Ancestors: Danz and Nisbet Families

By Judy Danz Swanson

This book is a compilation of fact sheets regarding 135 families. These ancestral lines are followed back to the arrival of the first American Immigrant of each family line. All families that are listed in this book have had reasonably valid written proof of their accuracy. When accuracy could not be proven the line is ended. The numbering system for each family refers to the Ahnentafel system for genealogical numbering on a pedigree chart. These charts will be included with the book at a later time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Mar 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781684740550

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Swanson

Copyright © 2020 Judy Danz Swanson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-6847-4054-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6847-4055-0 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 03/10/2020

Preface

You may wonder how I came to devoting so much of my retirement time to the development of our family tree. It all started when my Grandfather Danz gave me a Christmas present when I was about eight or nine years old. It was called The Landing of the Pilgrims which was part of the Landmark series of American history books for children. Our Auntie Stell continued the subscription for me to receive other books in this series but I never forgot the first one. Grandpa Danz had written me a note that told of the five families that were our ancestors who arrived on the first Mayflower trip to the New World and were discussed in this book. Of course, I read it right away and was hooked. Grandpa was a genealogist of the old kind before computers and had traveled all over New England tracking down our ancestors. It seems my mother and my father had Mayflower ancestors. I also had a chart with all the names of the people he had found but there were no citations available so my work was definitely ahead of me to find the citations and expand the list. It turned out that all Grandpa’s research was CORRECT!

I did not get to get down to business in this endeavor until I was nearing retirement and then there was Ancestry.com! An amazing website. I had so much of the foundation in names that I literally was able to substantiate thousands of ancestors. I never did get to the libraries because Ancestry.com had so much right there. Now this was not really the case when ancestry and I started. Much of that information was combed from other people’s trees with questionable sources, if any, except for family lore. However, now there is a tremendous number of sources with the original page of the book reproduced on line. So, you are seeing the actual source.

In the last twelve years I have accrued an overwhelming amount of information. it was impossible to provide all these ancestors in a story manner. You will quickly see that this is a series of fact sheets. During the last two years I have sifted through 20-30 different citations, evaluated them and tried to arrange the events in some sort of timely order. Even the Mayflower families have lots of gaps that still need to be found. This tree is far from complete.

I had collected so much information, way beyond what I thought was a reasonable number of ancestors and citations, that I had to set some boundaries if I was going to form any kind of published version of information for my descendants. First, I decided to divide my parents into two different trees, although the original Ahnentafel numbering of individuals retained the numbers starting from MY tree. This means I am number 1 and my parents are 2 and 3. Therefore, this book has only half the numbers from my tree. The other half are in a second book.

I also had to limit research to the first immigrant to come to America in each line. Many of these folks came in the 1600s. You can see where they came from but nothing further back in the scope of this book. In order for this book to be comprehensible I have divided it into four lines that correspond to my Great Grandparent’s ancestors.

My parents are in the first section alone.

I have enclosed a copy of a pedigree chart so that you can locate an individual by its Ahnentafel System number. This is an ascending system which proceeds from the recent descendant to the remote ancestors. It focuses on the couples who link generations and discusses all couples in one generation before moving on to the those in the next generation. Each couple is assigned two numbers. All mothers have an odd number and all fathers have an even number. Each number is only used for one ancestor.¹

When you try to read horizontally across a given line of ancestry you will have to keep going back to check for the number for each generation. They are numerically in Ahnentafel order which is vertical on the chart. If you find a name on the chart with no matching fact sheet it was not included due to insufficient citations and the line was ended although the names for the next generation are on the chart.

All information cited as proof is from seeing the ancestor’s name in print in an approved original record. I have ended all lines I could not prove but included the person’s parents with a probably if the information is there, but not proven. Do not be overwhelmed, just take your time and it will all make sense. Make sure you read until the end, as the ancestors from the 1600s have some great stories.

It is my hope that one or more of my cousins will pick up these facts and develop a story about two or three generations. Just let your imagination fly back a couple of centuries and you will have a book!

I have enjoyed putting this together.

Judy Danz Swanson

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1 Judith Danz Swanson

Judith Anne Danz was born 20 January 1944 toward the end of the second World War. All the young men were in some form of the military and the young women and wives went home to live with their parents. Therefore, I was l born in New Rochelle, N.Y. as my mother had moved back in with her parents and sisters in Larchmont N.Y. My father was stationed in Fort Dix in N.J. My parents were John (Jack) Danz and Ruth Georger.

