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Posen Research List Archive
- POSRL-991 -


Latest Update: 30 January 2001 ................................ Web Site Version

Suggestions for writing a more effective Posen Research List entry:


SOURCES For German Genealogy



See POSRL ARCHIVE 97-1,
POSRL ARCHIVE 97-2,
POSRL ARCHIVE 98-1,
POSRL ARCHIVE 98-2, and
POSRL for other entries.

POSRL-991 Entry Status on this page:
- entry for DAHLKA, Larry, 18 September 1998
- entry for FROGLEY, Geoffrey, 18 September 1998
- entry for GELLERT, Gary, 18 September 1998
- entry for GRAYOWSKI, Scott J., 18 September 1998
- entry for JAMIESON, Reuben, 18 September 1998
- entry for de MALIGNON, Gary, 18 September 1998
- entry for MORRIS, Donald J., 18 September 1998
- entry for WILDT, Ken, 18 September 1998
- entry for WILLIAMS, Russell A., 27 July 1998
- entry for WOLFE, Cheryl, 18 September 1998
- entry for KRBECHEK, Blanche, 6 October 1998
- entry for TEMPLER, Darryl, 6 October 1998
- entry for WOODWARD, Fred, 6 October 1998
- Note: No postings from 6 October 1998 to 7 February 1999
- entry for COSTELLO, Dolores Rita SPERLING, 7 February 1999
- entry for LOPEZ, Mae KELM, 7 February 1999
- entry for SANOW, Vicki Bartel, 7 February 1999
- entry for SCHMECHEL, Heidi, 7 February 1999
- entry for WITTLIFF, Robert Fred, 7 February 1999
- entry for SAVAGE, Lillian, 25 February 1999
- entry revised for WOODARD, 25 February 1999
- new POSRL eMail coordinator, 30 January 2001
- new postal and eMail address for GRAYKOWSKI, Scott J., 30 January 2001


COSTELLO, Dolores Rita SPERLING
eMail address: rscostello@webtv.net

I am trying to find information regarding my father's family. The only facts that I have are from his birth certificate: Maryland, Baltimore County, village of Colgate: Edward Joseph WROBLEWSKI, born 2 September 1914; father: Joseph J. WROBLEWSKI, age 46, from Pozew (?), Prussia; mother: Julia GORNA, age 43, from Pozew (?), Prussia. He was the ninth of nine children. The file number of birth certificate is 14505. The midwife who delivered him was named Walberga BEIRKART with an address of 1007 S. Clinton Street, Baltimore, Maryland, and registered on 4 September 1914. The attending physician's name appears to be W. E. McClanahan. My birth certificate reads: Dolores Rita SPERLING. There is no information how the name change from WROBLEWSKI to SPERLING happened.

At the time of my father's birth, he lived at 7100 Martel Avenue (which is now Dundalk MD) Holabird, Maryland. His brothers' names were Adam, George, Frank (?), and Jan, while his sisters' names were Lucy, Helen, Anna, and Rose. I believe they all went by the name of SPERLING. I also know of three names of cousins: Doris SPERLING THOMPSON HOFFMAN and Sonny THOMPSON, born of Lucy SPERLING THOMPSON, and Donald and Susan SPERLING, born of George SPERLING. My father married Mary Irma MARTIN (MARTON?) and my mother's parents' names are Stephan MARTIN (MARTON?) and Bertha NEMETHI / NEMETHY, both from Austria-Hungary. My maternal grandfather was from the Buda side of Budapest (wine merchants) and my maternal grandmother was from Mukac (Austria-Hungary) which is now Mukachevo, Ukraine. I would appreciate any information. Thank you.


