Charles's Family Roots

Copyright © 1997 by Charles and Karen Hofmann

The Hofmann family that Charles descends from was on the what is called "Die Romantische Straße" or the Romantic Street. The birth location for Georg Martin Hofmann was Bernhardsweiler about 3 miles north from the walled city of Dinkelsbuhl and immediately south from the more famous tourist city of Rothenburg. When driving through the area, it will remind you very much of northwestern and north central Missouri and Northeastern Kansas except when you actually enter one of the many small towns along the way. I know the map is hard to read, but as you already know all these pictures take up lots of download time for you.

Hofmann Great Grandparents names from father include

• Harding

  Samuel J. Harding born in New Orleans, Louisiana the son of Thomas Harding believed to have been born in Louisville, Kentucky USA and Mary Rowe born in Ireland, probably County Cork. For more information about Mary Rowe click here

• Hausmann

  Maria Hausmann born in Reichlos, Hessen Germany the child of Erhard Hausmann and Maria Fischer

  The 1st Hausmann in our line in the Gemeinde Freiensteinau, Hessen Deutschland was Johannes Haußmann born about 1650 and was a gesell in Neuenstall at the time of his marriage to Maria Flachin von Flechenbach on October 31, 1689. This is the original marriage record from the Freiensteinau Kirche copied from microfilm.

  Other surnames of spouses of her ancestors are Dittermann, Duft, Löffler, Urlich, Herchenröder, and Repp. The Dittermann's in our direct line were school teachers in Radmühle, Reichlos, und Freiensteinau, Hessen Deutschland near Fulda in the 1700 and 1800 hundreds. Because signatures were required at the time of death of a child or close relative by a family member, the actual signatures of many of our ancestors are available today.

  Here is the Signature of Andreas Hausmann from a microfilm copy I made.

  And here is the signature of Johannes Dittermann the "Schulmeister" head of the schools in the gemeinde Reichlos. He married Eva Elisabetha Duft zu Reichlos December 12, 1803 and was the Schulmeister there from 1801 bis 1820. He starb (died) in Hörgenau, Hessen in 1821. The 1st recording of the school in Reichlos is 1747, when the Schulmeister was Johann Casper Krafft bis 1785, then Georg Christian Pfeiffer from 1786 bis 1800. Both of these men were married to ladies with the last name of Schäffer, the 1st von Niedermoos, and the 2nd from Obermoos. Johannes Dittermann's father was Balthasars Dittermann the Forstlaufer for the gemeinde, and his mother was Anna Margaretha Mücker. It is interesting that another Schulmeister Ehrhard Repp von 1797 bis 1835 zu die Schule Radmüle is also a relative to our Hausmann family. More to come on this connection as I complete more of the translations. It is for sure reasonable that we will find that we are in someway related to the famous brothers Grimm as they were also teachers and from only a few kilometers away. They would have for sure been acquaintances (bekannten mit sei). Now I know where I got my poor spelling and writing I think after reading these old Kirche books and other records perhaps the scribes did not take advantage of these fine teachers in our family..

  Maria Fischer who married Erhard Hausmann appears to be descended from Ritter Hermann Reidesel son, Henne Fischer who is I find the 1st documentation about in 1429 from Schloss Eisenbach. The picture here was taken in November 1996 at the entrance to the Schloss. In 1605, Hermann Fischer is the Zeitgraf for the Stadt "city" Lauterbach, Hessen and in 1700 Maria's grandfather is Amtsmann for the area which includes Nieder Moss and Reichlos. I have better pictures of the Schloß Eisenbach, but have not asked permission to display them as I purchased them in a book. Some supporting documentation can be found in "Die Riedelsel zu Eisenbach" by Dr. Edward Edwin Beder published in 1923. One must remember that this area was also fully involved in the 30 Years War between 1618 and 1648. The 1st documentation concerning this castle is dated 1217 as controlled by Konrad von Eisenbach from the Kaiser Friedrich II. A plaque at the entrance says it was given to the Familie Eisenbach by the Graf "Duke" von Ziegenheim.

