Greetings! This is our first post to this list.
My sisters and I are looking for information on our great grandfather
Henry Heitmann. Recently we were given several family photos - one of
his brother Casper Heitmann's family - the photographer was F.B.
Albers - Essen Oldenburg. We hope this may give a clue to the Henry's
town of origin. Photos can be seen at this link:
Henry Heitmann was born 13 May 1850 in Germany, died 23 Oct 1916 in
St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Henry served in the Prussian army (see photo
in uniform in link above). The 1900 US Census lists immigration in
1872 (age 22). He married 29 Oct 1878 to Louisa Knoblauch in St.
Charles, MO (his name is transcribed as John Henry Heidmann). In St.
Louis, he lived on Hickory Street and attended St. Henry’s National
German Catholic Church which was also served by Oldenburg Franciscans.
We find Henry in the 1880, 1900 and 1910 US Census. Henry and Louisa
had 4 daughters: Louise F, Amolia E, Agnes Josephine and Hilda
Bertha.
Henry’s daughter Hilda Bertha Heitmann Billing (our grandmother) told
us Henry was from the Province of Hannover and had three siblings:
Casper, Lasetta and Bernard.
Would there be military records that might list a town of origin? Does
the photograph of Henry in uniform give any additional clues? Does
the photograph by F.B. Albers in Essen Oldenburg suggest places for us
to look for Catholic Church records for Henry and his siblings?
We appreciate any suggestions you might share,
Teri Billing Lane
Jolene Billing Schafman
Pat Billing-Medel
billingfamilyhistory@gmail.com