: born 1856, married 11 Oct 1877 (prefer obituaries)
  • Earlier AI research: died 1941, born in Illinois, mother Verena Zug — all wrong (obituary)

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: History of Wayne County (1910) vol. 2 pp. 985–988: full biography (born 30 Jul 1853 per sketch; son of Peter and Barbara (Reich); m. Rebecca Smiley 1875; Wayne Co. 1878; Norman horses; six children)

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Johannes Ramseyer (1780–1853)

Johannes (John) Ramseyer

3 Apr 1780 – 4 Jul 1853, died at Paris Township (Stark County)

Christopher’s 4th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 96 · generation 7
Evidence: identity documented · link to parents strong inference

Family

Life and evidence

A Swiss Anabaptist farmer. Married Barbara Kaufmann 30 May 1800 at Mancenans-Lizerne, Doubs (civil index “Jean Ramsheyer and Barbe Kaufman”). The family farmed “behind the château” of l’Hermitage at Mancenans-Lizerne, tending its orchards; earlier children were born at Les Brenets and Le Locle (Neuchâtel). “A farmer and an Anabaptist, [he] did not want his children to participate in the French wars and since he was not a French citizen, could not buy land” (1986 history).

Emigration: the Richmond from Le Havre, New York 5 July 1835 — “John Ramesay, 56, France,” laborer, bound for Ohio, with Barbara 55, Marie 23, Joseph 20, Ellen [Elizabeth] 18, Nicolas 15, Pierre 12; married daughter Catherine with husband Jacob Schwartz. Came with borrowed passage money (Peter helped repay). Bought 60 acres in Section 33, Paris Township, 13 Aug 1835. 1840 census “John Ramesayer”; 1850 widower, 70.

Son of Isaac (strong inference, Staker)

His daughter Babeli died at Mancenans-Lizerne in 1804, witnessed by her father “Jean Ramezin, 24” and her uncle “Christ Ramezin, 21”. Christ’s 1809 marriage names his parents as Isaque Ramesin and Anne Hausbourg; four other entries (1809–17) name Isaac and Anna Augsbourg as parents of Johannes’s siblings.

Ancestral home: “Eckenweil, Canton Berne” (1907) and “Eggiwil” (1986) — two family sources for Eggiwil.

Children who stayed in Europe in 1835: Johannes Jr. (d. 1839, Moos, Alsace), Anna, Barbara (widow Rich, later Ohio and Iowa), Marguerite (d. 1839, Switzerland). (Corrected 2026-10-31: these are his children, not his siblings.) Daughter Anna Ramseyer Schwartz (1804–1872) died at Berne, Indiana — first known tie between the two halves of the tree (a coincidence of place).

From the 2002 Family Record (family compilation)

Source: Family Record of Johannes and Barbara (Kaufman) Ramseyer 1780-2002, pp. X–XI; documents on pp. XVII–XXI (Ramseyer Family Record 2002 - documents and maps (pp. XVII-XXI)).

