52 Ancestors: #23 Antonia, Please Tell Me, Are You a STEFFEN or a GROEBER?

Today is Luxembourg National Day (Celebration publique de l’anniversaire du souverain). Grand Duchess Charlotte who ruled Luxembourg from 1919-1964 was born on 23 January 1896. The day was made a national holiday in 1941. The date of June 23 was set in 1961 by Ducal decree so that the weather would be nicer for celebrations.

During World War II on the evening of January 23 my grandmother’s neighbors met in her house to celebrate the birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte. The windows were covered so that no light could be seen from the street but the German patrol could hear the celebrating. They knocked on the door and asked what was going on. Bomi, as we called my grandmother, told them they were celebrating her birthday. It’s a good thing they didn’t check her identification as her birthday was not until June 17. She asked the Germans to join them in a glass of wine. She would laugh when she told us how the Germans raised their glasses to the birthday girl, not knowing that they were toasting the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.

I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share this with you since I’ve been blogging about my children’s fifth great-grandparents, who mostly came from Luxembourg, on Fridays under the theme of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. And, here is today’s post.

Antonia, Please Tell Me, Are You a STEFFEN or a GROEBER?

Antonia, my children’s 5th great-grandmother, is a bit of an enigma. I don’t know if I should list her as Antonia STEFFEN or Antonia GROEBER in the family tree.

I haven’t found a birth or baptismal record for her. She was born in a time period and place where the church records are lacking. The likely substitute would be a marriage record. Yes! Antonia left more than one marriage record which, instead of simplifying matters, only added a complication.

A marriage took place in 1815

1814 Marriage Publication [1]

On 7 December 1814 Peter BERNARD, son of the deceased Jacob BERNARD (1764-1804) and his widow Johanna CAPPUS, and Antonia STEFFEN, daughter of Christina STEFFEN, made their intentions to marry public. The marriage banns were to be announced at the door of the town hall in Hoscheid on two Sundays, the 18th and 25th of December 1814.[1]

The publication was the first entry in the 1815 register, likely filled out after the fact and perhaps at the time they married. Taken out of context, it looks like the publication of the marriage was filled out and signed on 7 December 1815 instead of 1814.

1815 Marriage Record [2]

Peter and Antonia met with Jacob KOENIG at the Hoscheid town hall on 2 January 1815 at 10 o’clock in the morning.[2] The record produced at the time is the first mentioning Antonia’s date of birth. She appears to have been born on 8 March 1790 in Hoscheid to Christina STEFFEN. No father is mentioned. Antonia has the same surname as her mother which could mean she was an illegitimate child. Four witnesses were present for the marriage. One was Franz DUMONG, a twenty-year-old young man whose name would continue to be seen throughout this family’s story.

Another marriage took place in 1823

1822 Marriage Publication [3]

Let’s look at the second marriage of Antonia. Two days before Christmas of 1822 Johan KAUFMAN and Antonia GROEBER made their intentions to marry known. Their banns were read on the 15th and 22nd of December.[3] In this document, I found a new word, Wittib, which means widow. Antonia, the widow of the deceased Peter BERNARD, was the daughter of the widow Christina GROEBER.

How can I be sure this Antonia GROEBER is the same person as Antonia STEFFEN? Hopefully, the pieces will fall into place once all of her records are analyzed.

1823 Marriage Record [4]

Johan and Antonia met at the Hoscheid town hall on 7 January 1823 at 9 o’clock in the morning before Frans AUGUSTIN. This record has the same date and place of birth for Antonia as seen in her previous marriage record — 8 March 1790 in Hoscheid (see box next to first arrow above). The difference from her first marriage record in 1815 is that she is listed as the daughter of the deceased Valentin GROEBER and his widow Christina STEFFEN. This explains why Christina was seen as Christina GROEBER on the 1822 marriage publication. Witnesses of the marriage were two men with the BERNARD surname and Franz DUMONG.[4]

Antonia died in 1843

1843 Death Record of Antoinette STEFFEN [5]

Antonia produced one more record which infers her parentage. Her 1843 death record. On 11 March 1843 Nicolas GROEBER and Franz DUMONG were the informants for the death of Antonia STEFFEN. Her parents are not listed on this record. She died on 9 March 1843, the day after her birthday, at the age of 53 years.[5] By now the name of the second informant, Franz DUMONG, is familiar. More important here is the relationship of the informants to Antonia. Nicolas GROEBER was 43 years old, from Hoscheid, and the brother of the deceased. His 1830 marriage record[6] confirms his parents were Valentin GROEBER and Christina STEFFEN. Both Antonia and Nicolas were children of Christina STEFFEN, but was Valentin GROEBER the father of both of them?

Nicolas was ten years younger than Antonia and he carried the GROEBER surname and not STEFFEN as he claimed was his sister’s surname. Does this mean Antonia’s mother Christina STEFFEN married after Antonia’s birth in 1790 and before Nicolas’ birth abt. 1800?

GROEBER and STEFFEN surnames

I looked into the GROEBER-STEFFEN marriage. I did not find the actual record. It is very likely hidden away in the parish of Brandenbourg as I found a marriage index card citing the marriage.[7]

1794 Marriage Index Card for Valentin GREVES and Christina STEPHEN [7]

The card gives the names of the groom (époux) and bride (épouse) as well as their parents’ names with alternate spellings than were found in later records. The marriage took place on 29 January 1794 in Hoscheid.[7] Missing on the card, at the bottom, are the volume number and page in the Brandenbourg parish register where the record would be located. The date of marriage converts to the 10 pluviôse in the year II of the French Republican calendar. I may be looking in the wrong place for the marriage record as these index cards are known to have been filled out using information found on actual marriage records.

Were Christina STEFFEN and Valentin GREVES (or GROEBER as the name was seen later) a couple when Antonia was born in 1790? Very often in civil records in Luxembourg children born to a couple before their marriage are mentioned in the marriage record to make them legitimate. I have not seen this in church records. Valentin GROEBER died on 1 March 1806, a week before Antonia turned 16 years old. His wife Christina STEFFEN reported the death.[8]

Antonia’s first marriage and children

What other records can be found with Antonia’s full name? Did she have children whose birth or marriage records would include her name?

Following her first marriage to Peter BERNARD in January of 1815 the couple had a daughter Margaretha born on 2 November 1815 in Hoscheid.[9] The birth record shows the mother of the child was Anthonia STEFFEN. The same name was listed at the time of the next child Marie Cathérine’s birth on 12 September 1817.[10]

Who was Peter BERNARD and when did the marriage end?

Antonia’s first husband Peter BERNARD was born on 11 March 1790 in Holzthum.[11] He was the second of seven known children born to Jeanne CAPPUS (1763-1833) and Jacob BERNARD (1764-1804) in Buckels bei Hosingen, Bockholtz near Hosingen in the canton of Clervaux (and not Bockholtz near Goesdorf in the canton of Wiltz).

