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Family history

Family History

There is little doubt that the two Stober families listed in my database are closely connected. It is most probable that the elder ancestor of Stober (1), Johann Jost Stöber could be a brother or at least a cousin of Johann Jacob Stober the elder ancestor of the Stober (2) line. Current research presents much information about the Stober family of Staffort a small town in the Karlsruhe region of the present day German state of Baden-Würrtemberg. Some of this information displays several inconsistencies and as such is questionable. This is probably due to the misinterpretation of Spöck church records that lists many Stober family events.

This Stöber family line has been traced back to my 9^th great-grandfather Johann Jost Stöber. Johann was born 1639 at Staffort. Johann married twice during his lifetime and produced many children. His first union was with Anna Catharina Heyd around 1660. He and his wife had at least eight known children between 1661 and 1678. After Anna Catharina died of childbirth in 1678 Johann took a second wife Anna Catharina Maria Zeiter who was almost 20 years young than himself. This marriage resulted in another eight children born between 1680 and 1691. One of them, a son Hans Peter Stöber, through whom our lineage continues. Johann Jost Stöber lived his entire life at Staffort where he died in 1696.

Hans Peter Stöber was born at Staffort in 1683. In 1707 he married Anna Catharina Elisabetha Müller also a native of Staffort. As a result of this union seven children were born between 1709 and 1722. Like his ancestors Hans Peter remained at Staffort until his death in 1759 at the age of 75 years.

Anna Barbara Stöber, daughter of Hans Peter and Anna Stober, is my 7^th great-grandmother. Anna was born at Staffort in 1711. At an early age she became the wife of Valentin Kieffer, Sr. a native of the nearby town of Blankenloch. Anna Barbara bore at least 5 known children during this marriage. In 1737 she and Valentin along with four young children left Blankenloch and made the perilous ocean voyage to American aboard the ship Townsend (Bilender). They arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 5, 1737. Soon after the family moved west to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Anna Barbara died in 1773 at the age of 62 years. My family lineage continues through her son Valentine Keiffer, Jr. born in 1734.

Origins of the surname

· An Introduction to the Name

· Meaning of the Name

· History of the Name

· Early Immigrants to North America

· More About Surname Meanings & Origins

An Introduction to the Name

The practice of adopting hereditary surnames began in the southern areas of Germany during the second half of the 12^th century, and gradually spread northwards during the Middle Ages. With the passing of generations and the movement of families moved from place to place many of the original identifying names were altered into some of the versions that we are familiar with today. Over the centuries, most of our European ancestors accepted their surname as an unchangeable part of their lives. Thus people rarely changed their surname. Variations of most surnames were usually the result of an involuntary act such as when a government official wrote a name phonetically or made an error in transcription.

Research into the record of this Stöber family line indicates that the variations, meanings and history of this surname is most likely linked to that area of Europe where German linguistic traditions are commonly found.

Meaning of the Name

Most modern family names throughout Europe originated from with of the following circumstances: occupation (i.e., Carpenter, Cooper, Brewer, Mason); locational (Middleton, Sidney, or Ireland) or topographical (i.e. Hill, Brook, Forrest, Dale); nicknames (i.e., Moody Freeholder, Wise, Armstrong); status (i.e. Freeman, Bond, Knight); and acquired ornamental names that were simply made up.

The Stöber surname originated from the Middle High German word stöuber for ‘hunting dog’, thus it is possibly a metonymic occupational name for someone who bred or cared for hunting dogs or a nickname for someone who resembled one. In Northern Germany Stöber may also have become variant of Stöver or Stoever. Stöver originated from the Middle Low German words (bad)stover which referred to a ‘bather’ or ‘worker at a public bathhouse’, thus it is an occupational name, but occasionally perhaps a nickname for a dedicated bather. A third meaning of the surname Stöber is that it is a German nickname that originated from Slavic word stobor meaning a ‘fighter’.

