Tag: Klein

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). ↩

52 Ancestors: #47 Michel Trausch and Catharina Hames of Mamer

With this post, all of my children’s known ancestors from their grandparents to their 5th great-grandparents have been featured since I began blogging four years ago. I actually did it in three years as I took a break from the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks in 2016.

Michel and Catharina

Michel TRAUSCH (1792-1869) and Catharina HAMES (1789-1864) married in Mamer, Luxembourg, on 18 February 1817.1 Their marriage record included the groom and bride’s dates and places of birth. His parents were both deceased; their names and dates and places of death were included. Her parents were living, present and consenting to the marriage. Also present were four witnesses. Michel KOLBACH, the bride’s brother-in-law, and three unrelated persons.

1817 Marriage Record No. 3 [1]
Michel was born on 9 May 1792 in Colmar-Berg, Mersch, Luxembourg, to Remacle TRAUSCH (1761-1804) and Theresia BRAUN (COLLING) (1766-1798).2 Catharina was born on 17 May 1789 in Mamer to Johannes HAMES (~1758-1826) and Agnes HERTZ (1755-1836).3 I will come back to the parents and siblings of Michel and Catharina after I have discussed their children.

Michel and Catharina had the following children:

1. Anna Catharina TRAUSCH was born the day after her parents’ first wedding anniversary on 19 February 1818 in Mamer.4 She died on 26 February 1819 in Mamer at the age of a year and a week.5
2. Maria TRAUSCH was born exactly two years after Anna Catharina, on 19 February 1820.6 She married and had one daughter. She died on 13 May 1875. She was my 3rd great-grandmother and her daughter was my 2nd great-granddaughter.
3. Peter TRAUSCH was born on 3 October 1821 in Mamer.7 He was last seen at the age of 34 years in Mamer with his parents in 1855. At this time it is unknown if he married or had children.
4. Elisabeth TRAUSCH was born on 23 July 1823.8 She married and had three sons. She died on 7 March 1877.
5. Susanna TRAUSCH was born on 23 September 1825.9 She married and had three sons. She died on 29 August 1903.
6. Catherine TRAUSCH was born on 13 March 1827 in Mamer.10 She died on 4 April 1900 in Mamer. Catherine never married.
7. Marie Catherine TRAUSCH was born on 26 April 1829 in Mamer.11 She died on 13 May 1832 in Mamer at the age of three years.12

As can be seen above Michel and Catharina had seven children, two of whom died young, one who never married, three who married and gave them seven grandchildren, and one son who has not been traced after 1855. Of the grandchildren, only one was a girl – an important fact as will be seen at the end of this post.

Three daughters marry and have children

Maria TRAUSCH although the second born was always the oldest of the bunch as her older sibling died a year before her birth. Maria married Jean MAJERUS (1817-1887) on 31 May 1849 in Mamer.13 He was the son of Jean Baptiste MAJERUS and Catharina CORNELY. Their daughter Marie MAJERUS (1850-1931) was born on 19 June 1850 in Mamer.14 Marie was my 2nd great-grandmother. She lived with her parents and grandparents in the home in Mamer.

Soon after the birth of their first grandchild, Michel and Catharina saw their daughter Elisabeth marry in Kehlen. She married Jean Henri KLEIN (1811-1866) on 15 December 1852.15 A year later, she gave birth to the second grandchild Johann KLEIN on 7 December 1853 in Nospelt.16

The third daughter to marry was Susanna. She married Pierre KLEES (1823-1903) on 14 February 1855 in Kehlen where her sister Elisabeth had married.17

These marriages in Kehlen were only found with the help of the Marriage Database dedicated members of my genealogy association Luxracines are working on. As a member of the board, I have access to the database which will soon be made available on our website. It will be a real time-saver for all researchers who have ancestors who married in Luxembourg between 1797-1923 as marriage records include so much genealogical information.
Lëtz Play! Can You Top This? A Marriage Record With 15 Events

Following Susanna’s marriage five more grandsons were born into the family:

  • Mathias KLEIN on 11 December 1855 in Nospelt18
  • Peter KLEES on 7 March 1856 in Kehlen19
  • Nicolas KLEIN on 2 October 1857 in Nospelt20
  • Michel KLEES on 30 October 1857 in Kehlen21
  • Johann KLEES on 25 May 1860 in Kehlen22

It is unknown if Nicolas, the only son of Catharina and Michel, ever married and had children. Perhaps when the Marriage Database 1797-1923 is finished he will be found. Without this information, it is at this time only possible to note that all known grandchildren of Catharina and Michel were born before their deaths.

Catharina and Michel die in a three-generation house

Catharina HAMES died on 22 November 1864 at the age of 75 years.23 Her husband Michel TRAUSCH died five years later on 28 December 1869 at the age of 77 years.24 They both died in Mamer in the house called Schreinesch where they had raised their family. It had been a three-generation home as their son-in-law Jean MAJERUS, who was the informant at the time of both deaths, lived there with his wife Maria and their only daughter Marie.

Marie would marry Jean FRANTZ (1837-1929) in 1870.25 Her mother Maria TRAUSCH died on 13 May 1875.26 The oldest of the grown siblings, she was the first to die. She was followed by her sisters Elisabeth who died on 7 March 1877 in Goeblange27, Catherine, an old maid, on 4 April 1900 in Mamer28, and Susanna on 29 August 1903 in Kehlen.29

The Parents and Siblings of Michel TRAUSCH

Michel’s parents Remacle TRAUSCH and Theresia BRAUN (also seen as COLLING) were married on 24 July 1787 in Bissen.30 The marriage index cards for marriages in the parish records incorrectly listed the year as 1789. I was searching for a marriage in 1789 and wondering why a child was born in 1788. After not finding the marriage in 1789, I continued back until it was located in 1787. The marriage was recorded twice, by two different persons, first on the 23rd of July and then on the 24th. The later was complete and included signatures.

Remacle and Theresia had six children all born in Colmar-Berg. The oldest three grew to adulthood, married and had children. Franz born in 1788 was the father of 10 children; Catherine born in 1790 was the mother of 14 children; and Michel, as was seen above, was born in 1792 and was the father of 7 children. The three youngest have not been traced past their baptisms: Nicolas b. 1794, Susanna b. 1796, and Maria b. 1798. The mother Theresia died on 16 February 1798 in Berg, a week after the birth of her last child.31 Michel was not yet six years old when he lost his mother. Four of the six children’s baptismal records had their mother’s maiden name listed as COLLING instead of BRAUN(ERS). The different names will hopefully lead to more information on Theresia’s ancestors.

Remacle remarried six months later on 26 August 1798 in Berg to Anne Marie WIROTH.32 They had one known daughter, Peternelle born in 1799. Remacle  and Anne Marie had removed to Luxembourg City from Colmar-Berg sometime after the birth of their daughter and before Remacle’s death on 31 August 1804.33

Two years later Catherine, sixteen years and six months, was in a family way and the conseil de famille, or family counsel, gave their permission for her to marry Peter OLINGER. This was necessary as she was under age and both parents were deceased. Catherine’s uncle Nicolas COLLING, a witness to the marriage, was likely one of the family counsel. It was not mentioned in the marriage record dated 29 November 180634 that she was expecting but four months later on 2 April 1807 she gave birth to a son François.35

By 1813 Franz, the oldest of Remacle and Theresia’s children, was living in Schieren near Ettelbrück where he would marry Eva MERTZ and raise a large family.36 His brother Michel remained in Colmar-Berg until 1817 when he married Catharina HAMES of Mamer.

The Parents and Siblings of Catharina HAMES

Catharina’s parents, Johannes HAMES and Agnes HERTZ were married in Mamer on 18 January 1785.37 They were the parents of six known children. Three sons died as infants, one son died at the age of 18, leaving only two daughters who would marry and raise families. Catharina was the younger of the two. Her sister Susanne was the first to marry. She married Michel KOLBACH, son of Michel KOLBACH and Susanne KIEFFER, on 11 January 1815 in Mamer.38 Her mother-in-law Susanne KIEFFER was one of my 4th great-grandmothers. She had married Paulus FRANTZ after the death of the elder Michel KOLBACH. Susanne and Michel (the younger couple) were the parents of six, two of whom died in infancy. Their four children married and had children.

Agnes HERTZ, her daughter Catharina HAMES, her granddaughter Maria TRAUSCH, and her great-granddaughter Marie MAJERUS are my mitochondrial line down from Agnes’ mother Anna Catharina RONAS. The parents of Anna Catharina are at this time unknown to me. A couple of years ago I talked to a person who appears to have been “on to something” concerning the RONAS family but did not want to make the research public at the time.

