Agnes BOUR alias HEITZ and Johannes HAMES of Mamer

Agnes BOUR alias HEITZ (1755-1836)

On 29 October 1755 twin girls were born in Luxembourg in the town of Septfontaines.¹ Maria Catherina and Agnes were the daughters of Nicolas HEITZ and Anna Catharina RONAS. Agnes was my fifth great-grandmother and her parents my sixth great-grandparents.

1755 Baptismal Records of Maria Catharina BOUR and Agnes BOUR

In Maria Catharina’s baptismal record the priest gave her parents’ names as Nicolai BOUR alias HEITZ and Anna Catharina RONAS. In Agnes’ record, he wrote Nicolai HEITZ and Anna Catharina BOUR alias RONAS. The difference in how the names are listed is due to the use of the house name BOUR. In the first record, it’s associated with the father while in the second it’s associated with the mother.

The twins were the first children of Anna Catharina RONAS and Nicolas HEITZ who married on 6 February 1755.² However, these girls were not Anna Catharina’s first children. She was the widow of Dominique MAMER with whom she had eight children. Dominique died on 20 May 1753 in Septfontaines.³ Anna Catharina and her first husband’s house name was BOUR. Her second husband Nicolas HEITZ would also be known by the same house name (BOUR alias HEITZ or HEITZ domo BOUR) in later records.

A view of the castle of Septfontaines

Following the births of the twins, Anna Catharina had four more children with Nicolas. In all, she had a dozen children between 1741 and 1762.

In 1766 Maria Theresa of Austria implemented the first modern cadastre and census in a large part of the territories under the rule of the House of Habsburg. This included Luxembourg, along with Belgium, a part of the Netherlands.

The household of Nicolas HEITZ in Septfontaines in the 1766 census.

Nicolas HEITZ was found on the 1766 census with his wife Anna Catharina, her two sons Antoine and Dominique MAMER from her first marriage, and their daughters Agnes, Maria Catharina, and Marie HEITZ.⁴ They were living in Septfontaines in the Bourhouse near the pond.  A complete history of the house can be found in a book on the house and family history of Septfontaines for the years 1654-1985.⁵ Anna Catharina’s father Leonardus RONAS, a stonemason and builder, was mentioned as early as 1713 in a Septfontaines record.⁶

This line is of special interest to me as Agnes HEITZ and her mother Anna Catharina RONAS are my matrilineal ancestors. The continuation of my mitochondrial DNA line is stuck at this point as the name of the wife of Leonardus RONAS is unknown to me at this time.

Johannes HAMES (c1756-1826)

Town sign of Schoenfels (Schëndels in Luxembourgish) with a partial view of the church in the distance.

On 15 October 1755 Jacob HAMES of Schoenfels and Magdalena MATHIEU of Septfontaines were married in the chapel of Schoenfels Castle.⁷ They were my sixth great-grandparents.

Schoenfels Castle in the village of Schoenfels in the Mamer Valley between Kopstal and Mersch

Jacob and Magdalena would make their home in Mamer from at least 1759. The baptismal dates and godparents of nine of their children born between 1759 and 1776 are recorded in the alphabetical family group register of births/baptisms and marriages for Mamer.⁸ Actual baptismal records for this time period are missing.

Two pages out of the Family Register of the Paris of Mamer with the Hames-Mathieu and Hames-Heitz families

Their oldest son Johannes born after their marriage in 1755 and before 1759 appears to have been added as an afterthought in the entry but without a baptismal/birth date. Following Jacob and Magdalena’s family group there is an entry for my fifth great-grandfather Johannes, his wife, and their children. In Latin the compiler added filius praedictorum conjugum, indicating Johannes was the son of the couple in the previous entry.

Although my fourth great-grandfather Michel TRAUSCH indicated his father-in-law Johannes HAMES was born in Mamer when he reported his death in 1826, I think it unlikely. Baptismal records for Septfontaines, where his mother hailed, and Mersch (the parish Schoenfels was part of), where his father was from, have been checked without avail. Could his parents have been on the move after the marriage and before they settled in Mamer?

As Jacob and Magdalena were having children in Mamer, their household on the census would include their oldest son Johannes as well as Nicolas, Catherine, Willibrod, and Anton who were all born before 1766. The last two have been found in records after 1766. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to locate the Mamer census for 1766 in the browse-only collection on FamilySearch. As I understand Mamer was part of the Decanat Mersch which I have looked through several times.

