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Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Who has the largest Deaf generation?



Deaf Generation

I would love to know who has the largest Deaf family in our country. Can you name all largest Deaf families? You should be ashamed to post your comment by using anonymous! Although, I got several anonymous comments and I already warned in my intro that I will NOT honor the anonymous comments.

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

As I know vollmar is large deaf family..

Anonymous said...

HERBOLD/CATRON comes to mind. If I recall corrcetly, 9 deaf boys with hearing parents, in late 1800-early 1900. I beieve they are now on fourth generation wtih some deaf children. Some may be ready to produce fifth generation. Should be interesting if deaf babies pop up.

Anonymous said...

Largest Deaf family in this generation? Wilding family of Idaho. Some would say no, that Frelich of North Dakota is.

But many generations? Maryland's Yates -- I was told that they are in their 8th generation. or something.

Mine is 6th, I believe.

R-

Anonymous said...

i am so curious! lol kira

David A. Martin said...

Navy Beagle,

I am not sure who has longest generations but I do believe that the 3 largest Deaf Families are Frelich, Wilding and Peters

David A. Martin

Anonymous said...

Yes! Yes! Thank you for bringing it up. I would love to know about that.. Smile... And it is important for Deaf History document.

Aidan

Anonymous said...

I learned that in the Midwest (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri) the largest Deaf family was Weber. The information was discovered in the census done by NAD 15- 20 years ago.

According to my friend who is a member of the family, his ancestors were German. Back in the 19th century, they were refugee in the middle of wars, settled in land somewhere in wheat field in Russia offered by generous Catherine, the Great who knew that they are skillful farmers who could plant wheat in the hard soil. They were permitted to live in the boundary for free of charge. They could keep their language, religion, customs, etc. for the next 100 years. So they married to each other and developed the gene in deafness and others like those in Martha's Vineyard.

Till Stalin in his communism power, he broke Catherine's agreement and forced German setttlers to pick choices of learning to speak Russian and join his party or leave Russia. So many of them left and settled in western Kansas. So they went to Deaf School in Olathe and later merged another large Deaf family ny marriage under name of Fisher or Fischer (can't remember which) mostly from Iowa.

The information I got was 20 years ago. It may changed.

I recall that during the NAD's one time census, they were surprised to discover that Wisconson has the large Deaf population per capital. Michigan was another one. Of course, the largest numbers counted of Deaf people were in other states like California, New York, Penna, and Illionis.

Anonymous said...

I know the large deaf family is the Covell, I believe four generations starting in Washington state.

Anonymous said...

Excellent question! Maybe we can talk about two things:

1) Largest Deaf family

2) Longest generation

It will be awesome to find out this fact. Do spread the words and ask others too!

Anonymous said...

I am from the 7th of 9th deaf generations from Germany spreading from Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and to Missouri. Their last names: Floyd, Surber, Bippus, Games, Dell, Henderson?& Downing? Am not too sure about the names with the question marks.

I believe the Bravo from New York is leading with 11th deaf generations.

Anonymous said...

It would be great if Deaf Families could set up an organization like DARS (Daughters of American Revolution) -- they have really good genelogy records. So that way, people can look at their genelogy records and see how many generations of deaf families stay intact. I would love to see that kind of information. Does anyone know if there is anything like that? It may also help deaf people find their hidden relatives that they were never told about.

Anonymous said...

I believe the largest Deaf generation and largest Deaf family goes to Grossinger + Bravin. They have about 9 - 12 generations.

Anonymous said...

I believe that Grossinger + Bravin family is the largest Deaf family and Generations. They both are related.

They must be in their 9 - 12 generation now.

David said...

Hi Navy Beagle,

Thanks for bringing that up. I am now just wondering about Canada. I know there are several Deaf families in Ontario and mostly in Western Canada. I am going to look into that.

Thanks for keeping our Deaf Heritage ALIVE!

Deafchip

Aslpride said...

Navy Beagle has asked us on generation and number of deaf people in family or group. So far, the comments has post only number of generation. I am curious on number of deaf people in that generation. 50 or 100 deaf people total in that generation? I am second generation of deaf family. Total deaf people under my last name is 12 deaf people, but my brother did mention that we have around 20 deaf people as group in family.

