Family Histories and Genealogies

Family Histories and Genealogies of PVF Members

Below is a bibliographic listing of publications and web sites related to the family histories and genealogies of Pommerscher Verein Freistadt (PVF) members, followed by a listing of works written, translated or compiled by society members. To add your family history/genealogy or personal publications to these listings, please e-mail the information to Information@pommerschervereinfreistadt.org or mail it to Pommerscher Verein Freistadt, P.O. Box 204, Germantown, WI 53022.

Many of these titles are available for research in the Pommerscher Verein Freistadt Library located at its historic schoolhouse building on Granville Road near the original Lutheran settlement in the village of Freistadt. These titles are not available through interlibrary loan nor are they available for circulation outside of the building. Individual appointments may be arranged by contacting Elaine Kraft. Due to limited staffing, researchers must conduct their own research.

Bittner, Bernadette Durben, Bernice Blauert Enz, and Carol Ward Ryan. Krueger Kin and Related Families: From Niederhagen, County Regenwalde, Pommern, Prussia. Green Bay, Wis: Ability Printing, 1977.

Boehlke, LeRoy. The Family of August and Caroline Boehlke: 1851 to 2001, 150 Years in America. Germantown, Wis. (W132 N11512 Forest Dr., Germantown 53022): L. Boehlke, 2001.

The Bogenschneider Family, compiled by Duane Bogenschneider. Members of the Bogenschneider family lived primarily in Kreis Randow, Stadtkreis Stettin, Kreis Naugard and Kreis Saatzig. The name can be found elsewhere in Pomerania, as well as in Posen, West Prussia, East Prussia, Mecklenburg and Brandenburg. The first Bogenschneider emigrant from Pomerania arrived and settled in New York City in 1854 (Frank August Bogenschneider). The August Bogenschneider family arrived in 1870 from Kreis Randow and settled first in Washington County and then Dodge County, Wisconsin. Brothers Carl (1880) and Frank (1885) Bogenschneider from Kreis Randow settled in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Johann Carl “Albert” Bogenschneider and his family arrived from Kreis Naugard in 1887 and settled in the Chicago area.

Buchanan, Britton L. Descendants of Herman Braeger of Dargislaff, Pomerania. 2006. Available in the PVF Library (Donated by the author). Descendancy list, obits, documents and photos with surname index. This family settled in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.

The Burow Family, compiled by Duane Bogenschneider. Descendants of Johann Burow, Kreis Cammin, who settled first in Milwaukee and Dodge Counties, and then in Marathon County.

Cherney, Edna Pieper. Brehmer, Schmidt, Roloff, Fleischfresser: From the Village of Gross Raddow. Milwaukee, WI: E.P. Cherney, 1999. (PVF Library)

Cherney, Edna Pieper. The Cherney Family History. Milwaukee, Wi: Edna Pieper Cherney, 1997.

Cherney, Edna Pieper. Ehlers, Burgemeister, Post, Ebert. Milwaukee, WI: E.P. Cherney, 2000.

Cherney, Edna Pieper. Papiernik. Milwaukee, Wi: Edna Pieper Cherney, 1990s.

Cherney, Edna Pieper. Pieper Footsteps. Milwaukee, Wis: Tech/Data Publications, 1992.

Chipman, Darleen Jean Nysse. My Spiegelberg Family and Other Connected and Unconnected Spiegelberg Families. Appleton, WI?: D. Chipman], 2006. Main Line: Johann Daniel Fr. Spiegelberg, b. 1811 in Klein Benz, Kr. Naugard, emigrated to Wisconsin; wife was Friederike Wilh. Ernestine Radtke, b. 1815 in Pommern. Documented sources; alphabetical surname index for each section and much helpful background information. Available in PVF Library (donated by the author).

