52 Ancestors: #32 Johann GORGES and Anna Maria BOTZ – 2 of 32

Week 32 (August 6-12) – 32. For Week 32, let’s focus on one of your 32 3rd-great-grandparents. (If you’ve already written about all of them — first, congrats on identifying all of them! — consider writing about one of their siblings.)

Let’s Talk Numbers

Johann GORGES and Anna Maria BOTZ were two of my husband’s 32 3rd-great-grandparents and my children’s 4th-great-grandparents ~ a perfect fit for this week’s theme!

My husband’s 32 3rd-greats’ surnames:

Meder, Wilmes, Reiffer, Clos, Faber, Schenten, Lorentz, Preusen, Schwartz, Trierweiler, Schmitt, Wollscheid, Gorges, Botz, Scherff, Clemens
Kremer, Friederich, Merkes, Hastert, Grisius, Schaeffer, Weckering, Bernard, Peffer, Grasser, Zwank, Dahm, Mertes, Erpelding, Ruckert, Schmit

My 32 3rd-greats’ surnames (one unknown):

Dempsey, UNKNOWN, Wood, Honaker, Ingram, Johnson, Dempsey, Gowing, Roop, Lester, Peters, Proffitt, Clonch, Doss, Cooley, Treadway
Wildinger, Schramen Weimann, Welter, Pöppelreiter, Groelinger, Wagener, Kerscht, Fournelle, Philippart, Schloesser, Consbrück, Frantz, Frisch, Majerus, Trausch

My children have 32 sets of 4th-great-grandparents. Of these 32 only one set is presently unknown – the parents of William A. W. DEMPSEY. By the end of the year I’ll have written about 62 of their 64 (31 of 32 sets) 4th-great-grandparents. I hope one day to be able to write the post about the discovery of the key that opened the door in the Dempsey brick wall!

Johann GORGES of Fell, Trier-Saarburg, Rhineland-Palatinate

Eva Clara RODENS (1764-1836) and Johann Adam GORGES (1766-1816) married on 11 February 1789 in Fell, municipality of Longuich, district of Trier-Saarburg, state of Rhineland-Palatinate, in Germany.[1] [2] Their son, my husband’s 3rd-great-grandfather,  Johann GORGES was born on 21 January 1800 in Fell.[3] Although he was their sixth child he had only three older siblings. Four children followed Johann bringing the total children to ten. Only three of the younger ones lived making Johann the middle child between three older and three younger brothers and sisters.

Johann’s childhood years were during the Napoleonic Wars 1803-1815. His oldest brother Nikolaus (1790-1811) was a soldier during this time and died while in the military on 27 November 1811 in Dax. I checked the civil records for Dax in the department of Landes in France but did not find a record for this date. I found a record for a soldier who died on 27 December 1811 in the military hospital however the name on record #474 (lower right) was Georges NICOLAS and not Nicolas GORGES. All records in this part of the register are for soldiers who died in the military hospital. When I have some time I may have to take a closer look at this group of records.

His father Johann Adam GORGES died on 5 May 1816 in Fell when young Johann was 16 years old.[1] [2]

During his lifetime Johann had several occupations: farmer (Ackerer), day laborer (Tagelöhner), and slate river (Schieferbrecher). A slate river (pronounced as in diver) cleaves blocks of quarried slate to make slates for roofing.

Johann GORGES (1800-1860) married twice, both times to a lady named Anna Maria.

Wife #1: Anna Maria GRACH of Issel, Trier-Saarburg, Rhineland-Palatinate

Anna Maria GRACH (1798-1832) was born 29 January 1798 in Issel, a small village near Schweich. Her parents were Matthias GRACH (1766-1813)  and Anna Magdalena QUARE (1764-1814).[3] By the time Anna Maria turned 16 both of her parents were deceased. Her mother had been previously married and Anna Maria was the third daughter to be given this name as the first two died as infants.

Johann GORGES married Anna Maria GRACH on 26 February 1824 in Longuich.[3] They were the parents of 9 children including two sets of twins.