Anonymous said...

Deb, You meant Bravin? Yes, that is what i was told.

I vaguely remember that Ramus (sp) from Calfornia and around in US is another one considered as one of the largest.

Navy Beagle, There are tricky questions, depending on what we are looking for.

Largest single family by the same parent like Frelich, Wilding. I think Jerry Wilding's is the largest.

Largeest chained Deaf family by marriage. I thought it it was Weber and Fisher. I learned Peters' too.

Longest line of genarations: probably is Bravin's

It is interesting subject. worth to investiage.

One note, if we continue like Michele suggested. Would anyone outside like AGB pick up our reserach and purpose a new bill or some form of genocile?

Didn't you know that AGB had several hobbies, one of them was breeding amd raising different colors of chicken in his backyard, studied how the hereditary worked. That was where he picked up the idea for preventing the Deaf people from marrying each other. So he went to Maraha's Vineyard and researched the deaf family tree there and brought it to use that to argue in the Congress. But luckily, he failed.

Anonymous said...

What's about Canady families in California?

Anonymous said...

You didnt post me that I told you vollmar family such as resnick family too.. Too many family.

Anonymous said...

Largest deaf generation...

Wouldn't that be the rubella generation of '65 and '66??

R L Jeffries said...

Chuck - Thanks for bringing up the Family of Webers. Yes, they came from Russia and story has it they were related to Catherine the Great but I have not been able to verify that. It is important to point out that Webers are also a part of Gieblers and the lineage branches out to Kreutzers of Colorado as well. And most of them lived in midwestern states - Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and others. They have branched out to other states today. Me for instance - I reside in Maryland but my family traces back to Weber/Giebler family tree. Again, thanks to Chuck for bringing up our family but I don't think we are the largest deaf family. We simply are a large family but doubtfully we are the largest there is. SMILE!

Anonymous said...

I think the largest Deaf family in this generation is definitely the Wildings of Idaho. 9 kids in that family--all Deaf, all went to college. How rare is that? They're on their fourth generation now.

The Frelichs, from what I understand, have one hearing kid, which brings the total DEAF in their family up to 8.

Anonymous said...

Chuck, I never thought that it could happen, Believe me, I would not like this to happen if we let this kind of research get out and fall into wrong hands. It is a possibility and I am glad you brought it up.

NavyBeagle said...

Jeff here!

Thanks for the comments! I really appreciate very much. I am pretty sure that many people have never thought of this kind of questions I am seeking for. Yep, you got it right that my questions could be a slightly vague. However, the comments have answered in the different ways.

I have not approved all of anonymous comments although they have very good information. Again, I have warned that I will NOT honor any anonymous comments. We are from the small world and we should be proud to be part of the Deaf community. It makes me wondering if all anonymous writers are being illiterate. I have tried to figure how to refrain those anonymous comments. But, only way I could do is NOT to approve those anonymous comments. I encourage you to re-post your anonymous comments and show your name.

Again, I really enjoy reading the www.DeafRead.com and we are fortunate to be part of this fabulous website! Keep spreading about this website to your friends!

Billy Barber said...

I’m in 8th+ deaf generation of Hollar family. My great, …. Grandfather, Peter Haller, Jr. with his father immigrated to PA from Switzerland short before American Revolution. My family line then went to Shenandoah Co., VA. There are related deaf families so far that I know such as Fry/Frye/Fryer, Christian, Philips, Surber and others. I don’t have detailed information with me now. Haller/Hollar/Holler Genealogy web site can found at www.homepages.rootsweb.com/~holler/net.htm It may not appear as the largest deaf generation but I want to share with you.

David Ennis said...

About 25 years ago, I lived in Houston when I heard the Duncan and Fair families together have some 140 members living in Texas, Ohio, Washington and California.

Anonymous said...

Hello, I wanted to add my family name, Laird... We suspect that I am 7th generation deaf, and my brother, who is deaf also, just had a baby boy, deaf also.. so that's 8th generation. As for size.. We have several Coda's...
So probably not the largest deaf family.

