Brennecke Genealogy

A Gathering Place

2011-05-31T11:31:00.005-05:00

In process: transferring the entire old website here.

This site is a gathering place for all Brennecke descendants. Our goal is to link as many Brenneckes has possible.

This site is maintained by the Descendants of August and Wilhelmine Brennecke (Sebexen, Germany) who settled in Missouri in 1844 and their ancestors from Sebexen. This is Cluster 1 which has been broken down into Chapters. All other clusters which are not linked to Cluster 1 are listed individually.

If you would like to be added to this site so that you may post information and photos of your family, please contact me. We need your help.

You may submit your genealogy charts or lists. Your information will be added to the gedcom database and then posted on this website to be shared with others. Hopefully, the gedcom will help us to find links. Or maybe some researchers (possibly yourself) can study these pages, probe the globe, and master the puzzle.

Shall we shoot for the stars? It is a huge puzzle to solve!

*************
TREFFPUNKT

Diese Seite ist ein Treffpunkt fuer alle Brennecke-Nachkommen und wir moechten Sie herzlich willkommen heissen. Unser Ziel ist es, so viele Brenneckes wie moeglich genealogisch zu erfassen und zu verbinden.

Dazu brauchen wir auch Ihre Hilfe.

Wenn Sie uns Ihre Stammbaeume oder Familienlisten senden, werden wir Ihre Informationen unserer Stammbaum-Datensammlung (Family Tree Maker) hinzufuegen und auf dieser Webseite veroeffentlichen, so dass sie auch anderen Interessierten zugaenglich sind. Wir hoffen, dass wir mit Family Tree Maker erfolgreich sein werden, fehlende genealogische Verbindungen zu finden. Oder aber es gelingt Ihnen, nach Durchsicht der Informationen auf diesen Seiten, das Puzzle zusammenzufuegen.

Es ist eine grosse Aufgabe zu bewaeltigen - greifen wir dabei nach den Sternen?

Besuchen Sie auch die Links zu unseren anderen, unten angefuehrten Seiten.

Cluster 1 - Chapter B - Heinrich (Henry)

2010-06-07T18:23:00.005-05:00

First Three Generations of

Georg Heinrich (Henry) Ludwig Brennecke

Georg Heinrich Ludwig Brennecke, the second child of August Brennecke, Sr. and Wilhelmine, was born Dec. 19, 1829 at Wiershausen, near Sebexen in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany. From the records found in the Cape Girardeau County Recorders Office, Book B No. 380, we find Henry Brennecke married Wilhelmine Amelie Alsendohn (Altenthal) on Nov. 11, 1852. They were married by F. Will Umbreiss, a Lutheran minister.

The Altenthal farm lay immediately west of Jackson on the south side of the old Jackson-Burfordville gravel road. It is now owned by the Beggs family and is planted with apple trees.

Henry Brennecke owned 40 acres of land adjoining August Brennecke's farm, as shown on an old map of the original surveys of Cape Girardeau County.

Henry died Aug. 7, 1856 at the age of 26 years and was buried in the Zion Methodist Cemetery west of Gordonville, MO. His father, August, Sr., died two months later. Henry, his father August, Sr., and his mother Wilhelmine are buried side-by-side under the large cedar tree. According to Alvin W. Brennecke, Henry's and August's graves were the first in Zion Methodist Cemetery. What caused their deaths isn't known. Typhoid fever was usually prevalent in those days in the late summer months and we might conjecture that this disease caused their deaths.

The following legal document appoints Henry's father, August, as administrator of the estate on August 8th, 1856, the day after Henry's death. The document shows his name as "Henry G.", assumable for "Henry George." (B1) The second document of August 8th, 1856 appoints John Albert and Henry Altenthal to accompany and assist August in opening and examining the monies and papers and in making an inventory. (B2)

On Oct. 20, 1857 the widow Wilhelmine married Theobald Khreibil and they raised the two daughters of Henry Brennecke and Wilhelmine Altenthal Brennecke. Wilhelmine (Mina), the older daughter, married Frank Steck. Caroline (Lena) married Gustav Penzel.

