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West Prüssen (West Prussia) Research List
WPRURL ARCHIVE 97-1


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

See also:WPRURL Archive INDEX

WPRURL Posting status:
- entry for HAYS, Elsa, 21 June 1997
- entry for HUDSON, Carol, 21 June 1997
- entry for HUSS, Linda, 27 June 1997
- entry for TROJANOWSKI, Rich, 2 July 1997
- entry for BROWN, Carole ZEIDLER, 13 August 1997
- entry for SOMMERFELD, Grant D., 22 August 1997
- entry for KNECHT, John, 28 August 1997
- entry for TURNER, Madeline WENTZEL, 12 September 1997
- entry for McCLURE-LOTT, Diane K., 13 September 1997
- entry for WIESE, Luella TOEVS, 9 October 1997
- entry for CRAMER, Eugen N. (Gene), 21 October 1997
- new email address for TROJANOWSKI, Rich, 12 January 2001


BROWN, Carole ZEIDLER
eMail address: Ladytreky@aol.com

I have been researching this surname and have written a book about my American line( great-grandparents) which is in the LDS Library in Salt Lake City, Utah The Descendants of John and Rosene (BRANDT) ZEIDLER and Ferdinand and Bertha (KROENIG) BUBLITZ. It begins with John Frederick ZEIDLER born 1828 in East Prussia - town we think is Lautenburg, Germany (called Lidzbark now and is in Poland). He married circa 1849 Rosene BRANDT born 1831, probably same town. Their first child Henrietta born 1850, died 1872 there before family came in August 1872 to America. Information on their children on #245330 film in LDS. I am unable to find marriage date on it. It has been learned that 3 sisters - one named Julianna - settled also in Wright County Minnesota, They married men surnamed ZECH, BIRKHOLZ and KOENIG.

There may be other siblings in Germany. John died 1909 at Howard Lake, Minnesota. Rosene died in 1883 at Howard Lake, McLeod Coounty, Minnesota. I also learned John's parents were Christian ZEIDLER born 1803 and Anna HOLZ who stayed Germany. Her parents John and Mary BRANDT. They came for personal freedom. In fact, all ties were broken with the past as son, Carl ZEIDLER born 1853 was in the Prussian army at that time (1872) and deserted with the family, when they came - stowing away on board the ship. John Frederick worked for the Hohenzollerns and was a forester - not a poor man. Is there a ZEIDLER coat of arms? We have been told the name means "beekeeper" - is that right? Anyone who has any ZEIDLER ancestry information - I will gladly share my research.

John Cakar's Note: Zeidler is a keeper of bees -- Heath's New German and English Dictionary, page 745, copyright 1939.

Webmaster's Note: Your microfilm reference (#245330) is for the churchbook (1842-1910) of Langendorf, Kreis Strasburg, West Prussia. The film references Lautenberg parish "for other years". Lautenburg in Kreis Strasburg also is in West Prussia and has both Catholic and Evangelish records. West Prussia and East Prussia are two different provinces. That is why your entry is placed on this List.

Your book is on microfilm #1033967, item #15. You should look at the other two Zeidler citations under surnames in the FHLC. 14 of the 500 topics on Germany in the FHLC are Hearaldry. The first one has 73 records. Two sources of German Heraldry that are part of the collection at many LDS Family History Centers (and available from Salt Lake City on microfilm) are by J. Siebmacher (#1181781, item 4) and J. B. Rietstap (#15773194, item 10). You should check them both.

CRAMER, Eugen N. (Gene)
San Clemente California
eMail address: marc832@primenet.com

I am searching for Robert CRAMER, a Lutheran born at Westpreisen Muhlen or Westprussian Mills. This is what I know from his obituary: Robert H. Cramer was born 5 November 1851 at West Prussian Mills [Westpreisen Mills] of which his father was owner in what was then Germany. He came to America in the spring of 1866 (1868) alone, a friend having started with him , but on arriving at the seaport backed out, and so far as he knows none of his relatives have ever came here. When he left home had some extra money for use when he arrived, which was for safekeeping sewed inside his coat but before reaching New York someone had managed to extract it undiscovered and he landed in New York without a cent, and unable to speak a word, except in his own language. He soon found work and after a time went to Allegheny, Pennsylvania and later to Michigan where he found work in a sawmill. He had learned the milling business of his father at home, and after learning the language sufficiently, soon found employment at his trade. He had charge of the water mills at Portland Michigan for several years, competing for some time successfully with the other mills with improved machinery. He died in Portland Michigan on 14 June 1901.

