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Ost Preußen / Preussen (East Prussia)
Research List Archive 1997-2
OPRURL72 (October-December 1997


Latest Update: 21 November 2002 .......................................... WebSite Version

Suggestions for effective Ost Preußen Germany Research List Messages:

SOURCES For Finding a Place of Origin in Germany

Entries for the following submitters are in this archive:
- entry for ADOLF, Juergen, 15 October 1997.
- entry for FERRILL, Susan, 15 October 1997
- entry for ALT, Ray Ann, 16 October 1997
- entry for MAROSE, Gerald, MasterSgt., 16 October 1997
- entry for NELSON, Diana, 16 October 1997
- entry for RESCH, Sally, 16 October 1997
- entry for LOSSAU, Nolene, 29 October 1997
- additions for ADOLF, Juergen, 30 October 1997
- entry for MAERZ, James W., 7 December 1997
- entry for WARD, Dan, 7 December 1997
- entry for BULITTA, Michael, 28 December 1997
- entry for KENNEDY, Gennie, 28 December 1997
- entry for LOY, Fred W., 28 December 1997

For all other OPRURL entries see:
See also the OPRURL ARCHIVE 97-1 for June - September 1997 submitters and their entries.


ALT, Ray Ann
email address: rayannalt@rocketmail.com

I'm new to the net as well as researching my family (since '92). I've been trying to find the village or city or area specifically where my GRAETSCH line came from. My great-grandfather Ferdinand Graetsch came to the US with his wife and children in 1892. Nothing specific from the ship log, nothing available in naturalization papers. The only info available was: His son Robert Graetsch was in the Spanish American War and the Muster Roll states that his place of origin was Koenigsburg. I understand that in East Prussia (the 1890's) that there was a "state" of Koenigsburg as well as a city.

My great-grandmother's maiden name was Augusta NICKSTEIT. She was born in 1846. I've checked records at her church, St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dayton and have photocopies of her obituary from the German newspapers in the Dayton area (she died 19 March 1898, six years after her arrival to the US). I have checked cemetary records and made a trip to the cemetary to check the headstone, but they were relatively poor and what there is of a headstone is not readable. I have checked the same records for my gr-grandfather, Ferdinand Graetsch, but again, my roadblock is the place listing of "Germany". I have checked with German organizations in the Dayton Ohio area, as I read in Ferdinand's obit that he belonged to a Society, and the response I received was that there was a "German Society" on every corner prior to his death 31 Mar 1939.

I have made use of a service out of Reno NV and purchased the telephone printouts of the Graetsch surname and have even contacted several; however, that is unbelieveably costly as well as time consuming and definitely tough with the language barrier. I'd like to check church records; however, I need to be specific, and so far that is impossible. Do you have any recommendations for my situation? Would FEEFHS be of any help to me? I would also appreciate anything you might have to say on my plight.
Webmaster's Note: Koenigsburg was the capital of the German province of East Prussia. Substantial FHL microfilm exists of many aspects of genealogy interest in and around there. What is the name of the "Society" your Grandfather was a member of at Dayton that is mentioned in his obituary? That might provide us with a useful clue.

ADOLF, Juergen
eMail address: juergen.adolf@metronet.de
(Catholic, Jewish)

I am looking for any information about the surname SCHARNOWSKI (SCHARNOW) from East-Prussia. My great great grandfather was Anton SCHARNOWSKI. He married Blümchen NEUMANN. She was born 12 March 1837 at Jankowitz and died 27 March 1908 at Unna Westphalia. Her parents were Meyer NEUMANN and Friderike WULFF from Jankowitz. They were Jewish. Anton SCHARNOWSKI and Blümchen NEUMANN had two sons: a) Eduard SCHARNWOSKI, born 23 May 1875 at Seehag (area Neidenburg), died 1943 at Gelsenkirchen / Westphalia; married Elisabeth TEMMA (born 04 September 1886 at Biesellen (area Osterode), died 27 August 1968 at Senne I (area Bielefeld). b) Wilhelm SCARNWOSKI, born 12 January 1878 at Jablonken (area Neidenburg), died 06 September 1942 at Gelsenkirchen / Wetphalia; married 05 August 1903 at Gelsenkirchen / Wetphalia Juliana STROINSKI (born 13 February 1885 at Friesen (area Culm), died 10 November 1956 at Wattenscheid / Wetsphalia).

