Next Schürch Symposium November 1, 2025
Topic: Schürch Migration from Switzerland to Northwestern USA
By Donna (Schuerch) Love
Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 5 pm ET, 4 pm CT, 3 pm MT and 2 pm PT
Donna (Schuerch) Love, from Missoula, Montana documents the story of her great-grandparents, Johannes and Magdalene Schürch, who immigrated with their family of 12 children to the United States from Wasen, Switzerland in 1884, settling first in Iowa, then South Dakota, and eventually in Oregon.
Using the Zoom Chat feature, either during or just after her presentation, you can send your questions about the day’s topic to our moderator, Margaret Sherk by using the Zoom “Chat” feature. Donna will address as many questions as she can within the remainder of our one-hour presentation timetable.
Register today for this free event sponsored by the Schürch Family Association of North America by clicking on the following Zoom registration link.
Note: This link is a unique link for Symposium #8 Registration only.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/vMmZiQK0TYGJ2emdgzVY7w
The Zoom registration requires your name, email address, and, if requested, checking a “I am not a Robot” box to be completed before clicking on Register.
You will get a Zoom confirmation email and attendance link soon after registering and again approximately 24 hours before the scheduled event.
If you have any problem registering, contact us at SchurchSymposium@gmail.com.
Introduction to the Symposium Series
This video series, relatively new on YouTube, is developed and produced by SFANA (Schürch Family Association of North America). The focus of the series is the emigration of the Schürch family from Switzerland to North America and their movement across the North American continent. Follow the genealogical story of the Schürch family, its origin in Switzerland, and the long and sometimes arduous journey to and in America as well as their later movements within the United States and Canada. If your family includes any of the many spellings of Schürch, you may gain some insight into your own history. Learn about Mennonite history and how the persecution of the Anabaptists effected the emigration of Schürchs from their Swiss homeland.
Symposium #1 - “Schϋrchs to California”
“Schürch to California” highlights Schürch families who left the east and their reasons for traveling to an unknown territory.
Symposium #2 - “Schϋrch Symposium 101 - Coming to America”
“Schürch 101” outlines some Mennonite history and how it compelled many of its followers to leave their Swiss homeland. The video shows some of the hazards faced by the early Schürchs. There is also a brief explanation of the Schϋrch Family Code and how it is used to track the Schürch linage based on the date of arrival of an individual to America.
Symposium #3 - “Schϋrch Symposium 102
Crossing and Building America”
Establishing New Roots
“Schürch 101” details the “why” and “how” many of our ancestors left their homelands and immigrated to America. “Schürch 102” starts with the initial Schürch settlements and follows where the next two generations of the American born Schürchs traveled. “Schürch 102” continues to use and expand on the family coding system. Interspersed within this video is a new concept which highlights by name and code some of the more recent and notable family members. This marks the introduction to a new branch of the Symposium Series fittingly named “Notable Schürchs”.
Symposium #4 - “Schϋrch Symposium - Notable Schϋrch Series”
Dr. Lisa Schirch
The fourth in the Schϋrch Symposium series is an exciting introduction to a new sub-category of the Schϋrch Symposium called “Notable Schϋrchs”. Our introductory Notable Schϋrch, Dr. Lisa Schirch, is the Starmann Chair in Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. Dr Schirch explains how social media platforms can influence opinions about and even change the direction of critical world situations.
Symposium #5 - “Schϋrch Symposium - Notable Schϋrch Series”
Jerry Sherk
The fifth in the Schϋrch Symposium series is an exciting continuation of the new subcategory of the Schϋrch Symposium called “Notable Schϋrchs”. Our second Notable Schϋrch, Jerry Sherk was an All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State University, he was drafted in the second round of the 1970 NFL draft and was named to the League’s Pro Bowl four consecutive years. After his 12-season career, Jerry took up sports photography. His work appeared in numerous newspapers as well as Sports Illustrated and Pro! Magazine. In the early 1990s, Jerry earned a master’s degree in counseling psychology and formed Mentoring Management Systems. For 25 years, MMS has been a leader in supporting youth and adult mentoring programs across California and the U.S. Jerry shares memories from the gridiron, show us some of his photography, and provides his perspectives on mentoring vulnerable populations today.
