OSTFRIESEN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA AMERICAN-OSTFRIESEN ZEITUNG Eala Freya Fresena! Lever Dod Als Slav! July, AUG., SEPT. 2015 Vol. 18 Issue 3

Striek’s Historische Schmiede

in Groβefehn

OSTFRIESEN-AMERICAN ZEITUNG OGSA MEMBERSHIP Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America MEMBER PRIVILEGES include four issues of the American- Eala Freya Fresena! Lever Dod Als Slav! Ostfriesen Zeitung (January, April, July, October), four program Volume 18 Issue 3 / 2015 meetings each year and one special event, special member order discounts, and access to the OGSA library.

The newsletter of the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America is OGSA 2015 MEMBERSHIP—Send your check for $18 published four times a year. Please write: Lin Strong, Editor, OGSA Newsletter, 168 North Lake Street, Forest Lake, MN 55025 or email - (download from our website or sent by pdf file) or $28 for paper [email protected] with comments or suggestions. copies payable to OGSA, 1670 South Robert Street, #333, West St. Paul, MN 55118 We are happy to consider any contributions of genealogical informa- tion. Whether we can use your material is based on such factors as Foreign membership is $18 if downloaded or sent by pdf file— general interest to our members, our need to cover certain subjects, $30 for paper copies. You can deposit your membership at Spar- balance through the year and available space. The editor reserves the kasse Emden if you prefer. right to edit all submitted materials for presentation and grammar. The editor will correct errors and may need to determine length of copy.  The membership year is from November 1 through Octo- ber 31. Please renew early so you do not miss an issue! Contributors are responsible for accuracy, omissions and factual er- This helps us keep costs down! rors. Cite documentation for facts or statistical information and give  If you join midway during the year, you will receive the code complete source for all abstracted or transcribed records. to download all back issues for that year or paper copies if you join at the $28 level. Other than the exceptions given, all or part of this publication may be copied without fee provided that: copies are not made or distributed  Back Issues: membership for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, for direct title commercial advantage; the OGSA copyright notice, the 2011, 2012, 2013 newsletters—$12 per year; 2014 news- name of the publication and its date appear; and notice is given that letters $15 / back issues of print copies of newsletter $3 copying is by permission of the Ostfriesen Genealogical Society. You each. must contact the editor for permission to publish in any form. Materials not otherwise attributed, were prepared by the editor.  Each year has a separate code for the members only site on Copyright @ July 2015 Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America & Lin Cornelius Strong www.ogsa.us.  Please include your name, address, email address, phone number and up to eight names you are researching in Ost- OGSA MISSION STATEMENT friesland along with their village names. OGSA is a 501C3 non-profit organization.  Questions about your membership, please do not hesitate to Your donations are tax-deductible. contact us at [email protected].  Foster and increase interest in the culture, history and customs of Ostfriesland. OSTFRIESEN GENEALOGICAL  Provide and exchange historical and genealogical information for people of Ostfriesen heritage. SOCIETY OF AMERICA  Preserve and celebrate our Ostfriesen heritage. OGSA OFFICERS: President: Lin Strong: [email protected] (651) 269-3580 Vice President: Marsha Olthoudt: [email protected] Recording Secretary: Jeanie Schubert: [email protected] OGSA Contact Information Treasurer: Roger Peters: [email protected] Mail Address: OGSA, 1670 So. Robert St., #333 BOARD MEMBERS: W. St. Paul, MN 55118 Jill Morelli: [email protected] Donna Mennen: [email protected] OGSA Book Collection Located at: Dee Schwitters Johnson: [email protected] MN Genealogical Society Richard Weichert: [email protected] 1185 Concord St. N., South St. Paul, MN Janice Olson: [email protected] Wednesdays: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Lübbert Kruizenga: [email protected] Thursdays: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm & 6:00 to 9:00 pm

Saturdays: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm 3rd Sunday in Month: 1—4 p.m. AMERICAN-OSTFRIESEN ZEITUNG STAFF: Closed holiday weekends. Lin Strong, News Editor / Cell 651-269-3580 / [email protected] The OGSA office is open by appointment and OGSA Please put “Newsletter” in the subject line members may be available to help. Coming from a Contributing Authors: Jill Morelli, Rudy Wiemann, Gene Janssen distance—please call to verify hours. Columnists: Rudy Wiemann, Lin Strong NEWSLETTER MAIL ADDRESS: Call Gene Janssen 952-939-0617 for additional information. OGSA Editor, 168 N Lake St., Forest Lake, MN 55025 Please send all newsletter correspondence to this address.

Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 2 MOIN, ALLE! You can renew your mem- I trust you have all enjoyed the nicer weather of spring! Several of the board bership at any time during members and other OGSA members have been in Ostfriesland catching up on the year. DUES for 2016 life over there. Always plan for some unexpected and unusual experiences— also known as surprises! It may also include fishing in a street drain for car are as follows: keys—after a heavy rain! If you have the opportunity to travel there, please don’t wait. Paper copy $32 (4/Year) Online/PDF $22 (4/Year) Karen Williams (Menomonie, WI) and Teijo Doornkamp (Groningen, NL) have been translat- ing some Ortssippenbücher prefaces. Neither are native German speakers—but great transla- tors! Landscaftspolder is about 100 pages and includes a thesis on land reclamation, dikes and Due to rising printing and diking. Like history? Check out the prefaces that have been translated. They may be one of postal costs, we’ve raised the lesser known sources of Ostfriesen history—and one of the best. the membership by $4 per year. OGSA will host a picnic at noon on Saturday, August 1st, at the Frisian Historical Society’s museum south of the Bunde Christian Reformed Church in Clara City, MN. We’ll be bringing door prizes, tents and extra tables, bring your lawn chairs and a dish to share. OGSA will pro- If for some reason you vide the dishes, drinks and silverware. Bring your family and plan on having some fun! This cannot afford to renew, was the first home in that area of Chippewa County and saved from destruction by members please contact the editor. and supporters of this society. If you are planning on coming a distance check out surrounding areas for hotel rooms. PLEASE consider renew-

It’s family reunion time! If you are doing the planning, don’t assume that parents will invite ing early to save OGSA their children and grandchildren. This often happens and it is the children and grandchildren money—there is a cost who should get acquainted with their relatives. Start planning the reunion well in advance of when we send reminders! the day. Get addresses for each family member and send out a postcard with “Save the Date!” so family members can plan ahead. 2016 OGSA Make the events fun for everyone—and for all ages. Have everyone bring a door prize item. One year we brought a dozen small water pistols and it was the adults who enjoyed them most. CONFERENCE How about a scavenger hunt? Which group can find a nail clipper, safety pin, blue ink pen, tire gauge, ice scraper, pencil, CD ROM, paper clip, rubber binder, telephone book, Kleenex and July 30-August 3 Crowne Plaza hair spray? Your imagination should have no limits! Mix up the age groups and families so Hotel everyone has a chance to meet. There is no one best way to have a reunion! Bloomington, MN

Maybe you need to ask everyone to bring a dish to share—and the recipe, too. Don’t forget the Special Speakers name tags, plenty of food and remember to have fun. Maybe your family could put on an Mini-Sessions ethnic dinner or even consider having the meal catered. Make sure all the families know you’d Door Prizes love to see their photographs. Make sure you bring your portable scanner and get permission Raffles before you copy a photograph. Portable scanners are getting better all the time! Research Library We hope you can enjoy your summer! Silent Auction & FUN! www.ogsa.us Mark your calendar!

Groβefehn’s Historische Schmeide Striek 4,5 Greetsiel’s Windmill Restoration 20 Using Historic Maps 6-8 The Ems River & The Controversy 21 Ubbo Emmius 9 The City of Wittmund 22-24 Timmel & The Fehn Culture 10-15 Wittmund in Old Postcards 25 Enjoying Ostfriesland 15 The Cirksena Masoleum in Aurich 26-27 Upgant-Schott’s Transportation Links 16-17 Ostfriesland in Pictures 28-30 Überbrücken 17 New Members 30 News from Ostfriesland 18-20 Upcoming Issues, Programs, Books, Misc. 31,32 3 Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America

INTERIOR BRICK WALL WITH NAMES OF DONORS

Pictures - Above: historic village sign Right: Schmiede- meister Gerhard Heiko Striek (master black smith) Two bottom pictures: black- smith shop interior

4 66 Kanalstraβe, Groβefehn Groβefehn resident (and OGSA member), Lisa Buβ, puts the Not only is the site a museum, it also hosts weddings, meetings key into the door of the blacksmith shop and you step back in and receptions. Exterior doors open and the receptions can spill time—to 1898. The entrance door (top right previous page) is out into the driveway area. A blacksmith helps the bride and covered with names, dates and other graffiti inscribed through groom each make a horseshoe, which are then joined and dated to the years, a historical patchwork. The blacksmith shop remains symbolize their union (picture below). One room with period fur- original with all the tools in place. The last blacksmith nishings is used for civil marriage ceremonies. Or maybe you’ll (pictured on page four) would never have believed when he left be fortunate enough to be invited for tea. the building for the last time that it would someday become part of a museum. The summer kitchen or “Back Huus” is almost finished and in- cludes the oven from the older village bakery (donated by Lisa’s Local residents realized its historical significance and formed brother). an organization to preserve the site. Over the past several years they have received grants to help renovate the adjacent dwell- If you are traveling through ing. Bricks with the names of donors adorn the wall in one Groβefehn, make sure you stop room. at this new museum!

Over only a few years the property has become a landmark— www.schmiede-striek.de inviting residents to walk through the gardens planted not only Pictures: Lin Strong with flowers, but potatoes, beans and other vegetables.

The small adjacent home has undergone an interior renovation and the huge support beams alone show the age of the dwelling MUSEUM SIGN (1904). The exterior was renovated to more closely reflect the period.

