Background
I recently became aware that both the Isett’s and the Isacks’ were passing down the same family story-“Widow Barbara Isacks/Isett arriving in America in 1732 with her two sons, Frederick and Jacob”, and residing in Pennsylvania. Can we both be right? Is neither of us correct? There is some indication that at some point in history the Isacks name became Isett. I am hopeful that DNA testing may help us to sort this out.
I have always thought that there were four main lines of Isett's in America, all originating in Pennsylvania in the 1700's. One line emigrated to Iowa, one to Kansas then Texas, one to Maryland, and one stayed in Pennsylvania (many of those Isett's were in Montgomery County or Huntingdon County).
The Isacks family believe they descend from Jacob C. Isacks, a politician in Tennessee in the early 1800’s. Jacob C. Isacks was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Researchers in the 1950’s believed that Jacob C. Isacks was related to Frederick and Jacob Isett.
I invite you to share in this exciting new avenue of research. Please contact me with any questions you may have at bonniekgorman@comcast.net.
Thank you for your interest in this surname project.
Bonnie K. Gorman