Frederick Daniel and David Levi MYERS migrated from Orangeburg District, SC between 1809 and 1820. Daniel settled in Whistler, AL on the Gulf Coast and David settled in Perry County, MS
David Levi Myers 1771-1849 m: Sarah Wolfe 1785
Children:James Frederick, John Washington, Porter Jacob, Levi, Rachel, Sarh, Levisa, Elizabeth
Their son, Porter Jacob 1815 m: Renvy B. Rhodes 1815-1874
One of their children, Theadore Lewis 1845-1910 was my grandfather.
I have quite a bit of information on the descendants but would really like to know something about my European ancestors.
The only hint I have about my roots is family lore that says we were “black dutch” . My German friend said we were probably “Platt Deustch”,
people who fled to the plateau area of Germany. Where that might be, I do not know.
I really would appreciate any help anyone could give me to find my roots.
Thank you.
Ktherine Myers King
continuing on my journey.......
As Barbara correctly writes the South of Germany is a lot higher and
mountainous compared to Northern Germany which is officially, geographically
called ´ die Norddeutsche Tiefebene´ the North German Plain.
However the expression Plattdeutsch refers to the language.
Plattdeutsch is a language in itself, not classed as a dialect.
It is spoken in many areas of Germany with slight differences in the
pronunciation.
I myself had one set of grandparents from Pommern who would call me `mien
lütt Diern´ while the grandparents in Hamburg would say `mien lütt Deern´ (my
little girl). One granddad had a `pierd´, the other one had a `peerd´ (horse). If
one calls the language `low German´ I would like to point out that this
expression has nothing to do with social class. A day labourer on the large
country estates would speak plattdeutsch just as a rich merchant and senator or
alderman would.
I would be ready to believe that your family is referring to the language the
immigrants spoke otherwise black Dutch are swarthy-complexioned Dutch
people beginning with the children of Spanish soldiers and Dutch women to
nowadays Dutch people who originate from the former colonies for instance in
South-East-Asia.
Regards
Ingrid
Date sent: Thu, 12 Feb 2015 01:11:21 -0500 (EST)
"High German" is the mountainous area in Southern Germany.
As you head North to the coast the land flattens out, that is "Low
German."
Thank you so much for your response. Information I got from one source says that
Frederick Daniel Myers’s headstone indicates he was born in Hamburg but another
source says he was born in Orangeburg County, SC. I had absolutely no information
about Plattdeutsch and Black Dutch and i feel a little more educated now.
You mentioned Barbara. I did not get an e-mail from her. I will go to the Facebook
site and see if it is there.
Hello Katherine,
Hamburg as a birthplace where people speak plattdeutsch is perfect
as the great seaport city (on the banks of the river Elbe) is located right
there in the 'lower land'.
I received Barbara's mail via the mailing list as I am not in facebook myself.
Hamburg's award winning emigration museum. Very impressive, went there
several times with guests.
Best wishes for more success with your search.
Ingrid
Thank you so much for your response. Information I got from one source says
that
Frederick Daniel Myers´s headstone indicates he was born in Hamburg but
another
source says he was born in Orangeburg County, SC. I had absolutely no
information
about Plattdeutsch and Black Dutch and i feel a little more educated now.
You mentioned Barbara. I did not get an e-mail from her. I will go to the
Facebook
site and see if it is there.
Ingrid,
Thank you for the information. I have been to Hamburg and loved the city. Didn’t know then
that it might be my ancestors home. From the pictures, the museum looks fantastic - very well done.
Unfortunately, my ancestor Frederick Daniel Myers was born in 1792 and migrated before 1850
when the museum records start. But I’ll continue searching.
Regards,
Katherine