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Ost Preußen / Preussen
(East Prussia) Research List Archive
- OPRURL-001 -


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 AUDIRSCH, Robert, 28 October 1999
- entry for BETH, David, 28 October 1999
- entry for DREBENSTEDT, Anne Marie, nee PUPKA, 28 October 1999
- entry for GEHRMANN, Gerhard, 28 October 1999
- entry for KOOPMAN, Norma, 28 October 1999
- entry for MARKLEY, Stella R., 28 October 1999
- entry for MIKUCHAUSKAS, German, 28 October 1999
- entry for REYNOLDS, Sharon, 28 October 1999
- entry for SCHUEPFER, Therese, 28 October 1999
- no entries posted from 28 October until 1 March 2000
- entry for NORTON, Arlene, 1 March 2000
- entry for HAGENA, Helmut, 1 March 2000
- entry reposted for HEPFNER, Lee, 1 March 2000
- entry for ROGAT, Karen, 1 March 2000
- entry for JENSEN, Cheryl, 2 March 2000
- entry for LILLGE, Iva J., 2 March 2000
- entry for ROBINSON, Mike & Su, 2 March 2000
- entry for HOCH, Robert, 8 March 2000
- entry for LINSENMAYER, Penny, 8 March 2000
- entry for SAHLBERG, Donna, 8 March 2000
- entry for van DIJK, Sylvana, 21 July 2000
- entry for RICHTER, Werner, 21 July 2000


AUDIRSCH, Robert
P.O. Box 20531, Floral Park, New York 11002, USA

I am seeking information about my grandfather, Friedrich Wilhelm August AUDIRSCH who was born 23 March 1872 at Globuhnen, community Sollnicken, East Prussia. The town Globuhnen is approximately 13-1/2 miles south-southwest of Koenigsberg (now Kaliningrad, Russia). Sorry - I do not have eMail.
Webmaster's Note: The locality of Sollnicken is in Kreis Preußisch Eylau, Ostpreußen. However its western boundary appears to drop directly (south by west) below Königsberg, inferring "Globuhnen" is mostly south rather than south-southwest of former Königsberg. Further, after a cursory inspection, the "Globuhnen" locality does not appear in my primary references for East Prussian localities nor does either locality appear on the FEEFHS online map of East Prussia. Further neither location appears (as spelled) in the FHL Catalog (i.e. no FHL microfilm apparently available).

BETH, David
eMail address: beth@First-Chair.COM

I am looking for any information on a man named Sebastian BETH. He was born in the 1850's I think at Koenigsburg, Prussia. He married a woman named Catherine NILLES. He emigrated to America during his lifetime and had a son named Joseph BETH.


DREBENSTEDT, Anne Marie nee PUPKA
eMail address: amdreb@ibm.net

I am looking for my family tree in East Prussia. My grandfathers name was Gottlieb PUPKA. His wife's maiden name was KOWALEWSKY. My grandmothers mothers name was DEMSKI / DEMSKY. My father was Wilhelm PUPKA. He changed his name to PLANE. He was borne at Lyck, Prussia 23 December 1896. I would like to know where my grandfathers and grandmothers family came from, what they did for a living, and if there are any living distant relatives in the former Prussia (I think it is Poland now.) I am looking forward to any kind of reply ... sie koennenmir auch in deutsch antworten imvoraus vielen dank.


van DIJK, Sylvana
Netherlands
eMail address: culturebank@planet.nl

We are looking for my mothers ,mothers relatives as we don't know any history about my familie. My grandmother Anna KLEIN came to Holland earlier last century. She was the daughter of August KLEIN and Theophilia SALDIGH. She lived in Mondtken or Allenstein (east prussia) Anna KLEIN was born on the 24 of May, 1905. We are looking for any relatives any info on the family history as my mum is very ill and would like to know something about her family. Can you help us as we don't know how to access the registers from here.


GEHRMANN, Gerhard
eMail address: gehrmann@telusplanet.net

I am searching for information, regarding the origins, etc of the family name GEHRMANN. My father's family is from East Prussia, from the area around Mohrungen. At the end of the war (world War II) most all the persons living in that area packed up and fled to the non-Russian occupation zones of Germany. Our family then moved to Canada in 1968.