Peter died on 4 June 1820 in Hoscheid in a house called Christen.[12] Jacob KOENIG who officiated at the marriage of Peter and Antonia only five years earlier was one of the informants on the death record and he gave the widow’s name as Antonia STEFFEN.

Antonia’s second marriage and children

Following Peter’s death, Antonia married Jean KAUFMAN on 7 January 1823.[4] An interesting discovery was made when analyzing this marriage record (see image of 1823 Marriage Record above). Antonia’s brothers-in-law from her first marriage, Michel BERNARD and Nicolas BERNARD were two of the four witnesses at the marriage. This would suggest there was a close bond with the BERNARD family who did not live in Hoscheid but in Holzthum. Franz DUMONG was another witness.

Antonia’s second husband Jean KAUFMAN was ten months younger than her having been born on 1 January 1791 in Pettingen (Mersch) to Théodore KAUFMAN and Marguerite SCHILTZ.[13]

Ten months to the day they married Antonia gave birth to twins, Anna Maria and Elisabetha, at four in the morning on 7 November 1823 in Hoscheid. The father Jean went to the town hall the same day, at five in the evening, to report the births. The twins shared a birth record.[14] Their mother was listed as Antonia GROEBER – the same name found on her second marriage record.

Antonia’s first mother-in-law Johanna CAPPUS (1763-1833), paternal grandmother of Margaretha and Marie Cathérine, died on 21 January 1833 in Holzthum.[15]

Jean and Antonia spent 16 years together raising their twin daughters and Antonia’s two daughters from her first marriage.

Three deaths in the family

On 6 June 1839 at eight in the evening Jean died in the house called Christen in Hoscheid.[16] This was the same house where Antonia’s first husband Peter had died. Franz DUMONG and Mathias THIEVES were the informants for Jean’s death. They gave his widow’s name as Antonia STEFFEN. Finally, there is a record showing a relationship to Franz DUMONG. Both of the men listed as informants on this record were neighbors of the family who lived in the house called Christen in Hoscheid.

Later in the year, on 7 November 1839, the day the KAUFMAN twins would celebrate their 16th birthday, their maternal grandmother Christina STEFFEN’s died in the house called Christen. I wonder if she owned the house and this was the reason it was called Christen. Her son Nicolas GROEBER went to the town hall at one in the afternoon to declare the death took place the same day at seven in the morning.[17]

Antonia was now alone with her four daughters: Margaretha (24), Marie Cathérine (22), and the twins Anna Maria (16) and Elisabetha (16). Four years later her brother Nicolas and her neighbor Franz reported her death on 9 March 1843.[5]

What happened to her daughters?

Antonia and Peter’s first child, Margaretha BERNARD was my children’s 4th great-grandmother. She married two months after her mother’s death. On 30 May 1843, Margaretha married Anton WECKERING (1781-1857) in Bourscheid.[18] Anton was 61 years old and had been widowed in 1841.[19] Their marriage record lists the bride’s parents as Peter BERNARD and Antonette STEFFEN. Their story can be read in this post: Antoine WECKERING Becomes Father of his 13th Child at Age 72!.

Margaretha’s sister Marie Cathérine BERNARD and her half-sisters, the twins Anna Maria KAUFMAN and Elisabetha KAUFMAN lived together and worked as day laborers in 1843 when the census was taken in Hoscheid.[20]

Marie Cathérine BERNARD married Pierre ROMMES on 12 February 1846 in Hoscheid.[21] Her parents were listed as Peter BERNARD and Antonette STEFFEN.

Anna Maria KAUFMAN married Johann DUMONG (1824-1892) on 12 July 1849 in Hoscheid.[22] Johann’s father Franz DUMONG, who played a large part in the lives of Antonia and her family, died the previous year. He had been their neighbor as well as an informant and witness to many major events which took place from the time he was old enough to sign until his death. The DUMONG-KAUFMAN marriage record listed Jean KAUFMAN and Antoinette STEFFEN as the bride’s parents. Ten months later, like her mother Antonia, Anna Maria gave birth to twin daughters who shared a birth record.[23] They were not her only children.

Anna Maria KAUFMAN died on 26 April 1865 in Merscheid.[24] Her death record lists her parents as Johann KAUFMAN and Antoinette STEFFEN.

The oldest daughter, Margaretha BERNARD died on 15 April 1878 in the Central Hospiz in Ettelbruck.[25] Only the name of her deceased husband, Antoine WECKERING was noted on her death record.

Marie Cathérine BERNARD died on 17 January 1880 in Hoscheid.[26] Her parents were not mentioned on her death record, only her deceased husband Peter ROMMES.

Anna Maria’s twin, Elisabetha KAUFMAN, never married and worked as a seamstress. After the death of her twin, she took in Catharina DUMONG, one of her sister’s twin daughters. They were found together on the census in 1867, 1871 and 1875. Elisabetha died on 11 April 1880 in Hoscheid.[27] Her death was reported by her niece’s husband, Jean WECKERING. He gave her parents’ names as Johann KAUFMAN and Anna GRÖBER. He was a nephew of Antoine WECKERING who married Margaretha BERNARD.

Antonia STEFFEN or Antonia GROEBER?

After looking at all of these records I’ve come to this conclusion. Antonia STEFFEN was her maiden name and Antonia GROEBER will be added as an alternate name. Antonia’s father may have been Valentin GROEBER or he may have been a man whose name will remain a mystery.