Johannes and Agnes likely met as children

Although the 1766 listing for the HAMES family in Mamer wasn’t found, Johannes HAMES’ maternal grandmother was. Marie Jeanne ENDRÉ, the mother of Magdalena MATHIEU and the widow of Mathias MATHIEU, was living with her son Jean MATHIEU in Septfontaines next door to Nicolas HEITZ and Anna Catharina RONAS.

This means my fifth great-grandmother Agnes HEITZ was living next door to the grandmother of her future husband Johannes HAMES and they likely knew each other as children.

An aside concerning Marie Jeanne ENDRÉ

Johannes HAMES’ grandmother Marie Jeanne ENDRÉ came from Marienthal to Septfontaines in 1722 when she married Mathias MATHIEU alias BODEN. Their first child’s godmother was Ursula de Manteville, a religious lady from the convent of Marienthal. At that time, Marie-Catherine de Manteville was the prioress of the convent.

Former Abbey Marienthal

Marie Jeanne’s parents are at this time unknown. Could this connection to the convent, founded in the 13th century for daughters of nobility, mean she was of nobility, a convert, or only a servant? Will further research lead to records with her parents’ names?

Agnes and Johannes marry in 1785

1785 Marriage Record of “Joannes Hames” and “Agnes Heutz”

Agnes HEITZ married Johannes HAMES on 18 January 1785 in Mamer.⁹ Two weeks short of their first wedding anniversary their first child was born followed by five others in ten years.

The children of Johannes and Agnes

Willibrodus was born 4 January 1786. He was baptized the following day with Willibrod HAMES of Mamer and Catharina TRAUSCH, wife of Anton MANGEL of the Koerich quarry, being named as his godparents.¹⁰ Willibrodus died less than a month later on 30 January.¹¹

Susanne was born 28 December 1786 at 6 o’clock in the morning. She was baptized the same day with Susanna MULLER, the wife of Wilhelm MAMER of Septfontaines, and Anton HAMES of Mamer serving as her godparents.¹²

Catharina was born 16 May 1789 and baptized the following day. Her godparents were Catharina HAMES and Joannes GOEDERS both of Mamer.¹³

Antonius was born 22 December 1790 at 2 o’clock in the morning and baptized the same day. His godparents were Anton MAMER of the Koerich quarry and Maria HINTGEN, wife of Nicolas KNEPPER of Mamer.¹⁴ Antonius died at the age of two years on 20 December 1792.¹⁵

Petrus was born 14 September 1792 and baptized the same day in the presence of his godparents Peter HEBER of Mamer and Maria BRAUSCH, wife of Willibrod HAMES of Bertrange.¹⁶ Petrus died at the age of a year on 10 October 1793.¹⁷

Baltasar was born 29 January 1795. He was baptized the same day with Baltasar WAGENER and Catharina FREYMAN both of Mamer being his godparents.¹⁸

Only the girls survived to marry

Susanne and Catharina grew up with their little brother Baltasar. Sadly, he died at the age of nearly 19 years on 4 January 1814 in Mamer.¹⁹

A year later on 11 January 1815, my 4th great-grand aunt Susanne married Michel KOLBACH, the half-brother of my 3rd great-grandfather Johannes FRANTZ. Michel was the son of my 4th great-grandmother Susanne KIEFFER (1754-1808) and her first husband Michel KOLBACH (1748-1796). The groom’s parents were both deceased. The bride’s parents, as well as two of her paternal uncles, were present at the marriage.²⁰

The connections between the Hames, Trausch, and Kolbach families

Catharina, my fourth-great-grandmother, likely lived alone with her parents for two years following her sister’s marriage. Like her sister Susanne, she married a man named Michel whose parents were both deceased. Michel TRAUSCH, son of Remacle TRAUSCH and Theresia BRAUN (also seen as COLLING), married Catharina HAMES on 18 February 1817. Her parents Johannes and Agnes were present at the marriage as well as her brother-in-law Michel KOLBACH.²¹:

The family grows as grandchildren are born

Susanne gave Agnes and Johannes six grandchildren between 1816 and 1827, five granddaughters and a grandson. The two youngest granddaughters did not live past the age of 2 and 4 years. The four older grandchildren all married and continued the KOLBACH line.

Catharina gave Agnes and Johannes seven grandchildren between 1818 and 1829. Six granddaughters and a grandson. The oldest and the youngest died as infants. The grandson was last seen in 1855 with his parents – no trace of him has been found thereafter. The three oldest granddaughters married and had children. The youngest granddaughter never married and died at the age of 73 years in 1900.