These videos and future Symposium releases are placed into one or more play lists on YouTube. In an attempt to create a chronological pattern, the order the videos appear in the playlist is changed. This creates a feeling of advancing in time with the Schurchs as you watch each video. In the future, the Notable Schurch may have a separate play list.
Symposium #6 – Not currently available on-line
Symposium #7 – “With Tenacity and Fortitude, WE ARE HOME”
The story of Amos and Candace Sherk
Symposium #7 describes the story of the Amos and Candace Sherk family and their arduous journey from Sherkston, Ontario to the Peace River valley in Alberta. In 1909, the trip took 6 days by rail to Edmonton and another 83 days by bull team drawn wagon. Watch their group as they travel west and then north to settle in what is now known as Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada.
To see the previous symposia, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiS3CNfUlAeITjo09Y0aJ2DeNtlLgCCbG
To view the entire Symposium series, the recommended order of viewing is:
Symposium #2 - “Symposium 101 - Coming to America”
Symposium #3 - “Schϋrch Symposium 102 – Crossing and Building America” - Establishing New Roots
Symposium # - “Schürchs to California”
Symposium #7 - “With Tenacity and Fortitude, WE ARE HOME - The story of Amos and Candace Sherk” - Crossing and Building Canada
Symposium #4 - “Schϋrch Symposium - Notable Schurch Series” - Dr. Lisa Schirch
Symposium #5 - “Schϋrch Symposium - Notable Schurch Series” - Jerry Sherk
Symposium #6 – Not currently available on-line
LAVERNE GENE SCHIRCH
LaVerne “Verne” Gene Schirch died on October 1, 2025 at the age of 89. He was born on August 9, 1936, in Bloomington, Illinois to Ernest Raymond Schirch and Opal Bluette (Stahly) Schirch. Reldon Dean (1934-2022) was his only sibling.
Verne grew up in a loving, hardworking family on a 160-acre farm in Chenoa, Illinois and attended a one-room country school. He also cherished life values he credited to his paternal grandmother Mary Rich Schirch (1880-1978), who easily laughed at herself but was exceptionally accepting and kind with others. He treasured the memories she shared of growing up in France, and this planted the seeds of a life-long interest in the family’s historical roots and the values one passes on to their offspring.
Verne attended Bluffton College (1954-58) where he planned to major in business but switched to chemistry after a summer job in an agricultural lab. At Bluffton College he met Carol Ann Shelly, the love of his life for the next 67 years. They married in June 1958, and Verne began his PhD studies in biochemistry at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where their first child Douglas Michael was born in 1960, and they later moved to Berkeley, California for a postdoctoral position at the University of California where Michelle Dawn was born in 1963. That fall the family moved to Bluffton, Ohio where Verne accepted a faculty position in the Chemistry Department at Bluffton College. In 1967, third child Lisa Lynn was born to complete the family.
In 1964 Verne received his first federal research grant to continue his postdoctoral research project. He would receive continuous grants from the National Institute of Health and the National Science Foundation until his retirement in 2007, and he authored 140 scientific publications. The grants opened a new world to this farm boy who before college hadn’t traveled further from home than Iowa. He began presenting his research at national and international meetings on enzymes in vitamin B6 and folic acid metabolism.
In 1973 he was among 24 U.S. scientists invited to participate in the first of six cultural exchanges with the Soviet Union as part of President Nixon’s US-USSR détente. In an interview he had noted that the Russians were not always open with information on their scientific progress, a challenge that was again a barrier to science and to peace in the years leading up to his death. Carol accompanied him on many of his international trips that brought rich research experiences and new contacts and friends. It also allowed him to visit the ancestral Schürch family home in Sumiswald, Switzerland, a place he would return to many times.
