Tag: Bertrange

Hubert CORNELY and Margaretha EVEN of Wickrange, Luxembourg

When I wrote about my 4th great-grandparents Jean Baptiste MAJERUS and Catharina CORNELY of Strassen on 14 January 2018 I had information about Catharina’s parents Hubert CORNELY and Margaretha EVEN of Wickrange but I had not documented all of their children or looked into their parents.

Hubert CORNELY died on 29 August 1816 in Wickrange. Of his nine children, only his oldest son Jean and his two youngest daughters Catharina and Catherine have been researched. It is not known, at this time, if the six children born between 1782 and 1793 survived, married, or had lines which continue.

Re-reading the post, I realize there is still work to be done on the children of Jean Baptiste MAJERUS and Catharina CORNELY. I need to research the spouses and children of their children, i.e. descendancy research.  Source citations were omitted in the post and I will be adding them ASAP.

This is the beginning of a new series of posts on our children’s 6th great-grandparents. For those who were also my ancestors, I will be referring to them as my 5th great-grandparents. 

Hubert CORNELY (ca. 1753-1816)

Hubert CORNELY, my 5th great-grandfather, was born between 1753-1755 in Wickrange to Pierre CORNELY (1720-1793) and his wife Marie SCHINTGEN (1725-abt. 1790-1793). He was likely their first child or their first child to live to adulthood.* Wickrange belonged to the parish of Reckange-sur-Mess where baptismal records begin in 1756 only a couple of years after the estimated birth of Hubert CORNELY. His year of birth was estimated using the age at the time of death1 and his age when he witnessed the birth of a grandson.2

A marriage record for Hubert’s parents has not been found as marriages in the church records of Reckange-sur-Messe begin only in 1779. However, when Hubert married in 1779 he was named as the legitimate son of his parents. All four of his younger siblings born between 1758 and 1769 were baptized as legitimate children of Pierre CORNELY and Marie SCHINTGEN.

Sib 1: Michel CORNELY (1758-1828) was born in Wickrange and baptized on 16 May 1758 in the parish of Reckange-sur-Mess.3 He married Marguerite KIRCHOFF (1764-1830) on 23 March 1790 in Obercorn.4 They had at least seven children in Obercorn where Michel worked as a weaver (textoris). Four of these children married and lived in the commune of Differdange. Michel died in 18285 and Marguerite in 18306, both before the marriage of their youngest son in 1831.

View of the town of Weiler-la-Tour with the nuclear plant in Cattenom, France, in the background. The photo was taken by the sign of the town of Hassel.

Sib 2: Nicolas CORNELY (1760-1833) was born in Wickrange and baptized on 5 July 1760 in the parish of Reckange-sur-Mess.7 He married Catharina GROOS (1763-1843) on 11 May 1789 in Hollerich.8 They were the parents of nine children. Nicolas died 10 June 1833 in Hassel in the commune of Weiler-la-Tour.9 His wife Catharina died 15 November 1843 also in Hassel.10 Both deaths were reported by their son-in-law Peter SONTAG. A set of twins born in 1820 has been attributed to Nicolas and Catharina11 however the baptismal records12 show they were the natural children of the oldest daughter Susanna. Note: Children of an unmarried mother were referred to as natural children in church and civil records.

Sib 3: Maria CORNELY (1764-1826) was born in Wickrange and baptized on 16 December 1764 in the parish of Reckange-sur-Mess.13 She married Peter LORENTZ (1753-1802) on 4 April 1796 at St. Michael in Luxembourg City.14 Peter died 24 December 1802 in Huncherange15 leaving Maria with only one child. Maria died in Bettembourg on 24 January 1826.16

Sib 4: Catharina CORNELY (1769-1839) was born in Wickrange and baptized 2 January 1769 in the parish of Reckange-sur-Mess.17 She married Mathias KLEIN (1772-1838) on 17 October 1802 in Bettembourg.18 They were the parents of three known children, two of whom married and had children. Mathias died 31 August 183819 in Dudelange followed by Catharina on 13 October 183920 in the same place.

*All of his siblings left the area to marry and raise their families while Hubert, the oldest, remained in Wickrange as was the custom of the times, i.e. inheritance by the firstborn child. This custom would continue to be followed by Hubert’s children as will be seen in the section below for Hubert and Margaretha’s children.

Margaretha EVEN (1756-1839)

Margaretha EVEN, my 5th great-grandmother, was born as the middle child of Léonard EVEN (1711-1779) and Marie ÖHRY (1723-aft. 1779). Marie’s maiden name had many spellings in the records found including Ery, Ehry, Ihry, Öhry, and Yry. Anna is the child who has not been located in later records.Léonard married Marie on 9 October 1741 in Obercorn, Luxembourg.21 They were the parents of:

Sib 1: Andreas EVEN (1742-1804) was born on 17 September 1742 in Obercorn.22 He married Margaretha SCHEUER (1751-1823) before December 1774. Marriage records for the years 1771-1779 are missing in the Obercorn church registers. A son was born 31 December 1774.23 Andreas was the oldest child of Léonard and Marie and likely remained in the family home as was the practice of the time. Four of his children married. He died on 24 March 1804 in Obercorn.24 His widow Margaretha lived until 31 January 1823.25

Sib 2: Susanna EVEN (1746-1801) was born about 1746 in Obercorn. She married Peter WANDERSCHEID (1735-1796) on 17 January 1768 in Obercorn.26 A baptismal record was not found for Susanna and the marriage record confirms she was the legitimate daughter of Léonard EVEN and Marie IRY (or ÖHRY). Susanna and Pierre were the parents of seven children, six of whom are known to have married. Peter died on 28 August 1796 and was buried in Obercorn.27 Susanna died on 15 January 1801 in Differdange.28

Sib 3: Henricus EVEN (1749-?) was born on 17 April 1749 in Obercorn.29 Records of marriage and death have not been found.

Kackerterhof near Oetrange

Sib 4: Catherine EVEN (1751-1833) was born 23 May 1751 in Obercorn.30 She married Joannes ERPELDING (1748-183) in Oetrange on 4 March 1774.31 Catherine died on 13 December 1833 on Kackerterhof near Oetrange.32 Her husband predeceased her. It is not known at this time if they had children. The ERPELDING family of Kackerterhof is one of my husband’s lines.

The fifth child of Léonard and Mary was my 5th great-grandmother Margaretha EVEN, their middle child born 14 August 1756 in Obercorn.33

Sib 5: Anna Maria EVEN (1761-?) was born on 6 December 1761 in Obercorn.34 A record of marriage nor a death record were found.

Sib 6: Catharina EVEN (1764-?) was born on 24 May 1764 in Obercorn.35 She was the twin of Barbara. No record of death has been found for this child.

Sib 7: Barbara EVEN (1764-1766) was born on 24 May 1764 in Obercorn.36 She was the twin of Catharina. Barbara died on 10 June 1766 at the age of 2 years.37

Sib 8: Catharina EVEN (1766-1786) was born on Christmas day in 1766 in Obercorn.38 She died at the age of 19 years on 4 May 1786 in Obercorn.39

As can be seen above, only three of Margaretha’s siblings married. She was the last to marry on 23 March 1779. Her father Léonard EVEN died less than three weeks later on 14 April 1779.40 His wife Marie ÖHRY survived him and it is not known when she may have passed away.

Hubert & Margaretha marry in Reckange-sur-Mess

View of the church with surrounding buildings in Reckange-sur-Messe.

As no opposition was made when the marriage bans were proclaimed in the parishes of Obercorn and Reckange, a marriage took place between Hubert CORNELY of Wickrange and Margaretha EVEN of Obercorn on 23 March 1779 in Reckange-sur-Messe.41 Léonard, the father of the bride, was not present. He may not have been well enough to attend as he would die less than three weeks later. The mother of the bride as well as her oldest brother Andreas and her sister Anna Maria were present at the marriage and gave their consent. Hubert’s father Pierre and his mother Marie were also present and consented to the marriage.

1779 Religious Marriage Record of Hubert Cornely and Margaretha Even

The marriage record held a key which would open the door to the SCHINTGEN brick wall. This will be discussed in a separate post.

Hubert and Margaretha had nine children. Three died at a young age. Five married and continued the line. One child remains a mystery as only a record of birth was found.

Their first child, a son, was born on 17 June 1780 and was named Jean after his godfather, his uncle Joannes ERPELDING of Kackerterhof. His godmother was his grandmother Marie SCHINTGEN.42

Two years later Margaretha was born on 22 October 1782 and at her baptism, her uncle Michel CORNELY was her godfather. Her godmother was Margaretha NEISES whose relationship to the family is unknown.43

Less than two years later Anna CORNELY was born on 29 May 1784. Her godfather was Nicolas IHRY, a young man who was likely related through her maternal grandmother who was an ÖHRY.44

The two-year period between births continued and a daughter Barbara was born on 25 November 1786. Her name came from her godmother Barbara RODIUS; her godfather was her uncle Nicolas CORNELY.45

Peter was born on 10 March 178946 and survived less than a week dying on 23 March.47

A year later, Maria Francisca, the sixth child, was born on 24 March 1790. Her godparents were Maria Francisca THEISEN and Nicolaus ODIL, a young single man.48

The children’s paternal grandmother Marie SCHINTGEN died between 23 March 1790 and 27 March 1793. As no death record has been found, it is not known if she was still living when her granddaughter Maria Francisca passed away on 1 June 1792 at the age of two years.49 Note: The death of Marie SCHINTGEN has been estimated using the marriage record of her son Michel in which she was mentioned and the death record of her husband in which he was seen as a widower.

The seventh child of Hubert and Margaretha was born 15 March 1793. Maria’s godparents were Nicolas EVEN, likely the son of her maternal uncle Andreas EVEN, and her paternal aunt Maria CORNELY.50

The children’s paternal grandfather, a widower, Pierre CORNELY died on 27 March 1793.51 Less than a week later his granddaughter Maria died on 2 April 1793 at the age of two and a half weeks.52

My 4th great-grandmother Catharina CORNELY was born on 24 April 1794.53 She was the 8th child but at the time of her birth, only three children of Hubert and Margaretha were known to still be living (assuming Anna died young). Catharina’s godparents were Christophorus GEHLEN and her paternal aunt Catharina CORNELY.

The youngest and ninth child was born on 20 October 1797 and also given the name Catharina. She was the first and only child of Hubert and Margaretha to have a civil birth record which was witnesses by Petrus LORENTZ and Catharina GOEFLINGER.54

The five CORNELY children continued to live in Wickrange where their father was a linen weaver. But soon they would be leaving the family home and marrying in other parts.

The Children of Hubert and Margaretha Marry

Their oldest daughter Margaretha married Peter MONNER (1779-1866) on 15 June 1805 in Sandweiler.55 They lived in Pulvermühle, a neighborhood between Luxembourg City and Sandweiler, where they raised nine children, eight of whom married. A daughter Catharine born in 1807 did not die on 17 May 1808 as seen in trees on Ancestry. The death record is for a woman named Catharine MAMER age 43 years. This daughter has not been found marrying in Luxembourg and a death record has yet to be located. The second son of this family went to America in 1852 and descendants of this line have shown up as DNA matches to the test I manage.

Jean CORNELY, the oldest son of Hubert and Margaretha, married Catharina HELLESCH (1777-1862) on 3 February 1807 in Reckange.56 They made their home in Wickrange, likely with his parents as he was the oldest. They were the parents of five children, three of whom died at a young age. A son Jacques never married. Their youngest child, daughter Margaretha married and was the only child to give them grandchildren.

Water tower of the commune of Bertrange

Barbara married Michel THINNES (1780-1852) on 13 January 1809 in Leudelange.57 They lived in Bertrange and were the parents of eight children. Their two youngest died at an early age. Their oldest son died at the age of 21. Four of their children married and had children. A son Theodore has not been traced.

Hubert CORNELY died at 7 in the morning on 29 August 1816 in Wickrange. His death was reported by his oldest child Jean.58 At home, he left a widow, Margaretha, and two unmarried daughters, both named Catharine.

The elder Catharina CORNELY married Jean Baptiste MAJERUS (1797-1868) on 25 April 1817 in Strassen.59 They were my 4th great-grandparents and their full story can be read here: 52 Ancestors: #46 Jean Baptiste Majerus and Catharina Cornely of Strassen. They were the parents of 11 children; one died at the age of two months and one has not been traced. Nine children married and had children. One son had a daughter who married in Bruxelles in 1881, moved to Switzerland before 1886 and then to England where the line remained. Another daughter of the same son emigrated to America after 1890 and settled in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Descendants of these two lines have shown up as DNA matches to the test I manage.

The younger Catherine CORNELY (I use a different spelling to keep them apart) married Jean KREMER (1796-1876) on 6 June 1824 in Bertrange.60 They were the parents of eight children of whom only two lived to adulthood. Neither married. The daughter died at the age of 53 years and the son, their first child, died at the age of 80 in 1905.

Margaretha EVEN, the widow of Hubert CORNELY, outlived him by 23 years dying on 14 September 1839 in Wickrange at the age of 83. She died at 8 in the evening at the home of her son Jean who reported the death.61 She lived to see all her children married.

Following the death of their mother Margaretha, the children continued to live their lives in Reckange, Bertrange, Pulvermühle, and Strassen.

The oldest of the siblings, Jean died on 19 January 1858 at the age of 77.62 Two years later the two oldest girls died, Barbara (73) on 24 June 186063 and Margaretha (77) on 11 August 1860.64

A little over a decade later, my ancestress, the elder Catharina CORNELY died on 10 June 1871 in Strassen at the age of 77.65 Her youngest sister, the younger Catherine died on 3 December 1874 in Bertrange, also at the age of 77 years.66

I found it amazing that four of the five children of Hubert CORNELY and Margaretha EVEN who lived to adulthood died at the age of 77.

While researching this family group I didn’t stop at the parents and children of Hubert and Margaretha. I pushed forward following the lines of descendants who show up in the match list of the DNA test I manage as well as backward for any leads to take the family tree back another generation or two. As mentioned above, I will be writing a post about the key I discovered in Hubert and Margaretha’s marriage record. Another post will correct a misidentification the American descendants of Hubert and Margaretha’s daughter Margaretha CORNELY who married Peter MONNER have in their family trees.

P.S. I haven’t included any images of the documents found other than the 1779 marriage record. If you are interested in the documentation, the links are posted in the long list of citations below. If you aren’t interested, keep scrolling down to like or comment on this post. Thank you.

