Back To The Berrien County Home Page
| Name: | alice blackburn <alice.blackburn@charter.net> |
| Date: | 2008-03-04 |
| Earliest known ancestor | wilhelm and minna peter |
| They were from | germany |
| Born about | 1835 |
| Comments: | searching for father's family, bertzloff, nametz, tebbe, and peter (peters) |
| Name: | alice blackburn <alice.blackburn@charter.net> |
| Date: | 2008-03-04 |
| Earliest known ancestor | wilhelm and minna peter |
| They were from | germany |
| Born about | 1835 |
| Comments: | searching for father's family, berzloff, nametz, tebbe, and peter (peters) |
| Name: | Linda Dickey <dickeylc@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2008-03-03 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Robert Faulkner |
| They were from | NY |
| Born about | 1777 |
| Comments: | Son, Harrison m. in Cass Co. abt. 1867. Researching other Faulkners in the area: William H. Faulkner b. 1831 NY and father, Peter b. 1803 NY |
| Name: | Ginny Kesler-Day <day@surewest.net> |
| Date: | 2008-02-24 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Thomas Gilbert |
| They were from | England |
| Born about | 1600's |
| Comments: | My Grandparents, Frank & Ethel Gilbert, lived in New Buffalo for many years. My dad graduated from New Buffalo H.S. in 1938. My mom met him when she came from Cicero to spend summers at Camp Sokol. Great little town! |
| Name: | rosa wilson <bluerosegt57@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2008-02-17 |
| Earliest known ancestor | harrison and josephine johnson |
| They were from | traverse area |
| Born about | 1850 or later |
| Comments: | I am searching various sites to find these relatives all I know is they lived in leelanaw county at one time I also had relatives that lived in empire Mi, and around the traverse city area. the last name was Johnson Any helo would be appreciated. Thank-you Rosa Wilson |
| Name: | Linda Dickey <dickeylc@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2008-01-17 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Faulkner, Peter |
| They were from | NY |
| Born about | 1802 |
| Comments: | Peter and Almira/Alvira Colgrove Faulkner both b. abt. 1802 NY were in the Berrien Co. Census in 1850, and he with children in 1860. Looking for more on this family. I see the Archives, but not a way for to post a current posting. I will try the Archives. |
| Name: | Lynn Westlake <lw091167@btinternet.com> |
| Date: | 2008-01-11 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Reginald Pike |
| They were from | England |
| Born about | 1892 |
| Comments: | I just wanted to say a massive thank you to Bev, the co-ordinator. I'm from England and had no idea how to begin to trace my great uncle after he moved to Berrien County. Bev was absolutely wonderful and pointed me in the right direction and actually managed to find me 2 obits, one for my great uncle and one for his 2nd wife Doris Reams who apparently was a school teacher for many years in Berrien. I wish some of our co-ordinators here in the UK were as welcoming, helpful and friendly as Bev. |
| Name: | Bev Edwards, Berrien County Coordinator <berriengen@yahoo.com> |
| Date: | 2008-01-11 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Richard Gilbert |
| They were from | Yardley, Worcester, England |
| Born about | 1550 |
| Comments: | My Biological father and mother are both buried in Berrien County. Robert Lewis Gilbert and Dorothy Alice Dumond. Dorothy was born in Berrien along with 3 of my Uncle's. My Maternal Grandparents are also buried there. I and my 4 siblings were born in Berrien and two are still living there. My Goal as the Berrien Coordinator is to collect useful information that will assists in the genealogist's search. To make this site more user-frienldy. To help families/genealogists connect with each other. My reward is to see people happy with the efforts I have put into this site! Thank you for the nice words, and contributions in re-building Berrien County USGENWEB. Bev |
| Name: | sheils shriver <sh8sh@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2007-10-07 |
| Comments: | Found quite a few families that came from Portage Cty Ohio here in Pipestone in early 1850. Knocked down a brick wall, Thank you surnames found Edwards, Allen, Preston and still hunting !!! |
| Name: | pamela ann berrien-clark <pacbettyboop2@comcast.net> |
| Date: | 2007-09-21 |
| Earliest known ancestor | grandfather-William P Berrien(decendant of John M Berrien) |