1Johann August Friedrich BRENNECKE

b: November 5, 1801 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany

d: October 8, 1856 in Zion United Methodist Ch. Gordonville MissouriAge at death: 54

Number of children: 11

Occupation: farm laborer and linen weaver

Special Comment: Emigrated to USA November 1844

+Engel Christine Wilhelmine EICKEMEIER

b: December 5, 1806 in Alshausen, Dukedom of Braunschweig, Germany

d: March 20, 1871 in Zion United Methodist Ch. Gordonville, Missouri Age at death: 64

m: July 12, 1829 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany

Number of children: 11

2Georg Heinrich "Henry George" Ludwig BRENNECKE

b: August 19, 1829 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany

d: August 7, 1856 in Zion Methodist Cemetery, Gordonville, MO Age at death: 26

Number of children: 2

+Johanne Wilhelmine Sophie ALTENTHAL

b: August 29, 1832 in Sehlem, Hanover, Germany

d: 1869 in near Jackson, Missouri Age at death: 36 est.

m: November 11, 1852 near Jackson, Missouri Number of children: 2

3Wilhelmine (Mina) BRENNECKE

b: December 10, 1853

d: August 11, 1948Age at death: 94

Number of children: 7

+Frank STECK

b: June 10, 1855

d: February 21, 1892Age at death: 36

Number of children: 7

4Frances STECK

b: October 5, 1874

d: June 25, 1904Age at death: 29

Number of children: 3

+Dr. BUTLER b: January 1, 1872

d: July 15, 1942Age at death: 70

Number of children: 3

4Emil STECK

b: September 5, 1876

d: 1955Age at death: 78 est.

Number of children: 1

+Gretta BEGGS

b: 1889

d: 1920Age at death: 31 est.

Number of children: 1

4Susanna STECK

b: October 3, 1880

4Lena STECK

b: April 10, 1883

d: October 20, 1956in St. Louis, MO Age at death: 73

Number of children: 2

+William Fant DAMON, Sr.

b: September 30, 1880

d: December 16, 1949Age at death: 69

m: December 7, 1903 in St. Louis, MO Number of children: 2

4Caroline STECK

b: April 10, 1883

4Roscoe Frank STECK

b: October 4, 1885

d: November 6, 1968Age at death: 83

Number of children: 5

+Grace Catherine YARBRO

b: June 26, 1889

d: September 6, 1961Age at death: 72

m: June 15, 1915Number of children: 5

4Alva STECK

b: December 31, 1887

d: 1970Age at death: 82 est.

3Caroline (Lena) BRENNECKE

b: April 9, 1855 near Jackson, Missouri

d: October 10, 1937 in Jackson, Missouri Age at death: 82

Number of children: 4

+Gustave Robert PENZEL

b: April 6, 1855 in Jackson, Missouri

d: March 29, 1924 in Jackson, MissouriAge at death: 68

m: February 13, 1855 in Farm near Jackson, MissouriNumber of children: 4

4Linus Robert William PENZEL

b: August 9, 1879 in Jackson, Missouri

d: August 8, 1958 in Jackson, Missouri Age at death: 78

Number of children: 5

+Emma Mathilda KIES

b: February 1, 1881 in Jackson, Missouri

d: December 19, 1958 in Southeast Mo. Hospital Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Age at death: 77

m: December 25, 1907 in Jackson, Missouri Number of children: 5

4Robert Gustav PENZELb: October 28, 1881 in Jackson, MO

d: October 20, 1937 in Chicago, IL Age at death: 55

Number of children: 3

+Elizabeth DUFFYb: July 22, 1885

d: October 14, 1965Age at death: 80

m: January 7, 1909Number of children: 3

4Emanuel Emil PENZEL

b: August 26, 1884 in Jackson, MO

d: February 17, 1931 in St Louis, MO Age at death: 46

Special Comment: Identical Twin

Occupation: Lawyer

Special comment: State Senator in Missouri

4George "Alvin" PENZEL

b: August 26, 1884 in Jackson, Missouri

d: October 16, 1966 in Jackson, Missouri Age at death: 82

Number of children: 3

Special Comment: identical twin

Occupation: Banker in Jackson

+Eula M MILLER

b: November 24, 1886 in Millersville, Missouri

d: May 10, 1963 in Jackson, Missouri Age at death: 76

Number of children: 3

Cluster 1 - The Transition Generation

2010-05-31T11:42:00.002-05:00

The Transition Generation

Our genealogy begins with the Transition Generation, that is, the generation that made the transition from Germany to America. August, his wife, Minnie, and six of their children arrived in New Orleans on November 11, 1844. They traveled up the Mississippi to Cape Girardeau and west to where they settled.