© 2019, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

  1. Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), <i>FamilySearch</i> (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Reckange-lès-Mersch-sur-Mess > Naissances 1867-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1883 > image 913 of 1497. 1816 Death Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12156-31738-32?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 December 2015). ↩
  2. Ibid., Reckange-lès-Mersch > Naissances 1796-1866 > image 122 of 828. 1807 Birth Record (right, lower). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6LVZ-W5F?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-VZS%3A130232001%2C130238801 : accessed 21 April 2019). ↩
  3. Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), <i>FamilySearch</i> (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes 1756-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages, sépultures 1779-1797 > image 5 of 135. 1758 Baptismal Record (left page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-M61H?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y4S%3A1500994201%2C1501112274 : accessed 18 April 2019). ↩
  4. Ibid., Obercorn > Baptêmes 1779-1793, 1797, mariages 1790-1793, 1796-1797, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 298 of 407. 1790 Marriage Record (bottom left, top right). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WS-9HLX?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-4W1%3A1500974001%2C1500974002 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  5. Luxembourg Civil Records, Differdange > Décès 1813-1858 > image 193 of 591. 1828 Death Record No. 13. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X1Y-QK?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-GP6%3A129627401%2C129627402 : accessed 28 April 2019). ↩
  6. Ibid., Differdange > Décès 1813-1858 > image 217 of 591. 1830 Death Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X1P-Q5?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-GP6%3A129627401%2C129627402 : accessed 28 April 2019). ↩
  7. Luxembourg Church Records, Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes 1756-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages, sépultures 1779-1797 > image 7 of 135. 1760 Baptismal Record (right page, 4th entry from bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-M6Q4?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y4S%3A1500994201%2C1501112274 : accessed 18 April 2019). ↩
  8. Ibid., Hollerich > Baptêmes, mariages, décès 1785-1796 > image 142 of 203. 1789 Marriage Record (left page, first entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-9KHB?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-C6X%3A1500934001%2C1501009736 : accessed 18 April 2019). ↩
  9. Luxembourg Civil Records, Weiler-la-Tour > Décès 1796-1890 > image 221 of 632. 1833 Death Record No. 8. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-XC93-N6L?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-YWP%3A130558901%2C129627102 : accessed 27 April 2019). ↩
  10. Ibid., Weiler-la-Tour > Décès 1796-1890 > image 290 of 632. 1843 Death Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-XC93-89N?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-YWP%3A130558901%2C129627102 : accessed 27 April 2019). ↩
  11. Dr. Prosper Kasyer and Pfarrer Hubert Job, Familienchronik der Einwohner der Gemeinde Weiler-zum-Turm: Hassel, Syren, und Weiler-Turm ca1750-1930, published 2013 by the author; pages 30-31, family #232, Cornely Nicolas and Groos Catharina, children #11 and #12. ↩
  12. Diözesanarchiv Luxemburg / Archives diocésaines Luxembourg (images), Matricula Online, Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (original records in the Luxembourg Diocesan Archives, Luxembourg City), Microfilm/-fiche GV.MF 526 – 627, Weiler-zum-Turm, KB-03-11, Heiraten – Sterbefälle – Taufen – 1809 – 182, page 57, image 110, right, last entry. 820 Baptismal Record for Elisabetha Cornely. (http://data.matricula-online.eu/de/LU/luxemburg/weiler-zum-turm/KB-03-11/?pg=110 : accessed 28 April 2019) and page 58, image 111, left page, first entry. 1820 Baptismal Record for Catharina Cornely. (http://data.matricula-online.eu/de/LU/luxemburg/weiler-zum-turm/KB-03-11/?pg=111 : accessed 28 April 2019). ↩
  13. Luxembourg Parish Records, Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes 1756-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages, sépultures 1779-1797 > image 10 of 135. 1764 Baptismal Record (left, 5th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-M6TG?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y4S%3A1500994201%2C1501112274 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  14. Ibid., Luxembourg, Saint Michel > Mariages 1764-1796 > image 302 of 305. 1796 Marriage Record (right, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-9LQJ?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-3YZ%3A1500891707%2C1500962420 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  15. Luxembourg Civil Records, Bettembourg > Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1885 > image 670 of 1479. 1802 Death Record (3 nivôse an XI) (left, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6X59-BL?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-K68%3A129623601%2C129637201 : accessed 28 April 2019). ↩
  16. Ibid., Bettembourg > Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1885 > image 841 of 1479. 1826 Death Record No. 2. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6XPW-3V1?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-K68%3A129623601%2C129637201 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  17. Luxembourg Church Records, Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes 1756-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages, sépultures 1779-1797 > image 13 of 135. 1769 Baptismal Record (right page, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-M624?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y4S%3A1500994201%2C1501112274 : 9 January 2015),. ↩
  18. Luxembourg Civil Records, Bettembourg > Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1885 > image 26 of 1479. 1802 Marriage Recor (right page). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6XPW-9YY?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-K68%3A129623601%2C129637201 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  19. Ibid., Dudelange > Naissances 1888-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1840 > image 1451 of 1477. 1838 Death Record No. 37. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DWY9-MFL?cc=1709358&wc=9RT1-K68%3A129625901%2C130271901 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  20. Ibid., Dudelange > Naissances 1888-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1840 > image 1462 of 1477. 1839 Death Record No. 24. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DWY9-MPN?cc=1709358&wc=9RT1-K68%3A129625901%2C130271901 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  21. Luxembourg Church Records, Obercorn > Mariages 1727-1770, sépultures 1727-1737, 1740-1778 > image 64 of 96. 1741 Marriage Record (right page, 8th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-9Y5?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-44M%3A1500974001%2C1501083590 : accessed 19April 2019). ↩
  22. Ibid., Obercorn > Baptêmes 1728-1778 > image 23 of 103. 1742 Baptismal Record (left page, 7th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-9ZVL?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-HZW%3A1500974001%2C1501099482 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  23. Ibid., Obercorn > Baptêmes 1728-1778 > image 86 of 103. 1775 Baptismal Record (right page, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-9Z2Z?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-HZW%3A1500974001%2C1501099482 : 9 January 2015). ↩
  24. Luxembourg Civil Records, Differdange > Naissances 1796-1806 > image 103 of 166. 1804 (3 germinal an XII) Death Record (right, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6LVQ-8NQ?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-JWG%3A129627401%2C130102702 : accessed 28 April 2019). ↩
  25. Ibid., Differdange > Décès 1813-1858 > image 132 of 591. 1823 Death Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X19-S53?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-GP6%3A129627401%2C129627402 : accessed 28 April 2019). ↩
  26. Luxembourg Church Records, Obercorn > Mariages 1727-1770, sépultures 1727-1737, 1740-1778 > image 86 of 96. 1768 Marriage Record (bottom left, top right). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WS-9K6?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-44M%3A1500974001%2C1501083590 : accessed 20 April 2019). ↩
  27. Ibid., Obercorn > Baptêmes 1704-1727, 1746, 1794-1797, 1800-1805, mariages 1795-1797, 1800-1807, sépultures 1794-1797, 1802-1807 > image 266 of 296. 1796 Death Record (left, first entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-99JH?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-N3T%3A1500974001%2C1500974302 : accessed 28 April 2019). ↩
  28. Luxembourg Civil Records, Differdange > Naissances 1881-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1812 > image 1392 of 1487. 1801 Death Record (25 nivôse an IX), right page, bottom. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6PW9-RJ2?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-JWL%3A129627401%2C130296101 : accessed 20 April 2019). ↩
  29. Luxembourg Church Records, Obercorn > Baptêmes 1728-1778 > image 33 of 103. 1749 Baptismal Record (left page, 6th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-9ZXH?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-HZW%3A1500974001%2C1501099482 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  30. Luxembourg Church Records, Obercorn > Baptêmes 1728-1778 > image 35 of 103. 1751 Baptismal Record right page, 8th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WS-9Z4P?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-HZW%3A1500974001%2C1501099482 : accessed 19 April 2019). ↩
  31. Ibid., Oetrange > Tables des mariages 1718-1755, 1761-1763, 1767-1792 (organisée par l’épouse) > image 22 of 122. 1774 Marriage Index Card. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-92KT?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-L2W%3A1500972093%2C1501259064 : accessed 30 August 2017). ↩
  32.   Luxembourg Civil Records, Contern > Décès 1822-1890 > image 78 of 568. 1833 Death Record No. 18. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRWS-8JR?cc=1709358&wc=9RYM-JWL%3A129626701%2C129626702 : accessed 30 August 2017). ↩
  33. Luxembourg Church Records, Obercorn > Baptêmes 1728-1778 > image 44 of 103. 1756 Baptismal Record (right page, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-9ZGG?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-HZW%3A1500974001%2C1501099482 : accessed 20 April 2019). ↩
  34. Ibid., Obercorn > Baptêmes 1728-1778 > image 54 of 103. 1761 Baptismal Record (right page, 2nd entry from bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-9ZX7?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-HZW%3A1500974001%2C1501099482 : accessed 20 April 2019). ↩
  35. Ibid., Obercorn > Baptêmes 1728-1778 > image 61 of 103. 1764 Baptismal Record of twins (left page, 2nd entry from bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-9ZZJ?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-HZW%3A1500974001%2C1501099482 : accessed 20 April 2019). ↩
  36. Ibid., Obercorn > Baptêmes 1728-1778 > image 61 of 103. 1764 Baptismal Record of twins (left page, 2nd entry from bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-9ZZJ?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-HZW%3A1500974001%2C1501099482 : accessed 20 April 2019). ↩
  37. Ibid., Obercorn > Mariages 1727-1770, sépultures 1727-1737, 1740-1778 > image 29 of 96. 1766 Death Record (left page, 3rd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WS-9BV?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-44M%3A1500974001%2C1501083590 : accessed 1 May 2019). ↩
  38. Ibid., Obercorn > Baptêmes 1728-1778 > image 64 of 103. 1766 Baptismal Record (right page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-9CKY?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-HZW%3A1500974001%2C1501099482 : accessed 20 April 2019). ↩
  39.  Armand Logelin-Simon, Registres Paroissiaux Oberkorn, Tables par Familles 1637-1804, a handwritten compilation by the author of the families found in the church records of Obercorn, Luxembourg, scanned and made available as a free pdf to members of Luxracines on https://www.luxracines.lu/site/en/biblioonline, page 49 family 22 Ewen, Leonard. ↩
  40. Luxembourg Church Records, Obercorn > Baptêmes, sépultures 1779-1786 > image 118 of 119. 1779 Death Record (right page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-9CST?cc=2037955&wc=STHX-7MQ%3A1500974001%2C1501107388 : accessed 20 April 2019). ↩
  41. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 11 of 205. 1779 Marriage Record (lower, left). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-M6TL?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y47%3A1500994201%2C1500913302 : accessed 8 January 2018). ↩
  42.   Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 17 of 205. 1780 Baptismal Record (left, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-MXVB?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y47%3A1500994201%2C1500913302 : accessed 8 January 2018). ↩
  43. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 49 of 205. 1782 Baptismal Record (right, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-MXDX?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y47%3A1500994201%2C1500913302 : accessed 8 January 2018). ↩
  44. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 78 of 205. 1784 Baptismal Record (left, bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-MXQ4?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y47%3A1500994201%2C1500913302 : accessed 8 January 2018). ↩
  45. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 106 of 205. 1786 Baptismal Record (left, bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-MX6M?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y47%3A1500994201%2C1500913302 : accessed 8 January 2018). ↩
  46. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 141 of 205. 1789 Baptismal Record (right, bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-M654?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y47%3A1500994201%2C1500913302 : accessed 9 January 2018). ↩
  47. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes 1756-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages, sépultures 1779-1797 > image 122 of 135. 1789 Death Record (left page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-MX44?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y4S%3A1500994201%2C1501112274 : accessed 21 April 2019). ↩
  48. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 152 of 205. 1790 Baptismal Record (lower left, upper right). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-MX8V?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y47%3A1500994201%2C1500913302 : accessed 9 January 2018). ↩
  49. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes 1756-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages, sépultures 1779-1797 > image 122 of 135. 1792 Death Record (left page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-MX44?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y4S%3A1500994201%2C1501112274 : accessed 18 April 2019). ↩
  50. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 194 of 205. 1793 Baptismal Record (left, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-M6PC?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y47%3A1500994201%2C1500913302 : accessed 9 January 2018). ↩
  51. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes 1756-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages, sépultures 1779-1797 > image 122 of 135. 1793 Death Record (left page, 4th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-MX44?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y4S%3A1500994201%2C1501112274 : accessed 18 April 2019). ↩
  52. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes 1756-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages, sépultures 1779-1797 > image 122 of 135. 1793 Death Record (right page, 3rd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-MX44?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y4S%3A1500994201%2C1501112274 : accessed 18 April 2019). ↩
  53. Ibid., Reckange-sur-Mess > Baptêmes 1756-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages, sépultures 1779-1797 > image 74 of 135. 1794 Baptismal Record (right, 3rd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-MDTM?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-Y4S%3A1500994201%2C1501112274 : accessed 7 January 2018). ↩
  54. Luxembourg Civil Records, Reckange-lès-Mersch > Naissances 1796-1866 > image 11+12 of 828. 1797 Birth Record part 1+2, lower right and upper left (20 October an VI).
    (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6LK9-XS?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-VZS%3A130232001%2C130238801 : accessed 9 January 2018). ↩
  55. Ibid., Sandweiler > Naissances 1797-1864 > image 75+76 of 932. 1805 Marriage Record (26 Prairial an XIII). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-61JN-R6?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-C68%3A130336601%2C130448701 : accessed 17 April 2019). ↩
  56. Ibid., Reckange-lès-Mersch-sur-Mess > Naissances 1867-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1883 > image 278 of 1497. 1807 Marriage Record (left page). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6FW9-QKX?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-PTL%3A130234801%2C130234802 : 17 July 2014). ↩
  57. Ibid., Leudelange > Mariages 1802-1823 > image 61+62 of 193. 1809 Marriage Record (two pages). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DYZ3-Q39?cc=1709358&wc=9RY9-YW5%3A130016701%2C130087201 : accessed 16 April 2019). ↩
  58. Ibid., Reckange-lès-Mersch-sur-Mess > Naissances 1867-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1883 > image 913 of 1497. 1816 Death Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12156-31738-32?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 December 2015). ↩
  59.   Ibid., Strassen > Naissances, mariages 1796-1823, 1850-1890 > image 1000 of 1464. 1817 Marriage No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12588-58675-14?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 December 2015). ↩
  60. Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 1446 of 1480. 1824 Marriage Record No. 8. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-107213-91?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 December 2015). ↩
  61. Ibid., Reckange-lès-Mersch-sur-Mess > Naissances 1867-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1883 > image 1107 of 1497. 1839 Death Record No. 19. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12156-33353-69?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 December 2015). ↩
  62. Ibid., Reckange-lès-Mersch-sur-Mess > Naissances 1867-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1883 > image 1301 of 1497. 1858 Death Record No. 2. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6FW9-7CC?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-PTL%3A130234801%2C130234802 : accessed 10 January 2018). ↩
  63. Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1118 of 1416. 1860 Death Record No. 14. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X89-BWK?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 16 April 2019). ↩
  64. Ibid., Sandweiler > Décès 1833-1890 > image 291 of 604. 1860 Death Record No. 19. ( (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRKS-S3G?cc=1709358&wc=9RY9-929%3A130336601%2C130345701 : accessed 17 April 2019). ↩
  65. Ibid., Strassen > Décès 1850-1890 > image 224 of 446. 1871 Death Record No. 30. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11741-2453-64?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
  66. Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1252 of 1416. 1874 Death Record No. 27. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-3G1?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 3 May 2019). ↩

Update on the Still Not Quite Done Schmit-Weicker Family of Bertrange

The rewards of blogging are awesome, astounding, astonishing, amazing… those are only the A’s and I could go on and on.

The Missing Marriage Record of the
SCHMIT-WEICKER Couple

Yesterday, less than an hour after I posted the link to 52 Ancestors: #31 The Still Not Quite Done Schmit-Weicker Family of Bertrange on Facebook, my friend Linda* wrote this comment:

I found a marriage that could match in Clemency, 28/08/1810, but I can’t access Family Search, it’s probably too busy. You could check yourself later.

I didn’t wait until later and was able to pull up the record she believed was the marriage of Peter SCHMIT and Margaretha WEICKER.

1810 Marriage Record No. 2 (left page, bottom entry)[1]
In 1810 on the 28th of August at 8 in the morning Pierre SCHMITT age 31 born in Bertrange the 3 April 1779, a domestic living in the commune of Fingig, the of age son of Pierre SCHMITT and Rose CLEMMENT, a married couple living in the commune of Bertrange…. and a young woman Anne Margaretha WEICKER age 25 born in Hagen the 7 September 1785, a servant living in the same commune of Fingig, the of age daughter of Nicolas WEICKER and Anne Margaretha HARTMANN, a married couple living in the commune of Hagen… all were present and consenting to the marriage for which banns had been read before the entrance of the Clemency civil office.

