About the Speak/e/s Family Association

Brief History

The Speak/e/s Family Association (SFA) was formed in 1979 when family genealogists researching ancestors with the surnames Speake, Speak, Speaks, and other variations of the name met in a suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri. At first, most members could only trace their ancestry to about one or two generations before the Civil War. Members formed affinity groups based on their earliest known ancestor (or EKA) and worked together to find earlier ancestors.

Over time as records were discovered and shared, members realized that almost all of us are descended from Thomas Speake, who emigrated from England to St. Mary’s City, Maryland about 1657 and served as an indentured servant. After Thomas’ term of service, he married Elizabeth Bowling and had two sons, John (known as the Innholder), and Bowling.

Our Book

In 2022, the SFA published the book, The Speak/e/s Family of Southern Maryland, edited by John S. Morris, III. It includes the genealogy of Thomas the Immigrant and his sons, as well as other Speak/e/s-related historical research.

Annual Meeting and member communications

The SFA has met annually most years since our founding for an annual meeting and reunion (learn more about our 2025 annual meeting). We publish 3 or 4 Bulletin newsletters per year that are sent to all members. We maintain this website that provides general information and where members have access to copies of previous Bulletins going back to 1979, member genealogies, obituaries, and archival letters and documents (learn about SFA membership).

DNA Project

The SFA has developed a relationship with the Speaks Family DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA where Speak/e/s family members and relatives can compare DNA results. We have embarked on a focused study of Y-DNA of Speak/Speake/Speaks men to gain genetic information to augment our knowledge of the family genealogy.

Speaks Chapel Cemetery

The Speaks Chapel and the Speaks Chapel Cemetery in Rose Hill, VA are special to many SFA members and relatives. The SFA helps provide for the mowing and upkeep of the Speaks Chapel Cemetery through contributions.