We made the decision to hire an experienced German genealogy research expert during 2016 to confirm our German/Deutsch ancestors. Uwe Porten has successfully researched the German lineage for many Americans and Canadians who can claim a German/Deutschland history.
This document - Schissler Family Research Project Research Report - is the result of Uwe's extensive and methodical research going from the parents of our original German ancestor, Conrad Schissler back to the early 1600s. This is quite an achievement for our family to verify our German heritage.
Canadian and American Research
My priority for Schisler research is to determine, with as much credibility as possible, a history that precedes our original ancestor, Conrad Schissler. We have references from our original historian, J.W. Shisler (1913), that we are of German heritage. He did not find any records beyond some references on Page 4 of the "History of the Shisler Family" and Conrad's will translated from German.PRIORITY 1: confirm the place of birth of Conrad Schissler
PRIORITY 2: confirm the identities of Conrad's parents and their birthplaces
PRIORITY 3: confirm relatives of Conrad Schissler (siblings, aunts, uncles etc.)
A complication is Schissler has at least two formal German variants:
Schüssler
Schuessler
Plus, in Germany in past centuries and even today you would use the 'estet' being Schißler. The estet ß is used rather than our English language double ss. This may explain why our surname spelling was Schissler as English speaking countries would never use the estet ß. Not sure why some of the surnames dropped the first c to make it Shisler? In some of the historical documents going back to the 1700s and early 1800s Conrad's name is shown as Conrad Schißler. Of course, he may have spelled his name as Shisler, Schisler, Schissler, Schißler, Schiessler, Schießler and Schusler.
You may have heard of the term Pennsylvania Dutch? This is a term Americans use to describe Pennsylvania residents who have German ancestors. These Pennsylvania Dutch took pride in their German heritage and retained their old low German language and customs. It is possible that our distant ancestor Conrad Schissler was a Pennsylvania Dutch thereby crafting his will in German and his headstone. My thoughts are that having his will and gravestone in German might infer he was from Germany, but being Pennsylvania Dutch would negate that presumption.
Most genealogy records have been carefully researched by the Mormon Church. Ancestry is an online site that can be joined for a fee. I have paid the membership fees and additional fees for online research records in a number of countries inclusive of Canada, United States and German. In addition, I have a work friend, Carol Murray, who has offered assistance in my Schissler research. It can be very frustrating:
- quite commonly the Americans and Canadian immigration authorities altered the surnames of the immigrants (Schissler -> Schisler and Shisler are the most common)
- German surnames can be derivatives of other names
- researching into the 1700s and earlier presents many challenges inclusive of lack of documentation, hand-written records and absence of online databases
- Ancestry.com records from other families doing genealogy research will not use much if any due diligence thus it can confuse my research and lead to families that are linked with Conrad Schissler to have unverified information
- very time consuming
- can be expensive in the memberships and paying persons to research on my behalf in Pennsylvania
On the other hand, despite the above challenges it has been extremely rewarding. Finding out new information and possible leads. Discovering pictures of our ancestors from other families back in Ontario that have these resources. Knowing that there may be future generations of Schislers that will value and benefit from this research.
I think most Canadians are interested in their heritage and ancestors. If you are Caucasian your ancestory may be from Europe. In our case, our heritage and ancestors were German (Deutsch) given our surname and the fact that Pennsylvania was the number one destination of German emigrants during the 1700s. Various historical documents I have studied show our direct ancestors giving their 'race' as German.
In addition, both my Dad and I have taken DNA tests through a company called Genebase that verified to about 40 generations of our male ancestors that our Schislers lived many hundreds of years in what is now Germany/Deutschland.
In addition, both my Dad and I have taken DNA tests through a company called Genebase that verified to about 40 generations of our male ancestors that our Schislers lived many hundreds of years in what is now Germany/Deutschland.
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Pending research section:
NEWEST RESEARCH RESULTS:
As a result of a 'hint' on Ancestry.com in early 2015 for the birth of our Conrad Schissler I am confident we are close to verifying Conrad's birthplace, parents and German origins.
