To commemorate the 300th anniversary of the arrival of Jacob Böhm, (the progenitor of the Boehm family) to present day Lancaster County, Darvin L. Martin will discuss the genetic background and the land records of local 1717 Mennonite families. The presentation will begin at 3:00 PM, October 22nd in Boehm's Chapel.
Since 2010, Martin has been exploring the DNA of Swiss-German Mennonite families and has used this data to reconstruct the ethnic origins of local Anabaptist families back into medieval Europe or beyond.
The influx of the seventy 1717 Mennonite families significantly changed the culture and ethnicity of Lancaster County. Martin will discuss where these families settled within the confines of the townships in proximity to Boehm's Chapel.
Among the surnames common to the area are, Baumgardner, Brackbill, Boehm, Brenneman, Eshleman, Good, Harnish, Herr, Hess, Huber, Keagey, Kendig, Kreider, Meili, Stehman, and Witmer.
The anniversary book, Sowing Seeds of Faith, A Boehm History, The First 300 Years, 1717-2017, will be available for pre-order. The approximately 200-page book presents an insight into the Pequea Township Böhm family, a history of the beginnings of Boehm's Chapel and Church including brief notations for over 200 hundred early circuit riders and Methodist pastors who have served the congregation, which originated on the Boehm homestead, in 1775. For additional information, please contact boehmschapel@gmail.com or phone 717-872-4133.
While the event is free and open to the public, donations will be greatly appreciated.