My Genealogy

I am researching the following surnames:

Freehafer, Frehafer
Frickhöffer, Frickhöfer, Frickhoeffer, Frickhoefer
Foreman, Forman, Fuhrman, Fuhrmann
Koch
Geier, Gier, Geyer, Gyer, Guyer, Geiger, etc.
Styer, Steuer, Steurer
Arthur, Arthurs, Arter, Arters, M'Arthur, McArthur
Hummel, Humel, Hummell, Humell
Gulban, Gulyban
Obagy, Obaggy, Obbagy, Jobaggy, Jobagy, Jobbagy, Obady, Obaty
Whitehill
Moyer, Meyer, Myer, Majer, Meier, Maher, Moyers, Meyers, Myers, etc.
Petri, Petrie, Petree, Petre, Petry, Petery
and many more...

On my paternal side, I descend through Johann Christian Frickhöffer, who came to America in 1772. He traveled from Mensfelden, Hessen-Nassau, Prussia to Rotterdam where he boarded the ship Hope. The ship traveled to America by way of Cowes England. After landing at the Port of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was bound out to service for 6 1/2 years. Soon after his term of indenture ended, he married Mary Whitehill. He had at least eight children. Some of his descendants stayed in Pennsylvania, but others went west to Ohio, Indiana, and elsewhere.

In my line, the surname Frickhöffer went through many variations before it evolved into Freehafer or Frehafer. Frickhöffer lines that came to America in the mid-1800s spell their surname Frickhoeffer or Frickhoefer.

I have a list of Frickhöffer people whose connection to my line is unknown. If you have any information about these people, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Another name I'm researching on my paternal side is John Arthur. He was born in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland and baptized at Cappagh Parish. He came to America on the ship Fame, under Captain William Pollock. He arrived at the port of Philadelphia 31 August 1811.

And yet another paternal ancestor is Johann Adam Styer (Steuer). He was born in Vinningen, Germany. He emigrated to America on the Ship Minerva. He arrived at the Port of Philadelphia 13 October 1769. He may have been indentured for a few years and he may have lived in Lebanon Township, Lancaster County, PA. But later he moved to Caernarvon, PA.

I have not yet identified the places of origin for my Moyer, Petrie, Koch or Geier lines.

On my maternal side, I descend through Franciscus (Frank) Gulyban. He was born in Rakacza (or Rakaca) in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He emigrated from Bremen, Germany on the vessel Hanover, arriving at the port of New York on or about 12 March 1901. He married Maria Obbagy in 1913 in New Jersey. She was also born in Rakacza.

© 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001 Nancy J. Freehafer

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