As regards terminology that is referenced on a entry found on Ancestry.com "Brandenburg Emigration Records" database for a passenger who emigrated in 1853 to North America. Can anyone suggest the meaning of the German word "Riemengeselle" as found in the database column heading: "Standing"?
I assume that the column in question addressed the question of the occupation/profession of the emigrant. When I tried a literal translation using the 'Google' translation tool for the word "Riemengeselle" it translated to "belt-association".
There must be a another (better) explanation for the meaning of the German term ""Riemengeselle".
Thank you,
Bette
Message: 6
Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006 03:29:38 -0700
From: "Leslie Kohler" <aug67@cox.net>
Subject: Re: [GEN-EN] Help needed with Prussian Ancestor
To: "Genealogy.net-users-en" <genealogy.net-users-en@genealogy.net>
Message-ID: <002101c707d7$c9972f40$55dc6c44@dualcore170>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
. We were lucky enough to finally find Christian's record of emigration in the
there is no 'Riemengeselle' but a 'Riemenschläger', this is a person who
puts all the fancy
things and ornaments on a strap or a belt.., probably with a hammer and
rivets as the
word 'Schläger' suggests.
To learn this trade, you first have to be an apprentice, then a 'Geselle' to
get more
practical experience and then you can forward to be a master of the trade to
make fancy
straps and belts..
Kathleen, Thank you for the information and for the link although I was not at all successful on the website. My problem on the web site seem to be with the word (Riemen geselle) itself and the search engine's inability to make the translation. I will settle for your explanation.
Bette
If you split the word in two: Riemen geselle
it could mean oarsman, journeyman, an assistant;
companion.
View other possibilities ...
Could it also read Riemer? In parts of Germany a man who
made belts was called a Riemer.
Belts were not only used to fasten clothing but also in the
industry: conveyor belts, belts to drive various machinery.
A famous German painter is known by the name Riemenschneider.
This is derived from an old profession of the same name:
who cuts belts from cow hide and the like.
Could it also read Riemer? In parts of Germany a man who
made belts was called a Riemer.
Belts were not only used to fasten clothing but also in the
industry: conveyor belts, belts to drive various machinery.
A famous German painter is known by the name Riemenschneider.
This is derived from an old profession of the same name:
One who cuts belts from cow hide and the like.