Mid-September I posted the message below. I had one response asking about me what town in Hannover my ancestor was from. I have no idea how to find that answer. Does anyone know where I should begin?
Thanks,
Ginny in AZ
If you know where they first joined a church in America, I would look at
their earliest records. I know that here in central Missouri, many times
the name of the home town in Germany is listed in the church records. If
any of the males in the family served in the Union army, their military
record would also list the place of birth.
Good luck,
Neil in mid-Mo.
Ginny - if you can find the declaration of intention/naturalization papers for Henry, it may give a hint as to the town. Ship records may help pinpoint the year for their emigration. Do you know what port they came into? Also, regarding the census, I wouldn't necessarily believe that two children were born in the same year of the same mother. Did you compare the 1870 census to 1860 or 1880? Did you get the same results? Since you think they were Lutheran, the one other possibility for finding their town of origin is to look in the church records here. Sometimes, depending on the preacher who was doing the recording, he might have put down where the people were originally from. Old newspapers or county "brag books" published in the late 1800's are also a possible source of information. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Sylvia
Wow Ginny, that is like looking for John Smith in the
States!!
First, lets look at the names:
Henry William Meyer will probably be Heinrich Willhelm.
Mary will probably be Marie.
Fred will probably be Friedrich or Friederich.
I have seen Charlotte, but not often. More often, I have
seen it spelled Scharlotte.
As for Caroline, I don't recall ever seeing it in German
lists. Also, remember, people can spell their names
however they want to.
I agree with Neil in that church records are probably the
best source for you, unless you can nail down emigration,
immigration and or ships lists. You do have an advantage
here. That is the year almost has to be 1854--two
children born that year, one in Germany (Prussia) and one
in the States.* Also, records made prior to 1871 will
probably refer to Prussia. Here is an URL: which might help:
CastleGarden.org
With respect to church records, work on the three children
who were born in Germany. Confirmation and marriage
records do many times reveal home towns.
When looking at church records, pay attention to the
godparents, witnesses, etc. who participated at church
events. Chances are good that they may have come from the
same area in Germany.
*I just noted that you used the 1870 census for your information. I do not believe that birth dates were given on that census, just the age at the time the census was taken. In other words if the census was taken June 26, 1870 and it states a child was 5 years old, it could mean that he was born June 26, 1865 or as far back as June 27, 1864. Either way, he would still be 5 years old on the date of the census. I would not stick to 1854 as being the year of immigration, but use a three year window.
Gale
I'll offer up a few random tips here:
- Try to concentrate your research on this side of 'the pond' when starting out, with whatever you can gather up (memorabilia, family records and photos, ancestors' letters, etc.). Then analyze what you have for data and additional clues. Only after you have done sufficient work on the American side will you be ready to 'cross the bridge' into German exploration. Needless to say, this effort could take some time, or you may luck out rather quickly (but don't count on it).
- Attempt to acquire the birth, and better yet, death records of your grandparents - and their parents - if at all possible. Goldmines of information can also be gleaned from your ancestors' obituaries, if they can be located. This includes collateral relations to boot.
- Get to know the LDS (Church of Latter Day Saints) record holdings, both via Family Research Centers as found in most good size cities (most possessing remarkable microfilm collections), and per their online website. Zero in on as many U.S. census records as you can (as already noted, some contain much more information than others). After sufficient research, you will eventually try to move onto their various German record holdings. But first things first, as this will no doubt take a bit of time. As always, the baby must learn to crawl before it can walk.
- There are also libraries, government archives, genealogical and historical societies, cemeteries and online genealogy lists like this one to look into. Don't be afraid to ask questions and follow up on off-the-wall hunches. If you're not familiar with Google (or any of its online brethren) as an all-around search tool (to include matters genealogical), get hip quick.
- Also be prepared to hunker down for the long haul. Not everything will come easy (as you may have already discovered), but often when things look bleakest, a lucky (or well earned) break will find its way to you. And all of a sudden, hope springs eternal.
- Finally, avoid letting notions and first impressions evolve prematurely into "fixed ideas". Nothing is more counter-productive to making headway in family/ancestral research than searching with a less than open mind. Trust me, anything is possible at any time and any place. This is as true back in the good old days as it is today. Our ancestors weren't really that much different when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of human nature, and human failings.
