MICHAEL/MICHAELS Our ancestor James Michel, emigrated from Soumagne on the River Schelde, Belgium, in April 1818, and arriving in Annapolis, Maryland in August. From there he made his way to the American frontier, settling in what would in a few years be Perryville, Missouri. In America, he and his descendants used the Americanized version of his surname. Many variations of the spelling have been found, including MICHAELS, MICHIELS, MICHAL, MICHELLE.

MICHAELS is the 2,373rd, and MICHEL is the 1,061st most common name in the U.S.

Belgian Stamp