A family letter shows that Robert's father died while he was was still quite young. Some time later his mother remarried. Posssibly at this time Robert departed for USA. This second husband, a widower with several children, was a Mr. WERNER or VERNER, a schoolmaster. A family photograph, taken about 1880, shows Robert's mother and her second husband. The photographer's name was H. Wittman and he was located at Deutsche-Krone or Dt.- Krone. I am Robert CRAMER's great grandson. I have tried several books and maps, but Westpreisen Muhlen must have been a small place, not a city. Attempts to reach Michigan relatives have been unsuccessful. I give much material just so you see some context.
Webmaster's Note: Look in Meyers Ortslexikon for your town, as it covers all locations in the pre-World War I German Empire. See Suggestion #11 for Germany. A fair amount of FHL microfilm exists for Deutsche- Krone, West Prussia. While "Westpreussen Muhlen" (note the spelling) is not listed in the FHL Catalog as a location of microfilm records, please note there is a "Muhlen" location in East Prussia near the West Prussian border. You may discover your great-grandfather's reference to "Westpreussen Muhlen" was his way to distinguish and differentiate his small Muhlen, West Prussia location from the much better known and probably much larger Muhlen in Ost Preussen.

You should also review the 74 summaries of Cramer genealogy listed in the "Surname Search" section of the FHL Catalog.

HAYS, Elsa
521 Shenango Road, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania 15010-1658
eMail address: ehays@ccia.com

Johann ZIESE was born circa 1849 in West Prussia, married Henrietta KLATT circa 1869 at West Prussia, and married circa 1880 Carolina BARBULL. His parents were Christian ZIESE and Caroline SCHRÖDER. I need information on this family and will correspond with any Ziese's.

Robert Max BURANDT born 4 August 1869 at Jarischaus West Prussia, died 30 January 1957 at Dumont New Jersey. His parents were David Wilhelm BURANDT and Christina ZIESE. He married Bertha Louise ZIESE in 1895 at Heu Paleschken, West Prussia. I am looking for information on this family, especially his father David. I am willing to correspond with any BURANDT's.

Florentine Henrietta KLATT was born West Prussia. Her parents were Michiel KLATT and ? DOMBROSKY. Her husband was Johann ZIESE. I need information on this family and will correspond with any KLATT's.


HUDSON, Carol
29224 161th Place South East, Kent Washington 98042-4401

Looking for information on Gustav HOGE / HOGUE born 9 May 1833, West Prussia; emigrated with his wife Wilhelmina and five children to New York City in October 1884. They may have lived in Pennsylvania about one year. They settled in Burleigh County North Dakota. He died there 19 April 1914. His son Frederick HOGE / HOGUE was born 18 February 1860 in West Prussia, died 5 October 1910 at Burleigh County North Dakota. His son August Hogue was born 3 August 1884 in Germany, died 17 May 1963 in Burleigh County North Dakota.

I have not been able to find any record of where in Germany this family might have originated from, except one census record which states "West Prussia". I have a newspaper clipping of the obituary of Gustav which says he was from Treptow. I could use some help.
Webmaster's Note: There are three Treptow locations in Pomerania and one in Brandenberg - but none in West or East Prussia. While there are microfilm for all four of them, I suggest you start at the Treptow in Kreis Greifenberg - reel #1334637 covers the Evangelische churchbook records from 1827-1839.

HUSS, Linda
Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
email address: ljh@voyager.net

My great grandfather Joseph KUNZA / KUNTZA / KUNZE was supposedly born in Cerkivica, West Prussia (now Poland) in March of 1852. The date and location were taken off of my great uncles birth certificate. I am having a difficult time finding any information about this area, or my ggrandfather. Any suggestions appreciated.
Webmaster Note: Are you sure of the spelling ot the place of origin? The only town that comes even close to that spelling is Cerekwica, powiat of Gryfce, Poland. However it formerly was called Zirkwitz, kreis Greifenberg, Pommern = Pomerania, and is quite a distance to the west of West Prussia. If Zirkwitz is correct, you may find Joseph's birth record in the Evangelisch Kirche Zirkwitz on microfilm (#1273109 or #1273110 item 1) available from Salt Lake City on loan (nominal fee) to review at your nearest LDS Family History Center.

