Hans Christian Maas was born on June 12, 1830. Married Carolina Wilhelminna
Frederihe (born May 25, 1831). Their son Hans Christopher married Cristine
Waqdalena Qieb. Their son, Chis, was born in Oldenburg, Germany June 29,
1879. He immigrated at age 16/17 to Nebraska, USA. Any information
regarding this family is greatly appreciated.
Hi Richard--
I have a Maas family in my datafile. John Henry (Johann Heinrich) Maas was born 24 Nov. 1826 in the Grandduchy of Oldenburg; he died 3 Jun 1909 near Homstead, Nebraska and is buried in the churchyard of St. John's Church there. He immigrated I think in the middle of the 19th century, and worked for the Amana Community in Homestead (though I don't think he was a member of it). Maas was the third husband of my gr-gr-grandmother, Caroline Ruehrdans (who came from Mecklenburg-Schwerin), but he certainly had a wife before her, by whom he had three daughters that I know of. His family was Lutheran, and originated on Hofstelle Lange in Buttel, Geimeinde Neuenhuntorff, Duchy of Oldenburg. He was following in the footsteps of relatives who had come earlier, and whose migration to Nebraska is reported somewhere on the Web, though at the moment I cannot find the file in which this data is stored. It is a very interesting story. I have a picture of this couple.
On a trip to Germany a few years ago I saw the homestead from which he came. It still retains a great deal of it the old character, including the old home.
If this seems like the family you are searching, let me know, and I will make a serious search to find all the data for you.
Thirty or so years ago I was in Homestead and looked at the phonebook there for Maas families would could be relatives. There was a whole page full. You might want to try calling some of them to see if anyone has done a thorough family history of the Maas family.
A person in Germany whom you might contact--he knows a lot about the Maas family--is Manfred Moennich, 78 Parkstrasse, 27798 Hude, Germany. (Telephone 04408/1807). Unfortunately, Manfred does not speak English, so unless you speak German a phone call would not be of much help. He is also not computerized, so the letter must be sent snail mail. It can be in either English or German, as he has people who translate for him. His hobby is helping Americans trace their roots, so don't hesitate to write. His area of expertise would include the Neuenhuntorff area. It's a lovely village, and if this is your family, I have pictures of the village which may interest you.
I'll be interested in hearing back. You can email me direct at hugoschro@earthlink.net.
Hugo Schroeder
Liverpool, PA
Without further info on my side of the Maas family, I would not be able to
make the connection to the family you mentioned. Researching the Maas
family name if like looking for Smith or Jones in the U.S. Where is
Homstead, Nebraska located? I couldn't find in an atlas. I will write to
Manfred to see if he can help. Thank you for your reply and I will get back
to you if I find anything.
Richard Metteer
Lincoln, NE
Have you looked here:
www.genealogienetz.de/vereine/OGF/auswanderer/auswanderer.html
Charlie
Hi again--
Homestead in is Iowa County. Since the Amana Co is still an important industry (makers of refrigerators, etc.), you may find it on their website. Google Earth shows the location at 41 degrees, 45 minutes, 34. seconds North by 91 degrees 52 minutes, 01 seconds West. That should enable youto find it in the atlas. A road map should certainly show it, as it is a reasonable sized town. .
I'll see if I can find the more detailed informaion on the family. Since you ancestor settled in Nebraska, I'm sure they would have been related.
Hugo
Moin Hugo,
Do you think that a homestead is in Iowa a county? If so, you are on the wrong way.
Homestead is a home and its land; the land being granted under the American Homestead Act.
Hans-Georg Boyken
Titonka, IA 50480-0269, USA
Hugo:
Thank you for the information. My confusion came from the message that
referred to Homstead, Nebraska whereas; your next message referred to
Homstead, Iowa.
Richard
My Mistake!
A large number of the people who settled at first in Homestead, Iowa, moved thereafter to Nebraska. My own gr-grandfather did so, settling in Dodge Co., Nebraska.
Hugo
Moin Hans
Yes, you are certainly right that "homestead" in English means something akin to German Hof (as I understand German, at least). But in Iowa County, Iowa, there is also a town named Homestead, which was settled by German immigrants, many of whom (including my ancestors) came from Oldenburg, especially the areas of Holle, Hude and thereabouts. I suppose the town was named after the Homestead Act.
Today Homestead, Iowa, is known principally as the center of the Amana industries, maker of appliances. But it really is a lovely town, and worth a visit.
Hugo Schroeder
Liverpool, PA USA