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Imans and Eymans - a partial historical inventory
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Overview
"Iman" originated as Eyman or Eymann, there being variations
depending on region of the ancestor, preferences of those who
recorded names and perhaps the persons themselves. Names weren't
well standardized until social pressures toward the middle of
the last century. Even in this century in our family, brothers
would sometimes pick different names, apparently for convenience.
Like so many German immigrants, the
Eymans of the next generations most often
landed in Philadelphia and settled toward
the West or where land was available. We
know of immigrations in 1749, perhaps
1750, and 1763. Ship records are scant,
and generally didn't list women or
children -- so it's hard yet to get
adequate family records. Perhaps the best
known of American Eymans, Ulrich, died
quite soon after reaching American shores.
His sons and/or grand children managed and
had families, moving out of the Mennonite
communities before long, with branches in
Virginia and Ohio.
A lesser known Jacob Eiman arrived in 1749 and was spotted
in and early census for Philadelphia. New information is starting
to turn up about Jacob's progeny, and I think research in this
area will help to solve many puzzles of Eyman genealogy. The
authors of this web site believe that the descendants of Jacob
Eiman <1725> included three Revolutionary War Patriots,
the Imans and Eymans of West Virginia, and most of those of
Illinois and Missouri. Eymans were farmers and frontiersman,
saw-mill or grist-mill owners, lumberman and sometimes merchants.
At times, though rarely, Eymans served as Whig politicians,
township officers, and professionals. They were patriots when
it was required of them to serve, as many did in the Revolution,
in the War of 1812 and the Civil War. They served as scouts
for some of the largest migration parties into American Bottom
on the Mississippi River, and founded churches. Some were compatriots
of Daniel Boone, one was shot by Jesse James. They were generally
quiet people. Given their religious preferences, their tendency
to be on the front edge of civilization, and their tendency
to stay out of trouble and courts, digging up information on
the family path isn't easy! It's a long and wonderful history.
Won't you please get involved and share what you know? The
"who begat" summary on the left shows the area of
research where our knowledge is especially fragile. If you have
facts or notes to share, we hope you'll join our forum or send
us email.
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