The name Guckenbiehl in The USA

The name Guckenbiehl in The USA

Kaiserslautern, Otterberg und Umgebung in der Karte der pfälzischen Gebiete Bayerns (1836-1841)

Kaiserslautern, Otterberg, Landstuhl and surroundings in the map of the palatine parts of Bavaria (1836-1841), augmented by a map of modern days Ramstein Air Base. (Source: BORIS - Bodenrichtwertinformationssystem Rheinland Pfalz)

Stammbaum der nach Amerika ausgewanderten Guckenbiehl

Pedigree of the members of the Guckenbiehl family emigrated to the USA. Numbers refer to the personal index RIN in the list of descendants of Sebastian Guckenbiehl and his wife Maria Anna, née Bossong.

Between 1800 and 1945 many Europeans emigrated to the USA, mostly for economic reasons. Among them were quite a few from Germany, Switzerland, France and even England named Guckenberger, Guggenberger, Gugenberger, Guggenbuehler, Guggenbuhl, Guggenbuehl, Guggenbiller, Gugenbiller, Guggenbickler, Gockenbuehler or Guggenbichler. Doris Guggenbühl compiled information about families that came from Switzerland. She may be contacted by email to "[Emailaddress Doris]". In the following I will focus on name variants like Guckenbiehl and Gukenbiehl.

Emigrants related to such names came to the USA at three times: Three brothers came about 1850, sons of Angelika Elisabeth Maria Linz and two fathers, both named Guckenbiehl. They were followed in 1886 by Franz, Guckenbiehl whose descendants lived (and may still live) on Staten Island. Finally, shortly after 1900 came persons of Guckenbiehl origin, who had either lost that name by marriage of their mother or changed it in the years after arrival.

But they all were descendants of Sebastian Guckenbiehl, who lived in Palatinate at the turn to the 19th century.

The Palatinate - Die Pfalz

Not many people from the US may have heard about the "Palatinate" or know where it is, although it was the homeland of quite a few immigrants from Europe, like the founder of Heinz Ketchup or Frederick Trump. One might say that even Trump's grandson inherited many facets of what is known as a "Pälzer Krischer" or in Pennsylvania Dutch: "Pelser Grischer", although mostly the darker ones. US Census or immigration documents frequently showed "Bavaria" as homeland, because between 1815 and 1918 the Palatinate belonged to Bavaria, and Germany as a state did not exist between the end of the "Old Reich" in 1806 and foundation of the "Second Reich" in 1871.

However, many people in the US may know Ramstein Air Base or the city of Kaiserslautern nearby or perhaps its nickname K-Town. Kaiserslautern Military Community is the largest U.S. military community outside of the United States. Only about twelve miles east of the Air Base and four miles north of Kaiserslautern there is the a small settlement named Althütterhof which nowadays belongs to Otterberg. About the year 1800 Althütterhof was the home of Sebastian Guckenbiehl who was the ancestor of all those Guckenbiehl that emigrated to the US decades later. In the generations that followed many first born were also named Sebastian. To refer to a particular one I will therefore frequently use the index of that person in my database. This first Sebastian on Althütterhof will be referenced as Sebastian‑220 or just as Old Sebastian. His history is sketched on the page about occurences of Guckenbiehl in the Palatinate.

About 1850: Three sons of Angelika Elisabeth Maria Linz

The parents: Elisabeth Maria Linz, Sebastian Guckenbiehl and Johannes Guckenbiehl

Sebastian‑92 Guckenbiehl, the oldest son of Sebastian‑220, was a farmer born on Althütterhof in 1778, but moving three miles south to Morlautern after his marriage. After his wife had died in 1822, he hired Angelika Elisabeth Maria Linz to help him with his household and his four kids. AEM Linz, as we might call her in the sequel, was born at Katzweiler, some six miles north of Kaiserslautern. The relation got closer, and when they finally married in 1831, they already had the joint kids Franz (* 1823), Anton (* 1828) und Catharina (* 1830). After the marriage they added Jacob in 1832.

However, after their first son Franz, AEM Linz had an affair with Sebastian's nephew Johannes, who still lived on Althütterhof. In contrast to Sebastian‑92, who was 13 older than AEM, Johannes was 14 years younger: just 19. They also got a son and named him Johannes, just like the father.

In the years thereafter Johannes and his half brothers Anton and Jacob emigrated from the Palatinate to the USA. The following section tries to sketch their story.

Johannes "John" Guckenbiehl

Johannes was born in 1826 in Morlautern, which nowadays belongs to Kaiserslautern. Although his real father was also named Johannes, his death record gives "Sebastian" as name of his father and "Maria" as name of his mother. This probably refers to his step father Sebastian‑92 and the third name Angelika Elisabeth Maria of his mother. Nowadays one can hardly tell which of her three names was used in daily life.

Between fall 1843 and August 1845 Johannes attended the "Königliche Katholische Schullehrer-Seminar" (which perhaps translates to something like "Royal Catholic School Teacher's College") at Speyer. His final marks were not really high, and perhaps that was the reason why the following November saw him as assistant teacher only, in Mackenbach..