Family history research will never be finished or ready to publish. Share what you have, make corrections and additions, write about your ancestors. Yes, it probably will remain a work in progress or a draft of a family book. By sharing what you think is incomplete, you may reach someone who has the missing information or the key to open the door in your brick wall.

P.S. A special thank you to Amberly Peterson Beck, The Genealogy Girl, for letting me know I can enable Markdown in WordPress.com posts, pages, and comments for easier styling, including footnotes – see below, aren’t they beautiful? Note: Footnotes in numbered and bulleted lists did not seem to work until I tricked the editor into not using html formatting for the lists.

© 2018, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

  1. Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), 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). ↩
  2. Ibid., Bissen > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1785-1793 > image 146 of 186, 1792 Baptismal Record part 1 (right, bottom (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-94K3?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-FMS%3A1500938201%2C1500938228 : accessed 15 January 2018) and image 147 of 186, 1792 Baptismal Record part 2 (left, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-9H9Z?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-FMS%3A1500938201%2C1500938228 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
  3.  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). ↩
  4. Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Mamer > Naissances 1796-1833 > image 307 of 549. 1818 Birth Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12667-23016-9?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
  5.  Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 708 of 1497. 1819 Death Record No. 18. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12143-119965-11?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
  6. Ibid., Mamer > Naissances 1796-1833 > image 337 of 549. 1820 Birth Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12667-22797-81?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
  7. Ibid., Mamer > Naissances 1796-1833 > image 359 of 549. 1821 Birth Record No. 42. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12667-21344-82?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
  8. Ibid., Mamer > Naissances 1796-1833 > image 386 of 549. 1823 Birth Record No. 20. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12667-22469-66?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
  9. Ibid., Mamer > Naissances 1796-1833 > image 419 of 549. 1825 Birth Record No. 27. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12667-23598-78?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
  10. Ibid., Mamer > Naissances 1796-1833 > image 443 of 549. 1827 Birth Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12667-23242-91?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). ↩
  11. Ibid., Mamer > Naissances 1796-1833 > image 473 of 549. 1829 Birth Record No. 23. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12667-22404-81?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). Note: listed as Maria. ↩
  12. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 832 of 1497. 1832 Death Record No. 14. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12143-119559-99?cc=1709358 : accessed 22 August 2011). Note: listed as Marie Catherine. ↩
  13. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 114 of 1497. 1849 Marriage Record No. 19. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12143-120796-17?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-VZ9:130065401,130130201 : accessed 6 September 2014). ↩
  14. Ibid., Mamer > Naissances 1834-1890 Mariages 1796-1837 > image 311 of 1504. 1850 Birth Record No. 30. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12585-50928-75?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-FM9:130065401,130365601 : accessed 27 March 2010). ↩
  15. Ibid., Kehlen > Naissances 1887-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1828 > image 737 of 1490. 1852 Marriage Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRYS-RV9?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-K68%3A129987101%2C130453502 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
  16. Ibid., Kehlen > Naissances 1833-1886 > image 715 of 1501. 1853 Birth Record No. 85. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6YJS-7Z9?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-4WL%3A129987101%2C130292501 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
  17. Ibid., Kehlen > Naissances 1887-1890 Mariages 1796-1890 Décès 1796-1828 > image 763 of 1490. 1855 Marriage Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRYS-YVG?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-K68%3A129987101%2C130453502 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
  18. Ibid., Kehlen > Naissances 1833-1886 > image 762 of 1501. 1855 Death Record No. 72. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6YJS-4RK?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-4WL%3A129987101%2C130292501 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
  19. Ibid., Kehlen > Naissances 1833-1886 > image 771 of 1501. 1856 Birth Record No. 14.”Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1796-1941,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6YJS-C9T?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-4WL%3A129987101%2C130292501 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
  20. Ibid., Kehlen > Naissances 1833-1886 > image 803 of 1501. 1857 Death Record No. 50. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6YJS-7YC?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-4WL%3A129987101%2C130292501 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
  21. Ibid., Kehlen > Naissances 1833-1886 > image 804 of 1501. 1857 Birth Record No. 56. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6YJS-7J7?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-4WL%3A129987101%2C130292501 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
  22. Ibid., Kehlen > Naissances 1833-1886 > image 873 of 1501. 1860 Birth Record No. 34. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6YJS-472?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-4WL%3A129987101%2C130292501 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
  23. 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). ↩
  24. 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). ↩
  25. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 310 of 1497. 1870 Marriage Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12143-120441-3?cc=1709358&wc=9RY3-VZ9:130065401,130130201 : accessed 6 September 2014). ↩
  26. Ibid., Mamer > Mariages 1838-1890 Décès 1796-1880 > image 1412 of 1497. 1875 Death Record No. 13. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12143-119726-4?cc=1709358 : accessed 27 March 2010). ↩
  27. Ibid., Koerich > Décès 1861-1890 > image 194 of 332. 1877 Death Record No. 8. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DRN3-HHG?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-ZNG%3A129989801%2C129816202 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
  28. Ibid., Mamer > Décès 1895-1923 > image 67 of 379. 1900 Death Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32050-1365-5?cc=1709358 : accessed 26 November 2015). ↩
  29. Ibid., Kehlen > Décès 1895-1923 > image 104 of 363. 1903 Death Record No. 27. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G97V-W6FQ?cc=1709358&wc=9RTB-RM9%3A129987101%2C129623802 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
  30. Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Bissen > Mariages 1779-1791, sépultures 1779-1791 > image 65 of 91. 1787 Marriage Record (p.120+121). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-Q784?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-DPJ%3A1500938201%2C1501129408 : accessed 15 January 2018). ↩
  31.  Ibid., Berg > Décès 1796-1830 > image 4 of 167, 1798 Death Record part 1 (bottom left page and all of right page),  (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-62YQ-KYG?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-C6X%3A129623401%2C129623402 : accessed 14 January 2018) and image 5 of 167, 1798 Death Record part 2 (top left page). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-62YQ-645?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-C6X%3A129623401%2C129623402 : accessed 14 January 2018). ↩
  32. Luxembourg Civil Records, Berg > Mariages 1796-1858 > image 9 of 270. 1798 Marriage Record part 1 (right, lower half). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-62YQ-XCY?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-C6J%3A129623401%2C129709001 : accessed 14 January 2018). parts 2 and 3 of record on next two images. ↩
  33.  Ibid., Luxembourg > Mariages 1888-1890 Décès 1796-1806 > image 1070 of 1420. 1804 Death Record (right, bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-69H9-W6S?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-DP8%3A130045801%2C131708201 : accessed 14 January 2018). ↩
  34.  Ibid., Berg > Mariages 1796-1858 > image 28 of 270. 1806 Marriage Record part 1 (right). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-62YQ-L1X?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-C6J%3A129623401%2C129709001 : accessed 16 January 2018), part 2 on next image. ↩
  35.  Ibid., Berg > Naissances 1796-1814 > image 92 of 140. 1807 Birth Record (lower right). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6L2S-V5Y?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-K68%3A129623401%2C129773501 : accessed 17 January 2018), second half of record on next image. ↩
  36.  Ibid., Ettelbruck > Naissances 1885-1890 Mariages 1796-1844 > image 627 of 1505. 1813 Marriage Record No. 15. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6X2S-MB5?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-FM9%3A129625001%2C130529102 : accessed 16 January 2018). ↩
  37. Luxembourg Parish Records, 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). ↩
  38. Luxembourg Civil Records, 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). ↩

52 Ancestors: #46 Jean Baptiste Majerus and Catharina Cornely of Strassen

My second great-grandmother Marie MAJERUS (1850-1931) is like a knothole in a fence. She was the only child of her parents Jean MAJERUS (1817-1887) and Maria TRAUSCH (1820-1875). On one side of the fence, she was the mother of ten children, eight of whom married and continued the line. On the other side of the fence, are her parents, grandparents, and other ancestors. Marie is a mitochondrial ancestress whose direct line goes back to my 6th great-grandmother Anna Catharina RONAS (b. abt. 1710).

When I re-visited my research this week for Marie’s paternal grandparents, Jean Baptiste MAJERUS (1797-1868) and  Catharina CORNELY (1794-1871), I realized how much information was hidden behind the fence. She had many aunts and uncles and cousins.

Nearly all of my maternal fourth great-grandparents were born in the 1760s or 1770s. Jean Baptiste and Catharina were much younger being born in the 1790s.  In turn, their children were born after civil records became required in Luxembourg. They lived long lives and were found on eleven censuses taken between 1843 and 1867.

