This information was compiled by Joe Tillman in 2021. It is presented here with his permission.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE FESTINA CHURCH MEMBERS OF 1857

I was researching information on one family from the 1857 list to see if I could find a connection to one of my ancestors. I was intrigued with the data that I had found. By the 1870’s & 1880’s, the Festina area had become crowded. Therefore people moved. I found that several Festina area people migrated together to another area, usually westward. There were several different areas to which they migrated: Carroll County, Iowa, Hutchinson County, South Dakota, and Stearns County, Minnesota, to mention a few.

I decided to see what I could find out about other families on the Member List. (Around 70 family surnames.) I found that several surnames were misspelled and information could not be found on all families listed.

In my information, I have listed the original entry as shown on the Membership List. I also included a brief family biography. There is information about where the members lived before Festina. I have included birth and burial sites. I have listed only marriages that included surnames from this area. I have included data that I could verify.

I am sure that there still could be some mistakes, (Likely my typing skills.) Above all, I hope that what I have compiled will be of interest to you.

Joe Tillman

Please, contact the County Coordinator to submit additions or corrections.