As the war ended, my father went back to work with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Trenton, N.J. when I was 18 months to two years. He was then transferred to Newark and then East Orange N.J. where we lived until I was almost seven. We then moved to Paramus, N.J. where I lived until I graduated from Syracuse University in 1965. I married Norman Swanson on 4 December 1966 and we lived in Montvale, N.J. until 1967 when we moved to Liverpool N.Y. outside of Syracuse N.Y.

We moved to Skaneateles, N.Y. in 1967 as I was working as a Speech Language Pathologist in the Skaneateles and Marcellus Schools. Norm began work at Swanson Cleaners. In 1969 we bought a house in Skaneateles and daughter Charity was born. Evan was born in 1974. I had started my private practice in Speech Pathology in 1976. I was divorced from Norm in 1980.

I continued to live in Skaneateles until 2006 when I moved to East Syracuse, N.Y. I retired in 2010 after selling my business. Through those years I had had a successful business, enjoyed skiing, biking, boating and raised two successful children.

In 2004 I had the opportunity to go cruising in a 50 ft. sailboat with a friend for two years. We travelled down the east coast of the U.S. to the Bahamas and the length of the Caribbean Islands.

Upon returning I moved to East Syracuse N.Y. where retirement began. I still enjoy boating on Wellesley Island in the Thousand Islands. Involvement in the U.S. Power Squadron and many other activities that keep me busy.

2-3 John Nisbet Danz and

Ruth Hamilton Georger

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2-3 John Nisbet Danz and Ruth Hamilton Georger

John Danz was known as Jack and was born 10 November 1919 in Larchmont, Town of Mamaroneck. New York. ² ³ ⁴ ⁵. He was the son of Arnold Danz and Elizabeth Nisbet⁶. From birth until marriage in 1942 he lived in Larchmont Gardens, Town of Mamaroneck, Westchester County, New York⁷. From 1936- 1941 Jack attended Syracuse University and graduated in 1941 with a business degree.

On 31 January 1942 John Danz married Ruth Georger in Larchmont, New York.⁸

Ruth Georger was born on 7 April 1920. She was the daughter of Alfred Georger and Ruth Hamilton.⁹ ¹⁰ ¹¹ ¹² ¹³ ¹⁴ Ruth was born in the Bronx but within a few months the family moved to 35 Echo Lane, Larchmont, New York. ¹⁵ ¹⁶ She lived there until marriage. In the fall of 1938, Ruth attended Intermont College in Virginia for one year. She went to business school for a year and worked as a dental assistant in New York City for a couple of years before 1943.

Jack and Ruth first lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Jack enlisted in the Army on 16 November 1942¹⁷ at 23 years. He was a private in an office job in New Jersey due to poor eyesight. Meanwhile, Ruth and her two sisters lived with their parents in Larchmont during the war. Daughter Judy was born in New Rochelle on 20 January 1944. Jack was discharged from the Army 10 February 1946 after four years. He went back to work at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as a salesman .¹⁸ Their next two residences were determined by transfers within the Insurance Company. They moved to Trenton. New Jersey in 1946 where they lived for two years. In 1948 Jack was transferred to the East Orange, N.J office and they lived in an apartment in East Paterson N.J. for two years. Daughter Barbara (Bunny) was born 11 May 1948.¹⁹

In December 1950 the family moved to 221 Addison Pl. Paramus N.J. where they lived for about 40 years.²⁰ Jack continued to work for the same company until retirement. Ruth worked part time as a Welcome Wagon hostess which she enjoyed for many years as well as several years helping new mothers with their newborn babies.

On May 23, 1962 Robert John Danz was born.

In approximately 1989 Ruth and Jack moved to Whiting, New Jersey to a retirement community. There Jack sold real estate. Jack died very unexpectedly at age 70 yrs. of a cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease on 23 February 1990.²¹ ²² ²³

On 4 January 2011 Ruth Georger died at age 90 years of pneumonia combined with severe asthma.²⁴ ²⁵ ²⁶ ²⁷ ²⁸

4-5 Arnold Perkins Danz

and Elizabeth Nisbet

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4-5 Arnold Perkins Danz and Elizabeth Grace Nisbet

Arnold Perkins Danz was born on 3 April 1888 in Peconic, N.Y. on the southern tip of Long Island. ²⁹ ³⁰ ³¹ ³² ³³ ³⁴ ³⁵ Arnold’s parents were Johann (John) Danz and Julia Lemmer³⁶.

