Eisenhower Ancestry

Do you think you may be related to Dwight D. Eisenhower? Not sure where to begin looking for proof? Here are some tips for beginners.

• If there is a family story about your relationship to Dwight Eisenhower, record it. Make sure to include details like names and places, and as much as you can learn about the origin of the story. Was it Great-Aunt Betsy who always said her grandfather was a distant cousin? Something your dad once saw in newspaper article? These can be important clues in future research.

• Start a family tree. There are many templates and software programs available. It’s much easier to work from the present backwards, so begin with yourself, and then record your parents’ and grandparents’ vital statistics. If there are blank spots in your tree, turn first to older relatives and family documents like birth, marriage, and death certificates or family bible records for answers. When these run out, you’ll need to begin working with official records such as the census. Remember that Dwight Eisenhower was born in 1890, so you’ll need to trace your family at least to the mid-19th century to find a common ancestor. 

• Many, many resources are available online. In fact, there are so many that research can be confusing at first. Your local library is a good place to go for guidance. The staff can help you identify local resources and reputable online sources of information. Local historical or genealogical societies are also good places to find advice.

• As you develop your family tree, note whether your research supports a connection to Eisenhower. To do this, you’ll need to know something about Dwight Eisenhower’s ancestry. This page compiles some basic information that may be helpful to you.

Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Ancestry

Here you’ll find some basic information on ancestral surnames and counties of residence that may help you determine the likelihood of a genealogical connection Dwight D. Eisenhower. A shared surname or geographic area of origin does not prove a relationship, but it may help you identify the branch of your family tree most likely to contain a connection.

Dwight David Eisenhower’s Paternal Descent from Immigrant Hans Nicholas Eisenhauer

Dwight’s 3rd great-grandfather Hans Nicholas Eisenhauer and his 2nd great-grandfather Johann Peter immigrated to America in 1741 on the ship Europa. Like many German immigrants of the time, the Eisenhauer family settled in Pennsylvania. Originally of the Lutheran faith, they became associated with the River Brethren sect through Johann Peter’s son Frederick, whose wife Barbara Miller was of that faith. Frederick, his son Jacob, and his grandson David Eisenhower were among a large group of River Brethren who moved to Dickinson County in central Kansas in 1878. The Eisenhower surname has been written in various ways. The modern spelling seems to have come into use in the 19th century.