As [Schiffler_2024] describes, classes had up to one hundred pupils, salary was low and work not very satisfying. While education laws had a somewhat democratic flavor in the years following the French occupation of the Palatinate (until 1815), they became more blimpish after 1836. Teachers were not considered civil servants and were ordered to teach just basic knowledge. This was met with protest by the teachers, particularly during the failing revolution of 1848.

All of this may have motivated John to leave the Palatinate in spring 1847 for the US. Up to now no related entry in passenger or immigration lists could be found. Perhaps he travelled as a crew member or used a false name. For he left without permission by the authorities and with 60 guilder of debt. This was as much as he earned per year.

Johannes changed his name to the English version "John", married and settled down in Chelsea on the West Side of Manhattan. When he died in 1889 he left four sons and four daughters. It is not quite clear if they all had the same mother, because sources give the maiden name of his wife rather differently: "Leiver", "Stäkle", "Stahle", "Staley", "Starhel", "Sleubing", "Stakle", but always with first name "Anna" or "Annie".

Descendants of John may still live today, particularly children of his daughter Lilly L Peele; but despite four sons no descendant bears the name "Guckenbiehl". The oldest son John, born 1857 or 1858, had a son that died at age six.. John's second son Peter, born 1860, was married at least three times, but all his wives died young. Only two daughters of him are known, both of which did not marry. One of them, Miriam Irene, became a sister in the "Graymoor Friary, headquarters of the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Atonement".. John's third son George Jacob, born 1864 had three sons, but all of them died before the age of 17. Finally, John's fourth son Andrew, born 1866 or 1867, died young without wife or acknowledged children.

Anton "Anthony" Guckenbiehl

Anton was born on June 17th, 1828 to AEM Linz and Sebatian Guckenbiehl-92. Twenty-five years later, in July 1853, he was naturalized in New York. Up to now we do not know when he came to the USA, but according to the legislation at that time, naturalization required living in the USA for at least five years without interruption. It is therefore quite likely, that he came with his half brother John about 1848. The naturalization documents do not give any profession or employer; but in 1874 and 1880 he works 50 acres of land at Riceville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Since this is only about 30 miles from Erie City, he might have left New York with his younger brother Jacob (see below). But connections to John's family persisted. For when John's daughter Lillie married James Peel in 1895, Anthony stood in for his already deceased half-brother and acted as a witness.

At the end of June 1897 he sells his farm and moves into the county infirmary at Spartansburg. There he dies on May 21st, 1901.

Jacob Guckenbiehl in Erie

John's youngest brother Jacob was born on October 4th, 1832 to AEM Linz and her then husband Sebastian Guckenbiehl. Aged 17 he arrived in New York on April 28th, 1850, coming from Le Havre on the three-master "Seine". It is not clear, how long he stayed in New York, but before about 1856 he must have travelled on to Erie City, Erie County (PA) and married Regina Schlaudecker, because their daughter Marie Anna (also "Maryann" or "Marion") was born in August 1857.

Regina "Rachel" Schlaudecker was born on February 3rd, 1833 in Rülzheim in southwestern Palatinate, but her parents moved to Erie in 1937. Probably they first settled in Mill Creek Township, because the US Census of 1850 lists several families named "Slendicker", and the Trinity Cemetery of Millcreek Township is the traditional burial site of the Schlaudecker and Guckenbiehl families. The Schlaudecker family was not alone; in fact, until 1860 several families from the same palatine area had moved to Erie, e.g. families Eichenlaub and Klang from Herxheim, the Knoll family from Herxheimweyher, the Metz family from Jockgrim, the Stubenrauch family from Hördt or the Kerner family from Rülzheim. [Miller 1909a] describes impressively the role of Germans in the social life of Erie at that time.

In censuses between 1870 and 1910 Jacob calls himself a "shoe maker". According to directories from 1861 and 1873 he had a shop in Peach Street, Erie City. In 1873 a relative of his wife is mentioned as partner. Perhaps their business was not as industrialized as the Erie Boot and Shoe Co. of their competitor Joseph Eichenlaub, also from a Palatine family. However, an obiturary to Jacob states:

"He was an expert shoe-maker and in the early history of the city was one of the most successful merchants in this line, having won an enviable reputation in making custom made boots and shoes, not only for the 'elite of Erie.' but for those of hundreds of miles distant, especially so when in the seventies the alligator hide shoes were all the rage he was the only one who made them to order."

Jacob retired in 1901.

According to US census data Jacob and Regina resided in 1520 Peach St., Erie County (PA) in 1880, but moved to 356 East 11th St., 2nd Ward, Erie City before 1900. Between 1857 and 1872 they had got six daughters until their first and only son August Jacob was born in 1874. Another daughter was born in February 1881, but two children of unknown sex died before 1900. Their daughter Clara was an active member of the Philharmonia Society. A note in a newspaper of summer 1874 reports that she sang alto in the dedication mass of the new church St. Bridget in Jamestown (PA).

Jacob Guckenbiehl was not only an expert shoemaker; he was also commited to social work within the catholic St Mary's parish of Erie. He was one of the founders of the parish's ward of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association (C.M.B.A.).. He was also one of the founders of the St. Benedictus Society and her first president. This charity organisation attached to the parish collected more that $ 100,000 within 40 years, mostly to help in cases of illness or death.

Regina died on August 15th, 1902 after long suffering, Jacob followed on January 6th, 1913. Both were buried on Trinity Cemetery in Millcreek Township, Erie County (PA), the traditional burial site of the Schlaudecker family.