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch< (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 490 of 1491. 1814 Marriage Publication. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SS-7MS?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL%3A129844501%2C129973001 : accessed 20 June 2017).
[2] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 493 of 1491. 1815 Marriage Record (left). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SS-D74?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL%3A129844501%2C129973001 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[3] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 534 of 1491. 1822 Marriage Publication (right page, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SS-HDN?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL%3A129844501%2C129973001 : accessed 20 June 2017).
[4] ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 544 of 1491. 1823 Marriage Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SS-FZF?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL%3A129844501%2C129973001 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[5] ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1827-1850 > image 103 of 162. 1843 Death Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-65980-21?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WR:129844501,129896301 : accessed 14 September 2015).
[6] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 713 of 1491. 1830 Marriage Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SS-QW6?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL%3A129844501%2C129973001 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[7] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Brandenbourg > Tables des mariages 1675-1793 (index organisée par l’épouse) > image 246 of 313. 1794 Marriage Index Card. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-SS9G?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-L2W%3A1500940601%2C1501098802 : accessed 20 June 2017).
[8] Luxembourg Civil Records, Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 1368 of 1491. 1806 Death Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SS-Q11?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL%3A129844501%2C129973001 : accessed 20 June 2017).
[9] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1798-1850 > image 135 of 459. 1815 Birth Record. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11669-111343-72?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-6TR:129844501,129804701 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[10] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1798-1850 > image 148 of 459. 1817 Birth Record (left, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DB1Q-9JN?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-6TR%3A129844501%2C129804701 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[11] Ibid., Consthum > Naissances, mariages, décès 1779-1793 > image 101 of 145. 1790 Baptismal Record (right page, 2nd entry).(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6SNN-BS?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-2NP%3A129626301%2C129967401 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[12] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 1446 of 1491. 1820 Death Record (right, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SS-CRK?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL%3A129844501%2C129973001 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[13] Ibid., Mersch > Baptêmes 1773-1791 > image 264 of 274. 1791 Baptismal Record (left page, 3rd entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WM-9723?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-W3J%3A1500963301%2C1500995236 : accessed 23 June 2017).
[14] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1798-1850 > image 196 of 459. 1823 Birth Record for twins. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11669-109875-22?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-6TR:129844501,129804701 : accessed 14 September 2015).
[15] Ibid., Consthum > Décès 1797-1890 > image 192 of 520. 1833 Death Record No. 2. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DR3Q-BSW?cc=1709358&wc=9RYM-DPD%3A129626301%2C129626302 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[16] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1827-1850 > image 76 of 162. 1839 Death Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6L8S-GCC?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WR%3A129844501%2C129896301 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[17] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1827-1850 > image 77 of 162. 1839 Death Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6L8S-GFC?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WR%3A129844501%2C129896301 : accessed 20 June 2017).
[18] Ibid., Bourscheid > Naissances 1872-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 > image 995 of 1447. 1843 Marriage Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11561-51550-20?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-C68:129628601,129997101 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[19] Ibid., Bourscheid > Décès 1797-1890 > image 438 of 1157. 1841 Death Record No. 19. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12650-33893-10?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-N38:129628601,129626302 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[20] Luxembourg, Volkszählungen 1843-1900 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Hoscheid > 1843 > image 55 of 137. Bernard household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32359-9430-48?cc=2037957&wc=M5LT-ZV3:345858701,345863501 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[21] Luxembourg Civil Records, Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 1080 of 1491. 1846 Marriage Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SS-F7Q?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL%3A129844501%2C129973001 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[22] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 1095 of 1491. 1849 Marriage Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SS-WJ4?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL%3A129844501%2C129973001 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[23] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1798-1850 > image 452 of 459. 1850 Birth Record No. 13. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DB13-R8P?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-6TR%3A129844501%2C129804701 : accessed 23 June 2017).
[24] Ibid., Putscheid > Décès 1859-1890 > image 83 of 381. 1865 Death Record No. 22. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRX9-KBP?cc=1709358&wc=9RYM-T3D%3A130227001%2C129657101 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[25] Ibid., Ettelbruck > Décès 1814-1881 > image 1356 of 1379. 1878 Death Record No. 36. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11675-61468-76?cc=1709358&wc=9RYS-FM9:129625001,1290913101 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[26] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1851-1890 > image 230 of 296. 1880 Death Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6L8S-DZW?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WP%3A129844501%2C129625502 : accessed 19 June 2017).
[27] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1851-1890 > image 231 of 296. 1880 Death Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6L8S-NQ9?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WP%3A129844501%2C129625502 : accessed 22 June 2017).

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

52 Ancestors: #21 The Schaeffer-Greisch Family of Eschdorf

Earlier this week I wrote Lëtz Play! Can You Top This? A Marriage Record With 15 Events in which I shared the marriage record[1] of my children’s sixth great-grandfather Jean Baptiste SCHAEFFER (1752-1819). It was a second marriage for both the bride and groom. Jean Baptiste was first married to Catherine SCHAACK (1752-1801). Nicolas SCHAEFFER was their first known child. I doubt he was their first born as they were married 9 February 1777 in Heiderscheid[2] while Nicolas was not born until 14 July 1783 in Merscheid.[3] I’ve found four of his siblings, all born later and in Merscheid, but the search for older siblings is still underway.

Nicolas SCHAEFFER was twenty-six years old when he married the twenty-nine years old Theresia GREISCH on 19 February 1810 in Esch.[4] The bride and the groom were working as day laborers at the time of their marriage. Nicolas was living in Merscheid and Theresia in Eschdorf. The groom and his father and the bride and her mother left their mark on the marriage record.

1810 Marriage Record No. 5 (part 1)[4]

1810 Marriage Record No. 5 (part 2)[4]

1810 Marriage Record No. 5 (part 3)[4]

The marriage took place in Esch, today known as Esch-sur-Sûre in the northwestern part of Luxembourg. It is not to be confused with Esch-sur-Alzette in the southwestern part of the county. Nicolas and Theresia are one of the many sets of fifth great-grandparents in my children’s family tree.

Theresia GREISCH was the first child of Nicolas GREISCH (1759-1803) and Susanne ROLLINGER (abt. 1757-1819). She was born on 24 May 1781 in Eschdorf,[4] ten months after her parents married on 11 July 1780 in Wahl.[5]

Theresia’s place of birth is, as yet, undocumented. She had at least six siblings, five born in Eschdorf, and one in Brattert. Baptismal records have been found for these children. At the time of her marriage, Theresia’s place of birth was given as Eschdorf. When she died the informant gave Wahl as her place of birth. Three census listings were found, each has a different place of birth: Eschdorf, Wahl, and Dellen. For the time being, I will list the date and place of birth found in the 1810 marriage record[4] but will continue to search for a baptismal record to confirm or refute the date and place.

UPDATE (13 June 2017): Linda, a Luxembourg researcher who has helped me out several times during this year’s 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks series of posts, located the missing baptismal record for Theresia GREISCH in Wahl. She was baptized on 17 April 1781 and was born the previous day.

1781 Baptismal Record. Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Wahl > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 25 of 148. 1781 Baptismal Record (left page, 2nd entry).(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99WS-SJQ?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-D5S%3A1501211501%2C1500913302 : accessed 13 June 2017).

At the time of their marriage, both Nicolas and Theresia had lost one parent. Catherine SCHAACK, Nicolas’ mother, died on 28 November 1801 in Merscheid[6] while Nicolas GREISCH, Theresia’s father, had died on 21 January 1803 in Eschdorf.[7]

Brothers marry Sisters

Three months after Nicolas and Theresia’s marriage, his brother Jean Pierre married her sister Catharina on 22 May 1810.[8] Catharina was in a family way when the marriage took place as five months later, on 10 October 1810, a son was born.[9] Wouldn’t it be interesting to learn how they met and who knew whom first? 

The SCHAEFFER-GREISCH Children

From the different records found I believe the SCHAEFFER-GREISCH couple remained in Eschdorf during their entire married life. All of their children were born in this small town.

