The Melick Family History

So far as can be learned the Moelich family originated in Germany. It still exists in that country, there being resident representatives in Frankfort on the Main, in Bendorf on the Rhine, and in Winningen on the Moselle. A tradition has come floating down through the generations, which proclaims in a shadowy sort of way that the first Moelich in Germany was a migrator from Greece, and that the word--or one approaching it--in ancient Greek stands for, “lyric verse.” It certainly appears in various forms in that language. It will be remembered that it was by the way of the shores of the deep Gulf of Malic that the Persians reached the Pass of Thermopol‘; and the English word melic,

defined in the Imperial dictionary "relating to song, lyric," is from the Greek root melikos, or melos, a song. The word is also to be found in other languages, and is said to be a not unusual family name in the East, especially in Armenia-- an Armenian poet of distinction, Agob Melik Agobian, died in 1888 at Tiflis in Georgia, and was honored with a public funeral. There is a Mount Mellick in Ireland. A millet grass that grows on the coast of Lincolnshire, Britain, is called "melick," and one of England's sweetest singers has embalmed the word in the lines: "From the mead where the melick groweth." In Germany the family name is commonly written Mölich, the diaresis over the o indicating that a second vowel has been dropped. In America, during the last one hundred and fifty years, various spellings and pronunciations of the name have been in vogue; the signatures of descendants of emigrant ancestors Moelich appearing as Mölich, Malick, Malik, Meligh, Mehlig, Melik, Melick and Mellick. Distributed throughout the United States and Territories there are at present families, known as Moelich, Malick, Melick and Mellick. The latter name, in some instances, is pronounced as if the syllable division was made between the l and i, the first syllable being accented.

Winningen, Germany (contemporary photo)

This web site and these pages are not a full-blown, “genealogy,” in the traditional sense.  Rather, they are my attempt to know and understand my direct lineage, a, “tree traversal,” if you will.  It spans over five hundred years and nearly sixteen generations.  In the process of doing this, information is presented on other surnames as well: Van Horn, Overstreet, Eytcheson, Deever, Wilkin and Plank.  Perhaps in the future I will have an opportunity to research more of the women who have married in to the Melick and Deever lines leading up to me.

I make one exception to my “direct lineage” rule, and that is for Eugen Mueller.  He was my grandma Edith (Eytcheson) Melick’s sister’s husband (married to Esther Eytcheson).  He died in 1963, so I never knew him.  But, I think I would have liked him.  I have a few of his heirlooms and papers, since Esther and Eugen didn’t have any children of their own.

On my particular branch of the family tree we’ve reached a couple of interesting edge nodes.  We’re at the end of Melick males.  However, my adopted children may carry the name forward to the 16th

generation and beyond.  The genetics will be different, however.  On the Deever side of the family – again, only on my particular branch of the family tree – the Deever name ceased upon the death of John Kermit Deever (1964), my mother’s only brother.  So, I feel, this document takes on some added significance.

At the very end of this document I give credit to a number of sources.  These special people have spent countless hours researching and compiling information; copies of most or all of that work were just given to me for free.  Pieces and parts of multiple documents have been compared; contrasted; information merged, borrowing a name here or a date there; etc.  Additional information was found on the World Wide Web and used as well in this process.

Sixth-to-Last Generation in Germany

Peter Moelich (M), 1500 - ????

Pedigree:

* Father: UNKNOWN ( - ) * Mother: UNKNOWN ( - )

Family:

1. Apolonia ( - )

Children:

1. Theiss (Matthias) Moelich (1530 – 1609)

Peter Moelich was born in Winningen, Germany in 1500. His name appears on the register of

the Lutheran Congregation at Winningen, a town of 3,000 inhabitants on the bank of the Moselle River – four miles above Coblentz. This place is a market town. It has a background of lofty and precipitous rocks, every available spot of which is planted with vines, producing the best-flavored wine of the Lower Moselle. Winningen is one of the most ancient settlements in Germany going back to Roman occupation. The unearthing of numerous coins, bits of arms, and remains of masonry, proves conclusively its Roman origin. In 880 the place was called Windiga, the present name having been used since 1136.

