Scudder Ancestral Home: Horton Kirby, Kent, England 1
- Gather, verify, preserve, and publish accurate history and genealogy of ancestors and descendants of:
- Memorialize 400 years of Scudder contributions to history.
- Build family history skills in youth & adults.
- Foster belonging and the Scudder heritage of Service.
Thomas Scudder (T), John Scudder (J), Elizabeth (Scudder) (E) Lathrop and our common English ancestor Henry Scudder
The Scudder Family Historical & Biographical Journal
Dedicated to educating, preserving history and promoting the Scudder heritage of service and philanthropy.
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, https://news.emory.edu/stories/2020/04/esc_covid_19_family_stories/campus.html.
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.
Scudder History Association Announcements
What’s Happening? Get Involved!
. Committees offer opportunities to gather online with other Scudders to help us to achieve our vision to build family unity & a team to further Scudder family research efforts .Volunteer here.
. Calendar. Click here.
. If you are looking for the Scudder Association Foundation – India charitable website, click here.
. Tell your family about:
Youth Page
Activities for individuals and families
Resources for “How to Do” Family History
. Want to check if you are a Scudder? Click here.
U.S. 250th celebration
Read about Scudders in the Cause of Independence
“Nathaniel5 Scudder, John Hart, and the New Jersey and Continental Congresses Prepare”
The Second Continental Congress voting independence
Nathaniel5 Scudder & his cousin Deborah Scudder’s husband
>Signer John Hart were in the 2nd Continental Congress.
Learn more about the Scudder immigrant ancestors and their families through these featured ancestors’ information panels
Thomas1 Scudder (T) family
of Salem, Massachusetts Bay Colony
&
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
Contact: Journal Editor
Historian
Genealogy Committee
Scudder Ancestral Lineage form
Family History Activities Page
Research Log Template from the Historian
Links to Allied Families organizations
Resources for SHA Members:
Scudder family history for Youth
Stories for children and by children, Activities,
Youth submissions of their family history research
Newsletter– Distributed by email to our members.
Committee List- Volunteer here
Meetings & Reunions– Online & in person.
Submit ancestral lineage form or other
family information here
DNA Committee Info Page and Contact
Scudder Family Branches Subcommittees for
Research & Online Collaboration Groups
Further Our English Research with Other Scudders Who Descend from Kent, England
Scudder Library Research Section
Topical Resource Pages
Scudders in the Puritan Migration
Scudders in Religious History, and who contributed to the advance of religion, religious liberty & religious institutions
Scudders in the Cause of Independence, American Revolutionary War & Continental Congress & Provincial & State Congresses
More features coming soon.
Books online pertinent to Scudders & allied families
Fun with Family History
Youth Page– Scudder family history for Youth. Stories for children and by children, Activities.
Idea of the month: Look on your family tree to find if you have an American Revolutionary War Soldier.
Or do you have an ancestor who served in the military? What did you learn? Write their story. Submit your story to the Youth Page.
Family History Activities Page – ideas for families and individuals.
Idea of the month: Host family gatherings:
Get multiple family members involved, such as by having an ice cream “Sunday” where everyone is invited to share
family stories. Or, if your family is geographically scattered, meet online.
by sharing your ancestor’s American Independence story. Click here to submit or for ideas about how to involve
your relatives in the fun or to find historical resources to document your ancestor’s story.
If you are DAR, SAR or Colonial Dames, Holland Dames, etc., is your ancestor a Scudder? If so, please contact us here.
SHA Research Activities. Family Branches Subcommittees for Online Collaboration Groups
Share, collaborate, identify areas that need further research on your family branch and collaborate in research.
Submit findings to the Journal. Click here
Let us know if you want to be in a Scudder family branch group.
Click here to see family branch groups that are already formed
Click here to suggest branch groups(s) in which you would like to participate if that group is not already formed.
Service Activity Ideas for Individuals and Families.
Be part of the 250th volunteer effort in honor of America’s 250th celebration.
Note: Return element at end of footnote. 
- Purchased License for image. See also David Anstiss, “Horton Kirby Village Sign,” geograph.org.uk – 1222979.jpg. Wikimedia Commons. Another website offers the explanation about the meaning of the images that make up the village sign. They are “St. Mary the Virgin church, the railway viaduct, the River Darent which flows through the village, hops which are still grown locally and the chimney of the former Horton, Kirby Paper Mill.” From flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/l2f1/5272058503 ↑
- Fitz Hugh Lane, “Salem Harbor,” 1853, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salem_Harbor_Fitz_Hugh_Lane.jpeg. Public domain.2 ↑
- Robert Pine and Edward Savage, “The Second Continental Congress voting independence,” National Archives Catalog, NAID 532839, Record Group 148, Records of Commissions of the Legislative Branch, https://catalog.archives.gov/id/532839. ↑
- “Pioneer Village, Forest River Park, Salem, Mass. Postcard, Noble Collection, Essex Institute Historical Collection, https://digitalheritage.noblenet.org/s/salem/item/11428 ↑
