I am researching my grandfather's ancestry. Following is what I know about
his family:
J�rgan Gerhard ONKEN (d. Heidm�hle, in the 1880's) and Gretje RADEMACHER (b.
2 June 1851 in Aurich-Oldendorf) had (probably) three children - Edo (unsure
of spelling), Enno (unsure of spelling), and Hinrich "Henry" Gerhard ONKEN.
When J�rgan died, Gretje re-married to a BOHLKEN and later to a PIELSTICK
(unsure of spelling).
Hinrich "Henry" Gerhard ONKEN (b. 29 April 1881 in Heidm�hle, baptized 19
June 1881 in Heidm�hle, confirmed 7 Apr 1895 in Reepsholt, d. 28 Dec 1945 in
Ewington twp, Jackson, Minnesota) married Rieke Tjebbend SIEBELS (b. 26 Mar
1886 in Belfort, baptized 10 Apr 1887, confirmed 8 Apr 1900 in Fedderwarden,
d. 18 Apr 1950 in Worthington, Nobles, Minnesota) on 24 June 1905 in
Fedderwarden. The marriage was performed by ? TIARKS and witnessed by Julius
Gustan SIEBELS, a carpenter, and Louisa Frederika PAPKEN (or POPKEN?) geb.
FOLKERS. I am unsure how or if these people are related.
Rieke Tjebbend SIEBELS was the daughter of Johann Hinrich SIEBELS (b. 3 May
1857 in Germany, d. 7 Dec 1931 in Blomberg) and Louisa Maria Henrietta
Wilhelmina REINERS (b. 21 Feb 1861 in Prussia?, d. 25 Aug 1935 in Blomberg).
Louisa REINERS was the daughter of J�li�s Ricklef(s) REINERS (b. about 1835,
possible mother - Rike or Rieke) and Gesine Catharine GERDES (b. 22 June
1838 in Fedderwarden). I have more information on Gesine GERDES' ancestors,
but none on any of the other ancestors.
Hinrich ONKEN and Rieke SIEBELS had ten children:
1. Marie Gretchen Louise ONKEN HULS (b. 19 July 1906 in Neuender, baptized
23 Sept 1906 in Neuende)
Godparents were Georg Wilhelm ONKEN (unsure of relation), Tantye Marie ONKEN
(unsure of relation), and Louise Marie SIEBELS (either the grandmother or an
aunt).
2. Johannes "Hans" J�rgan Heinrich ONKEN (b. 20 June 1908 in Heppens,
baptized 16 Aug 1908 in Heppens)
Godparents were not listed.
*In 1910, the family moved to Sterling, Whiteside, Illinois.
3. Lisbeth Gesine Auguste ONKEN SAATHOFF (b. 9 Aug 1910 in Sterling,
baptized 20 Aug 1911 in East Genessee, d. 1932)
Godparents were Auguste BUHROW (an aunt) and Gesine IDEUS (an aunt).
*In 1912, the family moved to Rost twp, Jackson county, Minnesota.
4. Gerhard "Jerry" Schwerd Richard ONKEN (b. 10 Sept 1912 in Rost twp,
baptized 6 Oct 1912 in Rost twp)
Godparents were Gerhard RADEMACHER and Sara RADEMACHER (grand uncle and
wife).
5. Friedrich "Fritz" Wilhelm Theodor ONKEN (b. 22 Apr 1915 in Rost twp,
baptized 9 May 1915 in Rost twp)
Godparents were Fritz HENNING and Wiebkea? HENNING (unsure of relation, if
any).
6. Arnold Albert Bernhard ONKEN (b. 11 July 1917 in Rost twp, baptized 22
July 1917 in Rost twp, d. 1935)
Godparents were Albert SCHOONE and Bina SCHOONE (unsure of relation, if
any).
* The family moved to Ewington twp, Jackson county, Minnesota.
7. August Ludwig Karl ONKEN (b. 13 Dec 1919 in Ewington twp, baptized 4 Jan
1920 in Rost twp)
Godparents were Albert RADEMACHER and Albertine RADEMACHER (first cousin
once removed and wife).
8. Anna Leonore Dorothea ONKEN SCHULTZ (b. 24 May 1922 in Rost twp, baptized
11 June 1922 in Rost twp)
Godparents were Louis GRUESSING and Anna GRUESSING (first cousin once
removed and husband).
9. Walter Herman Lehnert ONKEN (b. 12 Nov 1924 in Rost twp, baptized 14 Nov
1924 in Rost twp)
Godparents were Lehnert H. ACKERMANN and Dorothea ACKERMANN (neighbors -
probably not related).
10. Reinold "Mike" Herold Alfred ONKEN (b. 5 July 1927 in Ewington twp,
baptized 24 July 1927 in Rost twp)
Godparents were Hilda BOHLKEN (aunt), Rolf SCHMIDT (unsure of relation, if
any), and Anna SCHMIDT (unsure of relation, if any).
Does anyone recognize any of these names? Any help in finding ancestors or
more information about those listed would be appreciated. Thanks!
Joy