German Records! So close yet so far away...

[nutkin]

I am trying to find someone who can help me get information from a birth record in Germany and to see if there is any books written on this family.  I know they were born in Gernmany and moved to the US but hope there is someone out there who can read German and has access to German records. 

Here is what I know about the Schwarz Family. John Schwarz came to the US in 1868 from Germany. According to his marriage license in the US, he was born on October 30, 1855 in Germany to Heinrich Schwarz and Sophia ?. The place on the marriage license looks to be Nuremburg, Bavaria.   According to second hand family stories, the Schwarz family lived near Hamburg but as I saw on the marriage certificate, it looks to be Nuremburg, Bavaria.  According to family lore, they were organ manufacturers in Germany. I have found pictures of the Schwarz organ in Europe's many cathedrals. I would love to know about this piece of my ancestry as my grandfather, Robert Schwarz was an excellent flute player and I inherited some of his talent.

In the US, the Schwarz family owned a chain of bakeries in Manhattan. John Schwarz was a baker. Later sold the bakeries at the turn of the century.  John Schwarz married Katharine Kroll on October 3, 1886 in Manahttan. Katherina Kroll was born on February 21, 1855 in Germany to Friedrick Kroll and Anna Elizabeth Doosel ?. Again, family lore says Stuttgart or Gross was her birth place but the marriage record is hard to read. Katherine came to the US in 1884. John and Kattie had 3 children John/Jack (my great-grandfather who was born on July 14, 1888 in Manhattan), Katherine (born 1887) and Anna (born 1894).  John died in Mahattan in 1914 just after his son Jack was married.

 I would love to find out more on my German ancestry. Please let me know if this is a possibility that someone can help me.
Sincerely- kristin

[ryan]

Did Germany have the same kind of records that Britain did circa 1900? I too wish to find out more about my German ancestors, my Father's Mother's family in fact and I've had no success at all!!

Sorry if this kills your buzz...

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Nutkin, Hi Ryan,

look on the "Immigrants" Board, "Sharing useful links: Germany & E.Europe". I wrote a bit there about the records situation.  I can tell you more later, but not now, as I am off to Wales for a week.

Talk to you when I get back ...

[Berlin-Bob]

Hi Nutkin,

Back in Berlin !

I've tried a google search for "schwartz orgelbauer" but no luck so far. Still looking !

For Kroll you say Stuttgart or Gross.  Gross means Big or Great and is often used as a name prefix Gross X
The only Gross... I could find so far in Baden-Württenberg (same federal state as Stuttgart) are:
Grossaltdorf
Grosselfingen
Grossglatbach

Hi Ryan,

can you give more details ?, preferably as a look-up in Immigrants, rather than emigrants, as more people will see it there !

Bob

[nutkin]

Bob,

Here is a copy of the marriage license between Katharine Kroll and John Schwarz.  It shows the place of birth.  I am not postive of the place as it is hard to read and I am unfamiliar with Germany places.

Maybe you have super powers and came read this better than I.
- Kristin

[Berlin-Bob]

Super powers ?  Me ?  No Way !

So far I have for no. 6: Nürnberg, Baiern, G. (Baiern = Bayern = Bavaria, G. = Germany ?)

and for the third from last line (place of birth) I think it's

Alt-something Heftell, G.

I shall carry on looking, but first, I must go back to work !

Could you add a bit more of the image, for comparison ?
regards,
Super- ( - would that I were - ) Bob

[ryan]

Hi Bob. I hope you enjoyed your trip!!
My connections to Germany are rooted in my Paternal Grandmother whom I call 'Nanna' Her name is Ruth Folke. She was born 1933 in Oels (Oelsnica) Silesia. She is the daughter of Emil Folke and Hildergard Manthei, and Granddaughter of Adolf Folke and Berta (?). My Nanna has recalled all of this from memory. Really, my Nanna is the only emmigrant. She married Kenneth Hill (my astranged Grandfather) and lived with him in first the Isle of Wight, then Canada until my Grandfather left her (he was a total cad and a horrible man). He left her with their 7 children. My Nanna returned to Britain and lived with her in-laws here, in Exeter.
Does Germany have BMD records like we do? Do you have any tips on how I can learn more about my Folke ancestors?

Thank you!!

[nutkin]

Super Bob,

I am at work righ now but when I get home tonight I will attach the rest of the immage for comparison.

It will be  a few hours.

- Kristin

[nutkin]

The full marriage record is rather large in size.  I tried to reduce it as much as possible and it is still 1.5M.   I can send to your regular email.  Just pm the address.
- Kristin