In 1288 Winningen came into the possession of the county Sponheim which resulted a few years later in its forming a strong Protestant enclave in the midst of the Roman Catholic Electorate of Treves. Since 1814 it has been part of the kingdom of Prussia, and for sixty years before that date was attached to the Grand Dukedom of Baden. During the year 1557 the congregation went over in a body, under the leadership of Father George Muller, to the reformed religion and, today, there are only Lutherans in Winningen. The church, which is a very plain but noble-looking Romanesque structure, was built soon after the year 1200. During the seventeenth century the side naves were raised, in order to introduce galleries, which of course much mars its original architectural outlines. Pastor Theveny, the present incumbent, exhibits with much pride a Roman baptismal font, and, if his visitors are willing to climb, he will also, show the fine large bells hanging in the tower. On one of them is inscribed "in godes namen lueden ich, matheus heis ich, henrich vom proim gois mich anno x vc unde seven." (In the name of God I do ring; my name is Mathens, and was formed by Henry of Proim in the 1507).

Fifth-to-Last Generation in Germany

Theiss (Matthias) Moelich (M), 1530 - 1609

Pedigree:

* Father: Peter Moelich (1500 - ) * Mother: Apolonia ( - )

Family:

1. UNKNOWN ( - )

Children:

1. Michel Moelich ( - )

Theiss (Matthias) Moelich was born 1530 in Winningen on the Moselle, Germany and died about 1609 in Winningen on the Moselle, Germany.

Fourth-to-Last Generation in Germany

Michel Moelich (M), ???? - ????

Pedigree:

* Father: Theiss (Matthias) Moelich (1530 – 1609) * Mother: UNKNOWN ( - )

Family:

1. Margaet Knauss ( - )

Children:

1. Friedrich Moelich (January 17, 1611 – January 9, 1695)

Michel Moelich was born in Winningen on the Moselle, Germany and died in Winningen on the

Moselle, Germany. Michel Moelich and Margaet Knauss were married in 1598 in Winningen, Germany.

Third-to-Last Generation in Germany

Friedrich Moelich (M), January 17, 1611 – January 9, 1695

Pedigree:

* Father: Michel Moelich ( - ) * Mother: Margaet Knauss ( - )

Family:

1. Lucia Bormer (October 17, 1613 – October 5, 1683)

Children:

1. Jonas Moelich (August 11, 1650 – 1722)

Friedrich Moelich was born on January 17, 1611 in Winningen on the Moselle, Germany and died on January 9, 1695 in Winningen on the Moselle, Germany. Friedrich Moelichand Lucia Bormer were married on January 22, 1633/34 in Winnigen , Rhineland, Prussia.

Lucia Bormer was born on October 17, 1613 in Winnigen , Rhineland, Prussia. She died on October 5, 1683 in Winnigen , Rhineland, Prussia. Lucia Bormer parents were Claas Bormer and Margaretha Meurers.

Second-to-Last Generation in Germany

Jonas Moelich (M), August 11, 1650 - 1722

Pedigree:

* Father: Friedrich Moelich (January 17, 1611 – January 9, 1695) * Mother: Lucia Bormer (October 17, 1613 – October 5, 1683)

Family:

1. UNKNOWN ( - ) 2. Anna Christina Froelich (1653 – May 11, 1693) 3. Gertraut Lucas ( - 1718) 4. Elisabetta Pistoris (1662 - 1742) [note: married 4th wife on September 24, 1719]

Children:

1. Johan William Moelich (1675 - ) 2. George Thilman Moelich (1678 - ) 3. Justina Maria Moelich (1681 - ) 4. Hans Peter Moelich (September 19, 1683 - ) 5. Anna Apollonia Moelich ( - ) 6. John Michel Moelich (February 13, 1688/89 - ) 7. Maria Christina Moelich (September 25, 1691 - ) 8. Maria Cathrina Moelich (July 21, 1699 - ) 9. Anna Catherine Moelich (April 17, 1704 - )

