emigration - Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America (OGSA)

Transcription

OSTFRIESEN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
AMERICAN—OSTFRIESEN ZEITUNG
Eala Freya Fresena! Lever Dod als Slav!
January-March 2010
Volume 13, Issue 1
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OSTFRIESEN GENEALOGICAL
SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Ostfriesen American Zeitung
Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America
January—March 2010 Volume 13, Issue 1
The newsletter of the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America is
published four times a year. Please write: Lin Strong, Editor,
OGSA Newsletter, 168 North Lake Street, Forest Lake, MN 55025
or email - Lin@ogsa.us with comments or suggestions.
We are happy to consider any contributions of genealogical information. Whether we can use your material is based on such factors
as general interest to our members, our need to cover certain subjects, balance through the year and available space. The editor
reserves the right to edit all submitted materials for presentation and
grammar. The editor will correct errors and may need to determine
length of copy.
Contributors are responsible for accuracy, omissions and factual
errors. Cite documentation for facts or statistical information and
give complete source for all abstracted or transcribed records.
OGSA OFFICERS:
President— Gene Janssen: (952) 939-0617 / genejanssen@comcast.net
Vice President—Ray Kleinow: rayk29@comcast.net
Treasurer—Lübbert Kruizenga: luebbert@ogsa.us
Recording Secretary— Sharon Arends: mnmax424@msn.com
BOARD MEMBERS:
Lin Strong: Lin@ogsa.us/lcstrong@frontiernet.net (NEW!) 651-2693580
Jill Morelli: jkmorelli@gmail.com
Rick Gersema: gersey6@msn.com
Zella Mirick: zwmirick@comcast.net
Nancy Jensen: nljen31@msn.com
A list of new board members will be in the April issue.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
 Could you help host an event?
 Would you like to get more involved?
Contact President, Gene Janssen (above) for more information!
Other than the exceptions given, all or part of this publication may
be copied without fee provided that: copies are not made or
distributed for direct title commercial advantage; the OGSA
copyright notice, the name of the publication and its date appear;
and notice is given that copying is by permission of the Ostfriesen
Genealogical Society. You must contact the editor for permission to
publish in any form. Materials not otherwise attributed, were
prepared by the editor.
Copyright @ January 2010
Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America
& Lin Cornelius Strong
Lin Strong, News Editor / Cell 651-269-3580 / Lin@ogsa.us
Please put ―OGSA‖ in the subject line of all correspondence
Contributing Authors: Jill Morelli, Rudy Wiemann, Gene Janssen, Zella
Mirick, Jeanee Thompson
Columnists: Jeanee Thompson, Ray Kleinow, Rudy Wiemann, Lin Strong
NEWSLETTER MAIL ADDRESS:
168 N Lake St., Forest Lake, MN 55025
Please send all newsletter correspondence to this address.
OGSA MEMBERSHIP
OGSA CONTACT INFORMATION
MEMBER PRIVILEGES include four issues of the American-Ostfriesen Zeitung (January, April, July, October), four
program meetings each year and one special event, special
member order discounts, and access to the OGSA library.
OGSA 2010 MEMBERSHIP—Send your check for $18
(download from our website or sent by pdf file) or $28 for
paper copies payable to OGSA, 1670 South Robert Street,
#333, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Foreign membership is $18 if downloaded or sent by pdf
file—$30 if paper copies. You can deposit your membership at Sparkasse Emden if you prefer.
 The membership year is from November 1 through
October 31. Please renew early so you do not miss
an issue! This helps us keep costs down!
 If you join midway during the year, you will receive the
code to download all back issues for that year or paper
copies if you join at the $28 level.
 Online membership for 2007 and 2008 newsletters—
$12 per year; 2009 newsletters+History Issue $18.
 Please include your name, address, email address,
phone number and up to eight names you are researching in Ostfriesland along with their village names.
 If you have any question about your membership, please
do not hesitate to contact the membership coordinator!
 Moving? Let us know as soon as possible!
Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America, January 2010
AMERICAN-OSTFRIESEN ZEITUNG STAFF:
Mail Address: OGSA, 1670 So. Robert St., #333
W. St. Paul, MN 55118
OGSA BOOK COLLECTION LOCATED AT:
MN Genealogical Society, 1185 Concord St. N., So. St. Paul, MN
OGSA Phone No.: (651) 451-6472 (leave message)
Email: ogsa@ogsa.us / info@ogsa.us
OGSA MISSION STATEMENT
OGSA is headquartered in Minnesota and our official name is Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America. Anyone with ancestors from
Ostfriesland or who has an interest in Ostfriesland is welcome to join.
The purpose of the group is exclusively educational, and specifically
to:
 Foster and increase interest in Ostfriesen genealogy.
 Provide an association for those interested in Ostfriesen
genealogy.
 Provide an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge of
Ostfriesland.
 Encourage the establishment of Ostfriesen genealogical resources.
 Hold meetings for the instruction and interest of its members.
 Collect and, when practical, publish genealogical, biographical and
historical material relating to people of Ostfriesen descent.
 Work with other similar societies to preserve and protect
Ostfriesen genealogy and heritage.
Our organization is a 501C3 non-profit organization.
Your donations are tax-deductible.
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EDITOR COLUMN
MOIN, ALLE!
Inside this issue:
Another year has flown by. Thanks for all the Christmas cards and holiday
wishes! The contact is always appreciated.
We can't say we enjoyed the
voyage...
Last year the first newsletter was on emigration. Never before have I had so
many comments, questions and compliments on one issue. So here is another
one! Does your family have an old diary, letters or stories on emigration?
Please consider sharing them with all of us.
As you read this, OGSA is starting it‘s 13th year as an organization. For me, that is unbelievable. If I had known then how much work the newsletters would be, I‘d have run the
other way screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOO! But there have been benefits, too. We now
have Ostfriesian history books translated into English—something that did not exist before.
We have 12 years of articles on Ostfriesian history, culture, customs and genealogy—a legacy for future generations. You can contribute your stories to add to future newsletters—
this is one way all of you can be involved. Or give me the data and I‘ll write it for you!
Only eight months left before our OGSA Conference in Cedar Falls, IA. If you have not
done so, make sure you put August 1-5 on your calendar. Yes, it is a Sunday through
Thursday! We have so many great events planned and you will not want to miss them.
Sunday afternoon we will have an open house tea and program—invite friends and relatives
who live in that area to attend! We will have pictures, art and posters along with door
prizes and fun, too! Do you know the following terms—Bohnensuppe, Rote Grütze,
Kluntje, Boβeln, Klootscheten? You‘d better come and learn all about them and more!
How many of you took the challenge in the History Issue to start journaling? I want to
know! Okay, here is another one!
I am going to challenge each and every one of you this year to get the next generation
involved! Children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews! Do they know where Ostfriesland is? Have you shared some of your stories with them? You can get them involved
just by gifting them a membership to OGSA—and let our newsletters speak for themselves!
An OGSA gift membership includes a newsletter sent to them four times a year—or they
can even download it. It‘s a great year-around gift for any family member. We have over
400 members—can we make 500 before the end of the year? Only with YOUR help!
If you live near enough, invite your children, siblings or other family members to a meeting
or to the conference! For me it was simple enough to invite two grandchildren to our November tea party—along came Dad and the baby, too! They were so impressed with how
friendly everyone was and with the beautiful German-American Institute. Sometimes all it
takes is an invite—we all have to do that! Next year I’m going to invite my nieces and
nephews, too—I need someone to take over our family’s genealogy someday!
4-6
Member News
6
The Norddeutscher Lloyd
7
Ostfriesen Emigrant Pastors
8-10
Take heed of the following…
Moin M’Nanner
10
10
An American Odyssey
11-12
Emigration from Ostfriesland in
the 19th Century
13-15
Dit un Dat, Miscellaneous News
16
And Once They Got Here…
The Ocean Voyage...
17
17
The Diary of Teetje Mennenga of 18-19
Manslagt
News from Ostfriesland
20-21
Ray’s Tech Talk, Miscellaneous
22-23
A German Immigrant’s Letter
Home
If You……….
24-29
29
New Members, Donations
30
Illinois Central Railroad
31
Upcoming Issues, Conference
31
Upcoming Events
32
VISIT US ONLINE
www.ogsa.us
THE OSTFRIESEN EMIGRANTS…
All of us have emigrant ancestors! Why did they leave the comfort of their hearth and home, their parents, siblings and other relatives to venture to a vast land where few other than their own countrymen in the United States, could understand them? What possessed them to give up on their homeland for the unknown? What did they gain by leaving Ostfriesland and coming to America?
Most of them never saw their relatives or their homeland again. Some of them never even made it to America—they died on board
ship and were buried at sea.
Everything in America was so very different from Ostfriesland—the language, the homes, the farms, the churches and the villages,
too. The way of life was also vastly different—in Ostfriesland you knew all your neighbors and in most cases were related to many
in your village. In America the farms were rural, far away from the villages—again very different from their birth village where the
farms were all part of the village. There was isolation and great loneliness. Some immigrants never adjusted—some literally died of
homesickness.
What was hardest for my grandmother was that she never saw her parents again. When there was money enough for her to return,
she refused. It would be unbearable for her to go back only to have to leave again. Amazingly in my research I have found several
families that traveled back and forth every few years—of course they must have done well enough in America to be able to afford
this travel. There was also one family that returned to Ostfriesland after ten years only to return two years later—their life in America had changed them so much that they could not re-assimilate back into Ostfriesian culture. The life of the immigrant was not
easy—there are a lot of stories in this newsletter that will testify to that fact! Read them more than once and read them to your family, too.
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AN EMIGRATION STORY
"We can't say that we enjoyed the voyage"
―Emigrants from the Kolonie Upshört near Wiesede in the
19th Century‖. Ostfriesen Zeitung, Dec. 8, 1999, by
Christa Herzog, author of Upschört Chronicle.
Transl. by Rudy Wiemann
Ostfriesland's population increased greatly during
the first half of the nineteenth century, a time when
harvest yields were declining. Foodstuffs were going up in price, and the social environment prevented many hungry mouths from being fed. For
those who bought a Kolonat, a tract of land in a peat
bog Kolonie, to settle on, stark reality soon trumped
the hope for modest prosperity. The situation under
which these settlers were expected to survive
was often unworthy of the human condition, and
many a settler's family had no choice but to abandon its homestead. Since the forties of that century,
however, the "New World" was offering promising
prospects for a better life.
For Upschört, as for many rural towns, the list of
emigrants is a fairly long one. Those making the
move usually traveled to Bremerhaven where they
found shelter in great halls while awaiting the departure of their ocean going sailing ships. The huge
wave of emigrants leaving the continent in the 19th
century made this port at times Europe's busiest
point of departure. Hopes and fears accompanied
those folks on their way into an uncertain future.
Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and
southeast Nebraska were the most popular destinations for Upschört's emigrants. Nebraska around
1850 was untamed country which so far had attracted fewer than 3,000 newcomers. The United
States gladly received anybody willing to settle its
wide domain and for a long time had no requirements for official papers to be presented for gaining
entry. Government land went for $1.25 per acre.
With the building of the railroads, settlement made
rapid progress. In 1870, Nebraska's inhabitants already numbered 23,000. The state was mostly bare
of trees, which made it relatively easy to start up a
farm. For those hopeful settlers wishing to move
further west, the Missouri River presented an obstacle, as there were few places where the river could
be crossed by ferry. One of those was at Rock Port,
Missouri, where Upschörters settled, including, in
the end, Heinrich Rahmann and Trienke Margarethe, nee Kleihauer. Several folks of Rahmann's
group moved beyond the river to Auburn, Nebraska,
some went as far as California.
The Rahmann family left the peat bog settlement of Upschört with two children and Heinrich's aged mother, Gretje Fooken. They reached Bremerhaven
on June 2, 1847, and two days later their sailing ship cast off. In a letter
home Rahmann wrote about the voyage, "On the 4th we sailed into the North
Sea. On the 5th, 6th, and 7th we took shelter from a storm, and on the 8th we
sailed on. On the 10th we saw the (Westfriesian) island of Texel, and on the
12th we saw England to the right and France to the left. We had headwind
most of the time.
We can't say that we enjoyed the voyage. We were given enough to eat and
drink, but it was of very poor quality. My mother, my wife, and I suffered
from seasickness, my mother worse than the rest of us. Our two children
remained healthy throughout the trip. We saw many big and beautiful fish,
easily a thousand of them, which were as large as a horse, but time moved
very slowly for us before we finished our crossing. It took two months. On
July 28 we arrived in New York feeling hale and hearty. We were all full of
joy that the good Lord had helped us this far."
Ocean crossings were still made by sailing ship for a long time after the introduction of regular steamship connections between Europe and America,
which already existed back in 1838. These windjammers often offered only
the barest essentials in comfort, sanitary furnishings, and safety. Undertaking
a voyage on one of them was anything but pleasurable. It took eight or more
weeks to traverse the great, watery expanse, as made clear in a letter by
Heinrich and Trienke Rahmann: "It often was wet and cold. Only once we
were given a few potatoes. Twice a week we got rice, twice a week pearl
barley, twice a week peas, once a week beans, and once a week sauerkraut.
The water was bad and the beacon and meat no one could eat. The beacon
was too salty and the meat stank. The food was cooked very thin. At first we
couldn't get anything to drink at all, and then mostly bad water. ... 56 days
we were on that big ship until we finally arrived in New York. The Americans did a great job looking after us, such as very likely no one would have
in Germany. They eat and drink well here, like in Germany on wedding
days, and that goes for the servants as well as for the owners."
The Rahmanns suggested the following tips for those crossing the ocean,
"Should there be anybody else wanting to come over here, he or she should
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most of all take provisions on board, particularly jugs of
egg beer*, fortified with syrup, sugar, and brandy to
keep it from spoiling. Also bring zwieback, because
when one gets seasick one cannot stomach the ship's
rations."
On August 1st the family left New York on the way to
St. Louis. "Three times we were on a steamer and twice
on a canal boat, which was cumbersome and cost us a
lot of money. Those who want to move here should sail
to New Orleans." But most of the immigrants who survived the crossing and stepped off the ship in New York
in good shape were soon putting thoughts of the home
country on hold as they made plans for moving on. A
letter from Trienke Rahmann's brother testifies to the
often conflicting emotions of the newcomer:
"Petersburg, September 6, 1859. Dear Parents,
Brother, Brother-in-Law, and Sisters! I received your
last letter from July 28 on August 28 and see by it that
you are still all well, only that you have had trouble with
your hand, and that the finger has remained stiff, and
that therefor work has become more difficult, so that you
wish that I should return as soon as possible. If I had
gotten that letter two weeks sooner, I would surely have
come. You say that I should not be apprehensive about
the war. That alone is good news. I would also be less
displeased than before knowing that since the partitioning of the pastureland commons conditions have improved. I hope that I will not dislike it quite so much any
more. But should things indeed be like before, I must say
that I would like it better here. Should you have white
bread and roast beef on the table every day and a keg of
beer in the house, I would like it there as well. But even
if you don't, I will, if I stay healthy, nevertheless come
and help as much as it is in my power to do so ... ." The
brother did not return home.
Joy and sadness accompanied the families on their trip.
Heinrich Rahmann writes in 1847, "When we arrived in
the city of St. Louis, Gretje Boien met us on the steam
ship. We went with her to her home. We stayed for two
weeks, and then our mother and son got sick. We had the
doctor come for both, but no help was possible. In September the good Lord took our son Hinrich Gerdes to
himself. Two weeks later our mother died; after a short
illness Focke Rahmann died; 6-7 days later Johann
Rahmann and Mareken Rahmann, my sister, passed
away." On March 22, 1854, Heinrich Rahmann and four
countrymen went to California to work in the gold
fields. There they could earn $10-12 per day. Trienke
stayed behind with the two younger children, Johann
and Gerd Janssen (George), at her brother-in-law's. The
oldest son, Ihnke, stayed in Waterloo, Illinois, where he
went to school for half a year; during the second half he
had to work. In 1857 Heinrich Rahmann returned from
California. He never saw his son Johann, already born in
Greetings from
Upschört
(Postcard)
the USA, who died of the measles in March of that year. In that same
spring Heinrich and Trienke Rahmann moved to Petersburg, Illinois.
The main reason for the emigration wave from Europe may be found in
the limited employment prospects which that continent could offer its
growing population in the pre-industrialized era. Hopeless economic
conditions and archaic social structures could meet the desire for a secure living standard only in a wretched fashion. The settling of peat
bogs under conditions hostile to life dashed many a hopeful start. The
situation in America was different. There no barriers were in place
which would keep even the impecunious from gaining a secure existence on their own soil. Those who were capable of hard work could
soon reach an independent livelihood.
Heinrich Gerdes Rahmann wrote in 1849 to his in-laws in Wiesede, "We
moved into a house with 10 acres of land. ... There I had two horses,
three cows, two calves, 30 chickens, and five geese. As to crops, I had
seven acres in Turkish wheat, 1 1/2 acres in potatoes, one acre in cabbage, and 1/2 acre in garden vegetables. Harness and plow were on
hand, too, those things altogether costing $250. We lived there until
March. Then we rented a farm. Hermann Harms from Reepsholt and I.
It is 90 acres, a large piece of land, for it we pay $200. A fruit and vegetable garden is laid out as well. I use 60 acres of that land, Hermann
uses 30 acres. I now have four horses, four cows, three heifers, and
about 50 hogs and 40 chickens. The horses cost $50-70 a head, a cow
$10-15. The hogs easily feed themselves. A pound of fat goes for 3 1/2
cents on average. I live 12 miles away from the city of St. Louis. It is a
metropolis, two hours long and two English miles wide. There they have
markets every other day in three places." At these farmers markets Rahmann could sell his produce.
Rahmann's positive references to those who already emigrated may have
infected many a one with the travel bug and made it easier for those who
hesitated to make up their minds to emigrate. Thus the Rahmanns wrote
in July 1853, "In Germany we would never have become what we are
now, as we are not wanting in anything. We have a goodly number of
horses, cows, hogs, equipment, wagons, and everything necessary for
working the soil. We also again have a lot of high-priced fruits of the
field growing on our land. The use of fertilizer is completely unnecessary; everything that you could name will grow here. One only has to
work the soil well. We have a rather large place. Forty acres are tilled,
and we have planted all of it. ... We have not yet bought a place of our
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MEMBER NEWS...
own, as we have not felt like doing so. We think that we won't do
so right away either, for we are firmly resolved to travel to California next spring. Many of our acquaintances have already traveled there, as one can earn a lot of money there. Three years ago
Elle Ellen and his wife traveled there. They earned a good deal of
money. He first worked in the gold fields and she took in borders.
Now both work in a saw mill. She cooks and he does other work.
She earns $2,400 plus her food. A few of the travelers returned
this spring. They only worked there for a short while and brought
back $1,000. They then bought about 100 heads of cattle and took
them back to California to make a big profit, for cattle is expensive
in California. ... A maid knowledgeable of laundering and baking
earns $80-100 plus board. He who has the use of land and lots of
garden vegetables can in two to three years earn so much money
that he'll never need to work again." These promising prospects
were still valid 20 years later. Albert Hillers, who emigrated in
1857, wrote home in 1871, "I would not be surprised if, because of
all the good news sent back home, emigration to the Land of
Plenty will steadily increase, because no young fellow can get
ahead over there like he can in America, even if he works all his
life and for 20 years after his blessed end."
After all these tribulations and the extreme want which Heinrich
Gerdes Rahmann and his family were subject to in 19th century
Upschört and Wiesedermeer, this situation must have seemed to
them like a slice of paradise. In 1860, the Rahmanns rented a 180
acre farm near Petersburg, Illinois, together with Trienke's sister
and brother-in-law Albert Hillers. In 1861, the Rahmanns moved
to Rock Port on the Missouri River. They both died in Rock Port.
Thus this place became the last center for the family. The headstone inscription for the couple reads (in transl.), "After many experiences, much suffering, and tested in my faith in the Lord / I
shall calmly depart from here, up to the bright heavenly star."
For Hermann Dirks, too, born 1849 in Upschört, a compelling
future began right after his arrival in America in 1871 when he
met his future wife, Maria Wilhelmina Oetken. She was the
daughter of Jacob Oetken of Reepsholt. Jacob Oetken's wife died
in 1861. Three weeks after her death he left his home country with
his children for America. Maria Wilhelmina was then 8 years old.
The Oetkens were just three days on the ocean when a strong
storm came up which pushed their ship back into the English
Channel. The voyage for the Oetkens thus lasted 11 weeks.
Hermann Dirks and Maria Oetken married and settled in Cook,
Johnson Co., Nebraska. Seven of their eleven children were born
there. In 1886 they moved to Clarence Township, Barton Co.,
Kansas, three miles south of Albert.
Hermann and Maria Dirks are listed among the early settlers in
Clarence. The first pioneers reached this place in 1871. They
made the long trip on foot, by oxcarts, covered wagon, and on
horseback until they arrived in the fertile plains of the Arkansas
valley. To reach the market, Hermann drove a herd of cattle to
Kansas. A day's trip was about 15 miles. Every night he put up a
fence around his herd. Hermann and Maria's first dwelling was a
sod hut, their furniture were apple and orange crates. Dirks bought
two horses and busted the sod. A few years later they built a farm
6

Norm Hensley had an important birthday in October! And
Ruth Jones had one in July! Where do the years go?

