Gottfried Martin GenzmerThe earliest records are for Gottfried Martin Genzmer born 1783 and Dorothea Dewitz born 1785. According to a Genzmer family history written by Elmer L. Genzmer, "The outstanding experience of Martin's life came about when the hated Frenchman, Napoleon Bonaparte, stampeded Europe. While the notorious general was plunging through Germany, among others he picked up was the young soldier, Martin Genzmer. Young Martin served with Napoleon for a short time, but he became a deserter. When he was caught. Napoleon sent Martin to France, to linger for six years in a prison camp."
The earliest records spell Genzmer with a “z.” Over the years it starts appearing with an “s.” Although both the Hamburg and New York passenger lists spell it "Gentzmar."
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Genzmer from Alt Rüdnitz Koenigsberg, BrandenburgThe Genzmers are from Alt Ruednitz (Alt-Rüdnitz) in the district of Koenigsberg in the province of Brandenburg. Brandenburg was a province of the Prussian Empire that stretched from the Elbe River to beyond the Oder River and into modern Poland in the 1800s. After World War II, a portion of Germany east of the Oder River was given to Poland. Today Alt Rüdnitz is located in Poland and is called Stara Rudnica.
Martin and Dorothea were married in 1808 and had eight children. All were born in Alt-Rüdnitz.
Gottfried - Martin Frederic - May 10, 1809 - Jan 26, 1902 John - June 24, 1817 - March 10, 1920 Christian - Dec 4, 1820 - July 28, 1879 Maria - July 1822 - Dec 14, 1910 Elisabeth - Dec 25, 1825 - April 3, 1902 Ludwig - March 27, 1827 - ? Louisa - Dec 1834 - Nov 2, 1916 |