History of the Name

Following the Crusades in Europe in the 11th 12th and 13th centuries a need was felt for an additional name. The first hereditary surnames on German soil are found in the second half of the 12th century, slightly later than in England and France. However, it was not until the 16th century that they became stabilized. The practice of adopting hereditary surnames began in the southern areas of Germany, and gradually spread northwards during the Middle Ages. The German surname Stöber, and its variant spellings, have traveled widely in many forms throughout Europe. First found in Switzerland, where the name came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the emerging mediaeval society. During the 18^th century many of them immigrated to America and settled in the colony of Pennsylvania. The Stöber name does tend to be confused with the English versions, and particularly so in the United States where immigration from both countries was at its height in the 18th century. In any case the name from both countries is often in the same spelling, which is perhaps not surprising as they share similar pre 7th century "Anglo-Saxon" roots.

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 Stöber, or one of its variants, as arriving in North America between the 17^th and 20^th centuries. Some of these immigrants were: Hans Ulrich Stober who arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as early as 1743; Also arriving at the aforementioned location we Christian Stober in 1750; Andreas Stober in 1752, and Hans Stober in 1750. Ulrich and Valentine Stober are recorded as coming to the Pennsylvania colony in 1749.

Many German surnames were re-spelled in America because of the close relationship between the English and German languages. In some cases Germans are able to transform their names to the English form just by dropping a single letter. After the start of the first World War, Germans in great numbers Anglicized their names in an effort to remove all doubt as to their patriotism.

Use the following links to find more early immigrants with this surname:

$ Search Ancestry.com Immigration Records; or Free Ship’s Passenger lists at OliveTreeGenealogy.com

More About Surname Meanings & Origins

German Surnames

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: Stoever, Stover, Stober, Stofer, 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 Stober is S316. Other surnames sharing this Soundex Code: STAFFORD | STAUFFER | STIVER | STIVERS | STOBER | STOEVER | STOFER | STOFFER | STOUFFER | STOVER | SUDBURY |

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Family coat of arms

The origin of badges and emblems, are traced to the earliest times, although, Heraldry, in fact, cannot be traced later than the 12th century, or at furthest the 11th century. At first armorial bearings were probably like surnames and assumed by each warrior at his free will and pleasure, his object being to distinguish himself from others. It has long been a matter of doubt when bearing Coats of Arms first became hereditary. Heraldry spread to the German burgher class in the 13th century, and even some peasants used arms in the 14th century.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

There are no known associated armorial bearings for Stober or its variant spellings recorded in Reitstap’s Armorial General* or Sir Bernard Burke’s General Armory**. The coats-of-arms shown at the left have been attributed to the Stober or Stover surnames, but they have not been verified by the appropriate sources. If is quite possible that all three may have originated in the British Isles.

No Stober family mottoes are known. It is unusual for a German Achievement to include a motto.

A Coat of Arms is defined as a group of emblems and figures (heraldic bearings) usually arranged on and around a shield and serving as the special insignia of some person, family, or institution. Except for a few cases, there is really no such thing as a standard "coat of arms" for a surname. A coat of arms, more properly called an armorial achievement, armorial bearings or often just arms for short, is a design usually granted only to a single person not to an entire family or to a particular surname. Coats of arms are inheritable property, and they generally descend to male lineal descendents of the original arms grantee. The rules and traditions regarding Coats of Arms vary from country to country. Therefore a Coat of Arms for an English family would differ from that of a German family even when the surname is the same. The art of designing, displaying, describing, and recording arms is called heraldry. The use of coats of arms by countries, states, provinces, towns and villages is called civic heraldry. Some of the more prominent elements incorporated into a coat of arms are :

Crest - The word crest is often mistakenly applied to a coat of arms. The crest was a later development arising from the love of pageantry. Initially the crest consisted of charges painted onto a ridge on top of the helmet.

Wreath or Torse – The torse is a twist of cloth or wreath underneath and part of a crest. Always shown as six twists, the first tincture being the tincture of the field, the second the tincture of the metal, and so on.

Mantling – The mantling is a drapery tied to the helmet above the shield. It forms a backdrop for the shield.

Helm or Helmet - The helmet or helm is situated above the shield and bears the torse and crest. The style of helmet displayed varies according to rank and social status, and these styles developed over time, in step with the development of actual military helmets.

Shield or Arms - The basis of all coats of arms. At their simplest, arms consist of a shield with a plain field on which appears a geometrical shape or object. The items appearing on the shield are known as charges.