Descendants of Johann (John) Masch and Sophia Rickhoff. 1994. Village of origin not given. No surname index; no narration; no photos. Available in PVF Library (donated by Eileen Masch Vaitl, Kansas City, MO)

Enz, Bernice Blauert. Altmann Ancestry: Descendants of Johann Carl Friedrich Erdmann Altmann from Jarchlin, Pomerania, Prussia, Germany, 1831-1909. [Wisconsin?]: B.B. Enz, 1987. (PVF Library)

Enz, Bernice Blauert. Blauert-Vogelpohl Supplement. Milwaukee, Wis: B.B. Enz, 1992.

Enz, Bernice Blauert. The Schultz Story: Bridging the Atlantic with Carl F.W. & Dorothea Schultz, from Pomerania and Holstein, Prussia, Germany, 1842-1990. S.l: s.n.], 1990.

Enz, Bernice Blauert. Stammbaum Blauert: The Family Tree of Wilhelm and Friedericke Blauert. Elm Grove, Wis: Sycamore Press, 1975.

Enz, Bernice Blauert. The Vogelpohl Genealogy: Heritage of Our Yesterdays. Elm Grove, Wis: Sycamore Press, 1976.

Griepp, Frank R., and Muriel H. Griepp. The Descendants of Gottfried & Wilhelmine Griepp & Their Hintz & Rathke Kinship. Rancho Palos Verdes, Cal: F.R. & M.H. Griepp, 1980. (PVF Library)

Griepp, Frank R. Family Lines of the Sager, Habeck, Krueger, Juedes Families. Rancho Palos Verdes, CA: F.R. Griepp, 1988.

Hebb, Berneva Buhrow. Jagow to Rubicon: The Story of Michael Buhrow (1813-1882), a Shepherd, and His Family in America. Wisconsin?: B.B. Hebb], 2009. Includes family group sheets, black and white photos, and alphabetical surname list. Available in PVF Library.

Heuer Family History - Ancestors from Neides, Tressin, Borntin and Voightshagen in Kreis Greifenberg. A family history with many interesting features. Family ancestral surnames include Heuer, Ruhnke, Strege, Brockhuss, Zimmermann, Strege, and Damas.

Hogy, Elmer. Deutschland Kloehn. Fargo, ND: The author, 2009. Earliest ancestor: Wilhelm Kloehn, b. 16 Oct. 1824 in Pommern (village not given);; emigrated 1847 to Ashippun, WI. Includes pedigree chart, family group sheets, some photos, and some narrative, but no surname index. Available in PVF Library (donated by the author in 2009)

Horn, Merlin Edwin. Genealogy of the Dobberpuhls: People from Kreis Cammin in the Former Province of Pomerania, Prussia. Waupaca, Wis: Horn Publications, 2003. Available in PVF Library (donated by author).

Horn, Merlin Edwin. Genealogy of the Dobberpuhls. 2^nd edition. 2007. Narration includes histories of churches in Pomerania and the US. This “Old Lutheran” family emigrated in 1843 aboard the Barque Hualco, arriving 21 August in New york. The passenger ship list and census data are included. Related surnames: Holrn, Groth, Bogenschneider, Zimmermann, Kregel, Burow, Zahn, Callies, Kieckhaefer, Radke. Descendant information is organized by family. Available in PVF Library (donated by author).

Horn, Merlin Edwin. Heritage of Pioneer Farmers: A History of the Horn and Koch Families from Northern Germany to Shawano County, Wisc. Waupaca, WI: Horn Publications, 1997.

Koepsell, Marilyn, Loraine Mueller, and Delore Thusius. Christian Koepsell and Family: Old Lutherans from Pomerania to Lebanon, Wisconsin, in 1846. Winona, Minn: Insty Prints in cooperation with Mediascope, 2007. Family history of Koepsells from Zitzmar, Kr. Greifenberg; relates to the Chrstian Koepsell whose Fachwerk barn now stands at the Old World Wisconsin outdoor museum in Eagle, WI. Descendancy charts of his eleven children are limited to the first four generations. Many quality photos; surname index, 363 pages. Available for purchase ($50 plus $7 shipping) from Marilyn Koepsell, 408 N. Washington St., Watertown, WI 53098.