I am looking for any information about the surname TEMMA, THEMMA, TIMMA, THIMMA from East-Prussia. My great great great grandfather was Josef TEMMA. He was born in 1822 and died 09 January 1892 at Wartenburg, Kreis Allenstein. His wife was Marianne PUCHALA / PUCHALLA from Hirschberg (?). They had six children: 1) Josef TEMMA, born 1851 at Heilsberg and died 09 Janyary 1891 at Biesellen Kreis Osterode, East-Prussia. His wife was Marianne ROSETSKOWSKI. She was born 15 September 1849 at Bartelsdorf and died 04 April 1916 at Essen / Westphalia. 2) Johann TEMMA. He was married, but I have no information on him or his wife. 3) One daughter married a man called KRAUSE. They left East-Prussia and went to Westphalia (Essen / Gelsenkirchen). 4) One daughter married a man called BUCHOWSKI. They left East-Prussia and went to Westphalia (Essen / Gelsenkirchen). 5) Marianne TEMMA, born 24 November 1852 at Wartenburg; died 15 February 1937 at Reuschhagen, Kreis Allenstein. She married 28 October 1877 at Wartenburg to Josef FLANZ. He was born 13 January 1852 at Gross Bartelsdorf and died 20 November 1924 at Reuschhagen. 6) Gertrud TEMMA, born 14 September 1857 at Kluknik near Wartenburg. She died 24 January 1940 at Reuschhagen. She married Rudolf HOPPEK. After he died she married Josef BULITTA. If anybody have any information about these surnames or about the surnames of SCHARNWOSKI, WULFF, NEUMANN (all from East-Prussia) please contact me.


BULITTA, Michael
eMail address: bulitta@aol.com
(Catholic)

I am searching for any information about the surname BULITTA from East Prussia. My gggrandfather was Joseph BULITTA. He was married to Maria FLANZ. In 1888 they lived at Kukukswalde (Kuckuckswalde = K.), Kreis Ortelsbur, East Prussia. As far as I know they had three children: 1. Joseph Bulitta (my g grandfather), born 23 March 1864 at Gillau, Kreis Allenstein, East Prussia. He married to Anna MAICKI at Gut Wallen, Kreis Allenstein on 20 November 1888. Anna MAICKI was born 6 May 1869 at Wieps, Kreis Allenstein. Her parents were Johann MAICKI and his spouse Catharina PREGEL. In 1888 they lived at Graskau, Kreis Allenstein. Joseph BULITTA junior and Anna MAICKI had a farm in K. Joseph BULITTA died 28 October 1927 in K. Anna MAICKI died after the Russian occupation in March 1946 in K. They had 8 children:
a) Barbara B. (born 31 December 1892 in K., died 30 September 1974 at Hausach, Baden), married 15 July 1920 to Johann BARTSCH, 1 daughter.
b) Franziska B. (born 2 March 1895 at K., died 20 February 1963 at Allenstein), married Albert KASNITZ, 9 children.
c) Michael B. (born 13 September 1897 at K., died 10 February 1966 at Herne, Westphalia), married 31 July 1928 Martha GANSWINDT, three children.
d) Maria B. (born 17 January 1900 at K., died 16 February 1976 at Chatham, Ontario, Canada). Married in 1929 Paul DULISCH, 5 children.
e) Johann B. (my grandfather), born 1 March 1902, died 9 February 1959 at Herne, Westphalia, married on 15 June 1923 to Maria Theresia STURM, 4 children.
f) Franz B. (born 24 October 1907 at K., died July 1944 as a soldier in the vicinity of Lemberg), married 20 September 1931 to Gertrud GANSWINDT, 3 children.
g) Elisabeth B. (born 1908 in K., died 1939 at Gross Purden (AL), married Paul HARTEL, 2 children.
h) Joseph B. junior (born 1910 at K., died 1946 at K.). 2. Johann B. (born 23 October 1870 at K., died 25 September 1945 at Allenstein), married Marie Elise KLEEFELD, 3 children: a) Agnes B. (born 8 November 1903 at Allenstein), b) Hubert B. (born 3 November 1908 in Allenstein, died 25 September 1975 at Menden, Westphalia), c) Annchen B. (died 1914).
3 ? BULITTA (female).

