Bookhout / Buckhout, Originally of New York State

If you are a Bookhout or Buckhout living in the United States, you very likely are related to this family. Our last name is very distinctive, so it always is fun to hear from other Bookhout/Buckhouts with new genealogy information. Please contact me if you have something you can add to this research!

Our work concerns the descendants of Jan der Nosper von Bocholt/Bocholte (Jan Boeckhout/Buckhout) who immigrated to New Amsterdam in 1662. Very soon the family name became Buckhout, which was changed to Bookhout by some family lines. Both names are in use now.

As far as I can tell, most Bookhouts (note the "h") in the United States and Canada are descendants of this man. After remaining in lower New York State for several generations, the family began to spread out in the late 18th and 19th centuries to upstate New York, and beyond. Currently, most (all?) living American and Canadian Bookhouts trace their roots back to either Salem, Illinois; Missouri; Ontario, Canada; Dallas, Texas; and Delaware County, New York. But, apparently, all are descendants of the above Jan de Nosper von Bocholt, and his earliest descendants: the Buckhouts of downstate New York.

During the 19th century, a few other Buckhouts and Bookhouts immigrated to the U.S. from Germany and Holland, but so far those lines have not produced many descendants, and do not appear to account for the majority of Bookhout/Buckhouts in the U.S.

Thanks to Dr. Theodore Bookhout of Ohio, and family, who have providing new material on the Illinois Bookhouts. We are always on the lookout for new family members. Please report any certain errors, and of course, additions are always welcome!!

Family Photos

• James Bookhout (29 KB)
  James Bookhout, civil war veteran
• John Ivan and Julia R. Day Bookhout (41 KB)
  A handsome couple in front of their home.
• July 2001; Family gathering in memory of Elmer (38 KB)
  [Back Lft:] Martha & Leland Bookhout; Julie & Leighton B; Steve & Jodi (B) Rathjen; Iola Maude Grover Bookhout; Thomas & Jeanne B; Paul & Ben Rathjen; Katrina, Tracy & Matthew B
• Children of Charles and Pearl Bookhout (41 KB)
  Children of Charles & Pearl Bookhout
• Mary Bookhout About 1880. No family resemblance. (47 KB)
  Mary Bookhout c. 1880
• Pearl Margaret Travis Bookhout (in middle) (40 KB)
  Pearl Margaret Travis Bookhout
• George and Emma Bookhout Family (88 KB)
  George and Emma Bookhout Family
• Orvis and Susan Bookhout Family (58 KB)
  Orvis and Susan Bookhout Family
• Charles & Lulu Mae Bookhout (1495 KB)
  Charles & Lulu Mae Bookhout with oldest children
• Charles & Lulu Mae Bookhout's Children (868 KB)
  Front: George, Cecil, Lucy Mae / Back: Eugene, Loren. Taken in back yard of Violet Huff's home on County Farm Road.

Family Tree Maker Reports and Trees

• InterneTree: Descendant Tree of Jan Boeckhout


• Genealogy Report: Descendants of Jan Boeckhout (updated 10/27/2008)

Related Links

• Delaware County, New York, Genealogy Site
• Excellent information on Canadian Bookhouts.
• The Bookout (no 'h') surname site...no relation???
• Perry Streeter's excellent essay on Jan Boeckhout.