Note: The document below is incorrect in many of its details. This incorrect information has been repeated throughout the Steely family for many years, but, new information supports the fact that Urlich (our ancestor) was born in 1726. He likely was not the Urlich Steely who arrived in America in 1732 on the Pink Plaisance, because he would have been only 6 years old]. Urlich (our ancestor) would have been the Ulrich who came to America on the Francis and Elizabeth in 1742. In 1742, Ulrich would have been 16. (Source of all pink font is credited to Bruce W. Stahley, author of From Sigriswil to Nappanee: 300 years of Stahli History) (Source of all dark gray font is credited to Jeff Steely, February 2023)

For many years, the two Urlich's have been confused. Our Urlich ancestor lived in Mifflin County, PA, not in Lancaster County, PA, . In 2023, a descendent of Gabriel Steely (Jeff Steely) helped settle the mystery. Jeff sent an e-mail to the webmaster that stated he had taken a yDNA test that matched with Bruce W. Stahley, co-administrator for the Stahly Group. The webmaster is also a descendant of Gabriel. In his e-mail, Jeff stated, "He (Bruce) listed his earliest known ancestor as a Caspar Stähli, born in Switzerland in 1685. In short, what I learned is that Caspar, a swine herder, was born in Sigriswil, Bern, Switzerland in 1685. He moved to the Palatinate in 1713. He and his wife, Magdelena Schedeberger, had 7 children. Bruce is descended from Johannes Jörg. Jörg has a brother named Johannes Ulrich, born in 1726. Caspar's children were baptized in the Reformed church. Ulrich's entry specifically states that his mother as an Anabaptist. Caspar died in 1732." Jeff went on to say, "I think that the record of the Ulrich Staely who came over on the Francis and Elizabeth in 1742 is likely our Ulrich. He would have just turned 16 and would have been old enough to make the journey. He might have been a redemptioner and served as an indentured servant until he turned 21. Ulrich did die in 1793 in Mifflin County, PA.. (Source of all pink font is credited to Bruce W. Stahley, author of From Sigriswil to Nappanee: 300 years of Stahli History) (Source of all dark gray font below is credited to Jeff Steely)

 

Contact person for this website is Susan Snyder: susanleachsnyder@gmail.com