Wanting their children to be influenced by experiences living abroad and in other cultures, in 1969 Verne and Carol moved to Rome, Italy with the three children for a year while Verne worked at the university. It was a leap of faith taken without knowing anyone who had done something similar. In 1974 Verne accepted a six-month sabbatical position at the University of Bristol, England, again bringing the whole family along. These extended exposures to other cultures profoundly influenced the family and the life trajectories of all three children, with the effects continuing to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In 1978 Verne accepted a faculty position in the Department of Biochemistry at the Medical College of Virginia. He remained there for the next 26 years until retiring in Harrisonburg, Virginia. He and Carol continued to travel widely, reconnecting with international friends abroad and in their home. In all he visited more than 60 countries.
Verne was dedicated to helping others, mentoring college and graduate students, and serving on the Richmond Habitat for Humanity board for 15 years – one of his most rewarding experiences. Mennonite Church institutions shaped his life, including the Mennonite values his parents and grandparents taught him, the progressive Mennonite church where he grew up, Bluffton College, and being a lifelong supporter of Camp Friedenswald and Mennonite Central Committee. All of Verne’s children are closely involved in the Mennonite church.
In retirement his primary research energies turned to family genealogies on both the Schirch and Shelly sides, tracing ancestral roots back 500 years to small hamlets in Switzerland and France. In 2018 he finished writing a 550-page family history book. Copies reside in the Mennonite Historical Library at Goshen College and in the Bluffton University and Eastern Mennonite University libraries. His curiosity and research focused on how religious and moral values had been transferred and renewed between generations.
In 2021 Verne and Carol moved to Goshen, Indiana, near all three children.
Verne is survived by his wife Carol and three children: Douglas (Maria Sanchez), Michelle (Karl Shelly) and Lisa (William Goldberg). There are eight grandchildren: Jessica Martin (Peter); Juni Sauder (Zachary); Joshua Schirch; Jacob Shelly (Monica); Lucas Shelly (Lauryn); Benjamin Gerig Shelly (Maddie); Miranda Goldberg; and Levi Goldberg. There are currently seven great grandchildren with two more due soon.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Goshen and via Zoom (contact billyg813@gmail.com) at a date to be announced later and posted at https://www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com/obits.
SFANA loses a Key Researcher: Laverne Schirch
Schürch Heritage Tour
September 9 to September 20, 2025
The Schürch Family Heritage Tour is completed. TourMagination, Winnipeg MB, coordinated the tour details on behalf of our Schürch Family Association of North America.
Articles about the tour will appear in the next newsletter and on this web site.
For forty years, The Sherk Family by Thomas A. Sherk has been the go-to resource for Schürch family history. At the 2022 reunion auction, two copies sold for more than $200 each. Now, through a one-time collaboration with Tom Sherk, the Schürch Family Association of North America is able to offer copies of a limited reprint edition of The Sherk Family.
The book was reprinted in November 2023 and can be purchased for $169 USD. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to own your personal copy of The Sherk Family. This price includes shipping.
Please send your check/cheque or money order as well as the number of desired copies, your contact information including name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address, to our US treasurer at the following address:
Jack Sherick, 18 North Pine Street, Lancaster, PA 17603. Direct inquiries may be sent to Jack at sci5teach322@yahoo.com.
Please make payments payable to Schürch Family Association of North America in US$.
Canadians, please use a US bank draft or a money order.
FAMILY NEWSLETTER
The April 2025 issue of the Schürch Family newsletter has been mailed.
Click here for excepts from the April 2025 issue.
Get 40 Years of Schürch Family Association Newsletters!
Includes
• 40 years of family newsletters
• Every Name Index
• Tables of Contents
Digital Version: $125 in both USB and USB-C drives
This is a vital resource for researchers and newsletter subscribers.
