This was sent in answer to a query from a fellow lister, but it may be useful to others. So - ----- Original Message ----- From: Elida Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 1:39 PM Subject: STAUFFER, SNYDER, SCHAFER My STAUFFER (STAFFORD) ancestor was Hans STAUFFER who left Schweitz, Germany on Nov. 5, 1709 with his wife and children: Jacob age 13, Daniel age 12, Henry age 9, and married daughter Elizabeth PAULUS with her husband and their child Mary. The family arrived in London Jan. 26, 1710 - later that year they arrived in Philadelphia, settling in the French Creek area of Chester Co. near Valley Forge. Hans is buried in the Mennonite Graveyard near Valley Forge. I am descended thru the line of Han's son Jacob, who was born in Switzerland 1696 (he's the 13 yr-old son above). Jacob died March 1780 at Bally, Berks Co., PA and is buried in the Mennonite Cemetery there along with his wife Barbara who died 1785, also at Bally. Their son Christian was born Dec. 16, 1728 and died July 14, 1797 at Bally. He is also buried in the Mennonite Cemetery at Bally. His wife was Susanna BUCKWALTER. Christian STAUFFER served in the Revolutionary War. His military service can be documented through DAR (Daughter's of the American Revolution) records. Christian and Barbara had a son John, born Dec. 24, 1758 in Montgomery Co., PA and died March 5, 1845 in Schuylkill Co., PA and is buried at St. Peter's Cemetery, Barnesville, Schuylkill Co. He married Elizabeth YEAGER, born Nov. 15, 1767. This is the first generation to have left the Mennonite religion to become Evangelical Lutherans. They had a son Jacob, born 1783 who had three wives. His surname was changed from STAUFFER to STAFFORD by the time of the 1860 Census in Schuylkill Co., PA. He and wife #3 were the parents of my greatgrandmother, Hettie STAFFORD. There is an entirely different line of the STAUFFER family who arrived in PA about mid-1700's and went directly to Lancaster Co. I believe these are the STAUFFER Mennonites who moved into other states. My SCHNEIDER ancestors from Berks Co. early 1700's also had their name changed to SNYDER by mid-1800 Census in Schuylkill Co., PA. They were Evangelical Lutherans as far back I find them in PA. The SCHAEFFER (SHAFER) family were also Evangelical Lutherans. All of my PA ancestors were in Eastern PA counties - and stayed there. As far as researching first and second names in records: I think church records would be in the full name, example my Johan Christian STUTZMANN, Sr. marrying in Zion & St. Michael's Evan. Lutheran in Philadelphia 1766, and my Maria Christina SCHAFER marring Gottfried STUTZMAN, with land records and census records often appearing as the middle name with the surname. It was the usual practice for the early German families to call the children by the middle name. I hope this is helpful, Elida in SC