Their children were also commited to catholic welfare. In particular, his daughter in law Margaret, née Klang, was involved in activities of the Women's Union of St. Joseph's church.. Contact to John's descendants in New York persisted at least until 1922, when George and his wife visited Erie.

At least four of the daughters married, and descendants of Jacob and Regina still live in Pennsylvania. But none of them bears the name Guckenbiehl, because the only son August Jacob died childless in 1936. Like his parents he and his wife Margaret née Klang, who died in 1961, were buried on Trinity Cemetery in Millcreek Township, Erie County (PA).

1886: Franz Guckenbiehl arrives at New York

Franz Guckenbiehl was born on April 28th, 1856 in Lichtenbruch near Kaiserslautern. This small hamlet is now a part of the district of Einsiedlerhof of Kaiserslautern and passed by many members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community on their way from Ramstein Air Base to the housings and facilities at Vogelweh.

Franz was the son of forest ranger Philipp Guckenbiehl, whose life has been sketched by Dieter in his Geschichte der Förster in der frühen Pfälzer Linie. While Franz was born after the sons of AEM Linz had emigrated to the US, his Philipp, born in 1825, knew them: he was a cousin to Anton and Jacob and to John's father Johannes.

Between fall 1868 and summer 1873 Franz visited the "Kreisgewerbeschule", a kind of junior high school in Kaiserslautern and usually got marks in the upper half of his class. But in 1875 he was sentenced to ten days of jail for participating in a bar fight.

On May 20th, 1886 Franz arrives in New York onboard the "Rhynland" from Antwerpen. According to the passenger list, the twenty-year-old Helene Heinemann is also on the ship. together with her mother, her 28-year-old brother and a girl of six years. The widow Elisabeth Heinemann and her children had emigrated from Prussia to Saginaw County, Michigan in 1879 and did now return from a visit to Straßburg.

While Helenes older brother Hermann stayed as blacksmith and hotel keeper in Saginaw county until his death in 1950,, Helene, Fritz and their mother move to Buffalo, Erie County, New York. But they stayed in touch with Franz, and in May 1892 Franz and Helene married in Brooklyn, perhaps after Helenes mother had died. With Helenes brother Fritz they settled down in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. But Helene and Fritz keep connections to Buffalo until at least 1910 when they sell some real estate in Buffalo.

Only a few weeks after the marriage Frank joins the Democratic Association in Brooklyn's 21st Ward.

Franz and Helene's first son Edwin Friedrich Philipp was born in 1893 and presented to the European family members on a trip to Germany in 1896. Following are Bertha (* 1897), Virginia Elizabeth (* 1900) und John Otto (* 1902). In the meantime Franz modified his name to the more American sounding Frank, and Fritz modified his to Frederic.

When Franz had entered the USA in 1886 he had called himself a "Clerk". In the USA he is working in the railroad industry. Census records give "Iron Railing Mfc" (1900), "Electrician" (1905) and "Laborer - Railroad" (1910).

1905 Frank and his brother in law Fritz Heinemann spent $ 2,500 to buy a lot of 20x100 ft on Bleecker St in the Bushwick neighbourhood of Brooklyn.. To (re-)finance the buy they take a mortgage of same value.

However, the family lives only a few years in 269 Bleecker St. Helene dies 1913 aged 46, Franz dies in March 1918. Strangely, his death record gives the wrong year of birth 1855 instead of 1856. Their oldest son Edwin Philipp is already married, has a son himself and lives in Queens. Bertha is almost 21, Elizabeth 17 and John Otto 15. Perhaps this precarious situation speeds up the wedding plans of Bertha. Eight months after her father's death she marries Daniel Ryan, who moves in with the siblings and uncle Frederic to Bleecker Street. Shortly after, Bertha and her older brother convey their share of house and lot to their uncle.

Three children were born to Bertha and Daniel: Daniel Jr. (* 1919 or 1920), Gladys (* 1923), and Virginia (* 1925). But perhaps that last birth did not go well, because Bertha dies shortly after aged 28 on Gladys' second birthday 1925.

In September 1920 Virginia Elizabeth marries Emil Gustav Roser., and the couple also moves to the family house. But after Bertha's death, they and Uncle Fred move to Queens and get sons Warren and Robert. In 1943 Virginia Elizabeth dies in Queens, her husband dies 1966 in Broome County, New York.

As stated above, the oldest brother Edwin Friedrich Philipp was already married when his father died. Sometime between 1825 and 1928 he and his wife Martha, née La Vaigne, had moved to Hastings‑on‑Hudson. They had at least three children: Edwin Charles (* 1916), Dorothy M (* 1919 or 1920) and Helen (* 1928 or 1929). Edwin Friedrich Philipp committed suicide in 1937: according to the details of medical examination given on his certificate of death he died from arsenic poisoning after drinking Paris Green. What became of his wife, which was still alive when he died, and his daughters, is unclear. His son Edwin Charles married Elizabeth Keane and moved in with her parents to Dobbs Ferry, Westchester County, New York. It is also unclear what became of them and their children Diane, Philip and Leslie. Perhaps Philip is still living in Merrimack County, New Hampshire.

