Schürch Symposium
The first Notable Schurch Presentation
Featuring: Dr. Lisa Schirch
Topic: “How is technology affecting conflict and peace?”
Date: June 4, 2022, at 5:00 PM EDT
Lisa Schirch is the Starmann Chair in
Peace Studies at the University of
Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for
International Peace Studies. She
also directs the Social Media,
Technology, and Peacebuilding
program for the Toda Peace Institute. A former Fulbright Fellow in East and West Africa, Schirch is the author of eleven books, including Social Media Impacts on Conflict and Democracy: The Tech-tonic Shift.
Registration is required! Please use the link below to register for this event.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclfuCpqDwvG92csiqXBQHwJp9EwWLqvOu8
NEW
Our symposium series is available on YouTube.
Click here to view our presentations, "The Migration of Schurchs to California" and "Schurch Symposium 101, Coming to America". On a desktop computer the thumbnails will appear on the upper right of the screen. Click on the one you want to view.
If you have any suggestions for a topic, please send it to: SchurchSymposium@gmail.com
FAMILY NEWSLETTER
The April 2022 issue of the Schürch Family newsletter is out.
Click here for excepts of our latest issue.
Y-DNA Project
Alan Leis is the new administrator of this project. Justin Houser is a co-administrator. If you would like to have your Schurch genes tested, contact Alan. He would be more than happy to assist you.
E-mail: alanleis1@gmail.com
August 5 & 6, 2022
Location: Crystal Ridge Community Centre,
Crystal Beach, Ontario
Our reunion is finished for this year. Check back on the Reunion page for photos of this amazing event.
New Brubacher House Video
This new video shows the history of the Brubacher House as it relates to the Brubaker Family but the House also has deep Sherk roots. The House was built by John and Magdalena Brubacher. John’s father was Deacon John E Brubacher, Code C346 who was the first male Brubacher immigrant to Waterloo County. John E was the grandson of Maria Sherk Erb, Code C3, and her husband, Christian Erb, immigrants to Waterloo County about 1806.
John Brubacher’s mother was Catherine Sherk, Code H464, daughter of Joseph Sherk, Code H46, who was the first immigrant to Waterloo County in 1800.
Thus John Brubacher, descendant of John E Brubacher and Catherine Sherk and builder of the Brubacher House can claim two Schurch codes, C3464 and H4644.
At the Schürch Reunion in 2016 in Waterloo Region, this house was one of the stops on a bus tour.
Enjoy the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msVJar4UzeI&list=PLRVDwi_WScLnjyYTLm0njOMFG8Dg3AnKB&index=2&t=0s
Who are the Schürchs?
Well, if your family name or that of any ancestor is Scherich, Scherch, Schirch, Schuerch, Sharick, Sherck, Sherick, Sherk, Sherrick, Shirck, Shirk or any of the more than 70 variants, you are a member of the Family. The Schürch Family originated in Switzerland and through emigration spread to North America in the late 1600s.
Our Swiss-German ancestors spelled their name Schürch and this is still the accepted spelling in Switzerland today. The Swiss also spell it ‘Schuerch’ exchanging the umlaut for the letter ‘e’. Our immigrant forefathers did not speak English and the clerks on the ships at the port of arrival did not usually speak German. Thus in Colonial America and later in the 1800s, various phonetic spellings were adopted. The name of the Family Association uses the Swiss spelling since it is the original surname and is representative of all the various branches of the family in North America today.
The Schürch Family Association of North America (SFANA) was created in 1982 by a group of individuals who were interested in preserving their family heritage. At that time, it was known that at least twenty-five individuals with likely ties to a Schürch family arrived in North America between the years 1727 and 1808. Many of those families (but not all) had ties to Sumiswald, Switzerland. Consequently, a sister organization, Schweizische Gesellschaft für Namenstrager Schürch (SGNS), developed around the same time, with similar goals. This sister organization has compiled extensive documentation on family branches in Switzerland.
The Swiss Schürch Association meets regularly. To learn more of the Schürch Family Association of Switzerland, abbreviated SGNS, visit the Swiss Schürch Family.
SFANA has provided this site to disseminate information about our family and the activities of the Association. Check in on a regular basis to see the latest information on the biennial reunion, research and family happenings.
To learn more of the Schürchs who first landed on North American shores go to Schürch History.
How many? Sixty or more at last count. Add family surnames with ties to the Schürch family like Bergey, Brubacher, Clemmer, Detweiler, Erb, Good, Hunsberger, Martin, Shantz, and many more and the number of Schürchs skyrockets. In the 37 years since our association was established, Schürch historians have discovered numerous ties connecting the descendants of the first Swiss arrivals in 1727. Come and explore and celebrate your ties to Schürchs in Switzerland and across North America.
