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Kern History
by Wally Kern
The Kern family came in two groups in 1852 and 1861 from Roßtal, Germany. The first group consisted of my great grandfather, Johann Wilhelm Kern, and his brother Peter Kern. The second group came after their father died and consisted of the mother, six siblings, and a granddaughter of the mother. They settled in Saginaw and Tuscola counties of Michigan . The German name “Kern” means “grain” and is derived from the Kernmühle (“Grain Mill” in English) where they were first found. Records show that the Kernmühle existed since 1413.
The first appearance of a Kern was at the Kernmühle in 1532. The Kernmühle is about 2.5 kilometers north of Roßtal. They lived there until 1748 when they sold it and moved to Roßtal to operate a Gasthaus. Twenty years later they operated a general store in the market place (center) of Roßtal. After the immigration of the Kerns to America it is believed that no more Kerns resided in Roßtal. However, in a search of a telephone directory there is evidence of many Kerns living nearby the Kernmühle to the north and east.
All of the original immigrants settled on a farm except the youngest girl. However, several supplemented their income by working in a flour mill, being a stone mason, or working at a saw mill. Later the Kerns integrated into the community with the full array of professions such as merchants, lawyers, doctors, bankers, ministers, teachers, etc.
Today the Kerns are concentrated in Frankenmuth, Richville, Reese, and Saginaw, Michigan. It is estimated that there are between 4000 and 5000 descendants from the original settlers. A Kern reunion is held every two years.
I have spent many decades researching the Kern family both in history and genealogy.
I will continue to do that. The purpose of this website is to share the information
that I have. Information may change as new information is found.
Please visit the following pages I’ve put together about our history and genealogy:
History of the Kernmühle and Kern Family Names
Kern Family in Germany: Our Heritage
This is a history of the Kerns in Germany and
contains the culture around them.
Johann Wilhelm Kern Family History
This is the history of the first immigration of
the Kern family to the United States. It also includes their life in America.
The Immigration to America of the Friedrich Kern Family
This is the history of the
second immigration of the Kern family. This included the mother with six children
and one grandchild. It also includes their life in America.