The Families
The Falk Family
War in some fashion or another had been a constant state in the Kingdom of Prussia for generations. In 1870, Otto Von Bismarck was focused on the unification of Germany and believed that war would arouse nationalist fervor and serve to unite the independent German states with Prussia, France opposed such unity. Bismarck wanted a showdown with France and tricks the French into starting war. The Franco-Prussian War begins in July 19, 1870. In September the Prussians defeat the French decisively at Sedan and capture the French emperor, Napoleon III. The emperor is deposed.
Six days before the start of the Franco-Prussian War began, the Falk Family made their escape to America. As France's Second Empire ends and Third Republic begins as the Falk family embarks on their new life in America.
The Abbott Family
The Great Puritan Migration took place between 1620-1640, as a prophetic revelatory event in the context of a sacred, ecclesiastical event; many believing the migration was the climax of their of salvation and redemption. A group of original English settlers established the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630; about 1,000 Puritan refugees of ordinary laymen formed a complex genealogical and intellectual network from England under Gov. John Winthrop and Deputy Gov. Thomas Dudley.
Walter Thomas Abbott immigrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony as part of the puritan migration as early as 1634 from Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire England, about forty miles north-east of London starting a long line of lineage in this new world.
The LaMar Family
Much of the history of the LaMar’s in America is traced back to a set of brothers who immigrated to British North America in 1660 from Anjou France to escape religious persecution by the crown of France. These immigrates were called Huguenots (or French Reformers); French Protestants who followed the teachings of John Calvin. These immigrants were largely artisans, craftsman and professional people and when arriving to North America, the Huguenots migrated predominately to Virginia, the Carolinas, New York and Pennsylvania.
It is believed that brothers Peter & Thomas Lamar were the initial immigrates to America. Thomas Lamar is the primary ancestor of the majority of the Lamar’s in America; and this is where our family lineage begins.
The Fix Family
The state of Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany has a tortured history dating back to the Holy Roman Empire in 12th Century; enduring religious wars, changes in imperial policy, and invasions from France. The city of Offenburg is located near the Rhine between Karlsruhe and Freiburg, at the mouth of the Kinzig river valley, flowing out of the Black Forest meetig near Kehl. The French city of Strasbourg lies directly west across the Rhine.
Although Offenburg is set in a beautiful landscape, for Lorentz’ life, he and his family must have lived in consistent uncertainty so it is no wonder that he boarded the Ship Patience in the late 1740’s or early 1750’s from Offenburg, Ortenaukreis, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany arriving in Philadelphia, ultimately settling in Exeter, as part of the Pennsylvania Dutch community.
The Matthies Family
The first war over German Unification started in 1862 with the Danish war over Schleswig-Holstein, Germany's northernmost state and less than 300km from Hessendorf, Schaumburg, Niedersachsen where the Matthies made their home. It’s unclear if it was the constant wars in Germany that may have been the last straw for the Matthies family to escape the impending mandatory military service for their four young boys or the desire to embark on a new adventure and life.
Either way, after enduring decades of war, Johann Heinrich Matthies and his family, wife Catherina and six children ages 2-11 years old traveled from their home in Hessendorf, Schaumburg, Niedersachsen, Germany to board a ship headed to America; arriving in New York July 1863.
The Hafenstein Family
Karl & Karoline Havenstein were married in 1849 living in Brandenburg, a district of Prussia. They began their family of twelve in the small town of Petersdorf at a time of great political unrest and religious persecution.
In 1884 Karl & Karoline left Germany to join their family who had immigrated earlier and settled in Kansas; upon arrival some of their children changed their last names to either Hafenstine or Hefenstine to be easily identified.
Duncan Family
The Duncan’s have a long history in the North America.
William Robert Duncan Sr.. immigrated to America from Perthshire Scotland in 1694; this was two years after his father Reverend William Robert Duncan A.M., an Episcopalian minister, suffered martyrdom (was beheaded) under King Charles II of Scotland, January 2, 1692 for not taking the Jacobite Oath after 40 years of ministry.
William Robert Duncan Sr. & Margaret McMurdo of Dumfries were married in 1682 and are the original emigrants for this side of our family.
Hanks Family
There is some speculation that Thomas Hanks was deported from Malmesburg, England in 1643/44, landing in the American colony of Virginia as an indentured servant after being captured as a soldier under Oliver Cromwell (Cromwell’s Army) fighting on the side of King Charles during the English Civil War/Great Rebellion between 1642-1651.
In 1653 Thomas restarted his life in America, married Elizabeth Lee and establishing their life in Westmoreland, Virgina on over 100 acres.