John Rodewald's parents in Germany, and siblings

Question

Hi All,

I'm not as familiar with doing genealogical research in other countries and could use some help.

Please take a look at Johann (John) Fredrick Rodewald.

John emigrated to the US from Germany. I have his obituary there. His obituary states: "There also survive two sisters in Germany and one brother who lives in Minneapolis, Minn.".

What I would like to do is to trace his parents in Germany, and specifically to the brother who also came over to the US, and is in Minneapolis at the time of his death. If you can also find his sisters in Germany, that would be great.

I have research notes on the profile. This includes his parents names, and where they were born. I also have some speculation as to who his brother might be, but it's just currently speculation.

I'd like more than just guesses, please. Documented evidence would be fantastic, and is what I'm looking for.

Thanks for all the help!

Answer 1

Baden-Württemberg seems to be a mistake, the spelling is also off a bit: There is no town named Wettmund in Germany but a city called Wittmund in Ostfriesland. Since civil registration started only after 1872 you would have to look for church books. You could inquire at the Ev.-luth. Kirchenkreis Harlingerland about availability of records. Their email contact page is here. 

Comments

Hi Helmut,

Thanks for corrections on names, and a lead for more research! I'll look into following up on this.

Answer 2

What is siblings name in Minneapolis.???

Comments

That's the part that we didn't know. It seems that the information that Manuela found is what we're looking for. Thanks!

Answer 3

Hi Eric

I looked for the family name Rodenwald on a German site where genealogist can upload their research.

There are some Rodewalds in Tannenhausen. This should be his fathers profile:

http://gedbas.de/person/show/1202497903

And I also found your Johann Friedrich here: http://gedbas.de/person/show/1202497913

Maybe you try to contact the person mentioned at the bottom of that page. Probably she is familiar with the local church records and can help you further with more detailed information.

Comments

Hi Manuela,

Thanks for these leads! I've been looking into this all morning, and there is other corroborating evidence. These are the right people. I've started to add information here, and will be adding more over time!

Thanks again!

Answer 4

It seems your cousin has already done a wealth of research on this part of your family. Based on primary sources, photos, letters, recorded interviews with aging relatives. His website is a genealogical treasure. I'd suggest reaching out to him and see if you can collaborate together on the Rodewalds Wikitree profiles.

http://dalebunny.com/n/stories/story_rodewald.htm

Comments

Hi Marta,

Another great find! This goes along perfectly with the information that Manuela found.

Thanks again!

---

Oh, and a side note: This is not my family, but that of my girlfriend, who is also co-manager of the profile.

Answer 5

Lutheran Church Records, Ancestry.com.

Johann Frerichs Rodewald,His Father, Friedrich Wilhelm Rodewald

Mother Hiemke Margaretha Weerts Gerdes.

Tannenhausen,Aurich,Hannover,Deutschland.

Comments

It looks like those are his grandparents, according to the data from Manuela. Thanks!

Answer 6

Sister left behind,Heimke Margaretha Rodewald 1858

Comments

Correct! Thanks, Wayne!