1810 Marriage Record No. 2 (right page, top entry)[1]
The paperwork of the bride and groom was presented according to the legal requirements of the time. The bride and groom were declared husband and wife after affirming this was their choice. Four witnesses were present and signed along with the civil officer, the mayor of Clemency. The bride and groom declared not being able to write. The fathers of the bride and groom signed first as seen above.

Five and a half months later, Peter and Margaretha became the parents of their first child Magdalena, my children’s 4th great-grandmother.

One Record Leads to the Next

The marriage record led to the 1785 baptismal record of Anna WEICKERS [sic, Margaretha was not included on this record], daughter of Nicolai WEICKERS and Anna Margaretha HARTMAN.[2] Why didn’t I notice abt. 1795 could not have been her year of birth? She would have been only 16 when her first child was born.

With the names of the parents, I was able to add three generations to the WEICKER line. I had suspected Nicolas WEICKER and Anne Margarethe HARTMANN were the bride’s parents because….

The godmother of Peter SCHMIT and Margaretha WEICKER’s first child Magdalena was Magdalena KÜNSCH from Hohen (or Hagen) in the parish of Sterpenich. Anna Margaretha HARTMANN was the widow of Peter KÜNSCH when she married Nicolas WEICKER. Was Magdalena KÜNSCH an older half-sister of Margaretha WEICKER? Further research may tell.

With the names of three new couples in the family tree, I will be busy finding the records to document them and may even be able to add more ancestral names.

Special thanks to my friend Linda for taking the time to read my posts, give me advice, and for telling me where to find the marriage record of Peter SCHMIT and Anne Margaretha WEICKER. *Linda has helped me out several times already. A Latin Rule You May Not Have Known was the result of one of her tips.

Happy Family History Month to all. Wishing you lots of keys to open the doors in your brick walls.

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Clemency > Naissances, mariages, décès 1804-1805 Naissances 1805-1890 Mariages 1796-1885 > image 1034 of 1491. 1810 Marriage Record (bottom left, top right). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-XHPS-511?cc=1709358&wc=9RYD-SP8%3A129628001%2C129815201 : accessed 30 September 2017).
[2] Belgique, Luxembourg, Registres paroissiaux, (images), FamilySearch (original records at België Nationaal Archief, Brussels / Belgium National Archives, Brussels), Paroisse de Sterpenich (Luxembourg) now part of Autelbas, Luxembourg, Belgium > Baptêmes, mariages, sepultures 1779-1793 > Film/DGS 1658890 > Film # 008126375 > Item 8 > image 1106 of 1430. 1785 Baptismal Record (left page, last entry > right page, first entry). (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSVK-Y8VF-9?i=1105&cat=203740 : accessed 1 October 2017).

© 2017, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

52 Ancestors: #31 The Still Not Quite Done Schmit-Weicker Family of Bertrange

Peter SCHMITT’s Parents

In 1756 two children were born in Bertrange, in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, one on September 20th[1] and the other on October 2nd.[2] Their baptismal records are on the same page in the parish register, the second right below the first. The twelve days between no children were born in Bertrange.

1756 Baptismal Record No. 242 for Petrus Schmid[1] and No. 243 for Rosa Clemens[2]
A little over twenty years later, on 10 February 1777, the two children were once again seen in the parish register, this time getting married – to each other.[3]

1777 Marriage Record No. 318 for Petrus Schmid and Rosa Clemens.[3]
Peter SCHMIT (1756-1816) and Rosa CLEMENS (1756-1815), the children who were baptized in 1756 and the couple who married in 1777, had ten children born between 1778 and 1799. Their second son Peter SCHMIT, my children’s 5th great-grandfather, was born and baptized on 3 April 1779 in Bertrange.[4] His godparents were Petrus KREMER and Catharina SCHMIT. His father was present and signed the record in longhand.

1779 Baptismal Record of Petrus Schmit with father’s signature [pater].[4]
Peter SCHMIT married Margaretha WEICKER before 1811. Their marriage took place before their first child was born however a marriage record has not been found. The couple was always referred to as legally married when their children were born. The marriage record was not found in Bertrange parish records from 1802-1811 or in the tables décennales (10-year lists) for the years 1802-1812 for Bertrange and Steinfort. Records were usually very well kept and I believe one day Peter and Margaretha’s marriage will turn up. Perhaps sooner than later as my genealogy society Luxracines has dedicated members working on a marriage project –  indexing all marriages in Luxembourg from 1802 to 1923.

Why is Margaretha WEICKER’s Parentage Unknown?

Margaretha, my children’s 5th great-grandmother, was born about 1795 in Hoën (Hagen), Sterpenich, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The year of birth was estimated from her age at the time of death.[5] Records for Hagen, a village in the Steinfort area, are not in the FamilySearch collection for Luxembourg for this period.

The Grand Duchy was under a double administration for about eight years before the Treaty of London was passed in 1839 when the present borders of Luxembourg were defined. Repatriation of the records (return to the country of origin) was not simple. Records for Steinfort for the period before the borders were changed can be found in Autelbas in the Province of Luxembourg in Belgium. Civil records beginning in 1796 for Autelbas are online at FamilySearch.

As Margaretha’s birth may have been earlier I checked the parish records for Sterpenich in the FamilySearch catalog. The parish records of Sterpenich for the years 1779-1793 are conformed copies made from the originals by the Luxembourg authorities and given to the Belgium government in December 1844 per the convention of Utrecht signed in 1843, i.e. repatriation. I have no idea where the records for the years 1794-1795 may be found and am at a standstill on my research for Margaretha, her birth, and parentage.

Not only are the records missing, Margaretha’s name has been found with several variations. Her family name was spelled WEIKER or WEICKER and also seen as WIKERT. Her first name was Margaretha in early documents and Anne Marguerite in later years. These are all things which need to be considered when future research is done on her parentage.

Peter and Margaretha’s Children

Peter and Margaretha were the parents of seven children. Two died before their 2nd birthdays while the five others grew to adulthood, married, and had their own children. These are the SCHMIT children:

Magdalena SCHMIT was born on 10 February 1811 in domo Donnen in Bertrange.[6] She was baptized the same day.[7] Her godfather was Joannes SCHMIDT from Bertrange and her godmother was Magdalena KÜNSCH from Hohen (or Hagen) in the parish of Sterpenich. Was her godmother her grandmother, an aunt, or cousin? This may be a clue to solving the question of her mother’s parentage.

1811 Baptismal Record for Magdalena Schmit[7]
Rosa SCHMIT was born on 7 Feb 1815 in domo Bour in Bertrange[8] and baptized the same day.[9] Her godmother was her paternal grandmother Rosa CLEMENS. Her godfather was Nicolaus WEICKER of Hohen. Could he have been her maternal grandfather or an uncle?

Rosa’s godmother and paternal grandmother Rosa CLEMENS died only a few months later on 22 May 1815. Her paternal grandfather Peter SCHMIT died on 11 February 1816.

1815 Baptismal Record of Rosa Schmit[9]
Rosa died two weeks later on 26 February 1816 in domo Donnen in Bertrange shortly after her first birthday.[10] She was buried the following day. Her religious death and burial record has her mother’s name as Anna Margaretha Hinnicker instead of Weicker.[11]

1816 Death and Burial Record of Rosa Schmit[11]
Nicolas SCHMIT was born at seven in the morning on 8 April 1817 in Bertrange. His father reported the birth two hours later.[12] As baptismal records for Bertrange are only available online up to 1816 the godparents of Nicolas and his younger siblings were not found as they were for Magdalena and Rosa.

Michel SCHMIT was born at two in the morning on 10 February 1819 in Bertrange. His father reported the birth eight hours later.[13]

Following their youngest child Michel’s first birthday, Peter and Margaretha lost their second child, son Nicolas. He died on 21 February 1820 in Bertrange at the age of nearly three years.[14]

Jean SCHMIT* was born at three in the afternoon on 12 July 1820. His father reported the birth two days later at eight in the morning on the 14th.[40] This child’s birth record was only found after this post was ready to be published. While reading through the final draft I realized something was wrong and checked again on SCHMIT children born in Bertrange.

Maria Catharina SCHMIT was born at two in the morning on 25 February 1822 in Bertrange. Her father reported the birth the same day at nine in the morning.[15]

Jean SCHMIT was born at 9:30 in the morning on 3 September 1825 in Bertrange. His father reported the birth the same day at eleven in the morning.[16] As was the case with all of his children’s births, Peter declared not being able to write. I found this strange, his being the second born of a father who was able to write as seen above at the time of his own baptism in 1779.[4]

Margaretha WEICKER’s Death in 1826

The mother of the five living children, Margaretha WEICKER, died on 17 January 1826 in Bartringen. She was 31 years old at the time of her death.[5] Her youngest child was only four months old and her oldest would shortly be turning fifteen. Her name on the record was Anne Marguerithe WEICKER. The addition of Anne to her name was also seen on the birth records of her two youngest children.

Widowed Peter Remarries

Following the death of his wife, Peter waited two years before taking a second wife. This seems unusual as he had been left with five children, one still a baby. Magdalena, his oldest child, likely took on the responsibilities of a little mother, helping care for her younger siblings.

Peter married Anne Marie SCHOLER, daughter of Jean SCHOLER and Susanne BOURENS, on 22 March 1828 in Bertrange.[17] Anne Marie was born on 4 June 1792 in Obersyren (Schuttrange).

Peter and his second wife Anne Marie had only one child, a daughter, Madelaine born four years into the marriage on 16 July 1832 in Bertrange.[18] Her half-siblings were by this time 7, 10, 12, 13, and 21 years old. She did not, however, grow up without a playmate.

Peter’s oldest daughter Magdalena gave birth to a natural daughter on 7 November 1835.[19] Anne’s father’s name was not on the birth record. Natural was the term used for children born out of wedlock. Anne appears to have been raised in her maternal grandfather’s household as she was listed with Peter and Anne Marie on the 1843[20] and 1846 census.[21]

Changing Relationships

Peter’s second wife Anne Marie had a sister Margaretha SCHOLER (1802-1842) who was married to Jacob RUCKERT (1787-1856). Margaretha gave Jacob eight children, six of whom were living when she died after giving birth to the last on 20 March 1842.[22]. Peter’s brother-in-law Jacob became his son-in-law eight months later.

Peter and Margaretha’s oldest daughter Magdalena married Jacob RUCKERT, son of Johann RUCKERT and Angelique MICHELS, on 26 November 1842 in Bartringen.[23] Jacob was born on 23 July 1787 in domo Michels in Bertrange and baptized the same day.[24] The marriage would last fourteen years ending with Jacob’s death on 24 June 1856 in Bertrange.[25] Magdalena and Jacob were my children’s 4th great-grandparents. This is their story: 52 Ancestors: #41 How Jacob RUCKERT’s Brother-in-law Peter SCHMIT Became his Father-in-law.

Peter SCHMIT’s Death in 1847

At eleven in the morning of 27 March 1847 Peter SCHMIT age 22 reported the death of his father Peter SCHMIT who had died only two hours earlier at his home in the neighborhood called Eichels in Bertrange.[26]

1847 Death Record No. 15 for Peter Schmit[26]
I have a small problem with this death record as Peter did not have a son named Peter. Both of Peter’s wives are correctly named on the death record. Is the signature of the informant that of Jean SCHMIT the youngest son who was 22 years old at the time? The younger Jean was the only child to remain in his father’s household in 1843 and 1846 and was seen with his step-mother in 1847. Due to the fact that I found another son named Jean born in 1820, I believe the younger son may have been known as Johann Peter (Jean Pierre) to distinguish him from his older brother Jean.

Widow Anne SCHOLER last seen in 1847 census

1847 Luxembourg Census. Household of Anne Scholer, widow of Peter Schmit, with her step-children and daughter.[27]
In the 1847 census, Peter’s widow Anne SCHOLER was the head of household with her stepsons Michel, Jean (26), Jean (22) and stepdaughter Maria Catharina (children from Peter’s first marriage) and her only child, daughter Madelaine from her marriage to Peter.[27] This entry in the census led me to search once again for children of Peter and Margaretha but only after I had finished the research and written this post.

Michel, the elder Jean, and Maria Catharina were not in their father’s household in 1843 or 1846. This was not unusual as they were of an age to be working outside of the home. I had wrongly assumed the elder Jean found in the 1847 census was an error or relative other than child.

Peter’s widow Anne Marie SCHOLER and their daughter Madelaine have not found after the 1847 census.

The SCHMIT children lived in the three districts of Luxembourg

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is divided into three districts: Luxembourg, Diekirch, and Grevenmacher (dark gray areas in the maps below). Each district is divided into cantons (red areas in the maps below) and each canton is divided into communes. Several towns and villages may be part of a commune.

The District of Luxembourg
The darker gray area is the District of Luxembourg

Peter SCHMIT and Margaretha WEICKER’s children grew up in the town of Bertrange. Peter had deep roots in the town as his parents and grandparents all came from the town.

Their oldest daughter Magdalena SCHMIT raised her family in Bertrange. She was likely the first of the siblings to pass away.* She died on 30 September 1870 in Bertrange.[28] Other than her natural daughter Anne, she had a son and three daughters with Jacob RUCKERT. The son has not been found after he turned 21 in 1864. One daughter died as an infant. The youngest daughter had a natural son (1867-1868) and it is not known if she ever married or where she lived after her mother’s death. The older daughter Margaretha, my children’s 3rd great-grandmother, married but there is still the mystery of what happened to her and of her family after 1895. It is only through the marriage of her daughter Maria MERTES in 1894 and the census of 1895 that I know that Margaretha and her husband Michel MERTES were still living in 1895.

Peter and Margaretha’s youngest son Jean SCHMIT (b. 1825) also spent his married life in Bertrange. But before this, he was living and working in other places. One residence was Mondercange where he was in May 1852 when his brother Michel married. He was one of the four witnesses and signed “Jang Schmit.” Six years later he was living and working in Noertzange (Bettembourg) when he made plans to marry. Jean married Maria RISCHARD on 20 January 1858 in Schuttrange.[29] Maria was born on 16 March 1827 in Uebersyren (Schuttrange), the same place Jean’s step-mother was born.[30] They lived in Bertrange their entire married life. They were the parents of 6 children, three of whom died at a young age. Of the three living children, a daughter married and had children. The two sons were working in Lothringen (France) in the late 1890s – they have not been traced.

Jean SCHMIT died on 28 November 1892 in Bertrange.[31] His death record has the right wife but the wrong parents. The information was given by his son-in-law Mathias HANSEN. Jean’s wife died six years later on 30 April 1898 in Bertrange.[32]

The District of Diekirch

The second daughter of Peter and Margaretha, Maria Catharina married Joseph POECKER on 20 February 1852 in Bettendorf.[33] Joseph was born on 25 February 1819 in Bettendorf.[34]

The darker gray area is the District of Diekirch

How Maria Catharina came to marry in Bettendorf is unknown at this time. She and her husband raised their family on Fooshof. They had seven children, four of whom died in infancy. A daughter who never married died at the age of 38 years. The youngest living son born in 1864 was unmarried at the time of the 1900 census. He was living with his brother Nicolas who had married in 1893 and continued the line.

Maria Catharina died on 1 September 1879 on the family farm, Fooshof in Bettendorf.[35] Her husband Joseph died on 19 January 1895 on Fooshof.[36]

The District of Grevenmacher
The darker gray area is the District of Grevenmacher

Peter and Margaretha’s oldest son Michel married Anna Margretha BRAUN on 5 May 1852 in Waldbillig.[37] Anna was born on 12 May 1826 in Bettange-sur-Mess (Dippach). Michel and Anna Margretha started their family when they were working on the Wolperhof in the commune of Consdorf. Three of their children were born here.