There are other BULITTA lines all from the vicinity of Allenstein (Allenstein, Koeslienen, Graskau, Gillau, Gross-Lemkendorf). Presumably all lines are closely related. But up to now I've not found the missing links.
(A) Koeslienen (AL)-line: Anton BULITTA (BULYTA) (born 4 June 1812 at Nerwigk (AL), died 18 December 1856 at Gillau [AL]), married Ana KORSZEWSKI, 7 children: Known is only Michael BULITTA (BULYTA) (born 8 September 1839 at Gillau, died 26 March 1918 at Koeslienen), married Dorothea KUCZINSKI, at least 6 children: Franz B. (born 5 September 1866 at Koeslienen, died 1954 at Scharmede, Westphalia), Josef (born 1872?), Dorothea (born 1870?), Katharina (born 1873, died 1963), Maria (born 1879?, died 1908), Andreas (born 1880)
(B) Graskau (AL) line: Josef BULITTA, I. married Katharina SOSNOWSKI, 10 children: Franz B. (born 29 April 1882 at Graskau, died 17 November 1937 at Gelsenkirchen), Bernhard B. (born 1886?), August B. (born 14 November 1889 at Graskau, died 23 April 1966 at Olheim), Josef B. (born 1890?), Hans B. (born 1900?), Barbara B. (died 1955?), Elisabeth B., Michael B. (died 1918?), Johanna B. (died 1960?), Eduard B.; II. married Gertrud TEMMA
(C) Gillau (AL) line: Ignaz BULITTA, 2 children Josef B., Franz B. (died 1914). Josef B. had two sons: Otto B. (born 1922 Gillau, died 1996), Paul B. (born 1924 at Gillau).
(D) Wartenburg (AL) line: Jakob BULITTA, married Rosalie STUTZ, three children: Bernhard B. (born 1891, died 1958 at Erlangen), Eduard B. (born 1896), Hedwig. B.
(E) Allenstein line: Theophil BULITTA, 2 sons Eduard B., Theophil B. (born 22 August 1876, died 8 January 1958)
(F) Gross-Lemkendorf (AL) line: Peter BULITTA (born 1878), married Margarete LINGNAU, 7 children: Margarete B., Georg B., Paul B., Hugo B., Clemens B., Gertrud B., Ernst B. (born 1922, died 1942).


FERRILL, Susan
email address; sferr@onramp.net

I am researching my maiden name, KROPAT. My grandfather was Arthur Otto Kropat and his wife was Anny Emmy SCHLICK. The parents of Arthur Kropat were Max Kropat and Johanne JUSSEIT. Arthur was born in Coadjuthen, Kreis Tilsit, Ostpreussen 27 June 1891. What I would like to know is: 1) Who were Max Kropat's parents and 2) Who were his brothers and sisters? I have hit a brick wall here. I have some information that, should I find this important missing link, could connect me to my distant relatives over in Germany and complete a large section of my research. I really would appreciate your help in this. Thank you.
Webmaster's Note: It is not clear if you are aware that the Kirchenbuch (churchbook from 1669-1898) of births, marriages and deaths for Coadjuthen, Kreis Tilsit, Ostpreussen (now Katyciai, Lithuania) is on 6 reels of microfilm. Should you have already used that source, then try the Ahnenstammkartei des Deutschen Volkes

KENNEDY, Gennie
Route 2 Box 2585, Townsend, Georgia 31331-9638, U.S.A.
eMail address: genniek@gate.net
(Lutheran?)