DAHLKA, Larry
3966 Gertrude Street, Dearborn Heights, Michigan, 48125-, USA
eMail address: boss@dhol.com
(Evangelical Lutheran)

I'm searching for relatives and ancestors. My great-grandfather Julius DAHLKE and wife Henrietta (nee KINT) emigrated to the USA in 1881 or 1882 and settled at Wyandotte, Michigan. Julius DAHLKE was born 24 September 1853 at Bromberg and Henrietta Dahlke was born at Wiele. They were both Evangelical Lutheran. He was discharged with an injury from the German army in 1874 (June 8). I suspect they might have been traveling with one child and possibly a cousin. The story goes they were from Posen. It seems ships' crossing records were burned in a fire so my research is stymied. The name was changed to DAHLKA most likely while on the ship. If any one can help with my research, please contact me.


FROGLEY, Geoffrey
31 Sandpiper Place, West Lakes Shore, South Australia, 5020 Australia
Email to: Grega@sa.ozland.net.au

I am seeking information about Johann Wilhelm Adolph DUBERAL, a bricklayer and mason, born circa 1851 at Bomst, Posen. He married Johanna Louise WEBERS. Their son Johann Wilhelm Duberal was born circa 1876. They emigarted to Austraila, arriveding in South Australia 22 June 1878 on the ship "Elizabeth" from Hamburg. Their daughter Amelia Emma Duberal, born circa 1877 at Bomst, Posen, married John William FROGLEY 12 April 1906 in South Australia. Other children born in South Australia: Anna Louisa Alma HARDY (born 1882), Carl Theodore DUBERAL (born 1885), Minna Louisa Duberal PAECH (born 1888), Ida Duberal SYMONDS and Cyril Herbert Duberal (born 1899).


GELLERT, Gary
24492 Sawdon Ridge Road, Guilford, Indiana 47022-, USA
eMail address: ggellert@seidata.com
(Lutheran)

My great-grandfather, August GELLERT, emigrated from Posen province in the early 1890's. On his marriage certificate it lists Weifsenburg, Posen, Prussia as the place he emigrated from. This small town is just outside Gnesen. He married Pauline PENNO from nearby Schwarnzau, Posen, Prussia. He came to the United States and lived at Bloomington, Illinois. His son left Bloomington and went to Guilford, Indiana, where a number of Gellerts still reside. August Gellert and Pauline Penno were married in a Lutheran church. Any assistance in his genealogy would be appreciated.


GRAYKOWSKI, Scott J.
968 Stewarton Drive, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125-, USA
eMail: polonia-skee@juno.com
I am researching my great-grandfather, Joseph L. GRACZYKOWSKI, but have found that this name is as rare in Poland as it is in the U.S. Joseph L. was born 15 January 1870 at Wegrowiec, Poznan, Poland. His family was very Catholic. However, his mother Petronella was never married. Petronella's father refused to allow his daughter to marry an officer in the Prussian Army, with whom she had had an affair. His grandfather also happened to be the magistrate for the area of Wegrowiec, and wielded some power. Petronella died in 1877. Joseph was then raised by his aunts and uncles. At the age of 15 (about 1885) Joseph was sent to America to avoid military service. I am having a difficult time locating records of this clan at Pila. How many churches are in this area? Are there local government/official records which date back to the 1880's? Any information would be helpful.


JAMIESON, Reuben
Cwmbran, South Wales, U.K.
eMail address. rooby.jam@cableol.co.uk

Help wanted in finding out more about the ancestors/descendants of my great-great-grandfather, Professor Heinrick Godefroy (German version) OLLENDORFF or Hermann Gershall (Jewish version) OLLENDORFF, born about 1802 at Rewitsch, Posen and died at Paris in 1865. He went to Paris circa 1830 where he published two works, "Petit Trait sur la Declinaison Allemande" followed by "Method Appliquee a l'Allemande" in both French and English. Hermann had two sons born at Paris. Paul, and then Gustave, born 4 March 1850. Paul was editor of "Gil Blas" in 1904. Both received their Jewish education from the chief rabbi ZADOC KHAN. Much more information is available in the Bibliography: ZADOC KHAN, Souvenirs et Regrets pp. 319-324: Gustave OLLENDORFF, Paris, 1891.