Bridal Couple Making Horse Shoes

Lisa Buβ

5 Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America Lin Cornelius Strong Using Historic Maps Historic maps are an important tool for the For years after these villages were lost to genealogist. The sea was part of our ances- the sea, the church towers could be seen OGSA has the Heimatkarte von Ost- tors lives and the loss of a village to the sea during low tides. The Windmill Museum in friesland and the Freizeit Atlas for was devastating. Esens has artifacts found in the sea from Ostfriesland in stock at all times. the village of Otzum, including the skeleton They include names of many former Coastlines change over the centuries and of a mother holding her child. Many other areas—a valuable tool when using the areas where our ancestors once lived are now artifacts have been found in these areas OSB or other records. Check out your further inland. Knowing the location of a including urns. maps to see what you have overlooked! village several hundred years ago can help a researcher better understand the life of their, Note also that the spelling of the village The maps of the Campishe Karte 1806 ancestors. names has changed throughout the years. were published during Napoleon’s For instance Pleewert on the 1595 map is reign. A pristine copy was found in an Manslagt and Nesserlandt were once islands. the Low German spelling of Upleward. archive several years ago and repub- Marienhafe (Hafen = harbor) was the base of Leer is spelled Lehr, Driever is Dryuer. lished. They are now out-of-print, but the sea pirate Klaas Stortebecker. Grimer- Collinghorst is spelled as Kalmhorst. In OGSA has a copy. sumer Altendeich (old dike) was on the south addition, check the fonts—the “s” may look side of that harbor. Leybuchtpolder, the like an “f” which adds to the confusion. There are also many maps online that newest village in Germany, is located on the previously were only available in reclaimed land from this harbor area, as is the There are many villages shown on old maps archives. Make sure you check them current village of Schoonorth. Reclamation that no longer exist. How has the area all out! of land that formed that harbor area started as where your ancestor lived changed in the early as 1498. Most of the land to the north past 100-200 years? of Schoonorth has been reclaimed from the sea. MARIENHAFE The coastline changed due to storm surges TODAY and on maps, you will note the names of vil- lages in red that are now located in the North Sea along with the year in which they ceased to exist. FORMER LEYBUCHPOLDER Some of the villages lost to the sea include: DIKE Torum, Peterswolde,Westereide, Uiterbeert, LINE Klein-Polmar, Fletum, Nesse, Logum (1599), Winemeer, Osterwinsum (Ems River), Klein- Langen, Gerdswehr, Rocherwerk, Bettewehr (two villages, one lost in 1594, the second destroyed in 1720), Rouerwerk (1500), Brevert (1500) and Knock. These former villages were once located west and south of Emden, many in the area now known as The Dollart. Etum and Hamswehr were once villages located west of Pilsum—now in the North Sea.

Today Knock is an area along the coastline west of Emden, but it doesn’t have a church. The church of Blaukirchen was destroyed in the 1717 Christmas Flood, as was the village north of Norden in the North Sea, named Itzendorf.

The islands of Bant and Buisee disappeared in 1730. The island of Garme no longer ex- ists. Note on the 1595 map that there is an area along Pilsum known as Neue Landt— new land. MARIENHAFE MARIENHAFE6 PRE 1400 WHERE IS EMDEN ON THESE MAPS?

Heimatkarte von Ostfriesland

The villages now located in the North Sea, Ems River and Dollart areas are in red on the original map. (Current coastline)

1806 CAMPSHE KARTE

EMDEN

NETHERLANDS EMS RIVER

OLD EMS RIVER/NORTH SEA MAP

7

(EMS RIVER)

Johannus Florianus Map

MAPS AVAILABLE ONLINE: 1664 http://www.mrjumbo.com/contents/ Mathurin Guitet http://www.sanderusmaps.com/en/our- ostfriesland/maps/ Wasser- Flutt in Nieder- catalogue/detail/166613/old-antique-map-of-  Includes the following maps of Har- Teutschland, 25 Dec. 1717 ostfriesland-by-a-ortelius/shoppingcartadded/ lingerland: Harlingerland Maps: A Historic David Fabricius of Esens: 1589 Survey https://www.bergbook.com/htdocs/ Ubbo Emmius: 1595 Niedersachsen.htm Gerhard Mercator (Jan Jansson):  www.google.com

1636 Search: Ostfriesland + maps + old http://www.sp-berum.de/ostfriesland/ Nicholas Visscher: 1655 ostfrieslandkarten/guessefeld1790.jpg Wilhelm and Johan Blaeu: 1659 and

These three maps show the area of Butjad- ingen and the changes in the coastline. On the bottom map you see the striped areas reclaimed dur- ing the 1500’s.

8 HISTORIAN UBBO EMMIUS He is best known for his work at the Groningen University where he moved in 1596. One of Ostfriesland’s most educated scholars was born in Greetsiel in 1547 to Pastor Emme Dyken and his wife Lise In 1595 his Frisia Orientalis map (shown below) was Egberts Tjaarda, daughter of the Bürgermeister of Norden. published as part of his most famous work, the Rerum Frisicarum historiae libri 60, "the sixty books of Frisian history". He attended the Latin School in Emden and the Gymnas- ium illustre in Bremen, after which he spent two more years at the Lateinschule Norden. In 1570 Emmius studied His political writings and correspondence with the leading men of at the Universität Rostock with the historian David his time, in which he represented the right of resistance of the Chyträus who greatly influenced his work. people against the authorities, characterize him as a precursor of parliamentarism and the right to revolt. Much of his scientific activity is related to the religious and political disputes of his time. In his travels he visited Geneva, Switzerland, where he witnessed the theological unrest which led to the definitive rift between the Lutheran and Reformed denominations From the Netherlands he led a dispute with the Cirksena family rulers in East Frisia. His enlightened books and writings were publicly burned in Ostfriesland. Emmius died in The Netherlands Emmius returned to Greetsiel after the death of his father in 1625. in 1574 and became Pastor and Rector of the Latin School in Emden—now the Ulrich Gymnasium. In 1587 he moved to Leer where he became Rector of the high school Check this map for accuracy—you will be amazed at how closely which now bears his name—Ubbo-Emmius Gymnasium. it resembles later maps. How did he do this with the limited resources he had in 1595? (Wikipedia & Online Sources)

1595 EMMIUS MAP 9

Timmel & The Fehn Culture

Lying on the south side of the district of the towns of Neermoor, Strackholt Aurich, it touches on the west end of the and Oldersum. There was little to sandier soils of the Geest ridge, which seize in Timmel, and the local reaches from the southwest to the northeast inhabitants certainly had no incli- of Ostfriesland. The towns of Bielefeld nation to choose a tyrannical ruler and Wildfang located further down on this from their own midst. Aside from ridge, both widely known to geologists and brief mention in church and mon- other researchers for their association with astery records, there is little of old stream flows from the last Ice Age. historical importance to be found about Timmel. Timmel was first known as Timberlae in the annals of Monastery Werden (on the In the fall of 1622, with the storm- Ruhr) in the 9th and 10th centuries. The ing of Ostfriesland by the soldiers pertinent Latin sentence reads as follows: of Mansfeld, all of Timmel’s idyl- “In Mundingasi et in Hasla et in Timber- lic existence came to an end. In the lae, et in Seluuida et in Holanlae et in Am- spring of 1623 a few skippers and briki et in Fillisni II libre et IIII Unicie.” sailors from Timmel, somewhat emboldened by ardor for their The land in this parish belonged to the homeland, came to grief against an Cloister of Werden and was rented out on a officer stationed in the town. It yearly basis. The originator of this system seems that the skippers were sup- was the Friesian missionary Luidiger, pos- posed to bring his wife to Emden, sibly during one of his first visits to this but on the way they decided to throw her The conversion of the swampy fehn land about the year 800. Later the domain overboard. She was soon rescued from the north of Timmel into tillable land began was conveyed to the Cloister of Werden or water despite having a cold bath, but her in 1633-34 by four capitalists from Em- was transferred after Luidiger’s death. officer husband was so enraged that he den. Their plan was patterned after the ordered his soldiers to set every house in fehn culture of Holland. Wooded areas The name Timberlae has another interpre- Timmel afire. had been cut down by the residents of tation - meaning Wald or wood because of Emden and they now needed peat for its once-thickly wooded surroundings. Half of the houses burned completely fuel and heating. The market for peat Until the end of the 16th century, Timmel down. All of this destruction took place in from the land of Oldenburg had come to was hemmed in on three sides, north, east, the twinkling of an eye. The inhabitants a standstill. and south by trackless high moor, which were robbed of all their possessions, their reached to the west from Riepe-Oldersum livestock driven off, and all that the Fehn culture consisted of three distinct as a swampy wasteland. This was the soldiers could not carry off they destroyed. elements: first, digging and drying the isolated location of this small village - Later an epidemic of Pest (Bubonic peat; secondly, construction of canals as never totaling more than 300 souls. Plague) raged in Timmel carrying off means of drainage and transportation; many victims. and thirdly, cultivation of the ground A journey to Aurich from Timmel was from which peat had been removed made only with difficulty over a barely When the Mansfelders left in 1624 and the which attracted Colonists willing to passable route to the still smaller village of few remaining people of Timmel cele- settle on the barren ground. Overseeing Ulbargen by means of the so-called Mittel- brated Easter under the direction of Pastor the enterprise was the Fehn Company weg, now the present Landstrasse Timmel Quirinus Gerhardus from Woquard there which held the entire district in a long- - Ulbargen. This route followed the main were only six cows and one calf to be time rental agreement. road to Emden - Oldersum and the water found in the village. The pastoral message route over the Fehntjer Deep, created by can be read in Ostfriesen Prediger Denk- After many starts and stops the the joining of two slow streams running mal, a book of information about the pas- “Timmeler Fehn” gradually proceeded south and west of Timmel. tors. The inhabitants needed a long time to and was soon being copied by other fehn recover from this blow. Those who had a communities. In 1637 Lubbert Corne- The isolated location of Timmel had one wish to rebuild their destroyed houses were lius began with the initial stages of Lüb- advantage in that it did not suffer from the compelled to sell their lots for little or bertsfehn. Pott and consorts followed depradations of warfare in the Middle nothing. This is the reason that some lots soon thereafter with Hüllenerfehn. Ages nor from the rough handling during and tracts within the boundaries of Timmel About 1660 the Hollander brothers the reign of the intemperate chieftains from do not belong to the village proper. Jobus started work on Neuefehn south of 10

Cisterian Sisters which were tion of a grain mill and an oil mill. then rented to interested But the King did not want to intercede parties. on his behalf.

In this manner the so-called Furthermore, the Prussian General Timmeler East Commune director on the King’s order, commis- was established; it joined the sioned the Civil Commission in already existing West Com- Aurich to put an end to the petty bick- mune which was unable to ering between the millers. Soon after- expand further due to about ward, bids were let for the concession 250 acres of wasteland, also for grain and oil in mills in Groβefehn known as the Timmelerfeld. with the closing date of bids set for It lay north of the Mittel- December 6, 1770. The highest bid weges and east of Feldmark, was 151 Reich’s taler yearly from while the south commons on Hinrich Otten Egberts as the author- the same road belonged to ized representative of the Timmel the convent property. miller, Reiner Harmens.

