Johann Heinrich Stieff (Steeves) was born in 1718 in the Duchy of Württemberg, located in the southwestern part of modern day Germany, there was nothing that hinted he would father a family whose legacy includes hundreds of thousands of descendants located around the World.
This global group of relatives are known today as the “Steeves (Steves) Cousins.” It is time to welcome the Cousins home from far and wide. The 250th Anniversary of the Steeves Family arrival in New Brunswick is going be a historic event. This week long celebration in July of 2016 will stretch from the landing point in Moncton to Hillsborough, NB.
The origin of the Steeves family is a fascinating story on how each generation can build on the success of the previous generation and spread success worldwide.
Heinrich, Regina (nee Stahlecker) and the original family were from an area around Münsingen, Germany. Their journey began with emigration to Pennsylvania in 1749. Heinrich and Regina are believed to have lost all three of their original children prior to arriving in Pennsylvania. They then were blessed with seven sons: Jacob, John, Christian, Frederick, Henry, Lewis and Matthias. The Steeves 250 Anniversary event logo represents the seven sons through the seven branches.
In 1766, under the land-grant companies organized by Benjamin Franklin and others, the family embarked on a historical journey aboard a sloop named Lovey to Monckton, Nova Scotia (now Moncton, New Brunswick). On June 3rd of that year, the Stieffs became part of the township’s first permanent settlers that arrived at Hall’s Creek. Eight of the eleven families on the Lovey were German. The original German family names were; Copple, Treitz, Lutz, Sommer, Schantz, Wortman, Ricker, and Stieff. Four of these family names evolved over time into Trites (Treitz), Jones (Schantz), Lutes (Lutz) and Steeves or Steves (Stieff).
The family eventually made their way to Hillsborough, Albert County. This area of New Brunswick is considered the Canadian birthplace of the Steeves (Steves) Family.
With hard work and persistence the Steeves along with the other German families aboard the Lovey were able to breathe new life into the lands that were left vacant due to the Le Grand Dérangement tragedy of 1755. With the ring of the axe and the scrape of the hope these families developed a prosperous community.
Through the industriousness of their ancestors, the Steeves have contributed to a wide variety of social causes and economic prosperity around the globe; including the worlds of geology, medicine, education, business, and statesmanship. Their largest contribution has been the continuous export of their sons and daughters, who now populate every corner of our world. The descendants alone are estimated to number more than 250,000 cousins. The family has a number of notable cousins; including, Honourable William Henry Steeves (Father of Confederation), John Michael Edward Seymour (19th Duke of Somerset), Dr. Esther Clark Wright (Author, Historian and Scholar), Honourable Jack Layton (Former Leader of the Official Opposition of Parliament), Janette Oke (Award Winning Author) and Simon Newcomb (Astronomer & Mathematician) to name a few.
In July 2016, the Steeves family invites all Cousins and friends to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the forefather’s arrival in New Brunswick. Come connect with the Steeves roots and be welcomed home. While here, don’t forget to visit the Hon. William Henry Steeves House Museum for the full family story.
Steeves 250 celebration information can be found at www.steeves250.com.