Rise, Decline, Fall – and Resurrection? – of the Query
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Der Kurier Volume 28, Number 2, June 2010 Rise, decline, fall – and resurrection? – of the query By James M. Beidler or the six-going-on-seven years that I’ve There’s a version of “Back to the Future” had the privilege of editing Der Kurier, one about this that applies to genealogical queries, Fof those who has faithfully rendered though not too many genealogists may assistance to me has been Edythe H. Millar. aggressively practice it. Here are a number of new Her only laments during that time have ways of using this and other old tools effectively been that queries for the “Suchanzeigen” column in the electronic age. she compiles always seem to come by postal or e- *** mail to her just after the deadline for the journal, I’ve used my favorite example of and that the overall number of queries have connecting with other researchers from online declined as people use Internet for more and more query bulletin boards before, but it’s worth of their communication. repeating: When I was fortunate enough to ferret I, too, remember those days of yore when out the German home village of my immigrant queries from members was half (or more!) of the Machmer ancestor, I wanted to spread the word to reason for the existence of newsletters and others that the information might help. journals published genealogical societies across Among the websites that I checked was the country. Some editors received so many GenForum (which is found at the URL, queries that they needed to be limited – oftentimes http://genforum.genealogy.com/), and there I to the particular society’s membership and even to found queries from several individuals that the number of queries that any particular appeared to descend from my same Machmer individual could place during a specific time immigrant (who came to America in 1744 with his period. twin brother, of all things!). Flatly stated: That “golden age” of In no case were these queries asking published queries isn’t going to return. The specifically about the Machmer immigrant immediacy, perceived or actual, of Internet origins, but (also in no case) were the individuals communication will continue its ascendancy, no displeased with the information, and in one case doubt. (Continued on Page 27) In this issue Suchanzeigen ……..……..………...……....... 27 Fraktur Forum ………..….………….….. 30-31 Family register …………………...…………… 28 Ortsippenbuch abstracts ……..…….. 32-45 New members ………………………..………... 28 Der Kalender …………………………..…..… 45 Translators ……………….…………….……… 29 MAGS Store …………...…………..…….…… 47 Der Kurier Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society Vol. 28, No. 2, June 2010 MID-ATLANTIC GERMANIC SOCIETY PO Box 334 Glenn Dale MD 20769-0334 http://www.magsgen.com/ Our mission: To stimulate and facilitate research on Germanic genealogy and heritage in the mid-Atlantic region Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society (MAGS) is a non-profit genealogical society founded 10 July 1982. Annual dues are only $15 (individual) or $20 (family). Membership is open to all interested persons without regard to place of residence, nationality, or ethnicity. Benefits of membership include: Spring and Fall Meetings featuring MAGS Lending Library expert speakers Ahnentafels published in Der Kurier Quarterly journal, Der Kurier Queries A membership application appears on the back cover of Der Kurier. Officers Special Services President: Diane M. Kuster Der Kurier Editor: James M. Beidler 1st Vice President: Gunter Historian: Beverly Repass Hoch Schanzenbacher Membership: Gunter Schanzenbacher 2nd Vice President: Carol Carman Membership Assistant: Janice Seabolt Corresponding Secretary: Susannah E. Programs: Carol Carman Brooks Publications: Corinne P. Earnest Recording Secretary: Debra A. Hoffman Publicity: Diane M. Kuster Treasurer: Robert Greiner Publicity Asst.: Debra Hoffman At-Large Board Member: Dr. Kenneth Queries: Edythe H. Millar Heger Registrar: Diane M. Kuster At-Large Board Member: Diane Giannini Rep Assn German-Am Soc: Merl Arp Immediate Past President: John T. Sales Manager: Judy Dohner Humphrey Webmaster: Diane Giannini One of those who had posted a query, Gary Der Kurier is published quarterly in March, June, September and December. It is indexed in the Periodical Source Index by the Allen County Public Library, Ft. Wayne, IN, and the Genealogical Periodical Annual Index by Heritage Books Inc., Bowie, MD. Submissions to Der Kurier. Articles concerning Germanic genealogy and heritage in the Mid- Atlantic region are welcome, as are “Letters to the Editor.” Research articles should document conclusions with appropriate citation of primary sources. MAGS reserves the right to edit submissions for length and style. Any material published becomes the property of MAGS. Deadline for submissions: the first of January, April, July and October. Submit to: James M. Beidler, PO Box 270, Lebanon, PA 17042. E-mail: [email