In 1688, Jonas migrated to Bendorf, Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany from Winningen on the Moselle, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, where his family had lived for at least the last 183 years. He left his two oldest children in Winningen, and moved with his two youngest children to Bendorf. Johan Wilhelm Moelich, the father of Johannes, who founded the “Old Farm,” accompanied him. Jonas established at Bendorf, a tannery, and became a prominent citizen and an assessor of the court.

Bendorf was a town of 4500 people and is located on the right bank of Rhine, four miles below Coblentz. Like Winningen it was founded by Roman settlers early in the Christian era, they establishing a fortress there, which did Huns, A. D. 875, destroy. The next known settlement at in the same area was in the eighth century when the nucleus of a population was formed by the establishing of a mission station in the vicinity by an English missionary named Wilibrord. The baptismal font of brown stone, now in the possession of the Evangelical Head-Church of that place, is said to have been the one used by this missionary in baptizing the converted Rhine heathens. About the tenth century, as recited in the old documents of the county, Wied, the Frankish kings set up here three courts. This attracted many settlers and the place, soon after, assumed the name of Bethin, or Bede, meaning cheap, said to refer to the low price at which land could then be acquired. Since then the name has gradually changed from Bethendorf and Bendendorf to Bendorf.

Anna Christina Froelich was born in 1653 in Winnigen , Rhineland, Prussia. She died on May 11, 1693 in Bendorf, Rhineland, Prussia. Anna Christina Froelich parents were Johann Anton Froelich and Anna Barbara Kraemer. Jonas Moelich and Anna Christina Froelich were married in Winnigen , Rhineland, Prussia.

Last Generation in Germany

Johan William Moelich (M), 1675 - ????

Pedigree:

* Father: Jonas Moelich (August 11, 1650 - 1722) * Mother: Anna Christina Froelich (1653 – May 11, 1693)

Family:

1. Anna Catherine UNKNOWN (1680 – July 22, 1729)

Children:

1. Johannes Moelich (February 26, 1701/02 – 1763) [note: founded the, “Old Stone House,” on which the book, 'The Story of an Old Farm,' by Andrew Mellick is based] 2. Johan Peter Melick (1708 – before 1755) [note: spelling change] 3. Maria Christina Moelich (1710 - ) 4. John David Moelich (July 1712 - ) 5. Maria Cathrine Christina Melich (February 1715/16 - ) 6. Anna Sibylla Melich (May 1718 - ) 7. Anna Gertraut Moelich (May 1718 - ) 8. Elizabeth Gerdrutta Melich (August 1720 - ) 9. Johan Gottfried (Godfrey) Melich (July 14, 1724 - September 11, 1776) 10. a child who died in infancy 11. a child who died in infancy 12. a child who died in infancy

Johan Moelich was born in Winnigen, Rhineland, Prussia. Johan Moelich and Anna Catherine UNKNOWN were married in 1701 in Germany. He was the father of the brothers who immigrated to America. The family owned a tannery and some of the sons learned this trade, which was beneficial to them when they later came to America.

Anna Catherine UNKNOWN was born in Bendorf , Rhineland, Prussia. She died in Bendorf , Rhineland, Prussia.

First Generation in America

Johan Peter Moelich (M), 1708 - before 1755

Pedigree:

* Father: Johan William Moelich (1675 - ) * Mother: Anna Catherine UNKNOWN (1680 – July 22, 1729)

Family:

1. UNKNOWN ( - )

Children:

1. Tunis Anton Melick (March 6, 1730 - November 27, 1795) 2. Maria K. Melick ( - ) 3. John Melick ( - )

Johan Moelich was born in 1708 at Bendorf on the Rhine River in Germany. When he was about 20 years old, he immigrated to America, landing at Philadelphia, August 14, 1728, from the ship Morton House. He probably married soon after that, as Tunis was born in 1730 in New Jersey. His youngest brother, Johan Gottfried (Godfrey), came in 1735 on the ship Mercury that landed at Philadelphia on May 29, 1735.