John Otto, the youngest child of Frank Guckenbiehl and Helene Heinemann, married Elizabeth Mary Koch in Brooklyn in 1923. Together with Uncle Fred Heinemann they move to the Fort Hamilton neighborhood of Brooklyn. Their son Richard is born in 1924. Presumably at the end of the Nineteen-Forties John Otto and his wife move to Peekskill, Westchester County (NY), to the family of Elizabeth M. It is not clear if they knew John Guckenbiehl's grand-daughter Miriam Irene, who also lived nearby in the Graymoor Friary.. John Otto dies in 1987, Elizabeth in 2005 aged 101.

Richard and his wife Ruth stayed in Fort Hamilton and got sons Wayne, Randolph und Robert "Big Buffalo" Allen. Their descendants still live in New York (state).

Spirituality is quite strong in the descendants of Edwin Philipp and Otto, although oriented towards different directions. Philip, the grand-son of Edwin Philip, is (or was) an elder of Jehova's witnesses in Concord (New Hampshire). His sister Leslie and his daughter Lori Ann are also related to Jehova's witnesses. Elizabeth, the great-granddaughter of John Otto, is a chaplain on the Executive committee of the Free Methodist Church.

Early 20th century: Children of Carl Ludwig Gukenbiehl

Henry James Gukenbiehl, aka Henry James Cook

In the early 20th century more descendants of Old Sebastian‑220 Guckenbiehl emigrated to the USA. Since our presentation is not more about family names than blood lines, we will not go into detail about people like Peter Miesel, who came to the USA in 1929 and whose mother Helena Guckenbiehl was a great-great-grand-daughter of Old Sebastian. Instead we will restrict the presentation to two children of Carl Ludwig Guckenbiehl.

Carl Ludwig was a Great-Grandson of Old Sebastian and a cousin to John, who had come to New York about 1848. While his five brothers became brick layers, Carl Ludwig emigrated to London and became a tailor. More about him is told in the section about occurences of Guckenbiehl in England.

His son Henry James, born in 1883, had followed the path of the German brothers of his father and had become a brick layer. However like his father he did not stay at home, but emigrated from England. On April 20th, 1907 he arrived in Portland (Maine) coming from Liverpool on "S.S. Canada". His immigration documents give "D ‑ Divorced" as marital status (perhaps another reason for leaving England?), Toronto (Ontario) as last permanent residence and "Buffalo NY no address" as destination, which is on the way to Toronto.

A few weeks later he travelled from Canada back to the US: on June 4thto Lewiston (NY) using the name "Henry Gulenbiehl", , then on June 30th to Niagara Falls (NY) using the name James Gulenbiehl. Note that in both cases the "k" in his name was replaced by "l". When he applied for a passport in 1923, he states, that he had lived in Dayton, Ohio between 1907 and 1913 without interruption. He does not mention his visit to England in 1911, coming back in January 1912 from Southampton on board "S.S. New York" to New York and intending to travel on to Portland, Oregon. As last permanent residence the immigration document gives London.

In September 1921 his naturalization is filed Dayton, Ohio (# "1662134 - Vol. 7 - P.691"). The file refers to his arrival on June 4th, 1907 to Lewiston. However, the file contains three cards that differ in name.

Probably the first one gives the name "Henry Gulenbiehl" that was used in Lewiston. A second sheet adds:

"also known as Henry James Gukenbiehl and Henry James Cook".

The second one gives the name as "Henry-James Gukenbiehl" adding:

"Also known as: HENRY-JAMES COOK; entered USA under name: HENRY GULENBIEHL".

Probably the last one gives the name "Henry-James Cook" adding:

"Known also as: HENRY-JAMES GUKENBIEHL. Entered USA under name: HENRY GULENBIEHL".

The application for a passport in 1923, gives the name "Henry James Cook", with "James" stroke out. A marginal note states "name changed when I was naturalized". As the descendants of his brother report, many children of Carl Ludwig changed their names after World War I to avoid the anti-German attitude of many British people after the war: two of the sons called themselves "Cooke" or "Cook", reminding the first syllable of the real name "Gukenbiehl" while some girls changed their name to "Beale", reminding the last syllable of "Gukenbiehl".

It gets more difficult to follow the tracks of Henry James after he changed his name to the more frequent name "Cook", particularly since he seems to move quite often. Here is what we found so far.

In 1932, When his sister May Dorothy arrived in San Francisco after visiting New Zealand, she mentioned Henry James as contact, giving his address as "H. J. Cook, Box 142, Ringoos, N. J.". This probably refers to "Ringoes, Hunterdon County, New Jersey".

In January 1949 Henry James files a claim within the social security program.. Since this happened in Miami (Fl), it is quite likely, that a record from the 1940 census also refers to Henry James. According to this record he dwells in 150 Harriette Drive, Ojus, Miami-Dade County, Florida, is still single and does still work as a brick layer. Additionally it states that he lived in New York on April 1st, 1935. If Henry James married afterwards or did have any children is still unknown.