At the behest of the proper- Thus ended a 20 year typically tied owners and renters of Ostfriesen bone-headed struggle Timmel, a request was made between rival mill operators. The land to Count Georg Albrecht, owner and innkeeper Frerich Jurgens dated April 17, 1717, to was defeated and Reiner Harmens, grant the Miller Harm Peters using sly tactics, prevailed over all his a permit to build a grain competition. After receiving his con- mill. This mill was to be cession (02 January 1771) Harmens constructed on the outer immediately began construction on a southwest part of the town mill in Groβefehn. This was located at a rental of 25 Reich’s on the site of the present Onken’s mill. taler yearly (wind rent). While the new mill in Groβefehn was Timme, and the Harsebroek family began The mill, built in the same year, suffered still in the initial stages of construc- work on the Hoeksterfehn. This latter fehn much damage in the Christmas Eve flood of tion, the mill in Timmel was struck by was taken over by the Ihering family and 1717 along with a large number of houses. lightning and the resulting fire reduced named Ihreringsfehn. Miller Peters sought to obtain a permit to it to ashes. rebuild, and this was granted on June 19, From 1660 on the General Rent Master from 1722, with an increase of wind rent to 28 Harmens contacted the local adminis- Emden and owner of Stiekelkamp, Leonard Reich’s taler yearly. trative authority in the same year and Fewen, began work to convert Stiekelkam- told them that his loss amounted to perfehn. Ostfriesland was annexed by Prus- Meanwhile, the crafty Peters and his son, 12,000 Reich’s taler and asked per- sia in 1744, and two years later the state be- Reimer Peters, used the opportunity to mission to order materials for the new gan to parcel out tracts of land in Spetzerfehn install two pair of millstones, Even before mill in Groβefehn and for the rebuild- on the east border of Timmel, and rent them 1771 the nearby millers from the nearby ing of the mill in Timmel. He re- to private parties under the control of Com- villages of Strackholt, Esensbrok and minded them that the village of missioner Jan van Louvermann. Thus within Aurich complained about the unfair compe- Timmel retained their old right to the time of one hundred years a number of tition from Peters because of the extra set operate a mill of their own. Harmens fehns sprung up on the periphery of Timmel, of millstones, which they were not permit- obtained this permit from the Civil altogether giving the surroundings a new ted to add. Miller Peters then began a long Commission. Six months later, May aspect which improved the social and busi- protracted legal battle with his competitors 9, 1772, soon after the new mill in ness climate for Timmel. and their followers. Timmel began operating, lightning again struck, this time burning it to the According to Ufke Kremer, native born in Soon the Groβefehntjers were also ground. The nearby house with live- Timmel, who until the second World War involved, directed by Frerich Jurgens and stock quarters and grain storage struc- was the assistant Principal at the Ulricianum G. L. Saathoff, both interested in a operat- ture was also consumed. of Norden, and at the same time a zealous ing a grain mill in West Groβefehn. researcher of homeland history, concluded Jurgens appealed to the Aurich Civil Com- The younger Harmens rescued his 80 that soon after 1630 four half-sized hearths mission for redress and at his own cost year old father, singed and with his were separated from the larger land complex journeyed to Berlin to request from King clothing afire, from the flames. In at the eastern convent entrance of the Friedrich II a concession for a the construc- consideration of his losses, the yearly

11 rent for 1772 and 1773 was suspended by dulgences of the the Civil Commission. The reconstruction taxes. Tenacious of the Timmel mill soon began as did and persistent continued work on the mill at Groβefehn. inhabitants wres- Notice of its completion was made to tled to make a Aurich on September 18, l773. On July 7, living during 1773 the official in Aurich, von Halem, these hard times gave word that Reiner Harmens had paid until a decade his rent in full (181 Reich’s talers) for the later a noticeable two mills. change took place. More and After the death of Reiner Harmens on more shipping August 28, 1773, the mill at Timmel was came from the inherited by his eldest son, Harm Reiners fehns, and with it Müller. The mill at Groβefehn was willed increased trading to his youngest son, Hinricus Reiners. of goods to and This son thereupon took the maiden name from the market of his mother, Wubke Hinrichs van Hoev- towns. In the villages more craftsmen took still more time until all were made eling, a native of Oldersum, as his own with a variety of trades set up shop. aware of the cost of the filling up of old surname and called himself van Hoeveling. waterways and the enclosure of fields. Under Prussian rule farmers began the Some residents wanted nothing to do with After two generations of mill owners in culture of potatoes. To face up to the the project, especially Menne Heyen from Timmel and Westgroβefehn, the male constant threat of flooding, measures to Aurich-Oldendorf. descendants died out and the mills went overcome this threat were organized, first into the possession of others. Both of the on an individual basis and finally as com- It became a tiresome process, which in the mills experienced difficult times due to munity projects. Thus the later Spetzer- end lost. Then began negotiations with miscalculations and imprudent marriages fehn canal was dug and with it the first the state chamber which was reluctant to on the part of the owners and through inat- bridge over the canal was built which still give up the tax on all livestock and graz- tention to business and bad luck. A period exists as the Tatjebruch. ing stock. Finally a levy on land and tax of rentals with many changes of ownership was assessed. The land was measured by ensued until he end of the 20th century The canal crossed the main road in the a high-ranking chamber official. It was both mills were taken over by more careful direction of Bagband and Neuefehn and not until 1806 that it could be said that mill operators. was later lengthened, first in a northerly “The Timmeler West Commons grazing and then in an easterly direction. The ground is subdivided and closed.” After the second World War, the mill at work, reaching to Buurkamp on the east, Timmel succumbed to the rash of aban- was completed by the construction While the West Commons ground was doned mills throughout Ostfriesland. It specialist Behrend Salomons Ringering. being measured and parceled, the people burned for a third time and was again re- who lived in the East Commons decided to built. However, there came forward no From this point, the canal, which was follow their example. There were more hereditary owner to carry on the miller meant solely for drainage, served as the problems to resolve, however, since much tradition. When the last miller, Janssen, beginning of the settlement of Spetzer- of the land was rented. Plus the presence died, the entire upper structure was fehn. The entrenchment over the Ehe to of French troops put thoughts of change removed and the remainder converted into the Neuefehncanal developed into a vil- out of mind. Under the government of a restaurant catering to the tourist trade. lage sponsored project. Later the chief Hannover the prospect of parceling the tenant of Neuefehn-Stiekelkamp, the fam- tracts again resurfaced. It appeared that The Christmas Eve flood of 1717 brought ily of von Hume, came to an agreement the difficulties were no barrier to going Timmel and the outlying areas not only about the terms of rental. ahead with the plan. grievous damage to homes but livestock deaths and serious erosion to the commons. About 1790 the interested parties of the The first step was to enumerate the live- The Head Tax Register of July 4, l719 West Timmel community entertained, for stock in the area. A statistic from August gives ample evidence of the loss. The the first time, the subject of joining the 1, 1817 revealed the following: flood sterilized the land and the salt-laden parish grazing lands; division of grazing 1. From East Timmel: land produced meager harvests for the next lands into parcels, renting parcels to pri- nine horses, one foal, 40 cows, 55 several years. Warf houses were uninhabit- vate parties. The Aurich Civil Commis- young stock and 86 geese able, and families from the fehns had to sion gave this project the green light un- 2. From the Timmel Entrance: live on their boats and small ships. der the condition that interested persons six horses, two foals, 15 cows be given a chance to make their views and and bulls, 15 young stock, 20 Child mortality rose significantly, and the needs known. A few years elapsed before geese village mayor and the pastor asked for in- all villagers were fully notified, but it 3. From the Timmel West Commune: Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 12 45 young stock mares through all of Europe. Only by the In addition, there was from the High Moor strength of his armies was complex about 80 Diemat (40 acres) with Napoleon able to conquer 23 qualified persons, among which were a west and middle Europe few residents of Groβefehn having voting and this he did within the rights. space of half a year.