Each child of August & Minnie begins a different chapter in our book. Earlier generations are listed separately.

The translated letters in Chapter A and K reveal something of the family relationships at that time, the difficulties they endured both here and in Germany, and their strong belief in God.

The father, Johann August Friedrich Brennecke, came from at least three generations of farmers and wheelwrights, all in the Sebexen area. The third of several children, he resided in Oppershausen, near Sebexen, in 1825 when his first child was born. Between 1825 and 1829, he lived with (illegible) in nearby Wiershausen, according to church records. He and Wilhelmine lived in Sebexen from 1929, when they were married, until at least 1835, after Wilhelm was born. Since the births of their next three children were not recorded in Sebexen, they may have moved before emigrating because the next record we have of him is when they emigrated in 1844. He gave his occupation as farmer in 1929, weaver in 1831 and 1833, weaver and ironworker in 1834, weaver at immigration in 1844, and farmer in the 1850 Cape Girardeau census.

Engel Christine Wilhelmine Eickemeier came from several generations of land-owning farmers in Sebexen and Ahlshausen (three miles west of Sebexen). She and August had 11 children, the last three born in Missouri.

When August died in 1856, the children ranged in age from 27 to just 3 years old. When the Civil War erupted five years later, the family was hard hit and ravaged by bands of marauders.

When Wilhelmine died in 1874, she left an estate $770, a horse, a cow, and a bed. The estate was settled within a few months. August's estate, on the other hand, was not settled expeditiously, in part because no will could be found. After three years, an initial distribution was made in 1859 to his children of $220 each from public sale of his personal belongings. The main part of his estate, the land, went unsold for 27 years, possibly because no buyers could be found before a neighbor, Elmer Schaper, bought the property and a final settlement could be made of August's estate. The eldest son, a teacher out of work in Germany due to illness, pleaded for years for his sorely needed share. Wilhelmine sympathized with him and, from time to time, sent him a little money. That is probably why he was not an heir in her will. Sadly, it was seven years after his mother's death before anyone informed him of it.

Each child of August & Minnie begin a different chapter in our book. Earlier generations are listed under a separate chapter.

Children of Johann August Friedrich Brennecke & Engel Christine Wilhelmine Eickemeier

(Spouses are shown in the boxes to the left of the descendent)

*Click on graphic to enlarge*

KEY
b: born
d: died
m: married
+: spouse
1, 2,: generation

Children of Johann August Friedrich Brennecke & Engel Christine Wilhelmine Eickemeier

PARENTS

Johann August Friedrich BRENNECKE

b: November 5, 1801 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany

d: October 8, 1856 in Zion Methodist Church Gordonville, MO

Age at death: 54

Number of children: 11

Occupation: farm laborer and linen weaver

Special Comment: Emigrated to USA November 1844

+Engel Christine Wilhelmine EICKEMEIER

b: December 5, 1806 in Alshausen, Dukedom of Braunschweig, Germany

d: March 20, 1871 in Zion Methodist Church Gordonville, MO

Age at death: 64

m: July 12, 1829 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany

Number of children: 11

CHAPTER A

Heinrich August Julius BRENNECKE

b: September 26, 1825 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany

d: October 25, 1901 in Herzberg (died in Goslar)

Age at death: 76

Number of children: 5

+Louise Wilhelmine Emilie Mathilde NIENSTAEDT

b: March 17, 1836 in Osterode

d: Bet. 1883 - 1901Age at death: 47 est.

m: October 20, 1855 in Willensen

Number of children: 5

CHAPTER B

Georg Heinrich Ludwig BRENNECKE

b: August 19, 1829 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany

d: August 7, 1856 in near Gordonville, Missouri

Age at death: 26

Number of children: 2

+Johanne Wilhelmine Sophie ALTENTHAL

b: August 29, 1832 in Sehlem, Hanover, Germany

d: 1869 in near Jackson, Missouri

Age at death: 37 est.