• If you would like to see the actual church record of her grandfathers death as recorded in the church books in Germany click here

Ein bisschen mehr von die früh Haussmann's

Descendants of Urban Haussmann (note orginally spelled with 2s) und Anna Bauer the Great Grandparents of Maria, Johannes, und Kasper Hausmann. Maria of course is my Great Grandmother. 1 Anna Bauer 1680 - 1763 b: 1680 in Veilleicht nahe Steinau, Hessen d: June 12, 1763 in Reichlos, Hessen Age at death: 83 est. . +Urban Hausmann Abt 1670 - Bef 1763 b: Abt 1670 in Veilleicht Altheim bei Gross Zimmer died before 1763 in Reichlos, Hessen and married May 09, 1715 in Reichlos, Hessen DEU. Age at death: 93 est. (gut Gen, Ich hoffe für mich auch). Children were (2s und grandchildren are 3s usw.) 2 Lorentz Hausmann Abt 1707 - Aft 1738 b: Abt 1707 in Fleschenbach, Hessen DEU d: Aft 1738 in Radmuhle, Hessen DEU Age at death: 31 est. ... +Anna Sibilla Rohrig oder Nohring 1708 - 1736 b: 1708 in Lautterbach, Hessen DEU (confirmed 1721 in Freiensteinau Kirche) d: October 23, 1736 in Radmuhle, Hessen DEU on same day as daughter m: Abt 1725 in Freiensteinau Age at death: 28 est. ... 3 Anna Sibilla Hausmann 1726 - 1736 b: November 04, 1726 in Radmuhle, Hessen DEU d: October 23, 1736 in Radmuhle on same day as her mother Fact 1: November 04, 1726 sponsor - Anna Sibilla Hoffmann Age at death: 9 ... 3 Johannes Hausmann 1728 - b: September 17, 1728 in confirmed 1742 in Freiensteinau Kirche, Hessen ..... 4 Anna Margaretha Hausmann Abt 1748 - b: Abt 1748 in Reichlos ........ +Unehelich ........ 5 Anna Elisabeth Hausmann 1763 - 1765 b: November 1763 d: June 11, 1765 in Reichlos Age at death: 1 est. ..... 4 Johannes Hausmann Abt 1752 - b: Abt 1752 in Reichlos ........ +Anna Margaretha Foflin Abt 1750 - b: Abt 1750 in Reichlos ........ 5 Johann Georg Hausmann 1775 - 1791 b: September 26, 1775 in Reichlos d: October 27, 1791 in Reichlos Age at death: 16 ........ 5 Anna Maria Hausmann 1777 - b: March 02, 1777 in Reichlos ..... 4 Anna Maria Hausmann Abt 1754 - b: Abt 1754 in Reichlos ........ +Unehelich mit Johann Georg Besterch Abt 1750 - b: Abt 1750 ........ 5 Johannes Hausmann 1778 - b: April 02, 1778 in Reichlos ... 3 Johann Henrich Hausmann 1730/31 - Bef 1821 b: February 20, 1730/31 in Radmuhle, Hessen DEU d: Bef 1821 in Flachenmacher zu Freienstein, Hessen DEU Fact 1: February 20, 1730/31 sponsor - Johann Henrich und Jacob Hausmann Age at death: 89 est. ...... +Anna Catharina Sill 1744 - 1821 b: August 27, 1744 in Saltz, Hessen DEU d: July 25, 1821 in Fleschenbach, Hessen Haus # 16 Age at death: 76 ..... 4 Andreas Hausmann 1774 - 1840 b: February 08, 1774 in Flaschenmacher zui Freiensteinau, Hessen d: June 09, 1840 in Haus #16 Fact 1: February 09, 1774 sponsor - Grossvater Andreas Sill Age at death: 66 ........ +Anna Catharina Repp Abt 1785 - b: Abt 1785 in Fleschenbach bei Freienstteinau ........ 5 Ehrhard Hausmann 1805 - 1880 b: April 12, 1805 in Ackermann zu FFleschenbach bei Freiensteinau d: December 01, 1880 in Reichlos Deutschland bei Steinau Age at death: 75 ........... +Catharina Braum 1819 - 1859 b: November 10, 1819 d: March 27,1859 in Reichlos Deutschland bei Steinau m: March 22, 1839 in Freiensteinau bei Steinau, Deutschland Age at death: 39 ........ 5 Antan Andreas Hausmann Abt 1807 - b: Abt 1807 ........ 5 Johannes Hausmannn 1807 - 1808 b: December 02, 1807 in Fleschenbach, Hessen d: September 17, 1808 in Fleschenbach, Hessen Age at death: 0 ........ 5 Christoph Hausmann 1809 - b: June 24, 1809 in Fleschenbach bei Freiensteinau, Hessen. Sorry for the poor formating at this time. I will over time make this more readable as time permits.