| They were from | pittsburgh,pa |
| Comments: | I found the site quite enjoyable,Thank You,always a nice way to experience one's heritage!!!! |
| Name: | Donna Smith <dclug@sbcglobal.net> |
| Date: | 2007-09-02 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Tobias Kingry&Charlotte Dodd Kingry |
| They were from | Virginia via Indiana |
| Born about | 1800 |
| Comments: | Born in Virginia, came to Michigan in 1840s. He died after being hit in chest by timber in 1845. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery. |
| Name: | Diana Holmes <diaholm@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2007-08-22 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Joseph Yaw |
| They were from | New York |
| Born about | 1821 |
| Comments: | I found several marriages for my family line, two for my gr-grandfather Franklin M. Yaw...one in 1865 and one in1875 :] and one for his step mother Ruth Yaw and I hope one for his daughter thank you I will keep checking back for a list of names for cemeteries..because his mother died between 1843 and 1847 in Pipestone...I think the cemetery is call Springs but I'm not sure....thank you all for the great work on this site. Diana Holmes |
| Name: | Diana Holmes <diaholm@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2007-07-13 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Joseph Fay Yaw |
| They were from | New York |
| Born about | 24 Apr. 1821 |
| Comments: | According to a publication called "History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties" Mich. by D.W. Ensign & Co 1880 page 294, right hand column, mid way down.. my gr. gr. grandfather Joseph Fay Yaw arrived there and settled in the northern part of the township, with his wife who died shortly after thet settled and was buried at Berrien Springs..at this point Joseph was left to care for two small boys from family stories one Marvin Cecil birthdate unknown and second son Franklin M. born 10 Dec. 1843 in Pipestone according to his civil war records...Franklin is my gr. father and he and Joseph joined the civil war together on the 10th Aug. 1861 at St. Joseph,Mich. This is from the civil war pension records of both men that I have copies of. Franklin survived the war Joseph did'nt Joseph died in Port Hudson, La. in 1863, his second wife Ruth re married a John Buck in 1869 in Cass Co. Ruth and Joseph had 6 children. Franklin marr. a Charlotte Dowd/David in Nov. 1865 , they had two children, Charles H. and Emma V. then were div. in 1870 according to pension records. Franklin remarried several time and in 1898 marr. my gr. grandmother Marybelle Wicks and had 5 children one of which was my grandfather Wm. M. Yaw who in turn had 16 children in Des Moines Iowa. Franklin died in the V.A. hospital in Ia. in Jan. 1915 |
| Name: | Diana Holmes <diaholm@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2007-07-13 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Joseph Fay Yaw |
| They were from | New York |
| Born about | 24 Apr. 1821 |
| Comments: | According to a publication called "History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties" Mich. by D.W. Ensign & Co 1880 page 294, right hand column, mid way down.. my gr. gr. grandfather Joseph Fay Yaw arrived there and settled in the northern part of the township, with his wife who died shortly after thet settled and was buried at Berrien Springs..at this point Joseph was left to care for two small boys from family stories one Marvin Cecil birthdate unknown and second son Franklin M. born 10 Dec. 1843 in Pipestone according to his civil war records...Franklin is my gr. father and he and Joseph joined the civil war together on the 10th Aug. 1861 at St. Joseph,Mich. This is from the civil war pension records of both men that I have copies of... |
| Name: | Ray Tharp <raynjudi-tharp@charter.net> |
| Date: | 2007-04-13 |
| Earliest known ancestor | William Henry Myers |
| They were from | New York |
| Born about | 1856 |
| Comments: | My maternal grandfather and grandmother Myers were married in St. Joseph July 1, 1905. I wear his ring and my wife wears his bride's, being married eighty years and five dayes later. Great site. Thanks. |
| Name: | Barbara Hinkelman Dorgelo <barbdor@frontiernet.net> |
| Date: | 2007-04-11 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Hinkelman |
| They were from | Germany |
| Born about | 1869 |
