----- Original Message ----- From: Bonnie To: Bill & Lynn Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 8:58 AM Subject: Re: Steele/Stahl family Hi Lynn, I don't know if the New York Stahl/Steele's are related to the PA Stahl/Steele's, they do come from the same area of Germany. It would be interesting to find out. The family names are similar to mine also (ie. Rudolph, Johannes, Henrich, Joseph, Georgius, Barbara,& Magdalena.) Here is some history about the Steele/Stahl in early America. Schoharie County, New York was the first settlement of the Palantine Germans after Queen Anne abandoned them at the german work camps on Livingston Manor on both sides of the lower Hudson Valley. Many starved, some returned to Europe and some were convinced by William Penn's son to go and settle what is now the Berks County area of Pennsylvannia.(maybe yours?) That's where the term Pennsylvania Dutch comes from, it was a mis-pronunciation of the German work duesch. The entire art theme of the thistle finch, roses and hearts are part of our Steele tradition. These primitive designs were used to decorate wedding records, birth certificates, wills, etc. This art form is referred to as fratur painting. Also in Schoharie County, N.Y., our ancestors cleared the wilderness and set up their own villages or dorfs. Signs still show their locations throughout that county. Anyway, once cleared, the English evicted them ! all and took back all the now cleared and tilled land. That is how they ended up in the areas of New York (ie. Stone Arabia, Canajoharie and German Flats twp.) Also besides Germany, our ancestors were also from Switzerland. So you see it is possible that the Pa Steele's are related to the New York Steele's. It should be a fascinating adventure to figure it out. I am willing if you are. Bonnie ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill & Lynn To: Bonnie Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 9:34 AM Subject: Re: Steele/Stahl family Hi Bonnie, I am from the Geroge Stahl/Steele family from PA. Bedford Co, PA to be exact. I have my line trace down to me. It goes John Georg Steel/stahl/Steele,Jacob Steele.George Steele,Henry Steele, Jesse Hugh Steele,my mother Paulne Steele and the me. The orginal John Georg or George was from Franconia,Palentine, Germany. Supposedly three brothers came to the colonies togetther of the ship Friendship which landed in Philadelphia in 1754. There are three Stahls lissted on the ship registry. John Micheal Staho,and Joseph Stahl were the other two brothers. Is you ancestor linked to either ot these? Lynn ----- Original Message ----- From: Bonnie To: Bill & Lynn Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 7:24 AM Subject: Re: Steele/Stahl family Hello Lynn, It would be great to share our lines to see if we connect. My Steele's original name was also spelled Stahl. My Stahl/Steele ancestors settled in the Mohawk area of New York, especially in the town of German Flats in the mid-late 1700's. One of my early ancestors was Rudolf Stahl. Where are your Stahl/Steele family located? I know that there is another German line that settled in Pennsylvannia. I would be glad to continue correspondance with you. Hope to hear from you soon! Bonnie ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill & Lynn To: kh44897@mediaone.net Sent: Friday, June 08, 2001 7:15 AM Subject: Steele/Stahl I would like to share information with you regarding the Steele/Steel/Stahl connection. My Steele also came from Palenrtine Germany. I believe his orginal name was Stahl. Lynn