Our Bär Lineage

Kanton Zurich, Switzerland	Lancaster Co., PA

Brief History of the Bär Family

Jane Evans Best researched, wrote, and published the Bär Family History in several issues of Pennsylvania Mennonite Heritage. Excerpts of her research which pertain to our direct lineage are available.

1. Hans Bär (I) (1545-1614)

Hans was born about 1545. Anabaptist leader. Lived at Bruder Albis/Ober Ratlisberg, Hausen Parish, Canton Zurich, Switzerland (Map). He died before 1614 in Albis, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. Hans married Kathrina Huber. Kathrina was buried 22 April 1622 in Albis, Hausen Parish, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. They had 10 children.

2. Lorenz Bär (1580-1617)

Lorenz was baptised 10 July 1580 in Hausen, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. Lorenz married Anna Strehler before 1612. They lived in Albis. Lorenz was buried 9 Dec 1617 in Hausen, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. After Anna's death in 1634, their children were reared by Lorenz's brother, Hans Jakob Baer, who had no children of his own.

3. Hans Bär (III) (1612-1659)

Hans was born was born about 1612 in Albis, Hausen Parish, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. Hans married Verena Huber on 16 November 1634. He died 4 July 1659 in Canton Zurich, Switzerland.

4. Felix Bär (1654-1689)

Felix was baptised 23 April 1654 in Albis, Hausen Parish, Canton Zurich, Switzerland. Felix married Margaretha Haegi about 1682 in Rychen, Pfalz. He died July 1689 in Ittlingen, Pfalz. (Map of the Kraichgau)

5. Johann Ulrich Bär (1689-1749)

Johann Ulrich was baptised 23 April 1689 in Lutheran Church, Ittlingen, Pfalz. He died in 1749 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. Johann married (1) Anna Klein and (2) Anna Schupp, both in the Kirchardt Reformed Church, Kirchardt, Pfalz.

6. Maria Agatha Bär (1720-1787)

Maria Agatha was baptised 28 Feb 1720 in Ittlingen, Pfalz. She emigrated with her father in 1732 and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Maria married Johann Conradt Giese, Sr., son of Heinrich Gysi and Maria Magdalena Burchardt, about 1745 in York Co., PA. They had seven children.

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