  • Born 3 April 1780 at Mancenans, France, to “Issak and Anna Augsburger”; married Barbara Kaufmann there 30 May 1800. (The register numbers him no. 1.)
  • Lived first at Moos (“probably held by France”), then Mancenans (by 1804), then the Maîche area, moving “where he could find work farming”. Families in the area changed farms on 11 March.
  • The ten children:
No.ChildBornPlaceMarriedEmigrated?
2Johannes Jr.28 May 1801MoosMaria Anna Klopfensteinstayed (Mancenans)
3Anna1 May 1804MancenansJohannes Schwartz1853, Adams/Allen Co., Ind.
4Barbara (Babeli)6 Feb 1806MancenansJoseph Rich (d. 1853)1856; Orrville, then Wayland, Iowa
5Marguerite3 Mar 1808MaîcheJohannes Ramseyer (b. 1800), her second cousinstayed; died after her 6th child
6Catherine19 Feb 1810MaîcheJacob Schwartz1835 Richmond; d. 1853 Stark Co.
7Marie (Mary)10 Apr 1812MaîcheAndrew Becker, 15 Dec 18351835; d. 1846
8Joseph12 Jun 1814Maîche(1) Barbara Klopfenstein (2) Marie Sommer1835; minister; moved to Ontario, buried Baden
9Elizabeth13 Jul 1817Maîche(1) Michael Zehr, 1844 (2) Joseph Schwartz1835; d. 1860, Allen Co., Ind.
10Nicholas28 Mar 1821MaîcheBarbara Sommer1835; Fairbury, Ill.; Apostolic church; d. Harper, Kansas
11Peter Ramseyer (1822–1880)5 Nov 1822MaîcheBarbara Reich1835
  • Why they left: France’s 1830 military draft. In 1834 they sent Joseph (20) to scout America; the trip took a year, and “his sisters made him sixty white shirts”. He liked the Canton, Ohio area.
  • Route, 1835: six weeks by sail to New York; Hudson River to Albany; Erie Canal to Buffalo; Lake Erie to Cleveland; Ohio & Erie Canal to Canal Fulton or Bolivar; wagon to Minerva.
  • Land: 13 Aug 1835, **60 acres for 200 note due 8 Aug 1836. The farm was on Paris Avenue about two miles west of Minerva.
  • Death and burial: Barbara died 1844 (date unknown); Johannes 4 July 1853. “It is believed” both are in the Old Beech Cemetery, but no record or stone has been found.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n52315492["Christina Gosteli"]
  n31667365["Johannes Ramseyer (1780–1853)"]
  n97585052["Edith Balsiger"]
  n43742666["Isaac Ramseyer (c.1747–after 1817)"]
  n24533069["Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1672)"]
  n88254489["Christian Ramseyer (bapt. 1700)"]
  n26652546["Anna Augsbourg (fl. 1780)"]
  n31667365 --> n43742666
  n43742666 --> n88254489
  n88254489 --> n24533069
  n88254489 --> n52315492
  n43742666 --> n97585052
  n31667365 --> n26652546
  class n52315492,n31667365,n97585052,n43742666,n24533069,n88254489,n26652546 internal-link;

Conflicts

  • Birth: 1780 (Staker, French records) vs ‘Eckenweil, Canton Berne, 1776’ (1907 booklet)

Sources

From his grandson Daniel's biography, History of Wayne County, Ohio (1910), p. 986

“John Ramseyer was a poor man when he came to the United States, having to borrow part of the passage money. His son [Peter] afterwards helped to repay this debt. He landed in this country in 1834 [the Richmond is dated 1835 elsewhere] and came at once to Stark county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. He never succeeded in accumulating much material property and died a comparatively poor man.” See History of Wayne County, Ohio (1910).

Narratives and research

Open questions

  • Birth: 1780 (Staker, French records) vs ‘Eckenweil, Canton Berne, 1776’ (1907 booklet)
  • Birthplace: Mancenans, France (2002 Family Record) vs Eckenweil/Eggiwil (1907 booklet); Staker places the family in Neuchâtel (Le Locle) around 1780

Research log

  • 2026-11-01: History of Wayne County (1910) p. 986 (grandson Daniel’s sketch): ‘John Ramseyer’ of Switzerland came to the US poor, borrowing part of the passage money (repaid later by son Peter); landed 1834, went at once to Stark County; died a comparatively poor man

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Gosteli (fl. 1665)

Life and evidence

Children of Jacob Gosteli × Anni Zoss, Bolligen baptisms (K Bolligen 3, read 1659–1676 on 2026-10-31 and 2026-11-01)