Johannes and Agnes lived long lives

Johannes HAMES did not live to see the births of his three youngest grandchildren. He died on 13 May 1826 in Mamer at two o’clock in the morning at the age of 71 years. His death was reported by his son-in-law Michel TRAUSCH.²²

Agnes HEITZ lived another ten years dying on 23 February 1836 in Mamer at four in the afternoon at the age of 80 years. Her death was also reported by her son-in-law Michel TRAUSCH.²³ She was survived by her two daughters, their husbands, and nine grandchildren.

Susanne²⁴ and her husband Michel KOLBACH²⁵ died within a month of each other in 1855 at the ages of 68 and 70. Catharina lived until the age of 75 dying in 1864.²⁶ Her widower Michel TRAUSCH died four years later in 1869.²⁷

I would like to end this post with a very special thank you to my husband for the wonderful photographs he took last week. He planned his 140 kilometer bike ride around the towns where my HEITZ, RONAS, HAMES, and MATTHIEU families lived in the 1700s.

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

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1. Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Septfontaines > Baptêmes 1735-1797, confirmations 1774-1791, mariages 1738-1797, sépultures 1738-1788 > image 34 of 208. 1755 baptismal records for twins Agnes and Maria Catharina, 3rd and 4th entries on left page. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32463-3785-56?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-4WR:1501152901,1501459884 : accessed 7 June 2015). ↩
2. ibid., Septfontaines > Baptêmes 1735-1797, confirmations 1774-1791, mariages 1738-1797, sépultures 1738-1788 > image 155 of 208. 1755 Marriage Record, 1st entry on left page. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32463-3700-90?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-4WR:1501152901,1501459884 : accessed 7 June 2015). ↩
3. Ibid., Septfontaines > Baptêmes 1735-1797, confirmations 1774-1791, mariages 1738-1797, sépultures 1738-1788 > image 194 of 208. 1753 Death Record (left page entry for 20 May 1753). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32463-4937-58?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-4WR:1501152901,1501459884 : accessed 7 June 2015). ↩
4. Luxembourg, Dénombrement, 1766 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Archives Générales du Royaume, Bruxelles), Film/DGS 1781981 > Film # 8182018 > Decanat de Mersch v. 2-3 > Septfontaines (paroisse de Septfontaines) > Image 328 of 556. Hietz family including Mamer step-sons. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS21-FQ85-S?i=327&cat=1184675 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
5. Haus- und Familienchronik Simmern 1654-1985, herausgegeben anlässlich des 75. Stiftungsfestes der Feuerwehr Simmern und des Kantonalverbandes Capellen (unter der Schirmherrschaft der Gemeindeverwaltung Simmern), page 75, Nr. 41a. ↩
6. Ibid., page 15. ↩
7. Luxembourg Church Records, Mersch > Mariages 1749-1772 > image 19 of 88. 1755 Marriage Record (left page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-938P?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-168%3A1500963301%2C1500969860 : acccessed 26 June 2019). ↩
8. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes 1718-1940, familles alphabétique > image 102 of 375. Jacob Hames and Magdalena Mathieu family group information with 10 children, p. 193-194. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32402-4-51?cc=2037955 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
9. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 65 of 168. 1785 Marriage Record. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32401-17714-18?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6G:1500941501,1500913302 : accessed 6 June 2015). ↩
10. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 70 of 168. 1786 Baptismal Record (right, 1st entry).(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-92HN?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6G%3A1500941501%2C1500913302 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
11. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 77 of 168. 1786 Death Record (right, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-92Q2?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6G%3A1500941501%2C1500913302 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
12. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 73 of 168. 1786 Baptismal Record (right, last entry).(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-9KF7?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6G%3A1500941501%2C1500913302 : accessed 22 December 2017). ↩
13. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 102 of 168. 1789 Baptismal Record (left, first entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-SPR?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6G%3A1500941501%2C1500913302 : accessed 14 January 2018). ↩
14. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 114 of 168. 1790 Baptismal Record (left, 1st entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-SKW?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6G%3A1500941501%2C1500913302 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
15. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 149 of 168. 1792 Death Record (left, 3rd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-SN1?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6G%3A1500941501%2C1500913302 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
16. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 139 of 168. 1792 Baptismal Record (bottom left and upper right). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-SJV?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6G%3A1500941501%2C1500913302 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
17. Ibid., Mamer > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 168 of 168. 1793 Death Record (left, 2nd entry from bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-SXT?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-C6G%3A1500941501%2C1500913302 : accessed 5 January 2018). ↩
18. Diözesanarchiv Luxemburg / Archives diocésaines Luxembourg (images), Matricula Online, http://data.matricula-online.eu/de/LU/luxemburg/, Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 (original records in the Luxembourg Diocesan Archives, Luxembourg City), Microfilm/-fiche GV.MF 356-443, Mamer, KB-01, Heiraten – Sterbefälle – Taufen – 1790 – 1804, page 56, image 30, right page, last entry. 1795 Baptismal Record (right page, last entry). (http://data.matricula-online.eu/de/LU/luxemburg/mamer/KB-01/?pg=30 : accessed 14 May 2019). ↩
19. Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 644 of 1497. 1814 Death Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6XPQ-DVK?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-VZ9%3A130065401%2C130130201 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
20. Ibid., Mamer > Naissances 1834-1890 Mariages 1796-1837 > image 1259 of 1504. 1815 Marriage Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-61F9-R26?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-FM9%3A130065401%2C130365601 : accessed 8 October 2015). ↩
21. Ibid., Mamer > Naissances 1834-1890 Mariages 1796-1837 > image 1283 of 1504. 1817 Marriage Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12585-51831-91?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-FM9:130065401,130365601 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
22. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 770 of 1497. 1826 Death Record No. 20. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6XPQ-639?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-VZ9%3A130065401%2C130130201 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
23. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 874 of 1497. 1836 Death Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6XPQ-X8M?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-VZ9%3A130065401%2C130130201 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
24. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 1119 of 1497. 1855 Death Record No. 15. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6XPQ-X88?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-VZ9%3A130065401%2C130130201 : accessed 22 December 2017). ↩
25. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 1118 of 1497. 1855 Death Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6XPQ-XXV?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-VZ9%3A130065401%2C130130201 : accessed 22 December 2017). ↩
26. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 1250 of 1497. 1864 Death Record No. 19. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12143-121075-9?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
27. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 1336 of 1497. 1869 Death Record No. 34. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12143-119820-91?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩

52 Ancestors: #29 The Erpelding-Conradt Family of Kackerterhaff

A decade before America declared its independence Maria Theresa of Austria implemented the first modern cadastre and census in a large part of the territories under the rule of the House of Habsburg, including the Netherlands which encompassed present-day Belgium and Luxembourg.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It! The 1766 Luxembourg Census is Online!

The 1766 census was grouped by villages and towns with each of these belonging to a paroisse or parish. Parishes were classified in a decanat or deanship (diocese). In a village or town, the names of all persons in a household were classified into four groups by age: men were listed as 16 or older and under 16 while women were seen as 14 or older and under 14 years. A column for occupations was only available for men 16 and older. On the last page of each village was a list of occupations of the inhabitants divided into several categories: public service jobs, merchants, laborers (including servants), craftsmen (masters and journeymen), and clergy.

ERPELDING of Kackerd

1766 Census page for the village of Oetrange in the parish of the same name[1]

The ERPELDING family lived and worked on Kackerterhaff near the village of Oetrange in the parish of Oetrange in the decanat of Remich.

Close-up of entry on census page[1]

1766 Census for a place called Kackerd in the Paroisse of Oettringen (Parish of Oetrange)
Household #20
Caspar Erpeldingen male over 16 yrs occupation laboureur or farmer
Jean Erpeldingen male over 16 yrs
Gertrude Erpeldingen female over 14 yrs
Jean Erpeldingen male under 16 yrs
Nicolas Erpeldingen male under 16 yrs
Barbe Erpeldingen female under 14 yrs
Maria Erpeldingen female under 14 yrs
1 married couple in household[1]

CONRADT of Uebersyren

1766 Census page for the village of Uebersyren in the parish of Hostert[2]

The CONRADT family (written CONRADE on the sheet) lived in Uebersyren in the parish of Hostert not far from the parish of Oetrange.

