If you are curious to connect yourself to Jacob, and his offspring, you can use Dan Hochstetler's simplified method of tracing your heritage or you can visit the James C. Hostetler's Hostetler Ancestry Database (for Hochstetler and Hostetler), which contains the largest collection of Hostetler genealogical traces available on the Internet. It is much more complete for individuals born before 1875 and lists birthdates, parents, a 3-generation pedigree chart and the source of information.

Many in the Hochstetler-Hostetler extended family carry a rather strong sense of identity and history. This is partly due to the thorough work of a remarkable pair of men, genealogist Harvey Hostetler and historian William F. Hochstetler, who teamed up to publish a 1000-page book Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler in 1912 which chronicles the family history and lists the descendants of the three sons of the immigrant. In 1938 Rev. Hostetler published an even larger book Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler which lists the 15,000 families who descended from the daughter of Jacob. Thus most living descendants of Jacob Hochstetler who are interested can trace their connection back from seven to twelve generations.

Excerpts from the introductory comments made in Reverend Harvey Hostetler's classic 1912 "Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler" are available to read and reprints of this amazing book are, at times, available for purchase from the Gospel Book Store (owned by Eli & Vesta Hochstetler), Box 320, Berlin, OH 44610. At last printing, they were available at a cost of $28.95 each plus $4.00 for shipping and handling but availability may affect the price. You should verify price and availability by calling them at (330)893-2523 or visiting their website. There are also some used copies available occasionally on Amazon.com. His update, entitled, "Corrections and Updates to Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler" is interesting and available for $1.75. The "Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler", first published in 1938, comes intermittently in and out of print at a typical cost of $34.95 each plus nominal shipping and handling. Also, John Showalter's new update of these two volumes (explanation follows in the next paragraph) called "Hochstetler Update Volume 1" is available for $36.95 plus $4.00 shipping and handling. These volumes represent the backbone of the genealogical research done on the Hochstetler family but are only three of the nearly 300 genealogy books in our collection, most of them updating branches of the Jacob Hochstetler family tree. A photocopy of our 16-page master list of genealogy books can be ordered by sending $2.50 to Dan Hochstetler, 1102 South 13th Street, Goshen, IN 46526-4416. Alternately, if you have recently published anything regarding your family, we would appreciate a donated copy. Such donations are welcome as the JHFA is actively collecting archival and published materials by, for or about the wider H/H/H family.

Since the availability of the cornerstone publication, "Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler," is unpredictable, there are some online used book resources available: Barnes and Nobles "Booksearch", AbeBooks.com, and WorldCat (which will give you locations of the nearest libraries to your zip code that have Reverend Harvey's books in residence).

There is also the possibility of purchasing a reprinted hard or soft covered edition at Higginson Book Company whose website is located at this link. The prices seem to be a little elevated at this source so another alternative is through an Ebay search. Here is a Hochstetler  search link that makes an edition available for slightly cheaper than through Higginson Book Company (even though supplies are probably limited).

In short, if one wants a copy of this marvelous book that can be handed down to and through successive generations, just decide that you want a copy and get creative. There are many sources for those who are serious about acquiring a copy! 

There will be many errors and omissions in any family history or genealogy books, especially those as massive as compiled by the Reverend Harvey Hostetler. In recent years John Showalter (DJH 5797 & DBH 13913) has been collecting such corrections and has published them in a 1,360 page book that contains contributions from 100 individuals and updates more than 10,000 families or individuals. As well, the author's research cites over 10,000 footnotes and contains 22,000 entries in its index. The cost of this impressive book is $36.00, plus shipping of $5.00, if ordered from Masthof Bookstore, R.R. 1, Box 20, Mill Road, Morgantown, PA 19543-9701. PA residents will need to add 6% sales tax ($2.16). Masthof's phone number is (610)286-6860, and their e-mail address is mast@masthof.org.

Beth Hostetler Mark has also put together a fascinating historical recounting of Jacob's captivity and movements in her book entitled, "Our Flesh and Blood:  A Documentary History of the Jacob Hochstetler Family During the French and Indian War Period, 1757-1765”.  Published by the Jacob Hochstetler Family Association, Inc., 2003.  Photocopies, contextual commentary, map showing captivity, more.  This second edition, 60 pages, 8 ½ X 11, paperback is available from the JHFA by filling out the form that's available at this link.

Now, for the first time, these primary sources - plus a number of important primary sources discovered since 1912 - have been brought together in one volume.  This documentary history includes photocopies of these rarely-seen archival and published documents, plus a number of other related documents which help to give a better understanding of the situation in colonial Pennsylvania at this time.  In some cases the story as recorded in DJH and DBH has been corrected and expanded.  We expect this book to stimulate further research of our family history.
        The real value of this contribution to the historical research of our pioneer ancestors is the very readable commentary supplied by the compiler and editor.  This explanation gives meaning and context to the primary documents for the common reader.  A glossary, the identification of historical figures, the appendixes, and the detailed bibliography add to the value of this professional work, and it will stand next to and supplement the original DJH and DBH for years to come.  It also highlights the importance of primary sources over secondary references.
       The compiler and author, Beth Hostetler Mark, is Instruction Coordinator at Murray Library of Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania.  Her family and professional connections make her highly qualified to produce this outstanding work.  Beth’s sister, Karen Hostetler Deyhle, helped with layout and drew the excellent large map of Pennsylvania, together with place names, paths, notes and dates that summarize the captivity story.