BaptizedChildImage
c. 20–27 Oct 1660Johannes (godparents Dürs Schnal, Hans Wali the innkeeper, Frau Johanna Häberi?)133, p. 263
8 Dec 1661Bendicht (godparents Daniel Wagner, church warden; Bendicht Stämpfli of Habstetten; Anna [Teras?], Claus Krieg’s wife)135, p. 267
15 [Feb] 1663Marthi (Martin) (godparents Andreas Baltzli; Peter Schaller; Cathrina Stämpfli, Bendicht Zoss’s wife)138, p. 243
4 Aug 1665Christina (our ancestor)144
21 Feb 1668Niclaus (godparents Niclaus Cuntz, Niclaus Krieg, Rosina Kauffmann, the pastor’s wife)150
25 Feb 1670Barbara (godparents Marti Wäli, Barbara Blanck, Barbara Baldiswyl)154
17 Jan 1673Anna (godparents Bast Stämpfli, Anni Zoss, Madle Krieg?)158
[!documented] What the earlier baptisms add (K Bolligen 3, read 2026-11-01)
  • Three older brothers of Christina: Johannes (Oct 1660), Bendicht (Dec 1661) and Martin (Feb 1663). Johannes is the first child found, so the couple probably married about 1659–60 (none found Aug 1659 – Apr 1660).
  • Home: Ostermundigen (Anna is “Jacob Kostelis frauw zu Ostermundigen” as a godmother, Sept 1663), in Bolligen parish just east of Bern.
  • Bendicht Zoss and Catharina Stämpfli were baptizing at Bolligen at the same time (daughter Barbara, Oct 1660; son Niclaus, Oct 1661), and Catharina was godmother to Martin in 1663: Bendicht was very probably Anna’s brother (or another close relative). Anna in turn was godmother in 1663, 1664 and 1665.
  • Many other Gosteli (Kosteli) households in the parish then: Niclaus at Ostermundigen (× Margreth Schütz), Hans “im Thal” (× Christina Kosteli), Bendicht at Flugbrunnen (× Susanna Krieg), Bendicht “der Baur” at Steinstein?, Marthi “der Amman” and others.

Jacob also stands as godfather in Dec 1668 and Jul 1669. Caution: a different Jacob Gosteli, married to Christina Krieg, baptized children at Bolligen in Sep 1669, Jan 1672 and Aug 1673: only entries naming Anni Zoss are counted here. Not yet read: 1655–64 (an older sibling and the couple’s marriage) and after 1676.

Named as father of Christina Gosteli at her baptism, Bolligen, 4 Aug 1665 (K Bolligen 3, image 144).

Search of the Bolligen baptisms, 1636–1647 (2026-10-31)

K Bolligen 3, images 65–99, read page by page. No baptism of Jacob Gosteli or Anni Zoss was found. Gosteli families were baptizing at Bolligen then (Benedict Gosteli at Flugbrunnen, Martin Gosteli at Ostermundigen, Hans Gosteli, Benedict Gosteli “vom Baraustein”); any of them could be Jacob’s family, but nothing ties him to one. Zoss never appears in these years, which suggests Anni was born in another parish (Zoss is a Worb/Vechigen-area name) and married into Bolligen. The handwriting is hard and the scans poor, so a missed entry is possible.

Research tasks

  • Children 1665–76 found (see above)
  • Children before 1665 found (2026-11-01): Johannes 1660, Bendicht 1661, Martin 1663
  • Their marriage c.1659–60: Bolligen 22 (now downloaded) has a faded 1659–60 page (image 40) that needs a better reading (human eye or enhanced scan); otherwise try Anna’s home parish (Worb, Vechigen, Stettlen) task/ai
  • Bolligen baptisms 1615–1636 (img 1–64) for Jacob Gosteli, if he was older task/ai

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: (earlier session) Bolligen baptisms 1665-1676 read: children with Anni Zoss; his own baptism and parents to search (Bolligen 1630s-40s)
  • 2026-10-31: K Bolligen 3 (Taufrodel 1615-1683) images 65-99 read (Aug 1636 - Dec 1647), page by page: no baptism of a Jacob Gosteli or an Anna/Anni Zoss seen. Gosteli/Kosteli fathers present: Benedict Gosteli zu Flugbrunnen, Martin Gosteli zu Ostermundigen, Hans Gosteli, Benedict Gosteli ‘vom Baraustein’. The surname Zoss does not appear at all in these years. Old German script on poor scans: a missed entry is possible. Not yet read: 1615-1636 (img 1-64) and 1648-1664 (img 100-143)
  • 2026-11-01: K Bolligen 3 images 130–143 (Aug 1659 – Apr 1665) read: children Johannes (Oct 1660), Bendicht (8 Dec 1661), Martin (15 Feb 1663); home Ostermundigen; Bendicht Zoss × Catharina Stämpfli baptizing 1660–61 (probably Anna’s brother). No child Aug 1659 – Apr 1660, so marriage c.1659–60
  • 2026-11-01: K Bolligen 22 (Eherodel 1605–1761) downloaded (Staatsarchiv Bern ID 221000, D94433.pdf) and read for 1659–1663 (images 40–43): no Jacob Gosteli × Anna Zoss marriage found in Oct 1660 – 1663. The 1659 – early 1660 page (image 40, left) is badly faded and could not be read with confidence; the marriage may be there, or they married in Anna’s home parish

