The links below are designed to assist you in better understanding the geography associated with our ancestors. Sometimes we find that multiple lines lived within the same area, although a familiar connection has not yet been established. Click on any of the hyperlinks below to get additional information regarding the various localities:

Delaware, USA - Two families were prominent in the early Delaware history, along the Delaware River, the Stiddem family and the Sinex family. Our earliest ancestor in this area was Timem Stiddem who first set foot on the "American" shore in 1638. He did not remain on this trip, however, but returned in 1654 making Delaware his permanent residence. Many other ancestors settled Delaware during the 1600s, when it was considered "New Sweden," "New Holland," and eventually part of the English Colonies in the early days of William Penn.

Maryland, USA - One of our ancestors, Baltzer Bentzel (4GGF) is believed to have immigrated to Baltimore, Maryland in the mid-1750s. This has not yet been proven, but we do know that most of his life was spent in the Baltimore area.

New Jersey, USA - Although not immigrants, the Wells and Van Leer families settled New Jersey in the 1700s. Both families lived in the area during the American Revolution.

Pennsylvania, USA - Some of our ancestors settled Pennsylvania during William Penn's initial settling of the area, but were primarily in Delaware at the time. All of our ancestors in Pennsylvania ended up settling in the southeastern counties of the commonwealth. Both the Kump and Bentzel families were from this area.

Wiltshire, England - Both the Stone and Mendenhall families originated in Wiltshire. The area is mostly agricultural and is near Swindon. To date no connection has been established between the two families (Stones are on my mother's side while Mendenhalls are on my father's).