There were four different Kessler/Kesler lines, that I am aware of, that came from the West Virginia area. The first three of these lines came out of Virginia and the last most likely from the PA or MD area. I refer to each group as: #1- The descendants of Christopher and Sarah Greenwood Butt Kessler- We find them in WV as early as 1859. These Kessler's most always spelled their name with the double "s", although some old records spell it with one. They were located around Nicholas & Greenbrier Co. Later into Webster, Lewis, Harrison and Cabell Co.'s #2- The descendants of Peter and Catherine Schietz/Sheets Kesler- We find them in WV as early as 1802. These Kesler's spelled their name with both one and two "s" depending on the individual family, and were located in Greenbrier, Fayette & Nicholas Co. There are at least seven major researchers working on this line at the present time. I have made several of these researchers aware of the other and they are now working jointly. #3- The descendants of Johannes and Eva Dorothea Leman Kesler- We find them in WV circa 1866 and maybe earlier. These Kessler's also spelled their name with both one and two "s" depending on the individual family, and were located in the Summers, Monroe and Mercer Co. area. Later into Kanawha and Pocahontas Co. This family has been well research and documented in several volumes of books entitled "Out from the Blue Ridge", by Morris S. Kessler and Rev. A. Dean Kesler. #4-The Eastern Panhandle Kessler Family- Most of these Kessler's use two "s". They are referred to as the Eastern panhandle group because they are from the Berkeley and Jefferson Co. area located in the Eastern panhandle of WV. We find them there as early as 1837. Little is know of this group where they came from or where they went. I have been able to lean a little more about this line with the recent death records added to the WV Cultural Society web site. There was some belief that family #1 & #2 were related, but recent DNA testing for genealogical purposes has ruled that out, even though they lived in the same geographical area of WV. One important fact that you have to remember is that West Virginia did not become a state until it separated from Virginia in June of 1863. The state of Virginia had many Kessler/Kesler families and I get inquiries on a regular basis about many Kessler/Kesler's from Botetourt, Rockbridge, Rockingham, and surrounding Virginia counties. I don't have much information about these families, but have connected others who are working on the same lines. I do however, have and am always looking for more, information of those Kessler/Kesler families in WEST Virginia. Are your Kessler/Kesler's from WEST Virginia? Do you know which group you are from? If not, just tell me back as far as you know and I will probably be able to help you find your ancestors. I look forward to hearing from you. Karen Kessler Cottrill email KesslerWV@aol.com SURNAMES- KESSLER/KESLER- MANSFIELD/MANSPILE- PECK/BECK -MCCLUNG -BUTT/BUTTS- AMMEN-GREGORY-SHUTTLESWORTH- HAMRICK-PAYNE-COGER/COGAR/KOGER-MOLLOHAN- GIVEN-WASKEY-HIME-BORDEN-GROVER-WINTER-DIERDOFF/TIERDORF-CAVENDISH-BOLLAR-DODDRILL- BICKEL-COTTRILL and dozens of others Karen Kessler Cottrill WV Kessler/Kesler/Keslar Family Historian I am making no claims that the above information is correct and should not be posted as so. This is being given as personal information to be used for further research and not all has been documented.