Close-up of entry on census page[2]

1766 Census for the Village of Ubersyren in the Paroisse of Hostert
Household #8
Pierre Conrade 16 yrs or older occupation tisserand or weaver
Ann Catherine Conrad 16 yrs or older
no males under 16 yrs
Elizabeth Conrad female under 14 yrs
Madlene Conrad female under 14 yrs
Marie Conrad female under 14 yrs
Catherine Conrad female under 14 yrs
1 married couple in household[2]

Twenty-two years later…

1788 Marriage Record of Nicolas ERPELDING and Magdalena CONRADT

Nicolas ERPELDING, 22 years old, married Madelaine “Magdalena” CONRADT, 29 years old, on 7 July 1788 in Schuttrange.[3] Nicolas, the youngest son of Caspar ERPELDING (d. 1779) and Gertrude JEHNEN (d. 1774), was born 7 November 1765 in Villa Kackert near Oetrange.[4] Magdalena, the second oldest daughter of Peter CONRADT (d. 1789) and Anna Catharina ROEDER (1736-1791), was born 2 June 1759 in Uebersyren.[5]

Courtesy of Egon Meder

The young couple made their home in Uebersyren during the first years of their marriage and this is where their first child Mathias was born on 27 March 1791.[6]

1791 Baptismal Record of Mathias ERPELDING[6]

Following the birth of Matthias and before their next child was born they left Uebersyren and made their home auf dem Kackert, in the home Nicolas had been born and raised in. The move may have followed the death of Magdalena’s mother in Uebersyren six months after the birth of Mathias.[7]

1793 Baptismal Record of Catharina ERPELDING[8]

When daughter Catharina was born on 15 October 1793, Nicolas and Magdalena were seen as a legally married couple and operariorum commorantuim in Kackert – workers residing at Kackert.[8] Nicolas’ parents had died in 1774[9] and 1779[10] and the farm likely went to their oldest son Jean ERPELDING. Catharina’s baptismal record lists Jean as her godfather and agricola habitans in Villa Kackert – a farmer who lives on the Kackert farm. Villa in Latin has several definitions including villa or country house, village, farm, or premises. As later documents refer to Kackerterhaff,  and it is still known as such, the translation would be a farm.

Kackerterhaff near Oetrange, Luxembourg (courtesy of Egon Meder)

At this point in the family timeline, there is a discrepancy which I have not been able to resolve. From marriage records found, it appears that there were two daughters named Catharina. No baptismal record has been found for the second daughter named Catharina. Her marriage record is a religious marriage record which names her parents but does not include her date of birth. No civil marriage record, which normally includes the date and place of birth, has been found. All birth records of her children and her death record place her birth at about 1793, the same as the first daughter named Catharina. Due to records found, they cannot be the same person.

1795 Baptismal Record of Margaretha ERPELDING[11]

Nicolas and Magdalena’s fourth child Margaretha was born and baptized on 15 December 1795. Her parents were seen as operariorum in Kackert – operators of Kackert.[11]

1797 Baptismal Record of Pierre ERPELDING[12]

Pierre, the next child, was born on 15 January 1797 and the entry in the parish records was the first for the new year. No godparents were listed. The parents were seen as a legally married couple living in Kackert.[12]

The sixth child of Nicolas and Magdalena was another daughter named Margaretha. Her sister who had the same name had not died. She would later marry and live in the same place as this Margaretha, my children’s 4th great-grandmother.

1800 Baptismal Record of Margaretha ERPELDING[13]

The second daughter named Margaretha was baptized on 16 November 1800[13] and born on 1 January 1801.[14] That is not a typo. The records show she was baptized six weeks before her birth! While the church records continued to be kept using the Gregorian calendar, the civil records at the time used the French Republican calendar. A difference of a day or two could be explained but six weeks cannot be an error in calculation. The discrepancy in the church record vis-a-vis the civil record was brought to my attention by Cyndi Speltz Gipp 14 years ago. Cyndi is my husband’s 7th cousin through Gertrude JEHNEN’s parents.

1804 Baptismal Record of Barbara ERPELDING[15]

The last child of Nicolas and Magdalena was Barbara born on 25 February 1804.[15] As with all of her siblings, except for her oldest brother Mathias, she was born on the Kackert farm.

The Middle Years

All of the children Magdalena gave birth to survived to adulthood. The seven children remained on Kackerterhaff until they began to marry.

In the meantime, Nicolas’ brother Jean ERPELDING (his second brother named Jean) died on 20 May 1806 on Kréintgeshaff, a farm near Kackerterhaff.[16] His place of death has helped to differentiate between the two brothers named Jean.

On 15 December 1814, the first of Nicolas and Magdalena’s children married. Catharina married Nicolas GLODT (1793-1858) on 15 December 1814 in Oetrange.[17]

1814 Religious Marriage Record of Nicolas GLODT and Catharina ERPELDING[17]

Madelaine “Magdalena” CONRADT did not live long enough to see any of her other children marry. She died on 28 January 1818 on Kackerterhaff.[18]

Six years later the oldest son of the ERPELDING-CONRADT couple, Mathias, married Margaritha GROSS (1796-1872) on 25 February 1824 in Oetrange.[19] Mathias, being the oldest, remained on the farm.