I am interested in any information regarding the GEHRMANN's. My grandfather's name was Erich GEHRMANN, his wife was Anna TEUCHERT. They had 5 living Children, Gerhard (my father), Werner, Eckart, Rheinhart, Edletraut, and two children that died as infants. My father was born in 1937. I believe my grandfather was born in 1908, and my grandmother was born in 1911. Family legend is that my grandfather's mother, had serveral children, all born out of wedlock, who were fathered by the local nobleman who owned the estate that my greatgrandmother was born and lived on.


HAGENA, Helmut
eMail addresses: btb-bb@gmx.de

I am searching for Hans Demke, born 14 September 1929 at Eythienen, Kreis Königsberg, Ostpreußen. He had a sister Gretel and a brother Gerhard). The last information from Hans Demke was from Modlin by Warschau. Thanks for more Information.


HEPFNER, Lee
231 Thunder Castle Road, Readfield Maine 04355-9712, USA
eMail address: hepfner@powerlink.net
(Salzberg Evangelical Protestant)

(Revised submittal: H&™uml;PFNER / HOEPFNER / HOPFNER / GEPFNER / GEPNERIS family. HOEPFNER ancestors were among Evangelical Protestants evicted from Salzburg Austria in 1731-32 who migrated to Kreis Gumbinnen of East Prussia (east-southeast of Königsberg). AUGUST HOEPFNER was born in 1850's. He married KAROLINE WIEDNER, Catholic, of Gumbinnen. The family migrated to Lithuania, then part of Russia, where surname became GEPFNER in Russian and GEPNERIS in Lithuanian. August's son, GEORGII GEPFNER / JURGIS GEPNERIS, was born at Jurbarkas, Lithuania on August 3, 1886. Other children were Luise born October 1888, Alexander and Ida. My grandfather, a cousin, also GEORGII GEPFNER/JURGIS GEPNERIS was born, probably at Erzvilkas, Raseiniai District Lithuania, in April 1853. He married DOROTEJA FREDRIKAITE there in 1879. They had ten children while living in Erzvilkas and moved to Jurbarkas in 1898 where they had two more. My father, Leopold, emigrated from Jurbarkas in 1898. The rest of the family followed in 1904 and 1911. Any information on family or migration greatly appreciated.
Webmaster's Note: See Paul Brock's book (1972) Die Saltzburger in Ostpreussen... (The expulsion of Saltzburger Protestants to East Prussia: 1732-1733). This 52 page German language book is available on FHL microfilm #1181520, item #16 for loan and viewing at your nearest LDS Family History Center. Horst Reschke has also written about this group.

HOCH, Robert
eMail address: rhh4@westchestergov.com

I'm researching the family name LEHMANN, a Jewish family probably from the Gumbinnen district. My great grandmother Rosa LEHMANN was born there in 1879. Rosa had one older sister who emmigrated to South Africa and then joined her in the U.S. Rosa was married at New York City, New York to Lewis BLUMBERG and her sister took the married name SCHOENFELD. I have an envelope to Rosa postmarked 12 April 1938 from Gumbinnen with the return address "Kaufhaus, M. Lehmann, Mallwischken Ostpr., Fernruf 22." The envelope has German postage. Any advice on tracking down the family name and the fate of the Jews in this area would be helpful. Thanks.
Webmaster's Note: No microfilm of Kreis Gumbinnen (per se) appear to exist in the FHL Catalog. Short of traditional resources, I suggest you review one of the 2 reels of microfilm for the German Minority Census of 1938 for East Prussia which focused on Jewish records. Kries Gumbinnen is included in FHL microfilm #1742476.

JENSEN, Cheryl
eMail address: NJ1625K@aol.com

I am looking for any leads on my ancestors' parents, especially August John TIETZ. August John TIETZ was born 30 April 1825 at Doetz, Kreis Soldin, Prussia. He married Augusta KANT who was born 19 February 1828 in either Pommern or Posen or Poznan (She lists all of these on various U.S. census records.) These people were definitely from East Prussia. Augusta KANT TIETZ was the daughter of John KANT and Johanna KRUEGER or KRUGER. They sailed for the United States in a group including the following: August John TIETZ and his wife Augusta TIETZ, Johanna KRUGER or KRUEGER, Ernestine KANT. August John and Augusta Tietz had a son born in Grand Haven, Michigan, USA 10 October 1857. A Frederick KANT lived in Grand Haven with this group. He later changed his last name to KENT and disappeared from all records in this area.

