JOHANNES SCHWALM HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, INC.

Member Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies
Registry for Descendants of Hessian Troops
Public Depository, Special Collections Department in the Martin Library of the Sciences - Franklin and Marshall College

The JSHA Registry has been updated with newly received information.   CLICK HERE

About The Association
(JSHA)

JSHA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching those German auxiliary troops (generically called Hessian) who remained in America after the Revolutionary War, became loyal citizens, made cultural contributions and were the progenitors of any thousands of Americans living today.

JSHA HISTORY

JSHA was named in recognition of Johannes Schwalm, a Hessian, serving in von Knyphausen's Regiment, which along with other German auxiliary troops, was captured at the battle of Trenton.  Thousands of German auxiliaries to the British Crown remained in America after the Revolution, and many, like Johannes, settled in the Pennsylvania Dutch area of Pennsylvania.  JSHA was organized to pool information of several descendants who were (separately and unknown to each other) researching Johannes and his contemporaries.

Johannes Schwalm the Hessian

The Bicentennial of the United States was an appropriate time for JSHA to culminate efforts by publishing the book, Johannes Schwalm in 1976.  The widespread approval of the book (now out of print) encouraged JSHA to publish supplementary journals and monographs based on original research on German auxiliary troops and their influence on America.

ARCHIVES

For safekeeping and for use by Hessian descendants and researchers, JSHA has designated Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as a repository for historical documents, manuscripts, artifacts, slides, tapes, and publications, etc.  JSHA's modest but growing collection is available to the public in the Special Collections Department in the Martin Library of the Sciences during Library Hours (generally open 9-5 weekdays, year round).  To view a list of the contents contained in the archives CLICK HERE.

RESEARCH SERVICES

The JSHA is an all volunteer organization with very limited staff, so please understand JSHA can not conduct research or searches for information on your soldier or family line. The JSHA has collected a large volume of information and makes it available through articles published in it's annual Journals, and it's archives maintained by Franklin and Marshal College in the Martin Library of the Sciences.

JSHA PROJECTS

• Continued registration of living descendants whose ancestors were German auxiliary soldiers of the American Revolution.
• Encourage descendants to write their case histories for publication in the JSHA annual Journals. Help and guidance from JSHA is available.
• Emphasis on primary source material dealing with German auxiliary troops. This includes newly discovered manuscripts, prisoners' lists, old diaries, etc. Wherever possible, old German script should be reproduced along with transcripts or translations in English thereby preserving the German-American relationship.
• Make available items in the JSHA collection suitable for display or presentation at educational forums, German-American gatherings, historical societies, etc. This includes speakers (advance approval is necessary).
• Application for special grants to research items of a special nature.
• Encourage placement of markers, plaques, etc. to commemorate significant happenings involving German auxiliary troops of the Revolution.
• Publish, when needed, supplements showing errata and addenda to previous publications including more detailed genealogical data.

HESSIAN CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

In 1993, The Johannes Schwalm Historical Association, Inc. launched a project to certify descendants of Hessian soldiers who remained in America. JSHA issues a color certificate to authenticate your ties to Hessian forebears.

How to Join JSHA

Ordering JSHA Publications

Additional Information on Certificate Program

Additional Information on Genealogy Research

Advising and Assisting Inquirers Searching for Hessian Ancestors

JSHA Registry of German Auxiliary Troops who remained in North America after the Revolutionary War

Additional Hessian Readings and Web Links

Since February 3, 1998 you are visitor number