I am looking at the possibility that my last name maybe of Finnish Descent. We first it was believed to be english, then it went to maybe Swedish now it has been suggested that it may be Finnish. need a little help (actually Alot)
thanks.

Hi

Can you give any more information? Who has moved, when, to where, etc

What info I have is that George Andrew Toy B:1630 Sweden settle in the New Sweden colony. George was married to Christina unknown last name. they 2 children 1-Elias Toy who is one of the founding fathers of the Gloria Dei church.
2- was Susannah who was born in Sweden and maried a Steelman (english spelling).

A google of Gloria Dei Church and these Toy names brings up on "Google books" some titles including:

The descendants of Jöran Kyn of New Sweden By Gregory Bernard Keen, Swedish colonial society.

The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 2 includes some genealogy for Elias Toy born October 1664. He married Gertrude Nelson in 1690.

The Toy name was altered from Tay or Taw per this article.

Paula

Another article here mentions that Swedes were looking for a church location. A foto caption reads "Old Swedes'Church."

History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Volume 2 By John Thomas Scharf, Thompson Westcott

An agreement was ratified and the name Elias Toy is found on a "suitable instrument of writing."

The church was dedicated on July 2, 1700. It says many English were present at the ceremony and the pastor spoke also in the English language. I assume he spoke Swedish.

Thanks

http://colonialswedes.org/forefather-family-profiles/

On this Swedish Colonial Society web page there are Forefather Family Profiles including the Tay/Toy family.

See the article by Dr. Peter S. Craig titled The Toy and King families of Senamensing NJ.

Read the text of Ellen T Rye. Christina Toy's ancestry remains a mystery but a likely scenario was written by Dr. Peter S. Craig.

His research led him to the scenario that Christina, mother of Elias Tay is thought to be of Finnish descent. Some claim the Toy family had its roots in Holland. Others claimed the family was Finnish.

The web page info states research and proof of Christina Toy's marriage and the births of children continue.

The web page describes membership opportunities in the Swedish Colonial Society/ Forefather Members if you can prove descent from Swedish or Finnish colonists.