• Ch 1: Bernard (1811-?) was born on 8 August 1811.[10]
• Ch 2: Marguerite (1813-1815) was born on 15 September 1813.[11] She lived less than a year and a half, dying on 16 March 1815.[12] Her mother was pregnant with her third child at the time of Marguerite’s death.
• Ch 3: Catherina (1815-1898) was born 14 April 1815.[13] She was my children’s fourth great-grandmother.
• Ch 4: Susanne (1818-1863) was born on 31 March 1818.[14] She was a twin.
• Ch 5: Marguerithe (1818-1818) was born on 31 March 1818.[15] She was Susanne’s twin and lived only nine days, dying on 9 April 1818.[16]

In 1819 the children Bernard, Catherina and Susanne lost the only grandparents they ever knew. Their maternal grandmother Susanne ROLLINGER died on 15 May 1819 in Eschdorf[17] and their paternal grandfather Jean Baptiste SCHAEFFER died on 22 November 1819 in Bourglinster.[18]

• Ch 6: Elisabetha (1821-1882) was born on 4 November 1821.[19]
• Ch 7: Catherina (1823-?) was born 7 December 1823.[20]

No trace of the oldest child and only son, Bernard, or the youngest daughter, Catherina, has been found. Of the seven children born to Theresia and Nicolas, only three are known to have survived to adulthood.

Three Daughters Marry

The oldest living daughter Catherina SCHAEFFER married Frederich GRISIUS (1805-1852) on 3 July 1833 in Hoscheid, Kanton Vianden, Luxembourg.[21] Their story was told in 52 Ancestors: #36 The GRISIUS-SCHAEFFER Family – Working for a Living.

Susanne SCHAEFFER, the next oldest daughter, was the next to marry. She married Jean BERTHOLET (1812-1864) on 17 May 1841 in Mecher, Wiltz, Luxembourg.[22]

The youngest of the three living daughters, Elisabetha SCHAEFFER married Thomas JUSTE (1816-1883) on 28 Jan 1843 in Heiderscheid, Wiltz, Luxembourg.
[23]

I had to do a lot of browsing to learn more about Susanne and Elisabetha. With only their marriage records, I wondered where I would be able to find them after the events.

I looked into Elisabetha first. Her husband was from Nothomb, a small village in the commune of Attert, in the Province of Luxembourg in Belgium. At the time of their marriage, he was living in Heiderscheid (Luxembourg). Not finding any immediate trace of them there, I took a chance with the FamilySearch records for the Province of Luxembourg in Belgium. I located birth records for eight children born between 1848-1867 in Parette, a village in the commune of Attert, as well as death records for four children who died in the 1850s. But I still had a large gap between 1843 when they married and 1848 when their first child was born in Belgium.

I then checked for Susanne whose husband was born in Holtz in the commune of Perlé in western Luxembourg near the Belgium border. Jean BERTHOLET was living and working in Béiwen (Bavigne) when they married. Béiwen was in the commune of Mecher in Luxembourg where I found their sad story. Susanne gave birth to at least five daughters. Sadly, the first died before the birth of the second, the second before the third, and the third before the fourth. Then the fifth also died after only three months. Only the fourth daughter, Anna born in 1854 lived. However, the question remains, how long? Susanne died in 1863 and her husband in 1864 leaving Anna an orphan. She may have lived with her uncle Johann MERSCH (who had married her father’s sister) immediately after her father’s death but this is not definite as the child seen on the 1864 census in his household was named Susanne, an 11-year-old servant girl. By 1867 a very young Anna BERTHOLET, 14 years and 2 months, was working as a servant for an unmarried female farmer, Anna Catherine PROBST in Béiwen. No trace has been found of her after 1867.

Once I knew more of each of the daughters I came back to Nicolas and Theresia to see how their lives continued after their daughters married.

1843 Luxembourg Census for Nicolas SCHAEFFER in Eschdorf, Heiderscheid (cropped).

On 14 December 1843, a peculiar census[24] was found for Nicolas SCHAEFFER. He was living in Eschdorf which was expected. By this time, his daughter Catherina was well established in Hoscheid with her husband Frederich GRISIUS and their three young sons. Elisabetha had been married less than a year and as mentioned above, missing during this time period. Daughter Susanne, her husband Jean BETHOLET, and their daughter Elisabetha were living in Nicolas’ household. The daughter’s birth record has not been found but her presence was not unexpected as I had found her 1845 death record in the commune of Mecher. Also on the census sheet was Theresia GREISCH, Nicolas’ wife and mother of Susanne, but her name was crossed out. Was she away from home, perhaps visiting with Elisabetha who has not been located?

On 6 December 1846[25] and on 31 December 1847[26] Nicolas and Theresia were the only persons in his household in Eschdorf.

1846 Luxembourg Census for the Bertholet-Linden household.

On 19 December 1846 Elisabetha and Susanne, both married, were found with their husbands in the BERTHOLET-LINDEN household, Susanne’s parents-in-law, in Bavigne. Each had a daughter.[27]

Theresia GREISCH died on 26 May 1848 in Eschdorf.[28] Her husband Nicolas was not found on the 1851 or 1852 census. He died 10 April 1855 in Eschdorf.[29]

Seven months after her father died, Catherina who was widowed in 1852, remarried. The 40 years old bride married Nicolas WIRTZ, a 22 years old young man, on 30 November 1855 in Hoscheid.[30]

Susanne SCHAEFFER who had been living in Béiwen (Bavigne) died on 25 June 1863.[31] She left a husband and daughter.

Elisabetha SCHAEFFER died on 19 November 1882 in Aubange.[32] She appears to have been visiting with her son, a butcher, who declared the death. It was recorded in the Aubange register[32] as well as the Attert register[33] as this was her normal residence. She left a husband Thomas JUSTE who died the following year on Christmas Day.[34] The four sons who may have continued the JUSTE line have not been researched.

Catherina SCHAEFFER, my children’s ancestress, died on 16 January 1898 in Hoscheiderdickt. at the age of 82 years.[35] She outlived her young second husband who died in 1882[36] after nearly 27 years of marriage.

I’m glad I took the time to research this family further. Although it was sad to find so many small children’s deaths, it was satisfying to be able to learn more of Catharina’s parents Nicolas and Theresia and her sisters Susanne and Elisabetha.

And now before you leave, I’d like to share a milestone.

Yesterday morning Opening Doors in Brick Walls had a visit from Poland. I don’t know who it was or what they were viewing. The person who visited made my view counter click over from 99,999 to 100,000 views since I started blogging in January 2014. I’d like to thank all my readers, followers, and visitors for making me feel special and helping me to stay motivated to continue writing about my genealogy research. It’s much appreciated.

