Resources

By Frederick Jonas Zehr of Colorado Springs, Colorado

As I started my own family genealogical research, I became aware of the wonderful work of the AMHA. After assisting on some AMHA research projects, Rosanna Moser, curator, suggested that we document the arrival of all 20 families who initially settled in Lewis County. The result yielded names not previously known. When possible, footnotes provide “educated guesses.” In other cases, it is still unknown whether they died on the voyage, died shortly after arrival or were relatives not part of the nuclear families. Hopefully, other readers and researchers will add information. Please feel free to email inquiries to info@mennoniteheritagefarm.com.

This information attempts to add to earlier works chronicling the arrival of the 20 families commemorated in the Zwanzigstein Garten at the Adirondack Mennonite Heritage Farm. The research of Arlene and Ellen Yousey, Ed Widrick, Arletha Zehr Bender Yoder, and Julia Virkler Karcher provided valuable clues and information.

Please take note of the "Family Search Image #_____" preceding the respective passenger link. To find a name(s) quickly, key the Image # at the top left of the link page.

In order to view the manifests (passenger lists and translates), you will need to register (free) with Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org).

NOTE:  Fred is the son of Mildred (Farney) Zehr and the late Frederick Jonas Zehr of  Lowville; also the fifth generation of pioneer John and Catherine Steiner Moser.

* * *

Beller (spelled Biller on manifest and translate) – “Bolivar” – August 3, 1838 (Family Search Image #247)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-51SN-NZ?i=245&wc=MX62-JZS%3A165728101&cc=1849782

Jean (53), Farmer, France; Anne (52), Anne (18), Pierre (12), Barbara (10)

Farney (spelled Farni on manifest) – “Groton” – June 4, 1834 (Family Search Image #230)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5T7Y-C?i=228&wc=MX62-LM3%3A165725801&cc=1849782

Joseph (38), France; Catherine (37), Joseph (17), Marie (16), John (14), Pierre (12), 

Magdaline (9), Christian (7)

Farney (spelled Farni on manifest) – “Bolivar” – August 3, 1838 (Family Search Image #246) 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-51SN-NZ?i=245&wc=MX62-JZS%3A165728101&cc=1849782

Pierre (58), Farmer, France; Marie (36), Jean (9), Anne (8), Pierre (6), Marie (3), Joseph (3 mos.)

Gasser (Listed as Farni, i.e., her maiden name) – “Bolivar” – August 3, 1838 (Family Search Image #247)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-51SN-NZ?i=245&wc=MX62-JZS%3A165728101&cc=1849782

Barbara (60), Spinster, France; Marie (22), Jean (18), Barbara (15), Pierre (13)

Garber (spelled Greuber on manifest) – “Groton” – June 4, 1834 (Family Search Image #230)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5T7Y-C?i=228&wc=MX62-LM3%3A165725801&cc=1849782

John (24), Farmer, France; Magdaline (62)

Garber (spelled Garbara on manifest) – “Charles Carroll” – April 6, 1839 (Family Search 

Image # 518)* 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-PQ9Z-ZZ?i=516&wc=MX62-VM9%3A165727701&cc=1849782

John (22), Farmer, France; Maria Farne (47), Barbara (19)

*Strangers and Pilgrims Arlene Yousey – see page 278

Hirschey (Hirschy) – “Groton” – June 4, 1834 (Family Search Image #230) 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5T7Y-C?i=228&wc=MX62-LM3%3A165725801&cc=1849782

Christoph (19)

Hirschey (Hirschy) – “Groton” – June 4, 1834 (Family Search Image #230)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5T7Y-C?i=228&wc=MX62-LM3%3A165725801&cc=1849782

Simon (44), Farmer; Marguerite (42), Elisa (10), Magdaline (8), Catherine (6), John (1)

Jantzi (Tantse) – “Groton” – June 4, 1834 (Family Search Image #230) 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5T7Y-C?i=228&wc=MX62-LM3%3A165725801&cc=1849782

