STONECYPHER/STEINSEIFER 
With thanks to Gerhard Moisel, distant cousin in Siegen, Germany

There have been many guesses about the meaning of the name "Steinseifer." But records from the area west of Siegen, Nassau, Germany, in the first half of the 1600's point to a family that lived in a particular, small, rocky valley near Brachbach on the Sieg River. The family of "Johannes zum Steinseiffen," a miller in Brachbach, is mentioned in the churchbooks in Kirchen from their beginning in 1642. A more complete description would be a family from the "steinigen Seifen." "Steinig" means stony or rocky. "Seifen" is an old German word, not in current dictionaries, meaning a small valley off to the side.

Most German peasants in the area around Siegen first assumed family names in the late 1500's. So records of non-nobility are harder to trace before 1550. The residents of Eiserfeld, Seelbach, Niederschelden, and other nearby areas went in to the Nikolai Kirche (Evangelische/Lutheran) in Siegen for marriages, baptisms, and records of burials.

Nikolai Kirche, Siegen

Johannes Steinseifer (d. before 1612) is mentioned in the 1599 regional inventory (tax list?) of Oberschelden, 4 kilometers west of Siegen. In 1612, he is listed as the deceased father of Jakob at the baptism of one of Jakob's children. His known sons were:

. 1. Johann Steinseifer of Oberschelden (see below)
. 2. Jakob Steinseifer of Plittershagen, near Freudenberg.
. . . . his son Jakob Steinseifer (d.1645) married Enchen Harbach
. . . . . his grandson Henrich Steinseifer (1655-1722) married Margaretha Fries
. . . . . . his great-grandson Tillman Steinseifer (1703) immigrated to Georgia in 1738, and was then
. . . . . . reported to have moved to Pennsylvania and spelled his name Stoneker.

Johann Steinseifer (d.before 1619) was Godfather at the baptism of one of Jakob's children in 1612, and was missing from the tax list of 1619/20. His known sons were:

. 1. Johann Steinseifer married at Oberholzklau 1616 Christina Müller, daughter of Hans Müller.
. . . Three daughters were baptized in Mittelhees between 1616 and 1620. Unknown after that.
. 2. Christ Steinseifer of Oberschelden (see below)

Christ Steinseifer (d.after 1642) of Oberschelden was listed in 1635 as a subject of the Freudenberg district, and in March 1636 as a person the military had displaced. He is listed on the tax lists of Oberschelden September 1636 and March 1642. He died before 1670. One unidentified source says he married Cathrein Margret Noll, born 1600 in Buhl. If so, she died and he remarried, as his widow Güda was buried in Oberschelden 15 June 1678.

. 1. Johannes Steinseifer (1630/35-1696) of Oberschelden (see below)
. 2. Jakob Steinseifer (1638-1705) of Seelbach married Anna Ehla Stahl
. . . . his son Johann Steinseifer (1660/65-1703) married Anna Gehla Grob
. . . . . his grandson Johannes Steinseifer (1698-1754) immigrated to Culpepper, Virginia, in 1749
. 3. Johann Steinseifer (1640-1715) of Seelbach married Margaretha Schneider
. . . . his son Johann Jakob Steinseifer (1690) married 1723 Elisabeth Gertrud Noll
. . . . . his grandson Johann Daniel Steinseifer (1730-1813) immigrated to Frederick, Maryland in 1752
. 4. Catharina Steinseifer (d.1690) married Johannes Lück of Oberschelden
. 5. Anna Margaretha Steinseifer (c1652-1722) married Johann Michael Krämer, Oberfischbach

Johannes Steinseifer (1630/35-12 Jan 1696) lived in Oberschelden, married 1655/60 Elsbeth, who was buried in Oberschelden 20 Jan 1675. He then married at Oberfischbach on 17 Mar 1681 Anna Maria Kolb (d.5 Jul 1685) daughter of Peter and Demuth.

. 1. Anna Catharina Steinseifer (buried 4 Jul 1704) m.26 Jun 1680 Hermannus Starck
. 2. Anna Margaretha Steinseifer (c.1662 - 21 Apr 1728) m.1689 Hermannus Schneider
. 3. Jacob Steinseifer (c1663 - 22 Apr 1720) m.1691 Anna Elisabeth Spielmann (1665-1695)
. . . .m.1697 Catharina Schuß (1670-1720) lived in Oberschelden.
. 4. Hermannus Steinseifer (1672) m.1700 Agnes Catharina Schöler. Lived in Daaden
. 5. Johannes Steinseifer (buried 28 Feb 1675 as a small child)
. 6. Johann Jacob Steinseifer (bapt. 7 Jan 1783, died 12 Jan 1696, same day as his father)

Hermannus Steinseifer (bapt.21 Jul 1672) m.1700 Agnes Catharina Schöler, daughter of Jost Schöler of Daaden. Lived in Daaden, 12 km south of Siegen.