Jean Baptiste MAJERUS

Faubourg de Grund, Luxembourg City

Jean Baptiste, son of Jean MAJERUS and Margretha BREGER, was born on 9 Germinal in the year V or 29 March 1797 in the Faubourg de Grund, a suburb located on the banks of the Alzette River in the valley below the center of Luxembourg City. In Luxembourgish, it is known as Gronn.

At the time of his birth, his parents were a legally married couple. The informants who accompanied the father to report the birth were Jean Baptiste BRETER, age 64 years, and Michel BRETER’s wife Anne Catherine GRASBERGER, age 36 years.

A marriage record for the couple has not yet been located. I suspect Jean Baptiste was their first child and the informants who accompanied the father were the child’s maternal grandfather and maternal uncle’s wife.

Faubourg de Grund, Luxembourg City

Jean and Margaretha had two more children born in the Gronn in 1799 and 1801 before moving their family to Strassen where their last known child was born in 1806. Jean MAJERUS was a draper in 1797, a wool spinner or fileur de laine in 1799 and 1801 as well as in 1823 and 1830 when two children married. He was no longer working by 1843 when the census was taken.

Catharina CORNELY

Catharina, daughter of Hubert CORNELY  and Margaretha EVEN, was born on 24 April 1794 in Wickrange in the commune of Reckange-sur-Mess. She was baptized on 25 June 1794 in Reckange-sur-Mess. It is unusual, for this time period, for a baptism to take place two months after the birth. Normally the rite was performed the same or following day. Other baptismal entries on the same page of the register show delays. The priest may have had more than one parish under his jurisdiction and did not travel on a daily or weekly basis.

Catharina was the second youngest of nine known children. Her parents were married in 1779. When their first child was born on 17 June 1780 they chose a maternal uncle by marriage to be the godfather. Joannes ERPELDING of Kackerterhof, the husband of Catherine EVEN.

Kackerterhof was the ancestral home of my husband’s 5th great-grandparents Caspar ERPELDING (d. 1779) and Gertrudes JEHNEN (1724-1774). Joannes, the godfather mentioned above, was an older brother of my husband’s 4th great-grandfather Nicolas ERPELDING. When I worked on the ERPELDING line I wondered if the EVEN lady who married into the family could be related to my Margaretha EVEN. The marriage records of both EVEN ladies show their parents were Léonard EVEN and Marie IRY, my 6th great-grandparents.

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.

Jean Baptiste and Catharina’s Marry Young

My fourth great-grandparents, Catharina, 22 years old, and Jean Baptiste, 20 years old, were married on Friday, 25 April 1817. The bride and groom could not write but the father of the groom, Jean MAJERUS signed his name to the marriage record. The record officialized just in the nick of time as a month later their first child Jean, my third great-grandfather, was born on 24 May 1817 in Strassen.

The newlywed father Jean Baptiste complicated things a bit when he reported the birth of his first son. He may have been a bit nervous when he went to the city hall at four in the afternoon. The mother of the child on the birth record was seen as Maria CORNELY instead of Catharina – was it the father’s nervousness or an error made by the clerk? Jean Baptiste and Catharina’s son Jean was born at 11 o’clock in the morning. His father could not read and write and did not sign the record which was witnessed by two other persons who were present.

These were the children born to Catharina and Jean Baptiste:

  • Ch 1: Jean MAJERUS (1817-1887) born 24 May 1817
  • Ch 2: Mathias MAJERUS (1819-1895) born 29 Jan 1819
  • Ch 3: Jean MAJERUS (1821-1880) born 6 Aug 1821
  • Ch 4: Maria Catharina MAJERUS (1823-1823) born 27 Sep 1823. She died at the age of two months on 6 December 1823.
  • Ch 5: Jacques MAJERUS (1825-1900) born 12 Apr 1825
  • Ch 6: Jean Baptiste MAJERUS (1827-1893) born 8 Aug 1827
  • Ch 7: Marie MAJERUS (1830-?) born 12 May 1830
  • Ch 8: Peter MAJERUS (1832-1884) born 25 Dec 1832
  • Ch 9: Nicolas MAJERUS (1835-?) born 27 May 1835
  • Ch 10: Jean Pierre  MAJERUS (1837- ) born 25 Sep 1837
  • Ch 11: Michel MAJERUS (1840-1906) born 14 Dec 1840

The maternal grandmother of the children, Margaretha EVEN died on 14 September 1839 in Wickrange before the youngest grandchild was born. Her death was reported by her oldest son who lived in the village. Her youngest daughter Catherine had married in 1824 and was raising a small family in Bertrange. Sadly, six of Catherine’s known eight children died infancy, unlike Catharina’s children who were strong and lived to adulthood. All except for one daughter who died at the age of two months.

A little over a half a dozen years later Catharina and Jean Baptiste’s nine sons and a daughter began to marry.

  • Ch 2: Mathias married Barbara SCHMIT (1819- ) on 6 May 1846 in Strassen.
  • Ch 1: Jean married Maria TRAUSCH (1820-1875) on 31 May 1849 in Mamer. They were my third great-grandparents and the only couple to not raise a family in Strassen.
  • Ch 3: Jean married Anna Maria HENGEN (1819-1881) on 24 Apr 1850 in Strassen.

Jean Baptiste’s parents died before the rest of the children married. His mother Margretha BREGER died on 1 April 1851 and his father Jean MAJERUS died on 5 July 1852, both in Strassen where they had lived since 1802. This census listing for 1847 shows they had been living in the commune for 45 years.

This census record, as well as the preceding and following ones, give Jean MAJERUS’s place of birth as France while the last he was seen on indicates he was born in Larochette (Felz). This same place was seen on his death record. Was he born in Boulay-Moselle in France (the only place I could find which sounded like Boulé seen on the 1846 and 1849 census) or in Larochette? Will this lead to his parents?

The children continued to marry:

  • Ch 7: Marie married Théodore JOST (1834- ) on 6 November 1855 in Strassen.
  • Ch 5: Jacques married Catharina GOFFINET (1826-1898) on 18 February 1857 in Luxembourg City.
  • Ch 8: Peter married Madelaine HOFFMANN (1827-1884) on 30 November 1857 in Strassen.
  • Ch 6: Jean Baptiste married Elisabeth HUBERT (1832- ) on 28 December  1858 in Strassen.
  • Ch 10: Jean Pierre married Anne KLEIN (1840- ) on 28 May 1862 in Strassen.

In 1865 Michel, the youngest of the children went to America. All of his living siblings [except perhaps Nicolas who has not been traced after the 1855 census] were now married and raising families. Birth records for 40 grandchildren of Jean Baptiste and Catharina were found – all except for one, my Maria MAJERUS, were born in Strassen. During some years there were between three to five MAJERUS grandchildren born within months of each other.

Due to the amount of time it took to look up, download, and correctly cite the birth records,  I have not even begun to look for the death records of the spouses and children of the MAJERUS children of Jean Baptiste and Catharina. [Note: RootsWeb WorldConnect where I keep my GEDCOM is supposed to be back online within the next few weeks.]

Jean Baptiste MAJERUS died on 7 July 1868 in Strassen at the age of 71 years. His two youngest sons Peter and Jean Pierre were the informants on his death record.

Michel, the youngest of the bunch who had gone to America in 1865, married Mary MAUS about 1870 in Minnesota. Did he write to his mother, letting her know he was doing well, married, and living in St. Cloud, Stearns County, Minnesota?

Catharina CORNELY was 77 years old when she died on 10 June 1871 in Strassen. Her oldest and youngest sons who lived in Strassen, Jean and Jean Pierre were the informants for her death.

All of Jean Baptiste and Catharina’s children who married had children except for their youngest son Michel. He and his wife raised two of her MAUS nieces. Michel died in 1906 and his widow Mary died in 1923. She was a very religious woman who left bequeaths in her will for masses to be read for the soul of her husband, herself, and other poor souls. She also left bequeaths to a Catholic church, for an orphanage to be built ($5000), to a nephew who was studying for the priesthood, to the children of several of her deceased siblings as well as two godchildren. To her niece Mary A. MAJERUS (a MAUS niece she raised who took the MAJERUS name) she left $10,000, all real estate, and the residue and remainder of all property. Mary A. MAJERUS never married and died in 1960.

Until next week, when I will be writing about the last set of 4th great-grandparents, Michel TRAUSCH and Catharina HAMES of Mamer.

© 2018, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.

