MeyerDuplessis – This is John’s paternal family history which includes the names, Meyer, Duplessis, Johnson among others. It is all South African Heritage which includes a mix of German, Dutch and French ancestors who were early pre-1700 settlers in what was then called “The Cape” which was owned by the Dutch East India Company.

JohnsonWhiteside – This is John’s maternal family which is largely Liverpool based. It includes the names, Johnson, Whiteside, Maguire, McBride, Kempster and Molyneaux. The Johnson’s were well known Liverpool watchmakers and later family took to earning a living as seafarers.

Laugenforsamling – A part of Anita’s paternal family branch which included two different Norwegian families, originating from Nore and Rollag in the Numedal Valley. The earliest members of the family date to 1670. Members of this family continue to farm and live in the valley while the american emigrants have spread throughout the midwest having originally settled in Wisconsin.

Meitrodt – Includes both Anita’s maternal and paternal families with names including, Meitrodt, Larson, Amendrud, Ranzenberger and Brinker. The heritage is a mix of Norwegian and German.

Torrible – John’s brother’s wife’s family who originated in Essex and Yorkshire, England. The Torrible family were early members of the English Coast Guard with later descendants mainly becoming mariners of note, earning reputations as leaders in the fields of maritime trade.