I am looking for ancestors and present day relatives of Varro Troggart von RAUSHNING-HUBACH born circa 1875-1880. The names of his mother and father not known. He came to Charleston South Carolina USA circa 1898-1900 and stayed with a STOUTAMIRE family there. The record of his marriage to Agnes Elizabeth GROOMS of near Charleston South Carolina is recorded in St. Matthews Church at Charleston. I believe it is Lutheran. Varro was from Koenigsberg, East Prussia. A daughter (my cousin) Thelma Victoria von RAUSHNING-HUBACH born 17 August 1901 is still living. When Thelma was a very small child, (she doesn't remember her father) a man she did not know came to visit Varro and they spoke in French way into the night. The next day Varro told her he had to return to Prussia on urgent unnamed business but would return to them as soon as possible. He was never heard from again. Somewhere about 1935 a German Counsellor (sp?) in Charleston Came to see Thelma with letters from Germany written in high German (?) which he supposedly interpeted and got her to sign some papers, which she did not really understand. We have only one sheet of that letter and it seems to be a list of names and addresses. Any information concerning him, his possible death and burial, ancestors and living relatives would be appreciated.


LOSSAU, Nolene
Johannesburg, South Africa
eMail address: nolene@cis.co.za

I am looking for the birth records of Johan Gottlieb WOHLGEMUTH. He was apparently born in 1760 and "was from Koenigsburg, East Prussia" when he came to South Africa in the late 1700's. He married Magdalena Catharina KEYSER on 15 May 1796 (in South Africa I think). I need to know his parents details in order that I can trace his family history prior to his arrival in South Africa.

(In response to John Cakar's questions, Nolene responded:) I do not know Johan's religious affiliation. For the 150 years of South African history (1650 - 1800) the only official church in South Africa was the "Dutch Reformed Church". All marriages, baptisms etc. had to be performed in this church. So there is no way for me to find out what religion he was born into. Regarding Magdalena Keyser, I have not started full investigations into her history as yet so I do not have any more details on her at this time. I do think that she was born in South Africa and that they were married here as the date of their marriage is included in the South African genealogy records. The South African records are reasonably comprehensive as they trace the family histories of the early Dutch, French, German etc. settlers from 1650 to the early 1800's.

Johan's birthdate of 1760 is recorded in these same records. He was reflected as a "bootsman" who was discharged from the service in 1795. They only got married when he was 36 years old (after his discharge from company service). No immigration was encouraged by the Dutch into the Cape at the time he arrived and most immigrants started out in the employ of the (Dutch East India) "Company". The Cape was considered just to be a refueling station for the ships travelling to the Dutch East Indies at that time. Any assistance which you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks
Webmaster's Note: The "Surname Search" section of the FHL Catalog has 4 WOHLGEMUTH listings - you should review them even though the summaries do not indicate a place of origin in Germany. There are a ton of records for Königsburg - 29 Topics, and 128 total collections (17th CD-ROM edition of the FHLC). I would hesitate to take on a search of church records (62 collections) without some idea of the religion. And FHL microfilm of civil registration only covers 1829-1846. However you might look at the summay of the collections held by the FHL for Königsburg to see if any merit your detailed review.

For example the FHL in Salt Lake City has 6 Königsburg city address Calendars (city directories) for the years 1733, 1770, 1805, 1882, 1889 and 1924. Only the oldest one is in book form; the rest are available on microfilm. That 1770 one might merit your review.

The FHL stacks also holds a Bürgerbuch (Citizenship register) of Stadt Königsberg (1746-1829) -- a 195 page book by Carl Schulz (1978). Since the FHL does not loan books, it is too new to microfilm and you are a great distance from Salt Lake City, you might consider writing the Family History Library, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City Utah and ask if your surname appears in that book.