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Junglinster > Naissances 1859-1890 Mariages 1797-1876 > image 790 of 1488. 1809 Marriage Record No. 8 (part 1). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6RQ2-HB?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-7M9%3A129919601%2C130104101 : accessed 3 June 2017) and 1809 Marriage Record No. 8 (part 2). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6RQN-6Y?cc=1709358&wc=9RY7-7M9%3A129919601%2C130104101 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[2] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Heiderscheid > Mariages 1751-1778, sépultures 1743-1778 > image 30 of 31. 1777 Marrige Record (right page, top). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9WS-CYGS?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-Y4S%3A1500941101%2C1500950136 : accessed 7 June 2017).
[3] Ibid., Heiderscheid > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1783-1793, 1796-1797 > image 5 of 47. 1783 Baptismal Record (left page, first entry). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89WS-CB62?cc=2037955&wc=STHD-Y47%3A1500941101%2C1500983366 : accessed 2 June 2017).
[4] Luxembourg Civil Records, Esch > Naissances 1882 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1850 > image 304 of 1486. 1810 Marriage Record No. 5 (part 1). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68Y7-3KK?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-3TG%3A129625501%2C129816601 : accessed 3 June 2017) and 1810 Marriage Record No. 5 (part 2). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68Y7-WFS?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-3TG%3A129625501%2C129816601 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[5] Luxembourg Church Records, Wahl > Baptêmes, mariages, sépultures 1779-1793 > image 17 of 148. 1780 Marriage Record (right page). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9WS-S28?cc=2037955&wc=STH8-D5S%3A1501211501%2C1500913302 : accessed 8 June 2017).
[6] Luxembourg Civil Records, Arsdorf > Sépultures 1779-1793 > image 84 of 210. 1801 Death Record. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D16Q-6QB?cc=1709358&wc=9RYS-L2S%3A129626201%2C129778601 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[7] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1882 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1850 > image 1036 of 1486. 1803 Death Record No. 9. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68Y7-DM3?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-3TG%3A129625501%2C129816601 : accessed 7 June 2017).
[8] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1882 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1850 > image 300 of 1486. 1810 Marriage Record No. 1 (part 1). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68Y7-7KZ?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-3TG%3A129625501%2C129816601 : accessed 3 June 2017) and 1810 Marriage Record No. 1 (part 2). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68Y7-S58?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-3TG%3A129625501%2C129816601 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[9] Ibid., Grosbous > Tables décennales 1873-1892 Naissances, mariages, décès 1797-1823 Naissances 1797-1804 Naissances, mariages, décès 1804-1805 Naissances 1805-1890 Mariages 1797-1834 > images 116 and 117 of 1452. 1810 Birth Record. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DT99-F79?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-GP8%3A129626401%2C950246901 : accessed 8 June 2017).
[10] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1797-1822 > image 192 of 387. 1811 Birth Record No. 45. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1PQ-Z6H?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-W38%3A129625501%2C129709401 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[11] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1797-1822 > image 228 of 387. 1813 Birth Record (pages missing for records no. 42 through 45). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1PQ-6Q2?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-W38%3A129625501%2C129709401 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[12] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1882 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1850 > image 1152 of 1486. 1816 Death Record No. 16. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68Y7-W5T?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-3TG%3A129625501%2C129816601 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[13] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1797-1822 > image 247 of 387. 1815 Birth Record. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1PQ-NQK?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-W38%3A129625501%2C129709401 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[14] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1797-1822 > image 310 of 387. 1818 Birth Record No. 15 (twins). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1PQ-6LZ?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-W38%3A129625501%2C129709401 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1882 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1850 > image 1188 of 1486. 1818 Death Record No. 20. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68Y7-8JP?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-3TG%3A129625501%2C129816601 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[17] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1882 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1797-1850 > image 1207 of 1486. 1819 Death Record No. 42. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68Y7-HF9?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-3TG%3A129625501%2C129816601 : accessed 7 June 2017).
[18] Ibid., Junglinster > Mariages 1877-1890 Décès 1797-1890 > image 378 of 1362. 1819 Death Record No. 58. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DT4Q-YHL?cc=1709358&wc=9RY9-6TL%3A129919601%2C129919602 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[19] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1797-1822 > image 362 of 387. 1821 Birth Record No. 49. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1PQ-JXL?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-W38%3A129625501%2C129709401 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[20] Ibid., Esch > Naissances 1823-1850 > image 16 of 276. 1823 Birth Record No. 60. “Luxembourg Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1PQ-VWP?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-W3X%3A129625501%2C129755201 : accessed 3 June 2017).
[21] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 841 of 1491. 1833 Marriage Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11672-57155-81?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2B6:1412473990 : accessed 09 Apr 2013).
[22] Ibid., Mecher > Mariages 1824-1890 Décès 1797-1824, 1797-1876 > image 125 of 1496. 1841 Marriage Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11672-183988-43?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-N38:130066801,130109301 : accessed 6 September 2015).
[23] Ibid., Heiderscheid > Naissances 1872-1890 Mariages 1800-1857 > image 801 of 1489. 1843 Marriage Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6PLQ-NS6?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-T38%3A129701001%2C130285302 : accessed 4 June 2017).
[24] Luxembourg, Volkszählungen 1843-1900 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Heinerscheid > 1843 > image 130 of 483. Nicolas Schaeffer household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-897B-7S77?cc=2037957&wc=M5L5-G5M%3A345857701%2C345863501 : 22 May 2014).
[25] Ibid., Heiderscheid > 1846 > image 85 of 297. Schaeffer-Greisch household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997B-JRSC?cc=2037957&wc=M5LT-7MQ%3A345859301%2C345858602 : accessed 4 June 2017).
[26] Ibid., Heiderscheid > 1847 > image 64 of 366. Schaeffer-Greisch household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997B-DW96?cc=2037957&wc=M5LR-82P%3A345859301%2C345864101 : accessed 4 June 2017).
[27] Ibid., Mecher > 1846 (n 79) > image 28 of 198. Bertholet-Linden household. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997B-FWS7?cc=2037957&wc=M5LR-G56%3A345858901%2C345961101 : accessed 5 June 2017).
[28] Luxembourg Civil Records, Heiderscheid > Mariages 1858-1890 Décès 1798-1854 > image 1146 of 1247. 1848 Death Record No. 41. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68YN-2D?cc=1709358&wc=9RYC-3TL%3A129701001%2C129879701 : accessed 4 June 2017).
[29] Ibid., Heiderscheid > Décès 1855-1871 > image 11 of 282. 1855 Death Record No. 41. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DRLQ-XZ6?cc=1709358&wc=9RY9-SP6%3A129701001%2C129761801 : accessed 4 June 2017).
[30] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 1133 of 1491. 1855 Marriage Record No. (none). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11672-64867-67?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL:129844501,129973001 : accessed 7 September 2015).
[31] Ibid., Mecher > Mariages 1824-1890 Décès 1797-1824, 1797-1876 > image 1335 of 1496. 1863 Death Record No. 22. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-D1SW-26F?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-N38%3A130066801%2C130109301 : accessed 4 June 2017).
[32] Belgique, Luxembourg, registres d’état civil, 1580-1920, (images), FamilySearch (België Nationaal Archief, Brussels / Belgium National Archives, Brussels), Aubange > Actes 1881-1887 > image 152 of 453. 1882 Death Record No. 13. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RNL-7JC?cc=2138510&wc=S51X-K6D%3A367343701%2C367855301 : accessed 4 June 2017).
[33] Ibid., Attert > Actes 1881-1885 > image 300 of 303. 1882 Birth Record No. 40 (conformed copy from Aubange in the Attert register). (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRJ4-822?cc=2138510&wc=S51N-BZQ%3A367347801%2C367463801 : accessed 4 June 2017).
[34] Ibid., Attert > Actes 1885-1890 > image 136 of 861. 1883 Death Record No. 50. (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRNL-Z2F?cc=2138510&wc=S51X-HZW%3A367347801%2C367785701 : accessed 4 June 2017).
[35] Luxembourg Civil Records, Hoscheid > Naissances 1903-1923 Mariages 1895-1923 Pièces de mariages 1903-1912 Décès 1895-1902 > image 698 of 727. 1898 Death Record No. 4. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-32039-1681-25?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2BX:1860526490 : accessed 09 Apr 2013).
[36] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1851-1890 > image 247 of 296. 1882 Death Record No. 17. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-71116-56?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WP:129844501,129625502 : accessed 5 September 2015).