Another family that comes to mind is Visco, they had 12 kids and 7 of them were deaf. However, I don't know about their generation.

This is good topic!

Patty

Deaf Tea Lady said...

Add Saunders, of Bay Area, orginially, to the list. They have a long line.

Only two known single-family with all-deaf children numbering at 9 are the Freliches and Wildings. Many families have a mix of deaf and hearing or skipped generations. The Freliches and Wildings are unique in that manner having all-deaf large families.

I am curious if anyone knows a long consistent generation to generation lineage without any skipping and direct lineage without by-marriage. I know Saunders have that - around 6 or 7 by now. I am not sure about the other families though.

Anonymous said...

What about the Pedersens from Bay Area? CSD, Berkeley and Fremont, has produced many generations of that family... still to this day...

Portia said...

I knew a lady back in Austin, Tx whose daughter is the third generation on her mother's side and seventh generation on her father's side. I do not have their permisson to mention their names so I will just say their last names. Pace (father's side) Lane on mother's side.

Anonymous said...

Trying again to post. For some reason, seems this blog will nto process and let me post. Even using my unsername, I gave up and tried to use Anyonymous.

Not a mention of HERBOLD [Montana/Iowa] nine deaf boys during late 1800-early1900. SOme produced second generation deaf. Third generation and fourth generation deaf has shown up. Dont know if fifth generation deaf has popped out yet. One of the Herbold married CATRON [four deaf sibling from South Dakota]. One of the Catron married a PRATT. i understand PRATT is a large deaf family from California.

Anonymous said...

Chuck,
Yes, I mean Bravin, not Bravo. Duh! If AGB is still alive, I would be very happy to kick where the sun never shines in his area!
Billy Barber,
Your comment pip up my curosity. You mention Surber from VA. Like you I don't have detailed information with me now. I left them at another home. I promise you when I go back in May, I will look this up. My friend from IN. mailed me this information about 11 deaf brothers and sisters who moved from Ohio to Ind. back in 1800's.
Michelle,
I love your idea of setting up an organization to see how many generations of deaf families stay intact. Perhap NAD? It is a nationwide services. I know this organization focus more on fighting and defending our legal rights of deaf & hard of hearing people. Chuck mentioned in the census done by NAD 15-20 years ago the largest Deaf family was Weber in the Midwest (Iowa, Kansas & Missouri) and a one time census showing that Wis. has the large Deaf population per capital. Anybody know who did this census?
Navy Beagle,
Kudos to you for bringing this good topic up! I predict this will be a hot issue for many deaf people to discuss.

Deaf Tea Lady said...

Pederson and Saunders are related by marriage.

Yep...Herbold now is pretty well into 4th generation, I think.

Pratt is also in AZ. I think Catron and Herbold are related by marriage as well.

There are several gigantic deaf families by marriages producing seemingly endless lineages of deaf offsprings but they are still only 10% of the deaf population.

I also know some deaf people who deliberately pursue romance with members of generational deaf families to try and marry into it and produce deaf offspings. Many of them forget those who were born with hearing are not carriers, thus reducing the chances of having deaf offsprings.

I remember a 2nd generation girl who deliberately pursued another generational deaf guy at Gallaudet to ensure she would have deaf children. They were not a good match but the guy swallowed her bait. She went on and on upon how she would have a handful of deaf children when she became pregnant with her oldest. When she found out he was hearing, she actually HID the fact! Totally reverse of a parent discovering her/his child deaf. The son was about 2 before her friends realized he could hear. At the time she was pregnant with her second. She was so embarrassed that she was caught in a lie. She admitted her ploy and it backfired on her. Her second and third children are hearing as well. HEr husband is 2nd generation deaf. Didn't make any difference. It is a hit and miss thing.

The amazing thing here is there are many generational deaf who are very proud of their deaf heritage that they will do anything to preserve it by marrying into other generational deaf families and that love is not necessarily in the picture.

Anonymous said...

I cannot remember his name but he was a VR counselor in Michigan. He had about 10 generations of deaf in his family. Anyone from Michigan, maybe you remember his name? I met with him a few times for work but completely blank on the name. Duh me!

