The Ryker-Riker Historical Society, Inc.

The families RYKER and RIKER have been well researched back to 1638, when the first Ryker-Riker ancestor to set foot in America, ABRAHAM RYCKEN, emigrated from Holland and settled in New Amsterdam (present-day New York City) with his wife, GRIETIE HARMENSEN. It must be noted that RYCKEN is not truly a surname, but rather the possessive form of RYCK, which is one of the Dutch equivalents of our English name 'Richard'.

Family History At A Glance

When the Hollanders rebelled against the yoke of Spain in the early 17th century, the RYCHENS suffered for their patriotism and a cadet from their house, Abraham, sought to retrieve his fortune in the New World. Once in the new world, the Ryker clan prospered and grew in numbers, among whom were children Ryck Abrahamsen (who adopted the surname Lent), Jacobus, Marytje [Mary], Jan [John], Aeltje [Aletta], Abraham, Jr, and Hendrick. Most of these children were baptized in Fort Amsterdam and were members of the Dutch Church. Two sons died in infancy, but the surviving children grew and raised families of their own.

Around 1780, some of the family headed westward to seek new opportunities in the wilderness, making new homesteads in northern Kentucky and southern Indiana. Later, Rykers spread to Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Washington, California, and other states, as well as to the country of Brazil.

The Rykers served their country well in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, as well as in more recent conflicts. It is indeed a family with a rich heritage!

The purpose of this website is to help RYKER-RIKER researchers trace their ancestry and to facilitate their interaction with others having similar interests.

Here you will find such things as indexes to the most recent issues of the Society's quarterly newsletter, The Ryker/Riker Register, a list of useful reference books and repositories, contact persons for the Society, events of interest, and useful links to other websites.

You are our 16623 visitor -- thanks for stopping by!

Click on blue underlined entries for more information.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RYKER-RIKER FAMILY
     Pre-America
     New Amsterdam
     The Move Westward

MAJOR RYKER-RIKER HISTORICAL SITES
     Riker's Island, New York
     Poor Bowery Cemetery, New York
     Bull Skin Creek, Kentucky
     Rykers' Ridge (Madison), Indiana
     Jefferson County, Indiana

THE FAMILY COAT-OF-ARMS
Symbolism; Authenticity

SEE IF YOU ARE RELATED TO FAMOUS PEOPLE!
(Pres. Bush & his father; FDR; U.S. Grant; Longfellow; Eli Whitney; J.P. Morgan; Tom Dewey; Adlai Stevenson; others)

HELP IDENTIFY "LOST" FAMILY CHAINS
Can you help us develop the genealogies for these unlinked individuals and fragmented families?

THE RYKER-RIKER HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.
     General Information
     Current Officers
     Join the Society!

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER, The Ryker/Riker Register
Alphabetical Indexes to back issues
Order back issues

INFORMATION SOURCES
Published Reference Books
Libraries/Repositories

DID YOU KNOW THAT... Riker electric automobiles and gasoline-powered trucks were once commonplace on our city streets & roads? Click here to learn more!

CHECK OUT RIKERS LISTED IN WHO'S WHO

READER FEEDBACK
    1. Robert J. Helms: 'The Rev. John Lothrop'
    2. Kenneth Haas: 'Dr. William L. Riker'
    3. Bob Scott: 'Jefferson County & Canaan, IN'
    4. Jeanie Rhodes: 'Jefferson Presbyterian Church'

USEFUL LINKS TO OTHER WEBSITES

SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK!
(and read/respond to what others have written)

[This page last updated 08/08/07]