Anna (22)

Jantzi (Tansey) – “Groton” – June 4, 1834 (Family Search Image #230)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5T7Y-C?i=228&wc=MX62-LM3%3A165725801&cc=1849782

John (28), Farmer, France; Elisa (28), Magdaline (1)

Jantzi (Tansey) – “Groton” – June 4, 1834 (Family Search Image #230)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5T7Y-C?i=228&wc=MX62-LM3%3A165725801&cc=1849782

Catherine (50); John, 19 (Moser), Joseph, 17 (Moser), Catherine (16), Christian (14), Pierre (12), Nicholas (10), Ferena (6)

Kennel (spelled Kenel on manifest) – “Statera” – June 19, 1833 (Family Search Image #691)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-PQGH-V?i=688&wc=MX62-JZ9%3A165725301&cc=1849782

Christopher (33), Farmer, France; Madaline (32), Barbe (9), Catharine (7), Christoph (5), Madaline (4), Suzanne (3), Jean (1), Nicholas, (24)*

*I found no Nicholas Kennel in either Ed Widrick's Rootsweb genealogy nor in any U.S. or Canadian censuses. However, I did find Michael Jantzi (same age) in Ed's work and Canadian censuses. Since three Jantzi sisters (Anna, Marie and Magdalena) and their families plus Joseph Jantzi (Nafziger on the manifest) were on the "Statera,” I guess that there was a clerical error on the manifest and that Nicholas Kennel was actually Michael Jantzi. Also, per Ed Widrick, Michael Jantzi married Marie Boshart in 1834 in Canada.

Lehman (spelled Sehmann)  – “Hahneman” – April 13, 1852 (Family Search Image #317)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-RMS6-PF?i=315&wc=MX62-66D%3A165762301&cc=1849782

Peter (30), Farmer, France (passenger #46)

NOTE:  Although Peter's age differs from other accounts, arrival date agrees with naturalization papers.

Lehman (spelled Summer/Schurar) – “Union” – July 3, 1854 (Family Search Image #88)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-559V-2B?i=85&wc=MX62-FWL%3A165779401&cc=1849782

Marie (50), Farmer, France (passenger #118); Christian (30); Simon (17)

Lyndaker (spelled Lenteger on manifest) – “Chesapeake” – September 15, 1848  (Family Search Passenger #204, Image #509/510)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-RQ9S-QY?i=504&wc=MX62-DZ3%3A165750301&cc=1849782

Barbara, (3)3, Farmer, France, Barbara (10), Joseph (6), Catherina (3)

Passenger #108, image #507 may be Francois Lyndaker (spelled Damont, 26, on manifest)

Martin – “St. Nicholas” – January 4, 1847 (Family Search Image #358)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5L9V-W2?i=357&wc=MX62-8WL%3A165746701&cc=1849782

J(oseph), 70, Farmer, Germany; Barbe, (6)7 *died en voyage, Joseph (4)3, Barbe (6), Andrew (6), 

Cath (5),  P Martin (2) *died en voyage  

*Strangers and Pilgrims – p. 293

Martin – “Charles Thompson” – April 10, 1854 (Family Search Image #195)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-R99L-9S?i=190&wc=MX62-XM3%3A165778301&cc=1849782

Andri (50), Farmer, Germany; Barbara (44), Maria (17), Jean (13), Christoph (11)

NOTE:  Listed after the Martin family is the Jean Schertz family of six people. Barbara Martin's maiden name was Schertz. Strangers and Pilgrims by Arlene Yousey states that the Schertz family settled in Illinois.