• Ch 1: Josef GORGES (1824- ) was born 7 December 1824 in Fell[3] and was baptized the same day in Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[4] He married Anna WAGNER on 1 February 1868. He was 43 years old at the time and his bride was 39 and a widow. No trace has been found of him after this time.
• Ch 2: Nikolaus GORGES (1825-1826) was born 16 December 1825 in Fell.[3] He was baptized 26 Dec 1825 in Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[5] He died 10 January 1826 in Fell.[3]
• Ch 3: Matthias GORGES (1827-1831) was born 12 January 1827 in Fell[3] and was baptized the next day in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[6] Matthias died shortly after his 4th birthday on 16 January 1831 in Fell.[3]
• Ch 4: [–?–] GORGES (1828-1828), a male twin was stillborn on 22 August 1828 in Fell.[3]
• Ch 5: [–?–] GORGES (1828-1828), a female twin was stillborn on 22 August 1828 in Fell.[3]
• Ch 6: Nikolaus GORGES (1830-1830) was born 4 February 1830 in Fell[3] and baptized the same day in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[7] He died 7 March 1830 in Fell.[3]
• Ch 7: Anton GORGES (1830-1830) was born 4 February 1830[3] in Fell and baptized the same day in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[8] He died 13 February 1830 in Fell.[3]
• Ch 8: Gertrud GORGES (1831- ) was born 15 April 1831 in Fell[3] and was baptized the same day in the Sankt Martinus catholic Church in Fell.[9] No further information on this child was found in the family books of Fell or Longuich.
• Ch 9: [–?–] GORGES (1832-1832), a female child was stillborn on 31 October 1832 in Fell.[3]

Following the stillbirth of her last child Anna Maria GRACH died a week later on 7 November 1832 in Fell.[3] She left Johann with a son Josef, nearly 6 years, and a daughter Gertrud, nearly 2 years. Less than two months later Johann remarried.

Wife #2: Anna Maria BOTZ of Schöndorf, Trier-Saarburg, Rhineland-Palatinate

My husband’s 3rd-great-grandmother Anna Maria BOTZ was born 15 August 1808 in Schöndorf, in the Trier district, to Caspar BOTZ (1753-1826) and Magdalena MASEN (1766-1826).[3] [10] She was the youngest of seven children. During this time her father’s surname evolved from BOTHS, BOOZ to BOTZ, her mother’s maiden name from MASHEIM, MAHSON, MAASEN to MASEN, making them a bit difficult to research. The Longuich FB has Bonerath as Anna Maria’s place of birth. Bonerath and Schöndorf are a little more than a mile apart.

Johann GORGES married Anna Maria BOTZ  on 10 January 1833 in Longuich in a civil ceremony. Witnesses were Christoph PRÜM and Heinrich PALLGEN, both of Fell. There was most likely no blood relationship of the witnesses and the bridal couple. On Sunday the 13th, they were married in a religious ceremony in Fell.[3]

Johann and Anna Maria were the parents of 8 children.

• Ch 1: Catharina GORGES (1833-1875) was born 5 October 1833 in Fell.[3] She was baptized on 5 November 1833 in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[11] The baptismal date is from an index at FamilySearch and is a month after the birth which is unusual. She was the mother of an illegitimate son, Johann GORGES, born 27 May 1865 in the home of Angela MEURER in Fastrau. The birth of the child was reported by the midwife Anna Maria KATTLIN. Catharina was 31 years old at the time and had no occupation.[12] She died on 20 April 1875 in Fell. Her death was reported by her neighbor Johann GRÜN, age 40, a basketmaker (Korbmacher).[13]
• Ch 2: Nicolaus GORGES (1835-1842) was born 14 November 1835 in Fell[3] and was baptized the next day in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[14] He died 19 March 1842 in Fell.[3]
• Ch 3: Johann GORGES (1838-1913) was born 14 February 1838 in Fell[3] and was baptized the next day in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[15] He was my husband’s 2nd-great-grandfather.
• Ch 4: Antonius “Anton” GORGES (1840-1907) was born 19 May 1840 in Fell.[3] He was baptized two days later on 21 May 1840 in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[16]
• Ch 5: Mathias GORGES (1842-1899) was born 20 June 1842 in Fell.[3] He was baptized on 25 June 1842 in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[17]
• Ch 6: Nicolaus GORGES (1845-1851) was born 20 May 1845 in Fell[3] and was baptized the same day in Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[18] Nicolaus died 31 March 1851 in Fell at the age of nearly six years.[3]
• Ch 7: Anna Maria GORGES (1848- ) was born 19 June 1848 in Fell.[3] She was baptized the next day in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[19]
• Ch 8: Helena GORGES (1851-1913) was born 15 July 1851 in Fell[3] and was baptized the next day in the Sankt Martinus catholic church in Fell.[20]

Johann GORGES’ mother Eva Clara RODENS outlived her husband Johann Adam by twenty years and died on 22 January 1836 in Fell.[1] [2]

Johann GORGES died on 21 April 1860 in Fell.[3] His wife Anna Maria BOTZ died three years later on 13 December 1863 in Fell.[3] They left three daughters and three sons. Johann’s son Josef from his first marriage was still living however the fate of his daughter Gertrud is unknown. Josef was 39 when his step-mother died and his half-siblings Catharina, Johann, Anton, Matthias, Anna Maria, and Helena were between 30 and 12 years of age.

As mentiond above Catharina had an illegitimate son in 1865, he was the first grandchild of Johann and Anna Maria.

