Tracing German Ancestors

[isy]

I am trying to trace my husband great grandfather (Paul Wheeler), born about 1827 in Germany and we think it could have been Manheim.   At that time his name was Powell/Pawle Winkler, when he married his name had become Paul Wheeler.   Does anyone know how we can find German births?

Thanks

Irene

[Jed59]

one or other of these sites may help

http://www.ihff.at/

www . genialogienetz.de/reg/regio.htm
www.genealogienetz.de/reg/regio.htm

hope that helps

jed



Moderator Comment: link edited

[isy]

Thanks Jed will try

Irene

[KGarrad]

Have you tried the Anglo-German Family History Society (http://www.agfhs.org.uk/)?

[tilly25]

Hi Jed

can't seem to get this page to open - www.genealogienetz.de/reg/regio.htm
Judy



Moderator Comment: Link edited, try
www.genealogienetz.de/reg/regio.htm

[JustinL]

Hello Irene,

His name would always have been written Paul (the standard German spelling). Powell/Pawle are phonetic renderings of the German pronunciation.

A lot of German parish records have been made available on familysearch, but I fear they only represent a crystal of ice on the tip of the iceberg. The LDS did film many more German records including 30 different parish registers from Mannheim.

What makes you think Paul came from Mannheim?

Justin

[isy]

Evening Justin,

Thanks for your reply, we have a report produced by a Geneology research company, a copy of which was given to us by a cousin of my husband.   In this report it states that the surname is not uncommon and can be "fairly comfortably localised for the Baltic ports.   While I was looking through the census records I found Mannhiem scribbled on it.

That is all the information we have been able to find.

Irene

[JustinL]

Hello Irene,

Was it a German research company?

Like many surnames, Winkler is derived from an occupation. Winkel is the German word for an angle, but also for a recess or nook. In Low German (spoken in northern and north-eastern Germany) and Dutch, the word was used to describe a small general shop. The Winkler was the shopkeeper. It was also a term for handyman.

As such, it was not specific to a particular region or German-speaking state.

Which census records are you referring to?

Justin

[isy]

Thanks all for your help - I am checking all the information to see if I can trace Paul.

Justin,

The company that produced the report in 1988 were in Canterbury, and Mannhiem was scribbled on the 1881 Census.   At that time he was working as a Railway Porter, later he was apparently a Cigar Maker.

If you have any more information I would be most grateful.

Once again thanks all

Irene