William Albert Van Vacter, b. 1928

Notes from Richard Van Vacter regarding brother, William Van Vacter, who has put out a book on the Van Vacter/Van Vactor/Van Vechten geneology - 

This work of William A. Van Vacter represents hundreds of hours of research in libraries and archives, plus gathering of information through correspondence and telephone calls to every Van Vacter(tor) whose address and phone number was available to him.  He began his research with no prior knowledge of genealogy research techniques, but through trial and error, and by asking questions, reading and researching, he became an accomplished genealogist and leading authority on the family lines of Van Vacter, Van Vactor and Van Vechten. 

Bill, through his research, has become proud of his Van Vacter heritage and the contributions those progenitors made to the building of this country.  Although we are of Dutch descent, directly connected to the Van Vechtens who migrated to this country in the early 1600's, Bill has proven that the name Van Vacter is a derivative from the name Van Vechten, which began to show up in the early 1700's.  As of this writing, Bill's painstaking research has not lead him to a very important link in our family line (this statement refers to the David Van Vacter line - New York)  Editors note - There are other Van Vacter lines whose records have been much easier to obtain, therefore, giving a much clearer picture of the origin of our surname.  However, this book will be the most valuable set of records, to date, for anyone doing a Van Vacter(tor) genealogy.

Bill has not always been interested in such things as family history.  As a young man he had knowledge of only a few generations and had very little reason to give very much serious thought.  He was, as most of us were, most interested in the day at hand.  However, he was developing the essentials toward being a thorough researcher.  As a young man he was never satisfied with general explanations on any subject, or any job, that had to be done.  He always insisted on specific information; and that background led him to being successful as a genealogist.

As you study this work you will see the detail and precise nature of his records.  You will appreciate the time and deliberate approach he has given these compiled records.  It is his hope that this is only the tip of the iceberg; that information will, after publication, pour in from all over the United States, and that the Van Vacter place in history of this country will finally, one day, become complete.  Although there were, and are, notable personalities in our family line, the majority of our progenitors have been common people; i.e., the soldier, the teamster, the farmer, the road-railroad-and canal builder, the miner and the factory worker.  These are the people who made our country work.

It is Bill's belief that in the family histories and genealogy libraries is where the true history of the country is recorded.  The outstanding figures in the history texts were only extensions of the common man who made it all work.  It should be understood that any work such as this is a "labor of love", and the return will be the appreciation that each of you who read this show him for a job well done.

Richard V. Van Vacter

June 27, 1978