Family history

Family history

Only two generations of this family line have been identified. The direct descendents are my 7^th great-grandfather Johan Georg Kohler born around 1718, and his daughter Maria Elizabeth Kohler (my 6^th great-grandmother).

Some researchers maintain that Georg was born in Stein, Germany. This may actually be the town of Steinen located in the southeastern part of Baden-Wurttemberg. It is probable that George Kohler came to America prior to 1741 when he married his wife Anna Barbara of York County, Pennsylvania. George and his family apparently lived in that part of York County known today as Lower Windsor Township.

Maria Elizabeth married Anthony Keller in 1769. She gave birth to eight known children between 1772 and 1783. Maria passed away in 1802 and was buried in the Canadochly Cemetery, Lower Windsor Twp., York County.

Origins of the surname

Research into the record of this Kohler family line indicates that the meaning and history of this surname is most likely linked to that area of Europe where the German* language is commonly spoken. The form Kohler is South German; elsewhere it is usually written Köhler.

Meaning of the Name

Kohler is an occupational name for a charcoal burner, and later a collier or an owner of coal mines. The word originated from Middle High German kol ‘(char)coal’ + the agent suffix -er. Occupational surnames such as Kohler only became hereditary if a son continued in the same occupation as the father. Kohler was a locational surname of landowning origins, from a place called Koler. Also the word as kohl or kohle was used to describes a cabbage grower, thus the topgraphical surnames Kohlheim and Kohlhof can mean either cabbage hamlet or house or coal hamlet or house.

History of the Name

This is a German surname of early medieval origins was first found in Saxony, where the family rose to prominence early in the mediaeval era. An early recording of this surname is of Walther filius Koler of Tiermendingen, Germany, in 1234, and Verhaltnis von Koler of Koler is recorded in 1394. Other early recordings include Ruprecht Kaler of Freiburg in the charters of that city for the year 1464.

A coat of arms was granted to Edle von Kahler of Bohemia in circa 1680. This coat of arms has the blazon of per fess, gules and or, a dragon counterchanged. The arms of Kohler of Bavaria has the blazon of argent, three spear heads in pale, gules, as in the header of this web page. There are other German Coats of Arms of Kohler such as the example seen at the right.

Early Immigrants to North America

During the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries hundreds of thousands of Europeans made the perilous ocean voyage to North America. For many it was an escape from economic hardship and religious persecution. For most it was an opportunity for to start over, own their own land, and make a better future for their descendents. Immigration records show a number of people bearing the name of Kohler, or one of its variants, as arriving in North America between the 17^th and 20^th centuries. Some of these immigrants were: Hans Georg Kohler, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1733; Nicholaus Koehler, who settled in Missouri in 1849; Lewis Koehler, who arrived in Indiana in 1852.

* German Surname Meanings & Origins

Many German names have their roots in the Germanic middle ages. The process of forming family names began around the year 1100 and extended through 1600. All social classes and demographic strata aided in the development of names. First Names (Rufnamen) identified specific persons. Over time the first name began to be applied to the bearer's whole family. At first through verbal usage, family names (Familiennamen) were later fixed through writing. Until the 17th century, first names played a more important role. The earliest family names derived from the first name of the first bearer (Patronym). Later names derived from the place of dwelling and location of the homestead. If a person of family migrated from one place to another they were identified by the place they came from. Of more recent origin are names derived from the vocation of profession of the first bearer. These names comprise the largest group and the most easily recognizable, for they tell what the first bearer did for a living. Another group are names derived from a physical or other characteristic of the first bearer. Finally, there are names that tell you the state or region a first bearer and his family came from; the age old division in tribes and regions (low German, middle German and upper German) is often reflected in names.

Variations of the surname

Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to unfold and expand often leading to an overwhelming number of variants. As such one can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames because in early times, spelling in general and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized. Later on spellings would change with the branching and movement of families. Spelling variations of this family name include: Kohler, Koehler, Koler, Kolar, Koller, Kollar, Koeler, Koelar, Koelle, Koeller, Koellar, Koellner, Koelner, Coler, Cohler, Coeler, and many others.

The complexity of researching records is compounded by the fact that in many cases an ancestors surname may also have been misspelled. This is especially true when searching census documents. The Soundex system was developed in an effort to assist with identifying spelling variations for a given surname. Soundex is a method of indexing names in the 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 US Census, and can aid genealogists in their research. The Soundex Code for Kohler is K460. Other surnames sharing this Soundex Code: KAHLER | KALER | KAYLOR | KEELER | KELLAR | KELLEHER | KELLER | KELLIHER | KILROE | KILROY | KOEHLER | KOHLER | KOLLER | KYLER | .

Source: Surname Resources at ROOTSWEB

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RESOURCES WEBPAGE

Direct Ancestors

Descendant Register

Generation 1

Johan Georg Kohler-1 was born on Abt. 1718 in Germany. He died in York County, Pennsylvania. He married Anna Barbara Kohler (Nee?) on Abt. 1741. She was born on 1721 in York County, Pennsylvania. She died in York County, Pennsylvania.

