Last updated: May 2023
According to the ancient Egyptians, a man dies twice: first when his soul leaves his body, and for a second time when his name is no longer spoken on earth.
(Wall Street Journal Feb 7, 2019)
Website/Blog Overview
Welcome to the family history site for those families with the surname of Kessler, Keslar, and Kesler who are descended from Johann George Bernhard Kessler (1711-1792) and his son, Andreas Kessler/Keslar (1746-1809).
The purpose of this site is to present an extensive family tree and associated detailed narrative describing the genealogical history of Andreas Keslar/Kesler/Kessler and three lines of his descendants
- Those who initially remained in Frederick County, Maryland,
- Those who traveled with him in 1796 from Jefferson Township, Maryland to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and
- Those that relocated to Botetourt County, Virginia.
NOTE: The Kessler/Keslar/Kesler lines are extensive, since the family has been in America for over 250 years. I continue to work on this Blog, adding U.S. Census data and family members as I go. But it is a long (and tedious) process. So, if information about your ancestors has not yet been added, please be patient. Also, I would love to hear from you about your memories, relatives and stories. I especially like to add photos to our Ancestry.com family tree. This information will be around even after we are gone, so please help by contacting me at kesslertg@gmail.com …. Thank you, cousins. : )
SITE CONTENTS, ORGANIZATION, AND LAYOUT
The contents of this site focus on the family history including our European heritage through the time that the family arrived in the American colonies in 1751 and continuing through present time. The family’s European roots are discussed in this site and a related website which can be found in the “Related Family History and Artifact Sites” listed below.
Johann Georg Bernhard Kessler had five children: Johannes (1742-1826), Isaac (1744-1747), Andreas (1746-1809), Susanna Catherine (1749-unknown), and Anna Margaretha (1753-1831). Isaac died in infancy before the family left Germany. Little is known about Johannes, Susanna Catherine, and Anna Margaretha. Since most of us are descendants of Andreas, much more is known about his life and that of his offspring. Consequently, this site focuses on this group.
It is worth noting that there are a number of mysteries that have not been resolved. There are a number of adult Kessler family members living in Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland in the 1790s that are likely not offspring of Andreas given their ages in the 1790 and 1800 U.S. Census. It is possible that these individuals are children of Andreas’ older brother, Johannes. It is also possible that other family members such as uncles or cousins came before, at the same time, or after Johann. Given the paucity of records from the pre-U.S. Census era, it is likely not possible to resolve the mystery of who these persons were.
Site Layout
The site is divided into a number of “Chapters” focused on our European history, immigration, the Family’s homesteading years, Andreas and his life, and on each of his offspring. Some of his children had large families, such as Peter, and as a result, merited a number of chapters. That challenge shall be dealt with as the chapters are developed.
A genealogical database (MS Excel) has been developed to accompany the content of this site and readers and encouraged to obtain it (see Related Family History and Artifact Sites) to use for reference purposes. Each family member has been assigned a unique numeric designation and that designation is included below and throughout for identification purposes. The numbers start with Johann George Bernhard Kessler and add a decimal position for each successive generation.
The included Chapters (blog pages) are as follows:
Website/Blog Overview
Chapter 01 European Heritage: Germany and Switzerland
Chapter 02 Johann George Bernhard Kessler (1711-1792)
Chapter 03 Immigration to the British Colonies and Homesteading Years
Chapter 04 1.3 Andreas (1746-1809)
Chapter 05 1.3.1 Andrew (1770-1860)
Chapter 06 1.3.2 Johannes/John (1772-1850)
Chapter 07 1.3.3 Mary J. Showe (1774-aft. 1806)
Chapter 08 1.3.4 George (1776-1840)
Chapter 09 1.3.5 Peter (1778-1860)
Chapter 10 1.3.6 Jacob (1782-1824)
Chapter 11 1.3.7 William (1784-1864)
Chapter 12 1.3.8 Samuel (1786-1830)
Chapter 13 1.3.9 Thomas (1788-1850)
Chapter 14 1.3.10 David (1790-1840)
You Can Help
If ANYONE in the family is interested in helping with some of this research, please let me know and I will help you get started.
In particular, the most valuable way you can help is by identifying mistakes and letting me know (kesslertg@gmail.com) and contributing photos (any and all), narrative describing your memories — parents, grandparents, growing up, family lore. I will incorporate it here and it will outlive all of us in this family repository.
Ancestors Behind Me
