Genealogy Resources

“Unclassified Frisbie Families” Vols. I and II 

By Nora Grace Frisbie

In the 1970s, when FFFAA genealogist/historian Nora Frisbie inherited Olin Frisbee’s files for “Edward Frisbie of Branford and his Descendants,” she sorted his additional Frisbie family lineage records into three categories: Frisbies whose connection to Edward of Branford were confirmed; Unclassified, those whose connection to Edward is not know but presumed; and Late Comers, those who arrived on America’s shores after the Revolutionary War.

“Unclassified Families Vol. I,” published in 1976, covers Unclassified Frisbie families and Non-Frisbies; with indexes to names and places.

“Unclassified Families Vol. II,” published in 1979, is a continuation of Vol. I and includes corrections/additions to “Edward of Branford and his Descendants Vol. I and II,” stories of Richard Frisby of London and Virginia and James Frisby of Maryland, Late Comers, Unclassified Frisbies and Non-Frisbies, with indexes to names and to places.

“The Frisbie Family in the Revolutionary War”

By Nora Grace Frisbie, 1975

Genealogist/historian Nora Frisbie compiled this well-documented list of the service records of Frisbies and Frisbie connections who served in the Revolutionary War, from 1770 “the cause of war” to 1785 “the final phase.” Includes prisoners of war, pensioners, individual service records, Rhoda Frisbie’s 1845 widow’s pension application, and Judah Frisbie’s war journal.

Frisbie Family Origin and Histories by State

FFFAA genealogist/historian Nora G. Frisbie compiled excerpts from 1953-1977 to FFFAA “Bulletins” on the origins of the Frisbie family in England; and from Kansas, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin; into the following publications:

“Origin Of The Frisbie Family” Published 1972 — photos and documents from Frisby-on-the-Wreake in England, and information on the coat of arms.

“The Frisbie family in Illinois” Published1973 — lands west of the Alleghenies opened up after the Revolutionary War and Frisbie families left their comfortable homes in the East and migrated to raw frontier villages where they took leading roles in the development of the community.

“The Frisbie family in Kansas” Published 1974/1977 — the Frisbie family is intimately connected with the settlement of Kansas.

“The Frisbie family in Michigan” Published 1974 — Edward Frisbie was born about 1621 in Virginia and settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut. He moved to Branford, Connecticut in 1644 and died after 1685

“Frisbie Family In Missouri” Published 1974 — A genealogy of the Frisbie families who settled in the rich trans-Mississippi lands of Missouri, descendants of Isaac Newton Frisbie #13189 born 1817 in New York City.

“The Frisbie family in Ohio” Published 1973 — A genealogy of the Frisbie/Frisbee/Frisbey/Frisby families in Ohio who are descendants of Edward Frisbie born about 1621 in Virginia Colony and died 10 May 1690 in Branford, Conn.

“The Frisbie family in Wisconsin” Published 1974 — A genealogy of the Frisbie/Frisbee/Frisbey/Frisby families in Wisconsin who are descendants of Edward Frisbie born about 1621 in Virginia Colony and died 10 May 1690 in Branford, Conn

More Nora G. Frisbie publications can be found on WorldCat.org.

“John B. Frisbie – Making Gold out of War” 

by Virginia Law

John B. Frisbie played a crucial role in the founding of California as part of the United States. In a tale of political marriages, military discord, and intrigue, Virginia Law recounts the life of John B. Frisbie and his influences, military commands, his wife Epiphania (daughter of General Mariano Vallejo – Commander of the Mexican forces in Northern California) and their grand wedding, and John B.’s roles in founding and establishing the cities of Vallejo and Benicia, CA.

“On March 1847, when Captain John B. Frisbie, after six months at sea, stepped off the small ship Susan Drew onto land at Yerba Buena he was met with bare land with scant hills and sand dunes, a cluster of shacks, muddy streets and a population of only 800 adventurers, Indians, and Californios. But to the East beckoned San Francisco Bay—this was the prize! Within a year, Gold fever was spreading across California.”