| Comments: | Grandfather, Gustav Hinkelman, arrived from Bremen,Germany on 8/7,1906 on the ship Herman to port at Baltimore, MD> Wife Marie, sons Ottle and Fred,daughter Louise arrived with him. They owned a home in Benton Township which has now been in the Hinkelman family for 100 years. |
| Name: | Dan Hoff <ddd1223@sbcglobal.net> |
| Date: | 2007-03-30 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Calvin Davidson |
| They were from | New York |
| Born about | 1809 |
| Comments: | Calvin and wife Selena moved to Berrien County in the 1850s. When the war came along, Calvin and sons Lyman (my g grandfather) and Silas all joined up. Calvin was captured at Pittsburg landing and died soon after in a prison camp in Macon, Georgia. Another son, Jarius joined up later at the age of 16. Lyman, Silas, and Jarius all survived the war. Silas and family eventually lived in So. Ca. Lyman lived out his final years in Montesano, Wa. dying in 1930 at the age of 90. The site was helpful in documenting lyman's first marriage. I knew he got divorced, but now I know his X married some other man just two and a half years after her marriage to Lyman. |
| Name: | Anne Bridwell Wells <annemwells@yahoo.com> |
| Date: | 2007-02-22 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Norman Bridwell |
| They were from | Michigan |
| Born about | 1932 |
| Comments: | Would like to know more of my family history |
| Name: | les baker <lesliewybo@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2007-02-19 |
| Earliest known ancestor | benjamin baker |
| They were from | canada |
| Born about | 1819 |
| Comments: | married Katherine Nixon from Indiana in Berrien 1844. Have her history but not much on Benjamin prior to coming to Michigan. His obit says family went to Canada in 1827 and his father died there. He came to MIchigan with his mother no mention of brother or sisters or any other family |
| Name: | Malcolm King <malcolmk@blomand.net> |
| Date: | 2007-02-09 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Stokes King |
| They were from | Grundy County Tn. |
| Born about | 1792-1800 |
| Comments: | malcolmk@blomand.net |
| Name: | Joyce A. Fleming Kelley <djkelley1@earthlink.net> |
| Date: | 2007-02-04 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Charles Marion Fleming |
| They were from | Niles, Berrien, Michigan |
| Born about | 25 may 1895 |
| Comments: | I am looking for the family of Charles Marion and Bessie T. Fleming. Charles was born 25 May 1895 in Valparaiso, Porter, Indiana and died 4 May 1973 in Niles, Berrien, Michigan. He is buried in Silverbrook Cemetery. His wife, Bessie T., b. 4 June 1891 in Indiana and died Jan 1975 in Niles, Berrien, Michigan. I have two children: Hubert M. Fleming, b. abt 1914 in Illinois; and, Charles Everett Fleming, b, 9 Feb 1920 in Michigan. Charles E. married Rose ???. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Charles is a brother to my grandfather, Walter Edward Fleming. |
| Name: | Thomas D. Silakowski <silakowski@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2007-01-28 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Joseph Frances Silakowski |
| They were from | Poland |
| Born about | April 20, 1867 |
| Comments: | Grandpa died in 1945 in Michigan City, Ind. Where most of his 15 kids were born, Some moved into Detroit area, some moved into South West Michigan.I was born and raised in 1935 in City. Left at 17 in 1952 to see the world in the military. Retired in Texas and stayed there to the present time. |
| Name: | Julia Joaquin <juliajoaq@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2007-01-12 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Benton Swift-1830's |
| They were from | NY, OHIO |
| Born about | 1813 NY |
| Comments: | Benton Swift came to Niles MI with his mother Jemina Jane Dewitt Swift Pittman. He had several brothers,James and John and Hiram who lived in Berrien Co. Benton married 1841 Sarah Willett. She was a teacher. After Benton's death she married Mr. Wallin. Sarah and Benton had Susan Appleton Swift. |
| Name: | Carolyn Smith <smithcf2001@yahoo.com> |
| Date: | 2006-12-11 |
| Earliest known ancestor | James Floyd Bass |
| They were from | Ohio |
| Born about | 1866 |
| Comments: | I am looking for information on James Bass born around 1866 in Ohio. I know that he was a barber in 1930 on 271 empire Avenue and lived at 331 Pavone. I am looking for information on your african American families around the 1900's. I think the siste is nice. Carolyn Smith Lincoln Heights, Ohio |
| Name: | TR Smith <tr_smith@centurytel.net> |