The first result of the partitioning ended After the defeat of Prussia with taxation of both the land and the graz- at Jena and Auerstadt in ing livestock by the Civil Commissioners. 1806 and at Eylau in Upon correction, the tax was still too high. 1807, Napoleon by the Finally the Commissioners ordered a new Treaty of Tilsit classification of all property in The Feld- annexed nearly half of mark of Timmel. For this undertaking the Prussia’s territory, including Ostfriesland. lious to a point where they engaged Mayor Egge Weers was sworn in as Assis- He then garrisoned French troops in the French troops in a skirmish by the Tatje tant, and for the classification work were tiny province and sought, by barricading Bridge. Those who took part were se- named the two land owners of Timmel, the continental harbors, to cripple or dis- verely punished. Some were executed by Gerd Thomssen Mansholt and Andreas able English commerce to protect his west a firing squad, others sentenced to long Dirks Eilers. The latter two men were first flank while he made preparations for his years of imprisonment and service on instructed in their task and sworn in at march against Russia. He made effort farms in France. Still others were sen- Aurich. upon effort to gain new alliances and ini- tenced to execution in absentia. tiated unlikely provincial From these business visits and classifica- reforms in his quest to prepare his troops A total of 300 men from the area around tions a huge cache of notes and documents for the Russian enterprise. Timmel were seized in a night time raid can be found in the archives of the Weers and deported to Lille and Toulon, France. family. In it are all the commons names of A part of Ostfriesland was renamed the Some were released after one year; five the Feldmark and the order of the individ- Department of Ostems, the rest of the died in captivity. ual tracts of land. province was named Westems. Ostems In time the commons of East Timmel were was subdivided into three Arrondisse- Timmel and other towns had to supply measured and parceled out between the ments, Emden, Aurich and Jever. The tree fellers and transport carriers to cut years 1820 and 1850. It is interesting to Arrondissement of Aurich consisted of wood from the forest belonging to the note that the man who did the measure- four Cantons; Aurich, Berum, Norden and convent. When this area of ten acres was ment of the entire complex was the field Timmel with 24 mayors in all. The Can- cleared, the men were ordered to the for- surveyor from Bagband, Peter Trauernicht, ton of Timmel had eight mayors: Aurich- est of Ihlow. Here they dug peat at the who was also the shipper. He was paid 1 Oldendorf, Bagband, Hatshausen, fehn, which proved to be a very rigorous Ruten per boundary. For the small border Holtrop, Riepe, Strackholt, Timmel and assignment. waterways he was paid according to the Weene. Belonging to Timmel was the width and depth of the excavation. Many core parish of Timmel with 351 inhabi- land owners had their land surveyed. tants, Ulbargen with 36, Groβefehn with 1244, Neuefehn 399, and Iherings- Among the bidders for this work were poor fehn with 296. moor colonists from Firrel and Schwerins- dorf. Of interest to the Numismatist is the The people of Timmel, with strong currency in use in the Hannoverian times. feelings of patriotism, sought to gain The money ranged from Reichstaler, Pisto- specially favored treatment for their len and Gulden, Schilling, Stuver and Wit- tiny village. In any event the short- ten. The payees preferred gold coins; but lived reforms instituted by the French in trading, an regime did not greatly influence every- advance or tariff of 10 % was levied. day life. It was the later decline of medical care and the designation of Uneasy times made themselves known in Timmel as a school for sea-going Ostfriesland with the outbreak of the young men that made a greater differ- French Revolution of 1789. Besides ence in the life of the village. French fugitives and refugees, troops from Hannover and England criss-crossed our When the sailors of Timmel and the land. From about 1800, Napoleon’s nearby fehns found themselves freed of troops, vain and deluded by dreams of a compulsory military service in the “Greater Nation,” spread fear and night- French armies (1811) they turned rebel- NAPOLEON ERA 1811 MEMORIAL Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 13 tion for Helmsman on the High Seas and Timmel acquired a the skipper’s course for coastal waters. well-known name in The new regulations did not sit well with sea-going circles the instructor Funk and he took another during the Hannove- position at Stralsund. rian period, ca. 1846, when a navi- Before these changes came to pass, the gation school was number of students at Timmel continued organized in the to increase, and congestion of the classes town. Timmel’s was noticeable. In 1878 there were 239 central location in students seeking admission. Without the middle of the question Timmel and the neighboring fehns convinced the vicinity greatly profited from the Naviga- authorities to select tion school. Marriageable young women a site. In 1852 from Timmel went forth with cakes and Board of Trustees other goodies to enjoy the company of the issued a permit to young sailors. Naturally, this led to strife With delight and joy the men of Timmel build a large structure, one that was fur- between the boys of the village and the drove out the last French soldiers from the ther enlarged in 1874 with the addition of students of the school. Meanwhile, tai- land after Napoleon’s defeat at Leipzig a second floor. lors, bakers, shoemakers, merchants, inn- (September 19, 1813) and enlisted a regi- keepers, and beer brewers enjoyed a land ment of Ostfriesen troops. They fought on The first instructor of the institute was office business. Quarters providing meals June 16 and 18 by Ligny and Waterloo and Johann Carl Funk, son of a city recorder and lunches were in great demand and took part in the triumphal entry into Paris. and Privy Counselor from Neubranden- many families prospered by providing The French dream ended. burg in the Duchy of Mecklenburg- lodging for the students. Streilitz. He offered elementary courses, By the terms of the Congress of Vienna knowing that the education received at Unfortunately, the good times ended with Ostfriesland was separated from Prussia elementary schools could not prepare the outbreak of the World War I. Reform and became a part of the Kingdom of Han- students for the navigation school. passed in 1918 which closed schools in nover. During the reign of Hannover, Timmel, Emden, Papenburg and West- Timmel was required to provide shelter From old notes compiled by the Naviga- rhauderfehn, leaving only the school in and parade ground with an area of 12 Die- tion instructor Vehrenholz, one of the last Leer intact. At present the old school mat (6-7 acres) for a squadron of mounted instructors (1910) at the school, one can building serves as apartments. Of its for- troops. After 1820 these soldiers were see that the other institutes in Emden, mer gloried past only the eldest residents stationed here year-round. At this time a Leer, and Papenburg were envious of the have memories. Of the more than ten receiver from Hannover set up a tax or large enrollment at the school. In time, instructors in the Navigation School of duty office in Timmel and in 1855 there however, the school reform acts of the Timmel, we can find notes in the present was a temporary civil office. A series of Prussian government, with the consequent church books. civil bailiffs having their offices in Timmel introduction of a school examination for followed one another. captains, following the standard helms- By the year 1840 the settlement of man course of instruction and years of Timmelerfeld began. Until that time there In 1831 the a druggist from Aurich set up a shipboard training, resulted in students were only two houses, the so-called Shep- branch office in the village. It is still open attending to the school at Leer. herds’ House and the 1775-built house today although the ownership has changed belonging to the Spetzerfehn Club. This hands frequently over the years. The patent for a captain in command of high seas ves- Likewise, in 1831 the M.D. Anton Carl sels in Ostfriesland only Topfer, from Aurich, began his practice in could be gained at the Leer Timmel. A daughter of the Topfers, An- school. The Seefahrt tonie, born May 17, 1850, writing under Schüle in Leer was organ- the pseudonym Toni Wubbers, became ized by the Timmel-born widely known for her lyrical stories and Carl Ewald Kruse, a son of poems about her childhood in Timmel. the civil bailiff of Timmel, Friederich Kruse. Carl Timmel has been served by a medical doc- Ewald Kruse was also was tor and since the arrival of the first doctor the first Navigation instruc- at least ten have practiced here. A veteri- tor. Timmel retained the narian, though arriving on the scene much educational rights (after later (1920), also has a practice in town. 1870) to provide instruc- Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 14

house, number 69, was located on grounds of the nearby water and several farms of considerable size, as well as numerous pri- mill and slip-way. Originally the Shepherd’s House served as a vately owned homes located on paved streets. All of the latter shelter. Later the East Commune built a small shelter in which have been built since the end of World War II. the summertime herders lived. Since 1872 Timmel has gained access to the network of highways One of the first to live in the house by the slip-way was the son by means of the connection with the Schirum-Neermoor road. The of the cattle herder Rolfs. Over time many others occupied the bridge over the Fehntjer Deep, that became necessary for the new same house. In the period 1839 to 1878, 13 new flat-bottomed highway was a contribution made by the village of Timmel. It is a ship boats were built on this slip-way by the ship’s carpenter, high bridge, from the top of which can be had a superb view of the Harm Duken Cassens and his son Jacob. They also repaired surrounding countryside. various types of boats. The Shepherd’s House was torn down after the commons was added to the East Timmel parish land. In the 1870’s Timmel acquired a sub-post office, which was lo- cated in the home of the merchant-auctioneer H. Schapp. A few The opening up of Timmelerfeld began when the family of years later, every day postal service and weekly bus service to Cornelius Franken built a small house (No. 70) on the west Aurich was begun. About 1900 Timmel received a gift of an oak edge of the area. Ancestors of this family were land users and seedling from Bismarck’s Saxon forest. This was planted near the brewers in East Timmel. M. D. Topfer began his practice in old Linden tree that grew in the central market plaza. 1831 in a house that belonged to this family. Since there was no path or roadway to make travel easier, the first houses were From 1900 to the beginning of Hitler’s rule in 1933 Timmel held a all built on the edges of the area. Not until parallel paths were monthly court of justice to disentangle disputes of boundary rights, laid though the barren land did more houses begin to appear. inheritance, and guardianship arguments. After 1926 the Mittel- Today there are a total of 51 houses and one large homestead weg was raised to the status of a district highway.

Enjoying Ostfriesland!

Not only did this group enjoy Greetsiel, it also visited Bremen, Emden, Bremerhaven’s Emigrant Museum, a Timmel canal ride, Ihlow’s Cloister, Rahe, many churches, the 1742 Bourtange Fort and the sights of Amsterdam.

The Marienhafe Sea Shanty Chor was a huge hit and each choir mem- ber was given a button “In Ostfriesland is’t am Besten!” (In Ostfriesland it is the best!)

Ron Cirksena (MN), his daughters and a son-in-law also joined the group at the Aurich Mausoleum.

Visiting the Campen Landwirtschaft Museum on Monday, May 25th: Front: Peter Collman (Prague, CZ) Row 1: Sarah Reeves (VA), Judy Winters (MI), Deb Potter (IA), Carol Fennema (CA), Cheryl Buranen (MN), Catherine Allen (CO), Lin Strong (MN), Gisela Schmidt (Emden, Germany) Row 2: Kay Cayler (CA), Vonda Fulfs (NY), Boni Wendling (CA), Fred Johnson (IA), Dee Johnson (IA), Donna Mennen (MN), Mary Kay Schmidt (VA). Picture: Barbara Hoppe, Emder Zeitung

15 Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America

Submitted by Rudy Wiemann

Upgant-Schott’s Transportation Links

Early in its history the community Upgant-Schott was already well connected with much of Ost- friesland by land and by river. The Old Post Road to Aurich by way of Fehnhusen, Oldeborg and Vic- torbur; to Norden by way of Marienhafe, Tjüche, Osteel and Bargebur; also the “Eetsweg” south to Siegelsum, presumably an old pilgrimage path across the Meeden to Lake Groβes Meer; as well as the “Leezweg” to Hage and Berum through Halbe- mond and along the edge of the moor; ditto the “Heerweg” or “Lordships’ Road” from the “Schottjer Piepe” into Krummhörn and to Emden surely must have been useable land routes.

By water one could get per freight and passenger ferry via the Abelitz River anywhere where there were navigable waterways, and there were no few of them. Documents from 1610 and 1664 reflect the regulated river boat service from Emden to the Rypen Faensterbrugge unde Marienhaeve (Riepe, Fahne near Aurich and Marienhafe).

The routes to Riepe and Marienhafe ran twice daily, and there were tariffs governing the transportation of freight and passengers. The route into Broekmer- land proceeded down the Fahnster Tief, Lake Groβes Meer, Lake Longewehrst, the Abelitz to Schottjer Piepe, and up the Störtebeker Tief to Marienhafe.

As one could not depend on the wind for moving Quarrels still broke out here at the end of the 20th century between Upgant- the ships, horses were used to pull them from tow Schott and Marienhafe involving storage privileges, which could be quickly paths along the waterways. Of great importance settled, however. Not before the middle of the 20th century did the local later was the local canal shipping entrepreneurship shipping business begin to fade. The freight service changed over completely which developed from the ferry service. It stretched to the highways. from Upgant-Schott’s “Schottjer Piepe” to Emden and into the Krummhörn. Here, where the Heerweg For years the Heerweg has been called the “Herrschaftlicher Weg” (Lord- to Wirdum crossed the Abelitz, was an important ships’ Road) because the ruling house, not the town of Upgant-Schott, paid storage facility for all kinds of merchandise. for its maintenance. At “Schottjer Piepe” this Heerweg was interrupted by the Abelitz. Whoever wanted to cross it, had to use a ferry which, like the

The bridge toll in 1832: One head old horned cattle………………………………….………...3/4 Stüber One head young horned cattle as yearling, two year old, or calf……..1/2 Stüber One foal……………………………………………………………….1/2 Stüber One horse, with or without a rider…………………………………….1 Stüber Every wagon hitched to two horses…………………………………...2 Stüber For every horse, if more are hitched…………………………………..1 Stüber One pig or sheep………………………………………………………1/2 Stüber 1/2 Stüber Coin / 90 Stüber = 1 Taler Finally, every pedestrian from St. Martin until May………………….1 Stüber No pedestrian toll during other months.