The mother of Paul and Gustave is not known. While living at Paris, Hermann was known as Henri. On 15 August 1851 he married Margaret RAMSAY at Edinburgh, Scotland. In Kelly's Directory 1852 he is listed as a teacher of German living at 62, Queen Street, Edinburgh. Margaret Ramsey had a son Herman, born 22 August 1853 at Inveresk, Scotland. Hermann junior married Margaret VINE at Linlithgow, Scotland 23 August 1880. They had a child Florence (my grandmother) born in Canada (where) 1882 / 1883?0 Florence returned to Scotland with her mother as an infant. (What became of Hermann or as he was known then Henry?). Hermann senior married again to Matilda STRAUCH and they had a daughter Bertha Victoria OLLENDORFF born 16 August 1864 at Exeter ENGLAND. Bertha married Johann Peter Wilhelm GEUTER with whom she had two children, Carl Friedrich Wilhelm GEUTER (born 28 June 1892 at Darmstadt, died 26 February 1961) and Mathilde Wilhelmine GEUTER (born 28 June 1893 at Darmstadt, died 26 June 1??? at Bromsgrove, England.)

Friedrich married Maria FUCHS, a nurse at Meschede, Westphalia on 11 September 1917, and later settled at Selly Oak, Birmingham, England. Matilde was educated in a Belgian convent, and after some time spent in Britain, she took a post as housekeeper in a hotel in South Africa, where she worked till she was about 80, denying her age because she did not want to be forced to stop working. Hermann OLLENDORFF (senior), "Professor of the German language and literature" resided at 23 Titchbourne Street, LONDON in 1843. He was naturalised in England 20 December 1850. Any help or information gratefully appreciated.


KRBECHEK, Blanche
2041 Orkla Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55427-0732, USA
eMail address: bkrbechek@worldnet.att.net

I am looking for ancestors, descendants and other relatives of Franz BODUS, born 12 May, 1849, and his wife Antonina WOZNIAK, born 12 May 1851. These records are in the Polish Roman Catholic parish records of Lechlin and Skokie. Their death records are in the Roman Catholic church records of Holy Rosary Church, Isadore / Cedar, Michigan. The family emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1870s first to Milwaukee, and soon after settled / homesteaded in Leelanau County, Michigan. Other names in the family are GRABIANOWSKI, ZIENTEK, LUKASZEWICZ, STEFANIAK, WISNIEWSKI, POHALSKI. I will gladly share my information about these if requested.


LOPEZ, Mae KELM
P. O. Box 45066, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70895-5066, USA
eMail address: mklopez@hotmail.com

I am looking for any information about Carl Frederick KELM, especially where in the "Province of Posen" he is from. He is my gggrandfather. He was born circa 1824 in "Province of Posen". Apparently he was married twice. He had Karl Kelm and Christoph Kelm with his first wife; she died. Carl married his second wife; they had August Kelm and William Kelm. Carl's second wife was either a sister of a close relative to a Gottlieb KRUEGER. The Gottlieb Krueger family immigrated to U.S. (Texas) in 1870. Three of Carl's four sons immigrated to U.S. (Texas) in the 1880's. Karl, Christoph, and August F. Kelm (my ggrandfather). All of his sons were suposedly born in "Province of Posen". In Texas the Kelm brothers were active in the Lutheran church; therefore, I assume they might have been Lutheran in Posen. Carl Frederick KELM of Province of Posen; children: 1) Karl KELM, born 23 November 1849, Province of Posen, emigrated to U.S.(Texas) in 1872, married Julianna GLASSMAN in Texas. She was from Posen. 2) Christoph KELM, born 20 April 1854 in the Province of Posen, emigrated to U.S. (Galveston, Texas) on 17 November 1871, married Mary SCHILLING in Texas. She was from Hannover, Germany. 3) August F. KELM, born 26 December 1860 in the Province of Posen, emigrated to U.S. (Texas) in the 1880's, probably 1881, married Katherine WAGNER in Texas. She was from Schunnendorf, Germany. 4) William KELM, emigrated to Manchester, England.