m: November 11, 1852 in near Jackson, Missouri

Number of children: 2

CHAPTER C

Georg August Friedrich BRENNECKE

b: April 13, 1831 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany

d: June 18, 1831 in Sebexen, Hanover, GermanyAge at death: 0

CHAPTER D

Carl August Friedrich BRENNECKE

b: April 17, 1833 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany

d: January 7, 1907 in Fairmont Cemetery, Cape Girardeau, MO

Age at death: 73

Number of children: 8

+Johanne Henriette Conradine "Dina" HUNZE

b: April 17, 1843 in Schlewecke, Germany

m: August 23, 1859

Number of children: 8

CHAPTER E

Georg Friedrich Wilhelm BRENNECKE

b: November 8, 1834 in Sebexen, Kingdom of Hanover, Germany

d: December 3, 1910 in Zion Methodist Church Gordonville, MO

Age at death: 76

Number of children: 9

Special Comment: known as Capt. Wm F. Brennecke

+Caroline NOTHDURFT

b: September 28, 1845 in Tilset, Missouri

d: September 15, 1929 in Zion Methodist Church Gordonville, MO

Age at death: 83

m: August 29, 1861 in Zion Methodist Church Gordonville, MO

Number of children: 9

Marriage comment: Marriage record by Cape Co. Recorder office, Book C., p. 216

CHAPTER F

Hanna Justine Louisa BRENNECKE

b: October 8, 1837 in Ahlshausen, Dukedom of Braunschweig, Germ

d: February 10, 1899 in Kinder Cemetery, Hornsby, IL

Age at death: 61

Number of children: 6

+Henry MEYER

b: February 2, 1828 in Sebexen, Kingdon of Hannover, Germany

d: April 28, 1900 in Kinder Cemetery, Hornsby, IL

Age at death: 72

Number of children: 6

CHAPTER G

Johann Heinrich Christian Carl (Chas.) BRENNECKE

b: December 15, 1838 in Germany

d: February 3, 1884 in Kelso, MO

Age at death: 45

Number of children: 8

Military: Co. K, 5th Mo. S-M-CAV.

Special Comment: Birth record according to Jacob Brennecke Catechism

+Caroline MARTENS

b: August 8, 1848

d: March 10, 1896 in Kelso, MO

Age at death: 47

m: May 9, 1868 in Cape Girardeau, MO by Rev. Brayton, Baptist Minister

Number of children: 8

CHAPTER H

2 Johanna Caroline Friedrike BRENNECKE

b: July 16, 1841 in Kingdom of Hannover, Germany

d: August 24, 1921 in Zion United Methodist Church, Gordonville, MO

Age at death: 80

Number of children: 11

+Karl NEUMEYER

b: February 1, 1833 in Bernsdorf, Germany

d: August 30, 1921 in Zion United Methodist Church, Gordonville, MO

Age at death: 88

m: April 4, 1861 in Jackson, Missouri

Number of children: 11

CHAPTER I

George H. (Schoose) BRENNECKE

b: July 10, 1845 in Tilsit, Missouri

d: March 24, 1924 in Fairview Cemetery, Burfordville, MO

Age at death: 78

Number of children: 8

Special Comment: Birthdate by old German Catechism Cover

Special Comment (2): deathdate by Cape Gir. probate records

+Christine LUDWIG

b: February 7, 1840

d: December 18, 1882 in Zion United Methodist Church, Gordonville, MO

Age at death: 42

m: December 19, 1867

Number of children: 7

*2nd Wife of George H. (Schoose) BRENNECKE:

+Johannie M. Reitmann (REDMAN)

b: October 29, 1854

d: December 4, 1886

Age at death: 32

m: January 10, 1884

Number of children: 1

Special Comment: Birthdate by Cape Co. Recorders Office, F-240

*3rd Wife of George H. (Schoose) BRENNECKE:

+Louisa Sperling CRIDDLE

b: January 19, 1845 in Germany

d: December 16, 1936 in City Cemetery, Jackson, MO

Age at death: 91

m: August 23, 1888

CHAPTER J

Johann Franklin "Frank" BRENNECKE

b: February 9, 1848 in Tilsit, Missouri

d: February 7, 1902

Age at death: 53

Number of children: 5

Special Comment: His birthdate in Zion church records is listed as 2/15/48

Special Comment (2): His birthdate in Jacob's catechism is 2/9/48

+Anna KUEHLE

b: January 3, 1850d: August 1, 1885

Age at death: 35

m: May 16, 1872

Number of children: 2

Marriage comment: Cape Co. Recorder's Office, D -165

*2nd Wife of Johann Franklin "Frank" BRENNECKE:

+Alvine KUEHLE

b: August 6, 1856

d: February 24, 1939

Age at death: 82

m: February 7, 1886

Number of children: 3

CHAPTER K

Johann" Jacob" BRENNECKE

b: July 14, 1853 in Tilsit, Missouri

d: December 30, 1935 in Russell Heights Cemetery, Jackson, MO

Age at death: 82

Number of children: 6

Special Comment: birth records from old Catechism Cover;

Also Anna Brennecke Schaper list.