Carol Spessard is a very proud grandmother—James Harvey
Olson, born Oct. 29 at St. Joseph's in St. Paul. 8# 2 oz, 21.5"
long

Jean Haemig has had some medical problems and is now on
the road to recovery.

Jeanee Kay Guelke co-authored a book. She didn‘t inform us
about this, but the editor found it on amazon.com! Look it up!

Gene Janssen‘s sister Judy Janssen Walker died on October
10, 2009.

Diane & Rick Chynoweth welcomed their first grandchild,
Caleb Richard, on June 14, 2009. They're thankful their
daughter & son-in-law live close they can see them often.

Lora Drenth‘s father Edward C. Drenth of Ellsworth, MN
died on November 2, 2009. Our sympathies to your family!
Lora also married David LaTourelle. Lora was on the 2005
homecoming tour.

Margaret Freeman needs your prayers—she is battling pancreatic cancer.

David Remmer‘s mom, Esther Daro Remmers died 28 August 2009, at David City, Nebraska at the age of 94 years old.
Her grandparents (Johann Daro from Arle, and Catharina
Feldmann from Langefeld) were from Ostfriesland.

Ron & Diane Cirksena have a long-awaited granddaughter,
Alexandra. Diane moved to Florida to babysit full-time and
loves the blessings that has brought to her life.