52 Ancestors: #32 DNA Discoveries in the WILDINGER Family

Last year my brother had his DNA tested and turned the results over to me. As I write these last articles on my maternal 4th great-grandparents, I will be checking his matches to see if any hold the key to open a door in a brick wall on this side of the family tree. These brick walls being mostly descendants of my maternal ancestors who have not been traced mainly due to emigration.

I have been waiting impatiently to write about this couple, Wilhelm WILTINGER and Margaretha WELTER. This is what I know about their lives and where I found information which has not all been documented.

Where the Information Was Found

Wilhelm WILTINGER and Margaretha WELTER of Ernzen, Germany, were my 4th great-grandparents. The bits and pieces I have for them come mostly from Familienbuch 2 der Pfarrei St. Marcus Ernzen bei Irrel, Daten bis 1798 aus den Kirchenbüchern der Pfarrei Echternach (damals fur Ernzen zuständig); mit: Ernzen-Hof, Fölkenbach und teilweise auch Prümzurlay (Häuser der rechten Flußseite) 1680-1899 – such a long title for the family book of the town of Ernzen and environs. I call it simply FB Ernzen.

Church records are available online at FamilySearch for Ernzen up to 1797 as it was then part of the parish of Echternach in Luxembourg. Civil records for births from about 1798 to 1907, marriages from 1798 to 1937, and deaths from 1798 to 1987 are not online. Although a short 20 minutes drive from where I live, the Kreisarchiv in Bitburg, Germany, houses these records. Tentative plans are being made to visit the archives with my genealogy society Luxracines next spring.

From WILTINGER to WILDINGER

Wilhelm WILTINGER was born about 1770 in Ettelbrück, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. He was the son of Michel WILTINGER and Margaretha DIESBURG of Ettelbrück. These two “facts” were likely taken from his 1849 death record.[1] As he died in Ernzen, this record will have to be obtained from the archives in Bitburg. I am hoping the person who took the information off of the death record may have made an error in noting both parents were from Ettelbrück.

I have tried to shed more light on Wilhelm’s parents. I am inclined to think Margaretha DIESBURG was not originally from Ettelbrück. My guess is she is from the DIESBURG line which originated on Diesburgerhof near Ferschweiler, the next village over from Ernzen. I found a child with the same name born in 1744 who would be a perfect match. Her family group is recorded in the FB Ferschweiler[2] and I found her in the 1766 census living with one of her married sisters.[3] She was not yet married. This leaves me with a four year period from 1766-1770 when Michel and Margaretha could have met and married. But where? Marriages in Luxembourg have been indexed for the time period and I have tried all variations of the names without locating a marriage. It has crossed my mind that a different surname may have been used by the groom, i.e. a house name.

1766 Luxembourg Census.[3]
As for Wilhelm’s father I have searched all available GEDCOM files online to find persons with the WILDINGER name – the spelling which has been used in my family from 1798 to present. It is my mother’s maiden name. The only hits I get on the Luxracines website (members only access to GEDCOMs) are my own file. I am beginning to suspect that while my ancestor’s name may have been WILTINGER and changed to WILDINGER, the original surname may have evolved to the more common and widespread WILDANGER. Most were found in the Girst and Dickweiler area and spread out to Echternach. These are all in Luxembourg.

For now Michel WILTINGER and Margaretha DIESBURG, the parents of Wilhelm WILTINGER will remain a brick wall. A more time consuming one-name study of the WILDANGER individuals in Luxembourg and the nearby German area may the only way to solve this brick wall. Or could DNA also be part of the solution?

The WELTER line

Margaretha WELTER was the daughter of Michael WELTER and Katharina KLEIN. Michael and Katharina married in Ernzen on 22 November 1764.[4]

1764 Marriage Record for Michael Welter and Katharina Klein.[4]
They had not yet had any children when the 1766 census was taken. Their names were spelled Michel and Catherine and they were living in a KLEIN household.[5]

1766 Luxembourg Census[5]
Their first child was born the year the census was enumerated, followed by a set of twins in 1768, a son in 1770, another set of twins in 1773, and finally their youngest in 1777. Both sets of twins were a boy and a girl.[6]

1777 Baptismal Record[7]
Margaretha was their youngest, born and baptized on 18 April 1777 in Ernzen (present-day Germany). Her godparents were Margaretha KLEIN and Nicolaus HUSS, both of Ernzen.[7]

A Marriage Before 1798?

Margaretha married Wilhelm WILTINGER before 1798. The marriage is estimated from the time their first known child was born. No marriage record has been found. Church and civil records were checked in Ettelbrück and Echternach to no avail.

Wilhelm and Margaretha had the following children, all born in Ernzen:[8]

  1. Nicolas born on 29 September 1798.
  2. Elisabeth born on 21 August 1805.
  3. Franciscus “Franz” born on 6 Aug 1810. He died on 8 December 1812 in Ernzen.
  4. Bernardus born on 12 May 1813.

The only daughter Elisabeth married Dominik WEBER (1803-1840), son of Johann WEBER and Katharina PETRI of Hoesdorf, on 13 December 1831 in Ernzen.[9] Hoesdorf (Luxembourgish: Héischdref) is a village in the commune of Reisdorf, in eastern Luxembourg.

Margaretha WELTER, the mother of Nicolas, Elisabeth, and Bernard, died on 8 January 1833 in Ernzen.[9] Her oldest son Nicolas was 35 years old and still single. Her youngest son Bernard was going on 20. Her daughter Elizabeth had been married a little more than a year.

On 12 October 1833, nine months after the death of her mother, Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, a daughter Maria. She chose her brother Nicolas to be the godfather. Maria THEIS of Hoesdorf was the godmother.[9]

My third great-grandparents, Nicolas WILDINGER and Catherine SCHRAMEN married on 18 January 1834 in Ferschweiler.[10] Catherine was the daughter of Michael SCHRAMEN and Elizabeth SCHMITT. She was born on 23 October 1812 in Ferschweiler and was baptized the next day.[11] Their story can be found here: 52 Ancestors: #42 The WILDINGER-SCHRAMEN Family of Ferschweiler .

Elisabeth’s husband Dominik WEBER died on 9 May 1840 in Ernzen and was buried two days later.[9] He left Elisabeth with four children.

Wilhelm WILTINGER, likely now using the WILDINGER spelling, died on 28 September 1849 in Ernzen and was buried two days later.[1]

Where Are the Children?

Wilhelm’s death came at a time when many were thinking about moving across the newly established border to Luxembourg or even further abroad, to America. Elisabeth’s brother-in-law Theodor JARDIN went to America with all of his living children after the death of his wife Katharina WELTER, sister of Dominik, in 1855.[12] Elisabeth and her brother Bernard had been close to the JARDIN family, both being godparents to JARDIN children.

Elisabeth WILDINGER was 53 years old and had been widowed seventeen years when she obtained an Auswanderungsgenehmigung (emigration approval) on 9 October 1857 for herself and her two children, Mathias, born on 10 November 1840, and Maria, born on 12 October 1833. The petition was admitted to the hearing without a stamp due to poverty. Elisabeth made her mark on the petition.[13]

There is no mention of where the family immigrated to or of the other two children, Anna Katharina born 1835 or Theodor born in 1838. However…

Richard Schaffner was not the first to compile a family book for the parish of Ernzen. A copy of Familienbuch Ernzen 1 (1823-1900) is in the parish of Ernzen according to Schaffner. He does not mention the compiler’s name. In the entry for Elisabeth WILDINGER in Schaffner’s version, he notes on page 45 of the first book the following information was found: “Die Witwe Elis. Weber zog im Jahr 1857 mit ihren 4 Kindern und ihrem Bruder Bernard Wildinger nach Nordamerika.” The widow Elisabeth WEBER moved in the year 1857 with her four children and her brother Bernard Wildinger to North America.

Early on I searched for Elisabeth and her brother Bernard WILDINGER in the USA but never found either of them or her WEBER children. Perhaps they went to Canada or Mexico. Not having experience with these countries I left this research problem for another day.

My third great-grandparents Catherine SCHRAMEN and Nicolas WILDINGER had five children born between 1835 and 1852. Catherine died on 2 November 1869 in Ferschweiler and was buried on 4 November 1869.[10] Four and a half years later Nicolas, the only child of Wilhem WILTINGER and Margaretha WELTER to remain in Germany, died on 3 June 1874 in Ferschweiler.[10] They left three living children, two of whom have been traced. All that was known of their youngest son Peter is that he fled from military service – “militärflüchtig laut Anzeiger z. Amtsbl. Trier 1873, Seite 243.”[10]

Let’s Talk About DNA

As mentioned earlier I now manage my brother’s DNA. As our mother is from Luxembourg (and all of her ancestry is centered in this tiny area) the DNA we share with her is either not getting many matches or is difficult to find within the thousands of matches showing on AncestryDNA.