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Barbara Elisabeth Schmucker (1770–1825)

1770 – 1825

Christopher’s 5th great-grandmother · ancestor no. 205 · generation 8
Evidence: identity compiled lead

Family

Life and evidence

Wife of Rev. Jacob Conrad Sr., married 1785 (Find a Grave).

In their lifetime

Sources

Narratives and research

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Staker parts 4-5 searched: Schmuckers there are Pennsylvania/Mifflin families, not hers; parents not found
  • 2026-10-31: Graber, The Joseph Conrad Family: ‘Barbara Schmucker 1770 - April 5, 1825’, eight children; parents not given

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Jacob Plank (1768–1851)

1768 – 1851

Christopher’s 5th great-grandfather · ancestor no. 216 · generation 8
Evidence: identity family compilation · link to parents family compilation

Family

Life and evidence

(1900 reunion paper; family Bible of his son Christian)

Died 10 Jan 1851, aged 83 years 2 months, so born about Nov 1767. A cabinet-maker who also settled estates; about 1820 moved with his younger children to Wayne Co., Ohio (Green Twp.). With his son John he ran a gristmill, sawmill and cabinet shop on Apple Creek; they made furniture and coffins, and the family invented the “Plank mill”, a fanning mill for cleaning grain, sold widely.
Jacob and his brothers Christian and John married three Yoder sisters.
Twelve children (Bible dates): John 1792, Christian 1793, Jacob 1795, Barbara 1797, David 1799, Mary 1801, Jeptha 1803, Fanny 29 Jan 1805 (m. Peter Schrock), Abraham and Sarah (twins) 1807, Salome 1809, Rebecca 1811.

Born in Berks County 1768; with wife Mary Yoder and 12 children came from Mifflin County to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1821, settling in the Little Apple Creek Valley east and northeast of Wooster (‘Glory Hole’). Buried in the Amish Plank Cemetery.

Where they lived

In their lifetime

Pedigree

%%{init: {"flowchart": {"useMaxWidth": true}}}%%
flowchart RL
  n25625077["Margaret Plank (m. 1767)"]
  n51209839["Jacob Plank (1768–1851)"]
  n448651["John Melchior Plank (m. 1767)"]
  n51209839 --> n448651
  n51209839 --> n25625077
  class n25625077,n51209839,n448651 internal-link;

Sources

Narratives and research

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

John Yoder (husband of Magdalena Mast)

Life and evidence

( Mast Family History, 1911, footnote to fam. 943)

“Elizabeth Yoder was the daughter of John Yoder and Barbara Reichenbach, who was the son of John Yoder and Magdalena Mast, who was the son of Barbara Yoder, whose husband died at sea coming to America.”
One of the eight sons of the widow Barbara Yoder, who came to Pennsylvania from Switzerland after her husband died at sea on the voyage and was buried in the sea. She brought eight sons and a daughter (who married Christopher Beiler); seven sons married, and “those families have many descendants in Pa., and in the western states” (fam. 1261 note).

Children in this vault

Sources

Research log

  • 2026-10-31: Hertzler 1885 (Brief Biographic Memorial of Jacob Hertzler) (Fam. 513 and 383 notes): son of the widow Barbara Yoder; m. Magdalene Mast; son John m. Barbara Reichenbach. Same chain as Mast 1911, which copies it; his father’s name not given

Record compiled 31 October 2026.

About this research

Supporting documentation is linked throughout. This project is an exercise in AI-assisted research and development, and I haven’t manually verified every link or conclusion. All transcriptions and translations of Swiss parish records were made with AI, and their accuracy should be treated accordingly.

Ramseyer side

Ancestors of the grandparent at left, parents to the right.

Colors: green = documented · cyan = strong inference · yellow = family compilation · orange = compiled lead · red = unresolved · grey = not set