Special Comment (2): death records from Cape Co. records of Book D, page 356.

+Henrietta PEETZ

b: April 6, 1855

d: July 4, 1936 in Russell Heights Cemetery, Jackson, MO

Age at death: 81

m: February 6, 1877 in by Rev. Delvean

Number of children: 6

Out of the Past - Southeast Missourian Articles

2009-01-19T14:39:00.006-06:00

Article here. I believe Jake is Jacob in Chapter K.

Article here. William F. Brennecke - Chapters?

Article here. Charles Brennecke - Chapter?

Article here. Ralph Brennecke - Chapter?

Article here. Frederick Brennecke is the patriarc of Chapter D.

Article Here. Brennecke service station on Kingshighway was owned my Leon Brennecke, Chapter G.

Obituary - Geraldine Brennecke

2009-01-19T14:23:00.001-06:00

Original article on October 7, 2007, on Southeast Missourian here.

1138th Engineer Company Return from Iraq

2009-01-19T14:15:00.004-06:00

Original article on Juy 28, 2008, on Southeast Missourian is here. Correction is here.

Original article on July 15, 2007, on Southeast Missourian here.

Brennecke Birth - July 25, 2008

2009-01-19T14:09:00.002-06:00

See Southeast Missourian article here.

2009-01-19T13:52:00.003-06:00

Hughes and Doris Devault were honored for their 67th wedding anniversary on November 23, 2008. See article in the Southeast Missourian here.

Facebook

2009-01-19T12:36:00.003-06:00

On September 10, 2008, a Facebook group was opened up for Brennecke Genealogy. Join here.

On January 19, 2008, there are now 92 members. What a great resource for finding new information regarding the Brennecke lines.

Cluster 1 - Chapter A - August

2009-01-19T08:05:00.004-06:00

Chapter A
Descendants of Heinrich August Julius Brennecke

August was born 26 September 1825, the first of 11 children. The church records state that his mother, Engel Christine Wilhelmine Eikemeyer, said that the father of this, her first child, was August Friedrich Brennecke, who has [illegible] in Sebexen and lives in Oppershausen. August was baptized on October 2. His godparents were Julius [illegible], Christian Eickemeier, and [illegible] Brennecke's wife. We don't know whether his parents lived together or separately during this time. August's parents didn't marry until 12 July 1829, shortly before his brother's birth.

August, at the age of 19, decided to remain in the Kingdom of Hannover (later Germany) when his parents and siblings moved to America in 1844. We wonder why. He became a school teacher and lived and taught in Willensen, a few miles from Sebexen. At age 30 he married Louisa Nienstaedt in 1855 and they had two children that survived only a short time. In about 1858 they moved to Sieber, a small town just north of Herzberg am Harz. Sieber is in a very narrow valley bounded by sharply rising hills that limit the hours of direct sunlight. It is only two streets wide, paralleling the small Sieber River. He remained in Sieber for about thirty years, teaching and raising a family. He suffered from poor health after 1863, particularly after 1871, and was therefore not steadily employed. It is from there that he wrote and received the several letters to his family in Missouri shown on the following pages. Of August's five children, only two survived infancy. The younger of the two survivors, Wilhelm, died in his teens. Only Justus lived to adulthood.

At the time of August's death at age 76 he was living with his son Justus and family at #7 Muenzstrasse in Goslar. His body was taken by train to be buried in Herzberg am Harz, near Osterode. Herzberg was the birthplace of his deceased wife, Louisa Nienstaedt, the place of son Justus' wedding four years earlier, and the birth place of Justus' wife.

