Kessler-Keslar-Kesler
Family History & Archive
Facts, Analysis, and Narrative about the
Johann George Bernhard Kessler Lineage
Introduction
Welcome to the family history site for descendants of Johann George Bernhard Kessler (1711-1792) and his son, Andreas Kessler/Keslar (1746-1809). Your last name might be spelled Kessler, Keslar, or Kesler. Regardless, you can use these family history resources to trace your ancestry directly to Andreas and Johann.
Use this content to learn about pivotal family events, perspectives of each generation, and specific facts about each ancestor. You are invited to contribute stories, photos, and other artifacts to improve and enrich the contents and share your memories with future generations.
The family history includes our European heritage through the time that the family arrived in the American colonies in 1751. It describes how the family made its way to Frederick County, Maryland where Johann, with his wife and children settled on acreage on what is now Lander Road in Jefferson Township, six miles west of Frederick City.
As Johann aged, he ceded control of the homestead to his son, Andreas who continued to manage family affairs. In 1796, Andreas and several sons departed for a new life in western Pennsylvania, leaving the Maryland homestead to oldest son Andrew. In 1802, another son, Johannes, relocated to Virginia. These pivotal events changed the course of our family history.
Two Ways to Explore
This site can be explored in two ways. If you are looking for a particular ancestor or family line, use Find Your Family to browse the descendants by branch and generation. If you prefer to follow the family chronologically, use Explore the Family History to follow the story from our European origins through immigration, settlement in Maryland, and the later migrations to Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other locations.
Trace your Kessler, Keslar, and Kesler branch through the generations. Start with a familiar name and work backward — or follow a family line forward.
Follow the family from its European origins to colonial Maryland, then through the generations as the Kessler, Keslar, and Kesler lines encompassed Pennsylvania, Virginia, and beyond.
New to the site?
Watch a short introduction to the Kessler-Keslar-Kesler Family History & Archive.
Research Resources & Notes
Over the years, many lessons have been learned while researching the material for this family history. Use this page to better understand those lessons and to access notes, limitations, and additional resources.