The District of Diekirch
The darker grey area is the District of Diekirch

 

The third child’s birth at Wolper was followed by a move to the western part of Luxembourg in the commune of Bettborn. Three more children were born in Pratz, part of the commune of Bettborn.

Michel and Anna Margretha lived in Horaz from 1885. Not far from Pratz, Horaz, which is also spelled Horass, only had two households.

Michel SCHMIT was the oldest son and last living child of Peter and Margaretha. He died on 26 December 1898 in Horaz.[38] His wife Anna Margretha predeceased him on 12 November 1890 in Horaz.[39]

Still Not Quite Done

* Due to my only learning of the existence of the elder son Jean born in 1820 after writing this post, I have not had the time to research where he may have lived and worked, if he ever married and had children, and when and where he died. Considering his name Jean SCHMIT – just another John Smith – the search may take a while.

There is an update to this post!

Coming Next…

This is the last post on my children’s paternal 5th great-grandparents. I already wrote about half of their maternal 5th great-grandparents (my paternal 4th great-grandparents) in 2014 when I did the first round of Amy Johnson Crow‘s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge.

Next up will be 16 sets of my maternal 4th great-grandparents. The first eight being from small towns and villages which are now part of Germany near the Luxembourg border. The last eight will be from Luxembourg. I hope to finish up this series by the end of the year even though there are only 13 weeks left. Wish me luck and lots of free time.

bestwishescathy1

Maps used are in the Public domain (Wikimedia Commons) and were annotated using Evernote.

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 59 of 200. 1756 Baptismal Record No. 242. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1CGD?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 15 September 2017).
[2] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 59 of 200. 1756 Baptismal Record No. 243. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1CGD?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 15 September 2017).
[3] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 150 of 200. 1777 Marriage Record No. 318 (right page, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1C6Q?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 15 September 2017).
[4] Luxembourg, Volkszählungen 1843-1900 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 106 of 200. 1779 Baptismal Record No. 19. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L971-1CTL?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 13 September 2017).
[5] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 684 of 1416. 1826 Death Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-52047-76?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 April 2010).
[6] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 125 of 1480. 1811 Birth Record (left page). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-TRT?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[7] Luxembourg Church Records, Bertrange > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1808-1816 > image 32 of 86. 1811 Baptismal Record. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-SZWW?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3YW%3A1500936901%2C1500942502 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[8] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 168 of 1480. 1815 Birth Record (right, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-RLJ?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[9] Luxembourg Church Records, Bertrange > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1808-1816 > image 69 of 86. 1815 Baptismal Record (left). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-SCF7?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3YW%3A1500936901%2C1500942502 : accessed 15 September 2017).
[10] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 595 of 1416. 1816 Death Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X89-1WQ?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 15 September 2017).
[11] Luxembourg Church Records, Bertrange > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1808-1816 > image 84 of 86. 1816 Death Record (right page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-SCHD?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3YW%3A1500936901%2C1500942502 : accessed 15 September 2017).
[12] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 191 of 1480. 1817 Birth Record No. 16. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X36Q-SWY?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[13] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 210 of 1480. 1819 Birth Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-RCS?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : acccessed 14 September 2017).
[14] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 637 of 1416. 1820 Death Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-39Q?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[15] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 242 of 1480. 1822 Birth Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X36Q-SHK?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[16] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 288 of 1480. 1825 Birth Record No. 36. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-TST?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[17] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 11 of 1416. 1828 Marriage Record No. 9. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-54927-45?cc=1709358 : accessed 8 October 2015).
[18] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 411 of 1480. 1832 Birth Record No. 28. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-RKD?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : acccessed 14 September 2017).
[19] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 479 of 1480. 1835 Birth Record No. 69. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X36Q-987?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[20] Luxembourg Census Records, Bertrange > 1843 > image 144 of 407. Schmit-Scholer household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-897B-FJ1T?cc=2037957&wc=M5LR-NQ9%3A346116301%2C345863501 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[21] Ibid., Bertrange > 1846 > image 206 of 431. Schmit-Scholer household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997B-VDT6?cc=2037957&wc=M5LT-ZJF%3A346116301%2C345858602 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[22] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 907 of 1416. 1842 Death Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-51891-68?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[23] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 156 of 1416. 1842 Marriage Record No. 21. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-57204-95?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[24] Luxembourg Church Record, Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 64 of 254. 1787 Baptismal Record No. 215. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32462-8679-85?cc=2037955 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[25] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1084 of 1416. 1856 Death Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-55634-51?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[26] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 988 of 1416. 1847 Death Record No. 15. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-51852-95?cc=1709358 : accessed 8 October 2015).
[27] Luxembourg Census Records, Bertrange > 1847 > image 386 of 448. Schmit-Scholer household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997B-CYTF?cc=2037957&wc=M5LR-MJG%3A346116301%2C345864101 : accessed 16 September 2017).
[28] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1215 of 1416. 1870 Death Record No. 17. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-58375-57?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 11 Apr 2013).
[29] Ibid., Schuttrange > Naissances 1826-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1843 > image 996 of 1488. 1858 Marriage Record No. 2. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6F8K-J9?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-T38%3A130363201%2C130466501 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[30] Ibid., Schuttrange > Naissances 1826-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1843 > image 22 of 1488. 1827 Birth Record No. 12. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6F8K-RN?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-T38%3A130363201%2C130466501 : accessed 29 September 2017).
[31] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances, mariages, décès 1891-1894 > image 82 of 99. 1892 Death Record No. 21. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRHS-CY5?cc=1709358&wc=9RYM-L2V%3A129622901%2C129717601 : accessed 19 September 2017).
[32] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1895-1923 Décès 1895-1912 > image 252 of 370. 1898 Death Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L97J-JZWQ?cc=1709358&wc=9RTY-J4C%3A129622901%2C129807601 : accessed 15 September 2017).
[33] Ibid., Bettendorf > Mariages 1817-1890 Décès 1800-1859 > image 444 of 1494. 1852 Marriage Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6RW9-8PB?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-SP8%3A129626601%2C129729901 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[34] Ibid., Bettendorf > Naissances 1800-1827 > image 177 of 306. 1819 Birth Record (left, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRLL-2Y?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-DPD%3A129626601%2C129760501 : accessed 19 September 2019).
[35] Ibid., Bettendorf > Décès 1860-1890 > image 305 of 465. 1879 Death Record No. 26. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6M8S-HJV?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-82S%3A129626601%2C129626602 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[36] Ibid., Bettendorf > Décès 1895-1923 > image 2 of 389. 1895 Death Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L97V-HR8J?cc=1709358&wc=9RT1-926%3A129626601%2C129623802 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[37] Ibid., Waldbillig > Naissances 1871-1890 Mariages 1796-1798, 1800-1803, 1805-1890 Décès 1796-1803, 1805-1838 > image 863 of 1486. 1852 Marriage Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DR53-L8K?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-N38%3A130535001%2C130636701 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[38] Ibid., Bettborn > Décès 1895-1923 > image 34 of 217. 1898 Death Record No. 20. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-897V-9X2K?cc=1709358&wc=9RTB-C6L%3A129627501%2C129623802 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[39] Ibid., Bettborn > Décès 1813-1891 > image 691 of 695. 1890 Death Record No. 20. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRL2-1J?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-DP6%3A129627501%2C129627502 : accessed 14 September 2017).
[40] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 224 of 1480. 1820 Birth Record No. 16. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X36Q-948?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 29 September 2017).

© 2017, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

52 Ancestors: #30 Three Times a Wife – Angelique MICHELS of Bertrange

I have days when I’m ready to finish up researching a family and begin to write their story then something distracts me enough to set them aside for a day or two. When I come back to the research and begin or continue writing about them, I usually find something I’ve missed or was unable to find. Are there angels watching over our genealogy work?

The genealogies of the families of Bertrange in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg have been well researched by René KIRSCH who shares his work La Généalogie de BERTRANGE on his website. Using it as a guide, I was able to quickly find the records for Angelique’s family. However using other people’s work as a guide, even if you are able to confirm the research, may result in your not finding all records. I usually do the research first and then compare with research done by others. This works well for me. I should stick with this modus operandi as I ended up going through the parish records a second time to search for records I needed to prove relationships which were missed in La Généalogie de BERTRANGE.

Angelique MICHELS (1750-1825)  

On 15 April 1825 at eight o’clock in the morning Rosa WESTER, 47 years old, was at the records office in Bertrange declaring the death of her mother Angelique MICHELS, the widow of Johann RUCKERT, who had died only an hour earlier at the age of 77 years.[1] Angelique had led a long and interesting life. During her lifetime her first name was also seen as Angelica and Angela. The mother of nine children and grandmother of at least 38 grandchildren was one of my children’s many fifth great-grandmothers.

Angelique’s Parents and Siblings

Over a hundred years earlier her father Petrus MICHELS (1726-1776) was born in Bertrange on 12 September 1726.[2] He married her mother Susanna MARTIN (1727-1775) on 21 January 1750 in Bertrange.[3] Susanna’s maiden name would later be seen as MERTES in records produced when her children were born and when she died. Susanna’s father was living in Buschdorf at the time of the marriage in 1750. At this time, a connection to The Mertes-Donnen Family of Bertrange featured in What’s the secret of “maison dite” or house names in Luxembourg records? has not been found.

1750 Baptismal Record [4]
Nearly ten months to the day after Petrus and Susanna married they had their first child, Angelique, seen here as Angelica, born on 23 November 1750 in Bertrange.[4] The godparents chosen for this child were Jean MERTES (alias MARTIN) of Buschdorf and Angelica MICHELS of Bertrange. The godfather was her maternal grandfather and the godmother was her paternal grandmother.

Angelique would not grow up as an only child nor would she be the only child with this name. In 1753 when she was nearly 3 years old her sister Rosa was born[5] followed by Nicolas in 1756[6], Angelica in 1759[7], Joannatha in 1762[8], and Susanna in 1768[9].

Angelique’s First Marriage

1770 Marriage Index Card for Hansen-Michels marriage [10]
Angelique MICHELS married Petrus HANSEN on 5 February 1770 in Bertrange.[10] Petrus, the son of Jean HANSEN and Marie CLAUDT, was born on 21 December 1745 in Bertrange.[11] On the marriage record, her name was listed as Angela MERTES alias MICHELS. The marriage lasted only seven months as Petrus died on 15 September 1770 in Bertrange.[12]

Angelique was expecting her first child when her husband died. Anna Catharina HANSEN was born on 9 November 1770 in Bertrange.[13] Her godfather was her maternal grandfather Petrus MERTES alias MICHELS and her godmother was likely a sister of her deceased father, Anna Catharina HANSEN of Beauforterhof between Bertrange and Dippach.

This daughter gained a playmate and uncle a year later when Joannes MICHELS was born on 30 October 1771 to Angelique’s parents Petrus and Susanna.[14]

Angelique’s Second Husband

1774 Marriage Index Card for Wester-Michels marriage [15]
Angelique was a widow for a little over three years. On 11 January 1774, she married her second husband Willibrordus WESTER.[15] Willibrordus, the son of Willibrord VESTER (also seen as WESTER) and Marie BRIMMEYER, was born on 12 November 1747 in Strassen.[16]

Willibrordus and Angelique’s first child Antonetta was born eleven months later on 4 December 1774.[17] The child was two months old when her maternal grandmother Susanna MARTIN aka MERTES died on 15 February 1775.[18] Her maternal grandfather, Petrus MICHELS, died nearly a year later on 1 February 1776.[19]

Angelique, widowed once, married for the second time, and mother of two young daughters was only 25 years old when her father died and she became the head of household in domo Michels.

Willibrordus and Angelique’s family grew with the birth of Rosa on 1 January 1777[20] and Joanna on 3 August 1779.[21]

1781 Baptismal Record for Barbara Wester [22]
On 6 August 1781, daughter Barbara was born in the Michels house, in domo Michels, in Bertrange.[22] This is the first reference to the home Angelique grew up in and, as the oldest child, now owned. Sadly, the next time the home was mentioned was when baby Barbara died six months later on 12 February 1782.[23]

Willibrordus WESTER was 35 years old when he died on 30 December 1782 in Bertrange.[24] Angelique was 32 years old, widowed twice, mother of four daughters, and expecting another child when her husband died. I found a possible error pertaining to his date of death. The parish records are in chronological order. The death entry is the first for December although he died on the 30th. I believe he may have died in November and the month was written incorrectly in the parish book.

Three to four months later, Willibrordus and Angelique’s son Peter was born on 11 April 1783 in domo Michels in Bertange.[25]

Angelique now had five little children: a newborn son and four daughters between the ages of 12 and nearly 2 years. She was still young. Both her parents had died before they were 50. Did she consider all of these things when she married for the third time?

Angelique’s Third Husband

1785 Marriage Record of Johann RUCKERT and Angelique MICHELS [26]
Angelique MICHELS married Johann RUCKERT on 7 February 1785 in Bertrange.[26] The marriage proclamations were made in Sandweiler and Bertrange. The groom signed his name to the marriage record while the bride declared not being able to write and left her mark.

Before continuing with Angelique and Johann’s life together, let’s take a look at Johann RUCKERT’s parents and childhood as he was my children’s fifth great-grandfather.

Johann, the son of Petrus RUCKERT (1715-1790) and Anna Catharina SPEYER (1718-1793), was born on 10 April 1754 in Sandweiler.[27] He was the seventh of nine children and was honored by having his uncle, Joannes RUCKERT, a Catholic priest, as his godfather.

Johann’s father Petrus was born and baptized on 15 June 1715 in Sandweiler.[28] He married Johann’s mother Anna Catharina on 29 November 1739 in Sandweiler.[29] She was born about 1718 in Burange (Dudelange). Petrus and Anna Catharina had nine children born from 1740-1759.

After going through the parish books of Sandweiler, I was able to deduct that Anna Catharina, who was having children with Petrus RUCKERT, was always the same wife. Some records show only her given name while others indicate her maiden name was SPEYER or KNEPPESCH, KNEPCHEN, KNEPGEN. In 1759 her daughter Maria’s godmother’s name was Maria SPEIER dicta KNEITGEN which shows the SPEYER family was also called KNEPPESCH (and several other spellings).

Johann and Angelique became the parents of three children in four years. Their births all took place in domo Michels, the house known as Michels, in Bertrange.

1785 Baptismal Record of Anna Catharina RUCKERT [30]
Their first child, Anna Catharina, born and baptized on 30 October 1785, was named after her paternal grandmother who was also her godmother. The godmother was not present at the baptism. The procuratrix Agnèse KIELL widow of Jean SCHINY represented the godmother Anna Catharina RUCKER alias KNEBGEN of Sandweiler per procurationem. The father and the godfather signed the record while the substitute godmother could not write and left her mark.[30]

1787 Baptismal Record of Jacob RUCKERT [31]
The second child Jacob was born and baptized on 23 July 1787. The godfather was Jacob RUCKERT, a farmer from Sandweiler and his paternal uncle, and the godmother was Margaretha RUCKERT alias KING from Hoën (Hagen) in the parish of Sterpenich.[31] Her relationship is unknown, however, I suspect she may be a grand-aunt, sister of Petrus RUCKERT. The father and the godfather signed the record and the godmother declared not being able to write and left her mark. The child Jacob was my children’s 4th great-grandfather.

