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Ost Preußen / Preussen
(East Prussia) Research List Archive
- OPRURL-981 -


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

For all other OPRURL entries see: Entries for the following OPRURL submitters are on this page:
- entry for GEIDEL, Greg, 20 January 1998
- entry for SLAVICKAS, Rosana, 27 January 1998
- entry for MUDGE, Charles, 28 January 1998
- entry for GAILUS, Jeff, 11 February 1998
- entry for HAYS, Elsa, 13 March 1998
- entry for MERTZ, Wayne, 13 March 1998
- entry for SPRINGWALDT, Joan, 13 March 1998
- entry for HAVERSAT, David, 13 April 1998
- entry for EWALD, Edwin, 18 April 1998
- entry for WICHTEL, Arthur, 12 May 1998
- entry for BAIDO, Patricia, 3 July 1998
- entry for EPPICK, Elaine, 3 July 1998
- entry for LOVE, Francis, 3 July 1998
- entry for MAHAN, Claudia and Dusty, 3 July 1998
- entry for PLESSA, Marc, 3 July 1998
- entry for THADEUS, Ralph R., 3 July 1998
- new eMail address for MERTZ, Wayne, 1 March 2000
- new eMail address for PLESSA, Marc, 1 March 2000
- new eMail address for MERTZ, Wayne, 24 July 2000
- new eMail address for THADEUS, Ralph R., 8 July 2001


BAIDO, Patricia
eMail address: carlnpat@nex.net.au
(Roman Catholic)

I am searching for my family tree in any direction. My ancestors and any descendants or anything in relation to the ancestors I have already discovered which are listed below. Everyone listed here was Catholic and came from the area of Ermland (a Catholic area of East Prussia) and at this stage most originated from the towns surrounding Heilsberg.

One great grandfather was: August KRETSCHMANN born 5 February 1873 at Maraunen, married Mathilde FEIDER born 30 May 1877 at Reichsen, date of marriage 4 October 1897. They had eight children that survived infancy. The parents of August KRETSCHMANN were Johann KRETSCHMANN (of whom I know very little except he may have been from Heilsberg) and Rosa SCHWARZ born 21 November 1841 at Maraunen. They were married at Roggenhausen on 21 Novenber 1870 and had at least 5 children. Rosa SCHWARZ's parents were Sebastian SCHWARZ and Catharina THIEL (possibly from Wernegtten). Both of whom I also know very little except that they had at least 5 children. Sebastian's parents were very likely Bartholomaus SCHWARZ and Rosalia VITT / WITT ? both from Lauterhagen

The parents of Mathilde FEIDER were Joseph FEIDER and Magdelena RADIGK. They lived at Reichsen and had at least 6 children. Another great grandfather was: August EICHHOLZ born 6 November 1872 at Trautenau and married Maria ANGRICK (details not known). They had at least 6 children. The parents of August EICHHOLZ were Casimir EICHHOLZ, born 23 December 1824 at Linglack and Barbara SPILL (details unknown). They had at least 4 children The parents of Maria ANGRICK were Andreas ANGRICK born 7 May 1840 in Prossitten, and Julianna KLEIN born 23 October 1833 at Polpen. They were married 14 November 1865 at Kiwitten and had at least 6 children. The parents of Andreas ANGRICK were Joseph ANGRICK from Krokau and Katharina LANG. The parents of Julianna KLEIN were Josef KLEIN from Polpen and Maria Elisabeth GEHRIGH.


EPPICK, Elaine
eMail address: weppick@olympus.net

I am researching the DEMKE family. My great-grandfather, August DEMKE was born at Szargillen near Koenigsberg East Prussia 19 December 1848. His father's name was Frederick and his mother's maiden name may have been MC BOYRETT. August emigrated to the U.S. around 1881. He was a shoemaker. I am interested in communicating with anyone also researching the DEMKE surname.


EWALD, Edwin
eMail address: onemember@email.msn.com

I am currently researching my g-grandfather, Johann RUBIEN Jr. He was born in Osciwilken, Johannisburg-East Prussia on 27 June 1888. His father's name was Johann also, and his mother's name was Charolette BRADOWSKI. His mother passed away when he was young, and his father remarried (name unknown). Johann, Jr. did not like his stepmother so he left home at the age of sixteen. Details of his life are unknown at this point. We don't know how he got to Essen. But he married my g-grandmother, BRANDT, Anna at Hamborn, Germany on 17 May 1911. Johann emigrated to the US in 1923 and his wife followed with 5 children in 1925. They left from Hamburg and arrived in New York. I have their passenger arrival records from entering the US. I am interested in obtaining any information on my g-grandfather, his parents, and brothers and sisters if any. Any help would be greatly appreciated. By the way Johann changed his name to John RUBIN when he came to the US.


