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Preserving the Legacy of the Beard Family

Beginning in the early 1500s in Germany, the Beard family journey stretches across centuries and oceans — from the Rhineland to today's Beard-family descendants who settled in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

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Beard Family Historical Archives

Chronicles of the Beard Legacy

Discover the remarkable stories preserved in newspaper clippings, photographs, and documents that chronicle our family's journey through triumph, service, and everyday life in America

From Germany to Maryland • Five Centuries of History
Uncle Dale Beard - 240 Combat Missions
War Hero: Uncle Dale's 240 Combat Missions
B-17 Flying Fortress tail gunner who completed 240 combat hours and received the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters during WWII
1943-1945
Robert Dale Beard Gunner portrait
The Hagerstown Gunner
Newspaper photograph of Staff Sgt. Robert Dale Beard upon his return from bombing missions over Germany
1945
Uncle Dale Gunner Mission article
Gunner Describes Toughest Mission
Detailed newspaper coverage of Sgt. Beard's most dangerous combat mission over Nazi Germany
March 30, 1945
Uncle Eddie drowning tragedy
Family Tragedy at Antietam Creek
Newspaper account of the tragic drowning of 18-year-old Edwin Lee Beard while swimming with his brothers
1930s
Jack Allen Beard in Daily Mail
Jack Allen Beard Featured
Daily Mail newspaper coverage featuring Jack Allen Beard and family stories
1940s-1950s
City Farm earnings article
Community Leader & Farmer
Allen J. Beard's success as a tenant farmer on the city-owned farm, earning $1,366 from the 290-acre property
1940s
Beard barn fire coverage
The Great Barn Fire of 1959
Devastating fire destroyed the largest barn in the state, causing $125,000 in damages to the Beard family farm
November 30, 1959
Beard barn blaze coverage
Barn Blaze: Full Coverage
Complete newspaper coverage of the devastating barn fire that destroyed farm equipment and livestock
November 30, 1959
Uncle Frank and Aunt Helen wedding
Uncle Frank & Aunt Helen's Wedding
Wedding announcement of Frank Beard and Helen at Trinity Lutheran Church
1940s
Aunt Helen wedding coverage
Aunt Helen's Wedding Day
Beautiful newspaper coverage of Helen Beard's wedding ceremony and celebration
1940s
Uncle Jim marries Aunt Catherine
Uncle Jim & Aunt Catherine's Union
Wedding announcement celebrating the marriage of Jim Beard to Catherine
1940s-1950s
Thank you notice for Eddie Beard
Community Remembrance
Heartfelt thank you notice from the A.J. Beard family following the untimely death of Edwin L. Beard
1930s
Aunt Helen 25th anniversary
25 Years of Marriage
Helen and Franklin Deavers celebrate their silver wedding anniversary with 60 friends and relatives
1970s
Neal and Shirley Beard wedding
Neal & Shirley's Wedding Vows
Beautiful newspaper coverage of Neal and Shirley Beard's wedding ceremony
1960s
Uncle Jim Army promotion
Uncle Jim's Military Promotion
Army promotion announcement for Jim Beard, continuing the family's proud military tradition
1940s
Uncle Jack wedding
Uncle Jack's Wedding Day
Wedding announcement and celebration for Jack Beard and his bride
1960s
Aunt Betty wedding
Aunt Betty's Wedding
Wedding announcement for Betty Beard and her special day
1950s
Miner family wedding
Miner Family Wedding
Wedding announcement connecting the Beard and Miner families
1950s-1960s
Uncle Charles wedding
Uncle Charles' Wedding
Wedding celebration for Charles Beard and his bride
1940s-1950s
Robert Dale Beard feature
Robert Dale Beard Featured
Newspaper feature story about Robert Dale Beard and his contributions to the community
1940s-1950s
Mary Devona Beard obituary
Remembering Mary Devona Beard
Obituary honoring the life and legacy of Mary Devona Beard
1960s-1970s
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How To Use This Website

Your guide to exploring five centuries of Beard family history

Welcome to the Beard Family Tree! Our website contains Beard family stories, photographs, and historical records spanning from 16th century Germany to present-day America. Here's how to navigate through generations of Beard family heritage.
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Start with the Timeline

Browse the "Beard Family Milestones" section below to see our journey through the centuries. Each era contains different generations and their stories.

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Click Family Names

Click on any family name box or card to visit their dedicated family page. Each page contains detailed biographies, photos, and family connections.

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Explore Connections

Each family page shows relationships to parents, children, and siblings. Follow the connections to discover how all the Beard families are related.

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Read the Stories

Every family member has their own story. Click on individual cards within family pages to read detailed biographies and historical context.

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Stay Updated

Get notified when we discover new family documents, photos, and stories!

New discoveries happen regularly!

Example: Click on a family name like this:

Allen John Beard Family

To see their complete family page with all children, stories, and photos

What You'll Find on Each Family Page

Family portraits • Individual biographies • Historical context • Birth and death records • Cemetery locations • Military service • Career information • Family connections • And much more!

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

Start exploring the Beard family legacy below. We recommend beginning with the 20th century families if you're looking for living relatives, or the 16th century if you want to trace our origins in Germany.

Start Exploring Below ↓
Beard Family Milestones

Beard Family Milestones

A generational journey — from Germany's Rhineland to Maryland and Pennsylvania's valleys and beyond.

The Evolution of the Beard Surname

From Barth to Bard to Beard — a surname shaped by history, migration, and adaptation.

1525–1700s · Germany (East Frisia, Rhineland-Palatinate)
BARTH
German Origin · Middle High German bart ("beard")
Our surname begins as Barth, a German name commonly found in Lower Saxony and the Palatinate. Derived from the word bart, meaning "beard," it likely began as a nickname for a bearded man. It was passed down through generations from Johan Wilhem Barth (1525) to Georg Barth (1614) before migrating westward toward America.
1600s–1700s · Palatine Germany / Migration Period
BARD
Phonetic Variation · English/French Influence
As the family moved across regions and began preparing for emigration, the spelling shifted to Bard. This may have been a phonetic adaptation by local clerks or a simplification for port records. The name Bard also existed independently in Norman and Scottish traditions, derived from the Old French barde or Germanic barta, meaning "battle axe."
1700s–Present · Colonial Maryland and America
BEARD
Anglicized in America · Old English beard
In America, especially in Maryland and Pennsylvania, the surname stabilized as Beard. Likely recorded this way by English-speaking officials unfamiliar with the Germanic origins, it aligned with an existing English surname meaning "a bearded man." From John P. Beard onward, the name became fixed in American records and endures to this day.
Generation Surname Region Linguistic Context
Johan Wilhem Barth (1525) Barth Timmel, Lower Saxony Germanic root for "beard"
Nichlaus Bard (1678) Bard Nieder-Saulheim, Hesse Phonetic variant from Barth
John P. Beard (1719) Beard Frederick County, Maryland Final Anglicized form

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