1789 Baptismal Record of Johann RUCKERT [32]
Angelique and Johann’s third and last child was Johann born and baptized on 11 September 1789. His father was a farmer or agricola and, as with his other children, signed the baptismal record.[32]

Following the births of these three children, their paternal grandparents passed away. Their grandfather Petrus RUCKERT died on 13 June 1790 at the age of 74 and was buried the following day in Sandweiler.[33] Their grandmother Anna Catharina SPEYER died on 14 April 1793 at the age of 75 and was buried the following day in Sandweiler.[34]

Angelique’s Children Begin to Marry

Two of Angelique’s daughters from her second marriage married in 1800 and 1801. I stumbled on the marriage records while searching for birth records of the daughters’ children. The marriage records were mixed in with the birth records and out of order. They were included in one of three little notebooks kept by the priest during 1800-1801. Joanna WESTER married Michel KRIER (1778-1851) on 3 May 1800[35] and Rosa WESTER married Leonard WAGENER (1773-1823) on 3 January 1801[36], both in Bertrange.

1803 Death and Burial Record of “Joannes” RUCKERT [37]
Angelique’s third husband Johann RUCKERT died on 15 February 1803 in domo Michels, Bertrange, at the age of 48.[37] Widowed a third time at the age of 52, Angelique was left with three teenagers and two married daughters. No trace has been found of the daughter from her first marriage or the oldest daughter and the only son from her second marriage. A more thorough search of the parish books for marriages and/or death records is on my to-do list.

The daughter Anna Catharina RUCKERT who was born in 1785 was still living in 1803. She was the godmother of her half-sister Rosa’s daughter Anna WAGENER born on 27 November 1803[38] as well as for her half-sister Joanna’s daughter Anna KRIER born on 9 May 1801.[39] In both records, she was seen as Anna RUCKERT é domo Michels placing her in the household of Angelique. In future research, I will take into account the fact that her name may have been shortened to Anna.

Angelique’s youngest son Johann RUCKERT married Anna Catharina SCHUHMANN (1794-1862) on 18 December 1817 in Sandweiler.[40] Did he meet her while visiting RUCKERT relatives in Sandweiler? Although the bride was from Sandweiler the couple made their home in Bertrange.

1825 Death Record of Angelique MICHELS veuve RUCKERT [1]
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, Angelique MICHELS died on 15 April 1825 in Bertrange and her daughter Rosa was the informant.[1] Rosa who had been widowed nearly two years declared she could not write and another witness had to sign for her.

Three years after Angelique’s death, her son Jacob RUCKERT married Margaretha SCHOLER (1802-1842) on 19 February 1828 in Bertrange.[41] The marriage produced eight children, five of whom were living when Jacob was widowed in 1842 shortly after the 14th wedding anniversary.[42] His wife died in childbirth and he likely needed a woman to care for his children as he married within eight months. His bride Magdalena SCHMIT (1811-1870) was 24 years younger and the single mother of a seven-year-old daughter. They were married on 26 November 1842 in Bertrange.[43] Magdalena was my children’s 4th great-grandmother. You can read their story here: How Jacob RUCKERT’s Brother-in-law Peter SCHMIT Became his Father-in-law.

Of the nine children Angelique gave birth to, one died young, four have not been traced, leaving four who married and had children. Joanna WESTER died at the age of 71 on 12 December 1850[44], Rosa WESTER died at the age of 78 on 6 January 1855[45], Jacob RUCKERT died at the age of 68 on 24 June 1856[46], and Johann RUCKERT died at the age of 72 on 27 May 1862[47]. All of these deaths took place in Bertrange.

I would love to hear from Angelique’s descendants. Are there any readers who descend from the children I have not been able to follow or who know more about them?

bestwishescathy1

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 673 of 1416. 1825 Death Record No. 17. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-56264-53?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 April 2010).
[2] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 9 of 200. 1726 Baptismale Record (right page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L971-1ZZS?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[3] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 133 of 200. 1750 Marriage Record No. 7 (left page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L971-1C57?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[4] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 48 of 200. 1750 Baptismal Record No. 47. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1C5K?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 7 September 2017).
[5] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 53 of 200. 1753 Baptismal Record No. 136. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8971-1CRW?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[6] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 59 of 200. 1756 Baptismal Record No. 244. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1CGD?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[7] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 64 of 200. 1759 Baptismal Record No. 330. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9971-1Z39?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017.
[8] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 69 of 200. 1762 Baptismal Record No. 419. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9971-1ZSM?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[9] Ibid., -1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 84 of 200. 1768 Baptismal Record No. 647. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L971-1ZMG?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[10] Ibid., Bertrange > Tables des mariages 1720-1796 (index organisée par l’époux) > image 199 of 572. 1770 Marriage Card. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32461-19970-46?cc=2037955 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[11] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 37 of 200. 1745 Baptismal Record No. 570. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9971-1Z7F?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[12] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 190 of 200. 1770 Death Record No. 611. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L971-1CK7?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[13] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 88 of 200. 1770 Baptismal Record No. 713. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1C2M?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[14] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 90 of 200. 1771 Baptismal Record No. 745. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1CR8?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[15] Ibid., Bertrange > Tables des mariages 1720-1796 Hassel-Z (index organisée par l’épouse) > image 174 of 376. 1774 Marriage Card. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32462-2184-12?cc=2037955 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[16] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 41 of 200. 1747 Baptismal Record No. 634. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1C1W?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[17] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 96 of 200. 1774 Baptismal Record No. 840. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8971-1C2S?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[18] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptême 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 193 of 200. 1776 Death Record No. 765. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1CWD?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[19] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 192 of 200. 1775 Death Record No. 726. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8971-1C8Y?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[20] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 99 of 200. 1777 Baptismal Record No. 903. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1CJV?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[21] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 107 of 200. 1779 Baptismal Record No. 32. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9971-1CPD?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[22] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 9 of 254. 1781 Baptismal Record No. 24. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-SZWL?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3T1%3A1500936901%2C1500936942 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[23] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 9 of 254. 1781 Baptismal Record No. 24. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-SZWL?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3T1%3A1500936901%2C1500936942 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[24] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 200 of 254. 1782 Death Record No. 22. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-SZTH?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3T1%3A1500936901%2C1500936942 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[25] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 24 of 254. 1783 Baptismal Record No. 46. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-SH1F?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3T1%3A1500936901%2C1500936942 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[26] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 158 of 254. 1785 Marriage Record. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32462-10044-69?cc=2037955 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[27] Ibid., Sandweiler > Baptêmes 1705-1778, confirmations 1750-1762, mariages 1726-1774, sépultures 1710-1740, 1748-1778 > image 57 of 133. 1754 Baptismal Record (left page, 1st entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-S8?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6J%3A1501109439%2C1501109440 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[28] Ibid., Sandweiler > Baptêmes 1705-1778, confirmations 1750-1762, mariages 1726-1774, sépultures 1710-1740, 1748-1778 > image 17 of 133. 1715 Baptismal Record (left page, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-SHM?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6J%3A1501109439%2C1501109440 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[29] Ibid., Sandweiler > Baptêmes 1705-1778, confirmations 1750-1762, mariages 1726-1774, sépultures 1710-1740, 1748-1778 > image 111 of 133. 1739 Marriage Record (right page, last entry for 1739). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-S9VL?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6J%3A1501109439%2C1501109440 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[30] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 48 of 254. 1785 Baptismal Record No. 148. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-SHGF?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3T1%3A1500936901%2C1500936942 : accessed 6 September 2017).
[31] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 64 of 254. 1787 Baptismal Record No. 215. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32462-8679-85?cc=2037955 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[32] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 80 of 254. 1789 Baptismal Record No. 298 (first part). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32462-8481-82?cc=2037955 : accessed 11 October 2015). Second part on image 81.
[33] Ibid., Sandweiler > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 95 of 119. 1790 Death Record (right page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-S99X?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-HZQ%3A1501109439%2C1500913302 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[34] Ibid., Sandweiler > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 116 of 119. 1793 Death Record (right page, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-S1Z?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-HZQ%3A1501109439%2C1500913302 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[35] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1800-1807, mariages 1800-1807, sépultures 1802-1807, communions 1796, membres 1734-1816 > image 36 of 108. 1800 Marriage Record. “Luxembourg registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-SC86?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-W3D%3A1500936901%2C1501012750 : accessed 12 September 2017).
[36] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1800-1807, mariages 1800-1807, sépultures 1802-1807, communions 1796, membres 1734-1816 > image 52 of 108. 1800 Marriage Record (right page, first entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-SCXG?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-W3D%3A1500936901%2C1501012750 : 9 January 2015).
[37] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1800-1807, mariages 1800-1807, sépultures 1802-1807, communions 1796, membres 1734-1816 > image 91 of 108. 1803 Death Record (right page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32462-8929-70?cc=2037955 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[38] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1800-1807, mariages 1800-1807, sépultures 1802-1807, communions 1796, membres 1734-1816 > image 48 of 108. 1801 Baptismal Record (right page, bottom).(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-SZ3V?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-W3D%3A1500936901%2C1501012750 : accessed 8 September 2017)).
[39] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1800-1807, mariages 1800-1807, sépultures 1802-1807, communions 1796, membres 1734-1816 > image 77 of 108. 1803 Baptismal Record. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-SC8N?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-W3D%3A1500936901%2C1501012750 : accessed 12 September 2017).
[40] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Sandweiler > Naissances 1865-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1822 > image 796 of 1493. 1817 Marriage Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X46X-4B?cc=1709358&wc=9RYD-MNL%3A130336601%2C130552301 : accessed 9 September 2017).
[41] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 10 of 1416. 1828 Marriage Record No. 8. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-54990-54?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[42] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 907 of 1416. 1842 Death Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-51891-68?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[43] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 156 of 1416. 1842 Marriage Record No. 21. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-57204-95?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[44] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1032 of 1416. 1850 Death Record No. 25. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X89-B91?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[45] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1069 of 1416. 1855 Death Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-MVX?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 8 September 2017).
[46] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1084 of 1416. 1856 Death Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-55634-51?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[47] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1144 of 1416. 1862 Death Record No. 18. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-57342-52?cc=1709358 : accessed 7 October 2015).

© 2017, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

What’s the secret of “maison dite” or house names in Luxembourg records?

For some reason, the subject of maison dite or house names kept coming up while I was researching the MERTES-DONNEN family. Not only in my research but in several Facebook groups and pages I follow. Maybe the ancestors were trying to tell me something. Or maybe it’s time to discuss what I learned while researching this family – something I left out in my last post.

Before I share my discovery, let me give you an overview of the history of house names and surnames in Luxembourg.

This past June I attended a conference by Paul ZIMMER, Latein in den Kirchenbüchern korrekt lesen (Reading Latin Correctly in Church Records). His presentation included an explanation of the peculiarities of names found in church records. After the presentation, he kindly sent digital copies to all participants of a dozen articles published under his pseudonym, Victor Racine. I used his introduction to genealogy research adapted to the Luxembourg situation: Petite introduction à la recherche généalogique avec des conseils pratiques adaptés à la situation luxembourgeoise (Victor Racine) as a guide.

House Names and Surnames

Until around 1500 the first name of a person was sufficient enough to identify ordinary people. When pleading someone’s case, it was done orally and normally in the presence of the person eliminating the confusion of identities.

The appearance of the first written documents however required additional distinction. Nicolas, therefore, became known as Nicolas de Steinfort (by his residence), Nicolas le Meunier (by his occupation, i.e. miller), or Nicolas le Petit (by a trait, i.e. small person).

When these extensions to the first names finally became family names transmitted from one generation to the next, they were not, for a long time, patronymic. In about half the cases, the children’s names came from the mother, as the rules of family succession in Luxembourg were based on primogeniture – the right of the oldest child inheriting the parental home without any distinction between males and females.

Luxembourg researchers are confronted with the phenomenon of “house names” shared by all people living under one roof, regardless of their initial name received at birth.  At the time of the marriage, the spouse always acquired, whatever his sex, the name of the house into which he entered. Thus, each couple had only one and the same surname which was transmitted to all their children.

In the course of the eighteenth century when Luxembourg was under Austrian rule, the civil authorities imposed a contrary law, that each individual should keep his birth name – it could no longer be changed during the course of his life, notably at the time of marriage. Each legitimate child inherited his father’s surname.

During the long transition, the coexistence of the two rules and practices, totally opposite, constituted a complication which was the source of errors. The children of one and the same couple sometimes obtained different surnames. The second spouse of a widow or widower may have been known by the surname his spouse had previously taken from his first conjugal partner.

Priests were aware of the problem of the double and triple surnames of their parishioners. Some were careful to note more than one name. The different surnames of one and the same person were juxtaposed and linked together by Latin words: alias (otherwise called), vulgo (commonly called), modo (otherwise), sive and aut (or), dicta (said). Sometimes the correct connection with previous generations can be determined by useful references such as ex domo … (from the house) or in domo … (in the house). House names were also mentioned in the parish records using the term in aedibus (Latin for in house) followed by the name.

Our genealogical research may suffer from the rivalry of these two incompatible rules but in the following case, I profited from them.

Researching the MERTES-DONNEN Family

It took me longer than usual to research the MERTES-DONNEN family before I wrote about them in my last post. I couldn’t seem to get to the point I wanted to be before beginning to write. I wanted to know as much as possible about both Nicolas MERTES’ family and Maria Catharina DONNEN’s family so their timelines would be as complete as possible.

This led me down a rabbit hole as I also looked into their grandparents. When I finally thought I had the timeline ready, I began writing using information from the documents for each of the events.

As I was composing the post I went off on a tangent taking a new look at the death record of Margaretha BIVER, the mother of Nicolas MERTES. I ended up cutting out a large portion of what I wrote about the death record and my findings as I realized I had gotten sidetracked from the subject of the piece.

However, I saw an opportunity to use the information I had found to help other Luxembourg researchers.

The MERTES Family’s House Name

Screenshot of the family view of Margaretha BIVER and Peter MERTES as seen in my genealogy software Ancestral Quest 15.

Marguerite BIVER died on 20 December 1820 at nine in the evening in house number 69 in the Opperter road in Bertrange. The informant for the death was her son-in-law Jean KETTENMEYER. The record (below, top entry) did not indicate the address was also that of the informant.

1820 death records of Margareta Biver (top) and Maria Christophory (bottom). Source: Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 640 of 1416. 1820 Death Record No. 20+21. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-322?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 8 August 2017).

The next entry in the register (above, bottom entry) was for a baby with the surname CHRISTOPHORY who died in house number 73 of the same street.

The importance of the deaths taking place in the same street, likely only two houses away from each other, can be seen in the pedigree of Franz MERTES, the son of the MERTES-DONNEN couple and grandson of Marguerite BIVER.

Pedigree view in Ancestral Quest 15

I haven’t followed through to see how the baby’s family was related to Barbe CHRISTOPHORY, Maria Catharina’s mother. But it had me wondering if the DONNEN-CHRISTOPHORY and the MERTES-BIVER couples had been neighbors when their daughter and son married. I tried to locate the address in present-day Bertrange but the list of street names on the Luxembourg post office’s site did not turn up any matches.

My next step was to check if perhaps the KETTENMEYER family’s street name may have been mentioned on the census or in a vital record. Jean KETTENMEYER died before the first available census. The two listings I found for his widow Anne MERTES did not include the street name.

Jean’s death record revealed an interesting fact. He died in la maison dite Karpen, an Oppert or a house named Karpen in Oppert.

Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 830 of 1416. 1837 Death Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-32F?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 23 August 2017).

This was an amazing discovery. When I read maison dite Karpen on the record I knew right away the KETTENMEYER family was living in the home of the MERTES family.

The significance of “la maison dite Karpen”

Peter, the father of Nicolas MERTES and Jean KETTENMEYER’s wife Anne MERTES, was the son of Mathias MERTES and Maria HOLTZEMER of Steinsel. At this time I do not have a baptismal record for Peter. His death record indicates he was born about 1733. I suspect his age was over-estimated at the time of death.

Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Tables des mariages 1720-1796 (index organisée par l’époux) > image 350 of 572. 1771 Marriage Index Card. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-92B3?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-L2S%3A1500936901%2C1501112974 : accessed 17 August 2017).