de MALIGNON, Gary
1408 West Ashland Street, Visalia, CA 93277-, USA
eMail address: demalig@lightspeed.net
(French Huguenot)

I am seeking the birthplace and parents of my great-great-grandfather, Franz von MALIGNON, reputedly born in Posen, Germany in 1816, or any other information about this surname. I have some historical records indicating that certain members or branches of the family in France were Huguenots. When my ancestor departed from Hamburg to NYC in 1850, both the departure and arrival passenger lists give his last residence as Bagnols, France, in the area where the Malignon family has existed for centuries. I believe the family was originally from southern France and emigrated to Prussia to avoid persecution against Huguenots. I do not know the specific locale in Posen where my ancestor was born, and no record exists for his birth in either the Catholic or Lutheran records for Posen city. I would also be interested in information about enclaves or settlements of French Huguenots in Prussia or Posen, any known migration patterns, and the likely Protestant church affiliation.


MORRIS, Donald J.
233 Territorial Road. N.E., Blaine, Minnesota , USA
eMail address: Mjd1998@aol.com
\ (Roman Catholic)

I am seeking information about the the old world family and relatives of my Grandparents: Martin KIETZMANN born 29 November 1839 in Prussia and Anna ZABELL born 31 May 1844 in Prussia. They emigated to the USA about 1865, with their son Martin KIETZMANN Jr. born 19 November 1863. They were farmers and of the Catholic faith. They first settled in Wisconsin and then about 1875 moved to the Rice County, Minnesota area where they lived until their deaths. I presently don't know the names of any brothers or sisters of Martin KIETZMANN Sr. I have found a younger brother of my Grandmother's, John ZABELL, who also lived and farmed in the Minnesota USA area. The surname KIETZMANN was shortened to KITZMAN after they were in the USA for a number of years. Any help I can get will be greatly appreciated.


SANOW, Vicki Bartel
4033 Pine Needle Bend, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88012-, USA
eMail address: vicbob@zianet.com

I am seeking information about the families of my great-great-grandfather, Stephan FLOETER, born circa 1784, died 1855 at Gross Drensen, Filehne, Posen. According to church records for that area, his first wife was Maria Elisabeth MATHWICH / MATHWIG, who died at age 33 in 1820 at Gross Drensen. There were two known children: Johanna Rosine, who died at age 8 in 1821, and Johann August Ferdinand, who died at age 5 in 1820.

Stephan's second wife was Anna Catharina SCHULZ (c1792-1867), daughter of Andreas SCHULZ and ?. They were married 1820 at Gruenfier, Filehne. Their children, all born at Gross Drensen, were: Johann Christoph (born 1822, died ?), married Caroline, surname unknown; my great-grandfather August (born 1824, died 1905) married Wilhelmine HINZ (born 1835, died 1918), daughter of Johann Friedrich HINZ and Luise MATHES, at Gornitz, Filehne; Johann Gottlieb (born 1828, died ?), wife unknown; and Johann Wilhelm (vorn 1831, died 1900), married Henriette WARNKE (born 1838, died 1904). August, J. Wilhelm and families emigrated to Crystal Lake Township, Marquette County, Wisconsin, in 1867 and 1870.

All that is known of J. Christoph's family is that two sons also emigrated to Marquette County: August (born 1841, died 1906), married Henriette CHEMNITZ; and Adolf Rudolf (born 1859, died ?), married Albertine DREWITZ. Adolf Rudolf was a member of the Kaiser's Guard before coming to the U. S. Nothing is known about Johann Gottlieb. I would like to extend my family history by locating missing members and earlier generations. I have checked the LDS film that gives resident data and history of Kreis Filehne back to the early 1600s. The surnames HINZ and SCHULZ are listed, but due to gaps in the records, connections cannot be made. The name FLOETER does not appear, which indicates this family did not move into that area until possibly the early- or mid-1700s. I would like to make connections to the FLOETER / FLOETHER line in other parts of Germany.


SAVAGE, Lillian
eMail address: lsavage@saltspring.com.ca
(Lutheran?)