GAILUS, Jeff
eMail address: jgailus@darkwing.uoregon.edu or 100324.1263@compuserve.com
(Lutheran)

I am researching my family history. My Oma's (mother's) maiden name was Magdalena KLEIN, and my Opa's (father's) name was Max GAILUS. Both were Lutheran protestants, I believe, and both came from the Heidekrug (now Silute, Lithuania) of East Prussia. The KLEINS were the butchers for the town, the GAILUSES the millers. Magdalena came to Toronto, Canada in about 1950-51 with her 6-year-old son Fred (my father). There she met Max, whose wife and son had been killed near Heidekrug by the advancing Soviet army. Max spent some time in a Soviet POW camp, but was released near the end of the war because he was injured. I am also interested to stories and/or histories from and/or about others who lived in this area (Memel land) and who fled during the Second World War.


GEIDEL, Greg
eMail address: chigreg@flash.net

I am researching my gggrandfather Julius STUTT, born 21 July 1840 in or near Koenigsberg and married to Hermaine COPIS, born 13 April 1840. My g-grandfather was Carl August STUTT, born 13 January 1865 in or near Koenigsberg and married to Friedericke Amelia COPIS, born 27 June 1855. One son Arthur was born prior to emigrating to Binghamton, New York in 1892 on the ship "Majestic". I would also like to find information on the Majestic and where it departed from.


HAYS, Elsa
eMail address: ehays@ccia.com
(Lutheran)

I am searching my grandmother Bertha Louise SCHWARETZENBERGER born a Lutheran 3 February 1861 in Mehlsack near Koenigsberg. Her parents were Herman SCHWARTZENBERGER and Anna SEEBECK. Bertha immigrated to New York City circa 1890 and married Carl HENNIG from Bavaria 9 October 1891. Bertha supposedly had several siblings. I am looking for any further information concerning her brothers and sisters and parents (birthdate and place). I have researched the IGI, Hamburg passsenger lists, Germans To America books and films of Mehlsack and some of Koenigsburg etc. as well as all available church, civil and family records in the US.


HAVERSAT, David
eMail address:djh@webconn.net
(Lutheran)

I am searching for my German Lutheran ancestors HABERSAAT / HABERSATH. They made their home in the area of Antsodehnen (Ragainehnen), Stalluponen, Ebenrode, and Gumbinnen Ostprussia between 1750 and 1820 and then to Mariampol, Russian Empire. Any information would be appreciated on the Martin HABERSATHER / HABERSAAT family and his descendants who were Lutheran "Salzburger Emigrants." Martin originally settled at Antsodehnen (Ragainehnen) village, located right below Stalluponen, in 1732. At that time in 1732, Martin HABERSATH / HABERSAAT was age 50 and married to Margaret PLIEMB age 37, and their children were Magdalena age 17, Rosina 15, Jacob 4, and Martin 2.

I am searching for any information on Karl and Marianne HABERSAAT eb.JONASCH married circa 1820 and their children Ludwik born circa 1822 and Martin born circa 1842 and any other children. All HABERSATH, HABERSATHER, HABERSAAT, descenants of Martin concentrated in a quite small area between Antsodehnen Ostprussia and the borderland, the area around Mariampol Russia.

Also I am looking for any information on the descendants of Ludwig HABERSAAT - Julius born 1853, John born circa 1856, Adam born 1861, and Frederick born 1868, Mariampol Lithuania area. Also Adam born 1876 and Wilhelm HABERSAAT born 1883 in Symno Lithuania.

I am searching for the German Lutheran KASULAT and SASS families living on the border of Ostprussia and Russia before 1900. Anyone having HABERSAAT, HABERSATH, or KASULAT in their records or family tree, or have seen those names at the LDS FHC, and who were from Ostprussia and the Russian Empire border also known as Russ-Poland, please contact me.

I also need any information or history of the Prussian Army "Husaren Regiment von Prittwitz" stationed in Goldap and in Wierzabolowo (Verzhbolov, Wirballen), Suwalki, Poland; later Virablis, Lithuania. Why was the Prussian Army stationed there, why did the military have their own parish and records, and did civilians attend a different church and why?


LOVE, Francis
eMail address: flove@hutch.com.au

I am looking for any further information on my Great Grand Parents. Carl August NEHRENHEIM was born in Konigsberg, Prussia on 4 June 1850. His wife Ernastine NEHRENHEIM (STRUMANN) was born near Konigsberg, Gretenstein 6 May 1845. They emigrated to Australia sometime around 1880. We belive they also lived around two towns called Darkehmen and Wehlan both in Prussia.