May Dorothy Gahagan, née Gukenbiehl

We already mentioned Henry James's sister May Dorothy. She was born in 1894 in London. According to her obituary, she went to the USA in 1923, but the earliest US record referring to her concerns her arrival in New York in April 1925 from Southampton on the "Aquitania". She gives "Sec Stenograph" as profession, London as last permanent residence and New York as final destination. Two years later she arrives again in New York on board the "Carmania" from Southampton. Now she gives "Sec Stenograph" as profession and "Hot Springs" as last permanent address. According to the descendants of some other brother, she worked as "Director General of Publicity" of the Homestead Magazine in Hot Springs, Virginia

In 1932 she enters the USA from the West, in San Franciso. Since the ship bears the name of the New Zealand mountain Maunganui, it is quite likely, that she returned from a visit to her sisters Alice and Rose in New Zealand. This time she gives New York (NY) as last permanent residence.

At the end of the Nineteen-Thirtees she marries David Gahagan, who was born in New Hampshire in 1886 and moves to Boston. In 1938 both take part in a crusade from New York on board the "Carinthia", perhaps their honeymoon?. During the war she returned to her position in Hot Springs. But the couple does have much time together: in early 1946 she retired from her work owing to ill-health and returned to England in June. There she died in September 1946.

Notes

  1. Many references to information about Guckenbiehl in the US are to the website familySearch.com, which is run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Hence the following remark seems appropriate: I am neither economically nor ideologically related to this church. But the National Archive of the United States cooperates with this organization to provide access to files related fo family history. And FamilySearch.com provides a free account for everybody.

  2. The Palatine term "Krischer" (or "Grischer" in Pennsylvania Dutch) means something like a squaller. However, a Pälzer Krischer, i. e. a Palatine squaller is special in pairing his big mouth with a lot of humor and self-irony in particular. There is even a Palatine carnival order of the Pälzer Krischer. However, without this humor and self-irony, even a "Pälzer Krischer" is just - weird.

  3. [Reither 1864], p 51.

  4. [KbAI 1845], p 660.

  5. Letter of the Bürgermeisteramt Morlautern to the Königliches Landkomissariat in Kaiserslautern of July 18th, 1848. In [LASp], Bestand "D. Moderne Verwaltung", "01. Allgemeine Verwaltung und Polizei", "H 36", "04. Militär", "04 01. Allgemeine Militärangelegenheiten", "Nr. 159 Erfassung von Deserteuren und Militärdienstverweigerern sowie Beschlagnahme ihres Vermögens".

  6. However, according to his birth certificate Peter was the fourth child of his mother Bridget Fitzgerald, three of which were still alive (Digital version of the birth certificate [30.07.2024]). But it is not clear if John was the father of all of them and what became of them

  8. Naturalization record of Anton Guckenbiehl of July 13th, 1853. [NatArch NAID‑71974183], p 1305 (Digital version [30.07.2024]).

  9. Gazetteer and business directory of Crawford County, Pa., for 1874, p 233 (Digital version [30.07.2024]).

    United States. Bureau of the Census. 10th census, 1880. Pennsylvania, Vol. 28, Crawford County pt. 2, Enumeration District 115, p 27. Line 4 (Digital version [30.07.2024]).

  10. Marriage certificate "M-M-1895-0009270" for Lillie L Guckenbiehl and James Peel of June 12th, 1895 (Digital version [30.07.2024]).

  11. "The Evening Republican" (Meadville, Pennsylvania) (July 07th, 1897), p 2 (Digital version [30.07.2024]).

  12. "The Evening Republican" (Meadville, Pennsylvania) (May 22nd, 1901), p 3 (Digital version [30.07.2024]).

  13. [NatArch NAID‑6256867], Roll 88 "May 15-25, 1850 (List Nos. 345-476)". p 53. (Digital version [30.07.2024]).

  14. Obituary in Der Pfälzer in Amerika, 1902/34 (23.08.1902). as cited in: [Becker & Paul 2020a], p 275.

  15. [US Census 1850]. Pennsylvania. Erie County, Roll 778. Mill Creek Township. (Digital version [30.07.2024]). p 10f. Households 22, 23 and 29.

    Line 33 on shot 10 might refer to Regina, who was also called Rachel.

  16. This is the result of a fast scan of obituaries in [Becker & Paul 2020a]

  17. C. f. [Miller 1909a], pp. 245-257.

    • Für 1861: Umberhine & Gustin's Lake shore gazetteer and business directory, p 216 (Digital version [30.07.2024]).
    • Für 1873: Gazetteer and business directory of Erie County, Pa., for 1873-4, p 269 u. 302 (Digital version p 269, Digital version p 302 [30.07.2024]).
    • Für 1873: Boyd's Business Directory of Over One Hundred Cities and Towns in Pennsylvania, 1873-4, p 141 (Digital version [30.07.2024]).

  19. Obituary in "The Catholic Chronicle"" (Erie, Pennsylvania). January 11th 1913. p 5. (Digital version [03.09.2024]).

  20. Death certificate of Jacob Guckenbiehl of January 6th, 1913. Erie City. Erie County. Pennsylvania. (Digital version [30.07.2024]).

  21. [US Census 1880] Pennsylvania Erie Co. ED 149 Erie City 3rd Ward. p 6. (Digital version [21.08.2024]).

    [US Census 1900] Pennsylvania Vol. 84. Erie Co. ED 79 Election District 6 Erie City Ward 2. p 6A (Digital version [02.08.2024]).

  22. "Lake Shore Visitor" (Erie, Pennsylvania). August 08th, 1874. p 8; (Digitalisat [02.09.2024]).

