The main surname for today’s post goes through some spelling changes during one man’s lifetime. We first see it using the German spelling with an umlaut. The name was Schϋtz. We later see documents that spell this name in the standard way that a German umlaut spelling was “Americanized”. It was almost always changed by … More A Dozen Scheetz
Benjamin Schuessler is the subject of today’s post. That name often makes me think of the tribes of Israel, which resulted when Jacob was blessed with 12 children. However, you could make an argument that there were 13 tribes when you consider that the tribe of Manasseh was granted two different portions of property when … More Tribe of Benjamin Returns to Promised Land
I will eventually get around to a girl who was born on March 29th, but first, I will discuss a boy that was born on our nation’s birthday, July 4, 1850. His name was Peter Wirth, Jr. As you can conclude, his father was also named Peter. His mother was Anna (Adler) Wirth. We have … More Wirth and ‘Witz
Heinrich Carl Mehner was born on March 28, 1872, making today his 149th birthday. I will attempt to tell his story today. The Mehner family had arrived in this area in 1840, then not long after their arrival, Henry’s father was born in 1843. The Mehner family lived in a variety of townships in Perry … More Mehner Merchants
Diedrich Hadeler brought his family to America in 1868, and his descendants are still quite numerous in East Perry County to this day. The spelling of this surname has gone through a few changes over the years since that family arrived. First, let’s look at Diedrich’s baptism record from Lamstedt, Germany. He was born on … More Hadeler, Hadler, or Hatler?
Johann George Gerstacker was born on January 28, 1857, the son of Johann Friedrich and Margaretha (Mausner) Gerstacker. His baptism record was once found in the books of Peace Lutheran Church in Friedenberg, but that congregation’s records were destroyed in a fire. We can find the following information about George Gerstacker in a re-creation of … More George Gerstacker – Bavarian Bottoms Farmer
I will be dealing with two surnames today that have been researched rather thoroughly by other genealogists who take their respective families back to the 1600’s. One of those researchers is our friend, Diane Anderson, who is who I would consider our local authority on the surname, Stueve. Below is a photo of the massive … More Willie and Dehlia – A German-French Duo
I often “troll” our German Family Tree looking for a special birthday or anniversary. I search for such things as 200th birthdays or 150th anniversaries. Today, I located a 150th birthday. The tale of Benjamin Joseph Koenig is what I will attempt to share with you today. Benjamin Joseph (B.J.) Koenig was born on August … More B.J. and Anna – A Koenig/Brueckner Pair
Today would have been the 125th anniversary of the marriage involving a Lutheran and a Baptist. The Lutheran groom was a man by the name of William Schroeder, and the Baptist bride was a girl by the name of Elizabeth Emma Cashion. The marriage license for this couple is shown below. The above marriage license … More A Lutheran/Baptist Couple
I often tell my wife that she is the best…and, in my opinion, she is. Today, you will be told the story of John Stueve, and you will discover how he got himself the Bess. But, first, let me remind you about the pronunciation of the surname, Stueve. Back in the old country, the name … More John Stueve Got Himself the Bess