We love to hear from you—good news or sad! Send us a
quick note.
house of their own. Money was scarce and families helping one
another was essential for survival.
The Lutheran families in Clarence, of which many came from
Ostfriesland, organized religious services in private homes until 1876, when the first church could be built. They called it St.
Paul's. In 1890, a second congregation, Peace Lutheran Church,
was founded. Hermann Dirks belonged to this congregation as
a founding member. He was a member of the church council
since 1893 and served as president of the congregation since
1900. He and his wife were active in organizing the congregational life. The son of an Upschört Kolonist, he was also cofounder of the Farmers State Bank in Albert. Hermann Dirks
died in 1915, Maria Wilhelmina in 1920 in Great Bend, Kansas. The descendants of the union of Hermann Dirks and Maria
Wilhelmina Oetken number, besides their eleven children, 20
grandchildren.
*There are many egg beer (Eierbier) recipes. A rather simple
one goes as follows:
One egg, 1/2 bottle of beer, one tea spoon of sugar and shake
of nutmeg. Whisk the egg, and gradually add the beer. Heat
the mix while stirring. When it begins to foam, take the pot off
the burner. Shake a little nutmeg in it. In the summertime it
may be served as a cold drink, in the winter it is good heated.
The Ships They Took
The Norddeutscher Lloyd
The German shipping company, North
German Lloyd (NDL), was founded by
the Bremen merchants Henrich Hermann
Eduard Meier and Crüsemann on 20 February 1857 following the dissolution of
the Ocean Steam Navigation Company (a
joint German-American enterprise). It should be noted that the
word 'Lloyd' was merely being used to denote commercial shipping, with which it had become synonymous with at that period.
H.H. Meier became the first Chairman of the Supervisory Board
and Crüsemann the first director of the company (German:
Aktiengesellschaft - AG). Crüsemann took care of the cargo on
passenger ships, which as a result of emigration had grown significantly for the shipping company. The shipping company was also
active in other areas such as providing a tugboat service, baths
service, insurance and ship repair, the last of which is still in business. The first office of the shipping company was located at number 13 Martinistraße in Bremen.
Line. This great advance was
fully appreciated by the directors of the Norddeutscher Lloyd
in Bremen. Their aim during
the years following was to establish a regular express service
between Bremen and New
York. The first express steamer was the "Elbe", which was
placed in service in 1881. The first captain of a Lloyd express
steamer was Herr Chr. Leist, who made five trips in the "Elbe"
during the year 1881. The "Elbe", was quickly followed by the
"Werra" and the "Fulda", so that in 1883, by including in this
service the fastest of the older steamers, the Lloyd was enabled
to inaugurate a regular weekly express service between
Bremerhaven and New York, whereby the length of the passage was reduced to between 8 and 9 days. In the year 1881 the
Company's steamers had traveled a distance equal to 23 times
the circumference of the earth.
The company started with a route to England prior to starting a
transatlantic service. In 1857, the first ship, the Adler (Eagle)
started a regular passenger service between the Weser region
(where Bremen is located) and England. On 28 October 1857, she
made her maiden voyage from Nordenham to London.
Two new routes from Bremen to the Far East, and Bremen to
Australia, were opened in 1886, both via Suez. Italy to New
York sailings commenced in October, 1891 and in 1897, the
Bremen - UK service was sold to Argo Steamship Company
together with seven ships. Occasional sailings between Bremen
and Galveston resumed in 1898 and became regular in 1899.
A fortnightly service was started in 1893 by what they called
their Roland Line. The Roland Line sailed from Breman to
New York with steerage passengers and cargo. By December
of 1893, the line owned 80 vessels.
The company was often called the "Bremen Line". During the first
year of its operations a line to England was started with three
small steamers, the "Adler", "Möwe" and "Falke", and four large
screw steamers were ordered in England and Scotland for the New
York service.
In 1904 a new service from Marseilles to Naples and Alexandria started and in 1909, a joint summer service between Bremen and Hamburg to Quebec and Montreal, was instituted with
Hamburg America, Red Star and Holland America Lines. Bremen - Galveston ships commenced calls at Philadelphia in
March, 1910 and a new service started in 1913 to Boston and
New Orleans.
On June 19, 1858, at 6 o'clock in the afternoon; the "Bremen" left
the wharf at Bremerhaven on her maiden voyage to New York,
carrying 100 tons of freight, one cabin and 93- steerage passengers. This was the first transatlantic sailing of a Norddeutscher
Lloyd steamer. She arrived in New York on July 4, at 7 o'clock in
the morning.
Transatlantic voyages to New York started in June, 1858; Baltimore in March, 1868; and in 1869 regular sailings commenced to
New Orleans. A service to Central America was instituted in 1871,
but was withdrawn in 1874. Voyages from Bremen to Brazil and
the River Plate started in 1876 and Genoa to Brazil and River Plate
in 1878, the latter service only lasting for three years.
By 1866, NGL was making weekly runs to New York and in 1874
averaged 11 days and 13 hours on its sailings. From 1882 onwards, the New Orleans service was extended to Galveston, but
the whole route was abandoned in 1886.
Prior to 1878 the normal average speed of a steamer was about 12
knots, while 20 years before that a speed of eight knots was regarded as a great achievement. In 1878 however, a speed as high
as 16 knots was attained by the steamer "Arizona" of the Guion
7
At the outbreak of WWI, many NGL ships took refuge in US
ports, and these were seized by American authorities in 1917.
After the Armistice, the company lost every worthwhile ocean
going steamer as war reparations, and in 1920 chartered ships
from the US Shipping Board to resume services. They gradually rebuilt their fleet and in 1925 took over the HamburgBremen Africa Line, the Dampschiff Reederei Horn and the
Roland Line. In 1928 Quebec and Montreal services were resumed. During World War II, NGL again lost almost their entire fleet and again restarted with chartered ships. In 1970 the
company amalgamated with Hamburg America Line to become
HAPAG-Lloyd.
SOURCE: http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/
nglloyd.html / www.norwayheritage.com/p_shiplist.asp?
co=ndlaa
OSTFRIESEN EMIGRANT PASTORS
Emigration to America
Rev. Martin Christian Daniel Hafermann, editor of the Christophorus Almanac. Emigration to America
From the Lutheran Almanac "Christophorus der Stelzfuß" (Pegleg), 1883
Edition, edited by Pastor Martin C. D. Hafermann (1833-1899). Transl. by
Rudy Wiemann
Emigration to America has increased significantly in the last
few years, and especially so in the present year (1883). Thousands
of our German brothers and sisters have turned their backs on their
homeland, tore themselves away from family, friends, acquaintances, from their home church and, surely, with this last step also from the living God!
Offering those who are leaving us one last service of love is a
rewarding and blessed task which several of our domestic mission
chapters have set for themselves. Their goal is to direct the travelers one last time to the Almighty God, to admonish them not to
deny their Christian faith and not to turn their backs on the church,
but to join a congregation of our denomination in the New World.
Toward the furtherance of this goal, the mission chapters make it
their concern to be useful to these emigrants up to the time of their
departure. In the ports of arrival in North America similar chapters
lovingly attend the newcomers as soon as they report to the proper
address.
It is urgently desired that all pertinent addresses be given to every
emigrant in writing, as they are stated below:
Hamburg: Senior Pastor Kreusler, Paulstraße 3; Harbor Missionary Sitzmann, St. Georg, Brennerstraße 33, daily from 11 am to 1 pm in the hostel
'Zur Heimat', St. Annen.
Bremen: Pastor Cuntz, Rolandstraße 1; Book Seller Brahnen, Roßstraße
24.
Rotterdam: Ferdinand Runge, Westerstraat 40.
Antwerp: Pastor Meyer, 25 Rue van Bree.
Stettin: Pastor Brandt, Lastadie, Holzstraße 4.
New York: The Lutheran Emigrantenhaus, State St. 16; Castle Garden,
across the street from the site of debarkation, Pastor Berkemeier at the
Emigrantenhaus; Pastor Keyl, Broadway 3; Pastor R. Neumann, Mission
Office, 3 Battery Place, to the left of Castle Garden, PO Box 3480. These
pastors are available at the arrival of every ship docking at Castle Garden.
Baltimore: Harbor Missionary Sallmann, East Pratt Street 166.
Philadelphia: Pastor Wischan, 726 North 7 St.
In Hamburg and Bremen church service and communion for emigrants will be held before the departure of every ship. Just as the
Lutheran Church of Norway has insisted for many years with great
emphasis that its emigrants should not leave their homeland without a church-issued document as well as references and addresses
in America, so should we, too, see to it that every pastor in every
congregation make it sufficiently known that every emigrant may
receive from him without cost such a document, which may be
called a Church Passport (Kirchenpass). This passport would
document the emigrant‘s and his family‘s church status (Baptism,
Confirmation, Marriage, Denomination, Names of Children, etc.)
and contain a recommendation directed to a German, possibly Lutheran, pastor over there in whose congregation, or its proximity,
8
the individual or party intends to settle. Should that pastor not
be able to look after the immigrant, he would be asked to forward this document to a brother cleric who may be in a position to do so.
To facilitate this system of references, we list the addresses of
German Lutheran pastors for immigrants in North America, as
follows:
The designations (Mis.), (Oh.), (Wisc.), (Ill.), (Min.) indicate the
Synod - Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota - in which the
pastor is ordained. (Street addresses are omitted here.)
Alabama: MOBILE: Pastor Bäpler (Mis.); Pastor Wahl (Mis.).
Arkansas: LITTLE ROCK: Pastor Berg (Mis.); Pastor Obermeyer
(Mis.) - FORT SMITH: Pastor Germann (Mis.).
California: ST. FRANCISCO: Pastor Bühler (Mis.) - LOS ANGELES: Pastor Wynecken (Mis.).
Canada: PEMBROKE, ONTARIO: Pastor Eifert.
Connecticut: DANBURY: Pastor Fischer (Mis.) - ROCKVILLE:
Pastor Sörgel (Mis.).
Illinois: CHAMPAIGN: Pastor Brauer (Mis.) - CHICAGO: Pastor
Bartling (Mis.); Pastor Engelbrecht (Mis.); Pastor Hölter (Mis.); Pastor Lehmann (Mis.); Pastor Lochner (Mis.); Pastor Wagner (Mis.);
Pastor Wunder (Mis.); (Chicago residents may be contacted through
Hewes & Brauns, 171 S. Water St.) - MATTESON: Pastor Hieber
(Mis.); Pastor Burfeind (Mis.) - DOLTON: Pastor Rauchert (Mis.) PROVISO: Pastor Strieter (Mis.) - LEMONT: Pastor Uffenbeck
(Mis.) - JEFFERSON: Pastor Brunn (Mis.) - GALENA: Pastor Klindworth (Wisc.) - QUINCY: Pastor Hallerberg (Mis.); Pastor Liese
(Mis.); Pastor Willner (Mis.) - ROCKFORD: Pastor Johannes (Mis.) BUXTON: Pastor Castens (Mis.) - GALESBURG: Pastor Bendler
(Wisc.) - CLAYTON: Pastor Gerken (Mis.); Pastor Steffen (Mis.) ARENZVILLE: Pastor Drögemüller (Mis.) - BEARDSTOWN: Pastor
Merbitz (Mis.) - CHANDLERVILLE: Pastor Greif (Mis.) LOMBARD: Pastor Gotsch (Mis.) - MADISON: Pastor Grosse
(Mis.); Pastor Prof. Häntzschel (Mis.); Pastor Prof. Brauer (Mis.) BLOOMINGTON: Pastor Riedel (Mis.) - COLLINSVILLE: Pastor
Dorn (Mis.) - DORSEY: Pastor Flachsbart - PEORIA: Pastor
Bangerter (Mis.); Pastor Traub (Mis.) - SPRINGFIELD: Pastor Prof.
Wyneken (Mis.) - ROCK ISLAND: Pastor Mennicke (Mis.) - HAMPTON: Pastor Winter (Mis.) - CHESTER: Pastor Müller (Mis.) - RED
BUD: Pastor Schaller (Wisc.); Pastor Erdmann (Mis.) - PEKIN: Pastor
Witte (Mis.) - DANVILLE: Pastor Martens (Mis.) - NASHVILLE:
Pastor Kollmorgen (Mis.) - BELLEVILLE: Pastor Kühn (Mis.).
Indiana: INDIANAPOLIS: Pastor Iske (Mis.); Pastor Kühn (Mis.);
Pastor Schmidt (Mis.); Pastor Seuel (Mis.); (Indianapolis residents
may be contacted through W. Cook & Co., corner East and Washington Streets) - BREMEN: Pastor Schlesselmann (Mis.) - FORT
WAYNE: Pastor Dr. Sihler (Mis.); Pastor Gross (Mis.); Pastor Michael (Mis.); Pastor Sauer (Mis.); Pastor Zagel (Mis.); Pastor Zschoche (Mis.) - VALLONIA: Pastor Schultze (Mis.) - COLUMBUS:
Pastor Heitmüler (Mis.); Pastor Nützel (Mis.) - JONESVILLE: Pastor
Jüngel (Mis.); Pastor Eirich (Mis.) - LOGANSPORT: Pastor Jox
(Mis.) - RICHMOND: Pastor Wickmeyer (Oh.) - HUNTINGTON:
Pastor Hassolt (Mis.).
Iowa: IOWA CITY: Pastor Thurner, (Mis.) - MARENGO: Pastor
Semmann (Mis.).
Kansas: HUMBOLT: Pastor Krämer (Mis.) - LEAVENWORTH:
Pastor Meyer (Mis.).
Kentucky: LOUISVILLE: Pastor Pohlmann (Mis.).
Louisiana: NEW ORLEANS: Pastor Döscher (Mis.); Pastor Mödinger
(Mis.); Pastor Rösener (Mis.), also to be reached through the flour dealership Glover & Odendahl, 59 Poydras St.
Maryland: BALTIMORE: Pastor Frincke (Mis.); Pastor Hanser (Mis.);
Pastor Stürken (Mis); Pastor Tressel (Oh.); Pastor Hörr (Oh.); Immigrant
Missionary Sallmann (Mis.), every immigrant may approach this man
about all problems with complete confidence. - CUMBERLAND: Pastor
Hanewinkel (Mis.).
Massachusetts: BOSTON: Pastor Biewand (Mis.) - BOXBURG: Pastor
Fick (Mis.).
Michigan: ADRIAN: Pastor Trautmann (Mis.) - DETROIT: Pastor Hügli
(Mis.); Pastor Moll (Mis.) - DEARBORN: Pastor Lange (Mis.) - MONROE: Pastor Hattstädt (Mis.); Pastor Bauer (Mis.); Pastor Burmester
(Mis.) - GRAND HAVEN: Pastor Bauer (Mis.); Pastor Burmester (Mis.) JACKSON: Pastor Wolf (Oh.) - LANSING: Pastor Bundenthal (Mis.) WYANDOTTE: Pastor Markworth (Mis.) - LUDINGTON: Pastor Karrer
(Mis.) - BRIDGEWATER: Pastor Dörfler (Oh.) - WALDENBURG: Pastor Böling (Mis.) - ROSEVILLE: Pastor List (Mis.).
Minnesota: ST. PAUL: Pastor Hoyer (Min.); Pastor Rolf (Mis.); Pastor
Tirmenstein (Min.) - NEW ULM: Pastor Reim (Min.) - NORWOOD:
Pastor Landeck (Mis.) - CLAREMONT: Pastor Schaaf (Mis.) - CALEDONIA: Pastor Gutknecht (Min.) - STILLWATER: Pastor Seifert (Min.);
Pastor Siegrist (Min.) - WINONA: Pastor v. Rohr (Wisc.); Pastor Bäbenroh (Wisc.) - ROCHESTER: Pastor Schmidt (Min.) - NICOLLET: Pastor
Dageförde (Min.) - COURTLAND: Pastor Schulze (Mis.).
Mississippi: MOSS POINT: Pastor Lewerenz (Mis.).
Missouri: ST LOUIS: Pastor Prof. Walther (Mis.), Concordia College;
Pastor Hanser (Mis.); Pastor Lenk (Mis.); Pastor Link (Mis.); Pastor Martens (Mis.); Pastor Meyer (Mis.); Pastor Prof. Stockhardt (Mis.), Concordia College. St. Louis residents may inquire at the china dealership
Heinecke & Estel near the ferry landing or at china dealer F.W. Bertram,
1412 Corondolet Ave. - ELLISVILLE: Pastor Richter (Mis.) - BADEN:
Pastor Zimmermann (Mis.); Pastor Schwankowsky (Mis.) - FARMINGTON: Pastor Iben (Mis.) - ST. CHARLES: Pastor Maak (Mis.); Pastor
Gräbner (Mis.).
Nebraska: LOUISVILLE: Pastor Catenhusen (Mis.) - WEST POINT:
Pastor Adam (Mis.) - MARTINSBURG: Pastor Bullinger ((Mis.) MADISON: Pastor Hoffmann (Mis.) - NORFOLK: Pastor Leuthäuser
(Mis.); Pastor Pankow (Wisc.) - WILLIAMSPORT: Pastor Burger (Mis).
New York: Pastor Keyl (Mis.), Lutheran immigrant missionary, 3 Broadway, one stairway up, or at the debarkation building Castle Garden, where
he can be found on arrival of every immigrant ship. Immigrants are
strongly advised not to make any plans after their arrival without first
having spoken with him, especially before continuing on their journey. New arrivals are also strongly advised to visit the guest house Das
Deutsche Emigrantenhaus, 16 State Street, diagonally across from Castle
Garden, right after landing. In this Christian guest house the immigrants
find good, low cost lodging and from Pastor Berkemeyer, who resides
here, faithful counsel and help as well as job placements. One should pay
very close attention to the address of the house and the name above the
entrance: DAS DEUTSCHE EMIGRANTENHAUS. Pastor Sieker
(Min.); Pastor König (Mis.); Pastor Buch (Mis.); Pastor Steup (Mis.) WILLIAMSBURG: Pastor Beyer (Mis.); Pastor Körner (Mis.) - ALBANY: Pastor Frey (Mis.); Pastor Stuts (Mis.) - WELLSVILLE: Pastor
Zollmann (Mis.) - HUDSON: Pastor Renz (Mis.) - BUFFALO: Pastor
Grossberger (Mis.); Pastor Senne (Mis.) - LONG ISLAND: Pastor Ebendick (Mis.); Pastor Henkel, (Mis.) - STATEN ISLAND: Pastor Frincke
(Mis.) - YONKERS: Pastor Fröhlinger (Mis.) - MOUNT VERNON: Pastor Holls (Mis.).
Ohio: CINCINNATI: Pastor Brömer (Mis.) - CLEVELAND: Pastor
Schwan (Mis.); Pastor Dankworth (Mis.); Pastor Zorn (Mis.); Pastor
Schwan (Mis.); Pastor Koch (Mis.); Pastor Niemann (Mis.) - LANCASTER: Pastor Dreyer, (Mis.) - COLUMBUS: Pastor Mees (Mis.); Pastor
Prof. Lehmann (Oh.), Capital University; Pastor Prof. Loy (Oh.), Capital
University - ADAMS: Pastor Schmidt (Mis.) - TOLEDO: Pastor Querl
(Mis.); Pastor Schlenker (Oh.) - ZANESVILLE: Pastor Frank (Mis.) MASSILON: Pastor Bühl (Mis.) - AKRON: Pastor Lothmann (Mis.) MARYSVILLE: Pastor Werfelmann (Mis.); Pastor Lembke (Oh.) TRENTON: Pastor Mayer (Oh.); Pastor Schmidt (Oh.) - MIDDLETOWN: Pastor Buchholz (Oh.) - READING: Pastor Bachmann (Oh.) NORWALK: Pastor Ulrich (Oh.) - YOUNGSTOWN: Pastor Bächler
(Oh.); Pastor Meiser (Oh.) - MARION: Pastor Müller (Oh.); Pastor
Reif (Oh.).
Oregon: EAST PORTLAND: Pastor Döring, (Mis.).
Pennsylvania: PITTSBURGH: Pastor Ahner (Mis.); Pastor Hein
(Mis.); Pastor Lindemann (Mis.); Pastor Richmann (Mis.) - ALLEGHENY: Pastor Wambsganss (Mis.) - FREEDOM: Pastor Pohl (Mis.)
- PHILADELPHIA: Pastor Schröder (Mis.) - JOHNSONBURG: Pastor Lauterbach (Mis.) - YORK: Pastor Walker (Mis.).
Tennessee: WARTBURG: Pastor Hirschmann (Mis.) - MEMPHIS:
Pastor Pflantz (Mis.).
Texas: DALLAS: Pastor Birkmann (Mis.) - SCHULENBURG: Pastor
Süss (Mis.) - HOUSTON: Pastor Stiemke (Mis.) - ROSE HILL: Pastor Wischmeyer (Mis.) - SERBIN: Pastor Geyer (Mis.); Pastor Kilian
(Mis.) - GIDDINGS: Pastor Kaspar (Mis.) - WILLIAM PENN: Pastor
Klindworth (Mis.).
Virginia: ALEXANDRIA: Pastor Dröge (Mis.) - RICHMOND: Pastor Dreyer (Mis.), inquire at E.O. Noelting.
Wisconsin: MORRISON: Pastor Röck (Wisc.) - FOUNTAIN CITY:
Pastor Hacker (Wisc.) - MONDOVI: Pastor Heyner (Mis.); Pastor
Nommensen (Wisc.) - DUNDAS: Pastor Albrecht (Wisc.) - COLUMBUS: Pastor Vogel (Wisc.) - MAYVILLE: Pastor Conrad (Wisc.);
Pastor Rathjen (Mis.); Pastor Seuel (Mis.) - REEDSVILLE: Pastor
Grothe (Mis.) - HORICON: Pastor Holst (Mis.) - PLATTVILLE:
Pastor Hoyer (Wisc.) - BERLIN: Pastor Lessmann (Mis.) - WATERTOWN: Pastor Brockmann (Wisc.); Pastor Strasen (Mis.) - HELENVILLE; Pastor Körner (Wisc.) - WATERLOO: Pastor Meyer (Wisc.) KENOSHA: Pastor Popp (Wisc.); Pastor Streissguth (Wisc.) - AHNAPEE: Pastor Steyer (Mis.); Pastor Oehlert (Wisc.) - LA CROSSE:
Pastor Reim (Wisc.); Pastor Oerding (Min.) - MILWAUKEE: Pastor
Adelberg (Wisc.); Pastor Dammann (Wisc.); Pastor Bading (Wisc.);
Pastor Hinnenthal (Wisc.); Pastor Hönecke (Wisc.); Pastor Jäckel
(Wisc.); Pastor Löber jun. (Mis.); Pastor Küchle (Mis.); Pastor Reinsch (Wisc.); Pastor Sprengeler (Mis.); Pastor Strasen (Mis.) - APPLETON: Pastor Häse (Wisc.); Pastor Hodtwalker (Wisc.); Pastor
Sprengling (Wisc.) - GRAFTON: Pastor Wesemann (Mis.) RACINE: Pastor Keller (Mis.); Pastor Waldt (Wisc.) - BURLINGTON: Pastor Liefeld (Wisc.) - CALEDONIA: Pastor Meyer (Wisc.) WATERFORD: Pastor Schumann (Mis.) - JANESVILLE: Pastor
Schlerf (Mis.) - PELLA: Pastor Schwan (Mis.) - FARMINGTON:
Pastor Denninger (Wisc.) - SHEBOYGAN: Pastor Göhringer (Mis.) HOWARDS GROVE: Pastor Hild (Mis.); Pastor Hillemann (Wisc.) READFIELD: Pastor Markworth (Mis.); Pastor Althof (Wisc.) - NEW
LONDON: Pastor Kluge (Wisc.); Pastor Walker (Mis.) - LEWISTON:
Pastor Koch (Wisc.).
9
Final Comments:
For counseling and providing helpful service to emigrants,
especially for preventing their being taken advantage of while
purchasing transportation tickets, exchanging currency, and
making other preparations for emigration, the chapters of the
interior mission have employed Emigration Missionaries in
Bremen and Hamburg:
In Bremen: Runge, Ansgarikirchhof 5.
In Hamburg: Sitzmann, St. Annenstraße 14.
These, as well as Pastor Cuntz in Bremen (Neustadt), may be
contacted with complete confidence by everyone regarding all
matters concerning emigration. The
"Nachweisungsbureau" (Information desk) at the railroad depot in Bremen
is open daily and ready to give out information of any kind.
Moin M’nanner
(Hello Everyone)
With regard to overall preparations, special emphasis should be given to the book
"Winke und Rathschläge für Auswanderer nach Amerika" (Hints and Words of Advice for Emigrants to America) as well as to the "Hannoversche Sonntagsblatt" (Hanoverian Sunday Bulletin), 1882, Nr. 18.
Lastly, for all of our evangelical compatriots who are thinking about emigrating, A.
Schröter‘s book, "Die Deutsche Auswanderung" (The German Emigration) is urgently recommended, as it will help them avoid going their own way but rather
walking in God‘s way.
TAKE HEED OF THE FOLLOWING...
The following thoughts which are worth heeding are being impressed upon the
reader:
1. You must not turn your back on your homeland without pressing reasons. Our
forefathers have considered foreign lands synonymous with misery.
The words,
2. Have you considered what your homeland, the home of your child"Where life is hood, your friendships, your church, your Sunday services, your
good, there is schools mean to you and what you will lose when they are no longer
my home," is part of your life? Who knows if you will find an evangelical congrea Roman, a
gation in that foreign land, if God‘s word and sacraments will be
heathen word. offered to you, if a German school will open its doors to your children.
3. Are you aware of the sorrows and hardships which await you during your journey
and after your arrival at your destination, of the completely different situations you
will enter into, and of the many things which you will sorely miss for the rest of
your life, even if in other respects you may be making good progress over there?
4. Are the reasons which are moving you to think about emigrating really sound and
strong enough to exchange your secure, old home for an uncertain foreign abode?
5. Don‘t let yourselves be blinded by the splendid prospects which are presented by
those who want to move you to emigrate, may they be agents or trusted acquaintances. Likewise, when reading reports sent back by family members already over
there, keep this old saying in mind: Not all which glitters is gold.
6. Are you able to separate yourselves with a clear conscience from your situation in
your homeland, or might you violate your duties - children to your parents, workers
to your employers and those of you of drafting age to your country.
7. Do you have sufficient means at your disposal to travel further west and to establish yourselves there? Else you may be reduced to the most dire circumstances immediately after setting foot upon that foreign land.
8. Also keep in mind how many have already returned from there bitterly disappointed and dirt poor, how many more would have gladly followed if they hadn‘t
been ashamed or had the means to do so, and how many have been brought to ruin,
were never heard from again, just died behind a fence or met some other terrible
end.
9. Be aware of cheating agents and their shills, listen to their sham presentations
with the utmost skepticism and never believe them unless you have obtained verification from insightful and clear-headed friends.
10. Consider that without serious diligence and untiring endurance, without sobriety
and frugality, without prayer and fear of God you will prosper neither there nor here
nor can you receive the blessings from above in the New World or the Old.
If, after considering all of the above, you are still convinced that the good Lord has
predestined you to be a migratory bird, then go ahead with God! But do not forget
the motto of this almanac:
“I am a pilgrim on the road
Which takes me to the Lord’s abode.”
Rev. Hafermann edited the ―Christophorus‖ almanac from 1875 to his death in
1899. It is the precursor to today‘s ―Ostfreesland‖ almanac.
“Viel Glück und einen guten
Rutsch ins Neujahr!” Happy New
Year! The German word Rutsch
means slide—so here‘s wishing
you a good ―slide‖ in or into the
New Year.
I don‘t make New Year‘s resolutions. There would
