Fertig To Fertick: Following the Family Name from Germany to Jerecho (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781601269973)

Inspired by the arrival of his first grandchild, the author set out to chronicle Fertick family history. The goal was to follow the family name lineally as passed down from the original Fertigs in Germany to his grandson Jerecho. An unexpected twist developed, however, and a simple family history project became a search for the truth. For years, the Fertick family knew John Fertig was the original immigrant who came to America from Germany in 1754. They knew the names of his children and his children's children down the family line to the present day. While researching the family tree, a new and exciting genealogy was discovered, bringing to light seven previously unknown generations in Europe prior to John Fertig. Unfortunately, this newly found European history was a fraud, created by a well-known genealogical forger near the end of the 19^th century. The advent of online genealogy eventually exposed this fraudulent history, but it continues to be presented as fact on many public websites. By separating fact from fiction, the author hopes that the Fertick family and related branches who kept the Fertig name, can be sure of their history, and that Jerecho and future generations can confidently learn about the family that preceded them.