A little more than a year later, the younger son Pierre married Margaretha KRUCHTEN (1797-1859) on 21 March 1825 in Contern.[20] They would make their home in Oetrange in the commune of Contern.

Four years later Nicolas ERPELDING died on 10 May 1829 at Kackerterhaff.[21] He left two married sons, a married daughter, and four unmarried daughters. His youngest daughter Barbara was 25 years old and expecting a child. The male child was born and died on 28 December 1829.[22] No father was listed on the birth record.

The oldest daughter Catharina married Johann BOUR (1772-1855) on 26 February 1831 in Bertrange.[23] She was 37 years old and he was 58 and had been a widower for two years. Catharina was living on Kackerterhaff up until the time of the marriage. It would be interesting to learn how she met her husband as two of her three sisters would also marry in Bertrange and live in Strassen, at that time part of the commune of Bertrange. What brought these women to Strassen and Bertrange which both lie on the other side of Luxembourg City from Kackerterhaff?

Nicolas ERPELDING’s oldest brother Jean died before 1833 as his widow Catharina EVEN’s death was declared by her nephew Mathias ERPELDING on 13 December 1833.[24] She died on Kackerterhaff. To date, no children have been found for this couple which may be the reason the farm was now seen in the hands of Mathias.

The younger Margaretha, my children’s ancestress, married François “Franz” MERTES (1806-1864) on 25 February 1834 in Bertrange. Both of her brothers, Mathias and Pierre, were present and signed as witnesses to her marriage.[25]

Five years later, the older Margaretha who was still living on the home farm married Johann SCHMIT (1780-1856) on 10 April 1839 in Bertrange. Margaretha was 44 and Johann, widowed only four months earlier, was 58 years old. None of the witnesses were relatives of the bride, however, Michel BRIMEYER, one of the witnesses, was listed as her acquaintance.[26]

Finally, on 11 February 1846, the youngest child of Nicolas and Magdalena married. Barbara married Peter ENTRINGER (1801-1867) on 11 February 1846 in Sandweiler.[27] Barbara’s son Mathias ERPELDING, born illegitimately on 29 May 1835,[28] was 10 years old. The marriage legitimized his birth as Peter ENTRINGER recognized him as his son. Between the time of Mathias’ birth and the marriage, the groom had been married to another woman and widowed.

The Later Years

Catharina ERPELDING who married Nicolas GLODT died on 6 January 1848 at the age of 55 in Oetrange.[29] She had given birth to at least eight children.

Margaretha ERPELDING who married Johann SCHMIT was widowed on 29 December 1856.[30] It is unknown when or where she died. She remained childless.

Catharina ERPELDING who married Johann BOUR was last seen in the census in December 1861 in Strassen. She was widowed in 1855[31] and also remained childless. No death record has been found.

Pierre ERPELDING died on 23 December 1865 in Oetrange.[32] He outlived his wife, who had given him seven children, by six years. Two of these children died as infants. His oldest son Theodore, after being widowed twice, would emigrate to America in 1884 with his sons John and Nicholas and his daughter Angelique to join his older son Peter who had emigrated the previous year. The line would continue in Nebraska.

The youngest daughter Barbara ERPELDING was widowed on 10 Sep 1867.[33] She was not found between the time of her marriage in 1846 and her husband’s death in 1867. It is unknown if they had other children and what happened to the son Mathias who was legitimized at the time of the marriage.

My children’s 4th great-grandmother Margaretha ERPELDING died on 1 November 1868 in Strassen.[34] Widowed in 1864,[35] she left only one child, a son Michel who fathered thirteen children.

Following Margaretha’s death, the only known living child of Nicolas and Magdalena was their oldest son Mathias ERPELDING. He died on 31 December 1871 on Kackerterhaff.[36] His wife followed him four months later.[37] They were the parents of eight children. Sons Peter and Mathias never married but worked the farm until their deaths on Kackerterhaff in 1897[38] and 1916.[39] They are the last known ERPELDINGs to have lived on the home place.