“Sparrow Frisby and His Descendants”

By Frisby Smith Lockard

Upon retirement, teacher Frisby Lockard began his to find his Frisby roots on his mother’s side. His journeys included a trek to Frisby-on-the-Wreake in England. Frisby Lockard’s search took him back to Illinois pioneer Sparrow Frisby 1793-1873. Sparrow, after being discharged from the War of 1812 left his wife and children in New York and traveled to Illinois where he chose a tract of land a few miles south of Rushville. He built a log house and then brought his family to their new home on the Illinois “frontier” in 1837.

Frisby Lockard created extensive documentation, along with photos, of the generations from Sparrow up to 1992, including Appendixes on the Willoughby family and the Reamer-Smith family lines.  

The 1926 “The Frisbie-Frisbee Genealogy” Edward Frisbye of Branford, Connecticut, and his Descendants

By Edward Selah Frisbee, D.D.

The first Frisbie Genealogy came into being around the turn of the century when Edward Selah Frisbee* (president at Wells College in Aurora, NY) commenced a genealogical record of the family. New York state was thickly populated with Frisbies, and starting in 1895 Edward Selah called personally on those within reach of his pony and trap, and corresponded with others. By the time he ceased his work around 1905, he had identified and recorded the astonishing total of 6,008 descendants of Edward of Branford. When finished, his records, papers, and a bound manuscript made their way into the State Library at Albany, NY (where he worked after retirement). In 1926, Edward Selah’s cousin Kate Frisbee McKinley (#5017) of Chicago underwrote the printing costs of the “Frisbee-Frisbie Genealogy” and it was finally published.

Around 1960 the original Albany, NY manuscript came into the hands of an antiquarian book dealer in Rutland, VT. He offered the book to the FFFAA, where it was purchased by Dr. Earl Frisbie #4958 then of Chicago, and then presented to the FFFAA as a gift.

In 2008, FFFAA member Ted Yungclas generously scanned this 1926 out-of-print publication “The Frisbee-Frisbie Genealogy,” for members to download for their research. Later genealogies by Olin Eli Frisbee and Nora G. Frisbie improved upon Edward Selah Frisbee’s book and incorporated into their own books, but this original Edward Selah Frisbee document is a gem worth preserving and making available to family historians.

*Edward Selah Frisbee’s grandfather was Judge Gideon Frisbee (for more on Judge Gideon see “The Judge Gideon Frisbee House and Museum” in our Frisbie-Frisbee History section).

1964 “Frisbee-Frisbie-Frisby Family Genealogy” 

By Olin Eli Frisbee

Around 1901, when Olin Eli Frisbee was a boy, Wells College president Edward Selah Frisbee visited Olin’s home seeking data for the book he was writing, the 1926 “Frisbie-Frisbee Genealogy.” Olin, sparked with the inspiration to bring his own family records up-to-date embarked on a life-long mission to collect his own Frisbee family data. Olin’s 20-year search would eventually bring him in contact with Frisbie-Frisbee-Frisbys all across the country. In 1950, he created the Frisbie-Frisbee Family Association of America (FFFAA) to join together the people he had connected with through his search. Olin’s quest for Frisbies and their links would also culminate in the compilation and publication of his book, the 1964 “Frisbee-Frisbie-Frisby Family Genealogy,” 600 pages with nearly 4400 Frisbie entries, covering the first 13 generations of Frisbies in America. (This book would become the basis for “Edward Frisbie of Branford and his Descendants” Vol. I by FFFAA genealogist/historian Nora G. Frisbie, published in 1984.)

Long out of print, copies of the 1964 “Frisbee-Frisbie-Frisby Family Genealogy” book may be found through worldcat.org and on Amazon.com.

(For more on Olin Eli Frisbee, see our “Ask Maggie” section)

“The Van Alen-Frisbee Home 1847-1972”

By Priscilla B. Frisbee of Stuyvesant Falls, NY 

A history of the Van Alen Frisbie House. Priscilla B. Frisbee, resident of the 125-yr. old  Van Alen-Frisbee house at the time of this publication, lovingly researched and documented the history of the Van Alen Frisbee “Stone House” and its residents from 1847 to 1972.

The Van Alen ancestors came to Stuyvesant Falls, NY from Holland in 1660. In the 1800s Adam Van Alen began operation of a cotton manufacturing business and cotton mill at Kinderhook Creek. The cotton business, “Beehive” Mill, and “Stone House” family residence (purchased in 1847) were passed through five Van Alen Frisbee generations to Priscilla B. Frisbee. She recounts the family lineage and additions/renovations to the house over the years. Published in 1973.

