Here I've put together links to the Biedler information on this site, most of which has come from Karen Biedler Alexander, who in 1994 started a Biedler newsletter. Her intention and goal is to write a book, The Biedlers of Virginia.
The newsletter is a vehicle to broaden the search for new Biedler information. Interestingly, a good deal of genealogy has already been collected relating to Anna Mary Biedler Bitting, and all the Biedler families going back, although Karen is interested in pictures, stories and other information on our Biedler ancestors. However, she definitely has a sharp focus on uncovering where the Biedler descendants are now, three to five generations beyond the mid nineteenth century and Page County Virginia.
Karen (b. 1944) is aka Elizabeth Karen Biedler Armstong, and you will see "EKBA Note:" from time to time in the newsletters. The first issue, 28 Feb 1994, is here in its entirety - 10 pages - which I've combined into one html document. Annie Biedler Bitting's roots are in Page County, VA, where Luray is located, and where her father's (Ambrose Milton Biedler) house, Page View, is described by the current owner as having the best view of the whole of Page Valley as well as being able to see his father Ulrich / brother Martin's farm and also that of brother Morgan. Karen covers a wide range of subjects, and if you have the time, just read it through. She has information on the genealogy societies in the area, who has done genealogy work on the Biedlers (it is extensive) and how it can be obtained.
Also here in one html file is a five page draft for her book on the Ambrose Milton Biedler / Keyser Division - Family #7 of Ulrich Biedler. Sarah Anna Keyser is Annie Biedler Bitting's mother. This file will give you an excellent review of our connection to the Biedlers.
Our Biedler clan starts in the United States with arrival of Christian Beidler from the Palatinate, part of present day Germany (sounds like the Bitting background!) on the good ship SAMUEL in the port of Philadelphia, PA., on August 11, 1732. After having a son, Abraham, in 1737, Christian had seven daughters, before his second son, Jacob, was born in 1760. He then had his eigth daughter to complete his family of ten. (My this is a sexist presentation I have written. I wonder what his wives were doing while Christian was having all these children!) We are descended from Abraham. Christian was not the only Biedler to come to this country. There apparently were a number in the area of Pennsylvania where he settled, although if - or perhaps how - they were related I have not learned.
Before getting too far into looking at the families, it might be best to look at the Family Numbering System used. Christian is 1. - his son and first born, Abraham, is 1.1 - Abraham's third born, Ulrich, is 1.1.3 - each digit (or two digits when more than nine children are produced, as in 1.10 or 1.11) represents a new generation with the number being the birth order. A "dot" is used as a separator before each new generation. In some places the first two digits (1.1.) are not used, and the numbering system picks up with Ulrich (3.).
Abraham had three sons, Jacob, Abraham and Ulrich
before five daughters. Ulrich is our ancestor and the father of
three sons, following five daughters(!); Morgan 1815, Ambrose
Milton 1817, and Martin 1821. Ambrose Milton (sometimes just referred to as Milton) is Annie Biedler
Bitting's father. He was the seventh born to Ulrich, so our Biedler
family number is 3. (Ulrich); 7. (Ambrose Milton), 7. (Anna Mary Biedler
Bitting - "Annie"), 3. (Kenneth H. Bitting) and so forth depending on how each us descends from KHB. (Starting with KHB, my number would be 3.3; Jack Hood, 3.1.1.1; Jamie Bitting, 3.2.2.3; Jamie's Uncle Billy, 3.2.4)
Link list
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wbitting@yahoo.com. posted 5/26/98