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road, was maintained by the ruling house. The ferry house stood where today the Überbrücken Gastwirtschaft “Schottjer Piepe” is located. All aboard! We’re casting off!’ province of Friesland in the northern Netherlands, an interesting town with a The ferry landing was a busy scene, for Vertrouwen long history of fishing and shipping. Its here the traffic to and from Krummhörn central location on the Wadden Sea and Emden had to be accommodated, and makes it an ideal starting point for sailing along here ran the most important land the coastal waters and the IJsselmeer Bay. route from Krummhörn and Emden to Nor- (Date: Aug. 22 to 28. Price 340 euros. den and Aurich. Traffic was especially Check www.ejel.de/Freizeiten)” heavy at those times when the once very important cattle markets and the Jahrmarkt (Annual Fair) in Marienhafe took place, or IHLOW when the flax from Krummhörn was shipped to Marienhafe for spinning, weav- ing and dyeing.

Those who want to feel the wind and For the maintenance of the ferry, the au- wave crests whipping around their ears thorities charged the so called “Schottjer are urged to hurry and sign up for this Fahrhaber” and a “Stüberfeld”. A full size retreat under sail. They are about to Heerd (hearth) had to pay one “Vierdup” of explore the Netherlands’ Wadden Sea oats (about 50 pounds), every house a (Tidal Mud Flats) aboard a traditional Stüber. All inhabitants of Broekmerland flat-bottom tjalk ship, also called Dutch had to pay, and the North Broekmerland barge, the “Vertrouwen” (Confidence), Vogtei collected both, took the oats to the and get to know the essence of the “Highness’s grain floors” and deliver the elements water, wind and sun first hand, money to the Rentei in Aurich. as can only be experienced on a sailing

adventure. After a great day of tacking It took time to decide to replace the ferry and running before the wind, they may “Emden’s congregations are once more with a bridge. Many quarrels about it first- wish to enjoy the quaint little harbor endorsing a Maundy Thursday pilgrimage broke out, not unusual in such cases. towns and the beautiful dune islands from the old Ihlow Monastery (see Issue However, at the beginning of the year 1777 with their mile-long beaches. Oct. 2007, pg. 27) (picture above) back to the letting for its construction could finally Emden. They see it as a way for pilgrims be published in the “Intelligenz Blatt” and The friendly atmosphere on the to reevaluate life’s priorities from a per- announced from the pulpits. It was built in “Vertrouwen” below the bulging canvas spective gained while walking on Ost- that same year, and the approaches on both guarantees an enjoyable stay on board. friesland’s own Jacob’s Trail. sides of the Abelitz were raised for suffi- The tjalk’s low draught (ca. 2.8 ft.) cient clearance for the ships to pass under- makes it suitable for navigating the flats Up to 12 interested pilgrims will travel by neath. and visiting hard to reach points of inter- bus to Ihlow and begin their 15 mile walk

est. home. They will say prayers in the For 200 years a wooden bridge stood— churches on the way and stop for lunch at always maintained and often reconstructed, The “Vertrouwen’s” home port is Har- Ochtelbur’s community house. They until in the course of rebuilding the Heer- lingen (Westfriesian: Harns) in the expect to arrive at Emden’s Reformed weg, which meanwhile had been elevated Neue Kirche around 7 pm and to “Highway 26”, it was replaced with a take part in a round-table Com- modern concrete bridge commensurate munion. The pilgrimage will be with the needs of today’s traffic demands. guided by Deacon Noormann, It has greater clearance than its predeces- ret.” sor. Überbrücken (lit. “Building SOURCE: Text from Das Land um den Bridges Across.”) The Lutheran Störtebekerturm by Rudolf Folkerts. Illus- Magazine for Emden), March trations and tabulation from Alte Wege und to May, 2015 Straβen in Ostfriesland by H. Wiemann/J Engelmann.

HARLINGEN HARBOR, NL 17 NEWS FROM OSTFRIESLAND

Anzeiger für Harlingerland, 1/16/2014 ous in its criticism of admitting large num- rides to Ostfriesland - The East Friesian detective bers of refugees and job seekers to Ger- explore stories by Norden’s Klaus-Peter Wolf have many, particularly from the crisis-torn the long achieved cult status. His eighth book, Middle East. The protesters used whistles island’s entitled “Ostfriesenfeuer” (East Friesian and signs to underscore their demand for fauna Fire), jumped to first place on the pocket an Ostfriesland tolerant and open to the and book bestseller list right from its publica- world. They applauded the main speakers, flora all tion and ranked among the top ten for District Wittmund’s chief administrator the way weeks thereafter. Matthias Köring and state representative to its eastern tip. Starting in March, there Holger Heymann, who appealed for a fair- is the “North Sea Children’s Fun” for Now his ninth book, called “Ostfriesen- minded attitude toward those unfortunates the young visitors in which an assort- wut” (East Friesian Fury), is about to be seeking security in a peaceful land. ment of island features is studied, such released. It deals with the body of a young as lighthouses (the island has three), woman found floating in Leer’s harbor, General Anzeiger, 1/20/2015 seals, and starfish. October is the prime and police Chief Inspector Ann Kathrin Ihren - The agenda of the fire department’s time for watching migratory birds. Klaasen’s furious and dangerous search for first meeting of the new year included a Throughout the year, the National Park the solution to this case during which, as it look back on its 2014 deployments. These House invites the public to attend its turns out, she exposes a web of shenani- were not exclusively devoted to fire fight- numerous special exhibits and activities, gans with life-threatening implications. ing and emergency rescue operations - among them the Rose House Fest, an The background of Wolf’s who-dun-its is those showed a negative trend. Easter Egg Hunt, and woodworking Ostfriesland, its villages and towns, its demonstrations. countryside and its people. Any place de- scribed by the author in a new publication Ostfriesen-Zeitung, 1/24/2015 is certain to be visited for quite a while Papenburg - Germany’s Labor Secretary, thereafter by many of his avid readers ea- Andrea Nahles, has high praise for ger to walk in the footsteps of Chief In- Meyer Werft’s treatment of its labor spector Ann Kathrin - very much to the force, saying that “this company with its benefit of nearby cafés and restaurants. social charter, wage scales and inde- pendent consulting offices for employees There is even an Internet page - www.ost- under contract has done pioneering friesenkrimiguide.de - which directs the work in labor relations. That which is computer-savvy would-be sleuth to those The hours devoted to education and train- standard procedure here will serve as an various locations. Wolf has issued his own ing, on the other hand, rose to 1,300, some example for the improvement of working audio books, and a German TV channel of them designed to awaken an interest conditions for company employees has started work on a television series among the young folks, in the hope of throughout the country.” based on his work. thereby acquiring new members. Two among them did, indeed, join last year, so Ostfriesen-Zeitung, 1/24/2015 Ostfriesen-Zeitung, 1/20/2015 that the department now has 21 active Rhauderfehn - Ostfriesland’s Reformed Esens - About 250 folks gathered Monday members. Fireman Berend Pastoor was the and Lutheran churches are sending out night on Esens’ Marktplatz to protest the recipient of a medal in honor of his 40-year invitations for their seventh combined Pediga movement which has been vocifer- membership, which began as an 18-year- quadrennial Faith Festival to be cele- old in 1974 with the fire department of Breinermoor.

Anzeiger Für Harlingerland, 1/20/2015 Wangerooge - The National Park House Wangerooge announced its revised annual program which stresses educational pro- jects for adult vacationers and learning activities for children. There are tidal flats hikes starting in February and guided bike 18 Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America brated in Rhauderfehn from July 10 to 12, through the creation of better job opportu- these growths, some the size of bowling 2016. The last Festival, the largest regional nities, an increase in communal income balls, which could be as old as 10 million meeting of Christians, took place in 2012 by way of a revised business tax levy, and years. It is the largest patch of manganese in Aurich and drew 15,000 visitors. They the introduction of measures designed to lumps ever found in the Atlantic. were offered three days of programs de- attract private investment. In this context signed for children, young people and he has given his Department of Municipal In the 1970s, manganese nodules discov- adults, highlighted by performances of the Development, Real Property and Con- ered in other areas of the ocean bottom well-known singer and songwriter Heinz struction Administration, under the lead- captured the interest of mining compa- Kunze. The organizers of the coming Festi- ership of Hinrich Beekmann, the addi- nies, but that soon faded in view of the val are still working on a similar variety of tional responsibility for real property in difficulty of retrieving them from such programs, expecting them to go far in as- Wiesmoor’s industrial parks, the manage- depths and the technological advances in suring another fine turnout. ment of municipal buildings, and retail extracting the ore on land. The newly trade concerns. As a first step, the mayor found nodules occur at depths between Ostfriesen-Zeitung, 2/5/2015 has scheduled an economic policy forum 16,400 and 18,000 feet. The “Sonne” set Großefehn - During last weekend’s annual for Thursday, March 5, in which his ad- out with the goal of discovery. Scientists breakfast meeting of the Großefehn Tour- ministration hopes to establish a dialogue ism Association, with 60 operators of over- with spokespersons for local businesses. night accommodations present, Mayor Olaf The subject of the creation of a booster Meinen touched on a sore spot: a bed tax circle for the promotion of the economy as a way to finance investments in the tour- may also be broached. ism industry. He received scant applause, but reiterated the community’s need to Jeverschers Wochenblatt, 2/7/2015 make sizable investments if it wants this Wilhelmshaven - The Harbor and Inland industry to prosper, and that those citizens Navigation Authority (WSA = Wasser- who do not profit by it will be sure to ask und Schifffahrtsamt) Wilhelmshaven ex- on board intend to find out more about why they should pay the lion’s share. In pects expenditures totaling 112m euros in life at great depths in the tropical ocean any case, so His Honor, a means to raise 2015, as a number of large projects have between South America and Africa, and money must be found which will not put passed the whether the volcanic mountain range more strain the community’s precarious planning winding between the continents acts as a pecuniary situation. stage, barrier to abyssal creatures. During the among trip, biologists did bring up creatures from A spokesman for Großefehn’s hoteliers them repair those depth, while geologists investigated asked for additional discussions, stressing work on the the seafloor topography and plate tecton- that the introduction of a bed tax would revetment ics along the route. give rise to additional administrative ex- at the west end of Wangerooge to more penses, thus making this approach uneco- effectively protect the island during storm Rheiderland Zeitung, 2/23/2015 nomical. Besides, said the spokesperson, surges and secure dependable navigation Bunderhee - The local fire chief Tobias inland tourism does not constitute a major with the mainland. The Authority already Stirler recounted last year’s deployments source of income when compared with the invested around 700,000 euros there last during a Friday meeting at the fire station. coast and the islands, where many more year, after the October 2013 storm surge Six technical aid calls, a burning trans- breadwinners are finding employment in “Xaver” caused massive damage. Other former in July and a manure pile on fire in this industry. Most tourists choosing ac- projects needing tackling are work on November set off alarms at the fire station commodations here are spending a good naval facilities and the harbor traffic of- Bunderhee, one of four fire stations in the part of their travel budget during trips fice as well as maintenance of the Jade community Bunde. Also reexamined were throughout the region, rather than in Bay navigation channel. a practice run in community-wide wire- Großefehn itself. Aurich’s overnight less coordination, 32 demonstration exer- guests, for instance, spend an average of 65 AOL News, 2/18/2015 cises, and eight training courses. euros per calendar day, and day guest 27 The German research ship “Sonne,” euros. totaling about 33m euros annually, which was built by the Meyer Werft ship- though much of it during trips throughout yard in Papenburg and entered service in Ostfriesland. November of last year, was several hun- dred miles east of Barbados when a net, Anzeiger für Harlingerland, 2/4/2015 lowered to capture marine life, brought up Wiesmoor - Mayor Friedrich Völler sees a nodules of manganese ore bigger than need to boost of the town’s economic softballs in diameter. A remote camera situation; this to be achieved primarily later revealed a seafloor littered with

Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 19 at 3 am on Wednesday. Moving further Uplengen Blattje, 3/1/2015 down the widening river and seaward Remels - The community is presently cop- down the Western Ems estuary, she safely ing with increasing numbers of refugees. reached Eemshaven in the Netherlands, Since last October, 36 persons have been where she will remain for a couple of received and found quarters. Fifty more days, undertake a shakedown cruise and civil war refugees and asylum applicants move on to Bremerhaven, where she will are still expected to arrive in Uplengen remain until the middle of April to un- during the current year. These people are Weber. Says one of the initiators, “We dergo final preparations and training of assigned living quarters by the community will show that the citizenry wants to keep the crew before being handed over to and provided with life’s basic necessities. the Ubbo-Emmius-Klinik’s two locations Royal Caribbean International at her They do need help with everyday concerns, near the centers of high population den- christening in Southampton. however, such as acquiring rudimentary sity and will reject the planned Central language proficiency and interacting with Klinik in Georgsheil, which, by the way, officialdom, especially during the first would cost several hundred million euros weeks after arriving. GREETSIEL’S to build and equip.” For this, the community in turn depends on WINDMILL help by the citizenry, and a meeting of Ostfriesen-Zeitung, 3/5/2015 A major storm on the afternoon of Mon- volunteers was arranged last month at city Norderney - Applications for the third day, October 28, 2013 tore the top off hall. It was well attended and featured rep- island swim by the German Sea Rescue Greetsiel’s green windmill. Greetsiel’s resentatives of District Leer’s social ser- Corp. Norderney were accepted last Sat- landscape was not the same without that vices department, especially its office for urday. Within 10 minutes after issuance windmill’s Galerie and sails. (Watch it integration affairs and women and family of the Internet page www.inselschwim- on https:// support. In the discussion that followed, men-norderney.de, all 300 starting places www.youtube.com/ the idea of sponsorship for refugee families were taken. watch? and those living in shared housing, as The rest of the applicants will be placed v=MNwoTH7NthA) already introduced by the Lutheran congre- on a waiting list, The swim will be held gation, stood out as an example to be on August 30, when the 300 will jump The windmill is once continued and expanded. Questionnaires into the North Sea at Hilgenriedersiel and more operational were handed out to volunteers with which swim the roughly five miles to the island. thanks to donations from many sources. they might propose additional ideas on this Among the swimmers will again be last The Galerie of the topic. year’s win- mill was replaced in ner Rob December 2014 and the sails were finally Fokkinga Ostfriesische Nachrichten, 3/2/2015 in place on June 1st. Aurich - Folks here make no bones about and 13 times their determination to keep the Ubbo- winner and OGSA & OGSA members donated 500 Emmius-Klinik’s branches at their down- former mer- euro toward this project. Today, the mill town Aurich and Norden locations and maid tail is once more functional thanks to every- have them undergo modernization in situ if swim world one who contributed. Thanks to every- needed rather than agreeing with the con- champion Sandra Hässler, whose time of one who donated money for this project. struction of a new Central Klinik in Georg- 1:15:52 has yet to be topped. The Greetsiel Green Mill is once again sheil, as currently under consideration. ready to greet visitors. Ostfriesen-Zeitung, 3/11/2015 A drive to collect signatures among Papenburg’s Meyer Werft shipyard has Aurich’s citizens opposed to the move has successfully launched its newest supersize already been started on the sidewalks by cruise liner, the “Anthem of the Seas,” four of the seven political parties and gross tonnage 168,888, half a year behind groups represented in the town council. It her sister ship, the “Quantum of the will be broadened to include to Aurich’s Seas,” after whom the “Quantum Class” suburbs and reach all the way to Wies- is named. She left Papenburg’s Shipyard moor, Großefehn, Dornum, Holtrop and Harbor at 2 pm on Tuesday, attracting the Ihlow. The lists, which are also available usual large crowd of onlookers along the for signing in numerous retail businesses, Ems shores, and, moved by tugboats, so far have been filling up fast. Upon the floated past the Leda River’s mouth at drive’s conclusion, they will be handed to Leer to reach the Ems barrier at Gander- District Aurich’s administrator Harm-Uwe sum with its 200 ft. main channel opening

Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 20 The Ems River & The Controversy

The District Council of Leer voted in favor of the Master Plan Ems with 26 yeas as against 23 nays. The pros and cons aired during the open discussions dealt for the most part with the 1,750 acres, later reduced to about 600 to 1,000 acres, to be set aside for conservation, and the fear that the District Leer, in particular its farmers, would bear the brunt of the coming conservation restrictions. The District Emsland, however, affirmed that it stood ready to help and search for suit- able areas along its river shores to be added to the Master Plan.

The Ems River and its shores are of great importance to the local population and its 200 farmers came to Leer, some on their economy which is partly sustained by it, tractors, to attend a session of the Nature Brussels will levy if it does not follow and for its unique fauna and flora which Conservation Committee of the District through with its agreed-to action. Other the European Union is determined to pre- Council as it dealt with the Master Plan voices, however, advise a modification of serve. Ems. This Plan has caused a great deal of those demands in view of the importance uncertainty among folks from Rysum in of a healthy regional economy in which The steering committee appointed to work Krummhörn down to Herbrum southwest Meyer Werft with its 3,100 jobs in the out an acceptable solution included repre- of Papenburg in Emsland, especially ship building industry plays a major role, sentatives of the city of Emden and the among farmers whose land and future are not counting the many jobs created by districts of Leer and Emsland, the Meyer affected by it. ancillary service and supply companies. Werft shipyard of Papenburg, the German branch of the World Wide Fund for Na- The state of Lower Saxony will be required During the past year, Papenburg’s ship- ture (WWF), the Federation for the Envi- by the EU in Brussels to designate 1,750 yard delivered five river excursion ships, ronment of Lower Saxony, the Federal acres of land bordering the river for the research vessel “Sonne,” and two Directorate for Inland Waterways and conservation by 2050, but many folks are cruise liners, one of which, the “Quantum Navigation, as well as the Federal Envi- skeptical about that number as being final, of the Seas,” being the largest it has built ronment and Economy Departments. as the creation of riparian “polders” is up to that time. Presently on the books for Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung (Emsland) called for, and nature conservation socie- Papenburg and Meyer Werft’s subsidiary 3/24/2015 ties demand the complete restoration of the “Neptun” at the Baltic Sea port of river system’s original biosphere, blaming Rostock are eight cruise ships Meyer Werft shipyard’s need for straight- and 17 river excursion ships. ening and dredging - to facilitate the upriver launchings of its new class of huge Meyer Werft’s subsidiary in cruise liners - for excessive current speed, Turku, Finland, of which it clouding, oxygen depletion, fish fauna became majority owner in destruction and bird sanctuary flooding. 2014, will deliver a cruise ship (See Issue April 2009, Pg. 14.) and has two more plus a ferry on the books. They cite the federal government’s Ostfriesen-Zeitung, 3/5/2015 contract with the EU for an improvement In later news... in its water quality and the hefty fines

Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 21 Submitted by Rudy Wiemann

SOURCE: By Rev. J. F. Bertrams, Geographic Description of the Principality Ostfriesland, 1735, revised by C. H. Normann in 1785; O. G. Houtrouw, Ostfriesland gegen Ende der Fürstenzeit*, 1889. (*The last Fürst, or Duke, Carl Edzard, died in 1744). Includes internet sources. The City of Wittmund, Pt. II

Wittmund’s sports club MTV 1865 appeals ([barley] husking mill) and the Siuts-Mühle, have been to the phy-ed enthusiasts. It offers facilities well preserved. for gymnastics and track and field compe- tition, organizes bike trips, competes with The former, later expanded for the additional produc- other sports clubs in volleyball and hand- tion of rye and wheat flour, is Ostfriesland’s oldest ball, and conducts its widely known long fully functional Dutch-style windmill, built in 1741 by distance run, called the Wittmund Klinker- Popke Embken. It is now the home of the local histori- lauf (i.e., Brick Run) named after the cal society, a volunteer organization which also oper- “Klinkerwerke Wittmund,” which makes ates a museum on these premises, organizes bake days, paving bricks but is best known for its peat day trips, kale dinners, and more. It also puts on Low fired “Torfbrandklinkers,” colorful facade German (Platt) stage plays in the downtown Stadt bricks which are highly regarded by archi- Theater and elsewhere in the Kreis, predominantly in tects. the Siel Harbor Museum of Carolinensiel.