The year 1868 was a busy year for the GORGES siblings. Three of the sons married, two in Luxembourg and one in Germany.

• Johann GORGES married Catharina SCHERFF (1836-1908) on 14 January 1868 in Mompach, Grand Duché de Luxembourg.[21]
• Josef GORGES married Anna WAGNER (1828- ) on 1 February 1868 in Ruwer, Germany.[22]
• Mathias GORGES married Barbara ACHTEN (1844-1921) on 30 June 1868 in Mertert, Grand Duché de Luxembourg.[23]

Johann and Mathias’ intention to emigrate to America was documented in two entries from the office of Schweich (Landkreis Trier-Saarburg, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany). They expected better earnings in America but in the end only moved across the border to Luxembourg.

Entry 642: Der Tagelöhner Johann Gorges, geb. 14.2.1838 zu Fell, gegenwärtig in Born, Lux., mit s. Frau Katharina Scherff, geb. 12.10.1836 zu Born in Luxemburg, und den Kindern Johann 30.1.1862 und Margaretha 28.7.1868 nach N. A. “dass er dort einen besseren Arbeitsverdienst zu finden hoffe”. 12.3.1869.[24]

Entry 640: Mathias Gorges, geb. 20.6.1842 zu Fell, gegenwärtig in Mertert, Lux., mit s. Frau Barbara Achten, nach N.A. “dass er in Amerika einen besseren Artbeitsverdienst erwarte”. 23.9.1868.[24]

The last of the sons, Anton, also moved to Luxembourg. Antonius “Anton” GORGES married Antonia “Antonnetta” JAGER (1838-1904) on 18 January 1872 in Grevenmacher, Grand Duché de Luxembourg.[25] I only recently discovered this marriage. As three of the brothers ended up in Luxembourg it is possible their half-brother Josef may have lived in Luxembourg.

On 20 April 1875 the oldest daughter of Johann and Anna Maria, Catharina GORGES died. She never married. The following year her sister Helena GORGES married Franz BIEDINGER (1848-1906). They were married on 28 October 1876 in St. Matthias parish in Trier, Germany.[26] This was the last known marriage in the family as no trace has been found of the sister Anna Maria.

Just before the turn of the century the first of the GORGES children still known to be living died and was followed by three more in the next 13 years.

• Mathias GORGES died 30 October 1899 in Mertert, Grand Duché de Luxembourg[27]
• Antonius “Anton” GORGES died 29 May 1907 in Grevenmacher, Grand Duché de Luxembourg[28]
• Helena GORGES died 25 February 1913 in Trier, Germany[26]
• Johann GORGES died 1 May 1913 in Born, Grand Duché de Luxembourg[29]

Let’s Talk Numbers (Again)

Johann GORGES’ children from his first marriage may not have had any offspring. From his second marriage to Anna Maria BOTZ we know of the first grandchild, an illegitimate child through his daughter Katharina, as well as 9 grandchildren through his son Johann, 3 through Anton, 11 through Matthias, and at least 1 through Helena. Of these 25 known grandchildren at least 10 are known to have given Johann and Anna Maria great-grandchildren. As research continues these numbers should increase.

 

 

 