KNECHT John
eMail address: jek3@ziplink.net

Albert Adolf MANSKE, MANSKEY, MANSKY, son of Johan Joseph MANSKE, was born at Danzig, West Prussia, in 1821. He married Auguste Caroline ROHRIG, daughter of Johann Gotthilf ROHRIG, 2 April 1846, in a Lutheran Church at Frankfurt an der Oder, Brandenburg, Germany. Albert worked as a Theater Manager, Barber, Doctor, and Dentist. He immigrated to the United States (in 1852?), married a 2nd time (1866) at Waterbury, Connecticut and moved to Shelby County, Ohio where he died 26 October 1898 at the age of 77. I need information on this MANSKE family of West Prussia.
Webmaster's Note: Considerable FHL microfilm exist for Danzig - 28 Topics with one of them. The church records alone consist of 66 collections. Knowing his religion will help, but there were many churches. A few of the Evangelische churchbooks have indexes. One Catholic church has a "Familienbuch" which might help.

The coordinartor has also noted that Manske is listed in the Die Vorfahren database here. I see 70 persons and over a dozen researchers. While none of the 70 appear to be from Danzig, I would contact its owner, Myron Grunwald since he has over 20 Danzig researchers and other West Prussia locations. You should also refer to our Suggestions for Finding a Place of Origin in Germany page. In particular the Ancestral File and Die Ahnenstammkartei are two sources you should check.

McCLURE-LOTT, Diane K.
2161 Clematis Street, San Diego, California 92105-
eMail address: dlott@sdcoe.k12.ca.us

Albert Martin BURTZLAFF was born 7 May 1871 at Bohlschau, West Pruessen north of Danzig. He married Berta Amalia STEINKE (born 18 June 1848 at Schoenberg West Pruessen) and they resided at Hammerstein. Her parents were Carl Steinke and Caroline OTTO. He took his wife and family to Lihue, Hawaii via the bark HF Glade around the Horn with other Germany families. They departed from Bremmerhaven, landing in Hawaii on 27 July 1887. His parents were Ernst Burtzlaff born in Pruessen and Carolina SCHROEDER born in Pruessen.


SOMMERFELD, Grant D.
eMail address: gds@planet.eon.net

I am seeking information on the family of Peter August SOMMERFELD born 9 March 1867 at Tragheim, West Prussia. Peter August SOMMERFELD had an older brother Johann Georg Sommerfeld and an older sister Maria Elizabeth SOMMERFELD. Their parents were Georg SOMMERFELD and Justina ROHDE. I have found proof of birth in Lutheran Church records for the children but no evidence of the parents. At some point the entire family (I think) emigrated to south Russia. In 1912 Peter August SOMMERFELD emigrated to Canada. I would like to speak with anyone with an idea on how I might go about finding birth records for Georg SOMMERFELD and Justine ROHDE given they are not in the church registers or from anyone else researching the SOMMERFELD surname.
Webmaster's Note: As you may already know, there are Mennonite church records (1766-1899) for Tragheim, Kries Stuhm West Prussia, now Tragamin, Poland.

As for south Russia, five Sommerfelds groups or singles are reported to have emigrated to Bessarabia (B) and Odessa (O): Gottlieb and Michael (with Berta and Christina) from Schilletz Poland to Leipzig (B); Gottfried from Poland to Arzis (B) in 1816; Andreas to Neu-Arzis (B); Johannes from Starkey Poland to Güdensdrof (O); and Johann in 1814 to Grossliebental (O). (Ref: The Emigration from Germany to Russia (1763-1862) br Karl Stumpf, page 448).

"Village Coordinators" exist for all the Bessarabian villages listed and perhaps for the Odessa ones too. Most if not all of the microfilm of St Petersberg Lutheran Consistory duplicate churchbook records from circa 1833-1860's has been extracted for these villages. One of these village coordinators may well have your family in their records. Contact GRHS (Germans from Russia Historical Society of Bismarck North Dakota and join them if you are interested.