Another sports club, SV Wittmund, The mill shares these stages with the mostly high Ger- founded in 1948, centers its activities man performances of the resident theater of Lower around soccer, table tennis, badminton, and Saxony. The Siuts-Mühle, also a Dutch-style windmill, chess. Then there are the Bossel Club, was sold in 1845 by its previous owners, KBV Wittmund; the Tennis Club, TC the Meenken Brothers, to Weert Siuts, a Wittmund; the Sports Club for the Handi- farmer’s son from Dohusen. It was re- capped, BSG Wittmund; and more. cently remodeled, and houses a well- regarded Italian restaurant. Wittmund’s rural roots are very much in evidence, and a good many of its bread- When the Kreis Wittmund was formed winners need to commute to a work place in 1885 from the former Ämter Witt- in more industrialized Wilhelmshaven. The mund and Esens, it needed a new admin- town’s two windmills, the Peldemühle istrative building. This was finished Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 22 around 1900 and resulted in the repre-  Lehmkuhlen, the name means sentative Kreishaus on the Marktplatz. clay pits. They were dug at the Of particular attraction inside is the for- time when the planting of the mer office of the assistant Kreis commis- Wittmund Forest was started. sioner, which is furnished in the style of Updorf (Utdorp) was settled in an old farm house living room, decorated  the 15th century and is first found with hand-painted tiles. mentioned in 1690, reason enough

to celebrate its 300th anniversary Visitors with shopping on their minds in 1990. It joined Willen in 1862. need only look toward the aforemen- tioned stately Nicolai Church, as it is  Neuenhaus (Neuhaus) has been bordered by four business streets laid out known since around 1700 when a in a square around it. They may sooner family by that name lived there. It or later meet up with a bronze figure, was recognized as a hamlet near called “Jan Schüpp up Padd” (Jan Willen and joined that community Shovel on the path), cherished as the in 1804. town’s eccentric. Jan, in work clothes  Hohehahn was a royal sheep and with a bemused expression on his station until its dissolution in face, stands on his own shovel, thereby 1865. Its heathland was thereupon implying that he is only fooling himself, forested and added to the Witt- as taking someone on the shovel is a mund Forest, where lumberjacks German expression for leading someone were already making a living on. He stands for the Ostfriesen’s atti- since the 18th century. It was in- tude not to take everything too seriously. corporated into Willen in 1842. He is the “godfather” of a series of rac- Only 10 people live there now. ing events, such as a half-marathon, Part of it has been a nature pre- which are named after him. There is also serve since 1978. An observation an LG (Lauf Gesellschaft, or Running tower and a walk around a peat Club) Wittmund, which organizes mara- bog attract friends of nature. thon races in Harlingerland and com- petes in country-wide marathon events. From Ostfriesische Landschaft (K-H DeWall): Hattersum, Algersh(a) Wittmund is surrounded by settlements usen, Grash(a)usen, Uttel, Nenn- which in the days of the old Amt were dorf, Mosewarfen constituted a single part of its St. Nicolai parish. (See Ber- community north of downtown Witt- tram) mund until 1972.  Algerhausen and Grashausen Willen is located about a mile southwest consist of individual farmsteads in of downtown and first found mentioned the coastal plain, an area overlain in 1473 when the area was made up of with fertile alluvial deposits, heathland and peat bogs which contained whereas Uttel and Hattersum, clay deposits. The bogs were drained per further south, are clustered ham- edict of the Prussian king, the peat used lets on Geest soil. Nenndorf is for fuel, and the clay for making bricks. located on a Geest island in the Beginning in the 1860’s so many locals coastal plain. emigrated to America that Willen’s population stayed nearly constant until Here the first Siel (levee sluice gate) 1940. of the Harle River was once located. Building construction in Hattersum In 1899 the new narrow gauge railroad and Nenndorf today give evidence of northern Europe. It is kept in downtown Witt- Leer-Aurich-Wittmund set up a station Wittmund’s urban growth. The road mund’s Peldemühle Museum. here. In 1992 its historical society which north to Carolinensiel was first cov- in 2004 published the book “The History ered with paving brick in 1859. An Around Uttel a large amount of fine clay suit- of our Village in Harlingerland including important archaeological find was able for making tobacco pipes was found, Updorf and Angelsburg. made in Hattersum in 1991 with the most of which, annually around 1,000 tons, discovery of a 1,000 year old harrow, was shipped to the Netherlands. The number Willen is the administrative and eco- probably the oldest one found in of households according to an 1871 census nomic center of a number of hamlets was as follows: Hattersum - 31; Algershausen surrounding it: - 3; Grashausen - 3; Uttel - 27; Nenndorf - 14; Mosewarfen - 6. Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 23

of the name Ihne, is a single farm- stead near Fun- nix

which at one time belonged to the The East Friesian villages did not really Kankenas. emerge from their status as lower govern-  Hornum (Horn) is a single farmstead mental administrative units into political near Asel formerly granted the privi- communities until the Hanoverian Rural leges of a noble estate, although nothing Community Statute of 1859. It gave voting is known about the origin of those privi- rights to property owning villagers with no leges. The name likely goes back to the previous convictions in proportion to the tip of land reaching into the enlarged size of their possessions, which were di- Jade Bay. In 1823 it had about 120 vided into four categories, the wealthiest acres of land and was home to 19 peo- receiving four votes each. ple.  Dohusen, (1497 Dodehusen, 1565  Klinge is single farmstead northwest of Dohuisen, 1684 Dohusen, i.e. Dode’s Asel and has been found mentioned in house) east of downtwon Wittmund, 1124 as “villa Anaclingum.” Its name lies on a Geest protrusion into the means “hill,” although there is no ele- coastal plain and is mentioned in the vated ground around here. It was once a chronicles of Werdum as having been “Grashaus” with 90 acres of land, the location of a Burg belonging to the which was sold, bestowed with noble Kankenas. Together with several small privileges, in 1676 by the Duchess neighboring settlements it formed a Christine Charlotte, widow of Duke Bauernschaft, i.e., an early form of a George Christian, to the Drost of Esens self-governing farming community. At and Wittmund, whose son resold it in the present time, three farmers intend 1713. It is said to have been a moat- to build a 750 kilowatt biogas installa- surrounded stronghold, a companion tion with which to supply Wittmund’s fort to the Burg in Dohusen. 11 persons hospital with electricity. lived on the estate in 1823.  Barum(s), Itzhausen (Jatzhusen) are hamlets within the political periphery Pursuant to the community reform act of of Eggelingen. Barums is first found 1972 in Lower Saxony, the town of Witt- mentioned in 1564. It consisted of 8 mund expanded in area up to the North Sea. hearths and 49 people in 1823. Itz- It now includes the former independent rural hausen is a single farmstead first found villages of Ardorf, Asel, Blersum, Burhafe, mentioned in 1684. In 1823 it had two Buttforde, Eggelingen, Hovel, Leerhafe, hearths and eight people. Uttel, Willen, and Harlesiel, the latter result-  Settlement indications for Leerhafe go ing from a merger of Berdum, Carolinensiel, back in time, Bronze Age burial and Funnix. mounds existing in its surrounds. Ini- tially called Lee, it is mentioned as a The Kreis Wittmund was created in 1885 by “Vorwerk,” a farm, in records of the merging the old Ämter Wittmund and Esens Commandery Burmönken. “Leerhave” plus the town of Esens. In 1977 the Kreis is cast in a bell of 1400. Wittmund was dissolved and merged with the communities Jever, Sande, Schortens, Schmackens (Smackens) is a single  Wangerland, Wangeooge to form the Kreis farmstead south of Toquard. Friesland with Wittmund as the Kreis seat.  Ihnkeburg (Inkeborg), meaning Ihnke’s Burg, Ihnke being a diminutive Following to a constitutional complaint, the Kreis reform of 1977 was changed in 1980 and the Kreise Wittmund, Friesland, and Ammerland were recreated in their former entities.

24 WITTMUND BETWEEN 1900-1918 Wittmund in Post Cards

25 AURICH’S MAUSOLEUM

The Cirksena Mausoleum in Aurich

Translated by Gene Janssen eigns' burial location. It is he who was the first of the Cirksena family to be laid The Cirksena family mausoleum at Aurich to rest in the vault on May 13, 1599. is the final resting place of the Ostfriesian counts and their families. It was set up in This does not mean, however, that there 1886 in the Aurich city cemetery. Prior to were no more Cirksena family members that the counts were interred in various buried in Emden. The last one of the locations. family buried there was the Reformed The first burials of Cirksena family mem- brother of the count, Johann (1538- Portions of bers were in the Marienthal Cloister near 1591). The coffins withstood all the original caskets Norden. The cloister burned to the ground successive wars until the Seven Years' framed hanging in 1531 during the Gelders Feud between War (1756-1763) also known in the U.S. beside each Balthasar of Esens and Enno Cirksena. as the French and Indian Wars) when niche. French troops occupied Ostfriesland (at After that the remains were removed to the that time it was a province of Prussia) Große Kirche in Emden. Problems arose and plundered the tombs looking for with the radicalized citizens in the battle of booty. the Reformed against the Lutherans. On September 10, 1588, when the eldest After 1591 the Cirksenas were buried in daughter of reigning countess, Margaretha Aurich. Nine coffins are documented up (1560-1588) was to be buried, the Lutheran to the year 1630 with the last burial there court preacher, Heßhusius, was to preach taking place in March, 1630. In 1648 the funeral sermon. As he was about to when Ulrich II died a second vault was enter the pulpit of the Reformed church, a built in the church. At first the old vault near riot broke out among the citizens. was cleared out and Ulrich was interred Thus, the body was laid to rest in silence there on February 21, 1649. and the funeral procession quickly returned to Aurich where the funeral sermon could About the same time a change in burial be delivered. customs took place. Previously the Cirk- sena family members were buried in a After this incident Edzard II in 1588 desig- flat box-shaped coffin within an oak nated the church in Aurich as the sover- coffin. Ulrich II, however, was buried in 26 Casket of 14 Children of Countess Catherine of Sweden