Krenske, Gordon A. Descendants of FWA Krenske. Brisbane: CopyRight Pub, 1993. (PVF Library)

The Krohn Family, compiled by Duane Bogenschneider. Descendants of Wilhelm Heinrich Krohn, 1826-1916. He was born on 07 Dec 1826 in Kreis Greifenberg, Pommern, Prussia. Immigration on 23 Jun 1856 in Ship Rudolph from Hamburg to New York City. Residence 1880 in Theresa, Dodge, Wisconsin.

Krueger, Neil L. The Family Tree of Daniel Heinrich Gottfried Krueger and Dorothea Schroeder in the U.S., 1843-1993: 150 Years of Kruegers in America. Cedarburg, WI?: N.L. Krueger, 1994. (PVF Library)

Krueger, Neil L. The Family Tree of Johann Friedrich Bogislav Koepke & Karoline Friedericke Ernestina Lange in the U.S., 1846-1996: 150 Years of Koepkes in America. Cedarburg, WI: N.L. Krueger, 1996. (PVF Library)

Laabs, Eberhard. Der Familienname Laabs und seine pommersche Geschichte. Herbolzheim: Centaurus, 2003. (The Family Name Laabs and its Pomeranian History). Available in PVF Library (donated by Erika Laabs).

Lammert, Phyllis, and Royal Natzke. Listing of Errors, Corrections and Other Information on Natzke 1979 Booklet. Rhinelander, Wis: P. Lammert, 1980.

Liittschwager, John. Chronicle of the American Luttschwager Family and Its Early Origins in Germany. Iowa City, Iowa: s.n, 1964. (German version in PVF Library)

Lüttschwager, Willy, and John M. Liittschwager. English Translation of the 1965 German Lüttschwater Family Chronicle: Published in February 1965 by W. Lüttschwater. Iowa City, Iowa: John M. Liitschwager, 1966. (PVF Library)

Manthe, Norbert M. An Historical and Genealogical Survey of the Manthe, Schultz, and Stiemke Families of South-Central Wisconsin. Wauwatosa, Wis. (300 N. 121 St., #2, Wauwatosa 53226): N.M. Manthe, 1997. (PVF Library)

Manthe, Norbert M. The Lebenslauf of Robert and Wilhelmine Stiemke: Out of Pomerania Unto Town Leeds, Columbia County, Wisconsin. Milwaukee: N.M. Manthe, 1979. (PVF Library)

Manthe, Norbert M. The Lineage of Ludwig and Louise Mielke. Milwaukee, Wis: N.M. Manthe, 1981.

Manthe, Norbert M. William and Matilda Wernick, Pioneer Wisconsin Farmers. DeForest, Wis: N.M. Manthe, 2004.

My Family. Compiled by Edna Pieper Cherney. Pieper, Cherney, et. al.

Natzke, Royal W. The John George Natzke Family, 1793-1979. Wauwatosa, Wi. (1827 N. 60 St., Wauwatosa 53208): R.W. Natzke, 1980.

Natzke, Royal W. Wilhelm Friedrich Martin Kiekhaefer and Lydia Auguste Emilie Boeder and Descendants, as Remembered by Their Descendants. 3^rd printing, 2003. Ties to Trieglaff and Dargislaff, Kr. Greifenberg, with Grabow, Kr. Cammin. Descendancy chart, photos, interviews. Includes surname index. Available in PVF Library (donated by author).

Schenck, Harry A. (Harry Allen), 1938-. Schenck Family History : August Flemming and Anna Boehlke Family : from Germany to Wisconsin and California. 2002. (PVF Library)

Schumann, David R. Schumann Stammbaum, 1653-2006. Hometown series of publications. Watertown, Wis.: Watertown Historical Society, 2006. This is an update of two earlier versions of the history of the Schumann family from Gross Radow, Kr. Regenwalde. Includes partial alphabetical surname index. Available in the PVF Library (donated by the author).

Schumann, David R. Schumann Stammbaum, 1759-1994. Watertown, Wis.: D.R. Schumann, 1994.