His son, CARL FRIEDRICH AUGUST JUSTUS BRENNECKE, the sole surviving child, was a civil servant. He performed as a tax official in German. He proudly bore the title of Tax Commissionerand wore a government uniform. He was assigned to various districts during his career. At the time of his marriage in Herzberg in 1897, he was assigned to Goslar. His first four children were born in Goslar. It was during his Goslar residency that his father moved in with them until his death in 1901. Around 1905/1906 Justus was reassigned and moved to Ilfeld near Nordhausen. In 1910 he and his family moved to Peine (located between Hannover and Braunschweig), where his fifth child was born and where his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren still reside.

Two of Justus' daughters, Mathilde and Elisabeth, were visited by Norman and Marlene Brennecke in Peine in 1986. Elisabeth provided a copies of her Ahnenpass (ancestor record required by Hitler) and some old photos of August, son Justus, their wives, and granddaughter Mathilde. Elisabeth, whose husband died in WW II, has two sons - Peter living in Peine and Juergen living in Berlin. Peter and his wife, Margret, have two young daughters. When Norman returned again in 2001 he met more of the extended family there. They included Elisabeth's nieces, Dorli Brennecke Begalke and Jutta Brennecke Keunecke, nephew Claus Brennecke, and their spouses. See photos below.

On the pages following the family photos are translations of several letters sent between August and his family in America. Arranged in chronological order, they make fascinating reading 130 years later.

____________________________________________________________________
Here are several of the letters sent between August and his family that had moved to America. Arranged in chronological order, they make fascinating reading 130 years later.

TRANSLATED LETTERS TO AND FROM
HEINRICH AUGUST JULIUS BRENNECKE

(See a few originals on Documents Page)

Original translations and revisions by Marlene Brennecke, et al, except where noted.

__________________________________________________

[WILHELMINE to son AUGUST]

Jackson
December 26, 1868

Dearly beloved Son, Daughter-in-law, and Children,

Gladly I take the pen to write a short note to you in the hope that you are found in the best of health.

As for me and mine, we are (thank God) presently fairly healthy, although I was for a time very weak and often could not do my housework correctly.

Now I must give you the information that the money, namely 218 dollars 85 cents with interest included, has been sent to the consul in St. Louis. You will be notified by letter as to where you can pick up the money.

Dear son, your letter from October 2nd made me happy on one hand, but also made me very sad when you wrote that your health was critical. My sincerest wish is to see you once more but, since that cannot be, I console myself with the hope that we will meet one day again where there is no more separation, suffering, and tragedy, and where we will be exempt from all that surrounds us here, forever in eternity.

We too here in America have much to get through. The war has not destroyed us, however, almost ruined us. The Rebels took my horses, wagon, and everything valuable in the house, namely articles of clothing and food. The horses were also taken from my children. The children fled since their lives were at risk in their own native country. They often hid for days and nights in the woods until they were all conscripted into the army. Only Jacob I kept by me as he can hear the musket fire and I might get news that one of my sons has been hit by a hostile bullet. This is all over now and, to my great happiness, they have (thank God) all returned uninjured. However the camp life worked a hardship on their health.

Your brother Wilhelm is very sickly and your brother-in-law Karl Neumeyer suffers much with rheumatism and the Fever is in almost every house. The war and sickness have brought me and my children more or less into debt. As a result of the war we have many taxes to pay. These and other debts stand over us so that we were not prepared for your request for money. I think however, in about a year, I will send you yet a hundred dollars if no unforeseen circumstances prevent me.

Now I beg you please, do not worry so much and be thankful. Gratefully endure everything with patience and submission to the will of God. For a believer, everything shall have a purpose.

Only You, who is all wise

Only You know, what is good for me

Only You see, what every sorrow

Brings blessings in the Eternity

Yes God wants all the best for us if we just trust in Him, even if we often cannot see it.

About your children, you shouldn't worry unreasonably. When they are old enough and have the desire to go to America, we will be here. Concern yourself, therefore, that they do come here.

Now I must mention that the money was sent from here to St. Louis on the 22nd of this month, and beg you to write to me as soon as you have received it.

Now I must close, with many greetings from me and my children to you all. I remain your truly, loving Mother.

Wilhelmine Brennecke
- - - - - - - - - -

[This letter from Carl Neumeyer was included as part of the above letter sent by Wilhelmine Brennecke on December 26, 1868.]

Dear Brother-in-law,

Making use of this opportunity allows me to write to you briefly about my situation.

