The Fehmarn Cousins Newsletter
Issue #11 April, 2000
Hamburg Emigration on the Internet
Hello Again
The first thing I need to do is to thank all those that sent letters and E-Mails
about the last newsletter article about Fehmarner's that emigrated to Australia.
It was so so great to see the interest that was shown in this. We thought that
you might also like to read some of the mail that was sent, so our newsletter
this month is a little longer than usual.
In the last letter I mentioned that we were going to travel to Fehmarn. Well I
have been looking on the Internet for information so that I could be ready for
my first trip to Fehmarn. It has been very helpful! It has given me a new place
to go when we are in Hamburg, The Hamburg State Archive, to look for more
history on my family. Now I would like to share the Internet gem that I found,
"Hamburg Link To Your Roots". http://www.hamburg.de/LinkToYourRoots/english/welcome.htm
I think finding this page will be of great help to a lot of people looking for
family who were from Germany. On this site you will find, Tour To Your Roots
(Visiting Hamburg), The Project "Link To Your Roots", Hamburg
Emigration Lists, The Emigration port of Hamburg, Anatevka's Children in Hamburg
and Emigration Port Hamburg. This site has so much in it that it's hard to know
where to start. I would like to tell you that if you are looking for someone who
emigrated between 1850 to 1934 and they pasted through Hamburg there now is a
good chance you will soon be able to get a copy of their records. All the data
pertaining to the emigrant lists are being processed and brought to the
Internet, at this center. In April 2000 the Hamburg archives will offer Internet
access to the first years: 1890-1893. With this facility in place anyone looking
for his "special" ancestor will be able to do so.
By the year 2003, the city of Hamburg expects to be able to display the lists
for the entire period of 1850 to 1934. The Hamburg State Archive is the source
and safe-keeper of all emigrants lists stemming from this period. The Hamburg
Lists include all the German emigrants in addition to millions of people of
other nationalities, mainly from Eastern Europe. Also what makes these lists so
valuable is the fact that even the hometowns from where the emigrants came is
recorded. Anyone researching a family tree will treasure this crucial factor. I
am very happy to have this new source open up to all of us looking for ancestors who emigrated through Hamburg.
Tressie
Editor
New Fehmarn Website page on Immigration
I have opened a new page on the website for Fehmarner's Immigrated. I hope that many of you will visit and add your immigrant ancestor's at http://www.fehmarn-genealogy.com/immigration.htm
Broderbund has two new CD’s # 355 & 356 Passenger and Immigration list: Germans to America 1850 – 1888. This contains the names of 3 million Germans who left from German ports to American ports only. It does not list those going first to another foreign port first before continuing on to America.
The information comes from the books Germans to America series Volume 1 through Volume 56. You will find the Immigrant’s age, gender, occupation, village or town of origin and destination, plus the name of the ship, port of embarkation and date of arrival.
Tressie has also found the Hamburg Link to your root site above. I hope all will visit the new page and add any information that you should find on your ancestors immigration.
John Kostick
Website owner
Geoff Weilandt
In the newsletter of February 2000 I read with interest the story
of Georg Theodor Rieck, suggesting that he may have been the first Fehmarner to
arrive in Australia, in 1853.
My great-grandfather Hans Nicolaus Weilandt arrived in Melbourne, Australia on 6
July 1850 on board the ship "Culloden". Hans was born in Staberdorf on
Fehmarn on 1 April 1828, the fifth of eight children born to Jacob Weilandt and
Tebbel Dorothea (Mangelsen). His father was a mariner and so too was Hans before
landing in Australia. His ancestor was Johann Jochim Weiland, a pastor who came
to Fehmarn in 1729.
