Welcome to my Welty Family Genealogical Research

Weldy, Welde, Felty, Felde, Velde, Velte, Welte,Welti, Welday, Welthe, Welter, Weltz?, Welden, Welter, Velten, Felter, Wälti

This pages I have displayed here are dedicated to researching Welty families who immigrated to America prior to the 19th century. It is hoped that through combining research, we may be able to clear up some inconsistencies, and hopefully connect these families. The names and dates posted on this website are a result of the cumulative research of several Welty family researchers. Where possible, sources have been footnoted. As more sources are found to verify this information, they will be added to this site. Note that all information should be verified when you are doing your research.

Every Welty researcher has heard a family myth of three Welty brothers who traveled to America together. There are several possibilities which can be derived from ship lists, etc. As these are found, they will be added below: The first story was that Hans George, John Jacob, and Michael Welte arrived at Philadelphia on September 30, 1754 with the ship Richard and Mary, from Rotterdam. It is possible that they were from Wirtenberg. Michael is most likely a son or nephew as he was a soldier in the Revolution and married in 1784. It is also possible that Christian and Peter were two of the three brothers, Christian arriving 16 days after Peter, and a third preceded them. Hans Walti, b. October 26, 1666, Lauperswil. Married to Verena Geissbuhler in 1683. Children: Hans Walti, b. 1/18/1684, Lauperswill (died young)  Christian Walti, b. 1/18/1684, Lauperswil (died young)  Elsbeth Walti, b. 7/23/1686, Lauperswil  Christian Walti, b. 8/6/1688, Lauperswil.  Peter Walti, b. 1/27/1691, Lauperswil.  Hans Walti, b. 2/10/1693, Lauperswil  Barbara Walti b. 11/13/1695, Lauperswil  Anna Walti, b. 10/17/1697, Lauperswil  Hans Walti, b. 6/2/1792, Lauperswil *Thought to be the brothers Christian and Peter, see above (To see a possible family connection scenario, click here) "The three original Welty brothers came from the River Rhine, an upper branch of it, in Switzerland, in 1740. One brother settled at Hagerstown, Maryland. One settled at York, Pennsylvania. This brother had eight children who lived to an advanced age, of about one hundred years each. The third brother, who was your great-grandfather, settled in Gettysburgh, Pennsylvania, and most likely the father of Michael." History of the Ruthrauffs - 1560-1925 by Mary Ruthrauff Hoover pp. 218-219. The most recent discovery, however, is that this story may apply to George, Jacob & Phillip.

1 - This information researched from Pennsylvania German Pioneers, arrivals at Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808, by Ralph B. Strassburger

2 - Michael Welty is first identified as living in Dover Twp., York County, PA. During the period 1775-1781 he served three tours of duty as a Revolutionary soldier.

3 - From Emigrants, Refugees, and Prisoners (An Aid to Mennonite Family Research) Volume I by Richard Warren Davis - P.O. Box 50182 - Provo, Utah 84605.