THE BURGBERNHEIM FELBINGERS:
Who are they?
In 2004 in Regensburg, I made a preliminary
examination of the original Burgbernheim vital registers (not microfilm)
to determine the exact relationship of Johann Felbinger, born February 29, 1832
in Westheim (baptized March 2nd), to his Pathe Johann Felbinger, Halbbauer zu
Burgbernheim. I cite below the specific
entry from the Westheim baptismal register:
"1832. S.112. [Nr. 3] –
Johann, unehelich gebohren d. 29t (zwanzig neunten) Februar Nachmittags
zwischen 1. u. 2. Uhr zu Westheim Nr 16. getauft am 2ten März in
hiesiger Kirche.
Mutter: Margaretha Barbara
Felbinger, Tochter des hier gewesenen Schäfers Friedrich Felbinger
Pathe: Johann Felbinger,
Halbbauer zu Burgbernheim"
After finishing my research, I wrote the
following note and attached it to the above entry:
"(Editor's note #3: a quick reading of the Burgbernheim
registers indicates:
Johann Felbinger,
*1796, +26. Nov. 1856;
∞ Anna Margaretha Mack, March 8, 1829.
Of this union, three children:
Thomas, +February 28, 1828;
Anna Barbara, *June 16,1829,
baptized June 18, 1829, + _____ ;
Andreas, *August 21,
1834, baptized August 24, 1834; +September 18, 1834.
How these Felbingers fit in is unclear. More research needs to be done.)"
As I will now show, the most correct phrase in
the quote above is: "How these Felbingers fit in is unclear. More research needs to be done."
In 2006 I had only limited time in
Between my visits, the Kirchenbucharchiv did
have the Burgbernheim vital registers microfilmed, so I was obliged to use the
microfiche version in 2006. These
records go only to about 1880. I assume subsequent church records have not been
released and filmed, because starting in 1876 official records were kept in the
local Standesamt and perhaps also for reasons of confidentiality.
In addition, there are for the registers typed
indexes prepared about 1956. It is clear
from theses indexes that vital records were kept in the parish registers well
into the 1950s. The indexes are useful,
of course, but my examination indicated that, unfortunately, they are not
entirely complete or entirely accurate, so they must be used judiciously in
conjunction with a thorough examination of the registers. The indexes list name, date, and page of the
entry in the specific register.
For the name Felbinger the entries in
the indexes are listed below:
Baptisms
None listed before 1829.
Felbinger:
A.
Barbara 1829
13.
Juli Joh. Adam * 1851
7.
Nov. Eva Marg. 1852
7. Mai Gg. Leon. ** 1856 p. 145
1. Jun. Joh. ** 1860 p. 219
29. Jun. Gg. Mich. ** 1862 p.
249
14.
Okt. A.
Barb. ** 1863 p. 281
2.
Feb. Eva Marg. ** 1867 p. 344
14. Juni Urs. Marg. ** 1869 p. 376
Gg. Mich. 1880 p. 26
Eva Marg. 1883 p. 65
Elis. Kund. 1884 p. 76
A. Barb. 1885 p. 84
Eva. Marg. 1888 p. 126
Gg. Mich. 1889 p. 134
Bab. 1893 p. 173
A.
Barb. 1898 p.
223
Emma Marg. 1899 p. 237
Joh. Mich. 1901 p. 248
A. Bab. 1903 p. 267
Mar. 1904 p. 279
Mar. Bab. 1913 p. 331
Gg. Fried. 1914 p. 341
Martin Ernst 1918 p. 354
Irma Rosa Bab. 1919 p. 355
Helmut 1926 p. 404
----- 1946 p. 496
* Mother: Anna Barbara Felbinger, b. 1829; but
bleed-through on the register page makes it unclear whether Johann Adam Singer
is the father or god-father.
* * Mother: Anna Barbara Felbinger, b. 1829;
Father: Johann Michael Applie
Confirmations
Felbinger:
resp. Eberlein Eva Marg. 1833 p. 4
Joh.