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

52 Ancestors: #37 Antoine WECKERING Becomes Father of his 13th Child at Age 72!

Week 37 (September 10-16) – Large Family. Did you know that all 10 of the most common birthdays are in September? (If you’re a chart geek like me, check out this heat map of birth date frequencies.) So let’s feature an ancestor who had a large family or who was a member of a large family.

Over a period of 54 years Antoine “Anton” WECKERING (1781-1857) fathered 13 known children, his first child when he was 18. He was 72 years old when his last child was born, my husband’s 2nd great-grandmother Elisabeth “Elise” WECKERING (1853-1905).

Antoine WECKERING was born 1 July 1781 in Unterschlinder, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to Pierre WECKERING (1752-1820) and Marguerite LASCHEID (1753-1792). This date of birth was found in his 1799 marriage record.[1] The place of birth was mentioned in his 1843 marriage record[2], census records from 1846 through 1855, and his 1857 death record[3]. At the time of his first marriage, his surname was spelled without a g at the end – WECKERIN.

Index Card of Marriage [4]

The index card with the marriage information for “Antoine WECKERIN” and Marguerite MÜLLER includes most of the information found in the marriage record. Marguerite was the daughter of Nicolas MÜLLER and Marie Cathérine COLLING. The (+) indicates they were deceased at the time of the marriage.

The date 20 pluviose 7 calculates to 8 February 1799. Missing on the card but found in the “copie conforme” of the marriage record[1] is the fact that the groom was only 17 years old. As he didn’t have the necessary age to marry, his father Pierre gave his consent before the witnesses present.

This is an important item since Antoine’s  birth date was again recorded as 1 July 1781 when he married the second time in 1843. A record of birth or baptism has not been located. [Later research turned up a birth record for a brother born on 7 December 1781 making it impossible for Antoine to have been born five months earlier.] The baptismal records for Brandenbourg, where I believe the record may be found, have considerable shortcomings and are not in chronological order for the period Antoine was born.

1799 Marriage Record of Antoine WECKERING and Marguerite MÜLLER[1]

The bride Marguerite MÜLLER (1773-1841) was twenty-six years old; both of her parents were deceased. The difference in age of the bride and groom and the fact that the groom was underage led me to this assumption: the marriage may have been taking place due to the bride being with child.

Finding Proof for this Assumption

Antoine and Marguerite were living in Merscheid, a village in the commune of Landscheid, when their daughters Margaretha (1803)[5] and Anne Marie (1805)[6] were born. I searched the birth records from 1799 to 1803 for their first child to prove my assumption. No birth was found in the Bastendorf where the Landscheid records for the time period were housed.

I checked the deaths records for possible stillborn children. I found a daughter Anne Marie who died on 14 February 1803[7] at the age of 3 years in Merscheid, also seen as her place of birth. Her age at death suggested she was born February 1800 or earlier. The birth records of the commune of Landscheid are missing for year 8 of the French republican calendar – 23 September 1799 to 22 September 1800. Anne Marie was not found in year 7 or 9 and since she died on 25 Pluviose year 11 or 14 February 1803 at age 3 years, her birth must have been in year 8, between 23 September 1799 and 14 February 1800.

She may or may not have been the reason for the marriage of her parents. If I had not made the assumption and searched for documentation to prove/disprove my theory their first known daughter Anne Marie (~1800-1803) may have remained hidden in the records.

The Children of Antoine and Marguerite (wife #1)

• • Ch 1: Anne Marie WECKERING born abt 1800 and died 14 February 1803, both events in Merscheid.[7]
  • Ch 2: Margaretha WECKERING (1803-?) born, a little over a week after the death of Anne Marie, on 23 February 1803 in Merscheid.[5] No further documentation was found for this child. It’s possible she died young as another daughter was given the same name in 1818.
  • Ch 3: Anne Marie WECKERING (1805-1880) born 29 November 1805 in Merscheid.[6] Anne Marie married Jean HAAN (1808-1870) on 18 January 1832 in Bourscheid.[8] She died 31 August 1880 in Lipperscheid.[9]
  • Ch 4: Catherine WECKERING (1808-1810) born abt 1808 and died 28 October 1810 in Lipperscheid.[10]
  • Ch 5: Théodore WECKERING (1811-1893) born 10 October 1811 in Lipperscheid.[11] Théodore married Gertrude FAUTSCH (1812-1847) on 8 February 1840 in Bourscheid.[12] He married 2nd Anna Maria STEINMETZ who survived him when he died on 11 December 1893 in Michelau.[13]
  • Ch 6: Marie Catherine WECKERING (1814-1884) born 16 April 1814 in Lipperscheid.[14] Marie Catherine married Nicolas MALGET on 9 February 1836 in Boevange les Clervaux.[15] She was present at the marriage of her daughter on 1 December 1884[16] and died after this date.
  • Ch 7: Margueritte WECKERING (1818-1871) born 1 April 1818 in Lipperscheid.[17] Marguerithe married Louis THILGES on 29 October 1847 in Basbellain.[18] She died 10 July 1871 in Trotten (Troine) in the Boevange-Clervaux commune.[19]

Antoine’s children from his first marriage were all born before the death of his father Pierre WECKERING on 17 March 1820 in Hoscheid.[20] Pierre was the only grandparent the children ever knew as their mother’s parents and their father’s mother were deceased at the time their parents married.

Marguerite MÜLLER, Antoine’s first wife, died 7 April 1841 in Lipperscheid.[21]

1843 Marriage of Antoine WECKERING and Margaretha BERNARD[2]

Two years after the death of his first wife, 61 years old Antoine found a new life partner. On 30 May 1843 he married Margaretha BERNARD (1815-1878) in Bourscheid.[2]

Margaretha, 27 years old, was born 2 November 1815 in Hoscheid and was about the same age as her groom’s youngest children. She was the daughter of the deceased Pierre BERNARD (1790-1820) and Antoinette GROEBER (1790-1843). Her mother Antoinette died less than three months before the marriage.[22] Antoinette had been widowed twice and left four daughters: Margaretha, her sister Marie Cathérine and their twin half-sisters Elisabetha and Anna Maria KAUFMANN.