    For the Philharmonia Society c. f. [Miller 1909a], p 253. The short history of St. Bridget Church is sketched on the website of St. Margaret Mission, Jamestown (PA).

  23. Obituary in "The Catholic Chronicle"" (Erie, Pennsylvania). January 11th 1913. p 5. (Digital version [03.09.2024]).

  24. "Christian Home and School" (Erie, Pennsylvania). August 31th 1917. S. 2. (Digital version [03.09.2024]).

  25. According to the obituary in Der Pfälzer in Amerika, 1902/34 (23.08.1902). as cited in: [Becker & Paul 2020a], p 275.

  26. Death certificate of Jacob Guckenbiehl of January 6th, 1913. Erie City. Erie County. Pennsylvania. (Digital version [30.07.2024])

  27. For instance, the following activities are documented:

    • 1911: Daughter Clara conveys the donation of a piano cased organ" worth $ 40,- to the newly founded Catholic Boys' Protectory at Harborcreek (PA). "The Catholic Chronicle" (Erie, Pennsylvania). October 07th, 1911. p 5 (Digital version [02.09.2024]).
    • 1922: Clara donates $ 50,- to St. Mary's Church, Erie. "Lake Shore Visitor" (Erie, Pennsylvania). July 07th, 1922. p 7 (Digital version [03.09.2024]).
    • 1924: Clara donates $ 5,- to St. Mary's Church, Erie. "Lake Shore Visitor" (Erie, Pennsylvania). July 13th, 1924. p 3 (Digital version [02.09.2024]).
    • 1927: Clara donates one ton of coal to the Catholic Boys' Protectory at Harborcreek (PA). "Lake Shore Visitor" (Erie, Pennsylvania). January 28th, 1927. p 1 (Digital version [03.09.2024]).
    • 1917: Daughter in law Margarete Guckenbiehl, née Klang, donates to the Catholic Boys' Protectory at Harborcreek (PA). "Christian Home and School" (Erie, Pennsylvania). February 23rd, 1917. p 1. (Digital version [02.09.2024])
    • 1917: Son August Jacob Guckenbiehl donates to the Catholic Boys' Protectory at Harborcreek (PA). "Christian Home and School" (Erie, Pennsylvania). March 2nd 1917. p 1. (Digital version [03.09.2024])
    • 1922: Daughter in law Margarete Guckenbiehl, née Klang, helps organizing a supper and bazar given by the Women's Union of St. Joseph's church. "Lake Shore Visitor" (Erie, Pennsylvania). October 20th, 1922. p 4. (Digital version [03.09.2024])
    • 1925: Margarete Guckenbiehl, née Klang, helps organizing a card party and luncheon given by the Women's Union of St. Joseph's church. "Lake Shore Visitor" (Erie, Pennsylvania). June 5th, 1925. p 4. (Digital version [03.09.2024])
    • 1926: Margarete Guckenbiehl, née Klang, helps organizing a chicken supper given by the Women's Union of St. Joseph's church. "Lake Shore Visitor" (Erie, Pennsylvania). January 22nd, 1926. p 4. (Digital version [03.09.2024])
    • 1926: Margarete Guckenbiehl, née Klang, participates in sewing during Lenten meetings of St. Vincent's Auxiliary for the benefit of St. Vincent's Hospital. "Lake Shore Visitor" (Erie, Pennsylvania). March 12th, 1926. p 4. (Digital version [02.09.2024])

  28. A note in the "Lake Shore Visitor" (Erie, Pennsylvanıa) of June 09th 1922, p 8 lists George and his wife as donators of $ 25,- to St. Joseph's Church in Erie. (Digital version [02.09.2024])

    • Death certificate of August Jakob of February 10th, 1936. Erie City, Erie County, Pennsylvania (Digital version [30.07.2025])
    • Death certificate of Margaret Klang Guckenbiehl of November 22nd, 1961. Erie City, Erie County, Pennsylvania (Digital version [30.07.2025]).

  30. Baptism entry in church record "Bistumsarchiv Speyer / Weilerbach / Hl. Kreuz / Taufen 1842-1875". p 124. (Digital version [30.07.2024], p 126)

  31. C. f. the Annual report of the Königlich-Bayerische Kreisgewerbschule und die Landwirthschaftliche Kreiswinterschule zu Kaiserslautern of the following years:

  32. "Provinzielles und Vermischtes - Kaiserslautern, 28. Mai". In: Pfälzische Post 1875/124 (29.05.1875), p 3 (Digital version [30.07.2024], p 453)

  33. Passenger list of "Rhynland" on arrival in New York on May 20th, 1886. [NatArch NAID‑300346], Roll 495 "May 18 - June 16, 1886 (List Nos. 545-698)". List. No. 560. p 261 (Digital version [02.08.2024]).