Cathryn Bernice DAJKA
November 27, 1959 - January 27, 2022
I regret to inform you that my sister, Cathryn Dajka (N104A712), has now passed away. It has not been a good couple of years for our family, with my mother (nee Sherk) passing away 2.5 years ago and my father just under 2 years ago.
Stephen Dajka
Cathryn was only 61. She was a subscriber of the SFANA newsletter. This is a great loss to the community and our family. Her obituary follows.
We are heartbroken to announce the loss of our amazing Cathryn, passing away in the arms of her loving husband of 25 years, Jim Pauk, and surrounded by her family. Born in Fonthill, Cathryn was predeceased by her parents, Stephen and Alice Dajka and is survived by her brothers Bryan (Marina), Stephen (Kristen) and Glen. A magical aunt to Karley, Sydney, Jacob, Anandi, Lyndsay, Jasmine (Alex) and Jade. Great-aunt to Ava and Theo. Cathryn faced a devastating diagnosis head on with stoicism and positivity, living her last two years to the fullest. They were, in her words, the two happiest years of her life. She constantly stated how blessed she was to be surrounded by such loving and supportive family and friends, even in her last few days.
After spending years in Toronto as a fashion stylist, Cathryn moved to Jamaica for a year and a half and, after returning, went on to found Frock and Imelda, two fashion boutiques on Roncesvalles Ave. in Toronto's West end where she and Jim shared a home. She also co-founded a boutique called Ubu on the same street in the 1980's. A trailblazer in every sense, she led by example, stepping out of the house every morning in audacious outfits that were always garnering attention and wearing them so well. She was a fashion icon, much younger than her years.
She had a knack for bringing people together. Many friendships began and continue due to the environment she created. Cathryn's kindness and generosity made an impact on all the people in her community and beyond. Her inspiration and mentorship led to several of her employees following in her footsteps and going on to run their own shops. The personal friendships that she made there throughout the years are some of the strongest.
Although a fashionista, Cathryn didn't shy away from roughing it while portaging and camping when not spending time at her and Jim's family cottage on Kawagama Lake in Haliburton. She was a star at hula hooping, tether ball and tennis (sort of). She and Jim also enjoyed exotic destinations as well as long road trips.
Cathryn's nurturing nature was evident, not only with her friends but when caring for her parents in their later years. Not having children of her own gave her the opportunity to build loving bonds with the children of friends and neighbours. She was Auntie Cathryn to many. She loved children and they loved her back.
Beautiful, beautiful Cathryn. You are a light that still shines. You are one special person and have had an impact on so many people's lives, they've told us so. You're leaving a void in our lives that is unfillable. Wherever it is you're going, you're going to shake it up.
A private gathering with family has been held. However, Cathryn is someone that needs to be celebrated in a big way and we will do that when we can, so stay tuned. In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Moorelands Camp Starry Summer Night campaign to help send a disadvantaged kid to camp in Cathryn's memory or to the cancer charity of your choice.
How Many Ways can one Spell Schürch?
Scharc
Schark
Sharrach
Schearch
Schearck
Scherch
Scherck
Schereck
Scherg
Scherge
Scherich
Scherk
Scherrich
Schirch
Schirck
Schirg
Schirk
Scheorck
Schoerg
Schorch
Schorck
Schorg
Schorock
Schorrock
Sharrich
Shirrock
Schorg
Sherak
Shorck
Schuerch
Schurch
Schurcho
Schurck
Schuerg
Schurg
Schürg
Schurge
Schurger
Schurgh
Schurgo
Schurig
Schuricht
Schurke
Scurean
Scurge
Sharg
Sharick
Sharigh
Shark
Sharrich
Sherak
Shercg
Sherch
Sherck
Shereck
Sherg
Sherich
Sherick
Sherig
Sherk
Sherock
Sherog
Sherrick
Sherrig
Shierk
Shirch
Shirck
Shirg
Shirk
Shirok
Shirrock
Shorck
Shorg
Shork
Shurck
Shurg
Shurixh
Shurk
Sierck
Tscherck
Tsherch
Tsherck
FREE digital copy of “Table of Contents” and “Every Name Index” based on all newsletters published 1983-2017.
This is a vital resource for researchers and newsletter subscribers. Send your request to Cary Adams cavalleyboy@earthlink.net and he will email you a pdf version.