protected] 26 Der Kurier Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society Vol. 28, No. 2, June 2010 Find new uses for old queries *** (Continued from Page 25) The Pennsylvania Chapter of Palatines to became a treasured correspondent. America recently put the first 30 years of its Online query websites are generally set up newsletter, Penn Pal, together on a searchable as a “thread” showing the original question and CD-ROM. Included in the 1,400 pages scanned then responses to it. Because my response was not are hundreds of queries submitted by Pal Am answering the specific question posed, I replied members over the years. The PA Chapter’s directly to the individuals’ private e-mails instead website is www.pa-palam.org. of that thread. In some cases, that option might be *** available; for example, some people do not list I remember that one of the prime benefits their e-mails, in which case posting to the thread of membership of the Berks County (PA) would be the only alternative. Genealogical Society was an annual Surname *** Index produced by the group. In addition to online query sites that are While it was discontinued years ago – “surname specific” – that is, set up and organized another Internet casualty, no doubt – copies of the by surname – there are also sites that are annual publication have been placed in libraries, geographic specific. An example of this are the and I’m sure that other genealogy groups had such county sites of the GenWeb project, which projects that might be mined for people generally offer a spot to post queries in addition to researching the same surname. being a treasure trove of other information and *** records about the county in question (These sites I can hear some of my readers shouting at are, in general, a great place to get oriented when me right now: But these queries that are years – beginning research in an unfamiliar county). even decades! – old will have out-of-date contact One reason to post on these sites is that information … and might even have been posted some people who look there might not have a by people long deceased. direct interest in the surname you are seeking – in This is true enough, but let’s not throw other words, they wouldn’t look at such threads the baby out with the bathwater: What we need to on a “surname specific” site – but have great do when faced with these challenges is use our interest in the geographic area and at least some “living people” genealogy skills – the Social passing knowledge of the surname. Security Death Index and free searches such as To find a county GenWeb page, start with www.switchboard.com come to mind immediately the USGenWeb project’s website (at the URL, – to track down the authors of those queries (or www.usgenweb.org) and drill down through the heirs, perhaps) as part of the overall genealogical state list to the county you want. quest. SUCHANZEIGEN / Queries Please mention at least one time, one place, one German surname with known variants. Limit each query to one family. Use no more than fifty (50) words, not counting your name and address. There is no charge for members of MAGS. Non-members please include $1 (check payable to Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society) per query with your submission. More than one query may be sent at a time, but each should be clearly written or typed on a separate sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 inch clean, white paper. E-Mail is acceptable. Please indicate desired priority for printing. MAGS reserves the right to edit. Neither MAGS nor Der Kurier assumes any responsibility for accuracy Send your Queries to Edythe H. Millar, Queries Editor, MAGS, 7102 Cedon Road, Woodford, VA 22580 or e-mail: [email protected] (Please write 'MAGS Query' in subject line ) BOEGEL CLODIUS #29-1 Seek poss link David CLODIUS (1644-1687), professor @ Giessen Univ. in Hessen, son of a Hamburg shopkeeper with Johann David CLODIUS (1736-ca1773). Theresa BOEGEL (1827-1891) b Bederkesa, Niedersachen was dau of Claus Heinrich BOEGEL (1796-1855). Her paternal GGFa was Johann David CLODIUS (1736-ca1773). Verna Forbes Willson 920 40th Street Ogden, UT 84403-2487 27 Der Kurier Mid-Atlantic Germanic Society Vol. 28, No. 2, June 2010 FAMILY REGISTER Auctioned Diehl / Benethum piece a standalone On November 13, 2009, Horst Auction Maria was born March 25, 1820, in Center sold a family register made for the Newmanstown, Lebanon County. DIEHL/BENETHUM family of Lebanon and The first child of the DIEHLs was a Schuylkill Counties in Pennsylvania. stillborn son. He was born in Jackson Township, This German-language register was Lebanon County, on June 7, 1844. Next came made as a four-page, stand-alone register. The Georg Adam DIEHL, who was born in Jackson scrivener, Gottlieb SCHMID (active circa 1845- Township on June 19, 1845. Stephanus B. 63), signed and dated the register April 25, 1861. DIEHL was born November 11, 1847, in SCHMID recorded all data with exception of the Jackson Township.