The Children of Anton and Margaretha (wife #2)

Margaretha gave Anton six children, sadly only the youngest lived.

• Ch 1: Marie Catherine WECKERING (1844-1845) born 25 April 1844 in Lipperscheid.[23] When she died on 25 March 1845 in Hoscheid her name was recorded as Anna Maria on her death record.[24]
• Ch 2: Corneil WECKERING (1845-1848) born 2 June 1845 in Hoscheid.[25] He was seen with his parents on the 3 December 1846* and 31 December 1847* census. Corneil died on 23 May 1848 in Hoscheid.[26]
• Ch 3: Anna Maria WECKERING (1847-1850) born 13 July 1847 in Hoscheid.[27] She was seen with her parents on the 31 December 1847* and 3 December 1849* census. Anna Maria died 15 June 1850 in Hoscheid.[28]
• Ch 4: Marie WECKERING (1849-1851) born 20 July 1849 in Hoscheid.[29] She was seen with her parents on the 3 December 1849* census. She died 7 February 1851 in Hoscheid.[30]
• Ch 5: Margaretha WECKERING (1851-1852) born 3 June 1851 in Hoscheid.[31] She was seen with her parents on the 31 December 1851* census. Margaretha died 9 June 1852 in Hoscheid.[32]
• Ch 6: Elisabeth “Elise” WECKERING (1853-1905) born 9 May 1853 in Hoscheid.[33] She was with her parents on the 3 December 1855* census.

Antoine was seen with his second wife Margaretha BERNARD and children mentioned above (*) on the Hoscheid census on 4 December 1846[34], 31 December 1847[35], 3 December 1849[36], 31 December 1851[37], 9 December 1852[38], and 3 December 1855.[39]

Life After Antoine’s Death

Antoine WECKERING died 25 March 1857 in Hoscheid.[40] He left his widow Margaretha, four married children from his first marriage and his youngest daughter Elise who was not yet four years old.

His widow Margaretha and their daughter Elise were seen in the Hoscheid census on 3 December 1858[41], 3 December 1861[42], 3 December 1864[43], 3 December 1867[44], 1 December 1871.[45]

Elisabeth “Elise” WECKERING married Heinrich “Henri” GRISIUS (1839-1904) on 29 October 1874 in Hoscheid.[46] Her mother Margaretha was living with the couple on 1 December 1875 when the census was taken in Hoscheid.[47]

Margaretha BERNARD died on 15 April 1878 in the Central Hospiz in Ettelbruck.[48] She had been a widow for 20 years, without an occupation, and she raised her only living child Elise on her own. Did her deceased husband Antoine WECKERING leave her financially independent? 