MAHAN, Claudia and Dusty
eMail address: Dcmahan@virtualhosts.net
(Evangelisch Lutheran)

I am looking for ancestors and siblings of my grandparents: Karl LASARSCH born 19 April 1902 at either Merunen or Garbassen, county (kreis) of Lyck, East Prussia. He was married to Johanna KIRSTEIN, born 17 June 1905 at either Merunen or Garbassen. They fled to West Germany during WWII and settled at Staatsforsten. They had nine children altogether: Georg, Edith, Ilse, Irmtraud, Gertrud, Siegfried, Klaus, Guenther and Ruth. They were all Evangelisch. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.


MERTZ, Wayne
eMail address: wayne.mertz@mindsping.com

I am looking for German / Polish civic or church recordings which verify the presence of my ancestors in East Prussia. Records obtained from USA civic and Evangelical Lutheran churches have placed my ancestors in towns centered around Maldenten, East Prussia.

My great great grandfather Gottfried ZELINSKI was born 05 January 1857; Frederick W. ZELINSKI (son) was born 18 December 1880; and Augusta ZELINSKI (daughter) was born 12 August 1882; all in Maldenten. Gottliebe MEIRITZ (mother) was born 16 October 1860 in nearby Pomehlen. Gottfried's father, Wilhelm ZELINSKI may have been born in Venedien about 1834.

United States death records indicate Wilhelmina MILLER GRODOFSKI, Wilhelm's wife, was born 24 August 1828 in Germany. Gottliebe's father's name was Wilhelm MEIRITZ, born 01 February 1835 in Prussia. His wife was Wilhelmina Charlotte BAUMGART, born 16 November 1833. If anyone is susccessful with record research in the Maldenten / Mohrugen area or the above surnames please contact me. I will be glad to share information.


MUDGE, Charles
Group #6-6 RR#2, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan S9V 0X7 Canada

I am looking for information about my mother's ancestors. My grandmother's maiden name was Maria Bertha ADOMEIT, born at Tilsit 10 May 1873, and died there 13 January 1922. My grandfather was Martin URBSCHAT, born 21 November 1866, and died in Tilsit 7 October 1918. They were married in Tilsit, East Prussia. We have a family letter that says my grandfather was born at Gonnipoenin, but I don't know where that is (was) and I have not been able to find it on any map.

My mother's baptismal certificate (Taufzeugnis) was registered in the katolisch-apostolischen parish of Tilsit. Was this a separate denomination of the Catholic church? Where could I find records for
this church? My mother thinks that her mother was Lutheran, and that if it is true, it seems strange to me that she would have her daughter baptized in the Catholic church.

From the death registration of my mother's aunt, who died in Pennsylvania in 1939, I learned that my great grandmother's maiden name was Maria KOENIG or KING. Her husband's surname was ADOMEIT, but I have not been able to learn his given name(s). I have not been able to learn the names of the parents or any relatives of my grandfather, Martin URBSCHAT.

After her mother's death, my mother was in a orphanage in Tilsit, with two of her brothers. She doesn't know the name of the orphanage, but thinks it might have been run by the Lutheran church. Is is possible to find records or orphanages in Tilsit? Around 1925, she went to Bremen to live with her uncle, Karl ADOMEIT and his family, and eventually came to Canada with them in 1927.

I have tried to read some microfilms of Tilsit records at the local Family History Centre (FHC), but I can't read German, especially handwritten records in old script. Also, since I don't have the given names of three of my great grandparents, I don't know who I'm looking for in the records. I would like to locate solid documentation to verify the above information, such as birth, baptismal, marriage and death registrations or certificates. Most of the information is from an old family letter, and personal memories of relatives. I'm hoping that someone who reads this will have some information to share with me. Any help will be much appreciated. I do not have eMail access.
Webmaster's Note: Tilsit was on the old OstPruessen/Lithuanian border. It is now called Sovetsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, but no German records can be expected to be found there now. Perhaps a mapseller like Genealogy Unlimited or Travel Genie Maps can sell you an East Prussia map of Gonnipoenin. If not, you might get a German handwriting expert to properly translate the spelling of that location.

Koenig would have been spelled KÖNIG in German. There is an ahnentaflen (1695?-1966) for the Adomeit surname on FHL microfilm #1183602, item 17 - start with that. For your other surnames you might try Ahnenstammkartei des Deutschen Volkes. Perhaps others have suggestions about the Tilsit Lutheran orphanage.