LOY, Fred W.
eMail address: floy@online.no
(Evangelische?)

My grand grandmother Louise LOY was born at Wallehlischken (German name Hagelsberg, Kreis Gumbinnen, East Prussia 13 February 1849. Her parents were Heinrich Loy married to Marie, born SCHWEINGRUBER. I think they were evangelish. I am trying to find more info about her parents. When and were they born etc. Can you help? Thank you.
Webmaster's Note: No records are known to exisit for Hagelsberg. Gumbinnen is now called Gusev and is a part of the Kalingrad district of Russia. There are fairly extensive FHL microfilm records for this location and some records for that Kreis. If your ancestor was a guild member (potter, glazier, miller or baker) or a member of the clergy it might be worth your time to check the collection of microfilm records for Gumbinnen. Your other obvious search opportunities are in the LDS IGI (International Genealogical Index - largest Germanic collection), the LDS Ancestral File and Ahnenstammkartei des Deutschen Volkes - the 2nd largest Germanic genealogy collection.

MAERZ, James W.
PO Box 1326, Agoura Hills, California 91301-4088, U.S.A.

I am trying to locate information, names of achival sources on my paternal grandparents, Carl (Karl) August MAERZ (MARZ), born 15 September 1859 at Miswalde, Mohrungen Kreis, Koenigsberg Bez. East Prussia. He married Anna Elizabeth GERDAU, born December 1851 at Wilmsdorf, Mohrungen Kreis, Koenigsberg, East Prussia. In 1882, Carl adopted his son, Emil MAERZ (MARZ), born 13 July 1877 at Zoesel, Mohrungen Kreis, Koenigsberg, East Prussia. How might I find out the name of Emil's natural father? Carl's parents were Herman MAERZ and Anna Louisa KEERSTEEN. Anna's parents were David or Robert GERDAU and Elizabeth (Eliza) TILLMAN, circa 1806-1885. Thanks for any information provided. I do not have eMail.


MAROSE, Gerald, MasterSgt., USAFE INAUX
eMail address: Gerald.Marose@ramstein.af.mil

I am interested in tracking down any information concerning the MAROSE family. I have traced my ancestors to Ostpreussen (East Prussia), although a couple of them have Berlin listed as place of birth. I know very little about any Berlin connection, other than that, and am interested in all information available. The connections I have made to Ostpreussen have come from towns such as Saalfeld (now Elblag in Poland), Kupin, Hasenberg and some others. It seems as the family was all located within 30-40 miles of each other, way back when. Prior to that (from correspondences with some Germans of the same MAROSE surname, and from others, it is believed that the family orignated in the Alsace-Lorraine Region of France / Germany.

(In response to qustions from John Cakars): As far as contacting the Germans from the German telphone book, I started this a couple of years ago and limited my search to some of the bigger cities. The most I found at that time were from the Dusseldorf area. I sent out about 60 letters and received about 10 responses. Most of those that answered gave me their own family line (about 2-3 generations only) and then referenced "losing touch with the family during the war." Some of them did trace back to the same region (Saalfeld, Elbing [Elblag], Hasenberg, etc). Additionally, I have contacted about 100 of the American Phone Listing MAROSEs and received about 12 answers. There are only a couple of large concentrations of MAROSEs in the US, one in Minnesota (mine), one in Wisconsin, and one in the Chicago, Illinois area. There are others scattered across the entire US.

I would like to eventually tie them all together (such an UN-common name probably means they all are related somewhere), but that may be pie-in-the-sky. The Minnesota tree is pretty well documented, and I recently learned that BRODERBUND's World Family Tree Project has another MAROSE tree documented (I think it is the Wisconsin group). I've ordered the CD that contains it.
Webmaster's Note: No listings exist for the Marose surname in the "Surname Search" section of the 17th CD-ROM edition of the FHL Catalog at Salt Lake City and no microfilm exists for Saalfield (now Zalewo, Poland) or is Hasenberg. And while Elbing (per se) is not indexed, Elbag Poland (formerly Elbing, East Prussia) is indexed with 15 topics with 32 collections - half of them German churchbooks. You do not indicate a religion, however there are several Lutheran, Roman Catholic churches covered and well as three Prussian Army churchbooks for the area. While it appears to be a French surname, you might try the Ahnenstammkartei des Deutschen Volkes. Being stationed at Ramstein AFB in Germany, it may be easier for you to search at the Liepzig Zentralzellar für Genealogie than at your nearest FHC.

