Overholser Family Association

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Overholser Family Association

Among those central Europeans seeking a better life was the Oberholtzer family of Switzerland. Today, those descendants may be found all over the United States.

This is a genealogical association comprised of members with the surnames Overholser, Overholzer, Oberholser, Obertholtzer, Overholt, and other related derivatives of Swiss origin. In 1600's Europe, Protestants were troubled by religious persecution and, consequently, thousands of them fled their homes, moving their families northward to Holland, thence to England and, for many, ultimately to the new land in America. The Oberholtzer family originated in the Swiss village of Oberholtz, south of Zurich, before the 15th century. However, in 1661, one family left Switzerland for the Palatinate in Germany. Later, the Oberholtzers, along with other Mennonite Swiss and other protestant (or non-Catholic) groups from central Europe left for Holland and England. From their camps in England, refugees left for the new world in 1710. Landing in Philadelphia, they subsequently moved westward, settling on land in what is today known as Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The flow of refugees from Europe to Pennsylvania increased steadily over the following years. As land in Lancaster County became fully taken up, other counties were opened, and new settlements sprang up in several nearby counties. The refugee families thrived in their new homes and ultimately their descendants moved south and west to claim land in less populated areas of the New World. Meanwhile, the Martin Oberholtzer Family in Terre Hill, Lancaster County formed an Oberholtzer Family Association. Later, as the primary organizers, they changed the surname spelling to Overholser.

08/05/2025

🗓️ Help Us Shape the Future of the Overholser Family Reunion

The OFA Reunion has been held on the first Saturday in August for the past 20+ years—but we’re hearing from some folks that this date may conflict with other reunions and commitments.

To help the OFA Board decide whether it’s worth exploring a new date, or if we should stay put, we’re asking for your input in a quick, one-page survey. It’s short, and your responses will help guide any future decisions.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts—and we hope to see you at the next reunion, whenever it may be!

We’re exploring whether our long-standing date (the first Saturday in August) is still the best option for the Overholser Family Reunion. Your input will help inform any future decisions. Please take a moment to respond.

08/03/2025

What a weekend! The 2025 Overholser Family Reunion brought together cousins from near and far for another year of shared stories, family history, and good food.

We heard opening remarks from former OFA President Michael Martin, a Treasurer’s Report from Geoffrey Martin, and a motion was passed to move a portion of OFA funds into a CD to help the association earn a better return. OFA Secretary Thomas Armstrong shared a fantastic slideshow featuring rare historical photos of Oberholz, Switzerland—the ancestral village where it all began.

We also discussed the possibility of shifting the annual reunion date, with ideas ranging from alternate Saturdays to Sundays or even late July. A membership survey will be going out soon to gather everyone’s input.

Pastor Mel Weaver gave a thoughtful presentation on the roots of Anabaptism, followed by some live musical performances and a second talk from Mel to close out the afternoon. We capped it all off with the traditional group photo (below!).

A more detailed recap—along with the reunion date survey—will be arriving via email in the next week. In the meantime, feel free to tag yourselves and your relatives in the photo and drop a memory or favorite moment from the weekend in the comments.

Hope to see you next year!

08/03/2024

Hello from the 2024 Overholser Family Association Reunion! Wish you were here! Will have details for next year’s reunion soon.

Address

Lancaster, PA

Website

http://www.overholser.net/

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