I have information handed down through the family that these KANT individuals were descendants of Johann KANT (born about 1730) who was a brother to Immanuel KANT (born 1724). Their father was Johann Georg KANT (born about 1688 and married to Anna Regina) who was the son of Hans KANT. (He owned a tavern at Memel). Family lore says that the father of Hans was Richard KANT, who moved from Scotland to Konigsberg in East Prussia and that the name was originally KENT in Scotland. I cannot verify this, and would like to know if anyone knows anything about these people or where I can verify this. I have no information about August John TIETZ and who his parents were. I would especially like to be able to trace TIETZ parents.


LILLGE, Iva J.
8143 South 58th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53132- USA
eMail address edlillge@execpc.com
(Lutheran)

I'm seeking information about descendants of Friedrich WOLF (also given as Friedrich WILK), a tailor, born 1822, died 23 October 1859 at Rhein, OstPrussen. He was the son of Johann WILK. Friedrich married Anne FRONCEK at Kraplau 29 September, 1844. She was born in 1825 and died at Rhein 4 March 1861. They had seven children: Carl, Friedrich. Gottfried, Rudolph, Wilhelmina, Charlotte and Karl, all of whom are believed to have used the surname WOLF. Gottfried WOLF (1849-1916) and Wilhelmina WOLF (1854-1936) are known to have immigrated to America and settled at or near the village of Lannon, Wisconsin. It is believed that Charlotte WOLF also came to settle in Wisconsin. Wilhelmina (my grandmother) came to America, probably in November or December of 1889 with my grandfather, Wilhelm WIDZKOWSKI, WIDKOSKI, or WITKOSKE. and their five children. The lived at Lannon were Wilhelm worked in the Lannon stone quarries for ten years. Three more children were born before the family went to farm in the vicinity of Wausau, Wisconsin. I would very much like to know if Wilhelmina's sister, Charlotte WOLF, also immigrated to America and whether she married and had children.

I'm also seeking information about my grandfather, Wilhelm WITKOSKE. All I know is that he was born about 1850 and died 18 March 1939 at either Watertown or Green Bay, Wisconsin. The WITKOSKE family was affiliated with the Lutheran Church.


LINSENMAYER, Penny
2407 Blue Water Lane, Houston, Texas 77018-, USA
eMail address linsenma@hic.net

I am researching Gustav SCHIFFKO, born 22 September 1866 at Tiltz, Ostpreussen according to this Declaration of Intention, filed at Knox county, Indiana in 1908. I have not found any online references to the surname SCHIFFKO and found no references to the SCHIFFKO name in the IGI or Ancestral File.

I am also very curious about the location of his village of origin, Tiltz, as I've been unable to locate it on any of the East Prussia maps consulted (both online and in libraries). If anyone has any further information about this locality, I would be interested in learning more about the village and surrounding area.


MARKLEY, Stella R.
eMail address: RPBBUTTERFLY@webtv.net

My father was Paul Ernst WORM. He was born at Lusenhof, near Friedland, 12 September 1892. He left Germany 14 January 1922. His passport, which contains an entry from the American consulate in Konigsburg, Germany [the nearest town of any size] contains a $9.00 stamp. He had an uncle, Albert WORM, who had a large brewery in Indianapolis, Indiana. My father's Uncle Otto HUTH established a meat packing company at Indianapolis Indiana. I understand he left no heirs. There also was a niece, Erna "Nora" WORM GALLANO, but no heirs were produced. Otto HUTH was my grandfather from Potsdam, Germany. I have located and met those relatives.

As I understand it now, Konigsburg is called Kaliningrad Russia. Both my father and cousin always referred to having come from Konigsburg. I imagine the villages I mentioned above were very small and insignifigant. I wonder if there are relatives in the "area" of Kaliningrad who might be related to me. Thank you


MIKUCHAUSKAS, German
Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russian Federation
eMail address: german@star.koenig.ru
(Lutheran)

I know from my grandmother that her mother, Barbara HERBST, was born in Tilsit. I also know that she was Lutheran and that she left her father's new family at about age 14 when her mother died and her father married another woman. My great grandmother left her father's house (not getting on well with her stepmother) and came to Lithuania (at that time a part of the Russian Empire). She started working as a governess with a well-off family in Kaunas and taught their children German. Later on, she met my great grandfather, Vincentas SVIDERSKIS (or SVIDERSKY), who worked for the same family at their brewery as an engineer.

