Hello everyone,
I'm new to the mailing list here. I've looked through all of the archived messages and did not find any information related to my current project.
I'm seeking any information, suggestions, or even a professional geneologist versed in the subject listed below. Many thanks in advance for any response.
I am seeking information on the Goldschmidt family from Brake prior to 1850, specifically my direct paternal descendent Abraham Goldschmidt and his family. Details are as follows.
Abraham Goldschmidt (b. Feb-6 1824 location unkown, d. May-17 1904 Columbus, OH) arrived in the USA on Sept. 9, 1947. The ship record indicates that he left Bremen, arrived Baltimore, with destination Cincinnati. He was a joiner, cabinet maker, or Schreiner. The orgin is listed as Brake. On his naturalization intent he lists his previous residence as Grand Duchy of Oldenburg. His father's name was Julius or Isaac Goldschmidt. The cemetry where he is buried lists Julius, his Ohio death cert. lists Isaac. Mother's name is Hannah according to the death cert. This is all of the information I have on Abraham as it relates to his origin in Germany.
Also on the ship record Abraham is traveling with two women; Betty Goldschmidt age 44 (born ~ 1804) and a Dorete Goldschmidt age 25 (born ~ 1820). They are all listed with the same origin, Brake and destination Cincinnati.
I found Betty Goldschmidt from Brake, born 1804, listed in the book "Geshichte der Juden in Bremen" [Max Markreich]. She's listed as the house keeper for Hesekiel Jacob Alexander in 1825. Also mentioned is that her father is Isaac Goldschmidt from Brake.
Another text "Vom Gaste, den Joden und den Fremden: zur Ethnographie von Immigration" [Anne E. Dünzelmann] also mentions Betty Goldschmidt from Brake as a servent in 1825, town of Hastedt
I can only assume that this Betty Goldschmidt from Brake is the same traveling with Abraham in 1847 - there just couldn't be that many Betty Goldschmidts kickin' around Brake in the early 1800's.
Additionally, I located a text "Historisches Handbuch der jüdischen Gemeinden in Niedersachsen" Volume 2 [Herbert Obenaus,David Bankier,Daniel Fraenke] that discusses the settlement of Brake and the first Jews with Shutzbreife. The first mention is of Joseph Benjamin Goldschmidt from Harpstedt/Elsfleth and that his stepson Isaac Benjamin Goldschmidt received a Shutzbreif for Brake in 1800. He left Brake in 1802 and lived in Stotel and Ovelgoenne, returning to Brake in 1814.
If my logic is correct this Isaac Benjamin Goldschmidt is the father of Betty Goldschmidt from Brake that traveled with my relative Abraham to the USA in 1847.
I have reviewed the text "Die Familie Goldschmidt - Oldenburg" [Gerhard Ballin], but there is no direct mention of the people I am searching and I see no direct connection.
I'm open to any and all suggestions for further research. I live near Frankfurt and plan to visit the Oldenburg region this fall to perform research - but I'd like to be well prepared before I go.
Many thanks
Clayton Goldsmith