About the Collver Family History Project
Welcome to the Collver Family History Project.
This website is dedicated to preserving, documenting, and sharing the history of the Collver family and related family lines. The project brings together genealogical research, historical records, photographs, family stories, and original source documents in an effort to preserve our shared heritage for future generations.
The principal family line documented by this project begins with Edward Colver, an early English settler who arrived in New England during the Great Migration of the 1630s, and continues through my fifth-great-grandfather, the Reverend Jabez Collver (1731–1818), Presbyterian minister, Loyalist, and pioneer settler of Upper Canada, down to the present generation. The lives of these men and their descendants span nearly four centuries of North American history, from colonial New England through the American Revolution, the settlement of Canada and the American frontier, and into the modern era. Their story is inseparable from the broader history of the communities, churches, and nations in which they lived.
Genealogy is more than names and dates. It is the story of real people—their faith, families, occupations, migrations, military service, triumphs, hardships, and contributions to their communities. Through historical research and careful documentation, this project seeks to tell those stories and place them within the broader context of local, national, and church history.
Research for this project draws upon a variety of sources, including:
- Family records and photographs
- Church records
- Census records
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Probate and land records
- Military records
- Cemetery records
- Historical newspapers
- Archives and libraries
Particular attention is given to preserving original source documentation and accurately citing historical evidence whenever possible.
This project builds upon the work of many family historians who have preserved records, correspondence, photographs, and genealogical research over the years. Among these is the long-standing Collver/Culver/Colver family website maintained by Charles D. Collver, which preserves valuable information relating to numerous branches of the broader Collver family. Visitors interested in exploring additional family lines and related research are encouraged to consult that resource as well.
While I am grateful for the work of earlier researchers, this website represents my own ongoing research and documentation efforts. As with any genealogical project, conclusions are subject to revision as new records, documents, and evidence are discovered.
This site is a work in progress. New discoveries, documents, and family connections are continually being added. Corrections, additional information, family photographs, letters, diaries, and historical documents are always welcome.
If you have information that may contribute to this project, please contact:
Thank you for visiting and for helping preserve the history of the Collver family and its many branches.
Rev. Dr. Albert B. Collver III
Genealogist and Family Historian