Moser – “Charles Carroll” – April 6, 1839 (Family Search Image #518)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-PQ9Z-ZZ?i=516&wc=MX62-VM9%3A165727701&cc=1849782

Christine (58), Farmer, France; Barbara (60)*; Joseph Forman (18)**, Catherine (50), 

Catherine (29), Barbara (27), Madaline (14) and Nicholas (10)***

*Could be sister of Marie Farney (Christoph Moser's first wife)

**Unknown-nephew?

***Possibly children with second wife, Catherine. Believe Madeline married Nicholas Rieffennacht.

Mossiman – “John Hancock – May 29, 1849 (Family Search Image #804)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-55H2-T?i=803&wc=MX62-DTL%3A165752201&cc=1849782

Barbara (56), France; Magdelena (24), Catharina (17), wife of Rogui, Jaques or Jacob

NOTE:  Sources indicate that Magdelena had a daughter named Elizabeth, born 1847 in France. This Elizabeth appears in the Peter Yancey household in various censuses and is listed stepchild. Elizabeth does not appear on this manifest.

Sources also indicate that Jacob Roggie's mother, Veronica "Fanny" Thomas, came to America with this group. It seems she may have traveled on the "Marathon” that arrived on July 26, 1850 (passenger # 290). She does appear in the Jacob Roggie household in 1850, 1855, 1860, and 1865.

Nafziger (spelled Nesfine on manifest) – “Statera” – June 19, 1833 (Family Search Image #690)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-PQGH-V?i=688&wc=MX62-JZ9%3A165725301&cc=1849782

Christoph (41), Miller, France; Marie (40), Madaline (16), Catharine (14), Marie (10), 

Susanne (8), Jean (5), Babelt (12)*, Frederic (2)**, Babette (46)*, Solote (26)*, Joseph (21)*,

Madaline (22)*

*They do not appear in other sources. Relatives/in-laws? Joseph Jantzi born 1812; died 1847, Ontario.

**Ed Widrick has “Frederic” died in France. Strangers and Pilgrims by Arlene Yousey does not list him.

Rieffannacht (Riebenacht) – “Burgundy” – January 12, 1841 (Family Search Image #640)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5P3M-7Z?i=639&wc=MX62-KP8%3A165729701&cc=1849782

Nichs (Nicholas), 17, Shoemaker, France

NOTE:  His citizenship intention (filed Sept. 17, 1844) and petition/oath (filed Oct. 16, 1848) state that he arrived in New York in Jan., 1841.  Note that Jean and Joseph Gingrich are listed with Nicholas.

Rieffannacht (spelled Rubenach on manifest) – “Waverly” – May 22, 1843 (Family Search 

Image #983)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5FFN-B?i=981&wc=MX62-VZ9%3A165729201&cc=1849782

Hans (49), France; Peter (16), Jean (14)*, Suzanne (12), Magdalina (10), Anna (8)
*Other accounts state remained in Germany.

Additional Rieffennacht Family Research - 2021

Roggie (spelled Rogui on manifest) – “John Hancock” – May 29, 1849 (Family Search Image #804)

Jaques (25), Farmer, France

NOTE:  Sources also indicate that Jacob Roggie's mother, Veronica "Fanny" Thomas, came to America with this group. It seems she may have traveled on the "Marathon,” arriving on July 26, 1850 (passenger #290).  

Schantz (spelled Schony on manifest) – “Baltimore” – January 25, 1848 (Family Search Roll #070, Image #851)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5TSG-6H?i=849&wc=MX62-DMS%3A165748701&cc=1849782

Joseph (33), Farmer, France; Valentine (31)

NOTES:  The naturalization letter of intent for Joseph Schantz stated he arrived Jan. 7, 1847. The naturalization papers for Philander Schantz used both Philander and Valentine and his signature looked like Valentine. Philander's obituary in the May 17, 1894, Journal and Republican stated that he was nearly 79 years old and arrived 47 years ago.

Their mother, Mary Risser, may appear on image # 850 as “Madger, Maurice, 70, female.”

There is a Joseph Reisser, age 20, near the bottom of this same page.

On the 1855 census of New Bremen, Philander, Joseph and Mary (Resar) state they have been here seven years. 