From the Germany Births and Baptisms Records from 1558 - 1898, a Conrad Schiessler was born December 8, 1756 and was baptized December 13, 1756 as a Protestant at Klingenmünster, Pfalz, Bavaria, Germany. Of course in those ancient days there was no "Germany" or "Deutschland". His parents are listed as Johannes/Johann Jacob Schissler and mother Maria Margaretha Seibel. Klingenmünster is a small village (3500 people) located in Südliche Weinstrabe district in the Rhineland-Palatinate (western and southern Germany). There is a famous castle nearby called "Burg Landeck." This area is farming and vineyards.
Conrad's tombstone provides his birthdate as December 4, 1756 which is only four days off. Also, our ancestor who put together the original Schisler Book indicated that our likely origin was the German Palatinate. History tells us that due to religious persecution the Protestants would journey down the Rhine river to Rotterdam and catch a boat to Pennsylvania.
My further research uncovered a Johannes Schissler was listed on the Ship Chance travelling from Rotterdam to Pennsylvania and arriving September 9, 1765. The ship passenger list only ever provides the male head of the household. This ship held 216 passengers which would mean a lot of families were on the vessel.
Another observation is that our Conrad Schissler's first two sons were named Jacob and then John. Plus, their second born daughter's name was Maria. Their first daughter has the same name as Conrad's Mom's younger sister. I don't think that was a coincidence. In those days it was common to name your children after your parents and/or grandparents.
My next step is to confirm that Conrad's alleged parents, Johannes and Maria, were living in Pennsylvania and can be further tied to Conrad Schissler. One interesting new piece of information is that Conrad's parents were married in Spirkelbach January 3, 1749 and that village is only 16.5 kms from Klingenmünster.
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I did finance research by the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society and received a letter dated November 12, 2014. Basically, they provided two potential options for the history of our Conrad Schissler.
1) Suggestion that Conrad was the son of Hans Jacob Shisler who came on the Ship Hope to Philadelphia on September 1732 at age 22 with his father Henry Shisler. These Shislers settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
2) Other suggestion that Conrad Salser was baptized August 3, 1756 at Christ Lutheran Church in Berks County (son of Jacob Shisler and his wife A. Maria). The Baker family research supports this as our Conrad who moved from Berks county to Lancaster county where he married Anna Long/Lang.
I am not seeing either of these options as related to our Conrad, although other descendants are utilizing this research to link.
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(1) Johan Georg Schissler travelled from Rotterdam to Philadelphia arriving September 24, 1742 on the Ship "Robert & Alice." Reference from "Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 - 1808 Volume 1."
(2) Other records from Palatine Project page for Pennsylvania arrivals on all ships; Vessel 1737 St.Andrew (galley) from Rotterdam (List 47 A, B, C) via Clowes George Schiessler YOD1980/BUR1985 to Lancaster County and arrival Philly September 26, 1737.
(3) Other record Johann Schissler vessel 1764 Sarah from Rotterdam via Portsmouth arrival September 20, 1764 Philly.
(4) Another record shows Johan Schisler, Conrad Schisler and George Schisler from Zweibrucken, Germany September 1737 on St. Andrews Galley with Captain John Stedman. Rotterdam port to Philadelphia port USA.
J.W. Shisler original historian made reference to "our first ancestors came from Germany in October 1690", but in 1913 research of ship's registers in Philly from 1727->1790 nothing and no ship's records available before 1727 in those days.
Another reference from J.W. Shisler "Conrad served in Revolutionary War with Capt. William Weybright's 7th Company of 8th Battalion of Lancaster County militia commanded by Colonel James Ross in 1782." That would make Conrad around 26 years old. TO DATE I HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING IN THE MILITARY RECORDS.
Other references from J.W. Shisler for 1779 Conrad on a "tax list of Manheim as a freeman and in 1782 on a tax list assessed for two cattle." These could be researched.
Check Militia Records. Lancaster and Berks County land records. Check Johannes/John Lang's will. Start at County Level then Pennsylvania (state) Level and Manheim Township level.
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Ancestry Family Trees have the following information that is interesting. From Family Hart Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy Family Pages and Database. (familyhart@aol.com). Also, this is on Rootsweb An Ancestry.com community.
These records evidence a Conrad Schissler born around 1758 - our Conrad born 1756 so not too far off?
They show our Conrad Schissler's father as GEORGE SCHISLER (BORN AROUND 1730) ID#I234022. Spouse unknown. Two kids: b. 1753 "Schisler" and b. 1758 Conrad Schisler.