The sons of Wilhelm Moelich, Johan and his brothers came to America with the German Palatines - German Protestants who were persecuted because of their religious beliefs. One group fled to Holland. Well treated there, they decided to go to the Dutch settlement in the new world, New Amsterdam (now New York City). Their ship foundered near Philadelphia and they set out for New Amsterdam on foot. When they saw the rolling hills of Bedminster and Tewksbury, many decided to settle. The Moelich brothers were among them.

The name acquired three different spellings. In those days the people in charge of registering land titles and other legal documents spelled names as they sounded. The Bedminster branch became Mellick, the Tewksbury branch Melick, and a few spelled it Malick. There was a standing joke in the Melick family that the Mellicks had enough money to afford 2 'l's' in their name.

The boys followed their father's way and were farmers and tanners. Gottfried went on to settle in Warren County. Johannes, who arrived here with wife Mariah, and children Aaron, Andrew, Fanny, and Maria Catherine had a tannery north of Far Hills. They built the, “Old Stone House,” in 1752 on which the book, 'The Story of an Old Farm,' by Andrew Mellick is based.

Johan Melick was not living in 1755, as the record of the marriage of his daughter Maria K. (Melick) Latharina in that year describes her as the daughter of the late Johan P. Melick. Later generations of, "fancy Dutch," Melicks and Mellicks moved to Pennsylvania and then further west, though decedents of Johan remained in New Jersey and came west via a different route.

Nearly three hundred years have passed since Johan Peter Moelich first set foot in Tewksbury. Remarkably, nine generation later, in spite of so many changes in the world around them, some things are still pretty much the same. Come sunrise, it's business as usual out on the old farm.

* Johan Peter Melick was also known as Peter Melick.

Second Generation in America

Tunis Anton Melick (M), March 6, 1730 - November 27, 1795

Pedigree:

* Father: Johan Peter Melick (1708 - before 1755) * Mother: UNKNOWN ( - )

Family:

1. Neeltje Van Horn (March 21, 1734 - January 3, 1819)

Children:

1. Peter Melick (December 4, 1758 - November 18, 1818) 2. Anna Melick (circa 1760 - circa 1831) 3. Mary Catherine Melick (February 15, 1763 - March 13, 1832) 4. Elizabeth Melick (April 30, 1768 - ) 5. Margaret Melick (November 27, 1769 - April 19, 1857) 6. Eleanor Melick (February 3, 1772 - 1861) 7. Abraham Melick (1776 - November 28, 1793) 8. Maria Dorothea Melick (July 16, 1778 - May 30, 1803)

Tunis Anton Melick was born on March 6, 1730 at New Germantown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Tunis Anton Melick married Neeltje Van Horn, daughter of Abraham Van Horne and Annetje Cowenhoven. Tunis Anton Melick died on November 27, 1795 at age 65. His wife died January 3, 1819, from burns caused by her clothing igniting from the fireplace; both are buried in Zion churchyard, New Germantown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

He first settled at White House, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, where he built a gristmill on South Rockaway Creek, on land now owned by Wyckoff Van Horn, fronting on the read leading from the village to the railway station. Subsequently he moved to New Germantown, in the same county, where he purchased 200 acres of land from Ralph Smith, upon which he built a new mill, removing the gear from the old one. This property became his homestead, and, though not since then continuously possessed by his posterity, is now owned and occupied by a descendant, Peter W. Melick. Tunis was actively interested in the affairs of his vicinity; served as county freeholder from 1776 to 1794, inclusive, for a number of years was a leading member of Zion Lutheran Church, and was instrumental in founding the first Methodist congregation of his county.