Steiner – “Chesapeake” – September 15, 1848 (Family Search Passenger #199, Image #509)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-RQ9S-QY?i=504&wc=MX62-DZ3%3A165750301&cc=1849782

Philipp, (6)2, Farmer, France; Maria, (5)6, Catherine, (2)2, Magdalina, (1)7, Andreas, (1)5

Steiner – “Helvetia” – October 11, 1851 (Family Search Image #244)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-559V-HW?i=240&wc=MX62-XMS%3A165761401&cc=1849782

Jacob (30), Farmer, Hesse; Sophie (26), Sophie (2)

Steria (spelled Sterg on manifest) – “Fanny” – May 28, 1846 (Family Search Image #835, 

Passenger #8)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5K97-RH?i=834&wc=MX62-LTG%3A165744501&cc=1849782

Joseph (21), Farmer, France

NOTE:  Although the arrival year differs, this essentially agrees with the account in Strangers and Pilgrims by Arlene Yousey, pp. 314-315.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5B9M-73?i=252&wc=MX62-J29%3A165724901&cc=1849782

Wodslphe (Rudolph) (42), Farmer, France; Ann (40), Joseph (18), Christen (16), John (14), 

Andrew (12), Jacop (10), Peter (8), Nicholas (2)  

NOTE:  Ages for Nicholas and Peter differ from listing in Farney Virkler Zehr book.

Widrick (Listed as Ummel; likely Omelle, see Strangers and Pilgrims, p. 318) – “Bolivar” – August 3, 1838 (Family Search Image #247)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-51SN-NZ?i=245&wc=MX62-JZS%3A165728101&cc=1849782

Elizabeth (59), Spinster, France*; Anne (22), Joseph (17)

*Sister-in-law to Peter Widrick

Widrick (spelled Vitrich on manifest) – “Bolivar” – August 3, 1838 (Family Search Image #247)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-51SN-NZ?i=245&wc=MX62-JZS%3A165728101&cc=1849782

Pierre (42), Farmer, France; Marie (30), Anne (10), Marie (9), Babette (6), Jean (4), Chatrine (2), Madelaine (50) 

Yousey (spelled Gautschi on manifest) – “Asia” – May 26, 1834 (Family Search Image #94,

Passenger #65)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5T4F-C?i=92&wc=MX62-LM3%3A165725801&cc=1849782

Chret (51), Farmer, France; Catherine (46), Jacobine (20), Jean (17), Madeline (15), Benoit (11), 

Henry (5), Catherine (42)

Yousey (spelled illegible, 8th from bottom of page) – “Normandie”  – April 10, 1835

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5T57-H?i=62&wc=MX62-2NL%3A165726301&cc=1849782

Christian (18), Farmer, France

NOTE:  Christian does not appear with other family members arriving in 1834. He does appear in census and naturalization records.

Yousey (Spelled Jossy on manifest) – “Albany” – December 9, 1842 (Family Search Image #165)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5F8W-G?i=163&wc=MX62-VZ9%3A165729201&cc=1849782

Jean (41), Farmer, France; Susanna (35), Peter (10), Johann (5), Joseph (4), Nicolas (2) - died November 24, 1842 

Zehr (spelled Teht on manifest) – “Stratera” – June 19, 1833 (Family Search Image #691)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-PQGH-V?i=688&wc=MX62-JZ9%3A165725301&cc=1849782

Michael (44), Miller, France; Anna (40), Michael (19), Christian (16), Anna (14), Georges (12)*, 

Jean (10), Joseph (8), Barbe (6), Catharine (4), Suzanna (1)**

*Does not appear in Farney Virkler Zehr; Ed Widrick has died in France; Strangers and Pilgrims has same manifest list.

**Does not appear in Farney Virkler Zehr book. Ed Widrick has died in France; Findagrave has died 1835, interred Amish Zehr Cemetery.

Zehr – “Gallia” – May 9, 1850 (Family Search Image #567)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5TSH-25?i=561&wc=MX62-8TY%3A165754901&cc=1849782

Andre (29), Farmer, France; Catherine (33), Magdaline (5), Catherine (3), Joseph (2)