“Frisbie Houses” 1975 Calendar

By Nora Grace Frisbie

Created to commemorate the FFFAA’s Silver Jubilee Year. Folded to 9 x 12” printed on heavy cream stock, it displays a picture of a different Frisbie house and its story for each month of the year.
•“The Mill House,” Frisby-on-the-Wreak, Leicestershire, England
•“Hearthstone,” Branford, CT (builder misidentified in some records, was built c1730 by Joseph Frisbie #29, son of John #11 and Ruth Bower)
•“Triple Acres,” Olin Eli Frisbee #5954 home, Comstock, NY
•Zebulon Frisbie #800 house, Orwell, PA
•Sod house of David Edward Frisbie #5250, McDonald, KS
•Pilot house of the ferryboat “General Frisbie,” Seattle, WA
•Ruins of “The Brick House,” of Norman Frisby, Tensas Parish, LA
•Judge Gideon Frisbee #711 house, Delhi, NY
•Frisbie House #1033 #2123 #3849, Cromwell, CT
•Joseph Barker Frisbie #1509 house, Mendon, IL
•Harry (Frisbie) Comstock #6122 home, Oakwood, CA
•”Frisbee Opera House,” Robert Herman Frisbee, Union City, PA

“Frisbies in America” 

Twelve generations from 1590 England to the New England colonies to 2018

By Descendant Diane A. Davis

With help from museums, historical societies and experts across the country, this book brings the stories of Frisbie families since the beginnings of America — to life!

With carefully constructed maps and extensively researched events of their times, the author follows Edward Frisbie in 1600s Branford, Connecticut, and his descendants as they help found cities in Connecticut, New York, and Vermont. This book explores the 1730 “Hearthstone” House and 1769 “Edward Frisbie or Captain Joseph Frisbie Homestead” in Branford, CT and the 1797 Judge Gideon Frisbee House & Museum in Delhi, NY. It covers Philemon Frisbie’s disastrous wedding day, Frisbies in the American Revolution, the founding of Middletown, VT, and the connection between the Frisbie Pie Company and the Whamo® Frisbee® flying disc.

Then “Frisbies in America” joins the Frisbie’s westward migration to Texas, with its Chisholm trail cattle drives, devastating 1886 Hurricane of Indianola, TX, and life during the Great Depression for the Frisbie family as they lived and worked in the J.A. Hare general store.

A hard-bound, 58-page historical picture book with documents, maps, historic homes, Frisbie portraits, gravesite locations and more. Published in 2018. You can enjoy your own copy for $75.

“Red Devils & Penny Shooters”

The History of the Frisbie Family of Cromwell, CT—Russel, Charles, and Russell Abner Frisbie — inventors of J.&E. Stevens Co. cast-iron mechanical toy banks, “Frisbie” Marine Engines, and the Frisbie “Red Devil” car.

By Diane A. Davis

While researching Frisbie ancestors the author came upon the fascinating Frisbies of Cromwell, Connecticut — inventors, manufacturers, and pioneers. In this book, she shares the stories of the three Frisbie generations, in a narrative woven around pictures of the people and places in Cromwell, and about the marvelous innovations that took place in their times.

From the J.&E. Stevens foundry in Connecticut the 1st two generations, Russel and Charles Frisbie, became the largest producers of cast-iron mechanical toy banks in the world. J.&E. Stevens banks are still highly prized by collectors for their astonishingly intricate mechanisms and whimsical characters that grab, kick, devour, or shoot pennies from guns.

In 1900 the 3rd generation, Russell Abner Frisbie, was at the cutting edge of the new bicycle, automobile, and gasoline-powered motor industries. Through trial-and-error Rusell invented and manufactured in his home workshop one of the very first cars in America, the 1901 “Frisbie Red Devil.” He also established the “Frisbie Motor & Machine Works” to produce engines for boats, generators, and motorcycles. Prohibition rum runners of the time were partial to his fast dual-valve “Frisbie” boat engines.

Purchase a Soft-bound, 28-pages with 90 colorful images of banks, maps, patent drawings, cars, toys, marine motors and more. Only $16.99.