  34. Passenger list of "W. A. Scholten" on arrival in New York on November 12th, 1879. [NatArch NAID‑300346], Roll 421 (Nov 6 - Dec 31, 1879, Lists Nos. 1251-1495). List. No. 1278. p 161. (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

    On May, 24th, 1879 some butcher Otto Heinemann aged 18 arrives in New York on board the "S. S. Neckar". Profession, name and age meet the details of Helenes brother Otto who may also be the godfather of her son John Otto. (Passenger list of "S. S. Neckar" on arrival in New York. [NatArch NAID‑300346], Roll 417 (April 2 - May 27, 1879, Lists Nos. 298-521). List. No. 511. p 1003. (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

    Immigration about 1879 was given by Helene and Fritz in [New York State Census 1905] Kings Co. Brooklyn A.D. 20, E.D. 15, p 4. Line 46 bis p 5. Line 2, (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

    With respect to the family's origin in Prussia and their living in Saginaw County, Michigan, cf. [US Census 1880]. Michigan. Saginaw Co. Saginaw. ED 315. p 18. Line 36-41 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  35. Marriage certificate of Herman Heinemann and Anna Stoecker on September 17th, 1882. Saginaw. Saginaw County. Michigan, United States. Vol. 3, p 133, No. 1940. (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

    With respect to his profession as hotel proprietor cf. [US Census 1910]. Michigan. Saginaw County. St Charles. ED 75. p 10A. Lines 1-3 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  36. [New York State Census 1892], Erie Buffalo, Ward 14, E.D. 02; p 45, Column 1. Lines 24-26 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  37. Marriage certificate of Franz Guckenbiehl and Helene Heinemann on May 8th 1892. "New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1938". (As cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  38. [US Census 1900]. New York. Kings County. ED 333. p 24A. Lines 34-38. (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  39. "Buffalo Courier" (Buffalo, New York). August 20th 1910. p 10. (Digital version [02.09.2024]).

  40. "The Brooklyn Citizen" (Brooklyn, New York). June 10th, 1892. p 6 (Digital version [02.09.2024]).

  41. Birth certificate "B-K-1893-0009932" of August 18th 1893. Kings County (Brooklyn). New York. (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  42. [NatArch NAID‑6256867]. Passenger list of "Southwark" on arrival in New York on December 2nd, 1896. Roll 669 ("Dec 1 - Dec 31, 1896, Lists Nos. 1758-1905"). List. No. 1765, p 49. Lines 23-24. (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  43. [New York State Census 1905] Kings County. Brooklyn. A.D. 20, E.D. 15. p 5. Lines 46-50 und p 6. Lines 1-2 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  45. "The Brooklyn Citizen" (Brooklyn, New York). December 12th, 1905. p 8. (Digital version [03.09.2024]).

  46. "Brooklyn Eagle" (Brooklyn, New York). January 14th, 1907. p 21. (Digital version [03.09.2024]).

  47. Death certificate "D-K-1913-0003964" of Helen Guckenbiehl, dated February, 21st, 1913. Kings County (Brooklyn). New York (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  48. Death certificate "D-K-1918-0008169" of Frank Guckenbiehl dated March 31st, 1918. Kings County (Brooklyn). New York (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  49. Marriage certificate "M-K-1915-0010258" of Edwin P Guckenbiehl und Martha La Vaigne, dated September,20th, 1815. Kings County (Brooklyn). New York (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

    Their place of residence is given in the WW I registration card of Edwin, dated May 6th, 1917. United States World War I Registration Cards, 1917-1918 New York. New York City. No 179; "A ‑ Koenig, John". (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

    The year of birth 1917 is given in [New York State Census 1925]. New York. A.D. 04. E.D. 83. Queens. p 67. Line 10 (As cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  50. Marriage certificate of Daniel J. Ryan and Bertha Guckenbiehl, dated November 27th, 1918. New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1938 (As cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  51. [US Census 1920], New York. Vol. 189. Kings Co. Brooklyn Boro. ED. 1234. p 13B. Lines 81-85 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  52. "Brooklyn Eagle" (Brooklyn, New York). May 11th, 1921. p 4. (Digital version [02.09.2024]).

  53. United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 of Gladys Ryan (Jul. 1942) (As cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

    Information about the two other children Virginia and Daniel Jr. is taken from a notice in "Times Union" (Brooklyn, New York), Oct26, 1925, p 4 (Digital version [03.09.2024]).

  54. Death certificate of Bertha Ryan, dated October 23rd, 1925. New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949. (As cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  55. Marriage certificate of Virginia Guckenbiehl and Emil G. Roser, dated September, 9th, 1920. New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1938 (As cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  56. [US Census 1930], New York. Queens. ED 603. p 3B. Lines 73-77 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  57. Death certificate of Virginia E. Roser, dated July 25th, 1943. Queens County. New York (As cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  58. Death certificate of Emil Roser, dated September 1966. United States Social Security Death Index (As cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  59. [US Census 1930], New York. Westchester County. Hastings on Hudson. ED 142. p 15A. Lines 27-31 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  60. Death certificate "D-K-1937-006540" of Edwin Guckenbiehl, dated March, 14th, 1937. Kings County. New York (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  61. [US Census 1950], New York. Westchester County. E. D. 60-72: Greenburgh town, Dobbs Ferry village. p 3. Lines 8-12 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  62. Marriage certificate "M-K-1923-0008833" of Otto Guckenbiehl and Elizabeth Mary Koch, dated July 7th, 1923. Kings County. New York (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  63. [US Census 1940] New York. Kings County. E. D. 24-1127. p 3A. Lines 24-27 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  64. [US Census 1950] New York. Putnam County. E. D. 40-17 (Philipstown. Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, including Saint John's Atonement Seminary and Saint Christopher's Inn). p 5. Line 23 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  65. The years of birth and death may be found on their joined tombstone on Hillside Cemetery, Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, New York. (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  66. Obituary to Robert Allen Guckenbiehl, dated May 12th, 2023 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  67. The position of Philip as an overseer of Concord's two Jehova's witness congregations is documented in "Concord Monitor" (Concord, New Hampshire). August 24th, 1991. p 13. (Digital version [03.09.2024]).

