The Ketchum and Variants Surname Project unifies researchers tracing the Ketchum, Ketcham, Ketchem, Katchum, and Katchem lines worldwide to identify origins and resolve historical brick walls.

Project Scope and History

   

• Colonial Roots and Origins: A primary focus is mapping early ancestral origins, including definitively tracking the deep lineage and English origins of Edward Ketcham (d. 1655).

   

• Westward Migrations: We actively track lines moving through the lower central U.S. (Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas) during the 1700s and 1800s, including identifying associated Native American connections.

   

• Biological Puzzles (Adoptions and NPEs): We use genetic data to resolve lineage mysteries. This includes the founding Ketchum-Hanan study, which uses DNA to investigate the biological parentage of Archie W. Hanan (1861–1913) and his connection to Lewis Grant Ketchum. We warmly welcome any adoptees, NPEs, or unexpected DNA matches tracking into these families to help us reconstruct these branches.

Project Administration

Originally established to solve a family brick wall, the project is currently co-administered by Henry Queen (Lead Administrator since 2016) and Edward L. Ketcham (Technical and Data Modernization).