In fact, very little is known about Barbara HERBST's life in Tilsit, because she didn't like to speak about it even with her daughter, so I can not add anything about her parents etc. Actually, this is what I would like to find out by myself......My grandmother confirmed that the only document she has is Death Certificate: My great grandmother died in Lithuania in 1962 in 3 years after their coming back from exile at Igarka, Siberia. My grandmother also told me that, to her best knowledge, Barbara HERBST never celebrated her birthday, so that she only knows that Barbara was born in 1884 (at least, this year with no particular date is carved on her tomb and is stated in the Death Certificate). I would be grateful for any information about my ancestors.


NORTON, Arlene
eMail address: daisy1ajn@aol.com

I am trying to locate my great grandfather, Ludwig LOCH, who left Germany around 1880 for America. He apparently sailed on the ship "Donau" but after reaching America he was never heard from again. He left a wife and two young sons in Germany. I would love to know what happened to this man. He was married to Eva FREYNICK. She was born at Gruenfliess (now Napiwoda, Poland) 26 March 1841 and baptized in the Evangelisches Church at Neidenburg 4 April 1841. She and Ludwig had two sons: Carl Loch - born 4 June 1864 at Gruenfliess and Wilhelm Loch, born 27 November 1867 at Gruenfliess. I am guessing that Ludwig Loch was born around 1840 and was probably Evangelisches. I did find a Ludwig Loch from Oldenburg on Roll #426 of "Passenger Lists of Vessels arriving at New York, NY" in the National Archives. IF this is the same man, he arrived in NYC on 22 May 1880 on the Ship "Donau". I have not been able to ascertain if this is the correct man.

My father told me Ludwig Loch was a seaman. My German cousin tells me this is not true. She says he left for America to look for gold when his sons were young and was never heard from again. I did check the 1900 Alaska census to see if by any chance he made it to Alaska but he was not listed. However, that is not surprising. I can't imagine the Alaskan census counted all the miners....also, in 1900 he would have been about 60 years old and given the hard life he would have led, he most likely didn't live that long. I just mention this so that you know where I have checked for him. I do not know where to look in the German records as I have no date of birth, marriage or death for him... nor do I know where he was born. My family came from the Napiwoda (Gruenfliess), Berent and Danzig area so he may have come from that area also. But if he were a seaman, who knows? Thank you again for continuing to help me with this research. I appreciate it very much and would be so grateful for any information on this man.
Webmaster's Note: The FHL Catalog lists Grünfleiß (Gruenfleiss / Grunfleiss) Schlesien under Lassoth, Schlesien. FHL records of the Catholic church (1766-1859) there are on 2 reels of 35 mm microfilm. I'd check it out if I was you.

For other leads, open the FEEFHS Website Index, (linked off of http://feefhs.org - faster to see the navigation link at the top and bottom of every online file here, including this one), type in Loch and look especially at items 7, 18, 19 and 20. Was August Loch (born about 1842 in Prussia) a brother or other relative? There is a 70% chance of learning his birth locality from that database owner for a few dollars or maybe searching it yourself. Then the next question - are there any chruch records at that location?

REYNOLDS, Sharon
eMail address: reynolds@i1.net

I am looking for information on the KOWALIK family. When Gustav Jakob KOWALIK emigrated to Canada, he changed the spelling to KOVALIK. I think this was so people would pronounce it correctly. He was born in East Prussia 24 July 1885. I am looking for the parents of Gustav. I am married to his great grandson. I have been working on family history for both my side and my husbands side. I know his siblings, one of which is my grandfather-in-law, Henry KOVALIK. The Gustav family moved from Canada to Springfield, Illinois, then moved for a short time to Wala, Wala, Washington. Henry KOVALIK however stayed in Springfield, and married Elsieann SCHEINE. The history I need is Gustav's mother and father as well as grandparents. I wouldd like to locate any KOWALIK family members.

My family is also from that area. last names BERNTHAL and BIERMANN. I know my BIERMANN side lived at Engter, Germany before coming to the USA. I would love to know more about the SCHEINA / SCHEINE side too.