I am seeking info re Henrietta Bertha RINKOW or RINKAU, born 10 November 1863 at Wielka Bieda, which is west of Czarnkow, Posen. On her death certificate her father's name is listed as T. W. Rinkow. Family lore says that her parents died during an epidemic while she was a teenager, and then in the early 1880's she emigrated to Bermuda. There in 1886 she married Alexander THOMAS. She was probably Lutheran. In 1901 Bertha and a daughter travelled to Germany to visit friends and relatives. I would like to correspond with descendants of relatives to seek out the family history.


SCHMECHEL, Heidi
Braehead, Elchies, Craigellachie, Aberlour Moray AB38 9SQ Scotland
eMail address: SAMBOSANDS@aol.com

I am trying to find information on Carl SCHMECHEL, born 1839, at Bialablott, Bromberg, Posen, Prussia. He was my great-great- grandfather's brother. I feel he may have emigrated from Prussia to the U.S. His brother was Julius Gottfried SCHMECHEL, who arrived pre-1867 at Liverpool, England; he was a baker by trade. Their parents were Gottfried and Caroline, nee EBELT. All were Evangelical. I have used the IGI to trace as far as I can. Can anyone help me find out what became of Carl or of his parents? Thank you.


TEMPLER, Darryl
eMail address: dtempler@att.net\

I am seeking information regarding Goetlieb HIRTH. He emigrated from Bromberg Stadt, Posen to the United States during early 1888. His family appears to have lived in Bromberg since at least 1837 when he was born there. His second wife was Wilhelmine. His first wife was Charolina NITZ, also of Bromberg Stadt. Goetlieb's daughter was Emilie Hirth. She emigrated with him and married August BAUMANN, also of Bromberg Stadt. They married in the United States. August emigrated during 1892. His father, Frederick Baumann, born at Bromberg Stadt in 1835, followed him to the United States during 1899. Fredrick Baumann's parents were Christian Baumann and Mary WENSLAF. I would be glad to share information concerning these families with anyone doing similar research.


WILDT, Ken
eMail address: kenwildt@egyptian.net

I am searching for any information on the DEGEN family from Rostarzewo, Posen, Germany. Christoph DEGEN married Anna Maria ROGNER and had at least three children - Johann Christoph, Johanna Elisabeth and Johann Dienegott. Johann Dienegott was born 2 August 1785 at Rostarzewo and married Anna Elisabeth DRABER. They had seven children - one of whom was Johann Benjamin DEGEN. Johann Benjamin was born 2 February 1819 at Rostarzewo. He married Marie Caroline JECHOW 15 November 1843 or 1844 at the Church of Wiesenburg. They lived for a time at Selbitz before emigrating to the US in 1854 via New Orleans and settling in the Dutch Hill and New Athens, Illinois, areas. They had five children. Benjamin was married second to Anna Katherine FRIESZ / FRIESS of St. Louis, Missouri 27 October 1856. Anna was born at Darmstadt, Germany. I would appreciate any information you might have and will share what I have. Thanks.


WILLIAMS, Russell A.
701 North Rusk Avenue, Sparta, Wisconsin 54656-, USA
eMail address: wmsrasp@centuryinter.net
(Lutheran)

Ludwig Shubert's old family bible has "Martin Luther SHUBERT, 1745-1816," the name "Katrina", and "geboren Schwester Kreiskoln." No living family member can explain the entry. The known emigrant to the United States is Martin Shubert, perhaps Martin Johan or Johan Martin Shubert. Family tradition has him born in Hanover 20 September 1808. It is not likely, though possible, that Martin Luther Shubert is the father of the Martin born 1808. The family of Martin spoke Low German and were/are Lutherans. At manhood Martin was drafted into the German army. His group went to Alsace, where he met and married a French, or half-French, wife who is said to be of Kolmar/Colmar, Alsace. The family story is that he was awarded land for his service in the Grabova (?) area, an area at one time in Posen. (The closest name found was Grabow.) By this first wife Martin became the father of three daughters and a son. 1. Rosina grew up to marry Ludwig TASCHNER. 2, A daughter, name unknown, who died, probably of bee stings, as a young girl. 3. Olga (or Julie) who grew up to marry a BOELKE 4. Ludwig SHUBERT. When Ludwig was five his mother died of Cholera. Martin married as his second wife Rosina OTTO, a widow with a daughter, Johanna. Martin and Rosina are the parents of Gustav Johan / Johan Gustav?, Augustus Adolph / Adolph Augustus, and Wilhelm Freidrich.

