I am a board member of the newly created Gindlesperger Family History Association (please see the news release that follows). If you'd like more information about membership, please let me know. Julie Matthews Burnette -------------------------- News Release - For Immediate Release October 25, 1998 JAMESTOWN, PA - In anticipation of the 250th anniversary of the arrival in America of the family's immigrant ancestor, the Gindlesperger Family History Association, Inc. was incorporated in Pennsylvania on August 27, 1998. The Gindlesperger Family History Association, Inc. (GFHA) was established to encourage, coordinate, compile, and publish the results of research into the history, traditions, and lore of the family. A family reunion at one or more locations is being planned for late summer, 1999, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the family in America. The immigrant ancestor, Ulrich Gindlesperger, arrived in Philadelphia aboard the Phoenix on September 15, 1749, from Rotterdam. He settled first in Bern Township, Berks County, PA. An Amish-Mennonite probably originally from Switzerland, Ulrich had four children: Catherine, Jacob, Albrecht, and a daughter whose first name is not yet known. Before he died in 1783, Ulrich, his children, and grandchildren migrated to Stoneycreek and Quemahoning Townships, Somerset County, PA. Some members of the next generations migrated to Ohio, Indiana, and Ontario, Canada. Ulrich’s descendants migrated and lived in close association with other families bearing such early Amish-Mennonite surnames as Good, Hooley, Kauffman, Miller, Zuck, Yoder, and others. The Gindlesperger surname has been spelled in literally dozens of ways over the past 250 years, including Gindlesberger, Kindlesperger, Jinglespiker, and Inglesbrighter. “If you have a surname even remotely close to ‘Gindlesperger,’ you’re likely to be a cousin,” said Rev. Norman L. Gindlesperger, GFHA President. “One of the most interesting things about the establishment of the Gindlesperger Family History Association is that the founding members met over the Internet. Although we are cousins, we have not yet met in person. This is one of the reasons we look forward to celebrating the family’s 250th anniversary in America—the reunion will give us a chance to meet each other and many other Gindlesperger cousins as well,” said Rev. Gindlesperger. Drawing on the members’ Internet expertise, the GFHA will soon launch a comprehensive website that provides a large database of Gindlesperger genealogy. “To date, we’ve found over 3,000 direct descendants of Ulrich Gindlesperger. One of our goals is to provide free access to this great research; we want other people to have as much fun exploring their ancestry as we do,” Rev. Gindlesperger said. The incorporators and initial board members are: the Rev. Norman L. Gindlesperger, Baldwin, L.I., NY, President; James L. Gindlesperger, Johnstown, PA, Vice President; Julie Matthews Burnette, Germantown, MD, Secretary; G. James Gindlesberger, Alva, OK, Treasurer; and Virginia Gage Firks, Fort Wayne, IN. Additional information is available at the address below or from the above officers, respectively, at the following email addresses: normanlg@idt.com; jimgind@alvant.alva.ok.us; jg57@andrew.cmu.edu; and julie-mike@erols.com. The GFHA is inviting Charter Memberships at $15.00 per year for individuals and families until the time of celebration in 1999. Membership dues may be sent to G. James Gindlesperger, 815 12th Street, Alva, OK 73717.