“The Complete Book of Frisbee”

The History of the Sport & The First Official Price Guide

By Victor A. Malafronte, edited by F. Davis Johnson

The first definitive history of Frisbee® playing, covering the history of the flying disc dating back to 776 B.C.; the Frisbie Pie Company and the origin of Frisbee playing in New Haven; modern day Frisbee games; Frisbee collecting and the Frisbee conspiracy. Published in 1998.

Pages 164-179 cover the history of the Frisbie Pie Company and its role in the emergence of pie tin tossing as a game called “Frisbie-ing.” Photos of owner Joseph P. Frisbie, the Frisbie Pie Company bakery building and employees at work, advertisements, and from 1871 horse-drawn delivery wagons to 1936 delivery trucks.

Pages 179-224 include an extensive and detailed Collector’s Guide to 32 different Frisbie’s Pie tin styles, pie pan schematics, how to grade and date them, a Price Guide with detail photos, and a collection of pie safes, pie racks and historic Frisbie’s Pies memorabilia.

Nearly 400 items photographed in color with collector price guidelines.

The Books of Robert Dean Frisbie

Edward Frisbie descendant Robert Dean Frisbie left Ohio in 1920 for the lure of the South Pacific islands, after serving in the U.S. Army in WWI. Living first in Tahiti, he became a plantation owner and befriended the co-authors of “Mutiny on the Bounty” who encouraged him to write. Robert then moved to the island of Puku-Puku, where he ran a small trading station, married a young island maiden, raised five children and wrote about their primitive lifestyle. Gifted with a feeling for language, sympathy and a sense of humor, Robert Dean Frisbie captured the charm, beauty, and serenity of life in the South Pacific in his series of novel and autobiographies. (For more on south-sea writer Robert Dean Frisbie and his family see our FFFAA Bulletin Vol.67 No.4 Winter 2107.)

Amaru— A Romance of the South Seas

A novel about a romance of the South Seas. Published in 1945.

The Island of Desire —The Story of a South Sea Trader

A Frisbie autobiography. Published in 1944.

The Book of Puka-Puka—A Lone Trader On a South Seas Atoll

Published February 1, 1987.

Dawn Sails North

A journey from the South Pacific to California aboard the schooner Dawn. Published in 1949.

“Miss Ulysses from Puka-Puka”  

The Autobiography of a South Sea Traders Daughter 

By Florence (Johnny) Frisbie

Author Robert Dean Frisbie’s oldest daughter, Florence “Johnny” Frisbie, wrote “Miss Ulysses from Puka-Puka” when she was between the 12 and 14 years old. It was published in 1948 when she was 15. “Miss Ulysses from Puka-Puka” is the first book written by a Polynesian woman.

“Miss Ulysses from Puka-Puka,” tells the amazing story of a young girl growing up on a remote island in the Cook Islands group. Through Johnny’s fresh, unspoiled eyes we read of a Garden-of-Eden existence on a remote atoll so remote that six months pass between visits by passing ships, and the land and sea provide all that is necessary for life. Johnny’s writing sparkles with humor and wisdom beyond her years, as she describes life and customs on the island where she grew up. Her grandmother’s extended family, the trading station operated by her father, the local witch doctor, a native missionary, her father’s mistress after the death of her mother, and her first boyfriend are among the characters she describes with unflinching honesty.

Johnny also describes the terror of a hurricane that all but destroys the deserted island where she and her family are marooned. Where the sea flooded the entire island to a depth of six feet and they barely survived by tying themselves to the topmost branches of a tall tree. She describes learning at an early age to be self-reliant. When her mother dies when Johnny is 9, she helps her father care for her brothers and sisters. When her father dies when she is 16, friends, including author James A. Michener, arrange a foster family for her in Hawaii.

Out of print for more than sixty years, Johnny has added two new chapters to this classic and compelling book and illustrated it with family photos and three maps.

(For more on Johnny Frisbie, her father, south-sea writer Robert Dean Frisbie, and her family see our FFFAA Bulletin Vol.67 No.4 Winter 2107)

The “Bulletin” Newsletters

We are lucky to have all of the FFFAA newsletters available for members to download. Written and edited by many members over the years, they cover from 1951 to the present, and are not only a time capsule of the FFFAA’s history but a great family research resource!

Visit our BULLETIN page to download back issues.