His father shown as CONRAD SCHISLER (BORN AROUND 1710 AND DIED 1786 IN BERKS, PENNSYLVANIA). ID#I399507. Spouse unknown.
His father shown as JOHAN GEORGE SCHISLER spouse unknown and ID#I399508.
More research is required to verify dates and records before we would consider adopting this information as our ancestors.
NEWEST RESEARCH RESULTS:
As a result of a 'hint' on Ancestry.com in early 2015 for the birth of our Conrad Schissler I am confident we are close to verifying Conrad's birthplace, parents and German origins.
From the Germany Births and Baptisms Records from 1558 - 1898, a Conrad Schiessler was born December 8, 1756 and was baptized December 13, 1756 as a Protestant at Klingenmünster, Pfalz, Bavaria, Germany. Of course in those ancient days there was no "Germany" or "Deutschland". His parents are listed as Johannes/Johann Jacob Schissler and mother Maria Margaretha Seibel. Klingenmünster is a small village (3500 people) located in Südliche Weinstrabe district in the Rhineland-Palatinate (western and southern Germany). There is a famous castle nearby called "Burg Landeck." This area is farming and vineyards.
Conrad's tombstone provides his birthdate as December 4, 1756 which is only four days off. Also, our ancestor who put together the original Schisler Book indicated that our likely origin was the German Palatinate. History tells us that due to religious persecution the Protestants would journey down the Rhine river to Rotterdam and catch a boat to Pennsylvania.
My further research uncovered a Johannes Schissler was listed on the Ship Chance travelling from Rotterdam to Pennsylvania and arriving September 9, 1765. The ship passenger list only ever provides the male head of the household. This ship held 216 passengers which would mean a lot of families were on the vessel.
Another observation is that our Conrad Schissler's first two sons were named Jacob and then John. Plus, their second born daughter's name was Maria. Their first daughter has the same name as Conrad's Mom's younger sister. I don't think that was a coincidence. In those days it was common to name your children after your parents and/or grandparents.
My next step is to confirm that Conrad's alleged parents, Johannes and Maria, were living in Pennsylvania and can be further tied to Conrad Schissler. One interesting new piece of information is that Conrad's parents were married in Spirkelbach January 3, 1749 and that village is only 16.5 kms from Klingenmünster.
_________________________________________________________________
I did finance research by the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society and received a letter dated November 12, 2014. Basically, they provided two potential options for the history of our Conrad Schissler.
1) Suggestion that Conrad was the son of Hans Jacob Shisler who came on the Ship Hope to Philadelphia on September 1732 at age 22 with his father Henry Shisler. These Shislers settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
2) Other suggestion that Conrad Salser was baptized August 3, 1756 at Christ Lutheran Church in Berks County (son of Jacob Shisler and his wife A. Maria). The Baker family research supports this as our Conrad who moved from Berks county to Lancaster county where he married Anna Long/Lang.
I am not seeing either of these options as related to our Conrad, although other descendants are utilizing this research to link.
_________________________________________________________________
(1) Johan Georg Schissler travelled from Rotterdam to Philadelphia arriving September 24, 1742 on the Ship "Robert & Alice." Reference from "Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 - 1808 Volume 1."
(2) Other records from Palatine Project page for Pennsylvania arrivals on all ships; Vessel 1737 St.Andrew (galley) from Rotterdam (List 47 A, B, C) via Clowes George Schiessler YOD1980/BUR1985 to Lancaster County and arrival Philly September 26, 1737.
(3) Other record Johann Schissler vessel 1764 Sarah from Rotterdam via Portsmouth arrival September 20, 1764 Philly.
(4) Another record shows Johan Schisler, Conrad Schisler and George Schisler from Zweibrucken, Germany September 1737 on St. Andrews Galley with Captain John Stedman. Rotterdam port to Philadelphia port USA.
J.W. Shisler original historian made reference to "our first ancestors came from Germany in October 1690", but in 1913 research of ship's registers in Philly from 1727->1790 nothing and no ship's records available before 1727 in those days.