A Melick relative was the engineer for the fabled, but ill-fated Rockaway Valley Railroad built in 1887. Known locally as the "Rock-a-bye Baby" because of rickety tracks that rocked the train as it made its way from Whitehouse Station to Morristown, the line was built to carry peaches from local orchards to the marketplace.

* Tunis Anton Melick was also known as Anthony Melick. * Tunis Anton Melick was also known as Tunis Melick. * Tunis Anton Melick was also known as Anthony Mellick. * Neeltje Van Horn was also known as Elenor Van Horn.

Third Generation in America

Peter Melick (M), December 4, 1758 - November 18, 1818

Pedigree:

* Father: Tunis Anton Melick (March 6, 1730 - November 27, 1795) * Mother: Neeltje (“Elenor”) Van Horn (March 21, 1734 - January 3, 1819)

Family:

1. Susannah Egbert (March 3, 1763 - May 2, 1837)

Children:

1. Tunis Melick (March 15, 1784 - October 15, 1859) 2. Mary Melick (April 4, 1786 - August 4, 1868) 3. Nicholas Egbert Melick (August 18, 1788 - January 23, 1872) 4. Peter Melick (January 2, 1791 - January 24, 1873) 5. Abraham Melick (April 4, 1794 - January 2, 1855) 6. James Melick (March 21, 1795 - April 29, 1868) 7. John V. Melick (February 7, 1797 - May 1, 1857) 8. Eleanor Melick (September 1, 1799 - April 6, 1867) 9. Elizabeth Melick (November 20, 1801 - January 7, 1852)

Peter Melick was born on December 4, 1758, and succeeded his father on the homestead. Peter Melick married Susannah Egbert, daughter of Nicholas Egbert and Mary Biggs. Peter Melick died on November 18, 1818 at Tewkesbury, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, at age 59. Peter Melick was buried after November 18, 1818 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Oldwick, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

* Susannah Egbert was also known as Susanna Egbert.

Fourth Generation in America

Peter Melick (M), January 2, 1791 - January 24, 1873

Pedigree:

* Father: Peter Melick (December 4, 1758 - November 18, 1818) * Mother: Susannah Egbert (March 3, 1763 - May 2, 1837)

Family:

1. Ruth Leake (January 8, 1793 - November 3, 1876)

Children:

1. Martin Mehl Melick (September 9, 1814 - ) 2. Martha Melick (February 2, 1816 - ) 3. Elizabeth Melick (October 11, 1817 - ) 4. Nancy Melick (November 21, 1819 - December 17, 1881) 5. Peter Melick (April 22, 1822 - ) 6. Susan Melick (February 13, 1824 - ) 7. Charlotte Melick (October 21, 1825 - ) 8. John Melick (March 29, 1827 - ) 9. Mary Ellen Melick (February 25, 1829 - ) 10. Ruth Melick (August 10, 1832 - ) 11. child who died at infancy 12. child who died at infancy 13. child who died at infancy

Peter Melick was born on January 2, 1791. Peter Melick married Ruth Leake, daughter of Amos Leake and Anne White of Chester, New Jersey, on January 12, 1813. In 1832 he moved from New Jersey to Zanesville, Ohio, and from there in 1847 to Owen County, Indiana. Peter Melick died on January 24, 1873 at Owen County, Indiana, at age 82.

Fifth Generation in America

Martin Mehl Melick (M), September 9, 1814 - ????

Pedigree:

* Father: Peter Melick (January 2, 1791 - January 24, 1873) * Mother: Ruth Leake (January 8, 1793 - November 3, 1876)

Family:

1. Martha Parrish (November 11, 1824 - )

Children:

1. Cynthia A. Melick (April 22, 1844 - October 4, 1885) 2. William J. Melick (August 1, 1845 - ) 3. Ruth T. Melick (January 16, 1848 - ) 4. Mary E. Melick (October 11, 1850 - ) 5. Catherine C. Melick (November 26, 1854 - December 19, 1882) 6. Emma E. Melick (March 6, 1856 - ) 7. Luther M. Melick (November 25, 1859 - ) 8. Theodore T. Melick (August 23, 1862 - )

Martin Mehl Melick, the oldest of Peter Melick's children, was born on September 9, 1814 and lived in Cuba, Owen County, Indiana. Martin Mehl Melick married Martha Parrish on March 30, 1843.