I could go on more along these lines but I'll leave you with a recent post from one of the members of a related list (is nothing sacred Jb?). Though pertaining to a different topic, it addresses a number of the issues you'll face starting off in German family research, particularly having to DETERMINE THE CITY OR VILLAGE your family came from (as critical as anything for making the ultimate connection). If you can learn from those who, like you, had to trip and stumble a bit when starting out (though this continues to happen with maddening regularity even as time goes <gr>), and thus learned things the true blue but often hard way, you will most certainly profit.
Good hunting!
Jb
SoCal
Dear Ginny,
Sinse Meyer such a common surname you might begiin your search with your grandmother Meyer's maiden name especially if the name is less common. Sinse they immigrated after they were married its worth concidering that they might have origins from bordering villiages or even the same villiage.
Where did they evenutally settle in the U.S.? If you study the census records (especially samaller U.S. towns) you'll find that many immigrant families share similar origins. They often came in groups or/or put down roots in the towns where friends, neighbors, or relatives that also immigrated and wrote home about.
Old county historys even without individual biograhies often report waves of immigration of various nationalities, which can be helpful. If the town historys mentions circa 1850-1855 came to ..... town many people from the Kingdom of Hannover. Then if all else faiils you can study census' and look for other immigrant families with less common surname living nearby who originated from Hannover and glean info that way.
Definately, definately try to discover as much information in the U.S. records as possible first.
Warmest Regards,
Barbie
P.S. I have the surname Meyer in my tree paternally, maternally as well as kissin cousins...:)....and .for the most part...have no firm data on origins.
....
Dear Ginny,
The way I discovered the names of my GG's was by locating my gggrandparents civil marriage record filed with the city recorder which noted the church they were married in. With the name of church in hand I was able to view that churches marriage record and obtain the parents names...not only that..I was then able to view baptismal records of their children and the names of the sponsers.
If you ancestors had more than one child chances are very good you will be able to discover the maiden name of female parent...even if you must start with your own parents, their parents and any siblings they may have.
Something I found really neat was locating an ancestor on the 1880 Family Search census online and being able to view entire households. Enumerated on the same page (I believe) was data on at least 2 other familes who (I believe) were baptismal sponsers to my ancestors kids...
Barbie-Lew
St. Louis
Dear Listies,
I have also seen Charlotte as Charlotta. I think spelling depends on the person creating the record.
One of my surnames is Feldhaus. I have seen the name in 1880 (2enumerations) Felthaus and Feldhaus. In 1870 the name was spelled Pheldhouse....lol 
I think Meyer is especially hard. You might find Meyer, Meyers, Meier, Meiers, Myer, Myers and perhaps even Mayars. ..lol
Barbie
Thanks so much for your response, Neil. The only mention of a church was my grandfather's baptismal record. When I wrote for a copy of the certificate and more info, all I got was the certificate. The family first settled in Hermann, Gasconade Co. Mo, and in writing the churches there I got negative answers! Thanks for the suggestions and good luck in your research!
Ginny in AZ
The www.castlegarden.org shows this passenger record:
H.w. Meyer Occupation Farmer
Age 27
Sex M
Literacy U
Arrived 6 Aug 1853
Origin Germany
Port Bremen
Last Residence Kierchausen
Destination St.louis
Plan Unknown
Ship Neptune
Passage Unknown
But not the other family members.
Kierchausen is not present in Germany, but in southern of Germany are two Kirchhausen, not in Hannover
Werner Honkomp
Thank you sooo much for sending this - you have helped my crack a very old road block (when I typed in my names)!!!
On to more research!!
Marlene
Hi Ginny:
Werner has a finding here that has several items which are
relevant:
The initials are H W
The age is 27
The year of immigration is with in 6 months
The destination is St Louis, which is not too far from
Herman
However, in opposition (based on your info.) is that Werner's finding is a man from Kirchhausen and he would probably be Catholic.
I understand that the Castle Garden data is not yet complete, so keep looking. I think that I found only 9 pages of Meyers. If it were complete, I would expect the number of pages to be in the hundreds.
Gale
Ginny
Are you in AZ? I live not too far from Herman. Have you tried
naturalization records in Franklin County, MO?
I didn't see the original message so don't know the entire questions that
you asked.
I know of someone, who not only got the naturalization records for her
person but, the letter of intent and it was quite extensive. It might have
just been luck on her part but, worth a try.
Herman is a very German area if, you aren't familiar with the area and very
beautiful.
