Welcome!

Database Last Updated March 2025. (About 5,000 colonials added the past year, mostly from Lebanon and Berks counties.)

We all have our quirks. Mine: A passionate interest piecing together the early German-speaking immigrant settlers of Colonial Pennsylvania. After 30 years, my fascination only continues to intensify.

I am self-publishing several series of books; however, my intent is that all research findings are publicly available. If you find something of value on this site, I encourage you to purchase one of my books for your local library or historical society.

Research Interest and Focus: Eighteenth-Century German-Speaking Immigrants to Colonial America, with a particular focus on those who arrived through the Port of Philadelphia from 1710 to 1775. I attempt to document the European origin, year of arrival, passenger ship, American settlement, and family. I track families to about the year 1790 although I include all generations of my own direct ancestors.

Tips for Using the Database

Last names have been standardized: The surname Meyer may appear in records as Myer, Mayer, Moyer, Meier, et al. In the database, I use only the most common 18th century form. I recommend searching with Soundex. Be mindful that -er and -en within original German surnames often disappear during Anglicization. Exception to the rule: Some family branches adopted consistent spelling variations by the eighteenth century. Occasionally, I will transition to the newer spelling if I feel that benefits family researchers.

First names have been standardized: The given names Hans, Hanss, Johann, John will be given as Johannes (if German-speaking).

For German given names, I omit the baptismal name Johann. For example: Johann Martin Schmidt will be listed as Martin Schmidt. I do include the baptismal name Georg. So, Georg Martin Schmidt will be found as George Martin Schmidt. I always include female baptismal names (if known). If searching for an Elisabeth Meyer, look also for Anna Elisabeth Meyer or Maria Elisabeth Meyer. Rationale: German-speaking families used similar names for children. Parents may have children named Johann Martin Schmidt, George Martin Schmidt, Anna Elisabeth Schmidt, and Maria Elisabeth Schmidt. I built my database to facilitate both search and synthesis.

American Place Names: As the United States developed, administration districts expanded, subdivided and evolved. For example, a person owning a tract of land in Pennsylvania from 1735 to 1850 would see it fall under the following dominions: Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County; Heidelberg Township, Dauphin County; Heidelberg Township, Lebanon County; and Millcreek Township, Lebanon County. Not to mention the transition from Great Britain to the United States of America. In the database, I tend to use the location and place names as known as the time of an event (e.g, birth, death, etc.).

European Place Names: Changes in European administration districts are complex and difficult to follow. I am often limited in understanding. Therefore, when I identify a European ancestral home, I use the modern identification as provided by the Family Tree Maker software.

Documentation: Rather than create an endless series of sources for European church records, I cite all pertinent data as “Edward N. Wevodau, Research from Original and Transcribed Records.” The place name given for the baptismal record will indicate the specific church register used. Some villages have Lutheran, Reformed, and Catholic registers. For American records, I cite particular church registers. While some registers have multiple translations, I do not cite the translation used. Please see the FamilySearch online catalog for available translations. Rationale: I consider my database as a tool or service for other researchers. On my end, I try to keep things as simple and efficient as I can to maximize research time.

Accuracy: I do my best to include only credible and documented information. That said, I frequently find that I have made false assumptions and other errors. Consider the database a work in progress. You should personally verify all information.

Future Updates

I sit on scores of manuscripts. Research is fun; finalizing and publishing manuscripts not so much. Things I have done but have not made available:

Compiled and synthesized tax records for Lancaster County townships from 1751 to 1789.

Traced land ownership from the date of warrant to the year 1790 for all Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, townships northward of the Conestoga Creek. I have done the same for some Lebanon County townships and some Berks County townships (typically focusing on those adjoining Lancaster County).

Built spreadsheets synthesizing all known documentation of eighteenth-century German immigrants from published works (e.g., Annette K. Burgert, Hank Z Jones, et al.) as well as indications of European origins found in American church and court records.

Retyped and synthesized all Philadelphia passenger lists from 1727 to 1775. I include a tab “European Origin” in which I cite known origins alongside documentations. The order on these lists is not random: Identifying one passenger’s origins provides clues as to where to look for others.

I have been busy–but if you had a singular passion to which you gave constant attention over thirty years, then you too would produce impressive results. I once thought that I would self-publish my research in a series of books; however, due to reasons of complexity and time, I plan to make the above ultimately available online.

Best wishes in your research.

Ed Wevodau
May 2024