Family History Note: Jesse and Mary Ellen Deever move from Indiana to a farm near Holton, Kansas in 1857.

Sixth Generation in America

Luther M. Melick (M), November 25, 1859 – 1927/28

Pedigree:

* Father: Martin Mehl Melick (September 9, 1814 - ) * Mother: Martha Parrish (November 11, 1824 - )

Family:

1. Anna Overstreet (February 7, 1864 – February 27, 1930)

Children:

1. an infant boy who died at birth 2. Martha Elizabeth Melick (1897 - ) 3. Ruth M. (Melick) Griffith (January 1899 - ) 4. Margaret (Melick) Kirsch (1901 - ) 5. Mary Jane Melick (July 22, 1903 - ) 6. Richard Luther Melick (July 11, 1905 - January 1, 1997)

Luther M. Melick was born on November 25, 1859. He resided in Cuba and then Spencer, Owen County, Indiana. He was a former schoolteacher and Methodist Sunday School teacher. At the death of Anna (Overstreet) Melick’s father, Richard G. Overstreet, Luther took over his men’s clothing store (see Overstreet link below). But, his easy-going nature permitted him to give too much credit, and the business failed. Luther M. Melick died at Cuba, Owen County, Indiana.

Seventh Generation in America

Richard Luther Melick (M), July 11, 1905 - January 1, 1997

Pedigree:

* Father: Luther M. Melick (November 25, 1859 - ) * Mother: Anna Overstreet (February 7, 1864 – February 27, 1930)

Family;

1. Edith P. Eytcheson (June 26, 1909 - August 23, 1988)

Children:

1. Mary (“Meme”) E. (Melick) Kramer (December 29, 1938 - ) 2. Richard P. Melick (December 21, 1942 - ) 3. Jane Cynthia (Melick) Gerking (May 15, 1949 - ) [note: daughter, Christy Gerking ( - )]

Richard Luther Melick was born on July 11, 1905 in Spencer, Indiana and named after his father and grandfather (on his mother’s side of the family). Richard graduated from Spencer High School in 1923. He graduated from Butler University in 1934, with honors. Degree in business administration. Richard married Edith P. Eytcheson on September 22, 1936. He was employed at the U.S. Post Office for 42 years; retiring in 1965. He then went on to work for the City of Indianapolis, Department of Metropolitan Development; retiring again in 1970. Richard was a member of the Southport United Methodist Church for 50 years, and was a Mason with the Southport Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite. Richard Luther Melick died at Indianapolis, Indiana. His final resting place is Washington Park East Cemetery.

Derivation of the name: RICHARD

Usage: English, French, German, Czech

Pronounced: RICH-ard (English), ree-SHAR (French)

Means "brave power", derived from the Germanic elements ric "power, rule" and hard "brave, hardy". The Normans introduced this name to Britain. It was borne by three kings of England including Richard the Lionheart, leader of the Third Crusade in the 12th century. Two German opera composers, Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss, have also had this name.

Eighth Generation in America

Richard Phillip Melick (M), December 21, 1942 - present

Pedigree:

* Father: Richard Luther Melick (July 11, 1905 - January 1, 1997) * Mother: Edith P. Eytcheson (June 26, 1909 - August 23, 1988)

Family:

1. Karen Jane Deever (January 10, 1943 - )

Children:

1. Richard John Melick (May 2, 1967 - ) 2. Michael Joseph Melick (September 2, 1969 - September 4, 1994) 3. Maelee Ja Melick (February 9, 1971 - ), born in Pusan, South Korea and adopted 4. Kim Lee Melick (September 27, 1972 - ), born in Seoul, South Korea and adopted

Richard Phillip Melick and Karen Jane Deever were married on December 19, 1964 in Indianapolis, Indiana. They belong to University Heights United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.