• Hofmann

  Georg Martin Hofmann born in Bernhardsweiler Baden, Germany, the child of Johan Georg Leonard Hofmann and Barbara Heiss

  Other surnames of spouses of his ancestors are Hammer and Mercklein

• Oelschlegel

  Matilda Margaretha Oelschlegel born in the nice small town of Geroldsgrün in Ober Franker, Bayern the daughter of the Köhler Heirnich Martin Nikol Oelschlegel (in New Orleans named as Nicolaus Oelschlegel) and Margaretha Johanna Friederika born Haas, however was the widow of from Goller her 1st husband. She married in New Orleans, first with Robert Albrecht, and had 6 children with him. When he died young, she married my great grandfather Samuel Joseph Harding who was born during the United States Civil War in New Orleans and with him had 6 more children. My Grandmother Gertrude Harding was one of these children. Matilda Oelschlegel was baptized as Margaretha Mathilda Oelschlegel, born in the afternoon at about the 2nd hour. Here is here actual record.

• Mary Rowe was born in Ireland and was the wife of Thomas Harding the father of Samuel J. Harding my great grandfather. She was born in 1844 in Country Wexford Ireland and must have departed to America from Cork, Ireland probably during the Irish Famine. She was a widow in 1869 with 6 children and remarried to a Mr. Bernitz and in 1880 was living with him in McComb, Mississippi. At this time very little else is know about her and any help would be greatly appreciated.

• Bekebrede (spelled Beckebrede in Germany)

  Johann Hermann Heinrich Bekebrede born in St. Charles, Missouri the child of Hermann Diedrich Beckebrede born in Hahlen Germany near Menslage and Catharina Johanna Flötmann also of Germany. The shield is from the town of Quackenbrück about 10 kilometers to the east.

  Click here if you would like to read about the trip of the ship "Olbers", the Bekebrede family came on. The translation is far from perfect, but I think you will enjoy it.

  This is a picture taken in 1921 at Grandma Maria nee Feldmann Sylvester home in Sweet Springs, Missouri. My mother Fanita is in the front and my Grandma Adele nee Bekebrede Sylvester is holding my Aunt Helen who is taking notice of her father John Sylvester as you can see. Other people in the picture include my other aunts and uncles as well as my Great Oma Sylvester in the back row next to Fred Falk and another of her children Selma nee Sylvester Falk one of the sponsors of my mother. The young man pictured next to my mother, is her older brother, or as I call him, my uncle Milton. The picture we have here of him, was taken in 1848. My great aunt Flora Sylvester is directly behind aunt Helen in this picture. She kept in contact with our Feldmann relatives in Germany until her death in the 1950s. This contact has now be reestablished both by our family, as well as the Sass ancestors from Maria nee Feldmann Sylvester's sister in Concordia, Missouri.

  Other surnames of spouses of his ancestors are Barcklage, Harbeckes, Lindemann, Schumacher, Sprengel, Von Halen, and Weymann oder Weimann

• Feldmann

  Maria Feldmann born in Fahrendorf near Bremervörde, Germany the child of Jacob Feldmann born near Hamburg on the south side of the Elbe River and Catharina Elisabeth Hinck born in the farm home next to her daughter Maria. Click here to learn more about Maria Feldmann

  This is the alter that Maria Feldmann's Great Grandparents were married in front of in the 1700s. It is now on the side wall of the new church built in the mid 1800s in perfect restored condition. This church is located in Finkenwerder which is today a part of Hamburg as I understand it. It was very nice for us to see the active childrens programs this church had going while we were there this past November 1996. There are many wonderful small fruit orchards in the area, and we had the opportunity to sample some of the fresh apples, kinda like the orchard I remember from my childhood of my Grandfather Sylvester who was one of Maria Feldmann's 13 children.

