Casper Schürch married Verena Burkhart, but which Caspar? There were two possibilities:
1649 Caspar, son of Jacob Schurch and Anna Mummenthaler was baptized on January 1, 1659, at the Reformed Church, Sumiswald, Bern, Switzerland. Test. Hans Züricher, Bendicht Wisler, Elsbeth Meister. [1]
1657 Caspar Schürch, son of Joseph Schürch and Elsbeth Güntlisperg, was baptized on April 9, 1657, at the Reformed Church, Sumiswald, Bern, Switzerland. Test. Hans Reist, Hans Summer, Verena Reuch?. [2] [3]1666 Verena Burkhart, daughter of Jacob Burkhart and Barbara Graber was baptized on September 9, 1666, at the Reformed Church, Sumiswald, Bern, Switzerland. Test. Hans Jorg?, Verena Burkhard, Barbara Sa?. [4]
1689 Verena, [daughter of] Caspar Schürch and Verena Burkhardt was baptized on February 10 at Sumiswald. Test. Uli Maÿster, Verena Tulisler?, Elsbeth Rauch? [5]
1688 Casper Schürch and Verena Burkhart were married at Sumiswald on January 12. [6]
Research Notes:
We are researching Joseph Sherk, who married Catherine Forney/Forrey and was an immigrant to America. The identity of his parents is not known with any certainty.
Based on the current evidence, it is plausible that Joseph's father was Casper Schürch, who married Verena Burkhart, as we show here. Casper and Verena Schürch were Mennonite.
Two brothers, Joseph Schürch and Jacob Schürch had sons named Casper. I don't know which, if either, might be the husband of Verena Burkhart. We currently show Casper Schurch, son of Jacob and baptized in 1649, as the spouse of Verena Burkhart because so many other researchers show this choice. However, Casper, baptized in 1657, had a father named Joseph (perhaps a namesake for Casper's son Joseph the immigrant), had Hans Reist (perhaps a well-known Anabaptist [7]) as a witness at his baptism, and has a better age match to his spouse Verena who was baptized in 1666.
1649 Casper Schürch, son of Jacob Schurch and Anna Mummenthaler, was born on January 1, 1649. Test. Hans Zuriches?, Benedich Ususles?, Elsbeht Müster?. [8] [9]
1657 Casper Schürch, son of Joseph Schürch and Elsbeth Güntlisperg, was baptized on April 9, 1657, at the Reformed Church, Sumiswald, Bern, Switzerland. Test. Hans Reist, Hans Summer, Verena Reuch?. [10] [11][René Schürch suggests that this family was near a military center, an unlikely place for a Mennonite family to be living, while Richard Warren Davis, in Research Report A7, 2005, provides evidence suggesting that it was a different family living at the military center]
Several Schürch family members were named at baptisms in Sumiswald during this era.
1652 Joseph, son of Peter Schürch and Annij Reinhart, was baptised, perhaps on August 8. Test: Andres (?), Joseph Haslibarger, Maria Lüthi(?). [12]
1653 Valentÿs?, child of Jaggi Schürch and Anii Mummenthaler. January 30. Test: Hans Bründbacher(?), Jacob Summer, Henrÿ Braber(?). [13]
1654 Christina Schürch, [daughter of] Joseph Schürch and Elsbeht Güntlisperger, was baptized on Herbstmonat 21, at the Reformed Church, Sumiswald, Bern, Switzerland. Test. Andreß Kräjenbül, Christina Sümmer, Christina Küpfer?. [14]
1654 Maria [daughter of] Caspar Reist and Anna Schürch was baptized on Uyu?monat 30, at the Reformed Church, Sumiswald, Bern, Switzerland. Test. Uli Aschbasher, Barbara För, Christina Koler. [15]
1654 Uli [son of] Hans Schürch and Barbara Koler was baptized on Uuctermonat 16, at the Reformed Church, Sumiswald, Bern, Switzerland. Test. Uli Mosiman, Hans Reinhardt, Elsneth Obliger. [16]
1656 Peter [son of] Hans Schürch and Babi Koler was baptized on Marz 27, at the Reformed Church, Sumiswald, Bern, Switzerland. Test. Uli ?barli, Hans Hashlibarger, Anna Reist. [17]
1660 Sebastian, [son of] Josep Schürch and Elsi Güntlisperg, was baptized on December 6, at the Reformed Church, Sumiswald, Bern, Switzerland. Test. Hanß Maÿster, Baschi Drüßel, Babi Gerber. [18]
1691 Barbara, [daughter of] Caspar Schürch and Verena Burkhardt was baptized on January 15 at Sumiswald. Test. Uli Meÿster(?), Madlena Krÿst, Babi Brandt? [19]
1693 25 May, eodem at Sumiswald. [20]
Uli, [son of] Caspar Schürch ein ausgetrettiren
undidricten ? has sein kind har
gesainds Zu taufens?
Verena Burkhardt ist ? ?