an engraved and decorated tin coffin with access to the roof. The structure is about 17 Earlier in 1981 three coffins were re- an inner coffin made of wood. This re- meters high. Inside the vaulting there is a stored. Further restoration of the cof- mained the custom until 1744 when the cupola seemingly erected without any sup- fins took place between 1989 and 1992 Cirksena line died out. In 1707 the height port. The exterior of the building measures in the Kracht restoration workshop. of the vault was extended by Prince Chris- 17 meters. The keystone was installed on Items and clothing pieces were then tian with a new arched vault. December 7, 1876. brought to the historical museum of Aurich. The next record concerning the vault In the interior of the decagon there are ten (Wikipedia & internet sources) comes from November 15, 1784. The au- niches 2.75 meters deep and 2.75 meters Pictures: Lin Strong thor, Johann Konrad Freese (1758-after wide. The niche cornice is double layered, 1805) reports a content of 46 coffins. This so that two coffins can be accommodated. report is an important source because in the Above each niche there is a window. The This is a list of the caskets in the following years the dampness of the vault entrance takes up the space for one niche so mausoleum: had caused serious deterioration. that there are 18 niches available. The inte- 1.Eberhardine Charlotte rior has a diameter of 9.5 meters. In the 2.Ulrich II. The first plans to relocate the counts go center there is a ten-sided platform upon 3.Juliane von Hessen-Darmstadt further back. Already by the time when which two further, elaborate coffins are 4.Enno Ludwig the Aurich cemetery was planned by Con- found. 5.Leopold Ignatius husband of Sophia rad Bernhard Meyer in 1803 the back por- Antonietta Juliana tion of the cemetery was set aside for the In 1876 when the bodies of the princes were 6.Georg Christian counts. The plans were not carried out in to be relocated, it became apparent that the 7.Edzard Ferdinand his day, most likely because of the Napole- coffins were in such poor condition that 8.Justina Sophia onic wars. In 1823 the church was closed, they would need to be replaced. Only 11 of 9.Juliane Charlotte having been declared dilapidated and the 46 coffins were usable. So, nine new 10.Edzard II. unsafe. The new construction lasted until coffins had then to be made for the rest of 11.Enno II. 1832, and the princely crypt was again the remains, and it took until 1880 before 12.Anna von Holstein-Gottorp installed there. the skeletal remains were moved during the 13.*Sammelsarg für 14 Jugendliche nights of September 15-16th and 17th and (Resting place of 14 children) As a secretary to King George V, historian 18th. 14.Amalie Juliane von Kleinau Onno Klopp from Leer brought the poor 15.*Sammelsarg 14 Erwachsene conditions of the princely crypt to the Subsequently the mausoleum was also used 16.Christine Louise king's attention resulting in plans being as a funeral chapel for the cemetery until 17.Georg Albrecht made for a suitable resting place. The pro- 1966 when a separate cemetery chapel was 18.Carl Edzard posal was finished in 1865 and the money built. [Translators note--funerals in Ger- designated for it when war broke out in many are not only held churches, but may In the middle are the beautiful hand 1866. The second attempt also failed due be held in cemetery chapels] made metal caskets of Chistine Char- to the Franco-German War of 1870. The lotte and Eberhardine Sophie. construction of the mausoleum was only World War II brought about the next big begun in 1875. change. After the destruction of the Emden *Collective coffins church and its crypt, the bones which could Erwachsene—Adults After the financing was secured, the con- be found were brought to the mausoleum. Jugendliche—Children struction began then in 1875. It was built In the 1970s it became as a vaulted decagon. On the north side clear that a major res- there is a stairway in a tower which allows toration was necessary because ground water has destabilized the foundation and the dampness had dam- aged the coffins.

After 1984 the build- ing was restored--first the flooring (now a natural stone); 1985-- the roof; 1988-1991 the wrought iron light CHILDREN’S CASKETS fixtures and the gate.

27 Lin Cornelius Strong Ostfriesland may not have mountains or scenic vistas, but for centuries, churches and harbors full of boats are found in pictures everywhere. In this issue we will examine some of the drawings and paintings that give a small ex- ample of their art. The next issues will feature some of Ostfriesland in Art the artists along with sculptures, stained glass, church art and baptismal fonts, and much more.

Among the artists are the late Gerhard Janssen (1914- 2005) from Osteel, Alf Depster, Hans Dieken, Andreas Kruse, Lothar Strübbe, Böke, Kampenga and many oth- ers. Often, unknown their art ranges from crude to fine pencil drawings, water colors, acrylic and oil paintings. Their art can be found in art galleries, old books, post- cards, Kalendars (almanacs), posters and other publica- tions.

Paintings and drawings of castles and old forts are all that remain of those structures, as so few of them survived. These are just a small example of the art in my collection!

Norden 1700

Borkum

Großefehn

28 Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America HANS BRAYER DIEKEN

IHRHOVE MILL GRIMERSUM’S BENINGABURG

UPLEWARD CASTLE

AURICH

PINGEL HAUS—WEIGH STATION GREETSIEL

Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America 29

Taylor, Sandra, 1225 Birch St., Valentine NE 69201 [email protected] Welcome to OGSA! Warren, Kitty, 7857 W. Crocus Drive, Peo- ria, AZ 85381 [email protected] Researching: We appreciate all our members! Blei (Wirdum) Brewer, Lucille, 4789 Lambeth Walk, Carmel, IN 46033-3163 Phone: Wenig, Judith, 20568 Anndyke Way, German- 317-566-0682 Researching: Frandsen (Weene, Aurich-Oldendorf, town, MD 20874 Holtrop) [email protected] Cheverud, Janet D., 5555 N Sheridan Rd. #503, Chicago, IL 60640 314 Wesche, Susan, 1301 S. 23rd St. #4 Lincoln, NE 68502 -517-0842 [email protected] Researching: Bergmann -1776 (Westerhusen); Ahrend, Harms (Riepe); Stein (Ardorf and Großefehn); [email protected] Bloomsaat, Hochmann, Harms (Aurich) Wiemers, Delwin & Karen, 112 E Eighth St, Washing- Groberg, Debra L., 245 West 700 North 798-2792, Spanish Fork, UT ton, KS 66968 Phone: 785-325-2822 wie- 84660 Phone: 801-472-3400 [email protected] [email protected] Researching: Wiemers Hamilton, Diana, 1602 Arizona Ave, Alamogordo, NM 88310 (Bagband, Rahe, Holzhausen [email protected] Hammon, Lisa, 3006 NE 133rd Street, Seattle, WA 98125 Address Changes [email protected] Carol Osburn, 1632 Mexican Poppy St. Las Vegas NV Harmel, Bruce, 2311 Dakota Rdg, Johnsburg, IL 60051 Phone: 815- 89128-7981 758-9644 [email protected] Hagemeyer, Dale Zip code should be 81423 Henninger, Tracy, 2040 W. 22nd Ave., Eugene, OR 97405 twilley- [email protected] researching Harms who settled in George, Iowa DONATIONS, Thank You! McAleney, Janet, 4500 Dean Drive, Ventura, CA 93003 jemcale- Cheverud, Janet D. [email protected] McAleney, Janet Reid, Luanne, 44 Hidden Valley Dr, Clancy, MT 59634 [email protected] Robinson, Linley, 3 Slacks Rd, Palmerston North 4412, New DECEASED Zealand Phone: +64) 63536356 [email protected] Lois Kraus, Thief River Falls, MN

More Art... LEER

DORNUM

ANDREAS KRUSE

30 30 OGSA ILLINOIS WORKSHOPS UPCOMING ISSUES: Sat., October 24, Pekin, IL Tazewell County Genealogical Society  Der Goldene Ring 719 N. 11th St., Pekin IL 61554 (309) 477-3044  Land Reclamation www.tcghs.org Sat., November 7, Watseka, IL  Bagband’s Ale Brauerei Iroquois County Genealogical Society  Ostfriesland Demographics 103 W. Cherry St., Watseka, IL (815) 432-3730 http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilicgs/  Shanty Chor’s Presenter: Lin Cornelius Strong, OGSA  Loquard’s Church Treasures Classes Offered:  Reading & Understanding Original Germanic & Scandina-  Church Baptismal Fonts vian Birth, Marriage and Death Records  Church Crypts & Vaults Using Ancestry, FamilySearch.org & other online sites  Ostfriesland’s Art effectively   Breaking Through Your Genealogy Brick Wall  Amt Wittmund  Online Overseas Genealogy Websites  Newspaper research—gossip columns, obituaries & more.

Contact these Genealogical Societies for more information. Wo Sind Sie Geblieben, Six Volumes Must pre-register in order to attend. + Index on DVD

BOOKS! This series of books compiled by Hans-Georg Boyken has been out-of-print for many years. HOMETOWN HEROES, Military Roll of Honor. Civil War OGSA has obtained the rights to era to Present Military Personnel of the Forestville Valley of publish the six volumes with an index Northern Illinois. on DVD. The author excerpted data Includes Adeline, Baileyville, Brookville, Florence, Forreston, found in obituaries published in the German Valley, Ostfriesische Nachrichten originally Haldane, Harper and published in Breda, IA. Leaf River. By Kathy Pasch in This DVD $85 includes s & H. The conjunction with original set of books sold for over $240. Order from OGSA. American Legion Post 308.

If your ancestors set- Research Materials! tled in any of these areas you may be Recently published books interested in this 1) Westeraccum, Upstalsboom-Gesellschaft, in transit book. Hard cover, 2) Upleward & Hamswehrum, privately published, in 352 pages, full of stock pictures and photo- 3) Jennelt, Upstalsboom-Gesellschaft graphs. Also in- 4) Oldersum, privately published, in stock cludes stories, letters Other books will arrive this year including Aurich Reformed and memoirs. Church. Are you interested in Ostfriesen history books? OGSA has a Limited copies avail- good collection of them—and they have been translated into able from OGSA, English. $42 includes postage.

A SPIRITUAL SAGA, 150 YEARS, Tours to Ostfriesland Silver Creek Reformed Church, German/Netherlands Christmas Market Tour— German Valley, Illinois 1851-2001. December 1-10 / Limited Availability! By Donna Smith & Researcher, Ethel SPRING 2016—Ostfriesland, Netherlands Osterloo Contact Lin Strong for more information 651-269 Soft cover, 106 pages, limited copies -3580 or email [email protected] / Tour available from OGSA—$32 includes sizes are limited to 20 or less. References avail- postage. able! These tours are not sponsored by the Ostfriesen Ge- nealogical Society of America.

31 Ostfriesen Genealogical Society of America OSTFRIESEN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA NON PROFIT ORG. 1670 South Robert Street, #333 U.S. POSTAGE West St. Paul, MN 55118 PAID PERMIT #4190 TWIN CITIES, MN Address Service Requested

2015 Programs OGSA Family Potluck Picnic Sunday, November 15, 2015 Saturday, August 1, 2015 @ Noon 2 - 4 p.m. Friesen Historical Society O.G.S.A.’S ANNUAL 4075—140th Avenue SE (CR #1) Clara City, MN TEA PARTY 1 1/4 mile north of German-American Institute Bunde Christian Reformed Church 301 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN Tour Historic Building! Ostfriesen Tea, Kluntje & Tea Sets, Really Great Desserts, Program, Door Prizes & Surprises, Too! RSVP’s Appreciated Bring your friends & family!

Join Us! Everyone Welcome!

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