History
The Sturgeon & Allied Families Association is dedicated to the archival, reunion, and genealogy
of the Sturgeon family — tracing its roots from the north of Ireland through colonial Pennsylvania
and across America.
Samuel Sturgeon, a native of the north of Ireland, was born about 1680. He migrated to America
with his family in 1730 and settled in Paxtang Township in Pennsylvania, where he died around 1750.
There is evidence of eight sons: Samuel, Jeremiah, Thomas, Peter, Henry, William, Robert, and John.
Many Sturgeons can trace their ancestry to this same Samuel Sturgeon, who emigrated from Ireland
to central Pennsylvania around 1730. The Association has hosted Sturgeons from Northern Ireland at
its reunions, and in 1999 many American Sturgeons participated in a Sturgeon Family History
Conference in Newcastle, Northern Ireland.
“Despite these personal ties, the exact genealogical links between the American and Irish Sturgeons
have not yet been fully defined.”
In 2003, the Association initiated the Irish Genealogy Research Project to trace these links.
The preliminary investigation indicates that further progress requires more detailed information
about ancestors’ journeys to America — the identity of parishes where they resided in Northern
Ireland, ports from which they embarked, and ships and landing points in America.
In June 1969, descendants of the Sturgeon and Elder families met in reunion at Eastwood, Kentucky.
These families were original settlers of eastern Jefferson County and western Shelby County in
Kentucky. This reunion was organized by Edith Wood, a teacher and historian from Middletown,
Kentucky, who was descended from Sturgeons and Elders. Her cousin, Marvin Sturgeon, served as
master of ceremonies.
A committee composed of Edith Wood, Ruth Gillespie, Ivan Lancaster, and Marvin Sturgeon called
a meeting in September 1974 at The Old Stone Inn, Simpsonville, Kentucky, to organize an ongoing
Sturgeon and Allied Families Association. For many years reunions were held in the Louisville,
Kentucky area.
A key reference for anyone researching Sturgeon family origins:
Book
A Genealogical History of the Sturgeons of North America
Claudius T. McCoy · 1926
Ongoing Project
Irish Genealogy Research Project
Initiated 2003 · Sturgeon & Allied Families Association
The Sturgeon & Allied Families Association is dedicated to the archival, reunion, and genealogy of the Sturgeon family — tracing its roots from the north of Ireland through colonial Pennsylvania and across America.
Samuel Sturgeon, a native of the north of Ireland, was born about 1680. He migrated to America with his family in 1730 and settled in Paxtang Township in Pennsylvania, where he died around 1750. There is evidence of eight sons: Samuel, Jeremiah, Thomas, Peter, Henry, William, Robert, and John.
Many Sturgeons can trace their ancestry to this same Samuel Sturgeon, who emigrated from Ireland to central Pennsylvania around 1730. The Association has hosted Sturgeons from Northern Ireland at its reunions, and in 1999 many American Sturgeons participated in a Sturgeon Family History Conference in Newcastle, Northern Ireland.
“Despite these personal ties, the exact genealogical links between the American and Irish Sturgeons have not yet been fully defined.”
In 2003, the Association initiated the Irish Genealogy Research Project to trace these links. The preliminary investigation indicates that further progress requires more detailed information about ancestors’ journeys to America — the identity of parishes where they resided in Northern Ireland, ports from which they embarked, and ships and landing points in America.
In June 1969, descendants of the Sturgeon and Elder families met in reunion at Eastwood, Kentucky. These families were original settlers of eastern Jefferson County and western Shelby County in Kentucky. This reunion was organized by Edith Wood, a teacher and historian from Middletown, Kentucky, who was descended from Sturgeons and Elders. Her cousin, Marvin Sturgeon, served as master of ceremonies.
A committee composed of Edith Wood, Ruth Gillespie, Ivan Lancaster, and Marvin Sturgeon called a meeting in September 1974 at The Old Stone Inn, Simpsonville, Kentucky, to organize an ongoing Sturgeon and Allied Families Association. For many years reunions were held in the Louisville, Kentucky area.
Franklin, Johnson Co., Indiana — “The Start”
Presentation by Jack Sturgeon on the early history of the Association; trip to Johnson County Museum of History and Greenlawn Cemetery.
Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois”
“The Sturgeons Meet the Lincolns………..Again” — featuring Mary Todd Lincoln as portrayed by Pam Brown.
Shelbyville, Shelby Co., Kentucky
“91 to 1 Odds Still Derby Record for Roscoe Goose and Donerail” — Long Run Cemetery; Kentucky Humanities presentation.
Nashville, Brown Co., Indiana — “Back Home Again in Indiana”
History of Brown County; The Sturgeons of Schooner Valley by Rhonda Dunn, Chief Archivist of the Brown County Historical Society.
Nashville, Brown Co., Indiana
Cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — “Back to the Beginning”
Paxton Presbyterian Church and cemetery; appearance by John Harris, founder of Harrisburg; trek to Westminister Cemetery in Mifflintown.