Keep in mind that German settlements in Volhynia (eastern Poland) were along one emigration route from West Prussia to the Black Sea. Do not discount the possibility you will find some of the dozens of Volhynian Sommerfelds are relatives too. Use the Website Index (a navigation link above and below) to check your surname for them. Join the Wandering Volhynians" of Vancouver, British Columbia to continue this research.

TROJANOWSKI, Rich
414 Garfield Avenue, Ingleside, Illinois 60041-8811, USA
eMail address: babyboybosco@cs.com

I am searching for ancestral birthplace of my great-grandmother Anna KNIEVEL, also spelled KNIEWEL, KNIEWELL. She emigrated to United States and settled in Chicago with her mother Katherine (Katarzyna Jackowski Knievel TETZLAFF) Tetzlaff and step-father, Frank Tetzlaff, her sister Paulina Knievel and half-brother Ignatz Tetzlaff. Her mother, Katarzyna was a JACKOWSKI from home. She married Joseph KNIEVEL who passed away after the birth of Anna and Paulina. Then she married a second time; to Frank Tetzlaff. They had a son Ignatz, and then emigrated to the United States. They emigrated in the 1870's. They were parishioners at St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church in Chicago, Illinois. Anna Knievel eventually married my great-grandfather Jozef TROJANOWSKI. Ignatz Tetzlaff's death certificate states that he was born in Gdansk (Danzig), however, noting that Katarzyna and Frank were married in Europe, and knowing that one of the bridesmaids who stood up to Anna and Jozef's wedding in Chicago whose name was Anna Jackowski was born in Jelencz, Poland, (West Prussia) leads me to believe that the entire family may be from the area of Jelencz, Tuchola, Sepolno Krajenskie, Waldowo. Waldowo is where Jozef Trojanowski was born. Those names in German are (I believe!) Jehlenz, Tuchel, Zempelburg and Waldau. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Webmaster's Note: While you give no vital dates for Anna, 4 reels of FHL microfilm exists for Jehlenz/Jelencz - Catholic (with some Lutheran) churchbook records (1596-1849).

TURNER, Madeline WENTZEL
17597 South Holly Lane, Oregon City, OR 97045-
eMail address: family@europa.com
(Lutheran)

My great grandfather, Juius WENTZEL / WENZEL married Caroline RADI. Her father's naturalization records show: Frederich RADI, born in Prussia and Caroline's mother was Anna JAHR. Julius and Caroline came to America about 1860, with his brothers, Michael, August and Karl. Their parents were Johann WENTZEL and Rosaliea TROJAN. The port of entry was Detroit or Port Huron, Michigan. Naturalization records show the birth place as West Prussia. They lived at Mantiwoc and Reedsville, Wisconsin for awhile and attended a Lutheran Church in Reedsville. Then homesteaded in Polk County, Minnesota in the 1880's. Thank you for any info on WENTZEL / WENZEL, RADI, TROJAN and JAHR.


WIESE, Luella TOEVS
P.O. Box 6054 Ocean View, Hawaii 96737-
eMail address: jim-lu@aloha.net

My great great grandfather, Franz TOEWS, published a mathematics book in 1800. A copy is in the possession of Daniel Toews in Petaluma, California. That is all the data I have on him.

I have done extensive research on both sides of my family and published the results. The first book I researched and compiled was on Franz Toews and his descendants and the second on Gerhard and Oelsie Neufeldt and their descendants. All of my ancestors were Mennonites and had West Prussian origins. They migrated to South Russia but we don't have the exact date of that move. My Toews book has over 2,000 names and the Neufeldt book has over 1,000 names. Both books have the history of the Mennonites and as much documentation as I could find at the time on my relatives.

What I am interested in now is getting more information about their days in West Prussia and in South Russia if it becomes available.