Arnold’s father died in 1897 when Arnold was nine.³⁷ His mother took a job as a governess in Southhold, N.Y. where the family lived. This family paid for Arnold to attend Syracuse University from which he graduated in 1910 with a degree in electrical engineering. While at Syracuse University he became a brother in Alpha Chi Rho fraternity. His friend Carlton Harry Nisbet introduced him to his sister Elizabeth Grace Nisbet.³⁸

Arnold married Elizabeth (Bessie) Nisbet on 26 November 1910 a few months after graduation, in Southhold N.Y. Arnold was 22 years old.³⁹ Bessie was the daughter of Robert Bruce Nisbet and Victoria Eloise Williams growing up in Lee Center, N.Y. The family members were founders of Lee Center just outside Rome, NY.⁴⁰ In 1915 Arnold and Bessie lived at 3932 Ridgewood Ave. Queens NY.⁴¹ By 1915 Marjorie, Dorothy, and Robert had been born. Arnold worked as a salesman.

In 1920 they had moved to Larchmont Gardens in Mamaroneck, NY.⁴² John had been born in 1919 and Philip was born in 1921.

In 1930, their home in Larchmont Gardens was valued at $16,500.00. Arnold was now working as an electrical engineer for General Electric.⁴³ In 1940 Arnold was 51 years old and had a salary of $4,500.00⁴⁴ a year.⁴⁵ His social security number was 05809539. He was working for General Electric for forty three years. He specialized in crane and hoist equipment.⁴⁶

Arnold worked for General Electric Company most of his working life. He used to tell me about being an engineer working on the George Washington Bridge in NYC. When I asked if he went to the top he always told me that No he left that to the younger fellows.

Arnold was an avid gardener and especially loved his dahlias. His backyard was all garden. I spent many hours following him around the backyard while he talked and explained the flowers to me. He was also an avid genealogist who taught me to appreciate family history at age 8. That was when he gave me a copy of the Landing of the Pilgrims with our ancestors on the Mayflower listed. He was also very adept with a camera which produced many pictures.

He was also very active in the Masons and held high office. In 2018 I received a note from someone who works for Find A Grave who had received a message from a man in Japan. He wanted to know if she could find someone named Danz in her genealogy records that would identify the owner of a watch he had had for sale. It had the name Arnold P Danz in Larchmont

NY Masons as it had been an award in the Masons. He sent it to me and would not accept any payment for it, not even postage. I have a couple of ideas of how that watch got to Japan.

Arnold died 22 November 1957 at age 9 in Mamaroneck N.Y.⁴⁷ ⁴⁸ ⁴⁹ He had had a stroke followed by cardiac problems. He was buried at Southold.

Bessie went on to live for many years with her son Philip in Port Jefferson, N.Y. She lived in a nursing home where she died in August 1978 at 91 in Port Jefferson, NY. She was buried in Willow Hill Cemetery in Southhold, NY.⁵⁰ Her Social Security was 061-52-1644.⁵¹

Children of Arnold Danz and Elizabeth Nisbet

                                                               Marjorie Danz 1911

                                                               Dorothy Danz 1912

                                                               Robert Danz 1914

                                                               JOHN DANZ 1919

                                                               Philip Danz 1921

Home of Niklaus and Rosina Danz on Right of Picture

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6-7 Johann Danz and Julia Anne Lemmer

Johann Danz was born in Grossafoltern, Bern, Switzerland 13 August 1863.⁵² ⁵³ ⁵⁴ Johann’s parents were Nicklaus Danz and Rosina Gertsh as indicated on several pages of information gathered by his brother’s children.

Johann was naturalized approximately 28 October 1892.⁵⁵

Johann, later known as John, was a tailor who opened a store in Peconic N.Y. There were newspaper ads from October 1892-1894 for Danz tailoring, cleaning, repairing and new clothing.⁵⁶

John married Julia Anna Lemmer on 12 June 1887 in Southold, Long Island, N.Y.⁵⁷ Julia was born in 1857- 1858 in Marburg, Germany⁵⁸ ⁵⁹ ⁶⁰ ⁶¹ ⁶². Julia’s parents were Peter Lemmer and Katherine Adams.

