Hattie Katt

You have no doubt heard the term, kitty cat. Today’s birthday girl has a name that reminds me of that term. Hedwig Katt was born on November 7, 1847 in Lamstedt, Germany. Before I move on, let me say that many German girls with the name Hedwig take on the nickname, Hattie, and that is … More Hattie Katt

Crosstown Couples

Today is the anniversary of a couple that was married in Farrar, but then became members of Zion Lutheran Church in Crosstown for most of their lives. The husband, after his first wife died, would marry again at the Crosstown church. I will begin with that husband and discuss his early life. Johann Berthold Steffens … More Crosstown Couples

Katt Has Two Wives

You’ve heard that cats have nine lives. I found a story today in which a Katt has two wives. One of those wives is today’s birthday girl. I will begin by looking at her early years. Maria Theresia Lorenz was born on October 16, 1856, making today her 165th birthday. Theresia was the daughter of … More Katt Has Two Wives

Claus’s Wives – Two Thurm’s and a Koenig

One of the common first names for Germans from the Hanover area that settled in Perry County is Claus. Also, there are two churches in this area that had several men included in their membership with the name, Claus. Those two churches are Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altenburg and Salem Lutheran Church in Farrar. Today’s … More Claus’s Wives – Two Thurm’s and a Koenig

John Finds a Martha

Gotthilf Johannes Lorenz is the one who has a birthday today. Almost all of the documents for him call him John. He was born on July 27, 1873, the son of August and Justine (Franke) Lorenz. John’s parents are pictured below. John was the 9th of 11 children born into this Lorenz family. The first … More John Finds a Martha

Man of Few Letters

I think it’s safe to say that German names are sometimes famous for being rather long.  I know that some of the ones that have been found around here over the years required plenty of letters to write.  Examples might include Lichtenegger, Bodenschatz, Bingenheimer, and my personal favorite…..Schimmelpfennig.  During the years when I was a … More Man of Few Letters