My surname is MARTIN, however, after researching this branch of my family tree for a number of years, I have been able to trace the family to Glarus, Canton of Glarus, Switzerland, where the surname was MARTI.-

My g.g.grandparents were Eduard Mathias MARTI, m. to Barbara (SCHLITTLER) Marti.This being his 2nd wife.-

He was first married to Katharina LEUZINGER. He and Katharina had one child, Johnnes MARTI born 12 Jan.,1869. Katharina died three months later from complications of this birth.-

Eduard Mathias MARTI then married Barbara, 1 yr&1 mo. later. While in Switzerland, this coulple had two children, Anna Maria MARTI, and Samuel MARTI-

The Swiss records for this couple and their family stop in 1872. It is listed that "this family emigrated to North America"- For whatever reasons, my gggrandparents did not "report back in to their Canton", thus, in 1946, the records state that "this family is listed as missing, and presumed dead, effective 4 July, 1872.-"

I know that at some point the family did move to, and settled in, Allegheny, Pa.- My g.grandfather, Edward Niclaus Martin was born there in Aug. 1884- (as well as several other children born to this couple).- I have found my g.g.grandmother listed in a census for 1910, since she is listed as " head of household", I am led to believe my g.g.grandfather must've passed by this time.- I have done a lot of searches in the area of Pa. listed, however keep coming up 'empty'.-

I do know that other members of "my MARTI family", came to America and settled in Minnesota, Chicago Ill., Wisconsin, where they purchased a plot of land, 1200 acres, and founded a town they called "New Glarus", as well as some in Iowa, Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, and later in parts of Washington state, and California.- However, I have no idea where my family first settled, when did they moved to Pa., when did they change our last name to Martin, who did this, my g.g.grandfather? and why? when did my g.g.grandparents die,(as the Swiss records list their date of death as being that of 4 July,1872),where are they buried? What church did they belong to? It is my understanding that they may have been Catholic, but, after coming to America, may have changed to the Lutheran faith, but, I am not certain of this. Whatever became of other family members, (I have been told that one of my g.grandfather's sisters, Anna, married a man by the last name of HUBER, and one of his sisters, married a man by the last name of SCHNEIDER/SNYDER- I am not 100% on the latter?), I really don't know much about their history after coming to America.

I am very interested in learning of their lives in this country, as well as learning more about my direct family lines. I would be very grateful for any/all information anyone may be able to help me with. In addition, I have names as well as dates for many on my direct line ancestors, while still in Switzerland, going back to 1577 to yet another Matheus MARTI, the man that is said to be "The progenitor of the entire MARTI tribe in the Sernf Valley of the Canton of Glarus", and am willing to share with any who may be interested.

Thank you in advance for any help, if you feel that you may be related to my MARTI lines, or have any suggestions where I may try next to search, you can post your reply here, or please feel free to e-mail at the address below.
Continued good luck to all in their searches!
~Mindi~
finderoffamily@yahoo.com