Schumann, David R. Schumann Stammbaum, 1655-1997. Watertown, Wis.: D.R. Schumann, 1997.

Schumann, David R. Schumann Stammbaum, 1764-1968. Watertown, Wis.: D.R. Schumann, 1968.

Schumann, David R. Schumann Stammbaum, 1764-1970. Watertown, Wis.: D.R. Schumann, 1970.

Stock, Jon. Our Wisconsin Ancestors: The Civil War Era German Immigrants, 1857-1880 : Genealogy of the Eichstaedt, Michaelis, Reinicke, Schallock, Schroeder and Storm Families. Baraboo, Wis: JonsGen Pub. Co, 2008. Family group sheets; history of the Bremerhaven and Castle Garden; black and white photos; no surname index. Available in the PVF Library (donated by the author).

Stock, Jon. Our Wisconsin Ancestors, the Early German Settlers, 1837-1850: Genealogy of the Burow, Dumstrey, Hackbarth, Hilgen, Johann Families. Baraboo, Wis: JonsGen Pub. Co, 2008. Available in the PVF Library (donated by the author).

Stock, Jon. Our Wisconsin Ancestors: The German Immigrants of the 1880's : Genealogy of the Buss, Dunst, Graewin, Mueller, Stoeck, and Wille Families. Baraboo, Wis: JonsGen Publishing, 2009. Ties to Milwaukee, Granville, and Cedarburg, WI. Includes historical background, ship information, details on Castle Garden, family group sheets, black and white photos. No surname index. Available in the PVF Library (donated by the author)

Topp-Luttschwager Directory, 1846-1979.[ s.l: s.n.], 1979.

Wendt, Alice Schimmelpfennig. The Descendants of Ernst August Gottlieb Radue. Mequon, Wis: [Wendt?], 1974.

Wendt, Alice Schimmelpfennig. Hilgen Heirs. Mequon, Wis. (11852 N. Wasaukee Rd. Mequon 53092): A.S. Wendt, 1988.

Wendt, Alice Schimmelpfennig. The Krueger Family. Mequon, Wis: A.S. Wendt, 1985. (PVF Library)

Wendt, Alice Schimmelpfennig. The Luedtke Genealogy: Posen, Prussia to Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Mequon, WI: A. Wendt, 1995.

Wendt, Alice Schimmelpfenning. The Wendt Genealogy. 1973. (PVF Library)

The Westphal Family, compiled by Duane Bogenschneider. Descendants of Friedrich Gottlieb Westphal, 1826-1898.

Die Zastrowen: [Familiengeschichte]. Baden-Baden: Eigenverlag d. Familie Zastrow, Assembled 1862-1869 from material provided by the senior member of the line, Otto von Zastrow. Photocopies of material held by Ellsworth Zastrow, Hamburg, Wisconsin, October 2009, are available in the PVF Library.

Ziemer, Gordon, and Sherrill Cloud. The Ziemers from Natelfitz, Pommern and Kirchhayn, Wisconsin. Placitas, N.M.: Gordon Ziemer & Sherrill Cloud, 2000. (PVF Library)

Works written, translated or compiled by PVF members.

Boehlke, LeRoy. Germany, 2000 Years of History and Culture. [Milwaukee?]: The Author, 1985.

Boehlke, LeRoy. Pomerania, Its People and Its History. Germantown, Wis. (13102 W. Mequon Rd., Germantown 53022): Pommerscher Verein Freistadt, 1985.

Boehlke, LeRoy, August Robert Suelflow, and Roy Arthur Suelflow. Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church of Freistadt, R. 1, Thiensville, Wis. Thiensville, Wis: The Church, 1954.

Frenz, Alice, LeRoy Boehlke, and Don Silldorff. Freistadt and the Lutheran Immigration. Mequon, Wis: The Society, Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Freistadt, 1989.