Adam spur. 1865 p. 61
Eva Mrg. 1866 p. 63
Gg.
Lhd. 1870 p. 70
Brb. 1877 p. 86
Mrg. 1880 p. 91
Urs.
Mrg. 1883 p. 97
Maria Brb. 1892 p. 116
Gg. Mich. 1894 p. 119
Elisabeth
Kunig 1896 p. 128
Anna Brb. 1896 p. 128
Eva Mrg. 1902 p. 138
Marriages
None listed between 1751-1799
Joh. Felbinger /
Mack, Anna Marg, 1829 p. 38
Joh.
Adam Felbinger / Haemmel, Eva Brb. 1880 p. 213
Gg.
Mich. Felbinger / Schwemmer, An. Elis. 1903 p. 66
Gg.
Mich. Felbinger / Sturhof, Mar. 1909 p. 97
An.
Bab. Felbinger / Keim, Joh. Gg. 1928 p. 185
Irma
Felbinger / Feicht, Erich 1939 p. 233a
Deaths
None listed
1750-1795
None listed
1796-1855
Felbinger:
A.
Marg. 1856 p. 13
Joh.
Gg. Mich. 1862 p.
85
Joh. 1865 p. 129
Joh. 1868 p. 153
N N 1883 p. 285
Eva. Marg. 1884 p. 289
N N 1887 p. 320
Gg. Mich. 1889 p. 337
totgeb. 1892 p. 355
Bab. 1893 p. 365
Joh.
Mich. 1901 p. 19
A. Brb. 1907 p. 53
A. Els. 1907 p. 55
Felbinger
anonymous 1911 p. 74
Mar. Brb. 1913 p.
82
A. Mar. 1916 p. 99
Eva. Brb. 1927 p. 153
Mrg. Brb. 1933 p. 174
Joh. Adam 1940 p. 195
Gg. Mich. 1949 p. 221
Transcriptions
Below, I have
transcribed several register entries that aided my solving the mystery of the
Burgbernheim Johann Felbinger who stood god-father to Johann Felbinger in
1832.
Marriage
"1829. S.
37v-38r, Nr. 4 : Johann Felbinger,
Einwohner und Taglöhner dahier, Schäferssohn aus Westheim, ledig, und Anna
Margaretha Mackin, der verstorbenen Eva Barb. Hahrin [?] aus
Burghauβen, wurden nach dreÿmaligen Aufgebothe ohne Einstruch und
beÿgebrachtem Verbündsch[. . .] von Windelsbach
am 8n März in der Kirche getraut."
(Editor's note: S.
37v-38r; the foliation listed indicates
the entry was written in the ledger across the two leaves when the volume lay
open, rather than entirely on one leaf.)
Births
"1829. S.
[110v-111r] Nr. 23 -- Anna Barbara Felbingerin ist den 16. Junÿ, abends
zwischen 5 u. 6 Uhr, geboren und den 18. ej. m. in eccl. getauft worden.
Eltern : Johann Felbinger, Taglöhner und deβen Weib Anna
Margaretha, geb. Mackin.
Taufpathe : Anna Barbara, des Kindesvater ledige
Schwester aus [blank] "
(Randnotiz:
"Hs. 25")
(Editor's note: [S.
110v-111r]; the foliation listed
indicates the entry was written in the ledger across the two leaves when the
volume lay open, rather than entirely on one leaf. Taufpathe: Anna Barbara: the Anna Barbara listed here must be
Margaretha Barbara Felbinger, listed in the Westheim baptismal register as born
in 1804. Whether she was living in
Westheim in 1829 is not confirmed by other evidence as of this writing, but it
is clear that she was in the immediate vicinity. The blank left in the register
indicates perhaps that her abode was also unclear at the time of this baptism,
or at least not ascertained and recorded. )
"1834. S. [130v-131r] Nr. 31 – Andreas Felbinger
am 28. August nachmittags 1 Uhr geboren, wurde 24n ej. m. in eccl. getauft
worden. Eltern : Johann
Felbinger, Häker u. Tagl. u. Ann
Marg., geb. Gundermänin von Hauβen.