There are several ways to sort matches on AncestryDNA. The most obvious (easiest) are those who have matching ancestors in their trees followed by matching surnames. Many users have private trees. When you search for a surname, matches with private trees will turn up in the list but you cannot access the information and therefore do not know who their ancestor is with the surname.

Even today searching for the WILDINGER surname on AncestryDNA turns up zero hits. Checking the box to Include similar surnames is not helpful as it turns up too many matches. I tried the known spellings and still had no results.

Then in April 2017, a match was found which looked promising.

DNA match’s profile on Ancestry

This predicted 4th cousin match showed PETERS as a shared surname. This match’s PETERS line appears to be German, unlike mine which is believed to be English. There were no Shared matches with this person which raises the possibility of this being a maternal match as opposed to a paternal match. It must be noted that shared matches are only listed up to 4th cousins.

Clicking on Location I found he had a WEBER ancestor from Ernzen. This is not one of my ancestral surnames and at the time I was not expecting a match to a family on our maternal side. Taking a closer look at the attached tree I realized the connection could be WELDINGER on his tree. A spelling I had not tried.

Pedigree chart of the match on Ancestry.

Predicted 4th cousin is a 4C1R

The year of birth for the daughter of the WEBER-WELDINGER couple in the pedigree chart above is 1818. My 3rd great-grand aunt Elisabeth WILDINGER was born in 1805 and would have been only 13 when this child was born. Even with this error, it looked promising as the husband’s name matched that of Elisabeth’s husband and the location fit.

I got to do US research – checking census, BMD, etc. – and found Elisabeth WILDINGER had emigrated to America before 1860. She was living in Berwick in Seneca County, Ohio, with her married daughter Catherine in 1860. She was listed with the surname WEAVER. Her daughter was only 24, born abt. 1835, and a good match for the child seen in the pedigree chart above with year of birth being 1818. Although she was still living, I have not found Elisabeth in the 1870 or 1880 census. She died on 10 March 1891 in Big Spring, Seneca County, Ohio, at the age of 86 years.[14]

1891 Death Entry for Elisabeth WEAVER.[14]
Two of her children were also found. Catherine, who was the ancestor of the match with my brother, and her younger brother Mathias. I have not found the older daughter Maria or the son Theodor nor have I found the immigration records. I entered this match’s line back to my WILDINGER ancestor into the tree I have attached to my brother’s DNA.

This was done only after confirming this match’s line back to my WILDINGER ancestor. The tree has only the direct ancestors – no siblings, children, etc. I am considering the pros and cons of adding each confirmed match’s line back to the MRCA (most recent common ancestor). This tree includes sources but I have not attached records from Ancestry. I don’t usually work with it and have not considered the hints (shaky leaves) that are showing up.

2nd Great-Grand Uncle Discovered

However, while entering this match’s line, I took the time to check the hints for Ancestry Member Trees. I was surprised to find Wilhelm WILTINGER and Margaretha WELTER’s grandson Peter WILDINGER through their son Nicolas (my third great-grandfather) in four trees. All four had my Nicolas as the earliest known ancestor. No mention of Wilhelm and Margaretha. One member tree has for Peter: “Killed in WWI Action on the German Lines” in 1873. That is not what I would call a reliable statement.

The other three member trees are for a Peter WELDINGER who married in Illinois, had children there, and later moved to Iowa. The 1900, 1910, and 1920 census show he came to America in 1870 and was naturalized in 1880 (U.S. Naturalization Record confirms 30 October 1880). If this Peter WELDINGER is my second great-granduncle (there is presently no match or the owner/descendant has not done a test) then he must have fled from military service by emigrating to America.

Another DNA discovery was made as several new matches showed up when I did a new search for the locations Ernzen and Ferschweiler while writing this. I will have to work through these first but it looks promising as one of them may be the key to unlock the door in the DIESBURG brick wall.

Sources:
[1] Richard Schaffner, compiler, Familienbuch 2 der Pfarrei St. Marcus Ernzen bei Irrel, Daten bis 1798 aus den Kirchenbüchern der Pfarrei Echternach (damals fur Ernzen zuständig); mit: Ernzen-Hof, Fölkenbach und teilweise auch Prümzurlay (Häuser der rechten Flußseite) 1680-1899 (compiled in 2000), p. 246, Family #869. Wiltinger-Welter.
[2] Richard Schaffner, compiler, Familienbuch der Pfarrei Sancta Lucia Ferschweiler mit: Diesburgerhof (ab 1803) und L(a)eisenhof (ab1830) 1680-1899, PDF (Kordel, 1999), p. 43-44, Family #193. Diesburg-Schmitt.
[3] Luxembourg, Dénombrement, 1766 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Archives Générales du Royaume, Bruxelles), Decanat de Bittbourg v. 1 A-K > Feischveiler (paroisse d’Echternach) > Image 250 of 753. Household Nr. 13, Mathias Petri. (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLL-M7DK-Y?i=249&cat=1184675 : accessed 6 October 2017).
[4] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Echternach > Mariages, décès 1706-1778 > image 145 of 293. 1764 Marriage Record, right page, 1st entry. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32399-12418-50?cc=2037955 : 9 January 2015).
[5] Luxembourg 1766 Census, Decanat de Bittbourg v. 1 A-K > Erntzen (paroisse d’Echternach) > Image 245 of 753. Household Nr. 7, Jean Klein (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLL-M7DL-W?cat=1184675 : accessed 6 October 2017).
[6] FB Ernzen, p. 240, Family #846. Welter-Klein.
[7] Luxembourg Church Records, Echternach > Baptêmes 1761-1797 > image 83 of 131. 1777 Baptismal Record, left page, 7th entry. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32399-12819-27?cc=2037955 : accessed 9 November 2016).
[8] FB Ernzen, p. 246, Family #869. Wiltinger-Welter.
[9] Ibid., p. 225, Family #800. Weber-Wildinger.
[10] FB Ferschweiler, p. 349, Family #1625. Wildinger-Schramen.
[11] Ibid., p. 295, Family #1378. Schramen-Schmitt.
[12] FB Ernzen, p. 117-118, Family #380. Jardin-Welter.
[13] Josef Mergen, Die Amerika-Auswanderung aus dem Kreis Bitburg im 19.-Jahrhundert 
[14] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6CM-WJX : accessed 5 October 2017), Elizabeth Weaver, 10 Mar 1891; citing Death, Big Spring, Seneca, Ohio, United States, source ID v 4 p 216, County courthouses, Ohio; FHL microfilm 388,771.

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

A Priest Born in the 16th Century Leaves a Key to Open the Door in a Brick Wall

On Sunday I was checking my post, 52 Ancestors: #25 A Family on Two Continents, and doing miscellaneous searches for descendants of this family from Luxembourg when I made a fantastic discovery.

While searching the newspapers and periodicals on eluxemburgensia, part of the National Library of Luxembourg site, I got a surprising hit for Elisabetha HOBSCHEID and Michel GRASSER, my children’s 5th great-grandparents who I wrote about in the above article.

The hit brought up the book Manuel des fondations de bourses d’étude instituées en faveur des Luxembourgeois, published in 1858. Imagine my surprise. Michel died in 1821, Elisabetha in 1831, and this book was from 1858. A manual of scholarships available to Luxembourgers written by Jean-Pierre Koltz (1804-1880), a teacher.

Unlike the newspapers where you are taken directly to the page the name is found on, this search took me to a chapter in the book. It was not immediately obvious why I was getting a hit in the chapter titled Penninger Foundation. I leafed through until I found Elisabetha and Michel. Their names were on a list of genealogical information. I slowly went back through each generation to find myself at the beginning of the family tree of Pierre PENNINGER.

It took me a few days to get my thoughts together and figure out how to share this discovery. This morning we took a bike ride to Brandenbourg to take pictures which I’ve added throughout this post. I’d like to thank my husband for sharing my enthusiasm through his photography. I hope you enjoy and they don’t distract too much from the rest of the story.

Who was Pierre PENNINGER?

Pierre PENNINGER, a native of Diekirch, took his vows for the priesthood and was the pastor of Brandenbourg at the time of his death.

On 4 June 1632, he donated 2,500 écus to the Jesuit priests. On the 1st of December of the same year, the Conseil provincial (Provincial Council) approved the donation to be used for two scholarships for the seminary in honor of the Holy Trinity.

The road into Brandenbourg with the castle on top of the hill.