| Date: | 2006-12-05 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Bierbauer |
| They were from | Bavaria |
| Born about | 1832 |
| Comments: | Simon Bierbauer b 1832 a civil war veteran resided Niles, Berrien, MI. Married 1861 to Ambrosia Pope b 1842. Children: Lewis b 1867, Eva b 1869, Lena May b 1873, Henrietta b 1879, Katie b 1886. |
| Name: | Anita (Eckler) ( Frucci) Rodgers <zhsjcr@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2006-10-19 |
| Earliest known ancestor | George & Jeanette Brong |
| They were from | Hills Corners & Weesaw Twp |
| Born about | 1800-1808 |
| Comments: | They were among the first settlers of Hill's Corners and Weesaw Twp. . Geo was a Blacksmith. First church services held in their home. I cannot find death records of either one. Geo died about 1848 in Weesaw Twp. I have Probate Papers allowing Jeanette to keep her own children. Jeanette was alive and living with a son in Niles in 1880. One of their daughters is my great grandmother - Lucy Maria Brong Smith Day. Thank You for any information !! Anita |
| Name: | Anita (Eckler) ( Frucci) Rodgers <zhsjcr@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2006-10-19 |
| Earliest known ancestor | George & Jeanette Brong |
| They were from | Hills Corners & Weesaw Twp |
| Born about | 1800-1808 |
| Comments: | They were among the first settlers of Hill's Corners and Weesaw Twp. . Geo was a Blacksmith. First church services held in their home. I cannot find death records of either one. Geo died about 1848 in Weesaw Twp. I have Probate Papers allowing Jeanette to keep her own children. Jeanette was alive and living with a son in Niles in 1880. One of their daughters is my great grandmother - Lucy Maria Brong Smith Day. Thank You for any information !! Anita |
| Name: | Sharon Mariscal <ahhnon@aol.com> |
| Date: | 2006-10-14 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Alvin Turpin |
| They were from | Chicago |
| Born about | 1895 in Detroit |
| Comments: | Looking for a marriage between Alvin Turpin and Hazel M. Larsen about 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918.They were from Chicago, but did not marry there. I was told that St. Joseph was the "in" place to marry at the beginning of the last century. |
| Name: | Dorothy Louise Rhinehart Dammon <dldammon@bellsouth.net> |
| Date: | 2006-10-14 |
| Earliest known ancestor | James Charles Wollam/Woolham |
| They were from | Mercer County, Ohio |
| Born about | 01 Oct 1839 |
| Comments: | James left Ohio and moved to Elkhart, Indiana where he married Margaret Jane Cauffman, October 14, 1860. According to his affidavit for pension, he lived in Elkhart one year. He was 21 years of age and they had 6 children together. His first son John Walter was born in Indiana in 1861 and according to the 1880 census the rest of the children were born in Michigan. However, before moving from Indiana he served in the Civil War for the Union from August 7th, 1862 until he was discharged in July 18th, 1863 in Nashville, Tennessee. So he moved to Berrien Springs Michigan Nov. 1865 (per military papers). James could write. He states in his pension papers he was a carpenter and a farmer. One of the doctors who examined James for his military papers was Welcome F. Mason, his son-in-law Warren Mason father, Nellie's Mae's husband. Also, a written affidavit was written by his father-in-law Peter Cauffman who was seventy-two at the time of December 17, 1889. For his pension he was receiving $22.50 at the time of his death. Margaret after his death received $20 per month. He also states he lived in Dowagiac, Michigan for a year before going to Berrien Springs, Michigan. |
| Name: | Annette (Findel, Cary Burr) Keith <annettetoni@hotmaill.com> |
| Date: | 2006-10-12 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Cushman Burr |
| They were from | Virginia |
| Born about | 1800 |
| Comments: | My mother's family is from Berrien County MI. Findle, Cary, Burr are all buried in Berrien County cemetaries. |
| Name: | kathy warren <kawarren20@att.net> |
| Date: | 2006-10-09 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Gilbert and Sutherland |
| They were from | England and New York |
| Born about | 1598 and 1760 |
| Comments: | I have been working on the Nathan Gilbert family and the David Sutherland family for a number of years. I have alot of confirmed and speculative information. Nice website, have added it to my 'favorites' and will check back from time to time. Thank you! |
