Introduction

My name is Richard John Ruban. I was born on August 15, 1941 in Newark, New Jersey. The son of Emil Charles and Louise Marie Dingeler Ruban.

Richard

I am a member of the fifth generation of the Ruban Family. The roots of the Ruban Family began with the birth of my great-great-grandfather, Jean-Louis Ruban (1798 – 1890). His story is told in Part I – In the Beginning, Chapters 1 and 2.

When I was growing up in Newark, New Jersey, our family would visit relatives on our exciting “Sunday drives”. My mother would always attempt to explain how these relatives fit in our family tree; however, it was difficult for me to understand all the family connections. They were only names and faces.

The Ruban Family has for many decades, maintained a hard copy of the family tree. In 2011 the family information was transferred to an on-line tree under My Heritage,com.

It wasn’t until 2012 that I got involved in genealogy. I joined the My Heritage.com on line tree and subsequently established my own My Heritage.com Ruban Family Tree. My objective was to learn the history of the Ruban Family, document it, and then write that history in the form of a book.

I have chosen to write a historical chapter on each family member of the first four generations of the Ruban Family. These family members are listed in the Table of Contents which contain about 95 chapters.

Jean-Louis Ruban (1798-1890), born in Geneva, Switzerland, had ten children, 5 died as infants, 2 had insufficient records to follow and the remaining 3 children and their descendants’ history are documented in the book.

Samuel E. Ruban (1832-1903) emigrated to New Jersey (38 family members)

Marie Henriette Held (1837-1890) (born Ruban) emigrated to Utah (37 family members)

Jean-Jacques Ruban (1830-1902) emigrated to Utah (17 family members)

This book is a “work-in-progress” and I welcome family members to make corrections, or elaborate on the stories. You could also add photos! Remember, this is a story about your family.

I can be contacted at rruban4824@optonline.net with your comments on the Family Stories or if you would like to visit my Ruban Family Tree, which is on My Heritage.Com., you can request access by providing me with your email address.