In his last will and testament dated 5 January 1636 Father Penninger added the sum of 700 écus for a total of 3,200 écus (7,680 francs in 1848) for the scholarship fund to benefit three students of the Jesuit seminary. Relatives of Pierre PENNINGER, the founder, were the first eligible for the scholarships. If no relatives applied then the scholarships would go to poor young men of the Brandenbourg parish or its environs.

Kapell Brandenbourg (Chapel)

The original capital of the Penninger Foundation was 2,500 écus. The revenue of the capital was enough to fund two students during their stay at the seminary. The wars of the times caused the value of the scholarships to be reduced by nearly half so that only one scholarship for offered.

Inside the Chapel of Brandenbourg

However, through the wise administration of the capital, the fund increased in value to 12,698 francs in 1848. By a royal decree in 1848 it was decided to increase the number of scholarships to two.

Cornerstone of the Chapel of Brandenbourg

As the terms of the will were that the scholarships should go to the priest’s relatives, a family tree, in the possession of the Société Archéologique du Grand-Duché, was kept for consultation by candidates for the scholarships.

Brandenbourg Castle

Why all the excitement?

In my last post about Michel GRASSER and Elisabetha HOSCHEID, I wrote:

Elisabetha’s family lived in Brandenbourg. This parish’s records are lacking and those which are included are out of order. I have not gone through them to find her parents’ family group.

I did not even try to go through the records. The genealogy information in the chapter about the Penninger Foundation in the book mentioned above turned out to be the key I needed to open the door, or maybe a window, in this brick wall.

Stained glass window in the chapel of Brandenbourg

The PENNINGER Family Tree from 1672 and 1705

What follows are extracts of the Penninger family tree pertaining to my children’s direct line from Pierre PENNINGER’s parents to Elisabeth and Michel.

  • All screenshots (below) are from Jean-Pierre Koltz’s Manuel des fondations de bourses d’étude instituées en faveur des Luxembourgeois. Link to the book (public domain) is found at the end of this article.

The genealogical information for the grandfather of Pierre PENNINGER was certified by the aldermen of the town of Diekirch on 7 April 1672 and 21 April 1705.

The grandfather of the founder, Pierre PENNINGER, had two sons. One of the sons was the father of a son and a daughter: Pierre PENNINGER, a lawyer in Diekirch, who was already deceased at the time his cousin, the pastor of Brandenbourg, made his will on 5 January 1636 and Elisabeth PENNINGER who married Regnard HERMAN.

The other son of the grandfather had three children. 1. Pierre, the pastor of Brandenbourg and founder of the scholarship foundation in his name. 2. Hélène, referred to as Hildegarde in her brother’s will, married Pierre FUNCK of Brandenbourg. 3. Marguerite married Jean KLEIN of Bockoltz who the founder referred to as Mercatoris (merchant) in his will.

The descendency of the two sisters of pastor Penninger of Brandenbourg.

My children’s line goes through the second sister Marguerite PENNINGER who married Jean KLEIN and had the following children:

  1. Jean KLEIN
  2. Dominique KLEIN, who was mentioned in Pierre PENNINGER’s will
  3. Jean KLEIN married Eve FLORENTZ
  4. Nicolas KLEIN married Odile BERNARD of Wiltz

The descendency of the KLEIN-PENNINGER couple was certified on 11 August 1768 by the mayors and aldermen of the high justice of Wiltz. The information was later complemented by information found in the civil records.

Jean KLEIN and Eve FLORENTZ had a daughter Hélène KLEIN who married Nicolas BOCK.

Nicolas BOCK and Hélène KLEIN had the following children:

  1. Ludovine BOCK married Jean-Michel REULAND
  2. Marguerite BOCK married Jean KETTELS of Niederwiltz
  3. Jean-Grégoire BOCK married Marie LEMMAER of Brandenbourg
  4. Jean-Nicolas BOCK, a notary from Merzig-sur-la-Sarre, was a Penninger scholar

Jean-Michel REULAND and Ludovine BOCK had the following children:

  1. Marie-Marguerite REULAND married Guillaume FISCHBACH (conflicting information – this daughter is also seen in the line down from the founder’s sister Hélène)
  2. Anne-Marguerite REULAND married N. Fischbach
  3. Jean-Philippe REULAND
  4. Jean-Nicolas REULAND
  5. Marie-Catherine REULAND married Léonard HOSCHEID of Brandenbourg

Léonard HOBSCHEID (sic, HOSCHEID) and Marie-Catherine REULAND of Brandenbourg had the following children:

  1. Marie-Catherine HOBSCHEID (sic) married(1) Philippe FISCHBACH and married(2) Michel LIMES of Brandenbourg
  2. Michel HOBSCHEID (sic) of Brandenbourg married an unknown lady
  3. Elisabeth HOBSCHEID (sic) married Michel GRASSER of Moestroff

Children #1 and #2 continue with another generation while my children’s 5th great-grandparents Elisabeth HOSCHEID and Michael GRASSER of Moestroff do not have children listed.

Have you counted through the generations found for this family? I had the names of Elisabeth HOSCHEID’s parents and, with the above, I have been able to add four more generations back to my children’s 10th great-grandmother Marguerite PENNINGER, sister of Pierre PENNINGER, the pastor who set up the scholarship fund for his relatives or needy young men of the parish of Brandenbourg and environs.

The church of Brandenbourg with the cemetery on the sides and back.

Although the Brandenbourg parish records aren’t complete, I have been able to find baptismal, marriage, and death/burial records for several of the person’s named above as well as for children who were not included in the list. The genealogical information lacks dates and can only be used as a guide until records are found to confirm the line back to the PENNINGER grandfather of Pierre, Hélène, and Marguerite and their cousins Pierre and Elisabeth.

As I began to look for records to support the information found in the published family tree, I learned I was not the first to make this discovery. It kind of burst my bubble but I still feel really good about this since I came across it on my own – even if it was a bit by chance.

Sources:

Auguste Neÿen, Biographie luxembourgeoise: histoire des hommes distingues …, Volume 2, Luxembourg 1861; pg. 40 and 105; online https://archive.org/stream/biographieluxem00negoog#page/n45/mode/2up/search/Penninger

Koltz, Jean-Pierre, Manuel des fondations de bourses d’étude instituées en faveur des Luxembourgeois; V. Bück , Luxembourg, 1858; online http://www.eluxemburgensia.lu/webclient/DeliveryManager?application=DIRECTLINK&custom_att_2=simple_viewer&pid=2828373&search_terms=Elisabeth%20Hobscheid#panel:pp|issue:2828373|article:DTL3386|page:107|query:Elisabeth Hobscheid

52 Ancestors: #7 Thomas PREISER and Anna Maria SCHRANTZ of Diekirch

I made an unusual discover while researching this family group. To weave it into their story, and hopefully make reading the post a bit easier, I wrote this differently.

1753thomaspreiserbaptism
1753 Baptismal Record of Thomas, legitimate son of Jois PREISER and Anna Maria FETH.[1]
Thomas PREISER was born and baptized on 23 September 1753 in Diekirch. His godparents were Thomas PREISER, likely his paternal grandfather, and Apolonia HOCHDÖRFFERS, a single person, of Diekirch. Thomas was the son of Joannis PREISER and Anna Maria FETH.[1] He was their first child and only son.

Three and a half years later his sister Margaretha was born.[2] She, however, was not his only sister. His mother Anna Maria had been previously married to Nicolai SCHEID (SCHOOD) with whom she had four daughters. I will write about them when I get to the next generation.

The Unusual Discovery

One of these daughters was Anna Margaretha SCHOOD who married Gangolf “Gangolphe” WILLMES in 1764. A little over one hundred years later a great-great-grandson of Anna Maria FETH through her daughter Anna Margaretha SCHOOD and a great-great-granddaughter through her son Thomas PREISER, third cousins, would marry and have 11 children – the youngest being my husband’s grandfather. This was a first for me. Both husbands of my children’s 6th great-grandmother were their 6th great-grandfathers.

Thomas and Anna Maria’s Story

Thomas PREISER married Anna Maria SCHRANTZ, daughter of Petrus SCHRANTZ and Anne Marie HAMEN, on 15 February 1779 in Diekirch.[3] Both the bride and groom signed their names on the marriage record.

1779preusenschranzmarriage
1779 Marriage Record of Thomas PREUSEN and Anna Maria SCHRANZ.[3]
Anna Maria was born and baptized on 3 January 1754 in Diekirch. Her godparents were Nicolaus SCHRANTZ and Anna Maria PROMMENSCHENCKEL.[4]

1754annamariaschrantzbaptism
1754 Baptismal Record of Anna Maria, legitimate daughter of Petri SCHRANTZ and Anna Maria HAMEN.[4]
Thomas, a farmer, and Anna Maria were the parents of ten children. Their first child, a son, as was the tradition of the time, had his paternal grandfather Thomas as his godfather and his maternal grandmother Anna Maria as his godmother.

