This was given to me by Woodrow Wilson Bedsaul, before his death, perhaps it will be of interest to some of you: The Historical Research Center FAMILY NAME HISTORY " Distinguished names such as that borne by the Bedsaul family have been recorded in Germany proper and in other regions of Europe from medieval times. Native German surnames are commonly found in Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg and Alsace-Lorraine, as well as in Germany proper. In addition, there are other European regions where German family names occur as a result of specific historical circumstances. Among these areas Sicbenburgen ("Seven Castles"), a territory in the region of Transylvania, located within the borders of the modern nation of Germany were settled in this area, where they were referred to by the natives as"Saxons", this occurred a century before the establishment of Berlin. Indeed, ancestors of the illustrious Bedsaul family did not see the documented birth of the city of Berlin until the year 1244, several years after that of its sister town, Kolln. The two towns were established for geographical and mercantile reasons, as they commanded a natural east-west trade route over the Spree River much as towns on the Main commanded a north-south route, with both rivers serving peoples on each side, including no doubt the honorable forefathers of the Bedsaul family. " Skipping down the document...... " The German surname Bedsaul is the Anglicized form of the German name Betzold. The surname Betzold is of patronymic origin, deriving from the name of the father of the original bearer. In this instance, the name is the Slavic pet form of the German personal name Peter, which in turn drives from the Greek "Petrus", meaning "rock, mountain". The personal name Peter was a very popular name in the Middle Ages, partly due to spread of devotion to Simon Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles. The name Peter was widely used in Europe; we find many notable kings and emperors named Peter. In Russia we find Peter I the Greek, Emperor of Russia and the founder of the Russian Empire. Peter I Karageorgevich was the King of Serbia in the late nineteenth century, and many more. It is interesting to note that over the centuries many Slavic people moved to the West, especially into eastern Germany, and also many Germans moved to the East, bringing their language and culture with them." "The surname Bedsaul and its variants, Bedsole, Betshold, Betzold and Petzold can be found as far back as the fifteenth century. One Valentin Pezchold was a resident of Strassburg in the year 1462. Documents for the year 1489 indicate one Laurentinus Betzold was a resident of Merseburg. One Hans Patzler was a resident of Goerlita in the year 1631. Jacob Patzeld was residing in Gintz as documents for the year 1631 indicate. On Johann Sigismund Petzold was a Prusssian bureaucrat in the year 1745. ........"