The parents of the groom were married in 1726 at which time their names were given as Mathias MERTENS and Maria HOLTZEMER. The family name had evolved from MERTENS to MERTES by the time Peter married.

Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Steinsel > Tables des mariages 1697-1802 Fridchy-Z (index organisée par l’époux) > image 430 of 980. 1726 Marriage Index Card. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32461-18530-86?cc=2037955 : accessed 6 October 2015).

Mathias and Maria had six children born in Müllendorf and baptized in Steinsel from 1729 to 1741. The baptismal records have been found. The priest gave the following names for the parents on the children’s records:

  1. Theodore b. 1729: Mathias MARTINI and Maria HOLTZEMER
  2. Magdalena b. 1731: Mathias MARTINI and Maria CARPEN dicta HOLTZEMER
  3. Johann b. 1733: Mathias MARTINI alias CARPEN and Maria HOLTZEMER
  4. Mathias b. 1736: Mathias MARTINI alias CARPEN and Maria HOLTZEMER
  5. Anna Maria b. 1737: Mathias MERTENS alias CARPEN and Maria HOLTZEMER
  6. Johann Peter b. 1741: Mathias MERTENS alias CARPEN and Maria HOLTZEMER

As mentioned in the explanation of surnames in Luxembourg, the priest gave a Latin twist to the surname and added an alias to Mathias’ surname as well as dicta (said) to Maria’s.

Although I know that Peter MERTES was the son of Mathias MERTES (MERTENS) and Maria HOLZTEMER as these were the names given at the time of his marriage, I still do not know for sure when he was born and baptized. I believe he may have been the youngest son, Johann Peter born in 1741. Further research will have to be done to prove or disprove this assumption.

The alias CARPEN was found to go back further through Maria HOLTZEMER’s line. She was born in 1704 when her parents were listed as Nicolas HOLZEM and Angela PEIFFERS. When Maria’s her sister Angela was born in 1707 the parents’ names were given as Nicolas HOLZEM dicti KARP and his wife Angela.

Digging a bit deeper I learned Angela’s family did not use a surname until their fourth child was born. It would have been very unlikely that I would figure this out on my own. Claude Bettendroffer, vice-president of Luxracines, made the connection and shared it in his database on our society’s website. When the first two children were born the parents were seen Godefridus (also seen as Godfroid and Godart), a sutor or cobbler, and Dorothée. When Angela was born her father was seen with the same occupation, only written in German, Schuhmacher. The father’s occupation was used to distinguish him from other men with the same first name in Steinsel. By the time their fourth child was born the family was using the surname or house name PEIFFERS. The oldest child, a daughter, inherited the home and passed the name on to the children of both of her marriages as her husbands took on her house name PEIFFERS.

It was astonishing to have followed a family line back using surnames, to using a house name, to only being identified by the father’s occupation during a documented period from 1666 back to 1659.

The house name KARPEN was not used by the PEIFFERS family as far as I can tell at this time. It was used by the HOLTZEM family in Müllendorf as early as 1707, by the MERTENS-HOLTZEMER family in 1731-1741 in Müllendorf, and finally by the MERTES family in Bertrange as late as 1837 when the son-in-law died. It appears the house name followed the son when he married and made his home in Bertrange.

Karpen house in Oppert. Where was Oppert?

When I searched for Oppert as seen in the 1837 death record instead of Opperter as seen in the 1820 death record, I found it is now a street in Bertrange called rue des Champs. I know this street. We’ve ridden our bikes on this road which runs from the center of town out of Bertrange into the fields to the west of town where bike paths link it to Mamer in the northwest and Dippach in the southwest.

Zooming in on Google maps street view I found the street sign, a bit above and to the left of the shutter on the left side of the house, for rue des Champs includes the Luxembourgish name Oppert.

What’s the secret?

I don’t believe there is a secret to the maison dite or house names in Luxembourg records. As long as we know how surnames evolved and how house names were used to identify people, we can use the rules to benefit our research.

Even today the older generations can be heard referring to a person by their house name instead of their surname in Luxembourg. But it is a custom which is quickly disappearing.

© 2017, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

52 Ancestors: #28 The Mertes-Donnen Family of Bertrange

The Donnen-Christophory Family

Johann DONNEN of Ellingen (Canton Remich) married Barbe CHRISTOPHORY of Bertrange about 1772 or earlier. No marriage record has been found for the couple who were having legitimate children from 1772. Johann was born about 1747, per the age found on his death record, and his wife Barbe was born in 1743.[1] They were the parents of four known children all born in Bertrange. A daughter Barbara was born in 1772[2], twins Nicolas Johann and Catharina in 1775[3], and Maria Catharina in 1783.[4]

Bertrange Water Tank Tower (no longer in use) with its new look including the commune logo, a lion.

The Mertes-Biver Family

During the same time period, another couple was also raising a family in Bertrange. Peter MERTES and Marguerite BIVER were married on 3 December 1771 in Bertrange.[5] They were the parents of Margaretha born in 1772[6], Willibrod 1774[7], Anna Marguerite est. 1775[8], Anna 1776[9], Barbara 1779[10], Nicolas 1781[11], Magdalena 1783[12], and Anna 1786. [Update: Baptismal record of Anna b. 1786 was found on 17 Sep 2017.]

The MERTES-DONNEN Family

The daughter of the DONNEN-CHRISTOPHORY couple, Maria Catharina DONNEN, married the son of the MERTES-BIVER couple, Nicolas MERTES, on 21 February 1803 in Bertrange.[13] Nicolas’ occupation was given on the marriage record as Akersmann or plowman. During the years that followed he was always seen as a day laborer: when his children were born, when they married, and when the census was taken.

From the 2nd to the 26th of August 2017 the Belle Etoile mall in Bertrange and De Lederwon offered the public a time capsule of the countryside of Luxembourg through with exhibition of old tractors.

Two weeks after the marriage the newlyweds were attending the funeral of Johann DONNEN, the bride’s father, who died 9 March 1803.[14] Nicolas, only six days short of his twenty-second birthday, was one of the informants on the death record.

After the torments of the French Revolution (1789-1799), poverty and misery did not disappear. Many left Bertrange for southern Hungary and Transylvania in the years 1723-1726 and for North America from 1853 onward. This was not the case for the MERTES-DONNEN family.

Children’s births and grandparents’ deaths

Following their marriage, Nicolas and Maria Catharina had seven children, all born in Bertrange, during a period of seventeen years. Their first two children were sons, Michel born on 5 May 1804 at 9 in the morning[15] and François, better known as Franz, on 5 April 1806 at 11 in the morning.[16]

Maria Catharina’s mother Barbe CHRISTOPHORY died on 17 December 1807. Her son-in-law Nicolas, the informant, gave her place of death as his home. The occupation of her deceased husband Johann DONNEN was given as charron or wheelright.[17]

A wagon with wooden wheels and a manure pile in the background.

The family increased with the birth of Anne on 24 August 1808 at 8 in the evening[18] and Catherine on 3 March 1811 at 11 in the evening.[19]

Nicolas’ father Peter MERTES died on 15 December 1811 around 8 in the evening at the home of his son-in-law Jean KETTENMEYER, husband of Anne, the only sibling of Nicolas to have married.[20]

Following the death, the pattern of two births and a death continued in the family. Sons, Nicolas, born on 24 August 1814 at 11 in the evening[21], and Jean, born on 24 November 1817 at 4 in the morning[22], brought the number of children up to six.

Marguerite BIVER, the last living grandparent of the MERTES-DONNEN children, died on 20 December 1820 at 9 in the evening in house number 69 in the Oppertergasse. The informant was her son-in-law Jean KETTENMEYER.[23]

Maria Catharina gave birth to her last child a month later on 28 January 1821.[24] They named the child Nicolas although they already had a 6 and a half years old son with this name. Little did they know that three years later the elder son named Nicolas would die on 12 January 1824 at the age of 9 years and 8 months.[25]

Marriages of the children

The next ten years are not documented. No children were born or died. The decade fell before the census of 1843 which is available online. The children grew and by 1834 the first marriage was being celebrated in the MERTES family.

The second son François “Franz” MERTES married on 25 February 1834 to Margaretha ERPELDING.[26] He and his wife, my children’s 4th great-grandparents, had two children before the next marriage took place in the family.

Catherine MERTES married Johann Wilhelm FEDERSPIEL (1801-1865) on 18 April 1839.[27] Catherine had given birth to a son the previous month[28] and he was legitimized with the marriage.

No trace has been found of the oldest son Michel or the oldest daughter Anne following their births in 1804 and 1808. Their deaths were not recorded in Bertrange. Did they leave Bertrange to find work or marry?

In December of 1843[29], 1846[30], 1847[31], 1849[32], and 1851[33] Nicolas and Maria Catharina were enumerated on the census with their two youngest children, already grown men, Jean and Nicolas. In 1851, Jean (34) and Nicolas (31) were both still single.

Only two of Nicolas MERTES’ six siblings were known to be living at this time. Anne who married Jean KETTENMEYER died on 9 February 1852.[34]

On the December 1852[35] census Nicolas and Maria Catharina had in their household son Jean but the youngest son Nicolas had disappeared. I have not made any effort to locate him as this was a time many were emigrating to North America. Hopefully, if he had descendants, one of them will read this and get in touch.

A little over a year later Nicolas was the informant on the death of his wife Maria Catharina DONNEN. She died on 24 January 1854.[36]

Nicolas and his son Jean were now alone. At the age of 37, Jean married a woman three years his senior, Magdalena WAGENER (1816-1883), on 2 May 1855.[37]

Had he seen his father’s health declining and decided it was time to marry? Or did the men need a woman to care for them? Five months after the marriage the father of the groom, Nicolas MERTES died. His son-in-law Johann Wilhelm FEDERSPIEL reported the death which took place on 19 October 1855. Peter CHRISTNACH, a shoemaker and Nicolas’ neighbor, also witnessed the death record.[38]

As far as I know, Nicolas left three children, eight grandchildren, and a sister, Anne Marguerite who never married. Her death followed a little over six months later on 5 May 1856.[39] It was reported by her nephew Dominique FERDERSPIEL and her niece Catherine MERTES’ husband Johann Wilhelm FEDERSPIEL. The record includes the names of her parents. Her baptismal record has not been found and the death record was the first mention I found for her.

Close up of the water tank tower of the commune of Bertrange

Around 1850 Bertrange was a village of about 200 houses and exceeding 1,000 inhabitants. A poor commune with an economy based on agriculture and small crafts, it underwent economic restructuring in 1859 when the first railway was inaugurated. People took on work as miners and railway workers. Times were changing for the MERTES-DONNEN children who remained.

Nicolas and Maria Catharina’s living children

Franz, my children’s 4th great-grandfather, had spent his entire married life in the neighboring town of Strassen. He died at the age of 57 on 15 March 1864.[40] Catherine and Jean both remained in Bertrange. Catherine died at the age of 69 on 11 March 1880[41] and Jean on 1 September 1888[42] at the age of 70.

It took me longer than usual to research this family. For some reason the subject of maison dite or house names kept coming up everywhere I turned. Maybe the ancestors were trying to tell me something. Or maybe it is time to discuss what I learned while researching this family – something I left out above.

I’ll be at Luxracines’ archives in Walferdange on Wednesday with Rob Deltgen and, hopefully, I’ll learn enough to fill in the spaces in the draft I’ve prepared for my upcoming post.

bestwishescathy1

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch< (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 33 of 200. 1743 Baptismal Record No. 562. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8971-1C12?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 16 August 2017).
[2] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 92 of 200. 1772 Baptismal Record No. 777. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1C27?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 16 August 2017).
[3] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 97 of 200. 1775 Baptismal Records No. 866 and 867. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1C2P?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : 9 January 2015).
[4] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 29 of 254. 1783 Baptismal Record (bottom left). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-SHYQ?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3T1%3A1500936901%2C1500936942 : accessed 8 August 2017).
[5] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 147 of 200. 1771 Marriage Record No. 248. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L971-1CL8?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 10 August 2017).
[6] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 91 of 200. 1772 Baptismal Record No. 767. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1CL2?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 10 August 2017).
[7] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 95 of 200. 1774 Baptismal Reocord No. 831. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9971-1ZM4?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 10 August 2017).
[8] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1083 of 1416. 1856 Death Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X89-BMN?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 10 August 2017).
[9] Luxembourg Parish Records, Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 99 of 200. 1776 Baptismal Record No. 898. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G971-1CJV?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 10 August 2017).
[10] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1723-1780, confirmations 1755-1767, mariages 1723-1780, sépultures 1723-1780 > image 106 of 200. 1779 Baptismal Record No. 18. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L971-1CTL?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-92Q%3A1500936901%2C1501072268 : accessed 10 August 2017).
[11] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 6 of 254. 1781 Baptismal Record No. 10 (right page, first entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-SZHN?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3T1%3A1500936901%2C1500936942 : accessed 8 August 2017).
[12] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 26 of 254. 1783 Baptismal Record No. 63. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-SCTD?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-3T1%3A1500936901%2C1500936942 : accessed 10 Augut 2017).
[13] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 1329 of 1480. 1803 Marriage Record (right page). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-107050-84?cc=1709358 : accessed 5 October 2015).
[14] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 511 of 1416. 1803 Death Record (left, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-37S?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 8 August 2017).
[15] Luxembourg Church Records, Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 25 of 1480. 1804 (15 Florial an 12) Birth Record (part 1, part 2 on next image). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-56W?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 11 August 2017).
[16] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 61 of 1480. 1806 Birth Record (left page). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X36Q-97R?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[17] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 521 of 1416. 1807 Death Record (right page, bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-3SH?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 8 August 2017).
[18] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 94 of 1480. 1808 Birth Record (left, middle). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-1J4?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 15 August 2017).
[19] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 127 of 1480. 1811 Birth Record (left, middle). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-TY4?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 15 August 2017).
[20] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 558 of 1416. 1811 Death Record (bottom left and top right). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-SB6?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 8 August 2017).
[21] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 162 of 1480. 1814 Birth Record No. 19. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-52M?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 15 August 2017).
[22] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 195 of 1480. 1817 Birth Record No. 34. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-109265-65?cc=1709358 : accessed 4 March 2016).
[23] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 640 of 1416. 1820 Death Record No. 20. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-322?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 8 August 2017).
[24] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 230 of 1480. 1821 Birth Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X36Q-9DJ?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 15 August 2017).
[25] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 662 of 1416. 1824 Death Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X89-BQK?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 18 August 2017).
[26] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 63 of 1416. 1834 Marriage Record No. 9. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-55620-99?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[27] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 120 of 1416. 1839 Marriage Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X89-1YH?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 8 August 2017).
[28] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 555 of 1480. 1839 Birth Record. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X363-TKY?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL%3A129622901%2C129854201 : accessed 20 August 2017).
[29] Luxembourg, Volkszählungen 1843-1900 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > 1843 > image 142 of 407. Mertes-Donnen household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32355-17053-91?cc=2037957 : accessed 4 October 2015).
[30] Ibid., Bertrange > 1846 > image 211 of 431. Nicolas Mertes-Donnen household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G97B-V69B?cc=2037957&wc=M5LT-ZJF%3A346116301%2C345858602 : accessed 15 August 2017).
[31] Ibid., Bertrange > 1847 > image 387 of 448. Mertes-Donnen household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997B-CY2G?cc=2037957&wc=M5LR-MJG%3A346116301%2C345864101 : accessed 15 August 2017).
[32] Ibid., Bertrange > 1849 > image 78 of 474. Nicolas Mertes-Donnen household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G97B-Z423?cc=2037957&wc=M5LR-7MY%3A346116301%2C345864801 : accessed 15 August 2017).
[33] Ibid., Bertrange > 1851 > image 11 of 215. Mertes-Donnen household No. 23. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32358-23034-28?cc=2037957 : accessed 8 August 2017).
[34] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1047 of 1416. 1852 Death Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X89-YZV?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : acccessed 10 August 2017).
[35] Luxembourg Census Records, Bertrange > 1852 > image 136 of 205. Nicolas Mertes-Donnen household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32381-15410-15?cc=2037957 : accessed 8 August 2017).
[36] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1062 of 1416. 1854 Death Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-56882-33?cc=1709358 : accessed 3 April 2010).
[37] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 265 of 1416. 1855 Marriage Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-52019-88?cc=1709358 : accessed 4 March 2016).
[38] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1077 of 1416. 1855 Death Record No. 32. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-54541-99?cc=1709358 : accessed 3 April 2010).
[39] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1083 of 1416. 1856 Death Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X89-BMN?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 10 August 2017).
[40] Ibid., Strassen > Décès 1850-1890 > image 140 of 446. 1864 Death Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11740-166420-69?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-LNG:528766680 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[41] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1305 of 1416. 1880 Death Record No. 8. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X89-18Q?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 11 August 2017).
[42] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1384 of 1416. 1888 Death Record No. 14. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X8S-9NG?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829%3A129622901%2C129640401 : accessed 11 August 2017).