On his arrival in Australia, no doubt lured by the rich gold discoveries that
were beginning to attract much attention, Hans traveled to Maryborough in
central Victoria to seek his fortune in what was then one of the richest gold
producing areas in the land. The township is located in what was later to
be known as 'the golden triangle', and the area he worked was only a few
kilometres from the spot where the 'Welcome Stranger' nugget was to be found, a
few years later. Weighing 63 kilograms it was the largest gold nugget to be
found in Victoria. Teeming with miners determined to find their fortune, 'tent
cities' of sometimes 10,000 people would spring up almost overnight, only to
disappear and relocate when a rich strike was made in a new spot.
In 1856, in the pastor's house at Carisbrook, near Maryborough, Hans married a
young Irish girl, Hanorah Herbert. They had five children: their first,
Catherine, died as a baby aged just 16 months and the second child, Nicolaus was
born in 1858 at Maldon.
In March 1859, while living at Tarrangower, Hans applied to the Governor of
Victoria for naturalization, as he was "desirous of holding legal title to
real estate and to settle permanently in the colony". His application was
granted on 10 March 1859 and Hans, his wife and small son moved to the tiny
settlement of Kangaroo Flat, about 20 Km from Maryborough. There they had three
more children, Norah, John Jacob and Mary. Just a year after Mary's birth, Hans
Nicolaus Weilandt died in the Amherst hospital, at the young age of just 36,
leaving a young wife with four small children to care for, the oldest aged seven
years and the youngest just a baby.
Daughter Norah died at the age of 10 from diptheria but the other three children
grew up to marry and continue to live in the area. Their mother, despite her
difficult life, lived to the age of 76.
The youngest child, Mary, married Johannes Francis Adolph Schulz, the son of a
mine manager, David Heinrich Frederich Shulz, who was born in Hamburg in 1828.
John Jacob was my grandfather. A farmer, he lived in Talbot, not far from
Maryborough. Married to Minnie Moore they had five children and the eldest, John
Herbert Weilandt was my father. He owned and operated a general store in Talbot
right up until his death at the age of 80.
Since the arrival of Hans Nicolaus his descendants have not been prolific in
producing boys and it was perhaps unusual that after 150 years and four
generations, my son, Timothy Jon Weilandt was the only one of his generation to
have a hope of continuing the Weilandt name. Last year he and his wife had a son
and Avery Caleb Weilandt is now the one thin
thread through which we hope the Weilandts of Fehmarn will continue in
Australia.
Hans Nicolaus had two brothers, Peter and Jacob, who left Fehmarn about the same
time as Hans. Nothing is known of them and I would be delighted to hear from
anyone who may be a descendant.
I wonder if Hans was indeed the first Fehmarner in Australia?
from Geoff Weilandt geoffw@hdc.com.au
2 / 25 Elizabeth Street
Mooroopna Vic 3629 Australia
Letters to the Editor
Dear Tressie,
The Fehmarn Genealogy Site is a great site and such a wonderful source of
information. I have read with interest the March newsletter and in
particular I was most interested in Michael Mackepramg's article on Georg
Theodor Rieck.
My great grandfather emigrated to Australia in 1881 and 23 years earlier (1858)
his brother arrived in Australia from Fehmarn. They both settled in
Bendigo.
I am very interested in researching the early German history of Bendigo and in
particular the settlers from Fehmarn of which quite a number settled in Bendigo.
I have sent information to John Kostick about some of these early settlers. I am
interested in writing an article for the Fehmarn Cousins newsletter about early
settlers from Fehmarn, their lives in Bendigo and surrounding district, the
community in which they lived - some came looking for gold and then became
farmers.
If you would like such an article as a follow on from Michael's short article
for the next newsletter I could send a draft in about two weeks time.
I was wondering if you would be able to ask Michael Mackeprang if he would be
interested in exchanging information with me about people that he knows of
who emigrated from Fehmarn and I could research here in Australia to see what
they did after their arrival.
I checked shipping lists for immigrants into Victoria and for RIECK and found
only one entry, Theodor RIECK, aged 20 years, arrived Melbourne March 1854 on
the ship Oscar Vidal.