Pat
Hello Ginny,
I might as well get my two cents worth here, too! When you first
wrote of the Meyer family, I checked the emigration archives. Hannover
lists 176 Heinrich Meyer (or variation of), 16 Caroline Meyer, 11 Charlotte,
and 65 Marie (Mary). That is the problem with having to search for such a
common name as Meyer. And since many people had 2 or 3 or even 4 names
listed, one never knows whether any Heinrich Wilhelm Meyer went by Heinrich
or Wilhelm. And there are other ways to spell Meyer--Meier, Mayer, Maier.
In addition, the Osnabrück and the Wolfenbüttel list many Meyers as well.
I don't know how big a city Hermann Mo. is, but would your Meyer family
be related to the Henry August Meyer from Hermann who was the son of Ernst
Henry Meyer from Holzhausen Prussia? This is from an article about Herman
Mo:
Ancestry® | Family Tree, Genealogy & Family History Records
As others have said, you are probably going to have to look at American
records to find the birthplace of Henry William Meyer. I just did a Google
search for a Herman Mo. church and there are 10 listed. You should write
any likely ones that might have Christening records or death for any of the
Meyer children born there. The LDS has microfilm for Herman and quite a few
for Gasconade County.
I wish you luck!
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
I know the name is really common. I have never seen mine spelled any differently. It is true that Henry was listed that way in most records but the 1870 record has him as William! That is my earliest record and the one that gives his and his wife's birthplace as Hannover.
Do the emigration archives not give family groups like our census records! Henry did have a son, August Meyer born in 1863. Thanks for your help. I am going to work with google a bit more.
Ginny in AZ
Hi Ginny,
I have been following the discussion about researching your MEYER ancestors
with interest because I went through similar problems looking for my several
MEYER lines. My son lived for a number of years in Hermann, MO so I am also
familiar with that area. I did a few quick searches myself.
I had no problem finding your MEYER family in the census of 1860, 1870 and
1880 but they were all enumerated in St Louis. Here is a listing of the
family names in each of those years.
1860
Fred Meyer 32 Hanover
Mary 32 Hanover
Wilhelmine 13 Hanover
Charlotte 9 Hanover
Lena 7 Hanover
Fred 6 Hanover
Henry 4 Mo
Carl 1 Mo
1870
Wm Meyer 43 Hanover
Mary 43 Hanover
Charlotte 19 Hanover
Caroline 17 Hanover
Fred 16 Hanover
Ferd? 15 Mo
John 12 Mo
Wm 11 Mo
Chs 10 Mo
Lina 8 Mo
August 7 Mo
Herm 6 Mo
1880
Meyer, Henry Wm 52 Germany
Mary 53 "
Friedr. Wm 25 Gasconnade, Mo
Johann 22 "
August 17 "
Wilhelm 20 "
Hermann 15 "
Charles 20 St Louis, MO
Ernst 9 "
Lina 19 Missouri
I think you will also find Mary Meyer in the 1900 Census of St Louis living
with her granddaughter.
None of this solves the problem of finding their home village but it perhaps
shows that you should be looking in the St Louis church and civil records.
The St Louis Library has a wonderful genealogy section with many of the
records on microfilm. Death records and birth records may have the
information you are looking for.
Good luck with your research.
Paul Scheele
Hi Ginny, my grand-grandmother's maiden name is Meyer, Doris Sophie Marie and her twin sister's name, Wilhelmine Marie Louise born April 6 1839 between 5 and 6 in the morning in Noepke near Neustadt am Rübenberge which belongs to the Hannover area.
Father, Johann Heinrich Mayer born April 6 1809 in Noepke, mother Marie Dorothea Karsten born July 7 1808 in Nöpke. It was said my gr.gr.mothers twin sister went later to the US. I can imagine that she followed or went in company with a brother to the US.
Doris maried 1855 in Husum my gr gr father Heinrich Friedrich Beermann, born 1832 in Linsburg near Nienburg.
Kind Regards
Karl H Beermann
"Ginny C" <ggineil@cybertrails.com> schrieb:
Wow Ginny, that is like looking for John Smith in the
States!!First, lets look at the names:
slight addition here
Henry William Meyer will probably be Heinrich Willhelm.
Mary will probably be Marie.
or the more common Maria.
Fred will probably be Friedrich or Friederich.
or just plain Fritz
I have seen Charlotte, but not often. More often, I have
seen it spelled Scharlotte.
Never saw it spelled that way. Carlotte/a is the
norm.
As for Caroline, I don't recall ever seeing it in German
lists. Also, remember, people can spell their names
however they want to.
Caroline/a is a perfectly normal German name.
Fred
Fred & Marlies Rump
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