Send your order and cheque or money order to your respective treasurer. That treasurer will notify Cary Adams and he will mail out the flash drive. Any questions should be directed to Cary at
Y-DNA Project
Justin Houser is the administrator. If you would like to have your Schurch genes tested, contact Justin. He would be more than happy to assist you.
E-mail: jkhouser84@gmail.com
The Sherk Family
by Thomas A Sherk
How Many Ways can one Spell Schürch?
Scharc
Schark
Sharrach
Schearch
Schearck
Scherch
Scherck
Schereck
Scherg
Scherge
Scherich
Scherk
Scherrich
Schirch
Schirck
Schirg
Schirk
Scheorck
Schoerg
Schorch
Schorck
Schorg
Schorock
Schorrock
Sharrich
Shirrock
Schorg
Sherak
Shorck
Schuerch
Schurch
Schurcho
Schurck
Schuerg
Schurg
Schürg
Schurge
Schurger
Schurgh
Schurgo
Schurig
Schuricht
Schurke
Scurean
Scurge
Sharg
Sharick
Sharigh
Shark
Sharrich
Sherak
Shercg
Sherch
Sherck
Shereck
Sherg
Sherich
Sherick
Sherig
Sherk
Sherock
Sherog
Sherrick
Sherrig
Shierk
Shirch
Shirck
Shirg
Shirk
Shirok
Shirrock
Shorck
Shorg
Shork
Shurck
Shurg
Shurixh
Shurk
Sierck
Tscherck
Tsherch
Tsherck
How many? Sixty or more at last count. Add family surnames with ties to the Schürch family like Bergey, Brubacher, Clemmer, Detweiler, Erb, Good, Hunsberger, Martin, Shantz, and many more and the number of Schürchs skyrockets. In the 37 years since our association was established, Schürch historians have discovered numerous ties connecting the descendants of the first Swiss arrivals in 1727. Come and explore and celebrate your ties to Schürchs in Switzerland and across North America.
Who are the Schürchs?
Well, if your family name or that of any ancestor is Scherich, Scherch, Schirch, Schuerch, Sharick, Sherck, Sherick, Sherk, Sherrick, Shirck, Shirk or any of the more than 70 variants, you are a member of the Family. The Schürch Family originated in Switzerland and through emigration spread to North America in the late 1600s.
Our Swiss-German ancestors spelled their name Schürch and this is still the accepted spelling in Switzerland today. The Swiss also spell it ‘Schuerch’ exchanging the umlaut for the letter ‘e’. Our immigrant forefathers did not speak English and the clerks on the ships at the port of arrival did not usually speak German. Thus in Colonial America and later in the 1800s, various phonetic spellings were adopted. The name of the Family Association uses the Swiss spelling since it is the original surname and is representative of all the various branches of the family in North America today.
The Schürch Family Association of North America (SFANA) was created in 1982 by a group of individuals who were interested in preserving their family heritage. At that time, it was known that at least twenty-five individuals with likely ties to a Schürch family arrived in North America between the years 1727 and 1808. Many of those families (but not all) had ties to Sumiswald, Switzerland. Consequently, a sister organization, Schweizische Gesellschaft für Namenstrager Schürch (SGNS), developed around the same time, with similar goals. This sister organization has compiled extensive documentation on family branches in Switzerland.
The Swiss Schürch Association meets regularly. To learn more of the Schürch Family Association of Switzerland, abbreviated SGNS, visit the Swiss Schürch Family.
SFANA has provided this site to disseminate information about our family and the activities of the Association. Check in on a regular basis to see the latest information on the biennial reunion, research and family happenings.
To learn more of the Schürchs who first landed on North American shores go to Schürch History.
The 2024 reunion is over. It was a great reunion where lots of information was shared and new connections were made.
The next one will be in Ontario in 2026 in the area where a reunion was held almost thirty years ago. This area was settled by Casper Scherch in 1804.
Updates on the next reunion will appear on this page.
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