Welcome, cousin
Every family has a story worth keeping
❦
This is a gathering place for the Deardurff family, and for the Deardorffs, Dierdorffs and every other spelling our name has taken along the way.
Here you'll find the people, places and stories I've gathered from my own research and from the generosity of family and friends who've shared what they have. It's a work in progress, and it grows a little every time someone sends in a photo, a letter or a memory.
The people
Explore the Family Tree
Browse ancestors, cousins and the families our line has joined over the generations.
The stories
Read the Family Stories
Articles, clippings and histories about Deardurffs who settled, built and stood their ground.
The place
Visit the Deardurff House
Built in 1807 on Gift Street in Columbus, Ohio, and the oldest known structure in Franklin County still on its original foundation.
The journey
From Dierdorf to the American frontier
Our roots
Dierdorf, Germany
The family name traces back to the town of Dierdorf in the Westerwald. Deardorff history
1798
Franklinton, Ohio
Abraham Deardurff and his family arrive among the earliest settlers of central Ohio. Read the story
1807
Columbus, Ohio
David Deardurff builds a house for his mother that still stands today. The Deardurff House
1830
DeWitt Colony, Texas
William Deardurff arrives from Tennessee and later stands at the Alamo. Defending the Alamo
From the archive
Family stories
The Deardurff House, before restoration
Help keep the story alive
Have something to share?
Some of the best pieces of this site came from relatives who opened a shoebox and sent along what they found. If you have any of these, I'd love to hear from you:
- Old photographs of ancestors, homes or gatherings
- Letters, family Bibles, obituaries or newspaper clippings
- Stories passed down at the kitchen table
- Corrections or new branches for the family tree
Everything shared is credited to the person who sent it. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far.