Last night when over at the Australian Institute of Genealogical Studies for a
meeting I checked the publication Emigrants From Hamburg to Australia 1854 and
found an entry under passengers arriving on the Oscar Vidal for RIECK Theodor
from Vizdorf, Holstein, occupation Buchandler (Bookseller). The Oscar
Vidal left Hamburg 16 November 1853. I assume this would be the same
person that Michael writes about.
Other passengers from Fehmarn on the same voyage (Oscar Vidal) were:
CARBUHN A. Danschendorf, On Island of Fehmarn, Schleswig, Danemark,
occupation Landmann.
CARBUHN Hans, Danschendorf, On Island of Fehmarn, Schleswig, Danemark, no
occupation listed.
BABBE Heinr. Burg, Holstein, no occupation listed.
OFFENBORG J. Vitzdorf, Holstein, Landmann.
My great grandfather's godfather was Matthaus Mackeprang. My great grandfather
was born on 20 April 858 and baptised 25 April 1858. (Information from the Ev-Lutheran
Church, Petersdorf). I wonder if Michael would be able to enlighten me who
Matthaus Mackeprang might be. May be there a number of men by the name Matthaus
Mackeprang.
I was unable to locate any Mackeprangs in the shipping lists nor in the
Emigrants From Hamburg to Australia 1856. However, there was note to say
that some names were impossible to read on some of the shipping records that
these "Hamburg Lists" were prepared from.
In the book Bendigo, the German Chapter, edited by Frank Cusack and published by
the German Heritage Society Inc, there are four entries under the section German
Claim Holders (Gold) for Makeprang, Jacob:
Partnership/Co Fortuna Co.
Commenced 03/07/1865, Size 80 Yds,
Reef Pringles;
Partnership/Co Typo Co.
Commenced 16/09/1868, Size 80
Yds, Reef Typo;
Partnership/Co New chance Co. Commenced 22/04/1869, Size
320 Yds,
Reef Flyblow;
Partnership/Co Venus Co.
Commenced 01/11/1869, Size 80 Yds,
Reef British & Foreign.
There is also an entry for a Hans Makeprang:
Partnership/Co Fortuna Co.
Commenced 03/07/1865, Size 80 Yds,
Reef Pringles;
Partnership/Co Typo Co.
Commenced 16/09/1868, Size 80
Yds, Reef Typo.
Maybe the above Jacob Makeprang is the person Michael writes about, only
Mackeprang is splet differently. Would you kindly pass the above
information onto Michael.
I shall look forward to your response,
Kathleen Toal
Dear Tressie,
I have been going through the Hamburg Passenger Lists
contained in Emigrants from Hamburg to Australia compiled by Eric &
Rosemary Kopittke, Queensland Family History Society Inc. and have located an
entry for Jacob MACKEPRANG, Danschendorf, Holstein, Occupation Landmann on the
passenger list for Java (Captain C.S. Kramer) which departed
Hamburg 6 May 1854 and arrived Melbourne 25 August 1854.
There were thirteen other passengers from Fehmarn on the same voyage:
Claus BUHMANN, Danschendorf, Holstein, Occupation, Weber;
Heinr. BABBE, Clausdorf, Occupation, Beamter;
Jacob CORNEHL, Landkirchen, Holstein, Occupation, Kaufmann;
Matth. HOPNER, Goldendorf, Holstein, Occupation, Schuster;
J.F. KOLLBOHM, Orth, Holstein, Occupation, Schuster;
H. KLEINGARN, Clausdorf, Holstein, Occupation, Schuster;
J. KLEINGARN,Danschendorf, Holstein, Occupation Tischler;
Christ. OHLSEN, Vadersdorf, Holstein, Occupation, Landmann;
E.F. PRUSING, Petersdorf, Danemark, Occupation, Kaufmann;
Th. ROPCKE, Teschendorf, Holstein, Occupation, Schneider;
Wilh. SCHWENN, Sarensdorf, Holstein, Occupation, Kaufmann;
Andr. SCHWENN, Sarensdorf, Holstein, Occupation, Schuster;
Matth. WULFF, Vadersdorf, Holstein, Occupation, Landmann.Regards,
Kathleen Toal,
3 April 2000.
Dear Tressie,
After reading Michael Mackeprangs submission
in the Feb 2000 edition of the Fehmarn Cousins Newsletter I made a hurried visit
to my local library. There I was
rewarded with mixed results – could not find anything on Jacob Mackeprang, but
I’ll keep trying (some of the records are hand-written and hard to decipher).