The Jacob Hochstetler Family story—the attack by Indians, the burning of their house, the killing of three members of the family and the captivity of three more—has been handed down orally in the family nearly 250 years.  This oral history, supplemented by some primary sources, has been recorded in the “Historical Introduction” of the 1912 Descendants of Jacob Hochstetler by Harvey Hostetler and William Franklin Hochstetler.  This Historical Introduction is also included in the 1938 Descendants of Barbara Hochstedler by Rev. Hostetler.

For those of us who desire more scientific genetic evidence of our genealogical origins, there is a fascinating Hochstetler/Hochstedler/Hostetler DNA Project that can give participants direct and indisputable "proof of connection" to our family tree. It is cutting edge genealogical technique and worth looking into whether you decide to participate or not. Their website is at this link.

J.Virgil Miller has tirelessly devoted himself to the effort of researching and documenting the evolution of our genealogical heritage and is responsible for countless articles that he has composed and published in our H/H/H newsletter and other publications. This information is timeless and does not change as the uncertainty and mystery of our future unfolds before us. Therefore, it is worth ordering and learning about our important historical role in American history by ordering back issues of the newsletter while they are available. These issues can be collected and passed down to future generations so that they might know more of where they come from. Mr. Miller has also written several books, one of which might be of interest to those who intend to visit the remnants of our Pennsylvania roots. It's entitled, "Places of Interest to Jacob Hochstetler Descendants".

Online information on Hochstetler genealogy is relatively unlimited. One need only "Google" the keywords: Hostetler, Hochstetler, Indian Massacre or any combination of the unlimited terms that can be picked out of our complex and colorful past in order to find a wide range of research, opinion and raw data. However, there are some very specific software tools and subscription services that zoom right to the end game of meaningful genealogical research. The largest database is SAGA (explanation link & website link) but Rootsweb and Ancestry.com are a couple of other good resources.

There are also quite a few programs out there that bring mapping, organizing and printing ease to the process of tracing our roots, but there is one that seems to provide a little bit more than the rest according to PC Magazine. It's called "Family Tree Maker" and is available at a cost of approximately $39.00. An interfacing subscription to Ancestry.com enhances the usability of the process and the program but costs an additional amount anywhere from $12 to $34 a month depending on what features you want. Everything, really, can be researched, downloaded, compiled, printed and distributed well within a one month subscription so the entire cost can usually be held to about fifty dollars or so. An example of what a relative's results through Family Tree Maker is available here and another example of what can be done with SmartDraw is available here. There are lots of alternatives and the short, but concentrated, efforts of researching and mapping your roots are well worth the satisfying and enduring results.

One of the few remaining tangible testimonies to our forefather is a simple, wood framed, house that his oldest son John built as his retirement home on his farm in Summit Mills, Somerset County, PA around the year 1800. Unfortunately, a tornado in June of 1998 lifted the little house off its foundation, taking the off the roof and strewing it across the fields. Remaining was a twisted structure, tipped into the basement. A dedicated and courageous relative, George Hostetler, has selflessly undertaken the reconstruction of this significant structure, which is one of the few physical reminders of our forefathers, and encourages all of us to become "Stewards of Our Family History". Please visit George's link, which is a journal of efforts made to reclaim the original building materials, and reflect on the role you might be able to play in its support and maintenance.

And, finally, if you think you have a pretty good idea of what the Amish/Mennonites are all about, why not take a quiz? Grade yourself on the Myths and Mysteries of the Amish/Mennonite World which is made available through Menno-Hof, an educational full media facility dedicated to the history of the Anabaptist movements of the world with particular emphasis placed on the Amish and the Mennonites. It is a "destination worthy" trip and will answer most every question that you might have on the subject. 
          Vera Overholt has written and published a book entitled, "Test of Faith: The Jacob Hochstetler Story" which is factual, easy to understand and bound in a presentation format that lends itself to giftgiving. They can be ordered by sending $15.95 plus $3.00 postage and handling to: The Christian Hymnary Publishers, P.O. Box 7159, Sarasota, FL 34278.
        Richard Hostetler writes, illustrates, and videographs a book/DVD set, entitled, "My Hochstetler/Hostetler Freundschaft", which rivets the attention of children and adults alike with the recollections of his Aunt Gertrude and stories of the Indian Massacre. Included is an interview with family historian Daniel E. Hochstetler.