* Richard Phillip Melick is also known as Phil Melick.

Ninth Generation in America

Richard John Melick (M), May 2, 1967 - present

Pedigree:

* Father: Richard Phillip Melick (December 21, 1942 - ) * Mother: Karen Jane Deever (January 10, 1943 - )

Family:

1. Heidi A Schulz (August 11, 1966 - ) 2. Ferdinand (“Nicky”) P. Reyes (February 7, 1974 - ) [note: domestic partners]

Children:

1. Fritz Derose Melick (June 2, 1979 - ), born in Haiti and adopted December, 1996 2. Israel Adema Melick (October 8, 1983 - ), born in Haiti and adopted December, 1993 3. Gerteline Joseph Melick (December 13, 1984 - ), born in Haiti and adopted December, 1993 4. Guirlene Malbranche Melick (October 5, 1987 - ), born in Haiti and adopted May, 1996 5. Elijah James Melick (July 23, 1991 - ), born in Bloomington, Indiana and adopted August, 1991 6. Grace Eli Melick (September 4, 1993 - ), born in Haiti and adopted December, 1996

I was born on May 2, 1967 at Clay County Hospital in Brazil, Indiana. I was born very, very late. I was due March 10, so it is funny to observe that an anagram of, “RICHARD JOHN MELICK,” is, “CHILD JOKER IN MARCH.” I was named after my grandfathers on both my mother and father’s side of the family.

I graduated Southport High School at Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1985. I attended Indiana University where I earned two degrees: B.A., Religious Studies (1992) and B.A., Computer Science (2000). I married Heidi A. Schulz on May 17, 1987 in Bloomington, Indiana. We continued to reside in Bloomington, Indiana, and made a life for our selves in that college town. Heidi and I divorced on April 23, 1998. Heidi and the children all moved to Georgia in 1998. I moved to California in 2001. Fritz currently resides in Haiti.

* I have also been known as Rick(y) Melick.

Sources and CreditsA tremendous debt is owned to these special people who have spent countless hours researching and compiling information; copies of most or all of that work were just given to me for free. Thank you for helping maintain our family heritage. Thank you for helping me to understand my lineage. It really means a lot!

* In 1989 at Rutgers, Andrew D. Mellick, Jr. published "Story of An Old Farm", detailing the early family history and 18th Century life in New Jersey. 'The Story of an Old Farm,' by Andrew D. Mellick, Jr., Unionist-Gazette, Somerville, New Jersey © 1889 * Mary (“Meme”) E. (Melick) Kramer * Martha Elizabeth Melick; Ruth M. (Melick) Griffith and/or Margaret (Melick) Kirsch * Esther (Eytcheson) Mueller * O.T. Deever * John W. Deever * Roberta V. (Plank) Deever * Karen Jane (Deever) Melick * Kim Lee (Melick) Byrns * Harold Deever * Martha (Deever) Matteson * Ruth Moody * Joe Bachman * http://66.218.71.231/language/translation/translatedPage.php?lp=de_en&text=http%3a%2f%2fwww.bendorf-geschichte.de%2findex.htm * http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/y/o/u/Kate-Young/index.html * http://www.jowest.net/Genealogy/John/Christian/Mellick.htm * http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Cyprus/9550/index.html * http://geocities.com/Athens/Cyprus/9550/index.html * http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~conover/ * http://www.melickstownfarm.com/whoweare.html * http://home.midwest.net/~cbconly/over.htm * http://www.jamesmellick.com/hex.html * http://fp.enter.net/~mkuhn/

Additional Resources / More to Explore

* http://www.mellickhistory.com/pages/1/index.htm * http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~overstrt/ * http://genforum.genealogy.com/deaver/