I was more successful with Theodor Rieck.
Records show that he arrived in Australia on March 1854 aboard the Oscar
Vidal. He was 20 years of age.
Also took the opportunity to borrow a few books on the subject of Wood point, and it is very evident that the terrain was inaccessible back in the last half of the 19th century. No wonder the demand for a more direct and easier supply route became more insistent, prompting the government announcement in Melbourne that westwards from Healsville a track would be cleared to the east of the main divide, thence to link up to track- route between Wood’s Point and Jordan Valley. This could well be the shortest and most suitable route from Melbourne to Wood’s Point that Theodor Rieck and his party of Germans were rewarded for finding and which was reported Aug 23 1867 in the Journal “Leipziger Illustrierte Zeitung”. Mr Mackeprang being a former mining engineer and geologist and a student of mining history of the world, might be interested to hear that here in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, where I live, gold mining has again been revived.
Many Thanks
Regards
Val Rowley
HENRY
BOLTE
from The Weekly Times "A century to
Celebrate" Dec 29 1999
Sent in by Val Rowley (Henry Bolte was married to
a descendant of a Fehmaraner)
Anyone
who served as premier as long as Henry Bolte could not fail to make an impact on
rural communities. For 17 years, from 1955 to 1972, after toppling John Cain
Senior's Labor government, he presided over one of the most buoyant economic
periods Victoria has seen.
He
was a deeply conservative politician, all for development and look out anyone
who tried to get in the way. He encouraged, and got, substantial foreign
investment in Victoria.
As
a farmer he was a big supporter of agriculture and was largely responsible for
opening up one of the last Victorian land settlement schemes, the Heytesbury
scheme, in western Victoria.
This
became known as Bolte's Project, although some who believed it would be a white
elephant called it Bolte's Folly. But while some may argue about the merits of
government-sponsored land settlement, the area today makes a big contribution to
Victoria's dairy industry.
He
also introduced the Rural Finance Scheme designed to give new or debt ridden
farmers help to get over financial hurdles.
A
passionate supporter of private enterprise, he also ensured a strong public
sector with good health and education services for country and city.
His
earthy manner, a keen interest in shirt, particularly racing, a liking for a
beer, and the fact he was a farmer, endeared him to many rural Victorians. His
strength of conviction made him a decisive leader but it infuriated those on the
other side of the political fence who looked for compromise. This uncompromising
attitude was particularly evident when it came to the hanging of Ronald Ryan.
His steadfast refusal to give Ryan a reprieve upset many Victorians.
He
was fiercely Victorian and only interested in Victorian issues, holding no
aspirations -for federal parliament.
Nickolas Ralph
The History of Elkhorn Valley, Nebraska, 1892
Republished by the Eastern Genealogical Society, Freemont, Nebraska, 1977
A farmer located on Section 6 of Cuming Township, came
to Cuming County in the Spring of 1889, and located on the farm he now occupies,
which consisted of 155 acres of partially improved land. He erected a good
class of buildings, planted out a grove of four acres and set an orchard of 75
trees. He now has 100 acres under the plow, while the balance is in
pasture and meadowland.