Horn, Merlin E. Brick School Days: Families, Teachers, and Pupils of a Former Rural School District, Town of Nekimi, Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Waupaca, WI: Horn Publications, 2006. History of two rural schools located in the Town of Nekimi, Winnebago County, Wisconsin from 1853-1962. Brick School and Black Oak School served rural students of the Town of Nekimi School Districts #3 & #4

Horn, Merlin Edwin. The Farm in Nekimi Township: A Chronicle of Wisconsin Farm Life in the Mid-1930's Through the Mid 1950's Period : a Period of Profound Change on Wisconsin Farms. Waupaca, Wis: Horn Publications, 1996.

Iwan, Wilhelm, Walter Koenig, and Elaine R. Kraft. Die Altlutherische Auswanderung Um Die Mitte Des 19. Jahrhunderts, Chapter XX, Name List of Old Lutheran Emigration of the Mid-19th Century from Eastern Germany (Mainly Pomerania and Lower Silesia) to Australia, Canada and the United States. Mequon, WI: Freistadt Historical Society, 2002.

Koepsell, Marilyn, compiler. Immanuel Lutheran Lebanon, 1844-2009. Watertown, WI, 2009. Available in PVF Library (Donated by the compiler, Watertown, WI)

Manthe, Norbert M. Pastors and Congregations of the Antecedent Synods of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod 1850-1917 (The Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Nebraska Synods): With a Listing of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Graduates, 1863-1929. Wauwatosa, Wis: The Author, 2001.

Marzahn, Wolfgang. The Nobleman among the Brothers: The Life of the Pomeranian Farmer, Christian, and Statesman Adolph Von Thadden-Trieglaff. Bloomington, Ind: AuthorHouse, 2006. (Available for purchase through the PVF Bookstore).

Ohm, Helen, Audrey Boehlke, and LeRoy Boehlke. Pomeranian Culture and Genealogy. Germantown, Wis: Pommerscher Verein Freistadt, 1997.

Pommerscher Verein Freistadt Bibliothek (PVF Library) Files. (Elaine Kraft, Librarian)

Surname File. The file is divided alphabetically and contains printed pedigrees and other family-related information, which may have been picked up from the Internet, submitted by PVF members, photocopied from newsletters or from other sources. Not all of this data is incorporated in the society’s pedigree database, and information in constantly being added. Serious researchers are encouraged to check this file often.
Prominent People File. Are individual folders for noteworthy individuals, such as Otto von Bamberg, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, John Bugenhagen, Liselotte Clemens, Otto von Bismarck, Catherine the Great, Klaus Granzow, Adolf Pompe, Fritz Reuter, Rita Scheller, Mathilde Scley, and Heinrich von Rohr. There are histories of related organizations, such as the Alte Kameraden Band and the Pommersche Tanzdeel/Spädeel.
Locale File. This section is divided into two main parts, Vorpommern and Hinterpommern. It is subdivided by Kreis (county), and then by village if there is enough material on any one town. Some of this information is in German, depending on the source. Often there are newspaper photos of Pomeranian churches and villages. In some cases, there are English translations of related pages from shelved German books.
Miscellaneous Files.
- German Archives – There is a separate folder for each archive which has indexed its Pomeranian holdings, such as Berlin, Greifswald, Köslin, Leipzig, Potsdam, and Stettin.
- Occupations – Many early guilds published the names of their members. The collection has lists of barbers, clothmakers, tailors, linen weavers, and goldsmiths.
- Holiday Celebration – Individual folders for Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, etc.
- Crafts – Printed instructions for Pomeranian projects, including the Advent Rose.

Schroeder, John D., Wanda M. Oelrich, and Bill Oelrich. Cowboy Preacher: The Old West Journals of the Rev. J.D. Schroeder. [S.l.]: Wanda M. Oelrich, 1989. Translated by his granddaughter, Wanda M. Schroeder Oelrich. Available in PVF Library (donated by Carl Landgraf, whose mother was confirmed by Pastor Schroeder at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Grafton). Pastor Schroeder was born in 1872 in the province of Oldenburg, Germany. He wrote this series of articles in 1930 in German. They describe his experiences as a circuit preacher for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana from 1892-1895. A great look at mission efforts on the early frontier, told in humorous detail.