© 2017, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

52 Ancestors: #41 How Jacob RUCKERT’s Brother-in-law Peter SCHMIT Became his Father-in-law

Week 41 (October 8-14) – Colorful. Everyone has at least one “colorful” ancestor. Share the story of one of yours. 🙂

I didn’t expect this story to fit the “colorful” ancestor theme until I discovered an illegitimate child (and then another) in the family. I was not surprised and wondered if this would be colorful enough to fit the theme. Since I’m writing about an ancestral couple two people are involved, six when I add their parents, and the number increases when children (and most families had quite a few) and their spouses are added. What I’m getting at is – when researching a person or a family you need to look at all persons involved. And that is how I discovered my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather Jacob RUCKERT’s brother-in-law became his father-in-law. Colorful enough?

Jacob RUCKERT

Jacob RUCKERT was born and baptized on 23 July 1787 in Bertrange. His parents were Johann RUCKERT, a farmer, and Angelique MICHELS. Present at his baptism were Jacob RUCKERT, a farmer, from Sandweiler and Margaretha RUCKERT alias KING from Hagen in the parish of Sterpenich (Province of Luxembourg in Belgium).[1] Today Hagen is part of the commune of Schuttrange in the Grand Duché of Luxembourg.

1787baptismruckert
1787 Baptismal Record (bottom left page) of Jacobus RUCKERT [1]
1787baptismruckert2
1787 Baptismal Record (top right page) of Jacobus RUCKERT [1]
Angelique (1748-1825) of Bertrange and Johann (?-1803) of Sandweiler married two years before Jacob’s birth on 7 February 1785 in Bertrange.[2] This was Angelique’s third marriage. I found the marriages on marriage index cards and need to locate the actual documents in the parish records which are online at FamilySearch. As the first two marriages are new to me I haven’t had time to work through possible siblings of Jacob RUCKERT. While searching through the census I found his brother Johann RUCKERT (1789-1862) who was born 2 years, 1 month, and 18 days after him. Jacob and his brother Johann may have had full siblings and half-siblings with different surnames as their mother was married to Petrus HANSEN on 5 February 1770[3] and to Willibrordus WESTER on 11 January 1774.[4]

1770michelmarriage
Marriage #1 for Angela Mertes aka Angela Michels [3]
1774michelsmarriage
Marriage #2 for Angelica Michels, a widow [4]
1785michelsmarriage
Marriage #3 for Angelica Michels, a widow [2]

These index cards are a treasure trove of information. By following the names of the parents listed for Angelique MICHELS I discovered the names of her paternal grandparents and great-grandparents giving me three new generations to research. Also I see an unexpected MERTES connection which needs to be looked into.

Jacob’s father Johann died on 15 February 1803[5] and his mother Angelique died 15 April 1825[6], both in Bartringen. It was only after the death of his mother that Jacob at the age of 40 years married Margaretha SCHOLER (1802-1842) on 19 February 1828 in Bertrange.[7] Margaretha was born on 15 September 1802 in Obersyren in the commune of Schuttrange per the marriage record.

Margaretha’s sister Anne Marie SCHOLER married a month after Jacob and Margaretha on 22 March 1828 in Bertrange to Peter SCHMIT.[8] Peter had become a widower in 1826. This is when Jacob RUCKERT and Peter SCHMIT became brothers-in-law.

Jacob and Margaretha were the parents of at least eight children:

  • Ch 1: Heinricus “Henri” RUCKERT (1830-1863) born 8 February 1830 in Bertrange.[9] He died on 15 March 1863 in Luxembourg City.[10]
  • Ch 2: Johann RUCKERT (1832-1835) born 9 January 1832 in Bertrange.[11] He died 20 September 1835 in Bertrange.[12]
  • Ch 3: Elisabeth RUCKERT (1833-?) born 12 August 1833 in Bertrange.[13]
  • Ch 4: [–?–] RUCKERT (1835-1835) born 5 December 1835 in Bertrange.[14] He died 5 December 1835 in Bertrange.[15]
  • Ch 5: Jean RUCKERT (1836-?) born 9 December 1836 in Bertrange.[16] He may have died in Luxembourg City in 1865.
  • Ch 6: Catherine RUCKERT (1839-?) born 12 May 1839 in Bertrange.[17]
  • Ch 7: Franciscus RUCKERT (1840-1842) born 5 October 1840 in Bertrange.[18] He died 10 August 1842 in Bertrange.[19]
  • Ch 8: Catharina RUCKERT (1842-?) born 20 March 1842 in Bertrange.[20]

Margaretha SCHOLER died giving birth to her eighth child on 20 March 1842 in Bertrange.[21] Jacob was left with Henri, Elisabeth, Jean, Catherine and newborn baby Catharina.

Magdalena SCHMITT

As mentioned earlier Peter SCHMIT,a widower, married Jacob RUCKERT’s sister-in-law. Peter had first married Anne Marguerithe WEICKER (date and place unknown at this time) and they had one known child, Magdalena SCHMIT born 10 February 1811 in Bertrange.[22] Her birth record, being in French, has Madelaine as her name.

1811madelainebirth
1811 Birth Record for “Madelaine” SCHMIT [22]
Her mother Anne Marguerithe died shortly before Magdalena’s 15th birthday, on 17 January 1826 in Bertrange.[23] Two years later Peter SCHMIT remarried and became the brother-in-law of Jacob RUCKERT.[9]

At the age of 24 Magdalena SCHMIT had a daughter born out of wedlock. Anne SCHMIT was born on 7 November 1835 in Bertrange. A midwife reported her birth and only gave the name of the mother. There was no mention of the father, known or unknown.[24]

When Magdalena was 31 years old she married the widowed Jacob RUCKERT. The wedding took place on 26 November 1842 in Bertrange, eight months after the death of Jacob’s first wife. None of the four witnesses present were related to the bride and groom. The bride’s father Peter SCHMIT was present at the marriage and became his brother-in-law Jacob’s father-in-law.[25]

Jacob and Magdalena had four children:

  • Ch 9: Franciscus “François” RUCKERT (1843-?) born 10 July 1843 in Bertrange.[26]
  • Ch 10: Catharina RUCKERT (1845-1845) born 7 September 1845 in Bertrange.[27] She died 25 December 1845 in Bertrange.[28]
  • Ch 11: Margaretha RUCKERT (1847-1895) born 4 May 1847 in Bertrange.[29]
  • Ch 12: Maria RUCKERT (1850-?) born 17 February 1850 in Bertrange.[30]

Although I was able to find the birth records of the children of Jacob RUCKERT and his two wives, I had a difficult time with the census. Browsing the images at FamilySearch is tedious and time consuming. I didn’t have the time to go through the 1843, 1846, 1847, and 1849 census images especially after viewing ALL images for 1852 and not finding the family in Bertrange. I did find them in the 1851 and 1855 census. The 1851 was surprising and brought to light one “family secret” I may not have found otherwise.

As SCHMIT is such a commmon surname I have not even begun to look at the SCHMIT births, marriages, and deaths in Bertrange. But the 1851 census had a 16 years old girl Anne SCHMIT listed in the household of Jacob RUCKERT and Magdalena SCHMIT. The relationship was not listed so I checked for her birth record and found she was the daughter of Magdalena.[31]

1851census
1851 Luxembourg Census [32]
By 1855 Jacob and Magdalena’s three children Franciscus, Margaretha and Maria were still at home as well as both of Jacob’s two daughters, both named Catherine from his first marriage.[33]

Jacob RUCKERT died on 24 June 1856 in Bertrange. A neighbor reported his death.[34]

Marriages for two of Jacob’s children from his first marriage were found. Elisabeth married on 26 November 1857 in Bertrange[35] and Henri married on 6 May 1859 in Luxembourg City.[36]

Jacob’s widow Magdalena raised their children as well as Jacob’s two youngest daughters at least until the end of 1858 when they were with her on the census.[37] By 1861[38], 1864[39], and 1867[40] only Magdalena’s two youngest daughters were at home.

Magdalena and Jacob’s son François was mentioned on the 1864 census as being in Leudelange and I was able to locate him with a family in Leudelange and working as as servant (domestique).[41]

Marie, the youngest daughter, had an illegitimate son Mathias two months before the 1867 census on 2 October 1867 in Bertrange.[42]

Events in the life of Jacob and Magdalena’s daughter Margaretha, my husband’s 2nd great-grandmother and the only child I found marriage records for, took a fast pace before and after the death of Magdalena SCHMIT.[43]

Margaretha married Jacob ANTON (1822-1871) on 22 September 1870 in Bertrange.[44] Eight days later her mother Magdalena died on 30 September 1870 in Bertrange.[43] Margaretha’s husband Jacob died on 2 April 1871[45] and she gave birth to their daughter Susanne ANTON nearly four months later on 28 July 1871 in Bertrange.[46]

On 22 April 1874, three years after the death of her first husband, Margaretha SCHMIT married Michel MERTES in Strassen.[47] She would give him seven children as seen in their story 52 Ancestors: #21 The MERTES-RUCKERT Family of Strassen.

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Baptêmes 1781-1797, confirmations 1791, mariages 1781-1797, sépultures 1781-1797 > image 64 of 254. 1787 Baptismal Record No. 215. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32462-8679-85?cc=2037955 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[2] Ibid., Bertrange > Tables des mariages 1720-1796 (index organisée par l’époux) > image 417 of 572. 1785 Marriage Card. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32461-18359-79?cc=2037955 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[3] Ibid., Bertrange > Tables des mariages 1720-1796 (index organisée par l’époux) > image 199 of 572. 1770 Marriage Card. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32461-19970-46?cc=2037955 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[4] Ibid., Bertrange > Tables des mariages 1720-1796 Hassel-Z (index organisée par l’épouse) > image 174 of 376. 1774 Marriage Card. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32462-2184-12?cc=2037955 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[5] Ibid., Bertrange > Baptêmes 1800-1807, mariages 1800-1807, sépultures 1802-1807, communions 1796, membres 1734-1816 > image 91 of 108. 1803 Death Record. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32462-8929-70?cc=2037955 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[6] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 673 of 1416. 1825 Death Record No. 17. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-56264-53?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 April 2010).
[7] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 10 of 1416. 1828 Marriage Record No. 8. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-54990-54?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[8] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 11 of 1416. 1828 Marriage Record No. 9.  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-54927-45?cc=1709358 : accessed 8 October 2015).
[9] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 370 of 1480. 1830 Birth Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-106857-63?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[10] Ibid., Luxembourg > Décès 1856 > image 785 of 1516. 1863 Death Record No. 86. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11662-166376-78?cc=1709358 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[11] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 405 of 1480. 1832 Birth Record No. 2. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-109195-60?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[12] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 805 of 1416. 1835 Death Record No. 40. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-58440-51?cc=1709358 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[13] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 435 of 1480. 1833 Birth Record No. 50. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-102982-17?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[14] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 808 of 1416. 1835 Death Record No. 50. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-53339-95?cc=1709358 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[15] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 808 of 1416. 1835 Death Record No. 50. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-53339-95?cc=1709358 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[16] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 503 of 1480. 1836 Birth Record No. 77.  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-103346-89?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[17] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 559 of 1480. 1839 Birth Record No. 23. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-103970-17?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[18] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 593 of 1480. 1840 Birth Record No. 67. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-105897-85?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[19] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 914 of 1416. 1842 Death Record No. 41. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-55046-3?cc=1709358 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[20] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 633 of 1480. 1842 Birth Record No. 24. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-105568-17?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[21] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 907 of 1416. 1842 Death Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-51891-68?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[22] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 125 of 1480. 1811 Birth Record (left page). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-105176-7?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DX:1319414221 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[23] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 684 of 1416. 1826 Death Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-52047-76?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 April 2010).
[24] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 479 of 1480. 1835 Birth Record No. 69. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-109235-17?cc=1709358 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[25] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 156 of 1416. 1842 Marriage Record No. 21. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-57204-95?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[26] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 670 of 1480. 1843 Birth Record No. 51. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-102051-57?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 April 2010).
[27] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 725 of 1480. 1845 Birth Record No. 63. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-105231-33?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 April 2010).
[28] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 965 of 1416. 1845 Death Record No. 41. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-56392-74?cc=1709358 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[29] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 770 of 1480. 1847 Birth Record No. 25. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-104061-29?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DX:1319414221 : accessed 04 Apr 2013).
[30] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 834 of 1480. 1850 Birth Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-104996-65?cc=1709358 : accessed 6 October 2015).
[31] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 479 of 1480. 1835 Birth Record No. 69. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-109235-17?cc=1709358 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[32] Luxembourg, Volkszählungen 1843-1900 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > 1851 > image 211 of 215. Ruckert-Schmit household. “Luxembourg Volkszählungen 1843-1900,” images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32358-27390-47?cc=2037957 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[33] Ibid., Bertrange > 1855 > image 12 of 207. Ruckert-Schmit household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32378-10504-67?cc=2037957 : accessed 7 October 2015).
[34] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1084 of 1416. 1856 Death Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-55634-51?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[35] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 279 of 1416. 1857 Marriage Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-52834-59?cc=1709358 : accessed 8 October 2015).
[36] Ibid., Luxembourg > Mariages 1847-1868 > image 808 of 1501. 1859 Marriage Record No. 32. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12576-91871-46?cc=1709358 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[37] Luxembourg Census, Bertrange > 1858 > image 91 of 215. Ruckert-Schmit household No. 86. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32359-27766-22?cc=2037957 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[38] Ibid., Bertrange > 1861 > image 125 of 220. Ruckert-Schmit household No. 88. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32369-15777-10?cc=2037957 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[39] Ibid., Bertrange > 1864 > image 214 of 258. Ruckert-Schmit household No. 196. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32379-36631-51?cc=2037957 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[40] Ibid., Bertrange > 1867 > image 143 of 252. Ruckert-Schmit household No. 122. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32383-24540-26?cc=2037957 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[41] Ibid., Leudelange > 1864 > image 24 of 123. Wester household No. 16. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32372-18449-52?cc=2037957 : accessed 10 October 2015).
[42] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 1050 of 1480. 1867 Birth Record No. 30. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-107323-82?cc=1709358 : accessed 9 October 2015).
[43] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1215 of 1416. 1870 Death Record No. 17. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-58375-57?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 11 Apr 2013).
[44] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 372 of 1416. 1870 Marriage Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-56851-48?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829:129622901,129640401 : accessed 20 May 2015).
[45] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1223 of 1416. 1871 Death Record No. 16. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-56358-72?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-829:129622901,129640401 : accessed 25 May 2015).
[46] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 1091 of 1480. 1871 Birth Record No. 17. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-103996-63?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-YWL:129622901,129854201 : accessed 20 May 2015).
[47] Ibid., Strassen > Naissances, mariages 1796-1823, 1850-1890 > image 1336 of 1464. 1874 Marriage Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12588-60372-57?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-LNP:1592332876 : accessed 03 Apr 2013).