Our subject was born in Germany in the month of March 1835. He is the son
of Abraham and Catharine Ralph, natives of the German Empire, and who were the
parents of three children. Nicholas remained in his native country until
he was fifteen years of age, then went to sea on board a merchant vessel, and
remained two years, landing at Australia, where he remained eight years, during
which time he occupied himself at gold-mining, teaming and farming. He
next made a trip around the world on a sailing vessel, which consumed one
hundred and thirty-five days time. He landed at Hamburg, and remained in
Germany about ten months, and then went back to Australia, remained about one
year, and went to New Zealand and there he remained for five years, employed in
the gold mines. We next find him back in Hamburg, Germany, where he lived
twenty years and followed farming, after which he directly came to Cuming
County, Nebraska. His early opportunities for obtaining an education were
good, and his extensive travels have made him a well posted man. He has been in
nearly every important city of the glove, and has viewed the various volcanoes
in all their grandeur, at Sicily, Naples and other points.
Mr. Ralph was united in marriage in December, 1867 to Dorathy Tietgens, the
daughter of Henry and Catharine Tietgens, of Germany, whose two children
were Dorathy and Frederica (deceased).
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph are the parents of nine children born in the following order:
Alfred, born Dec 6, 1868; Henry, born August 30, 1870; Catharine, born June 12,
1872; Mary, March 13, 1877; Charles, born February 11, 1883; Frieda, born
November 16, 1887; Ellen, born April 17, 1888 and two died in infancy. Our
subject and his estimable wife are both consistent members of the Lutheran
Church, and politically he votes the Independent ticket.
O' FEHMARNLAND
The Following song was sung at a "Fehmaraner
Picnic". and sent in by Darlene (Wilken) Vergamini
Melody: Friesenlied
Wir sind die Fehmaraner
Von shonen Fehmarnland
Wir lieven unsre Heimat
Und halten hand in hand
Drum last die glaser klingen
Last heut uns lustig sein
Ein jeder Fehmaraner sollt heir willkommen sein
Goldblondes haar
Treu blaue augen
So soll mein madel sein
Von Fehmarn Von knust
Bluhn wieder einst die felder
In shoner sommerzeit
Dann ist das herz voll freude
Vorbei ist all mein leid
Nach einmal mocht ich wandern
Zu dir mein Fehmarnland,
ic lasse all die andern,
bein dir mein gluch ich fand.
Goldblondes haar
Treu blaue augen
So soll mein madel sein
Von Fehmarn Von knust
Kam einst ein fremder jugling
Zum shonen Fehmarn strand
Er wollte gleich behaupten
Es sei das schonste land
Da herscht nur treu und glauben
Dort liegt mein gluck allein
Da wo die weisen moven ziehn
Und madel ach so fein
Goldblondes haar
Treu blaue augen
So soll mein madel sein
Von Fehmarn Von knust
O'
FEHMARNLAND
Edited and translated by: E. Bügge-Wood
Melody: Friesenlied - Author anonymous.
We are the “Fehmeraner”*1
From charming Fehmarn isle
Love our far-off home land
And keeping Hand in Hand.
So let your glass be ringing
Let’s drink and joyful sing,
For all the folks from Fehmarn,
Shall here a welcome be.
Refrain: Golden blond her hair
and true-blue her eyes
So must my sweetheart be
From Fehmarn, my isle.
When again the fields are blooming
In the beautiful summertime
Then my heart is full of joy
And gone is all my grieve.
Again I like to travel,
To you, dear Fehmarnland,
I would trade in all others,
With you my happiness I found.
Golden blond her hair
and true-blue her eyes
So must my sweetheart be
From Fehmarn, my isle.
Once came a far-off stranger
To the beautiful Fehmarnstrand.
Immediately he swore,
that is the finest land.
They live by faith and true love
Only there lies my happiness.
Where white seagulls roaming
And the girls are oh so fine!
Golden blond her hair
and true-blue her eyes
So must my sweetheart be
From Fehmarn, my isle.
Newsletter submissions
by E-mail: kc7bal@juno.com
or mail to:
Tressie Hughes
PO Box 770
Puyallup WA 98371