Although I have spent the past two weeks attaching (and citing sources for) birth, marriage, census, and death records to all individuals in this family (several generations), the largest part of the research was done by my husband’s 7th cousin Cyndi. She ordered the FamilySearch microfilms and viewed them at her local Family History Center fourteen years ago. Not only did she research her line down from Gertrude JEHNEN’s parents Christophori “Stofel” JEHNEN and Maria SCHINGEN but also this ERPELDING family and shared all with me. In 2015 I got in touch with her again when I wrote 52 Ancestors: #40 Happy Birthday to Michel of the MERTES-ERPELDING Family and now we keep up via Facebook. Thank you, Cyndi, for all the work you’ve done on this branch of the family.

P.S. Kackerterhaff is Luxembourgish for the German Kackerterhof. So for those of you who noticed, I made the featured image first. While writing the post I decided to be consistent by using Kackerterhaff throughout and forgot I’d used the German version in the image.

Sources:
[1]1. 1766 Census of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, FamilySearch (Digitial copy of the microfilm of originals in the Archives Générales du Royaume, Bruxelles, includes localities now in Luxembourg and Liège, Belgium), Film #008198979 > Decanat de Remich > Oetringen (paroisse d’Oetringen) > Image 249 of 438. p. 248, Kackerd, household no. 20. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLL-9Q65-V?i=248&cat=1184675 : accessed 2 September 2017).
[2] Ibid., Obersirn (paroisse d’Hostert) > Image 124 of 438. page 114, household no. 8. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLL-9QDP-C?i=123&cat=1184675 : accessed 2 September 2017).
[3] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Schuttrange > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 99 of 153. 1788 Marriage Record (left). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-78KC?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-N3F%3A1501181201%2C1500913302 : accessed 26 August 2017).
[4] Ibid., Oetrange > Baptêmes 1684-1701, 1719-1799, confirmations 1738 > image 20 of 90. 1765 Baptismal Record (left page, 5th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-9HDH?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-448%3A1500972093%2C1500972094 : accessed 26 August 2017).
[5] Ibid., Schuttrange > Baptêmes 1713-1778, 1782-1792, sépultures 1718-1733 > image 52 of 100. 1759 Baptismal Record (right, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-7ZM5?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-N3K%3A1501181201%2C1501244146 : accessed 26 August 2017).
[6] Ibid., Schuttrange > Baptêmes 1713-1778, 1782-1792, sépultures 1718-1733 > image 96 of 100. 1791 Baptismal Record (right page, 3rd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-7DK4?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-N3K%3A1501181201%2C1501244146 : accessed 26 August 2017).
[7] Ibid., Schuttrange > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 135 of 153. 1791 Death Record (right page, 1st full entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-78P2?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-N3F%3A1501181201%2C1500913302 : accessed 2 September 2017).
[8] Ibid., Oetrange > Baptêmes 1684-1701, 1719-1799, confirmations 1738 > image 53 of 90. 1793 Baptismal Record (left page, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-9H42?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-448%3A1500972093%2C1500972094 : accessed 26 August 2017).
[9] Ibid., Oetrange > Mariages 1718-1755, 1761-1763, 1767-1785, sépultures 1719-1781 > image 83 of 90. 1774 Death Record (right, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-9C65?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-44D%3A1500972093%2C1500972096 : accessed 31 August 2017).
[10] Ibid., Oetrange > Mariages 1718-1755, 1761-1763, 1767-1785, sépultures 1719-1781 > image 84 of 90. 1779 Death Record (right page, bottom entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-9CBD?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-44D%3A1500972093%2C1500972096 : accessed 31 August 2017).
[11] Ibid., Oetrange > Baptêmes 1684-1701, 1719-1799, confirmations 1738 > image 52 of 90. 1795 Baptismal Record (left page, 3rd entry). ((https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-9HWH?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-448%3A1500972093%2C1500972094 : accessed 26 August 2017).
[12] Ibid., Oetrange > Baptêmes 1797-1836, 1741-1761, mariages 1797-1836, sépultures 1797-1835 > image 3 of 91. 1797 Baptismal Record (right, first entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-9CDJ?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-44C%3A1500972093%2C1501048046 : accessed 26 August 2017).
[13] Ibid., Oetrange > Baptêmes 1797-1836, 1741-1761, mariages 1797-1836, sépultures 1797-1835 > image 4 of 91. Baptismal Record (left page, 2nd to last entry for 1800). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32461-8208-27?cc=2037955 : accessed 2 October 2015).
[14] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), 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).
[15] Luxembourg Parish Records, Oetrange > Baptêmes 1797-1836, 1741-1761, mariages 1797-1836, sépultures 1797-1835 > image 5 of 91. 1804 Baptismal Record (left, 5th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-9C75?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-44C%3A1500972093%2C1501048046 : accessed 26 August 2017).