be too many to make and to keep. However, I do
enjoy the changing of the year and looking forward
to a new year of blessings and opportunities.
And, you will definitely want to be at the OGSA
conference in Cedar Falls in August, 2010. Lin
Strong and Lübbert Kruizenga are working on details
(many of them) along with help from a number of
members from that area, and the response from
members there and across the country has been enthusiastic. It will be a chance to renew acquaintance
with Pastors Jürgen and Andrea Hoogstraat as well
as some of our far-flung members.
In the past weeks the Tergast Ortssippenbuch has
arrived as well as the Großefehn, It‘s History book.
The preface to the Tergast OSB is one of finest of all
the OSB prefaces—written by Pastor Gunther
Faßbender. I will be translating it to include in a
future newsletter. Those of us who have ancestors
from the fen areas are especially interested in the
Großefehn book. It explains much about the development of this land rivaling the story of reclaiming
land from the sea. Thanks to OGSA member Bev
Menssen Ewert for directing us to this book.
A word of thanks, also, to many of you who have
made donations to OGSA above and beyond the socalled ―dues.‖ It is exciting to be involved in spreading awareness of Ostfriesian culture and history, and
it all adds a new dimension to our genealogical research.
Consider giving a gift membership to one of your
children or other family member this year—it’s time
to get another generation involved in OGSA.
If you received a ballot in the mail, I hope you sent it
in by now! This is one way to get involved.
Again—have a good slide into the new year, and
may it be smooth (and I don‘t mean all down hill).
Gene Janssen, President
10
An Immigrant Family Arrives
An American Odyssey
After journeying from the Kaiser’s Germany to the vast
prairies of frontier Kansas, four generations of the Soeken
family built a new world based on reverence for the land
and its creator—along with plenty of good old-fashioned,
hard work. In many ways, their story is the story of America
during the past 125 years.
Submitted by Don Soeken
Kansas!
The year was 1883, the month was March,
and the brand-new Kansas Pacific passenger train sparkled in
the sun as it rattled west across a prairie landscape punctuated
here and there by gleaming patches of late-winter snow.
Eyes glued to the passing scene, a youthful German
immigrant gazed through a train-window and marveled at the
brave new world that he and his small family were about to
inherit. For three days and two nights, the three of them – father, mother, and infant son – had ridden a series of smokebelching trains from Baltimore toward the vast prairie lands
that formed the heart of the American Frontier.
The journey had not been easy.
Before boarding the recently launched, steampowered Kansas Pacific, many of these train-riders had endured more than a week of living ―below decks‖ – as steerage
passengers whose economy-class tickets required them to huddle together in a damp, clammy ship‘s hold where clean water
was scarce and hungry rats skittered along the rafters every
night.
The Atlantic crossing had been rough – typical for
March – and the passengers had shivered and clung to each
other while the great steamer SS Braunschweig lurched through
the gales and tilted precariously at the top of each storm-driven
wave. While the mothers with babes in arms prayed fervently –
―Bitte, Der Gott!‖ – the fathers glared and frowned helplessly.
There was nothing that they could do.
Passenger list: Soeke Soeken age 28, Antje age 24, Oltmann age ¾; three bags
Scene at the Bremen Port before Boarding
But the days passed one by one, and somehow
they had managed to weather the long sea-journey from the German port of Bremen to Baltimore . . . where most immediately
boarded the B&O Railroad‘s spiffy new westbound express toward Harper‘s Ferry and Wheeling, and then on toward the great
open spaces of Ohio that lay beyond.
After changing trains in Cleveland, they‘d rumbled west on the Missouri Pacific. Open-mouthed with amazement, they‘d stared in awe at the immense, smoke-billowing
labyrinth that was rapidly growing Chicago – with her bellowing
stockyards and her roaring iron
forges and fast-growing industrial
SS Braunschweig
plants. Onward! After another day
and a half of bouncing and vibrating
in their poorly heated coach, these
weary settlers had nearly reached
their destination . . . the place they‘d
been dreaming of for so many years,
back in the war-torn, Prussian-ruled
world of their Old Europe.
It was early afternoon
when the coal-fired Missouri Pacific
11
The Ostfriesen Alliance
Steerage Class Facilities
Railroad map showing Missouri Pacific to Claflin
Union Pacific Train 1900 Era
passenger train crept into the settlement of Claflin, Kansas,
soon to become one of the busiest towns in the region. The
whistle shrieked twice, and the train at last shuddered to a stop.
And now the young immigrant who‘d been sitting by the window rose quickly to his feet. Beside him stood a smiling young
woman in a pretty bonnet – his wife of a year – with a baby in
her arms. The infant‘s name was Otto, and he would be a
bright, energetic child destined to play a major role in maintaining the Soeken farming operation in the years ahead.
Yawning and stretching, the three of them eased
through the open doorway of the passenger car, and then
stepped bravely out onto the wooden platform.
Their new home!
The immigrant‘s name was Soko which he later
changed it to Soeko (American pronunciation‖: ―SO-ko‖)
Soeken, and he was the son of Oltman Gerdes Soeken and
Triene Hinrich Sanderfield, who had been married in the Lutheran Church at Bagband, Ostfriesland in The Year of Our
Lord 1841.
Because he was one of the younger sons of Oltmann
and Triene, Soeke could not hope to inherit the family farm in
Ostfriesland. In addition, he had long dreaded the prospect of
serving (and probably being killed) in the fiercely disciplined
and aggressive Prussian Army.
For the daring Soeke Soeken, the handwriting was
clearly on the wall.
He would have to leave his beloved homeland. Because he knew that fertile American farmland could be purchased for as little as $1.25 an acre in the recently established,
frontier-state of Kansas, Soeke had decided to take his chances
as a farmer in the New World.
Leaving his friends and family behind had not been
easy, however. Like most European immigrants of the day, he
understood that he would probably never embrace his large, extended family or his village again. But the poverty he had witnessed all around him – to say nothing of the endless, bloody
warfare that raged perpetually among the Germans, the Russians
and the Poles – had left him little choice.
Like nearly two million other German-speaking immigrants between 1850 and 1900, Soeke Soeken had ―voted with his
feet.‖ Full of fear and uncertainty, he had nonetheless made the
decision to give up the security and familiarity of Old Europe for
the wide-open prairies of sparsely settled Kansas.
Although Soeke didn‘t know it at the time, he was part
of one of the largest mass-immigrations in American history . . .
part of the flood of opportunity-seeking Germanic peoples who
would travel west to populate the State of Kansas during the second half of the 19th Century.
They came by train, by covered wagon, by horse-drawn
cart and on foot. They came in the tens of thousands – from
Bremerhaven and Cologne and Munich – and then later they
came in the hundreds of thousands . . . and they brought with
them their extraordinary work ethic, their devotion to social order, their religious reverence and their powerful sense of selfdiscipline.
And they built a world.
Although many Kansans don‘t know it, fully 40 percent
of the Sunflower State‘s 2.7 million residents in 2003 can claim
German ancestry, in one form or another. By far the largest single ethnic group in Kansas, the hard-working German-Americans
of Topeka and Lawrence and Lyons and a thousand other communities has provided the structural foundation for an agricultural
world dominated by booming farmlands and sweeping vistas of
sun-gold wheat. (Although heavy industry – and especially aircraft manufacture – has also come to play an important role in
recent years.)
In the end, Soeke Soeken‘s story is their story. It‘s the
dramatic and triumphant (and sometimes heartbreaking) story of
some of America‘s most resolute and courageous settlers: the
Germans in Kansas.
12
The Earliest Emigration
Emigration from Ostfriesland in the 19th Century
This is an excerpt from a dissertation originally written during
World War II by an Ostfriesian history student, Wilhelm Weitz,
son of Pastor Weitz of Ardorf, and prepared under the tutelage of
the Marburg University history professor, Wilhelm Mommsen.
The author, Weitz,was killed in action in the war, and since the
"Friesische Jahrbuch" for 1958 had no other contributions on the
theme of emigration from Ostfriesland, it was decided by the editorial board to include this independent study and archival research in the essays for that issue, with the acknowledgement that
this essay contains some problematical material and is not as
satisfactory as could be hoped. The editor states "...it is hoped
that someday, someone with a knowledge of the vast material
surrounding the theme, Ostfriesians in the United States—history
and reasons for emigration—would cover the subject matter
more thoroughly."
The "Articles" are arranged in six categories:
1. The index serves to orient the reader to the intentions of the
writer.
2. A listing of sources provides an important basis and aid for
further research in this field.
3. The heart of the dissertation presents an overview of various
emigration societies and organizations as well as
interesting and, up to this time, unpublished material.
4. Emigrant letters (not included in this translation)
5. Statistical tables for 1859-1866 of emigration from Ostfriesland
6. Passenger lists of emigrants departing from Emden:
a. The ship "Antje Brons" list of 17 April 1855.
b. The ship "Antje Brons" list of 17/18 April 1857
c. The ship "Johannes" list of 22 May 1857
The most valuable and important part of the work are the tables
listing the statistics of emigration from the province of Ostfriesland, once a part of the former Kingdom of Hannover or the
Province of Hannover under the Prussians. The remainder of the
text (of the dissertation) in its original form is not really suitable
for a scientific publication. (Acc. to the editor of the Friesisches
Jahrbuch). The original dissertation, to be found in the Staatsarchiv of Aurich, can be used for further research. (The publication
then lists an outline, page 111, of the structure of the dissertation
and a list of sources used).
Part 3 of the dissertation is translated as follows:
The Promotion of Emigration by Organizations and Societies.
In the decades of the 30s and 40s of the 19th century, emigrants
were shipping out from the Weser area. The old shipping routes
from Bremen provided the most desirable opportunities for emigration. In addition, this old Hansiatic city, Bremen, was served
by an expansive network of railroads serving all of Germany.
Emigrants could reach the seaport relatively quickly and easily.
However, when the Danish navy had successfully blockaded the
mouth of the Weser river (where Bremen was located) in 1849,
13
the resourceful, Bremen emigration firm, Buttel and Stisser,
explored the possibility of using
Ostfriesian harbors on the Ems
River to continue their operations. For this purpose they
chose the city of Leer with its
excellent harbor and proceeded
to have a ship, the Liebau, fitted
for the ocean crossing. Emigrants, who had been recruited long before by enterprising
agents, came from far-flung areas of Germany, such as Leipzig,
Saxon-Weimar, and Saxon-Altenburg. They had arrived in
Bremen only to be directed to go on to Leer, thus having undergone a long, wearisome journey before even setting foot on a
ship.
Then, however, they had another long wait in Leer because the
outfitting of the ship was proceeding at a slow pace. Because
the ship provided little or no haven for the impatient emigrants,
they filed a complaint to the magistracy of Leer about the bad
handling which they had experienced. The magistrates opened
an investigation into the Liebau and then facilitated a speedier
handling of funds and finally the sought-for sailing. However,
they sent an extensive report about the case to the police at
Bremen. At the end of their report they request that information be forwarded to them about the "...... registrations and
intentions of emigrant ships, since there is already another ship
from Bremen being outfitted in the harbor to take on emigrants
and it is assumed that a prolonged war with Denmark would
mean more of the same."
It is not possible to establish with certainty whether more emigrant ships from Bremen were actually outfitted in Leer for the
trans-Atlantic voyage. It may be that the ship Wieland under
Captain Henke sailed from there in 1850. At any rate, when
the Danish blockade was lifted the Buttel and Stisser firm
ceased to utilize this costly, complicated emigration path. Nevertheless, their enterprising spirit set in motion the first departure of emigrant ships from an Ostfriesian harbor.
The favorable geographic location of Ostfriesland must have
become clear to the native citizens at this time, because the
increasing wave of emigration seemed to indicate that Bremen
could not handle all the business. During this time alone, from
1 January to 30 September, 1851, a total of 166 ships with
27,819 passengers had sailed from Bremen!1 So, in August
1851, in the old harbor city of Emden, the Ostfriesische Verein
für deutsche Auswanderung (The Ostfriesian Society for German Emigration) was founded. The board consisted of six well
-known citizens and merchants of Emden: J. H. Tholen, R.
Reemstma, F. L. Pape, P. Hinderks, E. Haase and H. Chr.
Reepen.
The "stated goals" of the society were ". . . to facilitate the most
economical means of emigration for the increasing numbers of
emigrants in these times via affordable harbor places, with a
strong oversight over the process and the eventual operation of
independent ships. Whatever each and every emigrant seeks in
the new world, the same climate, social and political situation
will be easier to realize here and the society wishes to make this
known . . ." 2 Heinrich Christian Reepen was elected the director
of the society and agents were installed in the larger cities of the
Ostfriesian homeland:
in Aurich:
Herm. Diedr. Jacobs
in Leer:
E. Janssen
in Norden:
G. L. Gödeken
in Pewsum:
Ludwig Rulffes
in Wittmund:
E. W. Schäferling
Meanwhile, the teacher in Hesel, Sundermann, [I believe he was
arrested for this action] had announced that no economic improvement could be expected in the moor colonies. The government provided no assistance! According to him, the only escape
from total disaster for his people was for them to leave their
homeland. In order to help his fellow citizens in this endeavor
and to avoid a dispersal of
families and descendents, The Neufriesland mission statement:
Sundermann and the Land- ". . . to found a centralized settlewirt, Eberhardt from Ayen- ment of Ostfriesians in a free state
wolde organized a second of North America, such as Michigan
Ostfriesian emigration soci- or Wisconsin where circumstances
ety, Neufriesland, in Novem- for improvement are the best." (3)
ber 1851 at Aurich.
Soon, the two organizations were working closely together for
the promotion of Ostfriesian emigration. Emden was designated
as the port of departure and Ostfriesians were advised to trust
their emigration arrangements to the two societies. The work was
promoted energetically the following spring, and the first ships
were prepared for the journey. On April 1, 1852, the beautiful,
and fast, sailing ship, Wilhelmine,a schooner, captained by J.
Oortgiese, was ready for the trip to Baltimore. Cost of the transAtlantic voyage was 34 Reichsthaler in gold.
On March 17th the sailing of another ship, this one to New York,
was announced in the Ostfriesische Zeitung. This was "in every
respect, a first class ship, exquisitely built, outstandingly beautiful for the passage, with around 150 Lasten (the weight/size of
the ship), --the schooner, brig, Marie Agnes captained by Johann
Westerhuus. The cost was set at 36 Reichsmark per person.
Children under 10 years of age were to pay five Reichsmark less.
This cost of passage was ". . . cheaper by far than could be found
anywhere else." In addition, "the Ostfriesian emigrant would
find the journey to be much more comfortable and pleasing with
fellow passengers from the homeland and this tie would be especially useful for all in the strange land." Departure took place on
April 13, 1852, and was a special accomplishment for all of Ostfriesland, with special notice published in the daily press. The
Ostfriesische Zeitung printed a long report on the same day declaring: "Blessed with the most beautiful April, spring weather,
the eager North Sea coastal travelers departed today about 7:00
p.m. with a north wind--this the first and praiseworthy undertakOstfriesen Genealogical Society of America, January 2010
14
ing in the comfortable and
richly appointed, well-built
ship, Maria Agnes, Captain J.
Westerhuus, departed our harbor with a firing of its cannons
and a load of about 76 passengers, mostly Ostfriesians,
seeking a new homeland in the
new world. One can rightfully
describe this first expedition as
a welcome undertaking which will abound in good fortune, and
in the long run, for the wellbeing of the participants and their
followers."
A second ship's sailing was announced for the first of June.
This, however, did not happen, because the competition from
Bremen and Hamburg was too vigorous. There were, as yet,
no rail connections for travelers from Germany's interior to
make connections to Emden. Also, the long-planned steamship
line from the Ems (called "Concordia") to Bremen never received adequate attention.
Thus, it was several years before another emigrant ship left
from an Ostfriesian harbor. Not until1855 was a ship outfitted
in Emden to be used as an emigrant vessel. In that year several
Emden firms, Y. and B. Brons, W. Brons, Schulte and Janssen
and W. H. Klaassen merged to form Brons and Co. for the purpose of transporting emigrants to America. This was the first
Ostfriesian emigrant organization. The founding of such an
undertaking, however, had to conform to the laws of the Royal
Hannoverian government. [Here follow several paragraphs
detailing the stipulations of the Hannoverian government and
the subsequent negotiations]
The Antje Brons (Captain Woortmann) lay in the Emden harbor
on April 18, 1855, and sailed from there the next day. Before
its departure, two officials had examined the ship and certified
"that it was adequately outfitted and appointed for 85 passengers." The extant passengers' list lists the names and the home
town or village of the emigrants. Of the 86 passengers there
were seven cabin passengers and 79 steerage passengers. All
of the cabin passengers were from Nortmoor; the steerage passengers were from:
Midlum
4 persons
Tergast
1 person
Osterhusen
8 persons
Upleward
1 person
Leer
7 persons
Moorhusen
2 persons
Rorichum
2 persons
Rhaudermoor
7 persons
Weener
7 persons
Warsingsfehn
3 persons
Emden
16 persons
Esens
1 person
Rhauderfehn
5 persons
Osteel
1 person
Jemgum
1 person
Coldinne
1 person
Larrelt
3 persons
Uttum
4 persons
Twixlum
1 person
(The list is found in the Emden Stadtarchiv, III, 1862)
(The passenger list will be printed later or may eventually be
found on the website of the ISTG [Immigrant Ships
Transcribers Guild])
The emigration report in the Ostfriesische Zeitung of April 19,
1855 observed that almost all the passengers were of "middle
class" origin, and that their journey's goal was the city of Freeport
and environs in the state of Illinois.
the permission and the arguments for and against it.) The city
of Leer never fulfilled this dream of becoming a port of departure for emigrants.
"Neither low spirits nor quiet resignation were to be found in this
group, as in other emigrant groups--rather a general expectant
attitude and trust in a happy future in the far-off, new homeland .
. . the class status of farm or land owners was promoted by the
travel agency which counted among its clients numerous families
from various age groups. Others had paid dearly to have their
sons released from military duty with the opinion that it was
worth it to allow their children to become independent in America whereas they would only have long years of dependency to
look forward to here."
In 1857, the city of Emden witnessed two more emigrant ship
departures: On April 18, 1857, the ship "Antje Brons" captained by H. Woortmann, once again left the Emden harbor
and, with favorable winds, brought 95 passengers to New
York. Following that departure, on May 23, the schooner
"Johannes" captained by E. P. Kuper left the Emden harbor. It
had been outfitted by the Brons und Company firm. Thirty-six
emigrants found their way to Charleston, South Carolina, on
this schooner. Almost all of them came from areas around
Aurich and Leer.
In closing, particular economic gains for the city of Emden are
recorded in a listing of provisions which the city needed to provide for the outfitting of such ships. For this ship alone (which
was provisioned for 91 days) the city of Emden provided:
2,348 pounds of white bread
3,222 pounds of dark bread (Schwarzbrot)
2,471 pounds of meat
1,273 pounds of bacon
449 pounds of butter and other items.
This journey of the "Johannes" appears to be the final chapter of emigrant ships from Emden. The firm of
Brons und Company reported to the
Emden magistrates on February 12,
1862, that . . .since 1857 there has
been no occasion to transport passengers overseas. They therefore petitioned that the surety bonds be dissolved.
In addition, the emigrants spent a great deal of money in the city
before the departure. "These financial gains will rise with the
increased business expected." However, the intention of the
Brons & Co. firm to send forth another ship in the following
month did not materialize. A decreased interest in emigration
was the reason and the Bremen firms, with round-the-clock, active agents also in Ostfriesland, drew the emigrant business to
their city.
Not until the next year did another emigrant ship leave the Emden
harbor. This time the journey was sponsored by the R. Reemtsma
firm, which had received a license for the undertaking in February of 1856. The ship was the brig, Gertrude, captained by A.
Hayen, which sailed for New York on April 15, 1856 with 81
passengers. With rare exception, the passengers were mostly
from Emden and the surrounding communities. Still, this was the
only journey sponsored by the R. Reemstma firm—already by
August, 1856, they had to discontinue the service because of the
demise of their partner, Brongers, and the necessity for downsizing the company.
However, the other harbor on the Ems River, Leer, where various
Bremen emigrant ships had already been outfitted in 1849, had
not lain dormant. There, in Leer, numerous business firms combined and founded the Auswanderer-Gesellschaft "Frisia" on
February 1, 1856. The founders were: P. Fritzen from the firm,
Fritzen and Büttner, Jul. Kaulen from the firm, Beckmann, and H.
Wiemann.
The activities of the Ostfriesian emigration societies lasted only
a short time. From 1856 on, with the completion of the rail
line, the conditions were ripe for development; however, success was not possible without the necessary state or government support. The Bremen firms, with their long history of
shipping and trans-oceanic connections were better equipped to
handle the business and they enjoyed the support of their home
base, the city of Bremen. The Ostfriesian firms, in contrast,
struggling with initial start-up prob- “I neither want to encourlems, were also working in complete age you for a trip here or to
isolation with no state or city support. dissuade you. I believe,
SOURCE: Translation of "Beiträge
zur Auswanderung aus Ostfriesland
im 19. Jahrhundert" von Wilhelm
Weitz (Articles about Emigration
from Ostfriesland in the 19th Century
-by Wilhelm Weitz).
however, that you can live
here much better and the
children here have the best
prospects. Our lives here
are much better and more
comfortable.”
Immigrant Letter Excerpt