    Activity of his daughter Lori Ann for Jehova's witnesses is documented in "Concord Monitor" (Concord, New Hampshire). October 17th, 1999. p 41; (Digital version [03.09.2024])

    Marriage of his sister Leslie to an ordained minister of Jehova's witnesses is documented in "Poughkeepsie Journal" (Poughkeepsie, New York). November 1st, 1969. p 3 (Digital version [03.09.2024])

    Elizabeth Guckenbiehl-Lang, the great-grand-daughter of Otto John, describes her way to God in a video on Youtube. Her function on the Executive committee of the Free Methodist Church USA in September 2024 is documented on the churches website (as of September 30th, 2024). She also mentions the spiritual attitude of her uncle Robert Allen in an obituary on the web. [10.07.2024].

  68. Cf. Helena Guckenbiehl and her personal page on FamilySearch. Helena Guckenbiehl was from the line of firstborn of Old Sebastian. Hence her father, her grandfather and her great-grandfather ere all named Sebastian. In particular, he was a grand-daughter of Sebastian‑92. But her father's mother was Sebastians first wife, not AEM Linz. So her father was a half brother to Anton and Jacob and a step-brother to John.

  69. 1901 England, Scotland and Wales census. London. Kensington. Henry Gukenbierl in household of Carl Gukenbierl (As cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  70. [NatArch NAID‑4527447], Roll 46. shot 1575 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  71. Immigration of Henry Gulenbiehl in Lewiston, Niagara, New York on June 4th, 1907. [NatArch NAID‑4527447], Roll 46. As cited in (FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  72. Immigration of James Gulenbiehl in Lewiston, Niagara, New York on June 30th, 1907. [NatArch NAID‑4492490]. Roll 54. As cited in (FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  73. Application for passport 336133 of Henry Cook, dated August 2nd, 1907. [NatArch NAID‑583830]. shot 510 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  74. Arrival of Henry James Guckenbiehl in New York on January 24th 1912 from Southampton on board the "New York". [NatArch NAID‑300346]. Roll 1801 ("vol 3984-3985, 29 Jan 1912"). shot 656 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  75. Naturalization of Henry Cook on September 12th, 1921. [NatArch NAID‑161381491] No. of certificate: 1662134 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  76. Record of Henry Gulenbiehl. Ohio, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1852-1991. 1917-1991 Dudas-Kruse. p 2723f (Digital version, Digital version of Supplement [05.08.2024]).

  77. Record of Henry-James Gukenbiehl, "Ohio, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1852-1991. 1917-1991 Dudas-Kruse". p 2715f (Digital version, Digital version of Supplement [05.08.2024]).

  78. Record of Henry-James Cook, "Ohio, Southern District Naturalization Index, 1852-1991. 1906-1986 Bui-Ghouri". p 4984f (Digital version, Digital version of Supplement [05.08.2024]).

  79. Application for passport 336133 of Henry Cook, dated August 2nd, 1907. [NatArch NAID‑583830]. shot 510 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  80. Arrival of May Dorothy Gukenbiehl (Beale) in San Francisco on June 3rd, 1932 on board the "Maunganui". [NatArch NAID‑300346]. Roll 6. shot 9545 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  81. United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 of Henry James Cook. Social Program Claim Date: 26. Jan. 1949. Social Security Number: 265094896, Reference Number: 65319643460. (Digital version [05.08.2024], as cited in FamilySearch [05.08.2024]).

  82. [US Census 1940], Florida, Dade County, ED 13-3, Ojus, p 14A. Line 3 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  83. Arrival of May Dorothy Gukenbiehl in Ellis Island on April 18th, 1925 from Southampton on board the "Aquitania"". [NatArch NAID‑300346]. Roll 3641 ("vol 8319-8320, Apr 23, 1925."). shot 565. Line 13 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  84. Arrival of May Dorothy Gukenbiehl (Beale) in San Francisco on June 3rd, 1932 on board the "Maunganui". [NatArch NAID‑300346]. Roll 6. shot 9545 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  85. [US Census 1940]. Massachusetts. Suffolk. Boston City, Boston, Ward 13. E.D. 15-464, page 61A. Lines 27-30 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  86. Arrival of May D. and David Gahagan in New York on November 16th, 1938 on board the "Carinthia" after cruising. [NatArch NAID‑300346]. Roll 6254. ("vol 13463-13465, Nov 25, 1939"). shot 14. Lines 5-6 (Digital version [05.08.2024]).

  87. The local newspaper "Covington Virginian" (Covington, Virginia) reports on April 03, 1941, that May Gahagan returned from holidays in Key West to her work place in the Homestead at Hot Springs. (Digital version [03.09.2024]).

  88. Obituary in "Sevenoaks Chronicle" (Sevenoaks, Kent, England) of October 04th, 1946, p 8 (Digital version [03.09.2024]).