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Surnames:
Classification: queries
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http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.cashdollar/19.1.2.2/mb.ashx
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*If I've written previously and you have nothing further, please ignore this latest
message, though there is new information contained in it.
SEEKING INFORMATION RE CASHDOLLAR FAMILY OVERSEAS
Introduction: My family has been beating our heads against the wall trying to take our
surname (Cashdollar) outside of the United States. Perhaps you could check your resources
and let me know whether you have any suggestions or information about the Cashdollar
family. Let me provide more detail.
Background: My parents have spent decades conducting exhaustive genealogical research on
both lines of the family. On my father's side, they have traced the name Cashdollar as
far back as possible (late 1700's - early 1800s) - but all inside the United States.
Below is a brief story that has been around for some time, but: (1) no one has been
successful in taking the name further back and across the Atlantic; and (2) no one is
certain the name is even Germanic, but that is what I have come to believe (without
evidence). Other options: Scotland (Cash from Dollar, etc.), England, etc. Unfortunately,
nothing has been confirmed with documents or other proof.
Information Available During Research: "History of Butler Co., Penn. pub. 1909 pages
1117-1118." also "History of Butler Co., Vol II pub 1895". This article
listed a short history of William S. Cashdollar who was CASHDOLLAR'S great grandson
[i.e., "Mr. Cashdollar" who reportedly was born in the mid-1700's in Germany
- no further information]. The 2nd paragraph of the article is as follows: "The
great-grandfather of William S. Cashdollar came to America from Germany and the
grandfather came to Butler County from some point on the Ohio River." The grandfather
is John who married Catherine and had 5 children, John, Jacob, Joseph, William and Rosanna
who married Samuel Black.
Note: The name is suppose to be an Americanized spelling of the German name
"Kirchthaler" [or, Kerchthaler, Kirchtal/Kerchatal or Kirchental/Kerchental],
from the field name Kirchtal ''''church valley'''' the
suffix -er denoting an inhabitant.
Note: I belong to
Ancestry.com and have seemingly exhausted what they have available.
I've done a tremendous - and not too successful or efficient - research on numerous
databases on the internet (e.g., passenger lists, recent emails to other Cashdollars,
etc.) but nothing other than this. I've researched Germany, looking for the Church or
Cherry Valley. I found "Kirchenthal" - near Thurn, Obsthurn, Hochalm,
Hirschbichl, etc., but have no idea whether it has anything to do with my line - or even
what to do next.
Note: Some time ago I received in inquiry in response to information I had placed on
Ancestry.com. The author wrote: "The first Kirschthalers I have located were in the
province of Pfalz, Bavaria [IGI]. This is about 20 miles southeast of Beyeuth, near the
Czech border. There were Kirschthalers in Renssellaer and Ulster counties, NY, before 1800
[IGI, census]. I have not discovered any connection between these various people and
Cashdollars, however. I have an unpub and undated mms from Dorothy Knaell that says the
Kirschthalers moved from Germany to Switzerland, then to France, then to the British Isles
where they changed their name to Cashdollar, and were thought of as Scotch-Irish. They
immigrated to America around 1740-1750. I have been unable to verify any of this and have
no idea where Knaell found it. My Cashdollars are in Butler County, PA.. He provided some
information, but nothing confirmed about the link overseas.
Conclusion: I would love to assist my parents - who now are 86 and 90 years old - in
gaining additional information on the Cashdollar surname. I work full time so I don't
have a lot of time to devote during the week. I have some limited time on the weekends
though. I am older, but recognizing the benefit of the internet and thus, expected to jump
onto it and come across the link to solve the problem: (1) name on a passenger list -
perhaps from the late 1700's - early 1800's - from New Orleans or elsewhere; (2)
name on a foreign census, etc. - but, alas, zip, zero, nada.
Question: I see your information online. Do you have any documented information that would
assist in demonstrating the origin of the name Cashdollar and its link overseas? I would
be very grateful for any information or suggestion that you might possess. If you have
anything, please email me at:
k01773(a)comcast.net
Thank you.
Bill