Historic Background and Annals of the Swiss and German Pioneer Settlers of South-Eastern Pennsylvania, and of Their Remote Ancestors, from the Middle

By H. Frank Eshleman and H. Frank Eshleman

Book Overview

Eshleman's study explores the background of the great sectarian movements in Germany, Switzerland, and Holland and focuses attention on the Mennonite families who later emigrated to Pennsylvania. The major emphasis of the book is on Lancaster County genealogy and the emigration from the Palatinate in the eighteenth century, while substantial sections are devoted to lists of early settlers and biographical sketches of those who subsequently became known as Pennsylvania Germans.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806301058
• ISBN13: 9780806301051
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Genealogical Publishing Company
• Length: 392 Pages
• Weight: 1.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Publisher's Note:

"...throughout the book there is an orientation toward Lancaster County genealogy, with a lot of pertinent and historically correct identification of family backgrounds in Europe....The wider extent of German eighteenth century emigration is treated...and [Eshleman] is careful to give material on the spread of the Pennsylvania German population, particularly the sects, to Virginia and other parts of the South."--Don Yoder, The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, XXVI:3 (1970)

A Personal & Historic Account

I found this book at a library dedicated to Genealogical Research. After leaving the library, I ordered the book. It is setup by year and covers the 18th century+. It contains correspondence "to & from" the colonies to & from the place of immigration. There are letters expressing both personal and political events affecting the lives of these people. There is also a brief commentary at various points explaining some of the letters. I found it to be an very interesting "read". At the end of various points, names of all Swiss & German immigrants who arrived in Pennsyvlania during that year are listed. The ships are sometimes listed. There is an index of surname's. If your ancestors are not listed by surname, but they emigrated during this time period, it will still give you a deeper understanding of their lives regardless of this ethnicity. I recommend this book if this is your area of interest.