| Name: | Eric Johnson <ejohnson@pconline.com> |
| Date: | 2006-10-07 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Hosea B Tirrell |
| They were from | New Troy |
| Born about | 30 Nov 1838 |
| Comments: | Hosea moved to Michigan and settled in New Troy Had a Store called "The Center of The World" |
| Name: | Karin Turley Rubio <karinrubio1@yahoo.com> |
| Date: | 2006-10-06 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Constantine Turley |
| They were from | Poland |
| Born about | Late 1800s |
| Comments: | Constantine and his wife Katerine Fillipowski settled in New Buffalo on Maudlin Rd, where they had a farm. My grandfather, Max Turley was born on that farm (1922)as well as his borthers and sister. My grandfather passed away in 1997. He and his wife Elnora DeMorrow (who passed away in 1994) maintained that farm until it was sold (about 1984). My grandfather and grandmother raised 8 children on that farm, Max Jr., Connie Turley (my father-who passed away in 1996), Edward L. Turley, Larry Turley (who passed away in 2006), Janet M. Turley (who passed away in 1997?), Patsy Turley, Joanie Turley and Penny Turley. They all grew up in New Buffalo. And the surviving members still live in the New Buffalo area. Unfortunately, I have not lived in the area since 1989, as I live in San Antonio, TX and it is difficult to get information from here. Any questions or any information that may help please feel free to contat me. |
| Name: | Elayne Stafford McCartney <wemcc@comcast.net> |
| Date: | 2006-09-27 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Joseph Stafford |
| They were from | Came to Berrien Co in 1847, from Ontario, Canada |
| Born about | 1783 in England |
| Comments: | Joseph Stafford married Eunice Groat in Canada; Eunice's brother, James Groat had come to Cass/Berrien County in 1836. Am particularly interested in obtaining marriage date of Charles Stafford (son of Joseph and Eunice) to Elizabeth Nye (daughter of Benjamin Nye and Euphamia Schnorf). I have found proof that they were married by Sept. 1862. Any info would be appreciated I appreciate the availability of the Berrien County GenWeb site. Thank you! |
| Name: | Rendell J. Austin <rendell_austin@yahoo.com> |
| Date: | 2006-09-24 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Thomas Austin |
| They were from | England |
| Born about | 1790 |
| Comments: | I have visited this site on several occasions, but did not notice the "Guest Book" page. I have utilized several of the available sections in my family research, especially the church and marriage records. My Austin great-grandparents and other relatives are buried at Watervliet & North Shore Memory Gardens Cemeteries, and I will contribute photos of the headstones. Thank you for providing an interesting and informative website. You make a significant contribution to genealogical research. |
| Name: | Pam Wilson <dbakfn7@juno.com> |
| Date: | 2006-09-16 |
| Earliest known ancestor | David H Freed |
| They were from | Niles |
| Born about | 1825 |
| Comments: | I am tring to locate any members of the David h. Freed and Herbert Walter Freed families |
| Name: | Deanna West <ladydeanna_2000@yahoo.com> |
| Date: | 2006-09-07 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Ludlow |
| They were from | England |
| Born about | 1600 |
| Comments: | Hello Bev and geneology friends! I am very excited about helping with this web site and hope that a lot of our Internet friends will join in and help make this one of the most informative sites for Berrien County, Michigan. Berrien holds a dear place in my heart as that is where I grew up at. Even attended some of those one room school houses. I am seeking information on the Ludlow and Spooner families of Berrien County. |
| Name: | Carol <carleenc46@yahoo.com> |
| Date: | 2006-09-04 |
| Comments: | I have friends who lived in the area and they are so pleased with the remarkable work that Bev has done. Good job, dear lady. |
| Name: | Judy Green <Judyag2268@yahoo.com> |
| Date: | 2006-09-03 |
| Earliest known ancestor | Johann Liedtke |
| They were from | Germany |
| Born about | 1740 |
| Comments: | Bev, The site is really coming together....you're doing a really great job. This site is going to help alot of folks who otherwise would be hitting brickwalls. Thanks , Judy |
| Name: | Larry Chester <l.chester@comcast.net> |
| Date: | 2006-09-03 |
| Comments: | Good job Bev! Your hard work is evident. |