Sources:
[1] Richard Schaffner, Einwohnerbuch der Orte Fell u. Fastrau mit Fellerhof, Fellerburg und den verschiedenen Mühlen im Gemeindebereich 1665-1905, 2008/09, p. 103 family nr. 498. Gorges-Rodens family group.
[2] Armin Giebel, Ortsfamilienbuch des StA Longuich bis Okt. 1931 (June 2013), p. 510-511 family nr. 2462. Gorges-Rodens family group.
[3] Ibid., p. 513 family nr. 2469. Gorges-Grach and Gorges-Botz family groups.
[4] Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898 / Deutschland Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898, (index), FamilySearch, FHL microfilm 463,564. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKS3-W4L : accessed 4 August 2015), Josephus Gorges, 07 Dec 1824, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Graach; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[5] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NDZ1-9YY : accessed 4 August 2015), Nicolaus Gorges, baptized 26 Dec 1825, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Graach; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[6] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NDZB-VM6 : accessed 4 August 2015), Mathias Gorges, baptized 13 Jan 1827, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Graach; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[7] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NDZ1-9BM : accessed 4 August 2015), Nicolaus Gorges, baptized 04 Feb 1830, died 7 Mar 1830, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Grach; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[8] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NDZ1-3R7 : accessed 4 August 2015), Antonius Gorges, 04 Feb 1830, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Grach; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[9] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NDZB-2VM : accessed 4 August 2015), Gertrud Gorges, 15 Apr 1831, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Grach; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[10] Heinrich Wagner, Familienbuch Schöndorf 1686-1895 mit dem Filialien: Bonerath, Hinzenburg, Holzerath, Ollmuth zeit 1800, vorher in Familienbuch Pellingen, 1987/88, p. 47 family nr. 212. Botz-Masen family group.
[11] Germany Births and Baptisms, (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPCW-968 : accessed 4 August 2015), Catharina Gorges, baptized 05 Nov 1833, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Bootz; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[12] Longuich FB, p. 514 family nr. 2474 . The birth of this illegitimate child in the home of Angela Meurer in Fastrau was reported by the midwife Anna Maria Kattlin; the mother was 31 years old and had no occupation.
[13] Longuich FB, p. 514 family nr. 2474 . Her death was reported by her neighbor Johann Grün age 40, a basketmaker (Korbmacher).
[14] Germany Births and Baptisms, (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NDZ1-9B3 : accessed 4 August 2015), Nicolaus Gorges, baptized 15 Nov 1835, died 19 Mar 1842, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Boos; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[15] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPC7-BQ7 : accessed 4 August 2015), Joannes Gorges, baptized 15 Feb 1838, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Botz; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[16] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NT97-2VM : accessed 4 August 2015), Antonius Gorges, baptized 21 May 1840, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Botz; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[17] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NKS3-7VC : accessed 4 August 2015), Matthias Gorges, baptized 25 Jun 1842, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Bootz; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[18] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPCW-SXJ : accessed 4 August 2015), Nicolaus Gorges, baptized 20 May 1845, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Batz; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[19] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NDZ1-MR7 : accessed 4 August 2015), Anna Maria Gorges, baptized 20 Jun 1848, father Johannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Bootz; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[20] Ibid., (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NPCW-WJ5 : accessed 4 August 2015), Helena Gorges, baptized 16 Jul 1851, father Joannis Gorges, mother Annae Mariae Botz; citing Sankt Martinus Katholisch, Fell, Rheinland, Prussia.
[21] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1793-1923 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Mompach > Mariages 1831-1890 Décès 1796-1814, 1799-1830, 1799-1880 > image 567 of 1480. 1868 Marriage Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12874-12362-9?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-L4B:1262051718 : accessed 02 Apr 2013).
[22] Longuich FB, p. 517 family nr. 2487. Gorges-Wagner family group.
[23] Luxembourg Civil Records, Mertert > Naissances 1852-1890 Mariages 1813-1890 Décès 1813-1859 > image 958 of 1491. 1868 Marriage Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12125-161445-39?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-N38:130080101,130192001 : accessed 25 April 2015).
[24] Josef Mergen, Die Amerika-Auswanderung aus dem Landkreis Trier (1855-1910), 1952, p. 96 entry 640 and 642
[25] Luxembourg Civil Records, Grevenmacher > Naissances 1884-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 > image 1188 of 1423. 1872 Marriage Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12152-6280-77?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-RM9:129629701,130248401 : accessed 7 August 2015).
[26] Longuich FB, p. 151 family nr. 662. Biedinger-Gorges family group.
[27] Luxembourg Civil Records, Mertert > Naissances 1913-1923 Mariages 1895-1923 Décès 1895-1912 > image 585 of 790. 1899 Death Record No. 23. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32063-11398-23?cc=1709358&wc=9RT1-W3F:130080101,130401601 : accessed 4 August 2015).
[28] Ibid., Grevenmacher > Décès 1895-1923 > image 269 of 562. 1907 Death Record No. 24. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32037-17352-82?cc=1709358&wc=9RTY-YW1:129629701,129623802 : accessed 7 August 2015).
[29] Ibid., Mompach > Décès 1913-1923 > image 5 of 80. 1913 Death Record No. 15.  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32045-3913-24?cc=1709358&wc=9RTB-G53:130097801,129622902 : accessed 27 Sep 2014).

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Johann GORGES
Parents: Johann Adam GORGES and Eva RODENS
Spouse(s): Anna Maria GRACH and Anna Maria BOTZ(*)
Parents of Spouse(*): Caspar BOTZ and Magdalena MASEN
Whereabouts: Fell, Longuich, Trier, Germany
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: husband’s 3rd-great-grandfather

1. Johann GORGES
2. Johann GORGES
3. Margaretha GORGES
4. Catharina “Catherine” “Ketty” “Ged” SCHWARTZ
5. Marcel Mathias MEDER
6. Cathy’s husband

© 2015, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

This is my weekly entry for Amy Johnson Crow’s challenge:
52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2015 Edition. It was so successful in 2014 that genealogists wanted to continue or join in on the fun in 2015. Be sure to check out the other great posts by visiting Amy’s blog No Story Too Small where she’ll be posting the weekly recap on Thurdays and allowing all participants to leave a link to their post(s) in the comments.