PLESSA, Marc
eMail address: plessa@schwabmuenchen.de

My grandgrandfather PLESSA, Jakob was born 16 July 1863 at Kukukswalde (Kreis Ortelsburg) and died 8 August 1948 at Gelsenkirchen, Westfalen. His parents were Daniel PLESSA (or Jakob, my resources differ here) and his wife Gottliebe TYBUSSEK or TYBUSCH. Both died at Kukukswalde, dates unknown. My great-grandmother Eva Caroline WISCHNEWSKI was married 3 June 1893 at Passenheim (Kreis Ortelsburg). She was born 4 January 1873 at Passenheim (Kreis Ortelsburg). Her parents were John Wischnewski and Johann, who Louise Catharina LENSKI who were married 18 November 1869 at Passenheim (Kreis Ortelsburg).

My great-great-grandfather was Gustav GRETZKI or GRETZKY who was born 13 April 1876 at Marienthal (Kreis Sensburg) and died 29 September 1919 at Gelsenkirchen, Westfalen. He has married twice. His second wife was Henriette Amalie KASPER, born 19 December 1890 at Aweyden (Kreis Sensburg). They married 29 March 1919; I don't know her fate past the 1 January 1926. The mother of Gustav GRETZKI was marie GRETZKI who was born between 26 June and 25 July 1853 at Pfaffendorf (Kreis Ortelsburg) and died 26 June 1918 at Gelsenkirchen, Westfalen. She later married the miner KASPER. Her parents were Michael GRETZKI and his wife Katharina NOWOZIN. The parents of Henriette Amalie KASPER were August KASPER, and his wife Elsa SALOMON. My great-grandparents who adopted my grandmother Else Elfriede GRETZKY were Wilhelm KRUPKA, born 11 Nowember 1887 at Piasutten (Kreis Ortelsburg) and died 29 April 1971 at Gelsenkirchen, Westfalen, and his wife Auguste KASCHIK, born 9 December 1893 at Opalenitz and died 12 November 1970. They married on 27 February 1912 at Gelsenkirchen, Westfalen. That is all I know about them now.


SPRINGWALDT, Joan
16 Old Homestead Road, Wayne, New Jersey 07470- , USA

I am searching for more information on Gustav SPRINGWALDT, born 8 October 1874 at Gneist, East Prussia, Germany. His parents were August Springwaldt, born about 1840 in East Prussia and Maria KOWALCIK born about 1840 in East Prussia. He married Anna Maria DIETRICK. A son August Springwaldt was born at Angen in 1901. Gustav, his wife and son emigrated to America in 1902. Three other children were born in New Jersey, USA. Gneist sayas they do not have any records of this family, Where else shall I look? I do not have access to eMail or the internet.
Webmaster's Note: You might trty tooking in Die Ahnenstammkartei des Deutschen Volkes.

SLAVICKAS, Rosana
eMail address: mnastri@ibm.net
(Roman Catholic)

I am looking for the birth registers ( both civil and church records) of my grandmother Justina SLAVICKAITE (Catholic). Her parents (Adomas SLAVICKAS and Ona ZEMANTAUSKAITE) were Lithuanians, but she was born 25 December 1913 in the former Kreis Pillkallen, East Prussia - precisely in a small village called Parschen, which pertained to the parish of Schirwindt. I am aware that this area was annexed by the Soviet Union in 1945 as the Kaliningrad Oblast and the town of Schirwindt is now called KUTUZOWO. Considering this, where are my grandmother's records kept? Should I look for them somewhere in Germany or in Kutuzowo? If anyone has any information about where to write for vital records in East Prussia or even about the town of Schirwindt, please contact me. Any help would be appreciated.


THADEUS, Ralph R.
eMail adress: thadeus@primary.net

I am researching Gottlieb Fredrich TADEUS born at Farienen / Ortelsburg Ostpreussen 24 December 1874. Family lore is that he was in the "German" Navy, far-east fleet, as a young man. He took discharge aand immigrated at New Orleans and joined the US Volunteers fighting in the Philippine Insurrection, 1899-1901. My problem is developing a "paper trail" from Farienen to the "German" Navy. Any suggestions would be appreciated.


WICHTEL, Arthur E.
eMail address: awichtel@worldnet.att.net

I am researching the family of August KERBER born 8 August 1840 at Voigtenthal, East Prussia. His spouse was Anna BOMBALL born 27 December 1841 in Westphalia. Child: Marie KERBER born 9 July 1869 at Gerwalde, East Prussia. They emigrated to the United States in 1891 and settled at Sheboygan, Wisconsin.


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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