Tauferrin
Uli Aschliman, Uli ?islear, Maria Summer1695 Madlena, [daughter of] Caspar Schürch and Verena Burkhardt was baptized on June 2 at Sumiswald. [21]
Diese Eltern sind ausgetreten
Taufer, und haben mir des Kind
zu Taufen eintrieren? Zedul zu geschickt
Tauf Zeugen [Witnessed by] Christian Ramseöger, Madlena Elleiburgen, Madleni Kring.1699 Uli, son of Jacob Schürch and Barbara Brand, was baptized on April 23 at Sumiswald. Test: Peter Reist, Uli Sommer(?), Verena(?) Schütz(?). [22]
1699 Christina, daughter of Josep Schürch and Anii Ashliman was baptized on August 27 at Sumiswald. Test: Andras Summer, Christina Meister, Christina Summer. [23]
1699 Maria, daughter of Caspar Schürch and Barbara Hany(?) was baptized on August 31 at Sumiswald. Test: Hans Brandl(?), Elsbeth Mosiman, Barbara Bra(?). [24]
1700 Christina, daughter of Uli Schürch and (?) was baptized on March 14 at Sumiswald. Test: Leonhard Reist, Christina Schütz, Christina Meister. [25]
1700 Hans Uli, son of Jacob Schürch and Babi Brand, was baptized on September 29 at Sumiswald. Test: Uli Summer, Hans Schürch, Christina Schütz. [26]
1701 Johannes, son of Uli Schürch and Babi Grundbach was baptized on April 3 at Sumiswald. Test: Hans Schürch, Baschi Schürch, Babi Mastier. [27]
1704 Uli, son of Uli Schürch and Babi Grundbach was baptized on August 31 at Sumiswald. Test: Uli Kra(?), Uli Aschelman, Maria Grundbach. [28]
Research Notes:
We seek evidence to clarify the possible relationship of Casper Schürch and Verena Burkhart to Joseph Sherk, whose will was dated June 30, 1770 in West Hempfield Twp, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, spouse of Catherine Forney. We show Casper and Verena as the parents of Joseph, based on the research of others.
We seek help in transcribing the baptism records cited above. We do not speak German, nor are we experts in transcribing parish records.
1693-95 Casper Schürch and his wife were called Anabaptists at the baptisms of their children in 1693 and 1695. They left Sumiswald sometime after 1695 and perhaps went to live in the Pfalz.
1738 Jacob Sherrick, relationship unknown, warranted 150 acres in Lancaster county adjacent to George Fowler and Michael Wolfe, returned 27 June 1785. [29] [30] [31]
Circumstantial evidence suggests that Joseph [Sherk immigrant code C] and Caspar Schurch [Sherk immigrant code H] were brothers, based on their close proximity in America in time and place. No definitive birth records have been found for them. [32] [33]
Assuming that Joseph and Casper were brothers, the identity of their parents is uncertain, but several researchers speculate that their father was this Casper Schurch, as shown here. [34] [35][René Schürch, Schuerch Von Sumiswald, Bremgarten bei Bern, Switzerland, 1986, p 6.7] dna research suggests that they shared a common male ancestor, but do not have identical haplotypes, so they might not be full brothers [Schürch Family Association of North America].
See Schürch Family Association Family Tree: [36]
Some accounts name Ulrich Schürch as the father of Joseph. [37] With little evidence, we show Ulrich as a brother of Joseph Schürch.
1739 The death of Casper Schurch has been reported in July in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, but these sources also report Verena's death in the same month in Sumiswald and report her birth on April 9, 1657 (which is the baptism date of alternate Casper Schürch). These reports show Casper's baptism in 1649, with the parents we name above for that baptism. There are many trees at Ancestry.com grouped together showing similar ancestry. The trees have no sources. Perhaps they were copied from each other, despite the apparent conflict in the reported death places.
[1] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 490, entry 55, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[2] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 402, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[3] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Casper Schurch A83, son of Joseph A8 and Elsbeth Guntlisberger, [Website].
[4] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 490, entry 55, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[5] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 3, Taufrodel 1669-1699, 290, entry 9, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[6] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 25, Eherodel 1637-1753, 67, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[7] Wikipedia article about Hans_Reist, content subject to change, [Wikipedia].
[8] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 312, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[9] Schürch Family Association of North America Newsletter, 22A (April 2004), 13.
[10] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 402, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[11] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, Casper Schurch A83, son of Joseph A8 and Elsbeth Guntlisberger, [Website].
[12] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 351, page 351, person 39, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[13] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 357, page 357, person 6, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[14] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 193, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[15] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 377, person 56, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[16] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 377, person 59, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[17] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 391, page 391, person 23, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[18] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 2, Taufrodel 1617-1668, 437, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[19] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 3, Taufrodel 1669-1699, 320, entry 6, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[20] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 3, Taufrodel 1669-1699, 358, entry 39, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[21] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 3, Taufrodel 1669-1699, 388, entry 31, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[22] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 4, Taufrodel 1699-1726, 1, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[23] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 4, Taufrodel 1699-1726, 6, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[24] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 4, Taufrodel 1699-1726, 6, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[25] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 4, Taufrodel 1699-1726, 14, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[26] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 4, Taufrodel 1699-1726, 21, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[27] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 4, Taufrodel 1699-1726, 29, person 23, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[28] Staatsarchivs des Kantons Bern, Sumiswald, K Sumiswald 4, Taufrodel 1699-1726, 83, person 49, [BernStateArchivesImage], [BernStateArchivesCatalog].
[29] Pennsylvania Land Warrant, Lancaster County, S252, [PALandWarrantLinks].
[30] Pennsylvania Archives Land Office Survey, A57-181, [PASurveyBookLinks].
[31] Pennsylvania Land Patent, P3-430, [PAPatentBookLinks].
[32] Josephine U. Graybill, Preacher John Shirk's Genealogy (Selingrove, PA: McLain Press, 1961), 1.
[33] A. G. Seyfert, "Joseph Shirk, Astronomer, Mathematician, and Inventor," Historical Papers and Addresses of the Lancaster County Historical Society 29 (1925), 87.
[34] Richard Warren Davis, Mennosearch.com Family Notes, A83, ?father of Joseph A835 and Casper Sherk A836, [Website].
[35] Schürch Family Association of North America Newsletter, 22A (April 2004), 13.
[36] Schürch Family Association Family Tree: Caspar Schürch descendants, [URL].
[37] Morris N. Sherk, Christian Strickler Sherk His Ancestry and Descendants (1994), 9.