Child of Johan Georg Kohler and Anna Barbara Kohler (Nee ?) is:

2. i. Maria Elizabeth Kohler, B: 30 Oct 1747 in York County, Pennsylvania, D: 12 May 1802 in Lower Windsor Twp., York Co., Pennsylvania, M: Abt. 1769 in York, York Co., Pennsylvania.

Generation 2

Maria Elizabeth Kohler-2(Johan Georg Kohler-1) was born on 30 Oct 1747 in York County, Pennsylvania. She died on 12 May 1802 in Lower Windsor Twp., York Co., Pennsylvania. She married Anthony Keller II on Abt. 1769 in York, York Co., Pennsylvania, son of Anthony Keller I and Anna Maria Barbara Chateau (Schatto). He was born on Abt. 1744 in Tulpehocken Twp., Berks Co., Pennsylvania. He died on 01 Jan 1817 in Lower Windsor Twp., York Co., Pennsylvania.

Children of Maria Elizabeth Kohler and Anthony Keller II are:

i. Catherine Elizabeth Keller, B: 16 Apr 1770 in York County, Pennsylvania, D: 25 Mar 1851 in York County, Pennsylvania, M: 1790 in Pennsylvania.

ii. Anthony Keller III, B: 02 May 1772 in York Co., Pennsylvania.

iii. Peter Keller, B: 29 Jan 1774 in York Co., Pennsylvania, D: 22 Apr 1873 in York County, Pennsylvania, M: 1799.

iv. Sophia Keller, B: 1776 in York Co., Pennsylvania, D: Aft. Apr 1826, M: 1796.

v. Magdalena Keller, B: 1778 in York Co., Pennsylvania, M: 1797.

vi. Elizabeth Keller, B: 05 Jun 1779 in York Co., Pennsylvania, D: 21 Nov 1851.

vii. Christine Keller, B: Abt. 1781 in York County, Pennsylvania, M: 17 Nov 1813 in (Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church), York, York Co., Pennsylvania.

viii. Susanna Keller, B: 12 Jan 1783 in York Co., Pennsylvania, M: 1803.

Additional information about our DIRECT ANCESTORS as well as a complete listing of individuals with this surname may be reviewed by clicking on the following LINK.

DKPS Surname Locator

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Ancestral locations

Researching the locations where my ancestors lived has provided me with valuable evidence needed to fill-in the gaps in my family trees. It has also led me to many interesting facts that enhance the overall picture of each family group. The names of states and counties on the following list were derived from the known places where the persons in the “Direct Ancestors” list (see above) were born, married, and / or died.

COUNTRY

STATE

COUNTY / SUBDIVISION

GERMANY

UNITED STATES

Pennsylvania

York County

Use this LINK to find out more about the locations listed above.

ANCESTRAL LOCATIONS

Where in the World

are My Ancestors?

Resources which enhance our knowledge of the places inhabited by our ancestors are almost as important as their names. The LINK to the left will take you to Maps, Gazetteers, and other helpful resources that

will assist in discovering Ancestral Locations. These web sites comprise only a small portion of what is available for researchers interested in learning more about the areas in which their ancestors lived.

Source documents

The documents and headstones contained within the “Source Documents Archives” have been located during my research of this family, and used as evidence to prove many of the facts contained within the database of this family’s record.

Most of these documents can be considered as primary or secondary evidence. Primary evidence is usually defined as the best available to prove the fact in question, usually in an original document or record. Secondary evidence is in essence all that evidence which is inferior in its origin to primary evidence. That does not mean secondary evidence is always in error, but there is a greater chance of error. Examples of this type of evidence would be a copy of an original record, or oral testimony of a record’s contents. Published genealogies and family histories are also secondary evidence.

Classifying evidence as either primary or secondary does not tell anything about its accuracy or ultimate value. This is especially true of secondary evidence. Thus it is always a good idea to ask the following questions: (1) How far removed from the original is it, (when it is a copy)?; (2) What was the reason for the creation of the source which contains this evidence?; and (3) Who was responsible for creating this secondary evidence and what interest did they have in its accuracy?

SOURCE: Greenwood, Val D., The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 2^nd edition, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD 21202, 1990, pgs. 62-63

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Use the following LINK to view the source documents pertaining to this family.

SOURCE DOCUMENTS

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General Surname Resources

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Additional Sites That We Recommend

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Free Genealogy Search Help for Google - This free genealogy site will help you use Google™ for your research. It will create a series of different searches using tips or "tricks" that will likely improve your results. The different searches will give you many different ways of using Google to find ancestry information on the Internet.

FamilySearch.org - Family History and Genealogy Records - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.

Top Genealogical Websites - These mighty roots resources compiled by “Family Tree Magazine”, will give you the power to bust through research brick walls and find answers about your ancestors—all from your home computer.

SurnameDB Free database of surname meanings - This site SurnameDB.Com contains a large FREE to access database (almost 50,000 surnames) on the history and meaning of family last names.

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Email

Snail Mail:

Fred
889 Dante Ct.
Mantua, NJ 08051

USA

Email

Snail Mail:

Fred
889 Dante Ct.
Mantua, NJ 08051

USA