Printed originally in Friesisches
Jahrbuch, 1958 Laverman N.V., Drachten, Publisher as a publication of Der Friesenrat. Gene Janssen, Translator
__________________________________________________
1
Ostfriesische Tageszeitung, 5 Sep 1936.
2
Ostfriesische Zeitung, No. 182, 4 Aug 1851.
3
Leer Anzeigenblatt, 8 Nov 1851.
The new society sought permission to incorporate from the Royal
Ministerium of the Interior (Hannover) and declared capital fund
holdings of 12,000 RM gold. (Parts of the dissertation deleted
here because there are long explanations of the process involving
15
MISCELLANEOUS
DIT UN DAT
When did you last back up all your data? It is the first of the
year and a perfect time to back up genealogical data!
 What would you lose if your computer crashed today?
 Flash drives are cheaper than ever—buy a new one just for
that purpose!
 Do it the first day of every month! It is something you
will never regret.
BEST ADVICE—share your best genealogical advice
with OGSA. If it is a sentence, paragraph or even two—help
others! Maybe it‘s a book you‘ve found, a website or a library.
Your data will be included in the July newsletter.
lcstrong@frontiernet.net—newsletter address is on page two.
Westgroßefehn - The Fehn Museum Society has ambitious
plans. It intends to build on the museum‘s grounds a genuine ―Tjalk‖,
a single-mast, flat-bottomed coastal freighter of by-gone days. The
project will be an attempt to get in touch again with the ship building
tradition in Westgroßefehn, which once had 5 shipyards. The last yard
closed in the middle of the last century. The Society will be seeking
public assistance and is looking for skilled tradesmen. It will offer
students from Großefehn‘s technical school a way to earn credits for
hands-on work. By the way, Westgroßefehn‘s Museum offers its visitors a look at a original, homey Teestube, a historical smithy and sawmill.
Ostfriesische Nachrichten, 11/12/09
The internet has dramatically changed the way for adoptee’s to
find information on their birth parents. Check out these:
FINDING ADOPTION RECORDS:
http://www.cyndislist.com/adoption.htm
http://www.firstmotherforum.com/
PETITIONING COURT TO OPEN ADOPTION RECORDS:
http://www.plumsite.com/shea/petition.html
Adoption records—state by state:
http://www.adoptiononline.com/aecstatebystate.html
ORPHAN TRAIN WEBSITE:
http://www.orphantraindepot.com/
AND A BOOK FOR ADOPTEES:
Askin, Jane. Search: A Handbook for Adoptees and Birthparents. (3rd edition). Phoenix, Arizona: Oryx Press, 1998.
Aurich -
The county administration has proposed to the Education
Committee that the student achievements in the subjects Metals and
Electronics at the Vocational-Technical School in Aurich be lifted to
the highest level in the state of Lower Saxony. It intends to raise
700,000 euros to merge these two subjects in one Innovation Center:
Production Techniques. The state applauds the plan but won‘t participate. The administration has further proposed to invest 1.3 million
euros in Norden‘s technical school, much of it to be spent on expanding the present facilities. The county is reacting to the industrialization
of the region and the raised demands facing hopeful employees. It is
convinced that schools must keep abreast of technical advances.
BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE!
TERGAST OSB has arrived! NEERMOOR OFB will be available in January, too. The 1719 Kopfschatzungsregister is also
reprinted, a source of some of the earliest census type records. A
lot of other books have been reprinted—the out of print OSB that
you have been waiting for! If you are interested in any of them,
please let us know now. info@ogsa.us
OGSA also has printed Grossefehn, It’s History—a fantastic
book. If your family worked and lived on the moors, you will
want this book! A great look at daily life.
http://www.immigrantships.net/
The Emigrant Ship Transcriber’s Guild
Volunteers have transcribed thousands of ship records and they are
available on this website. There is even a search for you to check
for your ancestors.
OGSA member Jerry Dohling sent in a correction. A marriage record for
his ancestors was listed in the last newsletter—but the date should have
been 1911! The family knew the date, but not where the marriage took
place and I found it in the newspaper local news column! A suggestion for
getting through your brick wall!
Samke Klinkenborg’s Emigration Story
Transribed by Gene Janssen (from the Ostfriesen-Zeitung)
Samke Klinkenborg née Penning was born in Bunderhammrich in 1842.
She married John Klinkenborg who served in the German navy for many
years. John died after the birth of their nine children. When the eldest
son, Evert, was almost twenty years old, he travelled to America to explore possibilities for life there for his mother and eight siblings. After
his arrival in New York he went to Iowa and found work in the Ashton/
George area. Any money that he could save was sent back to his mother,
so that she and the children could also come to the States.
Even today, after all these years, the family has a sheepskin case containing the many papers of Samke Klinkenborg. One of the items is her passport. It was issued in 1887 in Ditzumerverlaat and cosigned by John Penning, most likely a relative. As she was boarding the ship she discovered
that her family had been assigned to two different ships. She was not
happy with that situation and through her insistence, ways and means
were found to keep everyone together on one ship. When Samke left
Germany she had $38, probably tucked away in her blouse.
Aurich - Within the next five years the local retail trade is scheduled to
undergo a thorough reorganization designed to make Aurich the first shopping town in Ostfriesland. The master plan has already been placed before
the town council. More than 170,000 sq. ft. of new retail area will be created, divided into three areas: on the Wallster Weg, at the end of the Osterstrasse, and on the Norderstrasse, featuring respectively a shopping mall
with 500 parking spaces, gastronomy, and specialty stores. The central bus
depot will be relocated. The promoter of this plan, a project and city development company from Stuttgart will advise Aurich‘s administration as the
undertaking proceeds. Aurich believes strongly that it has to make this
effort in order not to be overtaken by competition from neighboring
Jemgum - An ancient dugout canoe, 2 ft. wide and 15 ft. long, solidly
imbedded in clay has been discovered by an archaeological team of the
Ostfriesische Landschaft on the natural gas storage cavern preparation site
near Jemgum. It has been carefully removed, placed in a wooden container, and shipped with as little disturbance as possible to the conservation
lab of the Historical Museum in Schleswig.
Rheiderland Zeitung, 10/27/09
16
EARLY TRAVEL IN AMERICA
AND ONCE THEY GOT HERE….
Before the whistle of the locomotive was heard on the prairie and the settlements
came into closer association with the cities lying further east, travel was maintained
mostly by the stage coach. They transported passengers, mail and freight. Their
course went over the state roads, so called, because they were laid out and maintained
by the states. One such road led in those days from Chicago via Rockford and Freeport to Galena. Even today, it still forms a main traffic artery between the numerous
cities and villages existing on the way to Chicago.
Whenever the weather was good, and the horses frequently changed, the stage coach
made from sixty to seventy miles a day. Although the trip was slower than the means
of transportation today, it did not lack a certain romanticism. If the weather turned
wet and the road softened, then the good fellowship of the passengers and the forward progress of the coach stopped. ―Stuck in the mud‖, was more than just a figure
of speech in those days, it was often hard reality. William Cullen Bryant, the wellknown American poet and editor, reports of one such experience on the trip to his
mother in Princeton, Illinois.
―Shortly before sundown we intended to cross the Illinois Canal. High water had
swept away the primitive bridge, and as we made the attempt to travel across the
water by a ford, the wheels on the one side hit on some rocks and on the other side
sank deep into the mud, and in a flash the vehicle upset. The men waded out, the
women were carried, and happily no one was injured or drowned. A farm wagon
passing by took the women passengers to the nearest farm house. In order to bring
out the baggage and to right again the coach, we all had to stand and work chest
deep in the mud. Around nine o’clock we reached a hospitable farm house, where we
spent the night in an effort to dry our clothing and to prepare the baggage for the
return trip on the next day.”
Such experiences frightened many people away from longer trips on the stage. The
mail had to suffer from it also. In these days, when it takes a letter only 21 hours to
come from New York to German Valley, it is
We tried to help one another as hard to imagine how long it must have taken
best we could out of the mess.
by canal boat and stage. And how anxiously
the settlers living on the border of civilization
waited for a sign of life from the loved ones who still lived in the old, dear places
they had abandoned.
Postal rates were also higher in those days, for example, a letter from Freeport to
New York cost 25 cents; to Ohio 18 ¾ cents; to St. Louis 6 ¼ cents; to East Friesland
50 cents.
A complete change for the better in transportation, living conditions, and market
places for farm products took place when the railroad came to Northern Illinois and
touched the Colony. A great new era of development began for the Colony when the
locomotive of the Chicago,
Galena Rail Road, now the
Northwestern, entered into the
happily excited Freeport in
August, 1853. It had not been
easy to get the railroad project, which had been in the
planning since 1846, into action and to persuade the railroad company to lay track
through Freeport. Only when
the farmers of Stephenson
County
subscribed
some
$20,000 to the common stock
of the railroad, did they give
heed to their wishes.
17
Later, these farmers had the sad experience of many others who paid their subscriptions only to have the railroad
go over into other hands at a low price and thus lose their
investment. Even though this was no small loss, at least
they could console themselves with the thought that they
were now in connection with a railroad and the rest of the
world. The first railroad passed by some four miles north
of the East Friesian Colony.
SOURCE: DeWall, Kenneth, East Frisians in America
The Ocean Voyage...
Even before our fathers and mothers were settled safely
under cover in the new homeland, they had to endure
difficulties. ―There are not trips without hardships.‖
Already with the beginning of the trip the hardships began. The ships of those days could not be compared with
the floating palaces of today‘s ocean liners. They were
sailing ships. And almost always, small, old, unsecured
boxes, and in as much as the most of the immigrants
were not in a position to raise the required passenger fare
on larger and more comfortable ships, they had to travel
by these ships.
As a rule, the trip lasted from six to eight weeks, depending on the weather. Sometimes the vessel was driven off
its course by sever storms, and arrived months late at its
appointed harbor. When Okkel De Groot‘s parents came
to America, they were driven by a frightful storm far into
the South Atlantic and only after six months, did they
reach the protecting harbor. Again and again, death
through hunger or thirst or a watery grave stared into
their anxious faces.
Who could describe the experiences of such a trip in a
suitable manner? One, who had lived through it all, told
me: ―The passenger area in the belly of the ship was
indescribably dirty; the food mostly spoiled; the drinking
water stinking; the ventilation poor; and the sanitary
arrangements defied description. For these reasons,
seasickness and other sever illnesses were the order of
the day.
Often we men stood on the deck at the midnight hour and
watched as captain and crew took up the corpse of a
passenger and silently and swiftly consigned it to a cold
sea grave, the last great trip from which there is no return. Men, women, and children longed with ever
greater yearning for an end of the sailing trip; and with
many the nagging feeling of homesickness crept over
them even now. Oh, If only we had stayed at home.”
SOURCE:
America
DeWall, Kenneth, East Frisians in
A Journey to America in 1871
The Diary of Tettje Nanninga from Manslagt
SOURCE: Bruns, Hilda, Unser Ostfriesland, Ostfriesen Zeitung, 1992
Translated by Gene Janssen
Just twenty years-old, Tjaard Nanninga emigrated in 1869 from Manslagt to America. He had a definite goal in the United States. Some
years before Jan and Jacob Benninga, both also from Manslagt, had
made the journey and had settled in Riley County, Kansas, and this is
where Tjaard Nanninga headed. Presumably, he was going to check out
the area for his family because they all followed him to the new world
two years later: his father (a smith, village shipper and merchant),
Reinder Heeren Tjaards Nanninga and his second wife, Geelke (Garrelts)
along with seven children from this second marriage. In addition, the
married daughter from the first marriage, Elisabeth, followed a few
months later along with her husband.
Among the seven children there was a seventeen-year-old daughter
named Tettje. A diary written by her about the journey for the time span
from the departure on April 14th until the arrival on June 13, 1871 has
been preserved.
From these descriptions, it becomes clear (already in the first entries)
that there was more to emigration than a well planned or routine move.
On the contrary, it usually meant a complete break, a cutting of social
ties, and a departure from familiar surroundings with an irreversible parting from relatives and friends, from customs, language and lifestyles
along with anxiety about the future. It is readily apparent that this was
especially so for the children and the youth.
For the seventeen-year-old Tettje Nanninga these feelings of separation were likely so intense, and the emotional and psychological burden
so heavy, that she died within the year of arrival in America. According
to family lore she was so homesick that she could not eat or sleep, and
she lost all interest in living.
However, her writings provide a glimpse into the transportation conditions of the waning 19th century. A three-month ship‘s journey on a
sailing ship was less than a cruise which one undertook for pleasure.
Ultimately, these diary entries remind us of a particular aspect of Ostfriesian history—the years when, because of economic conditions, thousands of Ostfriesians (primarily from the Krummhörn and Rheiderland
areas) were compelled to leave their homeland in search of a better life
elsewhere.
―Tettje Nanninga’s Diary During the Journey to America in 1871‖
does not record unusual events. It is written in the simple style of a
seventeen-year-old with a village school education; however, it is a
document richly revealing the social aspect of Ostfriesland around
1870. It ends soon after their arrival in Baltimore, though in an unusually positive tone. She was still able to delight in the unfamiliar
mountains and valleys and to report almost gleefully about the flowers
which she picked during the train trip. Yet America did not become the
―promised land‖ for her.
To avoid any alteration in the original impressions, a word-for-word
transcription follows.
Manslagt, 14thApril
It is most certainly part of God‘s wisdom that one must part from that
which one values most. Yes, part. Even though nothing in the world
pains the heart as much as a parting of ways, yes parting. Now, don‘t get
me wrong. When people part from one another they say Auf Wiedersehen, Auf Wiedersehen, Auf Wiedersehen (‗See you again).
Manslagt, 14th April 1871
I‘m supposed to leave my home and go out into the world; to leave my
German homeland and go to America. True, my parents and six siblings
18
are going also, but one dear sister, dear grandfather,
aunts, uncles, friends and acquaintances remain behind.
15th Apr.
At 9:00 a.m. we boarded the train at Emden. The first
station we reached was Oldersum The train only stopped
for a few moments. Next we came to Neermoor, then
Leer, where we passed the time until noon, changing
trains. Barely a stop in Nordmoor then in Stickhusen? (is
that in Oldenburg?), Augustfehn, and Apen and also only
a few minutes in Ocholt and again barely a stop at
Zwischenahn.
At 2:10 p.m. we arrived in Oldenburg. The houses in
this city are mostly painted white with red roofs. We
were here for a quarter hour…in Wüstung also hardly a
stop. From Stickhausen ‗til Wüstung there is almost
nothing other than bush and heather.
In Delmenhorst and Hüchtingen again only a few minutes stop and then we came to Bremen around 4:00 p.m.
Consul Schon was already waiting for us here, and with
his help we loaded our baggage onto a hand cart and
went to the inn accompanied by him. The innkeeper
seemed to know that we were coming and brought us
into a low room. That same evening, father went to Consul Schon and registered us on the sailing ship ―Iris‖
whose captain was named Schütte. We obtained second
cabin accommodations for the price of steerage.
Bremen, the 17th April
At 11:00 a.m. we made our way to the station where,
after a 1-1/2 hour wait, and with the help of our innkeeper, we boarded the train. But, it took even longer
before everyone found their places, because there were
several ships sailing on the same day as ours. When we
arrived in Bremerhafen it was raining fiercely, and we
had some difficulty finding the ―Iris.‖
Wednesday, Bremerhafen, 19th
At 11:00 a.m. we left Bremerhafen with an especially
good wind, but that evening there was a storm which
really scared us. The next day we were all seasick so
that we had to stay in bed for two days.
Saturday the 22nd April
We were all feeling fairly well as long as the ship didn‘t
roll too much. It was very foggy in the afternoon.
Sunday the 23rd April 1871
Ooh? This was a boring Sunday because we couldn‘t work like on
other days, and besides that, the ship made little forward progress.
On 25-26th
. . . we were passing England, but the wind was against us.
27th April, Thursday
We were seasick again because of the strong rolling of the ship plus the
wind was of little help.
The 28th, Friday
I had to stay in bed though the others could sit up and eat. The wind
stayed the same.
The 30th April
Oh how boring our day was especially since the wind was terribly
strong and against us, so that sometimes the water splashed overboard,
otherwise we could have been out on the deck.
The 31st was a beautiful day, but it was too bad that we made little forward progress. The evening was even finer than the day because it
became very still and our young friends took advantage of it by dancing.
The 1st of May
On the first we left the English Channel after 12 days and the sailors
said that had the wind remained like it was on the first day we would
have passed through the channel in three days.
The 2nd of May
This was a beautiful day because the wind was better for us, and also it
was warm enough that we could be outside on the deck almost the
whole time, and father and I were the last ones to go in because the
sight of the ocean was really pleasant.
The 3/4th of May
The wind wasn‘t so good again, but in the evening it picked up so
strongly that we made good progress during the night.
The 5th and 6th of May
On May 5th the wind was more favorable than any previous day though
the ship rolled so much that we could hardly remain seated and our
trunks shifted back and forth.
The 6th was my birthday and I received a lot of birthday wishes. The
wind was as favorable on the 7th.
The 8th of May (Tuesday)
The wind was favorable and we saw various large fish this evening.
The 9th of May
The wind changed and was not so favorable.
The 12th of May, Saturday
On this day the wind was so unfavorable and the ship rolled so very
much that I had to stay in bed the whole day as did many others because of headaches.
On Sunday the wind was better and besides the weather was beautiful.
Monday and Tuesday the same.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday we did not make much
progress though the weather was beautiful and meanwhile it had become very hot.
The 27th of May
The ship rolled mightily again, but no seasickness though we feared we
would have a bad Pentecost because we were by the Gulf of Mexico
though it went better than what we had expected and though it was
boring we could at least be outside. The evening of the second day
there were a lot of games and dancing, but I had to refrain because we
were not allowed to dance.
The 31st
It was really warm but the wind was unfavorable and remained so until
the 6th (Wednesday) when it changed in our favor.
The 7th June (Thursday)
Once again the wind was favorable and this day was so warm that we
could run around without stockings and vests just like the Bohemians,
19
Pomeranians and Saxons. In the evening we got strong
storms, and the rain fell in sheets along with strong winds,
though the crew were used to this from the Gulf of Mexico.
The 8th, Friday
It was very still so that the ship hardly moved.
The 9th of June (Translator’s Note: from this point on Tettje
is confused about the date and used July instead of June in
the original. It was changed here for clarity.)
The wind was favorable once again and by evening we were
so close to land that the captain could see a lighthouse, but
then we had to retreat because we did not yet have any pilots aboard, and the captain could not see to navigate the
dangerous areas in the night.
Sunday, the 10th of June
Everyone assembled early on deck this morning in order to
see the much-longed-for land. Around noon a pilot came
and among the men in his crew was a black man. In the
afternoon there was a strong storm and such a strong rain,
so that the sailors were drenched because they had to lower
the sails.
On Monday the 12th of June
When we got up in the morning the ship was running so fast
that we thought we would be in Baltimore by evening. But,
around 7:00 a.m. the wind changed and they had to throw
out the anchor, but at noon a pilot came and brought us up
to the harbor of Baltimore. Here we stayed until the next
morning until a doctor had checked whether there were any
sick passengers on board. Then the steamer brought us into
the Baltimore harbor.
We had barely gotten off when our baggage was already
on land, and a couple of men came and everything had to be
opened, but they just looked over it a bit and then they made
a mark on it. At noon we left the ship because almost all
the other passengers left. Everything was rather difficult
because in Baltimore, not only were the people different,
but the language was strange, and one could trust no one,
whereas on the ship we had all become acquainted with
each other for there were various young girls and women
aboard. Here in Baltimore we first felt the entry into a
strange land.
Around 4:00 p.m. we had to go to the train station,
though not without bidding farewell to our friends.
The rail coaches were completely different from those in
Germany. On both sides there were white benches and each
bench could seat two people. The seats were upholstered
and in each coach there was a room with fresh water and a
toilet. One could go from one coach to another because
there was a glass door on either end where three or four
people could stand.
We were in the first coach. Groenhagen and his wife
and various others were in the third coach. We never got
into Baltimore itself but went around part of it. Now,
though, there was something to see—mountains and valleys, and these seemed the more beautiful to us because we
had never seen a mountain before. And now we saw nothing but mountains and forests so that occasionally it would
be very dark when passing between high rocks or through
the mountains. We also saw various waterfalls, and when
the train stopped, we hurried out and picked wonderful
flowers and mixed bouquets along the way so that soon all
the windows were decorated.
NEWS FROM OSTFRIESLAND
Submitted by Rudy Wiemann
Ostfriesen-Zeitung, 10/27/09
Wiesmoor - Nearly 200 local eighth graders did their part for the
protection and maintenance of the moor landscape at Lake Ottermeer.