Motto - The motto was originally a war cry, but later mottoes often expressed some worthy sentiment. It may appear at the top or bottom of a family coat of arms.

Direct Ancestors

Descendant Register

Generation 1

Johann Jost Stober-1 was born on 1639 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. He died on 10 Dec 1696 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. He married Anna Catharina Maria Zeiter on 04 Mar 1679 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. She was born on 1658 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. She died on 31 Jan 1692 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Children of Johann Jost Stober and Anna Catharina Maria Zeiter are:

2. i. Hans Peter Stober, B: 22 Sep 1683 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 11 Aug 1759 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, M: 25 Oct 1707 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Johann Martin Stober, B: 08 Jan 1680 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 10 Sep 1689 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Hanß Georg Stober, B: 29 Nov 1680 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 12 Dec 1680 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Hanß Georg Stober, B: 09 Nov 1681 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 31 Mar 1689 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Anna Sibylla Stober, B: 11 Apr 1685 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 19 Aug 1685 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Stillborn Stober, B: 12 Jan 1687 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 12 Jan 1687 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Anna Sibylla Stober, B: 04 Dec 1687 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 10 Dec 1696 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Anna Catharina Stober, B: 06 Nov 1691 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Children of Johann Jost Stober and Anna Catharina Heyd are:

i. Hams Adam Stober, B: 07 Jul 1661 in Sfaffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurrtemberg, Ger., D: 21 Feb 1688 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

ii. Hanß Georg Stober, B: Dec 1668 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 15 Mar 1670 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

iii. Anna Margretha Stober, B: 1669 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

iv. Anna Barbara Stober, B: 1670 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

v. Georg Stober, B: Sep 1671 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

vi. Johann Wilhelm Stober, B: 19 Nov 1673 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 04 Apr 1674 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

vii. Johann Christoph Stober, B: 21 Dec 1675 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 17 Mar 1738 in Spock, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

viii. Johann Wilhelm Stober, B: 20 Aug 1678 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 19 Oct 1678 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Generation 2

Hans Peter Stober-2(Johann Jost Stober-1) was born on 22 Sep 1683 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. He died on 11 Aug 1759 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. He married Anna Catharina Elisabetha Müller on 25 Oct 1707 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. She was born on 27 Sep 1681 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. She died on 06 Jan 1752 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.

Children of Hans Peter Stober and Anna Catharina Elisabetha Müller are:

3. i. Anna Barbara Stober, B: 1711 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, D: 1773.

ii. Anna Catharina Stober, B: 29 Sep 1709 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 06 Apr 1763 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

iii. Hanß Peter Stober, B: 22 Nov 1713 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 19 Mar 1714 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

iv. Anna Catharina Elisabetha Stober, B: 28 Jul 1715 in Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

v. Johann Peter Stober, B: 27 Mar 1718 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 29 Mar 1718 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

vi. Anna Eva Stober, B: 08 Apr 1719 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 21 Jan 1722 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

vii. Eva Stober, B: 17 Jan 1722 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, D: 03 Jun 1786 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Generation 3

Anna Barbara Stober-3(Hans Peter Stober-2, Johann Jost Stober-1) was born on 1711 in Staffort, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. She died on 1773. She married Valentin Kieffer Sr., son of Anthoni Kiefer. He was born on Abt. 1694 in Blankenloch, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

Children of Anna Barbara Stober and Valentin Kieffer Sr. are:

Eva Kieffer, B: Abt. 1724 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany.

Anna Catharina Kieffer, B: Abt. 1731 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany.

Valentin Kieffer Jr., B: Abt. 1734 in Blankenloch, Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, D: Abt. 1775 in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania ?, M: Abt. 1743 in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania ?.

Hans Martin Kieffer, B: Abt. 1736 in Blankenloch, Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany.

John Frederick Kieffer, B: Abt. 1737 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

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

Baden-Wurttemberg

Blankenloch; Staffort

UNITED STATES

Pennsylvania

Lancaster County

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

ANCESTRAL LOCATIONS

Where in the World

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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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SOURCE DOCUMENTS

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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