Anonymous said...

Jeff,
Your topic, “Who has the largest Deaf generation?” has the highest number of visitors that I have ever seen. I would be neat if we had a new topic focusing on deaf genealogical research where we could exchange information to find our connection in deaf families. Some of us may find our relations, possibly distant cousins that we are not aware. Is it appropriate to do the research under this topic? or a new topic under certain surnames?

Anonymous said...

HI
I understood that one of my classmate has the largest deaf familes (8th)generation name Games but not sure if it was Games Generation or maybe his mother's maiden name that carried the deaf generation
Ohio/Indiana

Beverly's Internship said...

Jeff,

What an awesome story you have shared with us. Really enjoyed watching you.

I have been always wanted to research on my deaf family to see how many generation I have from the Fletcher.

I know the Riddle relates to the Canady. Some of Canady members live in California.

Look forward to hearing more on this from you and others...

Go North Carolina!!! ;-)

Deafeather said...

Hey.. Rejoice!! PAH!! Me think three things to look at..#1 Largest Deaf families[ lost counting] #2 Deaf generations[Me 7th Son 8th Granddaughter 9th] #3 Enroll same Indiana Deaf school..[granddaughter 6th] Surely more out there .. Me wave dance now ..Go for it..

Deb (Games) Rodell said...

Hi!
To "d"
You've said one of your classmate has the largest deaf families generation name Games. It is from my mother's side that carried the deaf generation except her maiden name was Surber. I am curious to know who you are.
To deafeather,
Are we related? Most of my family/relatives attended Indiana School for the Deaf.
Deb

Deb (Games) Rodell said...

Hello,

It's me again....love this topic.

My deaf sister told me one of the Surber was married to Haller/Holler.

I have also learned deafeather is my deaf brother. Eh..he is right. We have lost count of how many deaf relatives we have.

GAMES/EDWARDS said...

HELLO FAMILIES!! YEP, BUNCH OF DEAFIES ON THIS SIDE (SURBER) AND IF I REMMY CORRECTLY, DEAF GENERATION AS FAR BACK IN 1700'S. THE VERY 1ST PERSON WHO CAME HERE, HAD ONLY 3 KIDS AND HE TOLD HIS SON TO PLANT DOZEN SEEDS (GET MY MEANING?) HIS SON GRANTED HIS FATHER'S WISH AND 24 KIDS (MARRIED TWICE, MIND YOU) SIS, THANKS FOR TELLING ME ABT THIS. ITS AWESOME!! HOLLER IF YOU NEED MORE INFO. LOL

GAMES/EDWARDS said...

HEY...GO TO ROOTWEB THEN PULL UP SURBER FAMILY TREE. THERES LADIES THERE WHO KNOWS MORE ABOUT DEAF SURBERS. JEANNE AND HIRTH (I THINK) I HAVE DEAF SON, AND GRANDDAUGHTER (SURBER/GAMES). LOOKING FORWARD HAVING MORE DEAFIES IN FAMILY. KEEP ME INFORMED ABT WHO HAS LONGEST OR LARGEST DEAF FAMILIES.

Anonymous said...

I think Carmen Family is the longest Deaf family generation since 1600;s from Long Island. Check it out on History of Martha's Vineyard - former deaf colonists.

Bonita Olmer said...

I just found this site and am very interested. Although I am not deaf, my mother's parents were, and I have done extensive family research. My mother's father, by the way, was named Herbold. He was one of those nine boys, all of whom were born deaf, that have been mentioned twice in your posts that I have seen. These Herbolds originally came from Rhoden, Germany in the mid-1800s and located in Iowa. The first deafness occurred in my great grandfather, Louis Peter Herbold. All nine of his sons were born deaf. One died in infancy. The boys went on to marry and have children. Some were deaf and some were not. From the research I have done, whether or not the children will be born hearing or deaf is totally predictable. After the third generation, I don't know. I haven't done the research on that. Does anyone know if any such study has been done anywhere?

Bonita Olmer
bonitaolmer@hotmail.com
Seattle, Washington

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