Armed with the knowledge gained in preceding lectures and gardening
tools brought from home, they went after "invasive" plant life, mostly
young birches and beeches, which in time would put pressure on the
endangered bog flora for the preservation of which a 300 acre nature
preserve has been set aside. Needless to say, for these boys and girls
this combination of class room learning and hands-on experience was
quite exciting.
Emder Zeitung, 10/27/09
Emden - The shipyard Nordseewerke Corp., founded in 1903 and one
of Germany‘s longest-standing shipyards still in existence, taken over
by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in 1974 for the production of submarines, surface navy ships, freighters, and specialty vessels, has been
purchased by SIAG of Dernbach, Germany, fabricator of wind turbine
support structures. TK Marine Systems, headquartered in Hamburg,
has about 8,000 employees in Germany, Sweden, and Greece. It is part
of ThyssenKrupp Group which employs roughly 200,000 people
worldwide and has an annual turnover of around $80 billion. Its shipyards in Hamburg and Kiel will be made greater use of by its withdrawal from Emden. SI (Schaaf Industrie) AG (Corp.) has rapidly
grown from a structural steel fabricator to a leading supplier to the
wind energy industry with fabrication plants in several European
countries and Egypt. It has recently taken over a tubular steel fabrication plant in Chattanooga, TN, from where it intends to supply America‘s booming wind energy market. It has about 1,200 employees and
an expected 2009 turnover of $325 million. It will retain 720 of Nordseewerke‘s 1,200 employees. Another 300 will continue to work for
TK Marine until its operations have been phased out entirely. As a
nostalgia-laden sign of the times, Emden‘s iconic Nordseewerke shipyard will morph to Europe‘s largest offshore tower production site.
Jeversches Wochenblatt, 10/27/09
Jever – The Stadtkirche has a long tradition in the care it gives to its
presentations of sacred music. Music lovers far and wide look forward
to the concerts of its Stadtkantorei choir. The delivery of works by
M.A. Charpentiers (Te Deum) and Haydn (Theresien Messe) during
the festive concert on Saturday in commemoration of its 50th anniversary must surely rank among its most impressive offerings so far. The
Kantor‘s mixed choir of 80 singers and five soloists and the debuting
―concertino Jever‖, a new group of 25 musicians, raised storms of
applause in an audience deeply moved by the power of the compositions and the depth of their interpretation.
General Anzeiger, 10/31/09
Völlen - 47 grade school students have been busy most of the week
memorizing an entire opera: ―Cinderella. A Fairy Tale Opera‖. Since
Monday they have been singing, dancing, baking cookies, printing
programs, preparing decorations, and tailoring costumes. Thursday
was dress rehearsal, followed by two performances on Friday in
Völlen‘s Peter-and-Paul Church. Tickets were 10 euros for adults, five
euros for children. The project was organized by opera diva Irmelin
Sloman who has already offered such courses for 5 years, her motivation founded in the hope that love of opera may thereby be more readily passed on to the next generation.
Grimersum - Discussions concerning a planned partnership of the
consolidated community Krummhörn and the American rural town of
Grundy Center, Iowa, which were prompted by the introduction of
Grimersum‘s OSB, awakened a great deal of interest. This OSB, or Ortssippenbuch (local family book), contains vital statistics of the parishioners entered by the pastors of the Reformed congregation into the church
records between 1698 and 1900. They are a hot item for family researchers, and 25 OSB copies are already on the way to America. If the community council votes in favor of the partnership, as is expected, a delegation will seal it in Grundy Center in October of 2010. There have already
been many inquiries of Krummhörners eager to travel with the delegation. (In August of that year OGSA will hold its quadrennial East Friesian Congress in the nearby town of Cedar Falls.) The source material of
Grimersum‘s OSB was the center of interest earlier this year by a group
of 22 tourists who, as descendants of East Friesian emigrants, eagerly
researched their family‘s roots and learned about the land of their forebears.
Aurich/Emden - Plans are under discussion to upgrade the railroad
tracks between Aurich and Emden‘s harbor, as their current weight restrictions and insufficient right-of-way widths limit their hauling potential more than justifiable. About a thousand tight spots will need realigning or widening, and three bridges will have to be replaced, including the
railroad bridge at Suurhusen. Even the tracks between Aurich and
Georgsheil, only recently brought back into service, require partial realignment. The estimated cost for this project is close to $40 million. In
Aurich it is especially the wind turbine manufacturer Enercon who will
benefit from this improvement, as it is greatly enlarging its production
facilities in Sandhorst and wants to transport more heavy loads per railroad to Emden‘s harbor for export.
Pewsum - ―The first Church Night [sic] in East Friesian Pewsum was a
great success!‖ With these words the deaconess and religious advisor for
the school of Pewsum and Woquard sums up a lively program for 70
young people who participated in Reformation Day activities ―of another
sort‖. The kids learned what motivated Martin Luther to call for changes
in the church; that God loves all people no matter what they look like
and who they are; and, yes, they were even encouraged to say what they
liked and disliked about today‘s church. Finally, up the steeple they went
whence they could step out into the night and rappel to the ground - if
they were able to overcome their fears as Martin Luther overcame his. A
disco was set up in the church, offering music and snacks, highlighted
this youth-oriented Reformation Day celebration. But for the confirmands of Pewsum and Woquard the program was not yet over. They
bedded down for the night in the church and were served rolls and hot
chocolate in the morning before going home or being picked up by their
families. Pewsum was not alone in this Reformation Day observance.
Across Germany about 100,000 young people celebrated it with a
―Church Night‖ which, the church hopes, will offer an alternative to
Halloween.
Ostfriesen Zeitung, 11/5/09
Aurich - Last spring a delegation from Tajikistan, north of Afghanistan,
visited Aurich to study its school system and witness the operation of a
couple of structural steel fabrication shops. They asked for help in setting up a technical training system of their own. The response was great problematical, however, the transport of donated equipment per container to that land-locked country‘s capital, Dushanbe, 5,000 miles away.
A way was finally cleared with the help of the federal office of economic
development, and seven tons of used equipment, valued at appr. $80,000,
will begin its three week haul across Europe and part of Asia to reach its
destination.
Emden - The Norwegian energy company Stadkraft plans the construc-
20
Current News
tion of a new, modern natural gas fired power plant in Emden‘s harbor
at the site of the present power plant which it purchased from Eon
Corp. a year ago. It will cost more than $450 million to build and will
have a capacity of 450 megawatts. With a ratio of energy input to output of 58%, as compared to 42% for the present facility, it will be one
of Europe‘s most modern plants. It is expected that the old plant, part
of which has been idled already, will eventually be phased out entirely,
the final decision to be made in Oslo in early 2011. Pipes already in
place between Rysum Neck, Stadkraft’s North Sea pipeline‘s landfall,
and the power plant will continue to be used, and Emden‘s administration, which welcomes the project, is already working on emissions
related permits. Stadkraft plans to double its CO2-poor natural gas
based power generation in Europe by 2015.
Borkumer Zeitung, 11/8/09
Borkum - The island‘s youth organizations, senior groups, and church
related social activities, etc., have all benefitted from the public engagement and generosity of the local Lions Club and its 29 members. These good folks raise some of their donations through the sale
of calendars for the month of December. These calendars have a little
door for each day of the month which upon opening reveal a number.
On 24 dates this number will entitle the lucky winner, or winners, to a
prize. There are 35 prizes altogether worth close to $10,000. The drawings will appear on the following day in the Borkumer Zeitung and
can also be looked up at www.lions-club-borkum.
Leer - Something unusual is happening to the children of Leer: more
and more want to learn to the play the violin. After Barbara Rehklau of
the County Music School began to teach by the Suzuki method, 38
young students signed up within a short time. The school now has 125
youngsters learning to play string instruments.
Rysum - After Rysum‘s Reformed Church underwent renovation work
during which it was found that the stone building dates from the 13th
century, not the 15th as had been assumed, and that it had a predecessor made of wood which dates from the 11th century, the town was
eager to finish work on its windmill project. This mill did have two
predecessors (the first one 500 years ago) and was built in the Dutch
style in 1895. It burnt down in 1917 and was rebuilt in 1921 with parts
obtained in Varel. It was decommissioned in 1964, as the miller was
not able to raise the money for needed repairs. The octagonal superstructure, including the cap, was sold to Zwischenahn (Oldenburg) and
used to rebuild that town‘s windmill. When in the 1980s Rysum was
enrolled in the Federal Village Renewal Program, a local ad hoc society was quickly formed for the purpose of rebuilding the town‘s mill,
the brick base of which was still in place. In 1988 the frame work of a
superstructure purchased in Schleswig-Holstein was moved to Rysum
and placed on the brick base. Work could now begin outside and was
completed in 1995. Since then it has operated a Teestube and overnight
accommodations for travel groups of between six and 16 persons.
Work is now rapidly progressing on the restoration of the miller‘s
house during which phase it was discovered that it once was a farm
house with a Gulf style attached barn which was taken down to make
room for the mill.
Hamswehrum - As part of the action ―Tass Tee mit Börgmester‖ (a cup
of tea with the mayor) 65 villagers met in the Loogvolkhuus (Platt:
Village Folks House) to make known their unhappiness with the local
street conditions, lighting, and related topics. They wanted to know
when Hamswehrum would finally be enrolled in the Federal Village
Renewal Program which would free up funds for improvements of this
kind. Mayor Saathoff told his constituents that Uttum and Freepsum
had already been enrolled, that Pewsum‘s application was being processed, and that Hamswehrum‘s turn would come, just that he couldn‘t
say when, as the decision lay with the Office for Geo-Information,
Land Development, and Real Estate Holdings in Aurich. He himself,
as mayor, was only allowed to make decisions involving sums up to
10,00 euros.
Filsum - The farmer Frerich de Riese was feeling relief after the village
council approved his application to build a 200 by 80 feet shed for
12,000 laying hens with a 7.5 acre attached run adjacent to his farm
buildings. Eight members of the parties CDU, FDP, and AWG voted for
approval against three SPD votes for denial. Construction will begin
early next year. The total investment will amount to about $750,000.
Emden - The Synod of the Reformed Church in Germany fixed its
budget for the coming year at 35.5 million euros and stated that despite
falling church surtax income it would be able to continue on its present
course without further reductions in expenditures. The budget will be
about 800,000 euros below that of 2009. For the coming year it figures
on 21 million euros in church surtax income, a reduction of about 5%
due to the economic crises which has had a severe impact on many of its
members.
Borkumer Zeitung, 11/14/09
Borkum - The action ―Christmas in a Shoe Box‖ turned out to be a great
success on the island with 150 boxes packed. The small, lovingly
wrapped presents will be on their way to Emden from where they will be
shipped to Eastern Europe and South Africa. There they are longingly
expected by many children living in impoverished areas.
Rheiderland Zeitung, 11/15/09
Jemgum/Ditzum - Continuation of the ferry service Jemgum-EmdenDelfzijl for 2010 is almost assured. Invitations for bids by interested
operators will run until Dec. 1. There already have been several applications.
Ihren - The local advisory group for proposing construction projects to
be included in the Federal Village Renewal Program has submitted its
list of priorities to the building committee of the consolidated community Westoverledingen. The list is headed by street improvement measures. Ihren may expect federal participation of at least 42% which would
reduce the property owners‘ share from the usual 75% to 43.5%. However, the state has now signaled a 65% participation which would further
reduce the share payable by property owners to 34%.
Aurich - Yesterday, in observation of the National Day of Mourning,
representatives of the town of Aurich, the Federal Defense Forces, and
the German Association of War Graves placed wreaths at the war memorial on Aurich‘s Jehringsstrasse. Speakers stressed that the fallen, as
victims of war, force, and tyranny, are a reminder to the living to strive
for peaceful conflict resolutions, and that remembering their fate impresses on us the importance of peace, freedom, democracy, reconciliation, and humanity. Special thoughts were with the German soldiers who
died and die outside of the borders of Germany.
Jemgum - The consolidated community Jemgum has initiated a precautionary lawsuit against the company chosen to construct the planned
natural gas pipeline tunnel under the Ems River at Soltborg. Home owners in the area fear that the consequential lowering of the ground water
table will do damage to their houses, as has happened in the 1980s during the construction of the nearby highway tunnel. Underlying the region
is a layer of organic material, remnant of an Ice Age blanket mire later
covered by alluvial deposits from the rising North Sea. This layer will
shrink upon draining it of ground water. By initiating a lawsuit now the
community expects to reverse the burden of proof later in case such
damage does occur, namely, that it will be up the company to prove that
its tunneling is not the cause of the problem.
21
RAY’S TECH TALK
Ray
Kleinow
Interested in technology, but don‘t know where to start? I‘ll try to make it easier for you by explaining what is out
there and how to use it. Most of these tips will save you lots of time—and help you, too! Contact Ray at rayk29
@comcast.net and put ―TECH TALK‖ in the subject line.
Comcast at MGS!
It was installed at the Minnesota Genealogical Society and
tested on November 12th ! Many thanks to the people making
this finally happen. This now makes computers at MGS
(including our OGSA office computer), able to download about
20 times faster! All users will benefit. And the cost is lower than
what was being paid to Qwest! Telephone costs are also lower
with Comcast and they supply McAfee Security Suite which
will save more OGSA office costs.
MN Marriages?
MN Official Marriage System (MOMS) at www.mncounty.com
is one power house site! You must check this one out if you are
looking for marriage information on someone in Minnesota.
FamilySearch Wiki?
Don‘t know what a ―wiki‖ is? A good definition would be ―a
very powerful, easy to use, online library (maybe encyclopedia?) with thousands of articles written by many authors on a
wide variety of subjects‖. Now FamilySearch.org has added one
for genealogy. The main features are "how to" articles on the
process of genealogical research. It is free and YOU can be an
author of an article or an addition to an article! See http://
wiki.familysearch.org.
MoinMoin Wiki Engine!
Yes, that is right! There is such a thing! See http://moinmo.in/
MoinMoinEtymology
Written on Stone?
We keep hearing about the short life expectancy of our media
storage devices. Recently I wrote about devices available to
lengthen that life span. Now we hear about a CD/DVD made of
stone? (See http://cranberry.com). Expected life 1,000 years?
Will there be a CD/DVD reader available at that time? And to
really make you think – many new netbook computers do not
have CD/DVD drives! How long will the CD/DVD media be
with us? We know Blu-ray discs will extend the life of this type
of media for a few more years. Maybe we should stay with the
tried and true method of renewing your data periodically on the
latest popular media as the old one is phased out. That is usually
only a few years. Right now flash drive technology is improving
and getting cheaper. (If it is priced much more than about $2.00
- $2.50 per GB, look for a better sale. The larger sizes are more,
as always.) A few software companies are now selling their latest versions on flash drives, not CD/DVDs.
More ―Drive-by‖ Viruses
Several reports of a window popping up while visiting websites
stating your computer has a virus and you can download a program to eliminate it by clicking their button. If you clicked on
the cancel button, (or any of their buttons), it goes on to their
next window as if you clicked on the download button. If you
then clicked on the cancel button of that window, it takes you
back to the first window stating you should download the program to fix it.
This action immediately should tell you this is a trick to get you
to download their virus (usually a root kit virus, difficult to remove and not found by the normal virus protection programs),
into your computer. If you did, it really would be infected and
then they would try to get you to buy their program to eliminate
it. Once they were given your credit card information, be assured
you will have many charges you don‘t want!
Some of these pop-ups say they are from Microsoft or one of the
other well-known companies. The ones I’ve seen only say
―Security Alert‖. You can usually close these type of windows
by an Alt+F4 action for each window as it pops up. Many legitimate sites are being compromised and your anti-virus programs
do not stop this sort of action. Don‘t be fooled by one of these
tricks! If you have followed me so far and want more details on
how to reduce these attacks, see information on OpenDNS at
http://www.open dns.com and check out the free services available for individuals.
Computer Virus Tutorial
I talk about ―viruses‖ above and some of you may be saying ―Just
what is a computer virus‖? Or maybe terms like ―Malware‖:
―Spyware‖: ―Adware‖: or ―Grayware‖ just to mention a few.
There is helpful information available on Google, as usual. Also
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_virus and change the
―computer_virus‖ to the other terms.
FamilySearch Adds ―Community Trees‖
I like this one. They say in part "Community Trees are lineagelinked genealogies from specific time periods and geographic
localities around the world. The information also includes the
supporting sources. Most of the genealogies are joint projects
between FamilySearch and others who live locally or have expertise in the area or records used to create the genealogies. Each
Community Tree is a searchable database with views of individuals, families, ancestors and descendants, as well as printing options‖. See http://histfam.familysearch.org/ but understand it is
beta software and may have bugs.
Portable Applications for Flash Drives
These are getting more popular all the time. See http://
www.portableapps.com. There are many free applications specifically designed for a flash drive installation. See also ―suites‖ of
apps. These applications can be installed on a flash drive and
instantly used on any computer you plug it into. It does not install
or leave data on the computer you use unless you want it to. Using RootsMagic? See RootsMagic-To-Go at http://
rootsmagic.com.
Emails More Secure?
We all know not to send sensitive information in an email because it can be easily opened by the wrong people. We also likely
know there are ways to make the emails more secure. Perhaps
this free program can help. It is an online e-mail encryption system. How much more secure depends on many things but cer22
tainly secure enough to protect many individual user‘s needs.
(With Christmas coming up, and presents need to be discussed
yet the computer is used by the family…..) It is easy to use and
with a good ―secret word‖ will work for you. More information
may be found at https://lockbin.com.
a Kindle application for Windows computers. An app for the
iPhone was announced earlier and supposedly they are working
on one for the Mac. Also, the rumors say once a book is purchased, it will be available on each of the devices. Rumor also
says the Windows Kindle application will be free.
RootsMagic and Legacy Interfaces with Family Search Trees
Both the RootsMagic and Legacy have newer versions with the
ability to interfaces with FamilySearch. There are some excellent tutorials at http://rootsmagic.com/FamilySearch/Tutorials/
showing how to work closely with the new FamilySearch Tree
system. See both websites for more details at http://roots
magic.com and http://legacyfamilytree.com
Raindrop
Mozilla, the creators of the web browser Firefox, are creating a
program to unify email, Facebook and Twitter communication
into one interface. Raindrop will be a web application instead of
a downloadable program and should include applications for
mobile devices using web-based services. Google - Mozilla
Raindrop.
FamilyRelatives Adds 1Million Military Records
Familyrelatives.com has added over 1 million army records
ranging from 1808 through to De Ruvigny's biographical record
of World War I soldiers. See http://familyrelatives.com.
The German Research Companion
Pre-publication Sale—3rd Edition
Footnote Keeps Getting Better
Since their start in 2007, they have added millions of records
covering military, census, naturalization, city directories, newspapers, photographs, etc. They are now offering a webinar with
a tutorial of their site at http://blog.footnote.com/the-worlds-first
-footnote-webinar/. This helps you find records: details use of
their search engine: viewer: and creating Footnote Pages.
Google Sidewiki for Genealogy
Another new feature from Google for their Toolbar. Sidewiki
allows you to attach comments to any webpage that will show
when another person having Sidewiki installed visits that webpage. I think this could be good for comments about documents
having (what we may believe to be) errors, thus helping other
genealogists. It could become a problem if it is abused, like
many things. There are many details you should read about to
understand all the features. If you want to try it out, download
the latest Google Toolbar with Sidewiki at http://www.google.
com/Sidewiki.
Microsoft Office 2010 Starter Edition - Free, but-only preinstalled on a new PC and it is a reduced functionality, advertisement supported product. See Microsoft‘s words on http://
blogs.technet.com/office2010/archive/2009/10/07/new-ways-totry-and-buy-microsoft-office-2010.aspx. I guess the free competition from OpenOffice.org, etc. is being noticed?
Fan Charts Anyone?
These are really impressive. They put so much information in a
document. They do this by using a high definition PDF file.
What looks like a meaningless blur becomes clear by zooming
in. They are called At-A-Glance fan charts and are available
from Millisecond Publishing Company. See http://
www.familyforest.com.
Kindle – For Windows? Mac? iPhone?
If you don‘t know what a Kindle is – of course – ―Google‖ it.
Basically a Kindle looks like a fairly thin book but it is actually a computer with monitor, etc., and its main function is to
act like a book you can take practically anywhere and read.
However, it can hold many books. College students are buying their textbooks for classes and downloading them into
their Kindles. Now they can have all their textbooks along at a
fraction of the bulk. It has not been compatible with Windows,
Macs, or Phones. Now Amazon announced they are working on