   

  Other surnames of the spouses of her ancestors are Brünjer, Finck oder Finks, Fock, Harmens, König, Mahnche, Riegen, Schult, Wilshusen, and Wüpper

• Poser

  Fredricka Louisa Maria Matilda Poser born in St. Charles, Missouri the child of Gerhard Heinrich Poser born in Westerkappeln Germany and Elizabeth Dahmann born in Barkhausen oder Osnabrück Germany

  Other surnames of the spouses of her ancestors are Huge oder Hugo, Isermeier, Luehrmann, Schroer oder Schröer, and Spelmeier

• Sylvester

  Johann Sylvester born in Oerel Germany the child of Johann Sylvester born in Oerel near Bremervörde, Germany and Gesche Sophia Tönjes born in nearby Hipstedt. The 1st recorded history of Oerel is in the year 937 unter Deutschen König Otto I. regierte in Jahre 937 - 988 als Bremen Erzbischof und der Kloster St. Moritz in Magdeburg. Claus Sylvester's parents were Claus Sylvester and Margaretha Wiesen, and Margaretha's parents were Claus Wiesen and Gesche Tienken. The records for the approximate dates of their marriage are either destroyed or have not been microfilmed. Early recordings of the name Wiese(n) in Oerel are as follows. In 1533, Marcus and Johan Wiese are listed on the Steuer (tax) roles and were undoubtedly Kötner besitzers (Owner of a small house on a small piece of leased land maybe about 5 acres). In 1604 in the Pflungschatz Register (like farmers) is listed in Oerel, the name does not appear. This Gemeinde from 1618 bis 1648 was devastated by the 30 Jahre Kreig (30 years War. In 1626 everything was burned by the Christian Troops from the King of Denmark and was recaptured by the Kaiser in 1627 and used for Futter für dei Pferde, (Grazing land for the houses) as the land was left as a dessert. In 1640, Hinrich Wiese is listed as a "hausling" in Oerel. This perhaps Claus Wiesen's Great Grandfather. In 1647 is listed among the Bauleute (farmers) in Oerel, Hein Wiese farming the farm owned by Christoph von Issendorff having 2 Pferd (horses) und 3 Kühe (cows), and Johan Wiese farming the farm owned by Haus Vöhrde with 3 Pferd, 3 Kühe, und 20 Schafe (sheep). In 1682 in the Mannschaft (list of soldiers or defenders) von Oehrel (Oerel) is Hein Wiesen, major age 42 and his father Heim Wiesen, junior age 61, and Karsten Wiesen age 40. (note spelling change) In 1764 Rebecka Wiesen is shown as partial Gutsheren (owner) of 1/2 Hof (farm) with Johann Otten. In 1793, Augustin Wiese (the brother to our Margaretha) is listed as a Vollhöferner (Large Farm maybe 1000+ acres) and heads of families living there with him are Bruder (brother) Rathje Wiese and Altvater (his old father-in-law) Johann Schriefer. Our Claus Sylvester is also listed as a Vollhöfener, and living with him is Alt Vater (father-in-law to one of his daughters) Johann Knoop and dessen Sohn Clement Knoop, und Häusling Johann Behrens. Arend Wiese is listed as Alt Vater on the Halbhöfener von Johann Bardenhagen. Carsten Wiese is listed as a Käthner (very small gardener like farm) with Alt Vater Hinrich Steffens. In 1803, Claus Sylvester and Augustin Wiese are both Vollhöfener, and Carsten Wiese is 1/8 Höfener still all in Oerel.

  Other surnames of the spouses of his ancestors are Bomhofs, Mangels, Tienken, Wiese, Wiesen, Wilhaus, and Wilkens (note while it is common for the "n" to be added to the surname, the Wiese and Wiesen are from different lines families to my knowledge, but there are other indications that they are from the same common couple. The name Wiese or Wiesen does not appear in early records in the Oehrel Kirche, but the name Wisen or Wissen does. I have not done the research to make sure if these are the same to extend our family tree. If they are, the earliest record I find would put them in the early 1600s as well.