The family grew over the years and in 1790, after 11 years of marriage, they had six children, two sons and four daughters, all living. But 1790, which brought the birth of their second son Anton, also saw the death of their youngest daughter Magdalena who was not quite four years old.

A daughter and a son were born in 1792 and 1794 bringing the total number of living children to seven. Then in 1795 their oldest child Joannes died at the age of 15. Two more sons were born to the couple in 1797 and 1799.

By the turn of the century Thomas and Anna Maria had 8 living children, 4 sons and 4 daughters. A year later, on 4 January 1801,[5] Thomas died leaving Anna Maria with children aged between less than 2 and 19.

Life without Thomas meant his widow would not be sharing the milestones in the lives of their children with him. Anna Maria’s three oldest children married during the 1810s leaving her with four sons and a daughter still at home. In the 1820s daughter Maria gave birth to five children. She died in 1818 and the children all died between 1817-1819. There were, however, also good times in the 1820s with three of Anna Maria’s sons marrying.

By 1830 only daughter Elisabetha and youngest son Nicolas were still single. No record of death or marriage was found in Diekirch for Nicolas. He may have left the town to work or marry in an as yet unknown location.

In 1830 Elisabetha was working as a clothes presser (repasseuse) and gave birth to a stillborn daughter. No father was listed on the death record of the child and the stillbirth was reported by the midwife.

On 13 January 1832 Elisabetha’s brother Anton had the sad duty of being the informant on the death of their mother Anna Maria SCHRANTZ.[6]

Almost a year later Elisabetha married Pierre LEY who was 17 years younger than she was. On the second anniversary of her mother’s death Elisabetha, who was nearly 42, gave birth to another stillborn daughter. Elisabetha and her merchant husband did not have any other children. The marriage may not have been a happy one. In 1856, when Elisabetha and Pierre had been married 23 years they owned in the Diekirch area a house with stable on the Place d’Armes, a barn with stable in the Watresgasse, several pieces of farmland and gardens, and a newly built house at Bleesbruck on the Heerstrasse from Diekirch to Vianden and Echternach.

1856auction
Der Wächter an der Sauer. 12 July 1856. page 3. online http://www.eluxemburgensia.lu/webclient/DeliveryManager?application=DIRECTLINK&custom_att_2=simple_viewer&pid=1607536&search_terms=ley#panel:pp|issue:1607536|article:DTL121|query:ley

All of the property was put up for auction on 20 July 1856. Three months later on October 16 Elisabetha filed an application for the separation of property.

1856separation
Der Wächter an der Sauer. 18 October 1856. page 4, column 3. online http://www.eluxemburgensia.lu/webclient/DeliveryManager?application=DIRECTLINK&custom_att_2=simple_viewer&pid=1608203&search_terms=Haus#panel:pp|issue:1608203|article:DTL133|query:Haus

Seven months later her husband was dead and she died three months later. Her brother Peter was the informant for her death on 14 August 1857. Their siblings Margaretha (the younger, my children’s 4th great-grandmother), Anton, and Margaretha (the elder) had already died leaving only Peter and his younger brother Joseph. Three years later in 1860 Peter once again acted as the informant for the death of his brother Joseph. Peter, the last living child of Thomas and Anna Maria, died two years later in 1862.

The Children of Thomas and Anna Maria

Thomas and Anna Maria had the following children with surnames as found on their baptismal/birth record.

  1. Joannes PREISEN was born/baptized on 1 December 1779 in Diekirch. His godparents were Joannes PREISEN, married, and Anna Maria SCHRANTZ, married, both of Diekirch.[7] He died on 6 June 1795 in Diekirch.[8]
  2. Margaretha PREISEN was born/baptized on 2 November 1781 in Diekirch. Her godparents were Josephus SCHRANTZ, single, and Margaretha PREISEN, single, both of Diekirch.[9] She married Philippe BERINGER (1778-1849) on 26 May 1803 in Diekirch.[10] She died on 10 January 1854 in Diekirch.[11]
  3. Maria PREUSEN was born/baptized on 7 Nov 1783 in Diekirch. Her godparents were Jacobus MERTEN and Maria BIAS, both of Diekirch.[12] She married François MOLITOR (1784-1863) on 9 May 1808 in Diekirch.[13] She died on 26 Mar 1818 in Diekirch.[14]
  4. Margaretha PREISEN was born/baptized on 13 July 1785 in Diekirch. Her godparents were Baptista FETH and Margaretha KESSELER, both of Diekirch.[15] She married Mathias LORENTZ (1775-1822) on 28 November 1809 in Diekirch.[16] She died on 17 November 1843 in Diekirch.[17]
  5. Maria Margaretha “Magdalena” PREISEN was born/baptized on 22 July 1787 in Diekirch. Her godparents were Michael GRASER and Maria Margaretha SCHRANTZ, both of Diekirch.[18] She died on 28 November 1790 in Diekirch.[19] Her name on her death record was Magdalena. Her baptismal record was recorded as Magdalena, then crossed out, and corrected to read Maria Margaretha, the name of her godmother.
  6. Antoine “Anton” PREUSEN was born/baptized on 5 January 1790 in Diekirch. His godparents were Michael Schrantz who substituted for Antonius SCHRANTZ and Barbara JUTTEL, both of Diekirch.[20] He married Marguerite CARMES (1790-1870) on 9 January 1821 in Diekirch.[21] He died on 1 June 1847 in Diekirch.[22] Antoine and his wife had 8 children, only one son lived to marry and carry on the surname.
  7. Elisabetha PREISEN was born/baptized on 25 August 1792 in Diekirch. Her godparents were Maximinus HAMEN and Elisabetha SCHRANTZ, both of Diekirch.[23] She married Pierre LEY (1809-1857) on 10 January 1833 in Diekirch.[24] She died on 14 August 1857 in Diekirch.[25]
  8. Peter PREUSEN was born/baptized on 4 December 1794 in Diekirch. HIS godparents were Peter BUNGERT and Margaretha SCHRANTZ.[26] He married Cathérine LORANG (1797-1866) on 5 March 1823 in Diekirch.[27] He died on 6 July 1862 in Diekirch.[28] Peter and his wife had 9 children, only one son who never married and died at the age of 80.
  9. Joseph PREUSEN was born/baptized on 20 February 1797 in Diekirch. His godparents were Josepho SCHRANZ and Josepha BIAS.[29] He married Susanne KLEIN (1798-1852) on 23 May 1827 in Diekirch.[30] He died on 17 June 1860 in Diekirch.[31] Joseph and his wife had 8 children, only one son who never married and died at the age of 80.
  10. Nicolaus PREUSEN was born on 25 Mar 1799 in Diekirch.[32] It is not known when he died.

As this story was coming together, I attended a lecture on Luxembourgish surnames. The surname of this family is unusual and, with the evolution of surnames on my mind, I wrote an unexpected end to this family’s story. To be continued tomorrow….