Here is the data I have on Franz Toews: (There are three Franz Toews in succcession, so I differentiate them with I, II, III,)

The first Franz Toews wrote and published a mathematics book titled, Das Erste Buch der Rechenkunst in Ganzen Zahlen in Altenau, West Prussia. The book is dated 1800. That is all we know of him except that the family lore has it that he and his wife died and left an orphaned son, also named Franz Toews. I do have information on that son. Franz II was born 3 April 1812 at Heubuden, West Prussia. He had four marriages. Franz II recorded these dates very explicitly giving exact times of occurences and precise ages down to the day but unfortunately he did not record the place names where they occurred. We can only assume it was in Pordenau, Molotschna, South Russia where they were from. Here are the four marriages for Franz Toews II:

1. Married 4 August 1839 to Agatha JANZEN, (his cousin) born 12 March 1816, died 18 February 1840, 4:30 PM, The marriage lasted twenty eight weeks and was childless.
2. Married 18 April 1840 to Sara WALL (the widow THIESSEN) born 10 March 1792, died 11 March 1850, at age 58 years, thirteen days. The marriage lasted 9 years 10 months, 23 days and was childless.
3. Married 10 June 1850 to Suzanna ENZ nee WARKENTIN, born 10 November 1816, she died 19 October 1855, the marriage lasted 5 years 4 months. This marriage produced two children, a boy and a girl. The boy was Franz III, born 14 September 1851, died at Wolf Point, Montana 8 April 8, 1926. The girl was Katherine born 18 October 1855 and died 9 months later. Note her mother died a day after her daughter was born.
4. Married 21 February 1856 to Elizabeth DICK (unmarried girl) born 31 March 1836. This marriage lasted until the death of Franz TOEWS II on 24 January 1898 at Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Elisabeth Dick Toews died 1 March 1922 at Mountain Lake, Minnesota. This marriage produced ten children. Nicholas F., Johann F., Jacob F., Peter I, Gerhard F., Peter II F., Heinrich I, Anna, Elisabeth and Heinrich F. II. We assume that Franz and Elisabeth Toews children were born and raised in the little Mennonite village of Pordenau in the Molotschna region of south Russia until Franz Toews II brought his fourth wife and eight living children to Mountain Lake, Minnesota in August, 1875. The rest of the story is in the book I researched and compiled in 1993.

I have also done a book on my NEUFELDT fasmily. The names of my books are:
1. Franz Toews, from Heubuden, West Prussia to Mountain Lake, Minnesota, 1812 to 1898. It has the history of the Mennonite people in the Netherlands, West Prussia and South Russia and the names with other information of over 2,000 of Franz Toews' descendants up to 1993. This book was researched and compiled by Luella Toevs Wiese and published in 1993. Luella still has many copies available.
2. The Neufeldts, Descendants of Gerhard and Oelsie Neufeldt, 1758-1995 This book has the history of the Mennonite people beginning in the Netherlands, West Prussia, South Russia and over 1,000 names of Neufeldt descendants. Researched and compiled by Luella Toevs Wiese. Published in 1995. A very few copies still available from Luella.

I am interested in pursuing more information on Franz Toews the math book publisher and Franz Toews, his son. The location given in that math book is Altenau, West Prussia. My ancestors were Mennonites. Can you tell me how I should go about finding more info about Franz Toews in West Prussia?
Webmaster's Notes: You might check out the Mennonite Cross-Index to this website and especially the Molitchnia Villager homepage here. It is suggested that the Mennonite libraries and organizations listed on the FEEFHS Mennonite Cross-Index would be an excellent place to donate a copy of both of your books and this might generate a tax deduction (check that out with your CPA).

While I note your Toews book is #10 of 10 listings of the surname in the FHLC (Family History Library Calatog) and #2 of 2 Toevs listings, if is not microfilmed - you might consider authorizing this so it is more widely available. However your Neufeldt book is not listed in the two Neufeldt FHLC listings - that would benefit others by being on microfilm too.

It is not likely you have done so much research without access to the FHL sources. However for others reading this, please note that Heubuden (now Stogi, Poland) appears to have been a Mennonite location in Kreis Marienburg, West Prussia. The Mennonite Kirchenbuch (172-1942) from there is on 3 FHL microfilm reels and the civil registration (1874-1877) is on one FHL reel, that includes Warnau, Hingersee, Hoppenbruch and Willenberg - all in Kreis Marienburg. Unfortunately Altenau, Neufeldt and Pordenau are not listed in the 17th CD-ROM edition of the FHLC.

See also:WPRURL Archive INDEX
Suggestions for Finding a Place of Origin in Germany

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