The Shirk Family

Variations: Schirk, Scührch, Shirk, Sherk

Supposedly, the name is German and indicates a descendant of Schirk, a Wendish form of George (farmer).

FIRST GENERATION

A Hans SCHÜRCH* married Verena SCHNEIDER* in Switzerland. They had at least one child, Casper* (A1).

SECOND GENERATION

A1 Casper SCHÜRCH* and Margaret TRÜSSEL* (b. 10 Aug. 1589 in Switzerland) married in Switzerland. They had at least one child, Ulrich* (A11).

THIRD GENERATION

A11 Ulrich SCHÜRCH* (b. 19 Jun. 1614 in Sumiswald, Berne, Switzerland) and Barbara KUPFERSCHMIDT* were married in Sumiswald. Barbara was born 6 Feb. 1614 in Sumiswald. They had at least one child, Peter* (A111).

FOURTH GENERATION

A111 Peter SCHÜRCH* and Verena EGGIMAN * married Verena in about 1659 in Sumiswald, Berne, Switzerland. Peter was born 16 Oct. 1639 in Sumiswald, Berne, Switzerland. Verena was born 29 Mar. 1642 in Sumiswald. Peter also married Anna REINHARD*. Peter and Verena had at least three children: Joseph (A1111), Jacob (A1112), and Ulrich I* (A1113).

FIFTH GENERATION

A1111 Joseph SHIRK was born in Sumiswald, Canton Berne, Switzerland. He married Christena BECK on 12 Jul. 1678 and they had no known children

A1112 Jacob SHIRK was born 20 May 1660 in Sumiswald, Canton Berne, Switzerland. He married Barbara BRAND in Sumiswald and they had no known children.

A1113 Ulrich (Uly) SHIRK I* (b. 9 Mar. 1663 in Sumiswald, Berne, Switzerland, d. 3 Jul. 1739 in Cocalico Twp., Lanc. Co., PA) was buried in the Steinmetz Cemetery in Cocalico, PA or in the Weaverland Cemetery. He resided in Cocalico, PA and was a Mennonite preacher. He arrived in the U.S. 24 Aug. 1728 on the ship "Mortonhouse." Some sources say Ulrich married Helene MEYERS but that marriage was never proven. He was married to Barbara GRUNDBACHER* in about 1690 in Sumiswald, Berne, Switzerland.

Barbara was born 5 Nov. 1672 in Sumiswald and she died 11 Feb. 1736 in Cocalico. She is buried in the Steinmetz Cemetery in Cocalico, PA.

Barbara and Ulrich had several children including: Peter (A11131), Johannes (A11132), Ulrich II (A11133), Michael (A11134), Peter (A11135), Casper* (A11136), Elizabeth (A11137), Jacob (A11138).

SIXTH GENERATION

A11131 Peter SHIRK was born 18 Jul. 1696 in Sumiswald and he died before 1709 in Sumiswald.

A11132 Johannes SHIRK was born 3 Apr. 1701 in Sumiswald, where he also died.

A11133 Ulrich SHIRK II was born 20 Aug. 1704 in Sumiswald. He married Anna SCHWARR. He died 1763 in Cocalico Twp.

A11134 Michael SHIRK was born around 1707 in Basel, Switzerland (some sources say Sumiswald, Canton Bern). He came to America in 1728 on the ship "Mortonhouse" with his parents. He was married to Elizabeth SCHWARR (see SWARR A18). Michael died 3 Oct. 1757 in Lancaster Co., Pa. He is buried in the Weberthal Cemetery in Lancaster County, Pa.

Elizabeth and Michael had several children: Mary Elizabeth (A111341), Michael (A111342), Casper (A111343), Elizabeth (A111344).

A11135 Peter SHIRK was born 24 Oct. 1709 in Sumiswald. He married Anna SCHWARR. He died Mar. 1770 in Earl Twp., Pa.

A11136 Casper SHIRK* was born around 1710 in Canton of Basle, Switzerland. He married 5 Sep. 1741 to Magdalena NEWCOMER* (see NEWCOMER A115143 ).
. Casper died around 1783. They had a daughter, Veronica Shirk* (A111361)

A111361 Veronica SHIRK* was born 19 Nov. 1746 in Lancaster Co., Pa., where she also died in 1783. She was married in 1768 in Lancaster County, Pa. to second cousin, John SWAR A11* (see SWARR A1)

Recognize any names? Direct questions, comments, corrections & additions to: kmcguinness@angelfire.com

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