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Archivessurname -- Ishee
I was wondering what might be the origins of my family name. I know that I was told that my ancestors were brought to America as indentured servants, but I am not sure where they came from. My father syas that our heritage is Irish and Indian (Native American). I can very rarely find any information about the name though. Any thing you might know would be most appreciated.
Tara Ishee Young
Tara Ishee Young
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Replies
The Ishee name in America was derived from the Swiss surname Ischi. It's a name commonly found in the area of Obberbipp, Bern, Switzerland. The people of this area speak Swiss German. Most Ishee families in America, particularly ones with roots in Mississippi, are descendents of the family of Hans Ulrich Ischi.
Hans Ulrich Ischi emmigrated from Oberbipp, Bern,Switzerland in 1803. He brought with him his father, also named Hans Ulrich Ischi, his mother, Elsbeth (aka Elizabeth) Allemon Ischi, his wife, Barbara Lang Ischi and his 5 children: Johannes, Hans Jacob, Anna Marie, Friedrich and Anna Barbara. They decided to come to America due to the hardships caused by the Napoleonic Wars, particularly fear of their teenage sons being conscripted into Napoleon's army, and the promise of free, rich farmlands. They had little money or possessions. They traveled from Oberbipp, Switzerland to Amsterdam and got passage to America on the ship COMMERCE. On the passenger list, their last name was written as Ische. They were considered Redemptioners, meaning that their passage would be paid by an employer who would buy their contracts when they arrived in America. Per the ship's manifest, all of their possessions fit into 2 sacks. The Ischi family arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 10, 1803. They were not allowed off the ship until their passage was paid. It is known that Johannes' contract was paid by George Rine, owner of a grist mill. Other able-bodied family members likely had similar contracts. They would be no more than indentured servants and it would take years to pay off their debt. By December of 1803, the Ischi family had had enough. They ran away in the middle of the night and headed to the Mississippi Territory, which was then a wild, unsettled frontier of Indians and many dangers. They traveled through Georgia and Florida. The heat and humidity was far different from their native Switzerland and diseases such as malaria and yellow fever took its toll on the family. Eventually, the 3 brothers Jonannes (aka John), Hans Jacob and Freidrich (aka Fred) made it to what is now the state of Mississippi. They married, raised large families and farmed the land. Their family name went through many versions- from Ischi to Ishu, Eshu, Ishi, Eshe, Eshee until finally settling on the version we know today-Ishee.
Hans Ulrich Ischi emmigrated from Oberbipp, Bern,Switzerland in 1803. He brought with him his father, also named Hans Ulrich Ischi, his mother, Elsbeth (aka Elizabeth) Allemon Ischi, his wife, Barbara Lang Ischi and his 5 children: Johannes, Hans Jacob, Anna Marie, Friedrich and Anna Barbara. They decided to come to America due to the hardships caused by the Napoleonic Wars, particularly fear of their teenage sons being conscripted into Napoleon's army, and the promise of free, rich farmlands. They had little money or possessions. They traveled from Oberbipp, Switzerland to Amsterdam and got passage to America on the ship COMMERCE. On the passenger list, their last name was written as Ische. They were considered Redemptioners, meaning that their passage would be paid by an employer who would buy their contracts when they arrived in America. Per the ship's manifest, all of their possessions fit into 2 sacks. The Ischi family arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 10, 1803. They were not allowed off the ship until their passage was paid. It is known that Johannes' contract was paid by George Rine, owner of a grist mill. Other able-bodied family members likely had similar contracts. They would be no more than indentured servants and it would take years to pay off their debt. By December of 1803, the Ischi family had had enough. They ran away in the middle of the night and headed to the Mississippi Territory, which was then a wild, unsettled frontier of Indians and many dangers. They traveled through Georgia and Florida. The heat and humidity was far different from their native Switzerland and diseases such as malaria and yellow fever took its toll on the family. Eventually, the 3 brothers Jonannes (aka John), Hans Jacob and Freidrich (aka Fred) made it to what is now the state of Mississippi. They married, raised large families and farmed the land. Their family name went through many versions- from Ischi to Ishu, Eshu, Ishi, Eshe, Eshee until finally settling on the version we know today-Ishee.
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Hi Mary,
This is a very interesting post and matches almost exactly with the family history I have gleaned over the years. I am a direct descendant of Jacob Barr Ishee. I have produced a couple of videos on YouTube under the title of "Ishee Family History" that you may find to be of interest. I am also now in the process of researching a novella I am writing on the journey the Ishee family took from Oberpipp to Mississippi. Tentative title is "Two Sacks: The Journey of the Ishee Family to America." It will be an "historical fiction" telling a story based on the facts we have learned over the years. Anyway, I am glad to meet you and hope we can share info in the future. Regards, Jeff Ishee in Mount Sidney, Virginia.
This is a very interesting post and matches almost exactly with the family history I have gleaned over the years. I am a direct descendant of Jacob Barr Ishee. I have produced a couple of videos on YouTube under the title of "Ishee Family History" that you may find to be of interest. I am also now in the process of researching a novella I am writing on the journey the Ishee family took from Oberpipp to Mississippi. Tentative title is "Two Sacks: The Journey of the Ishee Family to America." It will be an "historical fiction" telling a story based on the facts we have learned over the years. Anyway, I am glad to meet you and hope we can share info in the future. Regards, Jeff Ishee in Mount Sidney, Virginia.
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Hello! My grandmother was an Ishee. Born, raised, and lived her entire life in Louin, Mississippi…I grew up right there too. She had 5 brothers and sisters. She grew up in the first home built there. She recently passed away and only has two living siblings left. I have been trying to learn more about her family history. Jacob Barr Ishee is her direct line. He is buried in Louin cemetery.
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As far as Irish and Indian blood in the Ishee Family, research shows that among the first Ishee generation born in Mississippi that there were at least 4 marriages between first cousins- children of Johannes and Hans Jacob Ischi (Ishee). Later marriages were generally with people of Irish, Scottish and English descent. There is no documentation of any American Indian blood in the Ishee family.
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My father's last name was Ishee, he always said the same thing Irish and Indian. I have only found information saying that the Surname Ishee is from Switzerland. I am trying to get a test to prove it.
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My grandfather told me that there were 2 brothers that came over from Ireland. One stayed up north and the other came down south. I'm descended from the southern Ishee. He told me if I came across an Ishee, that they were kin to me. Hope this helps you out. If you would like to speak further, please email me at ckstout299@gmail.com . We have tried to find information on the Ishee family with no luck so far.
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You'll find the origin of Ishee at http://www.ancestry.com/facts/Ishee-family-history.ashx. There's also genealogical information at http://genforum.genealogy.com/ishee/ and http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.ishee/mb.ashx.
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