Scudder Family History from Horton Kirby to Massachusetts Bay Colony
Scudder Ancestral Home: Horton Kirby, Kent, England
Source: “Horton Kirby Village Sign,” Wikimedia Commons.
Scudders Immigrated to Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1635–1644
Source: Fitz Hugh Lane, “Salem Harbor,” 1853, Public domain.
Dedicated to continuing the vision and work of the Scudder Association of America founded in 1912.
To build community & connection among Scudders we work together to:
- Gather, verify, preserve, and publish accurate history and genealogy of ancestors and descendants of: Thomas Scudder (T), John Scudder (J), Elizabeth (Scudder) (E) Lathrop and of our English ancestors and cousins.
- Memorialize 400 years of Scudder contributions to history.
- Build family history skills in youth & adults.
- Foster belonging and the Scudder heritage of Service.
The Scudder Family
Historical & Biographical Journal
Dedicated to educating, preserving history and promoting the Scudder heritage of service.
Latest Issue of the Journal, Volume 8, no. 1, (Winter 2026)
Why Is Family History Beneficial?
Psychologists at Emory University “studied the role of family history knowledge in adolescent development and identity formation [and found] “…irrespective of race or ethnic background, adolescents who know more about their family histories have ‘higher self-esteem, better family functioning, greater family cohesiveness, lower levels of anxiety, and lower incidence of behavior problems.’ Furthermore, having this family information positively correlates with overcoming psychological and educational challenges.” Also true for adults, benefits can include ‘promoting lifelong learning and fostering civic pride and responsibility by placing forbears in context of world, national and local history.
—From Daniel Webster, “The Enduring Power and Promise of Family History,” American Ancestors, volume 24, no. 4, (Winter 2024), https://www.americanancestors.org and Carol Clark, “How family stories help children weather hard times,” Emory University, April 29, 2020.
The Scudder History Association encourages these outcomes! We invite you to utilize our Youth Page & Family Activities Page to help younger generations learn more about their family heritage and their nation, including how Scudders helped to build the United States.
General William Scudder Stryker
Learn more about the Scudder immigrant ancestors and their families through these featured ancestors’ information panels
Thomas1 Scudder (T) family
of Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony4
&
John2 Scudder (J) family
Of Barnstable, Plymouth Colony
&
Elizabeth2 Scudder (E) family
Barnstable, New London, Norwich
&
Overview of three generations beginning with common ancestor in England for the three American Scudder lines (T, J & E)
More detailed and sourced diagram accessible here
Scudder Family History Resources
Scudder Family History Resources
This resourcs section provides access to our Online Journal which provides information on the three ancestral members who arrived in the 1630’s in America.
We also provide direct access via Contact Forms to our Historian, Our Journal Editor, our Genealogy Committee who can help you with your lineage form validation, and our DNA Committee and their own DNA Project.
We have a Family History Activities area for all ages.
Want to learn ‘How To’ do Family History Research, We can help you.
Interested in other Family History Websites both Free and Paid memberships, we have a list to help you check them out
Resources for SHA Members:
As a member of the Scudder History Assoication you’ll have access to many additional features that are not available to the general public in the resources panel on the left. You have access to all of the family activities for all age groups for youth through adults. Each member will recieve a copy of the Newletter via email when published.
Are you interested in genenalogy? Well you’ll also have access to our genealogical database with over 65,000 records we will also have a more robust database interactive with FamilySearch with many more ancesters which will managed by our own genealogists and locked from outside changes. If your not sure of your family lineage, we have a form you can completed on your own device and upload the the Genealogy Committee who will review and provide advice on your information.
Interested in DNA Projects, well we have our own Scudder DNA Project managed by the DNA Committee. If you’re intered you can sign up for more information.
As members you’ll have access to our many committees with an opportunity to volunteer to join the committee(s) you’re interested in. We’ll also have online and in person meetingsa & reunions as our membership grows.
Interested in have branch groups in your area or on your family line, the Family Branches Subcommittee – Online Collaboration will help you get started.
Are your Scudder/Skudderancestors from Kent, England? We welcome you to join us with your research as we have connections in England.
Scudder Library Research Section
Topical Resource Pages
In the Library Research section you’ll have access to theScudder in the Puritan Migraton form England to America, which brought our three ancestors to America. You’ll also be able to follow the Scudder in Religiious Hisotry and who contributed to the advance of religion, religious liberty & religious institutions. Who were the Scudders in the Cause of Independence, American Revolutionary War & Continental Congress & Provincial & State Congresses?
Check back often, more interesting research topics will be posted here.