[16] Luxembourg Civil Records, Contern > Naissances 1836-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1821 > image 1338 of 1476. 1806 Death Record (left, bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1P7-BL2?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-4WL%3A129626701%2C129799901 : accessed 29 August 2017).
[17] Luxembourg Parish Records, Oetrange > Baptêmes 1797-1836, 1741-1761, mariages 1797-1836, sépultures 1797-1835 > image 89 of 91. 1814 Marriage Record (religious). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-9H5L?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-44C%3A1500972093%2C1501048046 : accessed 27 Augst 2017).
[18] Luxembourg Civil Records, Contern > Naissances 1836-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1821 > image 1433 of 1476. 1818 Death Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11693-157266-45?cc=1709358 : accessed 4 October 2015). Note: 20th is missing in the date on the record, i.e. record reads the death was reported on the 9th and should be on the 29th.
[19] Ibid., Contern > Naissances 1836-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1821 > image 824 of 1476. 1824 Marriage Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1P7-2KR?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-4WL%3A129626701%2C129799901 : accessed 29 August 2017).
[20] Ibid., Contern > Naissances 1836-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1821 > image 830 of 1476. 1825 Marriage Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1PW-SMJ?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-4WL%3A129626701%2C129799901 : accessed 29 August 2017).
[21] Ibid., Contern > Décès 1822-1890 > image 50 of 568. 1829 Death Record No. 14. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11556-63378-89?cc=1709358 : accessed 4 October 2015).
[22] Ibid., Contern > Naissances 1796-1835 > image 408 of 484. 1829 Birth Record No. 44. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-62R9-9NB?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-W3X%3A129626701%2C129744001 : accessed 29 August 2017).
[23] 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).
[24] Ibid., 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).
[25] 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).
[26] 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).
[27] Ibid., Sandweiler > Naissances 1865-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1822 > image 995 of 1493. 1846 Marriage Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-X46G-P9?cc=1709358&wc=9RYD-MNL%3A130336601%2C130552301 : accessed 30 August 2017).
[28] Ibid., Contern > Naissances 1796-1835 > image 474 of 484. 1835 Birth Record No. 13. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-62R9-MHJ?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-W3X%3A129626701%2C129744001 : accessed 29 August 2017).
[29] Ibid., Contern > Décès 1822-1890 > image 195 of 568. 1848 Death Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRWS-ZSN?cc=1709358&wc=9RYM-JWL%3A129626701%2C129626702 : accessed 27 August 2017).
[30] Ibid., Strassen > Décès 1850-1890 > image 65 of 446. 1856 Death Record No. 20. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-698Q-X5?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-6T5%3A130458601%2C129625702 : accessed 27 August 2017).
[31] Ibid., Strassen > Décès 1850-1890 > image 52 of 446. 1855 Death Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-69ZW-Q15?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-6T5%3A130458601%2C129625702 : accessed 27 August 2017).
[32] Ibid., Contern > Décès 1822-1890 > image 348 of 568. 1865 Death Record No. 38. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRWS-84C?cc=1709358&wc=9RYM-JWL%3A129626701%2C129626702 : accessed 29 August 2017).
[33] Ibid., Sandweiler > Décès 1833-1890 > image 394 of 604. 1867 Death Record No. 21. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRKS-9MT?cc=1709358&wc=9RY9-929%3A130336601%2C130345701 : accessed 30 August 2017).
[34] Ibid., 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)
[35] 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).
[36] Ibid., Contern > Décès 1822-1890 > image 419 of 568. 1871 Death Record No. 41. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRWS-8JK?cc=1709358&wc=9RYM-JWL%3A129626701%2C129626702 : accessed 27 August 2017).
[37] Ibid., Contern > Décès 1822-1890 > image 423 of 568. 1872 Death Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRWS-8HQ?cc=1709358&wc=9RYM-JWL%3A129626701%2C129626702 : accessed 5 September 2017).
[38] Ibid., Contern > Décès 1895-1912 > image 12 of 131. 1897 Death Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L97J-Y7XS?cc=1709358&wc=9RTY-16P%3A129626701%2C129657201 : accessed 27 August 1897).
[39] Ibid., Contern > Décès 1913-1923 > image 22 of 84. 1916 Death Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-897V-HTCJ?cc=1709358&wc=9RT1-92X%3A129626701%2C129622902 : accessed 27 August 2017).

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

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.

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]

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.

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

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