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Jacob RUCKERT
Parents: Johann RUCKERT and Angelique MICHELS
Spouse: Margaretha SCHOLER and Magdalena SCHMIT(*)
Parents of Spouse(*): Peter SCHMIT and Anne Marguerite WEICKER
Whereabouts: Bertrange, Grand Duché de Luxembourg
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: husband’s 3rd great-grandfather

1. Jacob RUCKERT
2. Margaretha RUCKERT
3. Maria MERTES
4. Suzanne PEFFER
5. Marie Françoise “Maisy” KREMER
6. Cathy Meder-Dempsey’s husband

© 2015 Cathy Meder-Dempsey

52ancestors-2015This 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.

52 Ancestors: #40 Happy Birthday to Michel of the MERTES-ERPELDING Family

Week 40 (October 1-7) – October: What ancestor has a birthday or anniversary in October?

François, the Groom

François “Franz” MERTES (1806-1864) was the son of Nicolas MERTES and Marie Catherine DONNEN (1783-1854). Franz’s parents were married on 21 February 1803[1] in Bertrange (Bartringen). François, the name given to him at birth, is believed to have been their first born child. He was born at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday 5 April 1806[2] in Bertrange. On Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m. when Nicolas reported his son’s  birth another father, Martin JUNG was at the city hall to report his daughter’s birth. Martin JUNG witnessed Nicolas’ son’s birth record and Nicolas witnessed JUNG’s daughter’s birth record. Both men did not know how to write and signed with an X.

1806mertesbirth
1806 Birth Record of François MERTES (left) and of the JUNG baby girl (right) with the fathers and witnesses X marks.[2]
François had the following known siblings:  Anne 1808, Catherine 1811, Nicolas 1814, Joannes 1817, and Nicolas 1821. Their marriages and children have not been researched.

While doing François’ census work I saved the links in Evernote of all pages with the MERTES name from 1843 through 1855. “Census work” for families in Luxembourg during this time period means viewing every image in the batches at FamilySearch as they are browse only and don’t have a list or index similar to the later census years. It is very time consuming but usually helpful when developing a timeline for the family.

François marries Margaretha ERPELDING

In the year eighteen hundred thirty-four, the twenty-fifth of the month of February at 9 o’clock in the morning, there came before us, the mayor, civil officer of the commune of Bertrange in the province of Luxembourg, François MERTES, single, age twenty-seven years, born in Bertrange in this commune on the fifth day of April eighteen hundred sixteen (sic, 1806), a civil day laborer, resident of Bertrange, adult son of  Nicolas MERTES and Marie Catherine DONNEN who are both present, consulting to this marriage.

and the demoiselle Marguerithe ERPELDING age thirty-three years born on the Kackerter farm in Oetrange in the commune of Contern on the eleventh day of the month of Nivôse in the ninth year of the French Republic, corresponding to the first of January eighteen hundred and one, without an occupation, resident of Kackerter farm, adult daughter of Nicolas ERPELDING and Madelaine KUNERATH who died at the named Kackerter farm, the mother on the twenty-eighth January eighteen hundred eighteen and the father on the ten May eighteen hundred twenty-nine, during their lifetimes civil day laborers.

Who requested that we procede in the celebration of this marriage planned between them, and banns were published in Contern on Sundays the second and ninth of the month of February and in Bertrange on the ninth and sixteenth of the same month.

No opposition to the marriage was given us, granting them the right of their request, after reading all above mentioned, as well as the title of Chapter Six of the Civil Code entitled the Marriage, we asked the future husband and the future wife if they want to take each other to be husband and wife; each responding separately and affirmatively, we declare, on behalf of the law, that François MERTES and Marguerithe ERPELDING are united by marriage.

All of this took place in the presence of witnesses named below, namely
Mathias Erpelding, age forty years, farmer, resident of the said Kackerter farm, brother of the future bride
Pierre Erpelding, age thirty-five years, residing abroad, weaver, brother of the future bride
Jean Reichling, age twenty-five years, farmer, resident of Bertrange, acting as a friend of the future groom
And Nicolas Goergen, age twenty-five years, farmer, resident of Bertrange, acting as a friend of the future groom
Who after it was read to them, signed with us, with the exception of the groom, the bride, and the mother and father of the groom who declared not knowing how to sign.[3]

marriagesignatures
Signatures from the 1834 Marriage Record No. 9 with translation of French text above.[3]

Margaretha, the Bride

Margaretha, seen above as Marguerithe, was born 10 Nivôse year IX[4] (1 January 1801) on Kackerterhoff (Kackerterhaff) in Oetrange in the commune of Contern to Nicolas ERPELDING (1765-1829)  and Madelaine “Magdalena” KUNERATH (1759-1818). Her date of birth was recorded in the civil records using the French Republican Calendar. Church records were kept using the Gregorian or Christian calendar and her baptismal record shows she was baptized on 16 November 1800[5] – six weeks before her birth! Civil records are the legal records used in Luxembourg. I am not sure how this discrepancy in the church records came about but it was brought to my attention by Cyndi Speltz Gipp.

A dozen years ago Cyndi, my husband’s 7th cousin, got in touch with me about her JEHNEN line. She spent hours at her local Family History Center viewing microfilms she ordered for her research of the JEHNEN descendants, including Nicolas ERPELDING whose mother was a JEHNEN. Cyndi found 5 siblings for Margaretha: Mathias 1791, Catharina 1793, Margaretha 1795, Petrus 1797 and Barbara 1804.

François and Margaretha’s Little Family

Ten months after their marriage, at 6 o’clock in the evening of Christmas Eve, François and Margaretha welcomed their first child into the family. François reported the birth of his daughter Marie Catherine MERTES[6] on Christmas Day 1834 in Bartringen. As was the case at the time of his marriage, he was not able to sign the record.

Their second child and only son, Michel MERTES was born on 6 October 1837[7] at 4 o’clock in the afternoon in the commune of Bertrange. His father reported the birth two hours later. The place of birth is not specifically stated. Later when Michel married in 1861 his place of birth on his marriage record was Bertrange but when he married a second time in 1874 his place of birth on the marriage record was Strassen.

Happy Birthday Michel MERTES

Tomorrow is the 178th anniversary of the birth of Michel, François and Margaretha’s only son, and only child to live to adulthood and marry.

Census Records Help to Fill in the Timeline

Census records were found for the little family. On 23 December 1843[8] they were living next door to François’ parents[9] in Bertrange. Following this census, the only one with the entire family listed, Marie Catherine died at the age of eleven years on 6 July 1846[10] in Strassen.

1843censusmertes
1843 Luxembourg Census for the MERTES-ERPELDING family.[8]
The family of three, father, mother and son Michel, was seen in Strassen for the censuses taken on 20 December 1846[11], 31 December 1847[12], 7 December 1849[13], 31 December 1851[14], and 6 December 1852[15].

François’ parents were still living in Bartringen when his mother Marie Catherine DONNEN died on 24 January 1854[16] and his father Nicolas MERTES died on 19 October 1855.[17]

The MERTES-ERPELDING family was seen in Strassen on 3 December 1855[18] and 3 December 1858[19] when the census was enumerated.

Their only living child Michel MERTES married(1) Catharina HEIN (1834-1874) on 10 January 1861[20] in Strassen. When the census was taken in December 1861[21] Michel and his wife were living with his parents.

François and Margaretha’s first granddaughter Maria lived only 5 days, born 1 February[22] and died 6 February 1862[23] in Strassen. Their second granddaugher Margaretha was born in 1863[24] about a year before François “Franz” MERTES died on 15 March 1864[25] in Strassen.

Margaretha ERPELDING was seen as the head of household on 3 December 1864.[26] Her son Michel, daughter-in-law Catharina, and granddaughter Margaretha were in her household. On 3 December 1867[27] Michel MERTES was the head of household in Strassen. His mother Margaretha was in his household and died less than a year later in Strassen on 1 November 1868.[28]

Michel MERTES, widowed with three children in February 1874[29], married Margaretha RUCKERT (1847-1895) on 22 April 1874[30] in Strassen. Their story can be read here.

New Connections Found in the Census

While researching this small family I found two ladies with the maiden name ERPELDING and Oetrange as their place of birth in the Bertrange and Strassen census. They were both married to older men and did not have children. Their marriage records were found and proved they were sisters of Margaretha:

  • Catharina ERPELDING (b. 15 Oct 1793) married Jean BOUR (b. 1772) on 26 February 1831[31] in Bertrange
  • Margaretha ERPELDING (b. 15 Dec 1795) married Jean SCHMIT (b. 1780) on 10 April 1839[32] in Bertrange.

These marriages were unknown to Cyndi who concentrated her search in the Oetrange, Contern area. Finding these records however brings up new questions. The birth dates above were found in the marriage records and match dates of birth found by Cyndi. Unfortunately not only were there two sisters named Margaretha, there was a second sister named Catharina b. abt. 1793 who married in 1814 and died in 1848. Both Cyndi and I have her listed with the birth date 15 October 1793. But which of the two Catharina’s was born on this date? I’ll have to add this research question and all it entails to my to-do list.

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 1329 of 1480. 1803 Marriage Record (right page). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-107050-84?cc=1709358 : accessed 5 October 2015).
[2] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 61 of 1480. 1806 Birth Record (left page). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-109075-23?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DX:1319414221 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[3] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 63 of 1416. 1834 Marriage Record No. 9.  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-55620-99?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DC:725853054 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[4] Ibid., Contern > Naissances 1796-1835 > image 49 of 484. 1800 Birth Record (10 Nivose IX). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12325-25034-93?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 October 2015).
[5] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Oetrange > Baptêmes 1797-1836, 1741-1761, mariages 1797-1836, sépultures 1797-1835 > image 4 of 91. Baptismal Record. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32461-8208-27?cc=2037955 : accessed 2 October 2015).
[6]  Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 459 of 1480. 1834 Birth Record No. 58. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-105648-16?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 October 2015).
[7] Ibid., Bertrange > Naissances 1796-1890 Mariages 1796-1827 > image 520 of 1480. 1837 Birth Record No. 48. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12703-102810-32?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2DX:1319414221 : accessed 04 Apr 2013).
[8] Luxembourg, Volkszählungen 1843-1900 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > 1843 > image 141 of 407. Mertes-Erpelding household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32355-16960-73?cc=2037957 : accessed 4 October 2015).
[9] Ibid., Bertrange > 1843 > image 142 of 407. Mertes-Donnen household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32355-17053-91?cc=2037957 : accessed 4 October 2015).
[10] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 976 of 1416. 1846 Death Record No. 29. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-52441-82?cc=1709358 : accessed 2 October 2015).
[11] Luxembourg Census, Bertrange > 1846 > image 383 of 431. Mertes-Erpelding household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32358-11205-4?cc=2037957 : accessed 4 October 2015).
[12] 4. Luxembourg, Volkszählungen 1843-1900 (images), <i>FamilySearch</i> (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bertrange > 1847 > image 230 of 448. Mertes-Erpelding household No.13. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32349-25713-78?cc=2037957 : accessed 4 October 2015).
[13] Ibid., Bertrange > 1849 > image 326 of 474. Mertes-Erpelding household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32350-6186-25?cc=2037957&wc=M5LR-7MY:346116301,345864801 : accessed 3 October 2015).
[14] Ibid., Strassen > 1851 > image 112 of 222. Mertes-Erpelding household No. 93. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32351-8545-20?cc=2037957 : accessed 3 October 2015).
[15] Ibid., Strassen > 1852 > image 72 of 259. Mertes-Erpelding household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32368-16226-41?cc=2037957 : accessed 3 October 2015).
[16] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1062 of 1416. 1854 Death Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-56882-33?cc=1709358 : accessed 3 April 2010).
[17] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 1077 of 1416. 1855 Death Record No. 32. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-54541-99?cc=1709358 : accessed 3 April 2010).
[18] Luxembourg Census42-32375-912-15?cc=2037957 : accessed 3 October 2015).
[19] Ibid., Strassen > 1858 > image 239 of 297. Mertes household no. 57.  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32372-17028-75?cc=2037957&wc=M5LY-R97:346409101,345867601 : accessed 21 May 2015).
[20] Luxembourg Civil Records, Strassen > Naissances, mariages 1796-1823, 1850-1890 > image 1221 of 1464. 1861 Marriage Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12588-59528-4?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-LNP:1592332876 : accessed 03 Apr 2013).
[21] Luxembourg Census, Strassen > 1861 > image 227 of 297. Mertes household no. 126. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32371-8385-74?cc=2037957&wc=M5LY-Y4G:346409101,345867101 : accessed 21 May 2015).
[22] Luxembourg Civil Records, Strassen > Naissances, mariages 1796-1823, 1850-1890 > image 450 of 1464. 1862 Birth Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12588-61420-66?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-N38:130458601,130573201 : accessed 20 May 2015).
[23] Ibid., Strassen > Décès 1850-1890 > image 120 of 446. 1862 Death Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11740-160448-65?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-6T5:130458601,129625702 : accessed 21 May 2015).
[24] Ibid., Strassen > Naissances, mariages 1796-1823, 1850-1890 > image 466 of 1464. 1863 Birth Record No. 19. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12588-57722-32?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-N38:130458601,130573201 : accessed 2 April 2010).
[25] Ibid., Strassen > Décès 1850-1890 > image 140 of 446. 1864 Death Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11740-166420-69?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-LNG:528766680 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[26] Luxembourg Census, Strassen > 1864 > image 210 of 293. Mertes-Erpelding houshold no. 152. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32569-16533-34?cc=2037957&wc=M5G9-FMT:346409101,345868401 : accessed 21 May 2015).
[27] Ibid., Strassen > 1867 > image 31 of 312. Mertes household no. 15. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32380-28790-79?cc=2037957&wc=M5GS-SPL:346409101,345869101 : accessed 21 May 2015).
[28] Luxembourg Civil Records, Strassen > Décès 1850-1890 > image 189 of 446. 1868 Death Record No. 26. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11740-165726-80?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-LNG:528766680 : accessed 10 Apr 2013).
[29] Ibid., Strassen > Décès 1850-1890 > image 251 of 446. 1874 Death Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11741-487-59?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-6T5:130458601,129625702 : accessed 17 May 2015).
[30] Ibid., Strassen > Naissances, mariages 1796-1823, 1850-1890 > image 1336 of 1464. 1874 Marriage Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12588-60372-57?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-LNP:1592332876 : accessed 03 Apr 2013).
[31] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 33 of 1416. 1831 Marriage Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-52218-77?cc=1709358 : accessed 4 October 2015).
[32] Ibid., Bertrange > Mariages 1828-1890 Décès 1796-1890 > image 119 of 1416. 1839 Marriage Record No. 9. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12131-51841-94?cc=1709358 : accessed 4 October 2015).

Genealogy Sketch

Name: François “Franz” MERTES
Parents: Nicolas MERTES and Marie Catherine DONNEN
Spouse: Margaretha ERPELDING
Parents of Spouse: Nicolas ERPELDING and Madelaine “Magdalena” KUNERATH
Whereabouts: Kackerterhaff, Bertrange, and Strassen
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: husband’s 3rd great-grandfather

1. François “Franz” MERTES
2. Michel MERTES
3. Maria MERTES
4. Suzanne PEFFER
5. Marie Françoise “Maisy” KREMER
6. Cathy Meder-Dempsey’s husband

© 2015 Cathy Meder-Dempsey

52ancestors-2015This 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.