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*                                                                         *
*                           Cherdron Chronicle                            *
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*                   The Newsletter for Members of the                     *
*           Chardron/Cherdron/Shedron/Shetron/Shetrone Family             *
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*                          Issue #1 - June 1994                           *
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*                             Published by:                               *
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*                      Internet: tdoyle@netcom.com                        *
*                    Compuserve: 73267,260                                *
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What Does our Surname Mean?

The original spelling of our surname appears to have been 'Chardron'. There are at least two explanations for the meaning of this name. One describes it as being a derivitive of the name Richard. The other explanation is that 'Chardron' comes from the french word 'chardon', which means 'thistle' (a tall, prickly herb). It is interesting to note that several Chardon families have a thistle included on their coat of arms. (No coat of arms has been found for any member of our families.)

How far back can we trace our family?

Members of the Shetron family, the Shetrone family, and possibly the Shedron family in America can all trace their ancestry back to Johann Heinrich Cherdron. Henry, as he was more commonly known, emigrated with his family from Otterberg, Germany to York County, Pennsylvania sometime between 1737 and 1746. Because no one in the new world knew (or cared) how to spell Cherdron, it was spelled many different ways at first. After time, different branches of the family started spelling it in the various ways that we have today. It appears that all members of the Cherdron family, including the descendants of Henry, are descended from Daniel Cherdron. Daniel was born about 1591, probably in France. Daniel lived in or near the city of Sedan, France. He, his wife Susanne Chappe, and their two sons Jean (John) and Pierre (Peter), left France and moved to Germany. By 1655, they had settled in Otterberg, Germany, where some of their descendants still live to this day.

Family History Being Prepared

A family history of our family is currently under way! The next 'preliminary' edition is due to be ready later this year. The last version was over 300 pages long. Please send any information you may have to Tim Doyle, tdoyle@doit.com

Family Reunion

The last Cherdron family reunion was held in September, 1993 in Otterberg, with about 70 people in attendance. Those at the reunion took a guided tour of the centuries old church in Otterberg and of the Otterberg city museum. The mayor of Otterberg attended the reunion and gave a speech. The next reunion in Germany is tentatively planned for the summer of 1995. Please send in any information about other family reunions!

Current Events


For further information, please contact Tim Doyle tdoyle@netcom.com