In 1851, in the 17th year of my life, I left my birthplace - Berndorf, Kreis Eisenberg Fursten - by way of Waldeck and emigrated to North America but stayed in Missouri only a few years, traveling then in 1856 to California from where I returned after 4 years. I bought a farm here about 2 miles from your mother, then became acquainted with your youngest sister Karoline whom I wanted for my future wife. I was filled with joy. However, we were no sooner married when the unpleasant war broke out and Missouri was on the border between South and North. So we always had both armies here and much bloodshed was felt in our area. My horses were taken from me. I was not permitted under Military rule to plant on my farm, consequently, I did not harvest. Because of that, I and my family had much sickness to contend with and I suffer ---

[here a line appears to be missing from the copy of the letter]

- - the second, a son 5 years old with the name Heinrich. The third, also a son 2 years old and called Wilhelm. My children are now quite healthy but my wife has been sickly for a long time.

My God, bless us for the future with good health and touch and guide us as long as we are willing to enter and to all assemble someday before Your throne, is my wish and prayer.

I greet you, your brother-in-law

Carl Neumeyer
_______________________________________________________ [From AUGUST to his family]

Sieber, at Herzberg in the Harz
September 18, 1871

Dear Mother and dear Brother & Sister!

From the accompanying will you see that Carl Walter Brennecke died in Sebexen and that he willed his entire estate to Fritz Brennecke [the cousin of AUGUST]. The estate has a value of more than 2000 pound sterling. The old aunt Caroline, nee Berner, who cheated our sainted father out of house and home, persuaded and pressured Carl Walter in his final distress so that she got it all. We therefore leave empty-handed. Today first I received this letter and information and am forwarding as a follow-up to the letter mailed to you. Dear mother and dear brother, send $200.00 immediately so that I can pay my debts and not fall into the hands of the merciless creditors. Fulfill my plea and deliver the money so that I will get out of these debts, because my sickness and the representation [in court] has cost so much and because I will need much in my convalescence. Twice I have been obligated to the church [received charity]. I think God will preserve me a few more years if my family helps me to that end; help me in this by supporting me and sending the money, because I am in great need. Live in peace, dear mother, dear brother(s) and sisters, etc.

With many greetings from me and my family,

Your son and brother, August Brennecke

Those in Sebexen delight in their inheritance and for the most part ignore my need; but with the Lord's help I will again get strong and will, with His and your help, survive and live to see, God willing, that my children will grow up and be pious.

Your loving son and brother,

Aug. Brennecke in Sieber

[Originally translated by Rev. Walter Keisker; revised by Marlene Brennecke]

______________________________________________

[From JACOB to AUGUST]
Jackson October 14, 1881

Dear Brother and Sister-in-law,

We have received your treasured letter of April 25th and therein have seen that you are all still alive. We know nothing of your previous letter and we have not seen the man to whom you have given the letter.

Dear brother you already know that our dear Mother is dead. She died on March 20, 1874. She became ill on Monday and died on Friday. Her last illness was the winter influenza. That you were not written about this is not my fault. Brother Wilhelm had promised to write to you that our mother has died. In her will she bequeaths to her children, except you and Frank and Heinrich's children are excluded. The land from which your inheritance comes is still not sold because where the land is located there is no demand. We have so far not borrowed any money against it but we must pay $10.00 per year taxes. Dear brother, as for us we are, thank God, healthy.

I am married five years to Henriette Peetz and we have three children. The oldest is called August and will be 5 years old on April 29th. the second is called Heinrich and was 3 years old this past September 29th. The third is a girl called Anna and she will be 9 months old on October 26th.

Dear brother, we were very sick these years. We have our own misery here, otherwise we would like to help you. However, we have nine hundred dollars debt still to pay on our farm. Dear brother, the other brothers and sisters are still alive and each one has their own troubles.

Each lives on his own farm except brother Friedrich who lives in the town in his own house that is also not yet debt free. His family has been often sick and from that they also have debts. Only brother Wilhelm is debt free but he must still work every day for his livelihood. He is also sickly. Brother Frank's wife has been laid up with arthritis for 8 years. For 4 years she has been unable to do her housework. She can not feed herself now. Brother Karl lives in Scott County about 20 English miles from here. The others are all here in Cape Country within 10 miles of each other. Sister Louise lives in the state of Illinois about 200 miles from here. She was here for one year visiting us and at that time they were well.