Another reference from J.W. Shisler "Conrad served in Revolutionary War with Capt. William Weybright's 7th Company of 8th Battalion of Lancaster County militia commanded by Colonel James Ross in 1782." That would make Conrad around 26 years old. TO DATE I HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING IN THE MILITARY RECORDS.
Other references from J.W. Shisler for 1779 Conrad on a "tax list of Manheim as a freeman and in 1782 on a tax list assessed for two cattle." These could be researched.
Check Militia Records. Lancaster and Berks County land records. Check Johannes/John Lang's will. Start at County Level then Pennsylvania (state) Level and Manheim Township level.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Ancestry Family Trees have the following information that is interesting. From Family Hart Pennsylvania Dutch Genealogy Family Pages and Database. (familyhart@aol.com). Also, this is on Rootsweb An Ancestry.com community.
These records evidence a Conrad Schissler born around 1758 - our Conrad born 1756 so not too far off?
They show our Conrad Schissler's father as GEORGE SCHISLER (BORN AROUND 1730) ID#I234022. Spouse unknown. Two kids: b. 1753 "Schisler" and b. 1758 Conrad Schisler.
His father shown as CONRAD SCHISLER (BORN AROUND 1710 AND DIED 1786 IN BERKS, PENNSYLVANIA). ID#I399507. Spouse unknown.
His father shown as JOHAN GEORGE SCHISLER spouse unknown and ID#I399508.
More research is required to verify dates and records before we would consider adopting this information as our ancestors.
_________________________________________________________________________________
RESEARCH COMPLETED:
This research was from a lead that Conrad Schissler may have married Anna Lang/Long in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The summary of the following emails is that there is a record of Conrad:
MARRIAGES AT TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, LANCASTER, PA
December 30, 1780 by way of fornication, Conrad Schusler and Anna Elis. Lang in, daughter
Of Joh. Lang, a Mennonite.
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From: Charles Kahler <charleskahler@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Genealogy request Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Date: 27 February, 2013 1:06:03 PM PST
To: Randy Schisler <airschis@gmail.com>
Dear Mr. Schisler,
I am sorry it has taken so long to reply. We have a new laptop and the problems that go along with it.
The research listed on the attachment includes the only entry I found for Conrad Schusler and some early entries of women who communed, their names only. Later Philip who was married to Maria in 1794 regularly had their children baptized at Trinity. Also, four little girls were buried at Trinity in the late 1830s, but nothing could be found for the parents.
Conrad and Anna's entry give me a clue about the reason you've "hit a wall." Probably they were expecting their first child at the time of their marriage and Anna was a Mennonite. In the introduction of Trinity Lutheran Church Records, Volume 2, Frederick S. Weiser writes about marriages of Mennonites taking place in the Lutheran church, "No doubt some of these weddings were between persons not baptized as Mennonites (and therefore, strictly speaking, outside Mennonite ecclesiastical jurisdiction); maybe some were under discipline; maybe some brides were pregnant." Probably Conrad and Anna were married at Trinity and they either returned to the Mennonites, went to another church, or no church. If they did return to the Mennonites I must tell you that there are NO early church records, but the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society has family genealogies and diaries. Perhaps they will have your family's. They have a website address.
My fee for the research is payable by check made out to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 South Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. All funds are used for the continuing process of cataloging and preserving our extensive archive. I serve as a volunteer.
If I can be of further service, please don't hesitate to contact me again.
Blessings,
Joan E. Kahler
Archivist
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
31 South Duke Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
From: "Randy Schisler" <airschis@gmail.com>
To: "Charles Kahler" <charleskahler@comcast.net>ve
Sent: Thursday, February 7, 2013 7:13:56 PM
Subject: Genealogy request Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Charles, yes this confirms my approval for your research.
To: "Charles Kahler" <charleskahler@comcast.net>ve
Sent: Thursday, February 7, 2013 7:13:56 PM
Subject: Genealogy request Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Charles, yes this confirms my approval for your research.
I am hopeful you may find a record of marriage and/or land records/deeds that will help identify Conrad's origin or clues.