Taufpathe : Andreas Gundermann, Taglöhner in Mt. Bergel."
(Randnotiz: Haus
Nr. 25; + 18. 7br 34)
(Editor's note: S. [130v-131r] ; the foliation listed indicates the entry was written in the ledger
across the two leaves when the volume lay open, rather than entirely on one
leaf. Eltern: … Anna. Marg., geb. Gundermänin : it is noted here that the maiden name of
Johann Felbinger's wife varies in several register entries,
yet it is also clear from the registers that he was married to the same
woman until her death in 1856. I can
give no particular explanation for the variations.
Deaths
"1828. Thomas Felbinger,
getauft zu Windelsbach des hiesigen Häkers und Taglohners Johann Felbinger und
der Anna Margaretha, geb. Gundermañin von Burghauβen unehel. Kind ist
gestorben d. 28. Febr. an Brustentzündung und den 1n März Abends
still begraben worden, alt: 35 Wochen."
(Randnotiz: Burgbernheim; Haus Nr. 25)
"1834.
Andreas Felbinger ehel.
geborenes Kind des Häkers und Tagl.
Johann Felbinger u. der Aña Marg. Gundermañin von Hauβen ist gestorben d.
18tn 7br Morgens an Bräuchen u. den 20n ei. m. abends mit Einsegnung beerdigt
worden, alt 4 Wochen."
"1856. S. 13,
Nr. 51, Hochbach. Anna Margaretha
Felbinger, geb. Mack. Ehefrau des Gem:
Hirten Johann Felbinger, in Hochbach – Haus Nr. 8 – ist Mittwochs den sechs und
zwanzigsten Novbr. früh sieben Uhr am Schlagfluβ – gestorben u. Freitags
den 28 Nov: Nachmittags ½ 2 Uhr, mit Einsegnung beerdigt worden. Ihres Alters: 64 Jahre. Arzt: Niemand – Pfr. I."
(Editor's note: what appears to be a
large ink [?] blot covers much of the left side of he entry, yet is still
readable on the microfiche. Hochbach: a
village about 4 km. north of Burgbernheim.)
"1865. S.
129, Nr. 40, Burgbernheim – Johann Felbinger, gewesener Hirte in
Hochbach ein Wittwer ist Samstags, den zweiten /:2:/ December vormittags 10 Uhr
73 Jahr 4 Monate u. 3. Tage alt – von der Wassersucht im hiesigen Spitale
gestorben u. Dienstags den fünften /:5:/ e.m. Nachmittags ½ 3 Uhr mit
Einsegnung beerdigt worden. Arzt: Dr. Beyerlein."
Discussion
After my initial
examination in 2004 I concluded that the Johann Felbinger in question was
Johann Nicholas Felbinger born in Westheim in 1796. An easy solution, except a subsequent
examination of records also indicated that Johann Nicholas died ten days after
his birth. Clearly I was in error on
this point. Taking up the question again
after two years, I am unclear exactly how I came to this determination in the
first place, except I was in a hurry and not careful.
It is clear that
in initially concluding "Johann Felbinger" was Johann Nicholas
Felbinger, I also confused the death date of the wife Anna Margaretha Mack
(1856), which compounded my misunderstanding and brought me to wrong
conclusions.
Back
to the record books. Close examination in 2006 of the Burgbernheim
indexes and registers was sufficient to determine the identity of Johann
Felbinger, god-father to Johann Felbinger in Westheim in 1832. There are three clues that lead to his
identification:
1. Johann's entry in the 1829 marriage record
indicates he is a shepherd's son from Westheim: "Johann Felbinger,
Einwohner und Taglöhner dahier, Schäferssohn aus Westheim".