Sources:
[1] Luxembourg, Registres d’état civil, 1662-1941 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Vianden > Naissances 1829-1890 Mariages 1797-1833 > image 1010 of 1493;. 1799 Marriage Record (page 1 or 3).  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11589-60838-94?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-929:130504801,130760501 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[2] Ibid., Bourscheid > Naissances 1872-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 > image 995 of 1447. 1843 Marriage Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11561-51550-20?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-C68:129628601,129997101 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[3] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1851-1890 > image 47 of 296. 1857 Death Record No. 8. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-67708-27?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2B8:n401754830 : accessed 09 Apr 2013).
[4] Luxembourg, registres paroissiaux, 1601-1948 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Vianden > Tables des mariages 1691-1802 (index organisée par l’épouse) > image 401 of 641. 1799 Marriage Card. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32461-18353-81?cc=2037955&wc=STHZ-2N1:1501150301,1501150302 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[5] Luxembourg Civil Records, Bastendorf > Naissances 1800-1823, 1798-1823, 1828-1890 Mariages 1778-1823 > image 193 of 1476. 1803 Birth Record No. 10. (4 Ventose ans XI). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12305-141568-21?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-MNL:129624201,129879301 : accessed 10 September 2015).
[6] Ibid., Bastendorf > Naissances 1800-1823, 1798-1823, 1828-1890 Mariages 1778-1823 > image 210 of 1476. 1805 Birth Record No. 7 (8 frimaire ans XIV). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12305-137092-23?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-MNL:129624201,129879301 : accessed 10 September 2015).
[7] Ibid., Bastendorf > Décès 1798-1823 > image 37 of 143. 1803 Death Record (25 pluviose an 11). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12394-256757-36?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-827:129624201,129649901 : accessed 11 September 2015). Birth estimated from age at time of death.
[8] Ibid., Bourscheid > Naissances 1872-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 > image 868 of 1447. 1832 Marriage Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11561-49117-26?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-C68:129628601,129997101 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[9] Ibid., Bourscheid > Décès 1797-1890 > image 1023 of 1157. 1880 Death Record No. 34. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12650-32071-72?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-N38:129628601,129626302 : accessed 13 September 2015).
[10] Ibid., Bourscheid > Décès 1797-1890 > image 107 of 1157. 1810 Death Record. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12650-34076-37?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-N38:129628601,129626302 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[11] Ibid., Bourscheid > Naissances 1797-1871 > image 203 of 1296. 1811 Birth Record. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12397-97469-18?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-VZ9:129628601,129837501 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[12] Ibid., Bourscheid > Naissances 1872-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 > image 952 of 1447. 1840 Marriage Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11561-52607-40?cc=1709358&wc=9RYW-C68:129628601,129997101 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[13] Ibid., Bourscheid > Naissances, mariages, décès 1891-1894 > image 124 of 138. 1893 Death Record No. 35. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11693-111710-94?cc=1709358&wc=9RYH-3TT:129628601,129717601 : accessed 13 September 2015).
[14] Ibid., Bourscheid > Naissances 1797-1871 > image 230 of 1296. 1814 Birth Record. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12397-104021-92?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-VZ9:129628601,129837501 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[15] Ibid., Boevange-Clervaux > Naissances 1880-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1798-1855 > image 521 of 1498. 1836 Marriage Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12411-79430-69?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-YWL:129627001,129809801 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[16] Ibid., Boevange-Clervaux > Naissances 1880-1890 Mariages 1797-1890 Décès 1798-1855 > image 958 of 1498. 1884 Marriage Record No. 10. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12411-82357-68?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-YWL:129627001,129809801 : accessed 13 September 2015).
[17] Ibid., Bourscheid > Naissances 1797-1871 > image 274 of 1296. 1818 Birth Record.  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12397-98922-22?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-VZ9:129628601,129837501 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[18] Ibid., Troisvierges > Mariages 1805-1890 Sépultures 1779-1793 Décès 1797-1869 > image 269 of 1404. 1847 Marriage Record No. 10 (number omitted, previous record No. 9). (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11576-121326-73?cc=1709358&wc=9RY9-7M9:130477701,130510501 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[19] Ibid., Boevange-Clervaux > Décès 1856-1890 > image 191 of 400. 1871 Death Record No. 31. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-12346-160954-91?cc=1709358&wc=9RYQ-FM9:129627001,129627002 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[20] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 1445 of 1491. 1820 Death Record.  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11672-59000-89?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL:129844501,129973001 : accessed 14 September 2015).
[21] Ibid., Bourscheid > Décès 1797-1890 > image 438 of 1157. 1841 Death Record No. 19. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12650-33893-10?cc=1709358&wc=9RY8-N38:129628601,129626302 : accessed 11 September 2015).
[22] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1827-1850 > image 103 of 162. 1843 Death Record No. 3. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-65980-21?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WR:129844501,129896301 : accessed 14 September 2015).
[23] Ibid., Bourscheid > Naissances 1797-1871 > image 719 of 1296. 1844 Birth Record No. 21. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12397-103092-77?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-VZ9:129628601,129837501 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[24] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1827-1850 > image 120 of 162. 1845 Death Record No. 7. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-69273-27?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WR:129844501,129896301 : accessed 8 September 2015). Note: Her birth name was Marie Catherine.
[25] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1798-1850 > image 408 of 459. 1845 Birth Record No. 15. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11669-99975-74?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-6TR:129844501,129804701 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[26] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1827-1850 > image 145 of 162. 1848 Death Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-63179-34?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WR:129844501,129896301 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[27] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1798-1850 > image 426 of 459. 1847 Birth Record No. 12. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11669-99187-42?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-6TR:129844501,129804701 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[28] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1827-1850 > image 159 of 162. 1850 Death Record No. 11. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-72126-46?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WR:129844501,129896301 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[29] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1798-1850 > image 446 of 459. 1849 Birth Record No. 23.  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11669-115631-29?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-6TR:129844501,129804701 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[30] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1851-1890 > image 1 of 296. 1851 Death Record No. 1. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-64093-59?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WP:129844501,129625502 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[31] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 9 of 1491. 1851 Birth Record No. 16. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11672-67517-76?cc=1709358&wc=9RY4-JWL:129844501,129973001 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[32] Ibid., Hoscheid > Décès 1851-1890 > image 12 of 296. 1852 Death Record No. 12. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-67494-18?cc=1709358&wc=9RYZ-4WP:129844501,129625502 : accessed 8 September 2015).
[33] Ibid., Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 29 of 1491. 1853 Birth Record No. 14. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11672-56798-74?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2B6:1412473990 : accessed 02 Apr 2013).
[34] Luxembourg, Volkszählungen 1843-1900 (images), FamilySearch (original records at Luxembourg National Archives, Plateau du Saint-Esprit, Luxembourg), Hoscheid > 1846 > image 37 of 114. Weckering-Bernard household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32356-24372-68?cc=2037957&wc=M5LR-TQV:345858701,345858602 : accessed 4 September 2015).
[35] Ibid., Hoscheid > 1847 > image 82 of 146. Weckering-Bernard household No. 39. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32356-13533-89?cc=2037957&wc=M5LR-PYG:345858701,345864101 : accessed 12 September 2015).
[36] Ibid., Hoscheid > 1849 > image 43 of 120. Weckering-Bernard household No. 61. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32361-12101-72?cc=2037957&wc=M5LT-1X8:345858701,345864801 : accessed 12 September 2015).
[37] Ibid., Hoscheid > 1851 > image 120 of 145. Weckering-Bernard household No. 88. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32367-1265-69?cc=2037957&wc=M5LY-44S:345858701,345865601 : accessed 12 September 2015).
[38] Ibid., Hoscheid > 1852 > image 28 of 149. Weckering-Bernard household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-32377-22627-32?cc=2037957&wc=M5L1-GPB:345858701,345865501 : accessed 12 September 2015).
[39] Ibid., Hoscheid > 1855 > image 38 of 159. Weckering-Bernard household. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32378-8149-57?cc=2037957&wc=M5GM-T3Y:345858701,345866501 : accessed 7 May 2015).
[40] Luxembourg Civil Records, Hoscheid > Décès 1851-1890 > image 47 of 296. 1857 Death Record No. 8. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12341-67708-27?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2B8:n401754830 : accessed 09 Apr 2013).
[41] Luxembourg Census, Hoscheid > 1858 > image 66 of 152. Weckering-Bernard household no. 65. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32379-22004-71?cc=2037957&wc=M5G9-SPR:345858701,345867601 : accessed 7 May 2015).
[42] Ibid., Hoscheid > 1861 > image 54 of 158. Weckering-Bernard household no. 60. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32372-14250-15?cc=2037957&wc=M5LY-1XF:345858701,345867101 : accessed 7 May 2015).
[43] Ibid., Hoscheid > 1864 > image 15 of 171. Weckering-Bernard household no. 5. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32382-32051-11?cc=2037957&wc=M5G9-WQ7:345858701,345868401 : accessed 7 May 2015).
[44] Ibid., Hoscheid > 1867 > image 7 of 155. Margaretha Weckering Bernard household no. 97.  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32376-10317-84?cc=2037957&wc=M5LB-RMP:345858701,345869101 : accessed 7 May 2015).
[45] Ibid., Hoscheid > 1871 > image 224 of 350. Weckering-Bernard household no. 50. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-32381-15965-83?cc=2037957&wc=M5G9-T3Y:345858701,345869501 : accessed 7 May 2015). See front and back matter on images 223 and 225.
[46] Luxembourg Civil Records, Hoscheid > Naissances 1851-1890 Mariages 1800-1890 Décès 1798-1826 > image 1238 of 1491. 1874 Marriage Record No. 6. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-11672-59490-61?cc=1709358&wc=M9M6-2B6:1412473990 : accessed 02 Apr 2013).
[47] Luxembourg Census, Hoscheid > 1875 > image 234 of 335. Grisius-Weckering household no. 23. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-32380-20048-66?cc=2037957&wc=M5G9-PT1:345858701,345870501 : accessed 7 May 2015). See front and back matter on images 233 and 235.
[48] Luxembourg Civil Records, Ettelbruck > Décès 1814-1881 > image 1356 of 1379. 1878 Death Record No. 36. (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11675-61468-76?cc=1709358&wc=9RYS-FM9:129625001,1290913101 : accessed 8 September 2015).

Genealogy Sketch

Name: Antoine WECKERING
Parents: Pierre WECKERING and Marguerite LASCHEID
Spouse: Marguerite MÜLLER and Margaretha BERNARD(*)
Parents of Spouse(*): Pierre BERNARD and Antoinette GROEBER
Whereabouts: Merscheid, Lipperscheid, Hoscheid
Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: husband’s 3rd great-grandfather

1. Antoine WECKERING
2. Elisabeth “Elise” WECKERING
3. Cathérine GRISIUS
4. Frantz “Fritz” KREMER
5. Marie Françoise “Maisy” KREMER
6. Cathy Meder-Dempsey’s husband

© 2015 Cathy Meder-Dempsey

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