Hello All,
I am asking for help concerning German records about my gr. grandfather, LEWIS A. BANEY--original spelling BÖHNE based on an 1855 letter to his Aunt SELINA (BEARD) BÖHNE CRAWFORD. He signed that letter as Lewis BAHNE or BOHNE--can't make out the vowel.
His Aunt Selina BOHNE was married to Lewis' uncle, Henri Herman BÖHNE, (b. 1806 d. 1847) who is buried in Cass Co., Illinois. Henry Herman came to the states in October of 1834-Bremen to New York. HENRY HERMAN BÖHNE was born in Ostercappeln . (Henry Herman was first married to a FRANCES JUDSON) I believe my gr. grandfather was listed as a 10 year old on that same ship--as LOUIS BÖHNE--there were a total of 6 BÖHNE family members on board. I am searching for any information about my gr. grandfather--birth, immigration, church, land--anything. I am trying to determine who his parents were--family lore is that he was orphaned right before he came to the states or right after.
I have found my gr. grandfather on family trees at genealogy sites, but the individuals don't respond to my requests for help. Maybe he had a colorful past or was married more than once. (On one tree his file is listed as open only to the person who entered the information??) He lived near Nauvoo, Illinois. Lewis married my gr. grandmother, FANNIE E. SHERRILL in April 28, 1869. There is most likely a connection to Ohio, Iowa, New York, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
In family wills BÖHNE, BOEHNE, AND BÖEHNE are used in the same document simultaneously. It also appears that after studying German names for two years, the "m" and the "n" were often confused in the USA on naturalization records, and other records.
To make it even harder I have found family members with these various spellings on indexed state records, census information indexed by others and so forth (I'm sure I have forgotten some): BANRY/BAHNE/BAHNA/BOHNA/BAHUE/BAHUS/BOHUS/BOEHNER/BOHNER/BARNEY/BARRY/BAINEY
In the states, Lewis listed both BADEN and HANOVER as his place of residence. I believe with help from others that Baden (I thought originally the big Baden) really meant a small town that is now part of ACHIM. With all that said--can someone help me determine the following:
What are all of the places to look for records concerning his birth, immigration, who his parents were and any other records? What other lists should I be on? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to e-mail directly with anything!
Marsha Baney (Böhne)