706 pages—incredible data for all German researchers.
If you do not have this book, you must have it! Donate a
copy to your local library!
 Pre-publication price $25 (includes s & h)
 Shirley J. Riemer, Dr. Roger P. Minert, Jennifer A.
Anderson, co-authors
 Order must be received before February 1, 2010 , after that
date the price will be $28 + shipping.
Send check to: Lorelei Press, P.O. Box 1845, Provo, Utah
84603-1845
SKN Ostfriesland-Magazin
This color magazine has interesting articles (all in German) and
some of the most beautiful pictures of Ostfriesland you‘ve ever
seen. The cost, however, has been prohibitive due to the postage
to the USA. You can now order it online for 45.8 Euro each year
and get it as an E-Magazine. Order right online!
http://www.skn.info/index.php?option=com_content&view
=article&id=97&Itemid=155
Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Markets)
Bremen (along with a city tour), Oldenburg,
Leer Emden and Aurich (and maybe more) on
December 2—11/12, 2010!
Mulled wine, candies, Christmas decorations,
baked treats, brats and lots more! Come along
on a tour which will also include many villages
in Ostfriesland. Winter is beautiful in Ostfriesland—just colder!
Do your Christmas shopping in Germany next
year! Contact Lin at 651-269-3580 for more details.
This trip is not sponsored by OGSA nor are
they responsible for any portion of the trip.
23
Early Correspondence
A German Immigrant’s Letter Home
R.B. Rykena‘s letters to family in Germany, 7 November 1864
(The following letter has been given by Mrs. Truman Lander to me who gave me permission to
share it with our readers. She believes that there
had been more than one attempt to translate the
letter, probably from German to English, and the
following work was the most successful one though
she does not know who actually did the final work.
The actual letter is held by a relative in Texas.
Mrs. Lander is the great-great-grandniece of the author and the greatgreat-granddaughter of the recipient of the letter. She recently received it from her cousins when she was visiting in Iowa near the place
where her German immigrant ancestors had settled. Mrs. Lander grew
up in northern Illinois and spent many pleasant summers on relatives’
farms in German Valley. These are the Illinois relatives to which the
writer refers near the end of his letter. She has also had the opportunity to visit Ostfriesland. We are grateful for her contribution). ED.
Note: some of the village names may vary—other items could not be
easily translated. There are several question marks in the translation.
Hardin county, Iowa, Nov. 7, 1864
Dear brothers and sisters and relatives:
On the 10th of October we arrived well and in good spirits in
New York. There I wrote a letter, but did not have it finished
when we had to go on. Then I gave the letter to Theo Schmidt
without the address, he wanted to see that you got it, but it did
not happen. Other than that I know nothing, for I have not asked
Theo Schmidt about it, and I did not see him again till in Chicago, and there we had no time. In Chicago we immediately
had to go to the other train which goes to the state of Iowa, and
Theo Schmidt and the others who came with us separated and
went into another train, and so we were there with our nine.
We finally got on the train (remainder of line too dark to read)
rooms but they told me they did not know where Hardin County
was situated in Iowa state. I thought to myself what is there to
do? I then asked if I could not go to Mysart [?] on this train.
Thereupon they replied ―Yes‖, and so we went on and on Saturday, Oct. 15 in the afternoon at 2 o‘clock we came to Miport [?]
in good shape. There we got information where we had to go in
Iowa and that same afternoon at 3 o‘clock we went on, and that
evening at 9 o‘clock we arrived in Dubjuk (Ed: Dubuque).
There we remained till Monday morning, for on Sunday no
trains go. Then we left Monday morning at 8 o‘clock for Siderfals (Ed: Cedar Falls) further than that no trains goes into Iowa.
We came to Siderfals at 4 o‘clock. Then we had to go 40 English miles further or 13 1/4 hours to get to Heikens [very likely
friends who had immigrated earlier].
I asked the inn-keeper how we should arrange it to get to Heikens. I asked how much this trip would cost. He said probably
ten dollars [or in Hannover money 11 m. 10 sgr.] but could not
get a driver this evening any more, and that we would have to
wait till the next morning, but before we could talk about it, the
inn-keeper was informed by a man that there were East-Frisians
in town, and they were from Hardin County. He told him that
East-Frisians were at his house; they wanted to go to Hardin
County to buy land. They were to come to him that evening.
Then we became interested. Before an hour had passed two appeared. The one was from Marsingsten [?Warsingsfehn] the
other from Loquard, Germany with name Benjamin Smidt. That
was a moment of joy for us.
So we spent the greatest part of the night with each other with
questions and answers, how things were in Loquard and how it
was in America, and especially if we could ride with them, for
they had to come to town with horse and buggy, and they said we
could ride with them and stay with them.
So then we left in the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 10:30 and
came in the evening at 8 o‘clock in Hardin County to the house of
Benjamin Smidt and remained with him till the next morning.
Then at 10 o‘clock we left Smidt and at noon came to Geerd and
Fjehren Heikens whom we found in good health. Now we were
there where we intended to stay, but to stay there for the entire
winter was too much for us and also for Heikens.
So we resolved to buy land, and then if it was possible, to build a
house. Heikens told us that we could buy 30 acres land near by
which was ¼ hour from their property. So we thought we must
have this. Then we would remain near people we knew. So we
bought these 30 acres for 6 1/4 dollars or in Hannover money the
entire 30 acres for 32 Gold. This land is still in its original condition, it is called prairie. That is green land. It must first be
fenced in and provided with a granary. As long as this is not
done one has no real benefit from it because the cattle have a free
pasture on it. A similar 20 acres I bought four weeks later. This I
paid for with 260 m[arks] gold. That in Hannover currency.
These 20 acres lie along the same road as the first 30 acres and is
at a distance of a quarter of an hour from the
The land and homes
first 30 acres.
are getting more
expensive each year
because the immigration here is very
great.
I would rather have had these 160 acres land
in one piece, and I could no doubt have obtained it, if I would have gone somewhat
further away from Heikens and I do myself
know, that is best if we go further from
Heikens, then we would go further from the woodland, and the
woodland is now at a distance of ¾ hour from the land we have
bought.
I have bought five acres woodland at $20 per acre. That lies 1 ¼
hours distant from us. I bought that because it lies in the
neighborhood of the sawmill. For if the Lord, from which we
receive everything, gives me health and strength I intend this
24
winter to have many trees sawn for building a house. The
trees in our woodland are of the best kind, have a height of
from six to 20 feet and a diameter of one foot and some three
feet. What am I saying? There are some that have a diameter
of four feet and are probably 100 feet tall. This will probably
seem strange to you. Many trees are oaks, but there are all
kinds, linden, cedars, sugar maples. Whoever in spring collects the sap by boring a hole in the tree so that the sap runs
out from the morning when there is frost and during the day
when the sun shines brightly on it, namely for 12 hours, till
the container is full. This is cooked so long till it become
thick and then you have the best sugar. This woodland and
the prairie that we bought cost all together a total of 652 m
[arks] gold.
In addition, we have bought two black horses, one four year
old, and the other five years old, with harness for 195m Gold,
a new wagon for 75m gold, a plow for 13m gold, a brown
cow for 25m gold. This cow is of the best quality. It gives
daily 1/2 [?] butter. We butchered a hog. It weighed 321 lbs.
for 20m gold. We bought 1 ½ load wheat for 1 dollar per
bushel or the load for 52m gold. Maize for feed for horses,
cows, hogs, and sheep. We have bought 1/12 loads for 120
bushels at ½ dollar per bushel, or 25m gold per load We have
bought 6 hogs for winter, of which we make 2 measures of
lard for 6 ¼ dollars 4m20ngr. Sheep one can buy here for 4
Marks. Those are the best ones. Gerd Heikens and Rieke
want to go the first days and get ten head. We have bought
hay from Heikens at $4 per ton. One ton is 2000 lbs. But the
pounds are not as heavy as in Germany – 900 East Frisian
lbs., 1000 lbs. of American weight. For we feed to horses in
the stable as in East Friesland.
The cows go out in the pasture every day, and in the evening
they come home, if the weather is good. Then one does not
have to feed the cows much, and then the cows give more
milk as those in East Friesland. They get hay and beans, for
they go where the maize has grown, for enough corn remains
in the stalks where the maize has grown. Enough leaves remain on them so that they can become satisfied in a short
time, and there is much that remains standing here on the
green land in autumn and so may acres lie in pasture here that
you cannot imagine it.
One can walk for 50 hours here and see here and there a little
cultivated land, the rest is almost ALL GREEN LAND. As
far as I have come in America I have not seen as much green
land as in the state of Iowa. Another state east of here through
which we traveled is the state of Illinois and I have not seen
much green land there but Heikens told me that there is much
good land there but not as level as in Iowa and that it is better
here for the land users than in Illinois because one can keep as
many cattle here as one has, and as one is accustomed to say,
they run to far places.
The cattle here become fat in a short time, so that one can
hardly eat the meat because of the fat. For the horses, accord-
ing to
Heikens
opinion,
the grass
is not so
nourishing but
according to my
opinion
the hay
that we
feed is
very
nourishing, for
our horses get all together 60 to 80 ears daily, that is ½ bushel [and
in several days they go into the woods and get a load of wood with
the wagon or sled, and that is quite a distance.
If everything goes according to our plans we want to milk 10 cows
next summer, for here the butter has a good price. The only thing
missing is that we do not have our own house. Next summer there
will be much to do. Then we must build a house and the land must
be broken. The buildings here are usually small and poor. Most
people put them up themselves. The reason is first of all, that few
carpenters are here and the labor costs are high, for the carpenter
earn daily 2 ½ to 3 dollars, and then they would rather do their own
work, for everyone here has much land and so much to do that he
cannot do work for someone else. The second reason is that the
people who immigrate here have no money. If they still have a
little money, they give it up for land. For the rest they are not so
greatly concerned. They think that the house can be obtained easily.
They buy woodland, and get trees and lay them one on another,
have some trees sawed, make a roof from the boards, floor and vestibule, The windows they buy. The grooves are filled with lime
mortar, and most people do this themselves. Now you can know
what kind of buildings these are, but now I cease about those people
who have no possessions. There are also better buildings here
which are quite good and nice. But here in the country there are no
large houses except the cattle barns and the so called granaries.
They have been built by the settlers. But I think that if I build a
house, I shall build it in the East Frisian style. The worst part is that
the stones are at a distance of two hours from the buildings site, and
a thousand stones cost 6m gold. They are eight inches long, four
inches wide, two inches thick. One can get limestone here also; one
must quarry this oneself. Then one can get this for nothing, but this
is at a distance of three hours from here. What we shall do, I myself do not know, whether we shall use bricks or limestone for the
cellar. The other parts of the building we shall make of wood.
How large it will be, and how furnished, I shall see if the Lord
grants it and gives us good health. I shall inform you later.
25
For the time being we have been at Heikens home for four weeks
and three days. Then we went to our rented place which we had
rented for one year, namely for the third part; two parts for us and
one part for the owner. That is a house 24 ft. long, 16 feet wide,
and 40 acres of cultivated land. Of this we have to sow 34 acres
with spring wheat, and six acres with barley or oats. We have ½
acre for vegetable garden. This is not included, and free firewood,
but we have to make it ourselves from the woodland.
tainly. Heikens told me on the average 20 bushels die Weizen
(wheat) i.e. 3 ¾ ton, oats 40 to 50 bushels, i.e. 7 ½ to 9 ½ ton,
barley likewise; maize or trishe Weite 50 to 60 bushel. Potatoes here one gets per acre according to East Frisian Lathen
about 200 (Lak?) then they are planted with the plow and harvested with the plow. For the rest everything here is rather
expensive, especially woolen and cotton goods, calico the yard
that is about 1 ½ short ell by you, for 12 to 15 (ngr?).
Geerd and we have about 1,000 acres adjacent to our dwelling
house. We can use these without cost. The house stands next to
the road. The house stands in our cultivated area; across the road
lies the Greenland. Ryke has drawn a sketch of the layout of the
farm showing the 20 acres the landlord uses, his house, their
rented house, the road and the common pasture or green land.
Syrup costs per gallon $1. or 22 1/2 ? one gallon has a weight
of 11 ? in American weight.] Syrup one does not have to buy
here; this grows in the field. This grows in rows, it must be
planted in spring. Then it can be harvested in the month of
August. These stalks are ground by a mill. The mill has 3
grinders meshing with each other and press the juice out of the
stalks. Such a one Heikens have bought this summer and have
made more than 200 gallons of syrup. When the juice has been
pressed by the mill it is put into a large pan and then it must be
boiled until it no longer yields foam. Then one cannot distinguish it from syrup. If the harvest is fairly good one can get
160 gallons per acre and one can sell them to all storekeepers
in the states.
Towards the south the house in which we now live has no cellar.
Otherwise we would milk more cows than we now do, as one has
the milk and butter for the work and as much hay as one wants to
make. The cows certainly give as much profit as in East Friesland,
for a pound of butter now cost seven ngr ?? and can be sold for
cash at all merchants, markets. The horses and sheep can run
freely, but one must keep watch that they do not go so far that they
become lost. Most of them come in the evening to a protected
place. As concerns cultivated land, that must be fenced. One can
let the cattle go upon whatever is not fenced. It seems to me the
soil is very fertile. The soil is similar to that upon which one has
hauled manure from the stable, and the ooze of which is soaked
into the ground. Then the earth can be black and mellow.
The ground is that way not only a few inches, but in some places 1
foot down. and in others two or three or four feet down. The grass
here varies in height from one foot to 2 ½ [feet]. I keep that which
is one foot high the rest is too tall and rough.. As concerns the
corn, they get here so much yield per [Gras] acres as in East
Friesland but it makes as much work, not in the field. They use no
meetje, sloat, no drasgente, no furrow, no sloot. When it is once
turned over, then the whole work is over. They then come with
plows and harrows. The water flows by itself to the low places
and the land is hilly. The higher places are used for cultivation
and the lower ones for pasture. I want to draw a ink sketch how it
is lies, namely so, as one hill is ten here , another seven to eight
feet. [Sketch that is a wavy line.]
So we have 160 acres of which in my opinion 120 acres can be
cultivated and 40 be used for pasture and this is the privilege that
the all-knowing God has arranged everything so wisely. If the
surface were not that way, one could not get rid of the water so
easily, for the water here must flow into the great world ocean, just
as well as in east Friesland. Here the Lord our God has cared for
us. He has created everything wisely. It is said we are at an elevation 2000 feet higher than in Germany. Now here it lies so that the
small streams cut through the ??. Here one calls the small streams
creeks, and the larger streams rivers, and these streams flow into
the Mississippi.
Now I suppose that you can see from my letter, how it stands
here for the people who immigrate here, for whoever is healthy
and wants to work can easily earn enough for his daily bread
but in a few years will also bring it so far that he will also be
independent and can lead a life free from fear of lack of necessities.
Examples of this are several here.
First is Benjamin Smidt, second is Jakas Flaht, both from
(Loquard). They live ½ hour from us. These persons each
possess 100 acres of land. They have their own horses and
farm equipment. Each one has 14 or 15 head cattle and have
sold five or six hogs and have butchered enough for themselves
that they get bacon and meat on their plates three times daily,
as much as they want, and they assured me that they had
brought no money to America. Flaht said he had borrowed five
dollars and Smidt had one small coin. Smidt has been here 10
years, Flaht eight years and there are more of such people here,
who came here with no money and were almost naked, and
now have bread in abundance.
It is to be wished that more people would come here from Germany, namely those who pass their lives in anxiety and about
How much the cultivated land will yield, I cannot say with cerOstfriesen Genealogical Society of America, January 2010
The next town to which we live is called Steamboat [Rock]
where one can get everything for money which one needs, no
matter what it is. There one finds a corn mill, a steam-powered
sawmill, tailors and leather cutters, yes, almost all trades are
carried on here but the handiwork is expensive. I had my
horses shoed there, for that I had to pay eight dollars or according to your currency 4 ½ m courant. That is the way it is with
all the work here. No worker takes on a job less than one dollar. The day may be as short as you please, and in the past
summer the workers in the harvest received two to three dollars.
26
American Ostfriesen Zeitung
[w]here they can get their daily bread from one day to another, and get clothes and this is not the case here. But it is
not good here for everyone. I mean those who do not want to
work and want to use other people to work. Those are hired
here, and those who came here and bring no money along,
Those must first work for a farmer for 2 to 3 years so that he
earns something. But as you can see from my letter whoever
has a little money can pay something for horses, land, cattle,
and a field for planting, a plow and machinery. You know
something about the machine for which we paid 205 dollars.
So you know something about how much one must spend, for
I think that we do not have to but (buy?) much more except
that we shall buy 10 head of cows at 20 or 25 MCourant (?)
per head.
Whoever does not want to buy land here can rent enough, as
you can see from my letter we have rented 40 acres for cultivation because we do not anticipate a harvest for the coming
year from the land that we have bought and I think I would
like another 20 acres for rent but then I must buy 2 horses.
This I may probably do, but I believe that the people here put
in too much land, but on the whole everything seems good
here for people who seek a home here and do not bury themselves in solitude, for most people here live from 1/4 to 1/2
hour from each other. They must wait one or two years, then
I believe it will be settled enough, for almost every day people
come here to buy land, and every day the land rises in price.
At our departure for America I promised G. Praal I would
give him information how I liked it here, then he would not
keep his nephew Jan Remmers from coming to America, because at that time he wanted to go with us. Dear friend Praal,
I cannot advise him against that. If you believe my letter, you
will know whether it is good here or not good. You must read
this letter yourself. Brothers and sister who live in Larrelt I
do not believe that they want to come to us over here, but I
believe that it is better here, and I believe you would do better
here in America than where you are--- but you must know for
yourselves, but let your children, if they read this, go with joy,
for they find here more than you think.
For you Brother Heurholtz and sister and child, in my opinion,
this is the right place for you. I think you must come as soon
as you can. Brother Wilke Bischof and sister Aake I probably
do not have to advise to come to America but the children of
Geerken ? Albert Sweers, I would like to see them come over
to us, but they must know for themselves. If they do not want
to, I have told them about it..
As concerns the trip across the ocean, that was not as bad as
we had anticipated. I and my wife and Geerte were not sea
sick at all, but Antje and Tetze were badly afflicted by it. The
other little ones suffered somewhat from it, but on the whole
the journey was quite uncomfortable, but I had imagined it
would be worse. The first days the weather was nice, so that
the children played on the deck, but when we came out on the
open ocean there came a north west wind, and the ship rolled
from one side to
another, that the
trunks were jumbled and one could
hardly stand.
Many people were
fearful and believed we would
perish; others were
not concerned
about it.
In the evening at 10
o‘clock I went to
bed where my wife
and children had gone on a so-called bed because they could not
stand or sit, but one could not sleep, for one had to hold on to the
bed railings or one would have fallen on the floor. I feared that we
would have to exchange this life for eternity, but the Lord set me
free. Yes, He had promised me in Germany that He would be with
me till the end of the world, and this promise I could with assurance
believe in this time [and say with Simeon: biblical passage followed, but was not included in translation].
Yes, my dear ones, this is a great privilege when the Lord the Almighty reveals Himself to an unworthy sinner of many transgressions, so that one cannot say otherwise, but that you Lord are
mighty to save all sinners from the power of death, and to give
them eternal blessedness. This we ask, that you give this to us all,
here in this life, that we do not fall into temptation, and in eternity.
This is my most fervent wish, as we might possibly not see each
other again on this earth, but that we would find each in eternity,
where there is no more separation but abundance of joy from eternity to eternity.
I must also write this to you. The ship HANSA on which we came
over was 430 feet long, 54 feet broad, and 37 feet deep, and such
ships and even larger ones are docked in New York in large numbers. One cannot imagine a city like New York. There is so much
traffic on the streets that one cannot get from one side to the other
side. So many wagons, coaches and riders are on the streets, that I
cannot describe it all and if I were to devote even a few lines to all
that I met and saw, that it would be impossible for me.
Thus I must write yet, that it is still the same with the war. They
must still draw lots and the draft has taken some East Frisians, but it
is said that whoever is no citizen here need not be drafted, for one
does not have to be a citizen if one does not want to be one. The
citizen has the privilege of voting in presidential elections, but if he
possesses ability he can fill public places. Now many East Frisians
have demanded citizenship and therefore are subject to draft, but
whoever wants to immigrate to America does not have to stay away
on that account, and the largest families find their best living here,
for the labor is well paid.
One can easily get land at a third of its value, as much as one
wishes. If I could cultivate it I would rent 80 or 100 more acres, but
27
I cannot work it, and one can get no people who want to work for
[one] another. In recent days I have rented 15 or 20 acres more.
These lie at a distance of 1/4 hour from us. You know how large
an acre is 160 rods. A rod has 16 ½ feet in American measure.
One American foot is 12 ½ Hannover measures. In my opinion
an acre has almost 1 ½ Morgen (calenberch measure).
tual sense it is as good here as by you, for the Lord, our God, is
omnipresent. He is near us all, all who call upon Him.
As concerns the climate, it is here very temperate. Almost as you
have it, but on the average it is colder here. Here there was frost
every day from September on, sometimes quite heavy, but the
weather was nice on most days, so that one could easily work in
the fields during the day. On the two days of January 2 nd and 3rd
we helped Heikens thresh his grain, namely wheat. (translator
questions the month) You will hardly believe how fast this went.
In six hours we threshed two loads or 200 bushels. Then it was
ready to be sold. Ten horses pull this machine, and nine laborers
are employed with it, and I was surprised that not as much was
lost by it as is the case in East Friesland, when one brought a corn
heap into the granary. The large land owners in East Friesland
should see such a machine harvesting. The people who owned
such a machine said they easily thresh in ten hours five loads or
400 bushels.
Such a machine costs from four to five hundred dollars or 65
(Luidor) and if there were not such machines in America, then
America would be lost, but now you can understand that the work
is easier here, for one does not need ? which requires a ? and one
hauls the grain in heaps next to each other on the same land
where it grew and the machine stands on four wheels and moves
between them and harvests them. The straw stays on one pile and
in winter the cattle go on the field and eat of it. Even if one has
50 head of grown cattle, one man can easily feed them. He gives
it water to drink once a day and in the morning and in the evening
he gives it some hay or corn. In winter the manure must be
hauled three or four times out of the cattle barns where the cattle
spend the nights, for the cattle barns here are mostly open stalls.
The cattle here are more used to the cold than those by you, for
almost no day passes by that the horses do not go into the woods
and stand at the wagon all day long and eat hay, and towards evening go home with a load of wood. If the horses were to do that
by you, one would think it would be a waste, and here one does
not get nearly the wages as in East Friesland. So, far, as long as I
have been here in America, I have not seen anyone with a spade.
In general, the horses here are not as large and strong. I think
they are of firmer build! Cows here are as good as you have;
many are black-mottled, some all brown and brown mottled, but
on the average they give more milk than by you, and the milk is
much better. The butter is excellent. The sheep here are as large
as by you, but the wool is short and they say that they produce
yearly 6 to 8 lbs. wool. The hogs are of an English breed.
Now, my dear bothers and sister in Larrelt, do you want to come?
I believe if you would know how good one has it here, in my
opinion if the Lord gives us His blessing, your sons and daughters might. If they want to seek their temporal advancement and
want to find it, they must come here to America, and in the spiriOstfriesen Genealogical Society of America, January 2010
28
Those of you who intend to come over here I would advise that
in the time they still have left to take as much instruction as they
can in the English language, for the English language is of great
value here to the people who want to be ahead in the world, for
here it is necessary to get along with few possessions in order to
have good days in old age. You, brother Fleurholt and sister
Anke and children prepare yourselves to come over to us. I
know that you would like to be with us, but to come to a decision, more is required. But I think that if you were here you
would not regret it, for your children are much better off here,
and of more use to you and to themselves than in East Friesland.
For I know how it is in East Friesland. I can speak of it through
experience, and if I am not mistaken, I can also tell about America through experience. I think both your families must come
over and bring Eilert Van Hoorn and Antje along too, For there
are good opportunities for a blacksmith here, for you can see
from my letter what a blacksmith earns here, and you, sister
Frederika, you cannot get it any better than here in America, for
every day in America we eat white bread, cake and pannckock
Poffert [pancake] and syrup as much as we want, for all this
grows for us. Butter, if one has cows, costs nothing pasture
costs nothing and one can milk them at the door. This, of
course, is only a joke; do not feel offended by it, for it is not
meant that way by me. But that is the way it is here.
The wheat flour here is much better than in East Friesland, and
the reason is this: at the harvest it is much hotter here than in
East Friesland, and it ripens in a few days. Then it is put in
shocks, and the harvest is done. But enough of this. Now my
dear ones, you must know what to do. You must take counsel
yourselves. We would gladly see that you come to us, but if you
have regrets about it then I wish that I had not advised you to
come.
If you want to come over you must first inform us about it.
Then I shall write you how to begin your trip and what is necessary for you to take along and even if you are not coming to us,
you must not wait as long as we waited, for I have not delayed
in giving you information. As you can see from the date which
is written at the beginning of this letter, but as soon as possible.]
I had almost forgotten that I had given Reent Janssen information for you can tell him this—in my opinion it would be much
better for him and his family in America than in East Friesland.
For those who have enough money and property in East
Friesland need not come to America, but whoever in East
Friesland has to rent a place for 10 to 13M annually, and if
things go somewhat badly for him then, and if he has property
has to divide it. That one does not have to do here, as you can
see from my letter, but as the Apostle says, ―Who believes our
message and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed. Yes, for
most people it is not worth while to immigrate to America, and
therefore they rather postpone their opportunity and remain
where they are. But many people are uninformed and they can-
not know about it, if they do not want to believe what is
said about it.
But this you can believe me, that there is here on the prairie not as much aristocracy as in East Friesland, but there
is no poverty to speak of, for everyone has bread in abundance. Here in the neighborhood where we live there are
also wealthy people who own more than 1000 acres of
land in cultivation and have enough money besides, but
they do not think themselves greater than those who own
100 or 80 acres and one cannot distinguish them by their
clothes.
Money cannot help them for no one in Hardin County regards them more than the others. Everyone is satisfied
with that which he has, and he has to treat those who have
less than he has fairly otherwise he cannot get anyone to
work for him. Here there is more equality than in East
Friesland, and if the circumstances in East Friesland were
such that everyone could get such land for a little money,
and ¾ of the population were no longer living there, then
you would talk in a different manner. Therefore, it would
be desirable that our people make up their minds and come
to America, for here lie thousands of uncultivated acres,
and who knows how many.
You can send this letter to Slewholt, and Slewholt must
bring it to Birhoff, and if Kramer goes past you, then greet
him for us and tell him that I have not forgotten him, and
that I shall write to him soon. Greet Hurhen for us all, and
if he wishes to read this letter then send this letter to him.
Greet all friends, Ebling, Werde, Gernten ?, D. Hochstraat,
and Lamerlo ?, especially our old Aunt Wetve ? Horsebrock and family and (??). Sister Antje! I had almost forgotten her. She was sick when we left you. I wonder if
she has recovered from her illness and if this is the case,
that she gives due honor to the Lord, to whom all honor is
due, and this we can do through the strength of Christ.
Therefore, request the Lord to give you strength and this I
would advise you, all my friends and relatives, that like the
merchant in the gospel, you all seek the one pearl, namely
the pearl of great price and sell everything you have and
purchase the only thing which is necessary.]
Now I must quit writing for this time, and hope that this
letter finds you in good health. I can give you no information about the family that lives in Illinois for we are at a
distance of 50 to 60 hours from them. Now, my dear ones,
write to us soon. Whoever desires to come over to us, will
do best if he comes in spring. Our address is as follows:
To R.B. Rykena, Lethopolis, Hardin County, Iowa, United
States, North America. Again, hearty greetings from all of
us, and write to us soon.
Your brother and sister, besides children R.B. Rykena
Hardin County, State Iowa
21st January, 1865 / Translated Nov. 18, 1993
If You…
Okay, I challenged you to get your children and, if you have them,
grandchildren involved in history. If you don‘t have children of your
own, buy a book for a niece or nephew, but you may want to read them,
too! These books are written in a way that draws the reader into a specific time frame.
Have a story night once every week where you read from one of these
books. Or if you babysit grandchildren—read one to them when you stay
with them. Live too far away? Read to them via tape cassette or webcam! You can find these books in libraries, school book fairs, used and
new book stores and on amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com, too. You
might be the catalyst for introducing a child to history—and maybe even
to become a professor of history!
These are some of my favorite books for children—and easily read by a
3rd, 4th or 5th grader—but the topics are not quite that simple and there
is a great deal of history in them written in a way that makes it interesting. Last year there was a book review about the children‘s book If Your
Name was Changed on Ellis Island, but there are many more books in
that series. If you have not read that one, look for a copy! Go to a
bookstore, find a comfy chair and read it while you are there!
If You Lived 100 Years Ago (McGovern, Ann)—it‘s a great look at history from a personal standpoint. Where did the rich, poor and middle
class live? Where did people sleep? What good were clotheslines?
What did they wear and look like? What did things cost in the 1890‘s?
What did they eat and do for fun? What was fun and cost 10 cents or
less? Doctors, cars, occupations, school, child labor and more! This is a
very small sampling of the topics that are covered.
If your ancestors immigrated to the U.S. in the 1880-1900 era, you must
get this book. YOU will want to read it, too!
If You Were a Pioneer on the Prairie (Kamma, Anne)—what was the
prairie like? Why did people want to come to the prairie? How would
you build your house? What was it like to live in a dugout? How did the
pioneers keep their food from spoiling? What did they eat, wear and do
to have fun? Would you get lonely? Pioneer tricks? How did you stay
warm? Why were the farmers afraid of grasshoppers? What were windmills used for? Our ancestors lived this life—what better way can you
find to tell these stories?
Some of the other books in this Scholastic Publishing series include:
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If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon
If You Lived with the Sioux Indians
If You Sailed on the Mayflower in 1620
If You Traveled the Underground Railroad
If you Lived in Colonial Times
If You Lived During the American Revolution
If You Lived at the Time of the Civil War
If You Lived at the Time of Abraham Lincoln
There is an index in the back of them and in some books there are other
resources for additional information.
You can also check out Scholastic Publishing at:
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/index.jsp
29
Schmitt, Donald M., 508 Old Tracy Rd., Mountain Home AR
72653; 719-248-7881; email: dks508-7881 Researching:
Monk, Duis, Post, Uncan, Van Westen, Baumann, Obert
South, Libbie, 1180 Jostes Rd., Rochester IL 62563; 217-4988616 e-mail: elsouth@springnet1.com Researching: Harms,
Janssen, Ortgiesen (Etzel), Cordes, Helmerichs (Horsten),
Tiarks (Altgödens)
MEMBERSHIP
INFORMATION
Welcome to OGSA!
Do you have a new address, address correction? Please let
us know!
Do you know someone who might like a sample copy of our
newsletter? There is a sample on the home page of our webstie—www.ogsa.us. This is one way we find new members!
New Addresses, Phone Numbers, Emails or Corrections
Barnes, Kelly, 6742 Moss Creek Place, Indianapolis, IN 46237,
(317) 791-8323 KLb4@yahoo.com, Researching: Rohlf, Lűbke,
Janβen/Janssen (Rispel/Rispeler), DeFries/DeVries, Schwei
(Halbemond, Norden), Siekmann (Muggenkrug, Hoven, Wardenbarg, Oldenburg)
Beekman, John; 4404 West Kings Row, Muncie, IN 47304;
jjbeekman@cs.com; 765-288-2479. Researching: Beekman
(Weener, Tergast, Nuttermore), Kok (Potshausen), Goemann
(Weener), Thedinga (Kloster Thedinga)
Borde, Audrey K., 1316 N. Sibley, Metairie, LA 70003; 504-4674624; Researching: Heikamp, Boomgaarden (Leer, Neustadtgödens)
Dohlmann, Paul, 67677-250th St. #30, Colo, IA 50056 641-3773120; Researching: Jűrgens (Visquard/Emden);Feikes/
Dohlmann (Campen, Loquard); Meyer (Wirdum); Kampmeier
(Oldersum); Mennenga (Uphusen); van Böhning (Uphusen)
Hahn, Angela E. Thaden, 20835 Boca Chica Heights, Pueblo
CO 81008; Researching: Thaden (Dornum), Croon
(Wittmund), Gerdes (Lütetsburg), Schuster (Norden)
Henkel, Ceres, 1120 6th Street, Fairbury, NE 68352
Magee, Greta, 4221 Briarwood Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
(319) 277-5448 gfmagee@yahoo.com, Researching: Hook/Hoek
(Weener) Roskamp, (Bunderhammrich, Landschaftspolder),
Reuter/Reuter (Simonswolde), Willems/Kuchje (Freepsum, Woquard)
Maggs, Jean M., 8700 River Trace, Roswell, GA 30076; 678923-1700; Researching: Siebolds (Weene/Norden); Grundmann,
Egbert, Alfs, Lange (Ganderkesee)
Niemeyer, Kathy; PO Box 403, Clara City, MN 56222; kmaniemeyer@yahoo.com; 320-847-2579. Researching: Dieken, Niemeyer, Gerdes, Boike, Broers, Van der Heyden, Klinghagen,
Aeikens, Harms, Beckmann
Ocando, Marilynne; 7319 Summerwind Circle, Laurel, NC
20707
Ramberg, Pat, 4004 Crestwood Place, White Bear Lake, MN
55110 (615) 653-0195 pptzk0520@gmail.com
Researching: Cornelssen, Gerdes, Heyen, Groden, Behrends,
Cassens, Knalson/Knelsen (Hohenkirchen, Pakens, Wittmund,
Jever, Carolinensiel)
Reinders, John E.; 5606 Castlebury Court, Burke, VA 22015;
jreind@aol.com; 703-978-1769. Researching: Reinders
(Strackholt), Dirks (Aurich-Oldendorf)
Sherman, Ted, 1772 Highland Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55116;
651-698-7109; TedSherman@Target.com
30
Asche, Clarence: 5520 Regis Trail NE, Fridley, MN 55342
Cantwell, Margaret: 312 E Greenwood St., Toulon IL 61483
Conrad, Mary Ann, 1095 Silvercrest Circle #313,
Iowa City, IA 52240; phone 310-512-0098
Freesemann, Gretchen, freesemg@mchsi.com
Gerdes, Gerald, 402-423-7118
Giesen, James, 2020 Ione Street, Sacramento, CA
Guelke, Jeanne Kay, jkg@wynndel.ca; RR 1, Site 15A, Box
4, Wynndel, BC V0B 2N0 Canada; Phone 250-402-3791
Hanson, Darlene, 320-986-2784
Henning, Barbara, bevingje@gmail.com
Henrichs, Henry J., 2375 Peters Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Hensley, Norman, 256-215-4028
Holden, Mary Ann, 350 W. Schaumburg Rd., Apt. D-354,
Schaumburg, IL 60194; 847-884-5708
Janssen, Gene, genejanssen@comcast.net
Person, Marilu, 16233 Half St. SE
Rippentrop, Randy, 832-585-0027
Risius, Arlene – 509 Second St. SW, Buffalo Center, IA
50424; 641-562-2911
Smith, Barbara, myronsmith@windstream.net
Wiekert, Nanke R., 11777 Monroe St. NE, Blaine MN 55434
Donations
Small or large, we want you to know that we value your donations. Thanks to the following for adding a donation to their
membership renewal!
Beverly Webster
Glenda Mattes
Al Folkers
Bette Browning
Jean Haemig
Robert Cassens
Cindy Mohr
Paul Schmitt
Deanne Turja
Nancy Grant
Diane Haynes
John Reinders
Steven Read
Sharon Myers
Margaret Freeman
Will Duitsman
Jean Goljenboom
Jill Morelli
Les & Shirley Harms
William Christopher
Mickey Peterson
Mardelle DeCamp
Mary Ann Conrad
George Rust
Carol Spessard
Rene Van Gerpen
Mona Marshik
Charles Hundling
Kathy Niemeyer
Muriel Parker
Mark Tooren
Ron Stahlberg
Jerry Bartell
Don & Karen Soeken—Large monetary donation
Gene Janssen ―Anniversay Book for Immanuel Lutheran
Church, Flatville IL ―100 Years of God’s Presence‖.
Illinois
Ce n t r a l
Ra i l ro a d
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The Illinois Central Railroad was the first great
railroad network planned in the Midwest, and the
company was a leader in facilitating the development of Illinois and the region. The system began
with its primary function being the transportation
of coal from Illinois and Kentucky, but grew in
importance for the delivery of agricultural and
manufactured goods, and passengers as well.
The railroad was chartered on February 10, 1851,
and opened its first section from Chicago in May,
1852. By 1856 it was the longest railroad in the
world. Eventually, by the late 1800s, the Illinois
Central extended as far as Albert Lea, Minnesota
and Baton Rouge, Louisiana (see map). In the
1900s the line reached west to South Dakota, south
to New Orleans and Miami, east to Indianapolis,
and north to Madison.
Today, the Illinois Central, while not as dominant
as it once was, remains as a major rail carrier in
Illinois and the region. Source: Modelski, Andrew
M., Railroad Maps of North America, 1984