Ludwig and half-brother Gustav emigrated to Wisconsin with the help of "Uncle Krueger", of whom nothing more is known. Martin and Rosina, with her daughter Johanna and their sons Adolph and Wilhelm emigrated two years later. His Declaration of intent was filed at the Waushara county courthouse, Wisconsin, 18 April 1867. Martin died 13 August 1878. Other names found with the family is the Jewish TAGGATZ. The DALKE family is closely related to either Martin or to one of his two wives, as Gustave Dahlke and Ludwig Shubert are first cousins. I need verification or clarification of the above, and any available leads or additions to births, marriages, deaths, and locations. There is a problem with Kolmar-im-Posen, for it is there that most of the family by Martin's second wife are said to have been born. Help is needed. To FEEFHS: the (research) lists are the best I have found on the internet.


WITTLIFF, Robert Fred
eMail address RWittliff@aol.com

I am researching my great grandfather Fred Carl WITTLIFF (who is listed as Fried WITHLIF on the Ships Rolls), born 14 December 1848, died 8 August 1939. He emigrated to USA, arriving at New York from Bremen in 1881, along with his wife Auguste Hella WITTLIFF. nad their nine children: Gustav, Max, Paul, Robert Fred, Adolp, and Mattila. The last three children born in Texas: Julius, Theodore, and Hermond. I believe that they may have come from Posen, Prusia. Village unknown. I am hoping to cross over the pond and reconnect the family. I know there are persons named WITTLIFF in Germany.


WOLFE, Cheryl
949 North 86th Way, Scottsdale, Arizona 85257-, USA
eMail address: OffInAz@aol.com

I am looking for information on Leopald Carl LOEFFLER, born 21 December 1862 in Posen Germany. We believe he emigrated to New York about five years before becoming a citizen. He became a United States citizen 8 April 1896 at Eau Claire, Wisconsin and died 7 December 1951. I am looking for any information that might help me find which ship he was on and where in Posen (the town or the province) he came from. I am also looking for any information on his family. I also have two other family members from Prussia: Henrietta WOKER and Wulhelm ROSENAU. I am looking for any information on both of these. I only have their names and that they were from Prussia. If you can help, please eMail me. Thanks.


WOODWARD, Fred
P.O. Box 26302, Fresno, California 93729-, USA
eMail address: frewoodard@aol.com

I am the great great grandson of Renate MANTHEI born in 1830 in Germany and married Mathias ABEL, also born in 1830 in Germany; they had four sons and one daughter, Amelia. The sons were: Gustav Hermann Abel born 7 February 1863; Frank Abel born 8 January 1874; Henry Hermann Abel born 13 March 1867; and Adoloph Abel Frederick Abel born 14 December 1864. They were all born in Germany. I am trying to find my ancestors and relatives in Germany. Are you related or can you help me find my Manthei relatives? All I know is Renate was born in 1830 and was in the Posen area. Thank you for your kindness and consideration.

I am the great grandson of Auguste Anna Martha SCHENK born 17 November 1874 in Forst (Lausitz). She was the daughter of a Freidrick Schenk and Auguste POAK of Forst (Lausitz), Germany. Are you an ancestor or can you help me with finding my ancestors and relatives? Thank you for your kindness and consideration.


See POSRL ARCHIVE 97-1,
POSRL ARCHIVE 97-2,
POSRL ARCHIVE 98-1,
POSRL ARCHIVE 98-2, and POSRL for other entries.

SOURCES For German Genealogy


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