bestwishescathy1

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Diekirch > Baptêmes 1743-1790, confirmations 1768-1789 > image 55 of 373. 1753 Baptismal Record (right page, 3rd entry from bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-LHPC?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-ZNL%3A1500890501%2C1500918030 : accessed 12 February 2017).
[2] Ibid., Diekirch > Baptêmes 1743-1790, confirmations 1768-1789 > image 75 of 373. 1757 Baptismal Record. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-LHTB?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-ZNL%3A1500890501%2C1500918030 : accessed 17 February 2017).
[3] Ibid., Diekirch > Baptêmes, mariages 1779-1786, décès 1779-1785 > image 24 of 208. 1779 Marriage Record (right page, top entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-4QKH?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-GPF%3A1500890501%2C1500945258 : accessed 12 February 2017).
[4] Ibid., Diekirch > Baptêmes 1743-1790, confirmations 1768-1789 > image 57 of 373. 1754 Baptismal Record (left page, 4th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-LHT1?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-ZNL%3A1500890501%2C1500918030 : accessed 12 February 2017).
[5] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Diekirch > Mariages 1843-1890 Décès 1797-1824 > image 978 of 1493. 1801 Death Record No. 43 (14 nivôse an IX). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68G9-R27?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-929%3A129628901%2C129848701 : 17 July 2014).
[6] Ibid., Diekirch > Décès 1825-1890 > image 119 of 1358. 1832 Death Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12147-159981-43?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-2NL:129628901,129628902 : accessed 27 Sep 2014).
[7] Luxembourg Church Records, Diekirch > Baptêmes 1743-1790, confirmations 1768-1789  > image 225 of 373. 1779 Baptismal Record (right page, first entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-LCV6?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-ZNL%3A1500890501%2C1500918030 : 9 January 2015).
[8] Ibid., Diekirch > Baptêmes 1794-1797, décès 1794-1797, 1807 > image 11 of 59. 1795 Death Record (left page, 2nd entry from bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-9JFL?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-4WL%3A1500890501%2C1501083068 : accessed 17 February 2017).
[9] Ibid., Diekirch > Baptêmes 1743-1790, confirmations 1768-1789 > image 250 of 373. 1781 Baptismal Record (left page, last entry).(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-LC5P?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-ZNL%3A1500890501%2C1500918030 : 9 January 2015).
[10] Luxembourg Civil Records, Diekirch > Naissances 1879-1890 Mariages 1796-1842 > image 550 of 1492. 1803 Marriage Record (6 prairial an XI). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYH3-RBM?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-W38%3A129628901%2C130301801 : accessed 16 February 2017).
[11] Ibid., Diekirch > Décès 1825-1890 > image 489 of 1358. 1854 Death Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6XYW-S3N?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-2NL%3A129628901%2C129628902 : accessed 13 February 2017).
[12] Luxembourg Church Records, Diekirch > Baptêmes 1743-1790, confirmations 1768-1789  > image 275 of 373. 1783 Baptismal Record (left page, 2nd entry).(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-LCNF?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-ZNL%3A1500890501%2C1500918030 : accessed 12 Feb 2017).
[13] Ibid., Diekirch >  Baptêmes, mariages, décès 1808-1809, 1811 > image 14 of 80. 1808 Marriage Record (left page, middle).   (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-9Z58?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-16K%3A1500890501%2C1501023192 : 9 January 2015).
[14] Luxembourg Civil Records, Diekirch > Mariages 1843-1890 Décès 1797-1824 > image 1331 of 1493. 1818 Death Record (left page, bottom). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68G9-5DJ?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-929%3A129628901%2C129848701 : 17 July 2014).
[15] Luxembourg Church Records, Diekirch > Baptêmes 1743-1790, confirmations 1768-1789 > image 299 of 373. 1785 Baptismal Record. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32421-8798-97?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-ZNL:1500890501,1500918030 : accessed 11 July 2015).
[16] Luxembourg Civil Records, Diekirch > Naissances 1879-1890 Mariages 1796-1842 > image 750 of 1492. 1809 Marriage Record page 1. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11618-101768-87?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2N2:1627336735 : accessed 04 Apr 2013). Second part on image 751.
[17] 4. Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), <i>FamilySearch</i> (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Diekirch > Décès 1825-1890 > image 317 of 1358. 1843 Death Record No. 37. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12147-160328-63?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2NH:n538876208 : accessed 04 Apr 2013).
[18] Luxembourg Church Records, Diekirch > Baptêmes 1743-1790, confirmations 1768-1789 > image 325 of 373. 1787 Baptismal Record (right page, 2nd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-LCBJ?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-ZNL%3A1500890501%2C1500918030 : accessed 12 Feb 2017).
[19] Ibid., Diekirch > Sépultures 1743-1793 > image 117 of 140. 1790 Death Record (right page, 6th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WM-LHFL?cc=2037955&wc=STH6-6Y7%3A1500890501%2C1500929176 : 9 January 2015).
[20] Ibid., Diekirch > Baptêmes 1743-1790, confirmations 1768-1789 > image 355 of 373. 1790 Baptismal Record (right page, 2nd entry). https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WM-LC4Y?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-ZNL%3A1500890501%2C1500918030 : 9 January 2015).
[21] Luxembourg Civil Records, Diekirch > Naissances 1879-1890 Mariages 1796-1842 > image 1066 of 1492. 1821 Marriage Record. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYH3-5PC?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-W38%3A129628901%2C130301801 : accessed 16 February 2017).
[22] Ibid., Diekirch > Décès 1825-1890 > image 377 of 1358. 1847 Death Record No. 31. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6XYW-ZWN?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-2NL%3A129628901%2C129628902 : accessed 13 February 2017).
[23] Luxembourg Church Records, Diekirch > Baptêmes 1791-1795, mariages 1794-1798, 1800-1803, sépultures 1794-1795 > image 27 of 243. 1792 Baptismal Record (left page, 4th entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-47G1?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-2JW%3A1500890501%2C1501017982 : 9 January 2015).
[24] Luxembourg Civil Records, Diekirch > Naissances 1879-1890 Mariages 1796-1842 > image 1310 of 1492. 1833 Marriage Record No. 5. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYH3-RGQ?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-W38%3A129628901%2C130301801 : accessed 20 July 2015).
[25] Ibid., Diekirch > Décès 1825-1890 > image 563 of 1358. 1857 Death Record No. 46. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6XYW-M2G?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-2NL%3A129628901%2C129628902 : accessed 13 February 2017).
[26] Luxembourg church Records, Diekirch > Baptêmes 1791-1795, mariages 1794-1798, 1800-1803, sépultures 1794-1795 > image 61 of 243. 1794 Baptismal Record (right page, bottom entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-472C?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-2JW%3A1500890501%2C1501017982 : 9 January 2015).
[27] Luxembourg Civil Records, Diekirch > Naissances 1879-1890 Mariages 1796-1842  > image 1132 of 1492. 1823 Marriage Record.  (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYHQ-M2W?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-W38%3A129628901%2C130301801 : accessed 16 February 2017).
[28] Ibid., No. 65. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6XYW-MPV?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-2NL%3A129628901%2C129628902 : accessed 13 Feb 2017).
[29] Luxembourg Church Records, Diekirch > Baptêmes 1797-1805, mariages, décès 1797-1807 > image 5 of 133. 1797 Baptismal Record (left page, last entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WM-986Z?cc=2037955&wc=STHC-1XS%3A1500890501%2C1500998368 : 9 January 2015).
[30] Luxembourg Civil Records, Diekirch > Naissances 1879-1890 Mariages 1796-1842 > image 1201 of 1492. 1827 Marriage Publication. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYH3-2LB?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-W38%3A129628901%2C130301801 : accessed 16 February 2016).
[31] Ibid., Diekirch > Décès 1825-1890 > image 615 of 1358. 1860 Death Record No. 28. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6XYW-9NQ?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-2NL%3A129628901%2C129628902 : accessed 13 February 2017).
[32] Luxembourg Church Records, Diekirch > Naissances 1796-1802 > image 171 of 311. 1799 Birth Record (left page, 5 germinal an VII). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-9N93?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-MNP%3A1500890501%2C1500941302 : accessed 17 February 2017).

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

Fearless Females: 27 Female Ancestors Share My First Name!

This is my entry for Day 3:  Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month

March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

My first name is Catherine and I share it with the following 27 ancestors (mostly maternal, only 5 are paternal and marked with an *):

mother, Catherine Josette WILDINGER
great-grandmother, Catherine PÖPPELREITER
great-grandmother, Catherine FRANTZ
3rd great-grandmothers, Maria Katharina GROELINGER
3rd great-grandmothers, Catherine SCHRAMEN
3rd great-grandmothers, Marie Catherine PHILIPPART
4th great-grandmother, Maria Catharina SCHUMACHER
4th great-grandmother, Catharina HAMES
4th great-grandmother, Catharina CORNELY
4th great-grandmother, Anne Catherine HENNES
4th great-grandmother, Catherine MEUNIER
5th great-grandmother, Katharina KLEIN
5th great-grandmother, Maria Katharina HUSS
5th great-grandmother, Catherine Barbara NOLL *
5th great-grandmother, Catherine SINGER
5th great-grandmother, Catherine ARENT
5th great-grandmother, Marie-Cathérine HASTERT
6th great-grandmother, Catharina RONES
6th great-grandmother, Catherine PLICKENSTALVER *
7th great-grandmother, Marie Catherine [–?–] HUSS (descended from her twice)
7th great-grandmother, Catherine SETON
7th great-grandmother, Anne-Catherine ECKART
8th great-grandmother, Catharina KUENZ *
8th great-grandmother, Katharina B. [–?–] BLICKENSDOERFER *
8th great-grandmother, Catherine LEPINE
9th great-grandmother, Catherine RATZEN
12th great-grandmother, Katherine (Honeywood) FLEETE *

© 2014, copyright Cathy Meder-Dempsey. All rights reserved.