Many thanks! Randy Schisler
On 2013-02-07, at 1:26 PM, Charles Kahler <charleskahler@comcast.net> wrote:
Dear Mr. Schisler,I would be pleased to do research for you, although I only do research only for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. The research covers baptisms, marriages, burials, confirmands, communicants, and, at times, vestry members and other church records. You already have the records from volume 2 from Trinity Lutheran Church Records, although I'm not sure you have the direct translation from the German. I can search the church records for more information but cannot guarantee that any more records are to be found.From personal experience I know how frustrating the "brick wall" can be and I live in the same area that my ancestors lived. Sometimes you find that missing piece and sometimes it doesn't exist or is in a completely different area. I actually found one of my ancestors had been a member of Trinity when I proofread volume 2 of the church records; never suspected to find that. I am still trying to locate where his son lived after his father died and before the son was married.Let me know whether you want me to do research at Trinity and I will be pleased to do it.Blessings,Joan E. KahlerArchivistHoly Trinity Lutheran ChurchLancaster, PA
From: "Randy Schisler" <airschis@gmail.com>
To: archivist@trinitylancaster.org
Sent: Monday, February 4, 2013 4:05:37 PM
Subject: Genealogy request v2
I neglected to provide this reference from your Church sources:Pennsylvania German ancestors:
a family history : Frysinger, Schaffner, Royer, Keller and related families in Lancaster, York, Berks, Dauphin and Lebanon counties
From inside the bookconrad shissler pennsylvania genealogy [Search]2 pages matching conrad shissler pennsylvania genealogy in this bookOn 2013-02-04, at 1:01 PM, Randy Schisler <airschis@gmail.com> wrote:RE: Schissler genealogy - Trinity Lutheran ChurchI was reviewing your site: http://www.trinitylancaster.org/historyarchicves.php"The fee for the Trinity researcher is $25.00 for opening a file and the first hour of research and $20.00 for each additional hour. All funds will be used for the continuing process of cataloging and maintaining the archive."Given I live in Vancouver, British Columbia I am requesting your assistance for research.Our earliest known ancestor is Conrad Schissler (Shissler/Shisler/Schisler) born December 4, 1756 and died November 8, 1821 in Lancaster County buried in Lehn Cemetery. The earliest known evidence of him living in Lancaster County is a tax list in Manheim showing him as a freeman in 1779. He married Anna Lang (Long) sometime prior to 1780/1781? Anna Lang/Long was born October 6, 1759 and died October 8, 1827 also in Lancaster County.Given our ancestor was German origin there is a chance he may have been Lutheran and/or be found in your archives given his proximity to your church.Request for research:
- record of a marriage certificate and details
- record of birth (similar record) for Conrad Schissler/Shissler/Schisler/Shisler and details
- property deeds and/or financial records for Conrad Schissler/Schissler/Schisler/Shisler
Please confirm the manner of payment for these services.Randy SchislerVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Letter dated December 28, 2012 from Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society and their researcher Ivan Leaman. It verifies that our Conrad Schissler married Anna Long, daughter of John Long who was the grandson of the immigrant Christian Long (Lang). The burial records confirm that Anna was the daughter of "old Hannes Lang" who is John Long. John Long was the grandson of a very famous Mennonite. There are attached documents that are interesting, but provide no further relevant information.
There is no record/documentation/proof (to date) of the Schisslers/Schislers being of the Mennonite faith.
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At LDS online search: Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709 - 1950 Index no record of birth of Conrad Schissler, Shisler, Shissler, Schisler in 1756.
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At LDS online search: Pennsylvania, Births and Christenings, 1709 - 1950 Index no record of birth of Conrad Schissler, Shisler, Shissler, Schisler in 1756.
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Great story and it shows the dangers of living in Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Conrad Schissler is mentioned and a brother George Schissler which is curious. Given the date of 1738, it could be our Conrad's grandparent?
Indian Attack
The Centennial History Book of Kempton, PA, describes another Indian attack:
"On the farm now owned by John Turn, there lived a family by the name of George Schissler. With them lived a brother Conrad Schissler. These people had erected a dwelling about the time of 1738, after the fashion of those early colonial days, and were enjoying themselves and living by the fruits of their labor. One day while the men were away from the house, a party of Indians appeared. Mrs. Schissler was engaged in baking bread. The Indians took advantage of this, heated a liberal amount of dough, opened her abdomen and poured the heated dough into her body, leaving her lying, and next satisfied themselves by burning down the cabin and escaped before the men arrived. This woman was still alive when the men returned but soon expired."
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