. 1. Johann Gerlach Steinseifer (c.1703-1782) married Maria Elisabeth, lived in Daaden
. 2. Anna Catharina Steinseifer married 1741 Christian Brück
. 3. Johannes Antonius Steinseifer (16 Jan 1713-1769) married Anna Sophia Daub
. 4. Johannette Marie Gertrud Steinseifer (16 Jan 1713) twin

Johannes Antonius Steinseifer (16 Jan 1713 - 1769) was born in Daaden and married at Niederschelden 7 Apr 1737 Anna Sophia Daub (10 Mar 1714 - 15 Jul 1769) daughter of Johannes Daub and Anna Catharina Jung. Soon after his wife died, Johannes and his two younger surviving children left for America. He died on the voyage and was buried at sea.

Johannes Daub of Niederschelden, born 26 Feb 1671, son of Hermanus and Lisabeth Daub, married 10 May 1698 Anna Catharina Jung, born 10 Dec 1676, daughter of Johannes and Catherina Jung of Niedershelden

. 1. Johann Gerlach Steinseifer (30 Sep 1737) m.2 Jun 1773 Anna Christina Maier
. 2. Elisabeth Catharina Steinseifer (13 Oct 1739 - 21 Oct 1742)
. 3. Anna Catharina Steinseifer (30 Mar 1742 - 7 Apr 1742)
. 4. Johann Georg Steinseifer (30 Aug 1743 - before 1811) m.9 Oct 1770 Anna Maria Heinze
. 5. Elisabeth Steinseifer (15 Oct 1746) went to America, no further information
. 6. Anna Margaretha Steinseifer (8 Feb 1749-12 Sep 1750)
. 7. Johann Henrich Steinseifer (21 Jan 1756) his baptismal record says he was born on this date, 
. . . "new style."  His tombstone says he was born 4 Feb 1755.

Family tradition says "Henry Stonecypher sailed for America on board a British ship from Rotterdam in 1767. He was with his parents, a 13-year-old sister, and a 2-year-old brother whose names are not known. During the voyage the parents died and were buried at sea, and the ship's captain kicked the 2-year-old brother to death, reportedly for crying. Henry and his sister landed in New York in October of 1767 and were sold as indentured servants for money, even though the whole family's passage had been previously paid." - History and Genealogy of the Stonesifer Family of MD and PA, Doyle F Wildasin, Hanover, PA, 1983. But his mother died in July, 1769, before they left Germany, his sister was 23, and there is no record of a little brother, or a nephew.  
Arriving a 12- or 14-year-old orphan in New York City, probably speaking little English, the Colonial authorities would have apprenticed him out to a local businessman until the age of 21, or a minimum of 7 years, either way, until 1776.  This was not an "indenture" to pay for passage, but would have felt the same to a teenager who was not expecting to be thus encumbered.  Unfortunately, the apprenticeship records of New York for this time period have been lost.  But Henry was a weaver, and refused to teach this art to his daughters.

Heinrich Steinseifer/Henry Stonecipher (4 Feb 1755 - 12 Jul 1841) married 21 Oct 1783 at the First Reformed Church of York, PA, Maria Elizabetha Hoffheinz (21 Apr 1762 - 1 Jan 1831?), daughter of Johann Adam Hoffheinz. Henry immigrated, an orphan, in New York, October, 1769. But by 1780, he had found his Steinseifer/Hoffman relatives in the "Holz-Schwamm" (swampy woodlands) of Paradise Township, York County, Pennsylvania, east of Abbottstown. He appears in the muster rolls of York County militia as early as 7 Oct 1780. and is listed as Private, First Class, 3rd Company, 5th Battalion, on 27 Dec 1782. "Heinrich Steiniffert" purchased 455 acres of land in Codorus Township 15 Mar 1788, selling the same 11 Aug 1794. They moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky by 1800, and to Clark Co, Indiana Territory, in 1805. He is buried in Jordan Cemetery south of Corydon, Harrison County, Indiana.
Their children: (birth/baptism dates?)

. 1. John Stonecipher (4 Oct 1782/4 Oct 1784 - 28 Mar 1868) married about 1810 Elizabeth Conrad,
. . . m(2) Betsey, widow of Frederick Young (he was guardian to Frederick's children until 1830)
. . . or married 18 Nov 1813 Elizabeth Behnur (1787-1871) Jordan Cemetery, Harrison Co, IN
. 2. George Stonecipher (/16 May 1786)
. 3. Jacob Stonecipher (/16 May 1788 - 10 Jun 1825) unmarried
. 4. George Washington Stonecipher (10 Jan 1789/30 Jan 1790 - 26 Sep 1878) married Mary Ann
. . . Young, Harrison Co, IN
. 5. Henry Stonecipher (4 Apr 1791/4 Apr 1792 - 4 May 1870) m.40 Apr 1815 Hannah Matsinger
. . . m.25 Feb 1853 Elizabeth Pratt, Harrison Co, IN
. 6. Adam Stonecipher (25 Feb 1794/25 Feb 1795 - 9 Sep 1872) m.23 Jan 1821 Mary A Reed
. . . (1805-1866) , Jefferson Co, IL, 5 children (descendants show birthdate 15 Feb 1795)
. 7. Elizabeth Stonecipher (8 May 1796-12 Dec 1865) m.29 Aug 1815 John Henry Bottorff, Clark Co, IN
. 8. Catherine Stonecipher (1800-1852) m.28Dec1819 Silas Boicourt (c1775-1846) Bartholomew Co, IN
. 9. Joseph Stonecipher (1803-1880) m.26 Jul 1827 Julia Boicourt and moved to Seward Co, Nebraska
. 10. David Stonecipher (20 Jul 1807-1863) m.11Mar1830 Sarah Bottorff, m.26Jun1835 Celina Rufner
. 11-13. Supposedly had three other daughters

