Checking translation

hannover-l
1

Hello Virginia,
I am writing to query whether you traced your American/Germanic line back
via census, birth and marriage records in the U.S.A. This would give you
sibling family names of the first generation born in America. I think you
would stand a better chance of finding the correct ancestors if you quoted
sibling names for the recipient to compare with any family history they may
hold. For instance the 4th son/daughter in the 1st generation born in
America may in all probability have been named after the father's/mother's
eldest brother/sister, who was left back in Germany. There may be another
clue in the sibling names, for instance for some reason every generation in
one of my lines has to have the name 'Lillias', I haven't found the original
yet, but I'm certainly looking forward to seeing just why she is so
important!
Good Hunting
Rena in England.

Hello again!

I am sending a letter to possible relatives in Germany and I'd like to ask
someone who knows German to look over the German letter to see if I have
glaring errors. I've included the English letter so you know what I'm trying
to say. I'd be very grateful. This means so much to me - I've waited years
to talk to them.

Thank you very much in advance!

Virginia Ronnebaum Knipper

Hello! My name is Virginia Ronnebaum Knipper. I live in the United States
of America. My great-grandfather was JOHANN HEINRICH RONNEBAUM. He was
born in the Oldenburg area between 1849-1852. I have been searching for
years for my family in Germany. I do not have much money, but I have
exhausted every possibility trying to find those who are very important to
me. Before I die, I want my children and grandchildren to know and treasure
their relatives in Germany. This means so much to me!
I am approaching you with hope and questions about your possible connection
with my ancestor, JOHANN HEINRICH RONNEBAUM.
I know that I should not be looking for my relations in Germany when I have
little money, but I have this need to connect with my relatives and it is
very strong - I'd like to have my children meet their relatives. My
grandson, Benjamin, is taking the German language in school in the hope of
meeting and talking with his relatives one day soon. My greatest hope is
meeting my relatives.
  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I will tell you what I know about Heinrich Johann RONNEBAUM. His family
was and is Roman Catholic. The U.S. Federal Censuses from 1900 and 1910 say
that he was born in Oldenburg. He was born around November 1849-1852
(Written family notes says 1850, censuses vary to 1852). The 1900 census
says he emigrated in 1870, the 1910 says 1872. I found a Heinrich Johann
Ronnebaum
emigrating from Bremen to Baltimore on the Carl in 1867. The age
matches, but I've found no other person that matches. My Heinrich married
Wilhalmina MEYER (who was from Bayern) on April 27, 1875 at St. Henry
Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

2

Rena is correct. I can cite an example. Seeking data in Germany and knowing
only the state, I wrote to the Staatsarchiv Darmstadt. I not only gave the
name and birthdate of my ancestor from Hessen but also the data for the girl
whom he married in St. Louis, even though, because of her fairly common
surname, I had no hope. I was fortunate: The archivist was familiar with my
ancestor's family! But the miracle was that he was able also to identify the
family of the girl my great-grandfather married in St. Louis!

Bob Doerr in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks

3

Heyah Virginia,

Come on, just write to that 20 pals in Damme - there are only that sweet
27 Ronnebaum and most live in Damme, I guess that’s the origin. Damme
should have been part of Kingdom Oldenburg or so - so the city Damme is
your as usually totally un-detailed Oldenburg. Also I guess they are
more or less close related - however they themselves will presume that
they are related. Your problem might be the birth of around 1850 - most
families won't be able to trace back to that, I guess 1875 is most
medieval for most of them. So you need all of them - just one pal with
an old Nazi ID Book and you have hit a lot as those things go back
pretty far. Sure you can concentrate on the old pals with names like
Heinrich but he is only the one who knows things. You also need the
active younger ones who deal with English and have email. So give it a
shot and send that 20 something letters.

Your German is nice, sure there are mistakes but nothing that would hurt
the content - I would leave it like this as it is very personal and nice
like it is

Sven
Melle near Osnabrück, recently in Nowy Sacz near Tatra Mountains, Poland
www.honerkamps.de/honerkamp/index.html