Link: https://archive.org/details/diary04oldo (The Diary, Gordonville, Pa., vol. 4, 1972; series “To Recall a Few Memories of the Past … The Rickenbach Family”, several monthly parts)
What it is and what it says
A family history by Amos L. Fisher, an Amish writer, based on wills, estate papers and the Hertzler and Mast books. Points used:
- Two immigrant lines: John Rickenbach and wife Veronica (ship Pink Mary, 29 Sep 1733), and Henry Rickenbach (ship Friendship, 23 Sep 1740), whose will was probated in Lancaster County (Leacock Twp.) in March 1741, naming six children born in Europe: Elizabeth, Adam, Hans, Jacob, Margred, Henry.
- Henry’s son Jacob died without heirs in Manor Twp., Lancaster Co., in 1805; his will left a share to “the children of his brother John Rickenbach deceased”.
- That John Rickenbach married Ann, lived near Rickenbach Station (Bern Twp., Berks), then Caernarvon Twp., Berks, and died between 1789 and 1792. Children: Jacob (m. Barbara Hertzler), Anna (1760–1836, m. John Hertzler), Barbara (m. John Yoder, “Preacher Yotter Hannes”, b. about 1754, son of John Yoder and Magdalena Mast), Magdalena (m. Yost Yoder), Maria (b. 1761, m. John Lapp), Margert (m. Jacob Lapp), Cathrine (m. Michael Lapp Jr.) and John.
- Barbara and Yotter Hannes: in Bedford (now Somerset) Co. by 1793; then Mifflin Co.; then Half Moon Valley, Centre Co.; he died in Wayne Co., Ohio. Children: Yost (1775), Jacob (1779), Magdalena (1782), Christian (1784), Anna (1786), Barbara (1789), Daniel (1792), John, Elizabeth (1799–1890, m. Christian Hostetler).
- Henry’s daughter Elizabeth (Betty) Rickenbach (1723–1796) married Johannes Kurtz, a Northkill minister or deacon.
Cited on
- Barbara Reichenbach
- John Rickenbach (d. c.1790)
- Ann (wife of John Rickenbach)
- Henry Rickenbach (arr. 1740)
- Magdalena Mast (wife of John Yoder)
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.