2. The baptismal record of Johann's daughter
Anna Barbara Felbinger identifies her god-mother as the unwed sister of the child's
father: "Anna Barbara, des Kindesvater ledige Schwester aus [blank]".
3. The 1865
death record of Johann Felbinger gives his age at the time of death as 73
years, 4 months and 3 days.
The 1829
marriage record clearly shows that Johann was from Westheim and possibly the
son of Leonhard Friedrich Felbinger, but this relationship is not immediately
clear.
Again, the 1829
baptismal record of Anna Barbara's Felbinger god-mother being Margaretha
Barbara from Westheim points to the father being one of Leonhard Friedrich's
sons, but which one?
The critical piece of information is Johann's death record for December 2, 1865. It lists his age as 73 years, 4 months and 3 days. Doing the math, I concluded that Johann was born sometime in August 1792. Clearly, there was no Johann Felbinger born in Westheim in 1792, because Leonhard Friedrich Felbinger and family arrived in Westheim first in 1794. The final resolution of the mystery is that I remembered dimly an entry for one of Leonhard Friedrich's sons being born elsewhere other than Westheim. In the evening after the day's work in the Kirchenbucharchiv, I went online and checked Document No. 5 of the Ludwig Wendel documents. According to this document, Leonhard Friedrich's son Johann Wolfgang fits the description:
"Tauf-Matrikel Unternbibert: (Kurzauszug):
1792, 29./30. Juni: Johann Wolfgang, Sohn des Schäfers in Stockheim
Friedrich Felbinger u.s. Ehefrau Anna Katharina."
To place Johann Wolfgang Felbinger into the greater scheme of family relations: he is (to the extent that research has been done in the Trautskirchen/Unternbibert area) the first son of Leonhard Friedrich Felbinger (1761-1818) and his wife Anna Catharina Beierlein (dates unknown). His relation to Margaretha Barbara Felbinger of Westheim (known in the Burgbernheim record as Anna Barbara) is that of older brother. This relation therefore makes Johann Wolfgang Felbinger a first cousin of Martin Felbinger of Ickelheim, and after Margaretha Barbara and Martin marry in 1834, his brother-in-law as well.
There are several interesting things regarding Johann Wolfgang. First, for all the extensive searching I have done in the Westheim/Sontheim vital records, I have found no mention of him therein. This can be simply an argument from silence: there may have been no particular reason to mention him. Second, every mention of him that I have found in the Burgbernheim records makes no mention of his Rufname Wolfgang. Third, there is a discrepancy, for Johann's death record in Burgbernheim is in error to the extent that his age at death would be five months, not four. However, this discrepancy can be easily explained as a miscalculation of scribal counting in 1865.
Therefore, the
line of descent is clear enough: the common ancestors are Leonhard Friedrich
Felbinger and his wife Anna Catharina Beierlein. For the Burgbernheim Felbingers, the next generation
is Johann (Wolfgang) Felbinger (1792-1865), married 1829 to Anna Margaretha
Mack (aka Gundermann, d.
1856). Of this union, there were three
children: Thomas (1827-1828), Anna Barbara (b. 1829), and Andreas (1834). As the two sons Thomas and Andreas died in
infancy, all subsequent Burgbernheim Felbingers are descended through Anna
Barbara Felbinger, who had several children with Johann Michael Applie: Johann Adam, b. 1851; Eva
Margaretha, b. 1852; Georg Leonhardt, b. 1856; Johann, b. 1860; Georg Michael,
b. 1862; Anna Barbara, b. 1863; Eva Margaretha, b. 1867; Ursula Margaretha,
b.1869. Of these children, the first to
have children is Johann Adam, whose first son is Georg Michael (b. 1880). Past this point, descent of contemporary
Felbingers living in Burgbernheim and specific relationship to other family
members becomes unverifiable because later records are unavailable.
Last, if any of the Burgbernheim Felbingers
immigrated to the
--JEF, May 4, 2007