Striffler Family Bible

Collection — Box: A22

Identifier: MGC-1024

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a family Bible and supplemental materials. The Bible was printed in German, contains notes written by the family, also in German, and dates from 1699. The supplemental materials include; history of Striffler Bible, photocopies of Striffler records, genealogy information, oral history, Striffler family history, and a descendant chart of William and Elizabeth Striffler. These supplemental materials are undated.

Dates

Creation: 1699

Creator

Striffler Family (Family)

Biographical / Historical

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The Striffler family originated in Switzerland and migrated to Alsace sometime after the end of the Thirty Years War. The Striffler Bible was printed in Switzerland in 1699 and was brought to Alsace with the family.

Anton Striffler and his wife, Margaretha, settled in Kirrberg, Alsace after their wedding in the 1770s. They had several children who also settled around Kirrberg. One of these children, Joseph, married Ottillia Zimmerman in 1809. Anton passed the Bible to Joseph sometime after Joseph’s marriage. Joseph and Ottillia led a prosperous life in Kirrberg; however they decided to leave the area for America.

Joseph and Ottillia Striffler immigrated to the United States in 1830, bringing their family Bible with them. They and their six children settled in Lancaster, New York. They established a farm outside of the town which became successful. As Joseph and Ottillia’s children married, all but one left the Lancaster area. They moved to other states such as Colorado, Michigan, and Iowa. The Bible was passed down through the Christian Striffler family line.