NELSON, Diana
eMail address: rsdmn@aurora.alaska.edu
(Lutheran)

Carl MALKEIT was born 18 November 1873 at Memel, East Prussia. We believe he was born Evangelical Lutheran. Carl emigrated to the USA in 1890 and came to Alaska and lived out his life until death in 1951. I have found MALKEITS in German who may be related and they say their forefathers moved to Memel after being persecuted in Salzburg, Austria about 1730's. Because they also had to flee Memel in 1944 from the Russians, they had to leave or destroy all paper documents. Therefore they also do not know exactly the relationship to Carl, if any. That is why I am looking for records from Memel in the time period of 1860 to 1888 for any MALKEITS, like church records, or civil records of births, deaths baptisms and marriages. Are there any to find?

The German MALKEITS mention the districts of Jacken and Pusseitan of Memel. Are there any old maps of Memel so I can get an idea if these areas are close to each other and if there is a Lutheran church near by. Because I live in the bush of Alaska, I do not have access to an FHL center, but maybe able to check if I go for a vacation in the lower 48 states. What do I need to look for at a FHL center? Thank you.
Webmaster's Note: There is a substantial collection of useful genealogy materials from Memel (now Klaipeda, Lithuania) on microforms and in books at the FHL in Salt Lake City. For a city map of memel, you might try contacting "Generations press" via mapseller Ted Gostin. There was a great plague (the Black Death = bubonic plague) that stuck Europe. I believe Salzburg was affected in 1709. There also are two listings of the Melchert surname in ther FHL Catalog. It is a possible varient of yours.

RESCH, Sally
eMail address: Sally434@aol.com

My ancestors came from Schieno Bromberg Prussia, and Colberg Kosalin Prussia. Would anyone know what these villages are called now that they are in Poland? I can't find anything that makes a connection. There were some church records from the LDS located in a village Skoki. My ancestors came to the US in 1867 and 1870. I have been looking for such a long time, and without any luck, I thought I would post this here, and perhaps someone could have information I need, or direct me to some place to look. I have an old map, but the villages must be too small. The surnames that I am researching are WOLSKE and ZIELSDORF.

Webmaster's Note: While we are glad to help with locations, this is one of 53 Genealogy Research Lists - not a geography research list nor a surname research list. As such, with no full name of your pedigree ancestor, their spouse or any details about their vital dates, it is not possible to help you.



WARD, Dan
4134 Wright Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina 28211- , U.S.A.
eMail address: wardnc@charlotte.infi.net

My grandfather, Ewald HERZOG, emigrated in 1905. He listed his birthplace on immigration and immigrant-sponsorship papers variously as Wolymien, White Russia, and Krasindwor in White Russia or East Prussia. He sponsored cousins from Olgata in 1946. Other locations that came up in the ship's manifest from Holland-America Line were a town named Briesau or Brieson, and Gorekenberg. I can't find any of these places in gazetteers or maps from the present or from the turn of the century. I'd like to visit his birthplace if I can find out where it is. I suspect it's in present-day Poland. Do you know the modern names for any of these places? My grandfather's family is cited in "East Prussians from Russia," as are those of my grandmother. My family tree includes the surnames HERZOG, HEISEL, BEDNARZ, PLONKE, PLATZ, NEGOUTZKE and EGART, all either from Russia or Germany.


For all other OPRURL entries see: See also Surname Index to Ammended List from the book East Prussians from Russia by Michael J. Anuta

SOURCES For Finding a Place of Origin in Germany


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