RICHTER, Werner
eMail address: w.richter@rcn.com

My grandparents are Alfred and Hedwig RICHTER. Alfred RICHTER was born 11 May 1906 at Elbing, East Prussia and my Grandmother Hedwig RICHTER (surname FEHLAUER) was born 1 December 1910 at Gerdauen. They were married sometime in June 1929. They had five children named (from oldest to youngest) Erich in 1930, Willi in 1931, Eva in 1932, Walter in 1934 and Elke in 1943. Laubacken apparantly had a castle from the Prussian Kingdom. The religion was Lutheran with a church Legiten (spelling unsure, used phonetically) and the location of Laulacken was on the road from KreisLabiau toward Konigsberg, approx 4 kilometers south of Kampken, a small seaport. My grandfather was the Mayor of Laubacken between 1936 and 1942. He was also (spelling unsure) Standsbeamter (like a Justice of Peace). He went to serve (in the Army) in 1943 and has not been heard or seen since then. My father, Willi, came out East Prussia/Russia on 16 October 1948 and then was sent to Sachsen (near Dresden) In April 1949, he went to Kreis Vechta, West Germany, where his sister Elke still lives. (Steinfeld with my Grandmother, who is currently in a home). My goal is to find people who might have known my grandparents or neighbours from the East Prussian area and possibly have contact with them. While my father is still alive and of sound mind, he can also be of assistance to any that request it. During the 1970 and 1980 period, my Uncle Erich formed many German-American relations in conjunction with the Steuben Parade in New York. He was a rather public figure in German American groups. I also ask the reason for my query is to such for cousins and other relatives that I know exist, but had no contact with. Thanking you for your help in advance.


ROBINSON, Mike & Su
eMail address acerob@ihug.co.nz

I would like to contact anyone who could help me locate a source of information regarding the GERNHOEFER family. I have a lot of information regarding the descendants, however I do not understand the lack of ancestor information. The family name I have is Johann GERNHOEFER born 4 July 1822 at Hohenau, East Prussia. His wife was Loisa WORM born 8 july 1823 Gelasken, Germany. Johanns father was Christian GERNHOEFER born 8 February 1792 at Statzen, Near Oletzko, East Prussia. I was advised his father was Andreas GERNEBER and mother Catherin NIEMCIK. I can't understand the name change or find any others of the same name. Can anyone help?


ROGAT, Karen
Norfolk, Nebraska, USA
email address: krogat@conpoint.com

I am researching the family of Max ROGAT. His father's name was August ROGAT and his mother was Marie GRICKSCHAT ROGAT. Max was born 25 November 1905 at Lauknen, Labiau, Germany. Known names of his sisters are: Edith, Emma, Martha, Minna, Augusta (born 18 October 1875), Hedwig (born 24 June 1891) and Lina (born 27 October 1895). All are assumed to be born at Lauknen. His father, August, died at Lauknen. Martha remained in Germany, but all the rest immigrated to the USA prior to 1927. Mother, Marie, came to USA in the 1940's it is believed. All of the above are deceased, so I have hit a brick wall. Any information on this family, or any other help, would be greatly appreciated.


SAHLBERG, Donna
eMail address: Dlsahlberg@aol.com

I need help locating my ancestors from Prussia. I'm trying to trace my grandfather Frederick William SCHURKUS. He was born 10 October 1882, lived in Insterburg, Germany (East Prussia at the time). My great grandfathers name was Christian SCHURKUS married to Wilhemina. My grandfather, Frederick immigrated to the United States aboard the ship "S.S. Kroonland" from Belgium 17 November 1903. He had sisters and brothers that remained in Prussia. I would like to find out anything about the family I can.
Webmaster's Note: The FHL has 8 topics and 29 collections (including 20 collections of church records). Absent the knowlege of your grandfather's religion, I can offer nothing more than to suggest you visit your nearest FHC (Family History Center) and review the FHLC (FHL Catalog). Also, watch this website for more Insterberg postings. We anticipate in offering surname Finding adis to the 11 lists in the Insterberg Burgerbuch.

SCHUEPFER, Therese
eMail address: tschuepf@concentric.net

I am seeking information about the family of my grandfather, John POESCHUSS. He was born at Memel between 1875-1878, he emigrated to Chicago, Illinois during the 1920s and died there in 1959. As a young adult, he lived in Koenigsberg and served as a bodyguard for Kaiser Wilhelm. He was the youngest of at least five children (Michael, Martin, Catherine). His father was a physician and his mother's maiden name was BERNOT. I do not know the first names of his parents and other sibling(s).


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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