Your American Story

Stan4dSteph · 07-08-2008, 06:03 AM

My ancestors on my father's side came over from Germany in 1884. The male relative was the oldest son of 11 children. The primary industry in the area was growing grapes and making wine, but the harvest had been bad for a few years before that (as recorded in the town hall in Germany), so the hard economic times helped push my relative to seek his fame and fortune in the USA. He was pre-Ellis though, so no record of him through there. Strangely enough, the female relative was from a town nearby in Germany, but they didn't meet until they both settled in Indiana.

lizziebith · 07-08-2008, 01:22 PM

On my Dad's side I'm a Schoonover. Originally Van Schoonhoven (which means from the Dutch town of Schoonhoven, or "safe harbor"), my ancestors came to upstate New York (New Amsterdam) in 1650. All Schoonovers are in this one big family, as the last name was created here in America. I am related to famous artist Frank Schoonover, of the Brandywine School (Wyeth, Pyle et al.). My husband lived for many years near Kingston, NY (our family seat) -- and of course knew who Frank Schoonover was -- so he pretty much flipped out with excitement when he found out I was a Schoonover!

On my Mom's side I'm Irish -- half Catholic, half Protestant hehe. We were always told to wear green AND orange on St. Patty's Day. Family legend has it that we are Mayflower descendants (LOL seems like everybody claims that) and DAR and...horse-thieves. There were many name-changes due to criminal behavior.

We think the original last name was McHugh. Or Campbell. On my Mom's side there are many tellers of tall tales though, so at this point in my life I have to admit that I am not sure about any of that.

07-08-2008, 06:03 AM	#1
Stan4dSteph Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,156	My ancestors on my father's side came over from Germany in 1884. The male relative was the oldest son of 11 children. The primary industry in the area was growing grapes and making wine, but the harvest had been bad for a few years before that (as recorded in the town hall in Germany), so the hard economic times helped push my relative to seek his fame and fortune in the USA. He was pre-Ellis though, so no record of him through there. Strangely enough, the female relative was from a town nearby in Germany, but they didn't meet until they both settled in Indiana.
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07-08-2008, 01:22 PM	#2
lizziebith Wishing these titles could be longe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Pearblossom CA Posts: 984	On my Dad's side I'm a Schoonover. Originally Van Schoonhoven (which means from the Dutch town of Schoonhoven, or "safe harbor"), my ancestors came to upstate New York (New Amsterdam) in 1650. All Schoonovers are in this one big family, as the last name was created here in America. I am related to famous artist Frank Schoonover, of the Brandywine School (Wyeth, Pyle et al.). My husband lived for many years near Kingston, NY (our family seat) -- and of course knew who Frank Schoonover was -- so he pretty much flipped out with excitement when he found out I was a Schoonover! On my Mom's side I'm Irish -- half Catholic, half Protestant hehe. We were always told to wear green AND orange on St. Patty's Day. Family legend has it that we are Mayflower descendants (LOL seems like everybody claims that) and DAR and...horse-thieves. There were many name-changes due to criminal behavior. We think the original last name was McHugh. Or Campbell. On my Mom's side there are many tellers of tall tales though, so at this point in my life I have to admit that I am not sure about any of that. __________________ $ DO \|\| !$ DO ; TRY TRY: COMMAND NOT FOUND
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