George Washington Stonecypher (10 Jan 1789 - 26 Sep 1878) married Mary Ann Young  
(9 Apr 1798 - 9 Nov 1868) lived in Harrison County, Indiana, buried in Old Conrad Cemetery.

. 1. Jacob Stonecypher (11 Dec 1815 - 8 Jun 1895) married 20 Dec 1849 Leah Rosenberger
. 2. Christena Stonecypher (1818-22 Aug 1891) m.3 Mar 1838 George Snyder/Schneider (1804)
. 3. Elizabeth "Betsy" Stonecypher (1824) lived with her parents in 1860, but not in 1870. (There is an
. . . Elizabeth, wife of George Lear, (22 Feb 1822-8 Jan 1899) buried next to George S and Mary)
. 4. Rebecca Stonecypher (1 Jul 1826-7 Apr 1864) m.15 Jun 1850 William Harvey Turley (1829-1908)

Jacob Stonecypher (11 Dec 1815 - 8 Jun 1895) married 20 Dec 1849 Leah Rosenbarger (17 Feb 1820-28 Feb 1884) widow of John Hurbaugh. Buried at Shiloh Church, Harrison Co, IN

. 1. George Stonecipher (14 Sep 1850) m.30 Sep 1875 Minerva Hottel (1875); Fairmont, Nebraska
. 2. Ephraim E Stonecypher (14 Apr 1853-20 Apr 1934) m.31Jan1875 Martha Highfill, Boswell, IN
. 3. Rachel Anna Stonecypher (7 Oct 1856-10 Jan 1929) m.14 Sep 1875 Harvey Albin (1854-1913); 
. . . lived in Harrison Co, Indiana; descendants moved to Denver, Colorado

Ephraim E Stonecypher (14 Apr 1853 - 20 Apr 1934) married 21 Jan 1875 Martha Jane Highfill (11 Dec 1853 - 19 Jan 1922) farmed in Harrison Co, Indiana, retired to Boswell, Benton Co, Indiana. PICTURES

. 1. Bertha Helen Stonecypher (20 Feb 1876 - 20 May 1950) m.4 Dec 1904 John Liptrap
. . . .(11 May 1872-7 May 1935) as his second wife.  Farmed 3 miles south of Boswell, Indiana.
. ..  11. Robert Liptrap (3 Jan 1906-3 Jan 1906)
. ..  12. Virgil Raymond Liptrap (22 Apr 1907-16 Nov 1977) m.30 Nov 1949 Frances Mary Tate
. . . . . . .Matthews (18 Dec 1917) banker, lived in Park Ridge, Illinois.
. . . 13. John Ermal Liptrap (4 Dec 1909 - 27 Sep 2002) m.19 Dec 1940 Hazel Eloise Tarpley
. . . . . . .(16 Dec 1915-28 Jun 1983) Farmed south of Boswell, Indiana. m.1989 Kermit Maudena
. . . . . . ."Sally" LaSalle, widow Binkley, and moved to Frankfort, Indiana
. 2. Anna Maud Stonecypher (17 Sep 1879 - 19 Jul 1965) m.27 Aug 1899 Charles E Shaffer
. . . .(12 Apr 1876-9 May 1964) Lived in Lebanon, Indiana. No children, but raised Cleo Smith.
. 3. Martha Nellie Stonecypher (3 Jul 1882 - 5 Sep 1915) m.16 Aug 1905 Ira Earl Smith (14 Jul
. . . .1886-17 Dec 1921) lived in Boswell, Indiana. After Nellie's death, Ira married Iva Beatrice
. . . . Liptrap, daughter of John Liptrap and Della Ferguson. They raised Clarice Smith.
. . . .31. Clarice Gertrude Smith (16 Sep 1906 - 1992) m.29 Nov 1928 Chester Liptrap
. . . . . . . (25 Jan 1903 - Jul 1981) lived in Greencastle, Indiana
. . . .32. Cleo Ephraim Smith (4 Jun 1914-23 Jun 1994) m.20 Aug 1937 Pauline Lucile Gill
. . . . . . . (15 Feb 1917-) lived in Hemet, California

Bertha Helen Stonecypher (1876-1950) m.1904 John Liptrap

Virgil Raymond Liptrap (1907-1977) m.1949 Frances Mary Tate Matthews

James Matthews Liptrap (1951)