The Peer Family in North America: V. 1 - Jacob & Anne Peer, Immigrants

In this review of The Peer Family in North America: V. 1, the reviewer finds a focused genealogy resource for descendants and local history readers. The book traces Jacob and Anne Peer's move from Sussex County, New Jersey to Upper Canada in 1796 and presents original documents that make the narrative verifiable. Readers seeking primary evidence and clear family context will appreciate this edition; the single biggest reason to buy is the inclusion of land petitions and wills that illuminate how a loyalist family established itself in the Hamilton area of early Upper Canada.

Key Features

• Loyalist background: The book explains why the Peer family left New Jersey, giving readers historical context for their migration and later settlement in Upper Canada.
• Primary documents: Land petitions and wills are reproduced or discussed, offering descendants direct access to early records that support family connections.
• Family focus: The narrative centers on Jacob, Anne and their children, allowing readers to trace individual lives and family relationships rather than only broad regional history.
• Local settlement detail: Coverage of the Hamilton area settlement gives a sense of life on the frontier and where the family petitioned for land in 1797.
• Revised edition: Updates and revision suggest attention to accuracy and incorporation of additional findings since the original publication.

Who It's For

This volume is best for genealogists, family historians and descendants of the Peer family who want documentary evidence and a clear narrative linking New Jersey loyalist experiences to settlement in Upper Canada. It is also useful to local historians studying early Hamilton-area settlement patterns during the post-Revolutionary period.

Readers looking for a broad survey of Canadian history, a general audience narrative, or an illustrated coffee-table book should look elsewhere; this is a documentary-focused genealogy resource with emphasis on primary records and family biography rather than sweeping national history or heavy illustration.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Detailed treatment of Jacob and Anne Peer that clarifies family relationships for descendants.
• Inclusion of early documents such as land petitions and wills that support genealogical research.
• Clear focus on the Loyalist experience and the 1796 migration makes the book a targeted resource for that historical moment.

Cons

• Not intended as a general history; readers wanting broad context across Upper Canada may find the scope narrow.

Specifications

Title	The Peer Family in North America: V. 1
Subtitle / Subject	Jacob & Anne Peer, immigrants from New Jersey to Upper Canada in 1796
Author / Brand	Lorine McGinnis Schulze
Edition	Revised edition
Geographic focus	Sussex County, New Jersey and Hamilton area, Upper Canada
Content highlights	Land petitions, wills, family biographies

Our Verdict

The Peer Family in North America: V. 1 is a worthwhile buy for descendants and serious genealogists who value primary documents and focused family biography. Its documented land petitions and wills make it good value for research that seeks to confirm relationships and trace settlement in the Hamilton area of early Upper Canada.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include original documents?
Yes, the review notes inclusion and discussion of land petitions and wills that provide primary evidence for the family story.

Is this volume suitable for general Canadian history readers?
It is focused on one family and local settlement; readers seeking broad national surveys may prefer a different title.

Who compiled this work?
The revised edition is by Lorine McGinnis Schulze and concentrates on Jacob, Anne and their children and descendants.