They emigrated in 1873 from Germany, when Julia was fifteen.⁶³

John died 13 August 1897 at age 34. He was buried at Willow Hill Cemetery in Southold, N.Y.⁶⁴ ⁶⁵ Julia was 39 years old when he died. She had three children. In 1897 Julia purchased property on which to build a house for a residence in Southold. ⁶⁶ During this time, Julia became a governess for a wealth family in the Southold area. They must have thought well of her as they provided a college education for Arnold at Syracuse University.

In 1900 Julia and her children lived in Southold, N.Y. According to the census, she could read and write and had attended school through the 8th grade.⁶⁷ In 1915 she had moved to Queens, NY where she lived with Arnold, Bessie, and their three children⁶⁸ ⁶⁹

In 1920 she lived with her daughter, Nellie Mitchell, in Queens, NY. on Ashland Pl. or Park Lane.⁷⁰ In 1924 she lived in Queens, N.Y. with her son, Arnold, his wife Elizabeth/ Bessie and Bessie’s mother Victoria. ⁷¹

By the 1940 Census Julia moved with Bessie, Arnold and their children to Larchmont Gardens, Mamaroneck, N.Y. Bessie’s parents were living in this house as well.⁷²

In 1943 Julia was moved to the Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan, N.Y. where she died on 22 August 1943 at age 86. She was buried in Willow Hill Cemetery in Southold, N.Y.⁷³ ⁷⁴

Children of John Danz and Julia Lemmer

                                                  ARNOLD PERKINS DANZ b 1888

                                                  Nellie Barnes Danz b. 1893

                                                  Philip Lemmer Danz b. 1895

10-11 Robert Bruce Nisbet

and Victoria Eloise Williams

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10-11 Robert Bruce Nisbet and Victoria Eloise Williams

Robert Bruce Nisbet was born abt. 1856 in Lee, New York. He was a farmer with five children. He also worked for Loring Mechanics. In 1865, Robert was still living in Lee, NY where he sold sewing machines. In 1880 he lived with his parents, three children, and a grandchild in Lee.

About 1885, Robert married Victoria Eloise Williams. Victoria was born about 1857-8 in New York, NY. In 1865, Victoria and her mother were living with her grandparents, Gates and Lurene Peck in Oneida, NY. Victoria was seven. Her father had gone to Kansas and her mother left to join him. He died in Kansas. Victoria did not go to school but she did learn to read and write. Her mother was a teacher although was not with her long.

In 1900 and 1910, Robert and Victoria lived on North James St. in Rome, NY, Ward 7. It appears they may have spent some time in Indiana where Robert Bruce Nisbet, Jr. was married. In 1915, they were still living in Rome, NY, Ward 7.

In 1920, they lived in Rome, NY. Robert was selling sewing machines and pianos. In 1930, they lived in Utica at 202 Elm St. They lived in a rental house in the fifth Ward with no radio in a house valued at $20.00.

Victoria died in 1932 at the age of 75 years and was buried in Lee Center. Robert died in 1943 at the age of 87 and was also buried in Lee, NY. It is not known where they lived at the time of death.

Children of Robert Bruce Nisbet and Victoria Eloise Williams

                                                        Robert B. Nisbet b. 1857

                                                        Eloise Nisbet b. 1881

                                                        Elizabeth Grace Nisbet b. 1887

                                                        Carlton Harry Nisbet b. 1889

16-17 Niklaus Danz and Rosina Gersch

Nikaus and Rosina Danz are including in this publication even though they did not come to America. However, there are sufficient notes from my direct family to include them. However, I have no citations at this time to prove it.

Niklaus was born 6 October 1837 in Grossafaltern, Switzerland on 13 August 1863. He lived in a 300 year old house in Grossafaltern that had been in the family for many years, possibly always. The house is still standing. His parents were Christian and Anna Maria Giloman. Christian was born in 1811 and his father was Jacob Danz, born in 1762. Jacob was married to Anna Arn born 1765. Anna Maria Giloman’s father was Adam Giloman.

Niklaus married Rosina Gertsh who was born in 19 September1837 probably in Grossafaltern. Her father was probably Ulrich Gertsh born in Switzerland. Her mother was possibly Anna Vogt.

A descendant has recorded that Niklaus was murdered, motive unknown. He worked on the