Hi Everyone,
I am trying to get information on my grandfather and his family.
The story I was told is that Joseph August Knop, son of Casimir Knop and Anna Latzke (born in 1866, in Konitz) was taken into the army by von Bismark, because of his large size. He had to take care of the horses and polish Bismark’s boots. Not liking the job, his family hid him in a hay cart and got him out of the country. He came to America.
I cannot find any information on his father’s family (Casimir Knop) or his mother’s family (Anna Latzke). I don’t know if Joseph had any brothers or sister either. It is a dead end for me unless someone out there has knowledge of this family.
I would greatly appreciate any help I can get.
Karen L’Heureux
Hi Karen,
in ancestry (only indexes, no documents) you can find a brother of Joseph
August Knop, Michael August Knop, born in September 1855, baptized on
Sept.,16th, 1855 in Konitz, West Prussia. Father Casimir Knop, mother Anna
Latzkowska. There is also a sister Wilhelmine Auguste Knop, born January
20th, 1872, baptized January, 28th, 1872 in Kamin (Kreis Flatow), West
Prussia. Also another sister, Caroline Wilhelmine Knop, born November 1856,
baptized November, 9th, 1856 in Konitz. Here the mothers name is spelled as
Laszkowski.
Another sister Auguste Emilie Knop, born may , 7th, 1861 in Neukirch (Kreis
Konitz), West Prussia. Father is spelled Casimir Knopp, mother ...na
Laskowski. One last sister Rosalie Cecilie Knop, born june, 1859, baptized
june, 19th, 1859 Konitz, West Prussia.
Ulrike Schmidt
Hello Karen,
Your grandfather was born at 16th Jan. 1866 in Schlagenthin, Konitz County, West Prussia to Casimir Knop and Anna Latzke. He was baptized as August Joseph (not Joseph August) at 21th Jan. 1866 in the church of Schlagenthin or in the church of Lichnau. Godparents were Paul Schmelter and Rosa Tabath. The baptize is recorded in the baptize registry of Lichnau Parish #1866/11.
Regards from Peter