UPCOMING ISSUES WILL INCLUDE:
Amt Leer and it’s Villages
Prussian and Landschaftspolder
Hinte
Newspapers & Local News
Courthouse Finds!
Primary & Secondary Sources
Poetry of Annemarie Neuber
The Best Advice…
Local News Columns—History or Gossip?
U.S. Township Records
German-Ostfriesen Terminology
The Island of Spiekeroog
Die Ostfriesische Nachrichten—a goldmine of information
Missionaries to Ostfriesland
Takin’ our show on the road…
The 2010 OGSA
Conference
August 1-5 in Cedar Falls, IA
Did you know:
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Hardin County has a great winery & we will visit it!
Grundy County has QUILT BARNS?
Sunday—Invite your family and friends to an open house
Ostfriesen Tea Party!
A wonderful opportunity to introduce everyone to
Ostfriesland!
Beautiful Ostfriesian Tea Sets—a one of a kind display!
Lillian Marks and Lin Strong will set tables for an Ostfriesen tea party!
Ostfriesland in Art—Pictures & Drawings!
Do you know where the NE Iowa Ghost Towns are located?
Noted Ostfriesian historians and speakers
Ostfriesen History, Culture, Customs & Genealogy, too!
A full research library for your use—including longer hours
and research help for you.
Mini sessions on a variety of subjects!
A beautiful convention center that we will not have to share!
Door prizes, a silent auction and loads of fun!
Watch your mail for more information!
You will not want to miss this event!
31
OSTFRIESEN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
1670 South Robert Street, #333,
West St. Paul, MN 55118
U.S.POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. #21
Address Service Requested
2010 OGSA Programs
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Special Program & Annual Meeting / Minnesota Genealogical Society Auditorium
-------------------------------------------------------------
10 a.m.—Program - OGSA Resources & How to Best Use Them!
Noon—Pot luck lunch
BBQ hamburgers and beverages provided, bring a dish to share.
1:30 p.m.—Annual Meeting
Library is open until 4 p.m. for research. Research help is available. Come for a few hours or all day!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saturday, May 1, 2010
Movie Time! Come for a couple of hours or all day! Mn.Genealogical Society Auditorium
10 a.m.—Ostfriesland 1866-1946
11:15 a.m.—Window on the Moor (The life of the moor colonists)
12:30 p.m.—Brookmerland (Communities of Marienhafe, Osteel, Rechtsupweg, Leezdorf & Upgrant Schott)
2 p.m.—Südliches Ostfriesland — the moor area south of Leer
3:15 p.m.—Emden & It’s Surrounding Communities
Dinner at a German Restaurant 5 p.m.—Let us know if you wish to join us.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Sunday—Thursday, August 1-5, 2010
OGSA Conference, Park Place Event Center, Cedar Falls, IA
Pastor Jurgen & Andrea Hoogstraat—Featured Speakers
Optional daily tours into the Iowa Countryside visiting Ostfriesen colonies, churches, museums. mini-sessions, research library,
picnic with Bosseln and Bohnensuppe; special entertainment, door prizes, art show and a great silent auction, too! Watch
for brochures to be sent in January! Discounts for early registration!
32

emigration - Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America (OGSA)

Transcription

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