Dear brother, the times are still bad here, worse than they were earlier. The harvest was bad. French (white) corn did not ripen this year, although it is the best crop here. The wheat was passable but the potatoes were all rotten.
Please write once and tell us where our relatives in Germany are and if they are still living. Write soon again.

Many heartfelt greetings from me and my wife and children.

Your loving brother,

Jacob Brennecke

Address

Mr. Jacob Brennecke

Jackson, Cape Girardeau

County, State Missouri

North America

________________________________
[From AUGUST to JACOB]

Sieber July 11, 1883

Dear Brother,

Enclosed find the legal authorization for you showing that I am agreeable to the sale of the 320 acres which our father left us and in which I have a share. For the proxy I had to pay 27 Marks. I urgently beg you therefore not to permit this expense to be in vain, that the land be sold, and that my inheritance be sent this summer, perhaps in August.

I have great needs for the money for my children that they will be in position to attend the Teachers College. I have already so often pleaded about this, but always in vain. Now bring an end to this and delay no more. In my opinion, the legal proxy was absolutely unnecessary. We as brothers must have trust and I could have saved the 27 M.

However, since you didn't send the money and I was required to incur this expense, I beg you once again be sure to send my share within 6 weeks. The money is very much looked for by us because I am on a modest income and for the past 12 years had many visits to the doctor and the pharmacists. However, I don't want to write any more about it because I have so often done so. I send thereon, a belief that my plea is fulfilled.

We have had a cold spring. On Pentecost we still had much snow here on the mountains. About that time warm air and rain came and in 14 days everything was in magnificent bloom. Then we had another long period of (drought) so that the meadows were scorched and the summer fruit did not (develop). In many places in Germany there were again heavy downpours which ravaged town and countryside for the entire summer.

God protect you and us all from such misfortune and mercifully He also especially wants to take all of you my brothers and sisters with all your loved ones into His all powerful favor and deliver the otherwise sick relatives and friends from their lonely distress in His name.

My wife and both of my sons and I send you the best good wishes and greetings from the land that was your homeland. Cousin Heinrich Mallor in Greene [9km NW of Sebexen] is also dead. They all depart gradually, our loved ones, and we will soon follow them, since my time on earth is 58 years and for the last 20 years I have had much misery.

Once again with heartiest greetings to you, your dear wife, and children, also our love to all our other brothers, sisters, and brothers- and sisters-in-law and all.

Your own dear brother

Aug. Brennecke
___________________________________________
[From AUGUST to JACOB]
Sieber, August 29, 1883

Dear Brother:

Around Eastertime, you wrote that the 320 acres should now have been sold, and I should receive my share, only I should give one of the brothers a power of attorney, to say that I am in agreement with that. To this I answered, that a power of attorney should not be necessary among brothers, since it would be an expense and brothers wouldn't favor one above the other.

A short while after that, I went ahead anyway and had a power of attorney written up, for which I paid 27 marks and then another 4.70. When sending same to you, I asked you to go ahead with the sale and to send my share at that time, since I had big expenses for my two sons at the end of August.

To this day no money has arrived and I must continue to beg to send my share within 4 weeks. I will be very unhappy if I do not receive payment for a long time. It is, I fear, now time to be direct so that this doesn't happen. To that end I beg you again, dear Jacob, to take care of this at once.

I end this letter with best blessings from me and mine to you and your loved ones, and also to all our brothers, sisters and relatives. Your loving brother and brother-in-law.

A. Brennecke

(Original translation by Mrs. John Siemer, Jackson, MO., Summer 1974; revised by Marlene Brennecke, 1988. The original letter is the property of Herbert Schaper.)
______________________________________________

[From Karl Neumeyer to AUGUST]

Gordonville 5 June 1895

Dear brother-in-law August Brennecke,

I take the time and liberty on this occasion to write to you and inform you that I have received a letter from your sister Louise who is now in Eirike [Eureka] Spring, Kansas while a Bath Institute sustains her and her husband, H. Meyer, through a mild stroke. Something is paralyzed on the right side. His speech also has severe damage. They sought this remedy on the advice of the doctor. To that, God wants to give His blessing.

Since your sister Louise did not know your address, she sent the letter to me for forwarding to you.

Concerning us, we are (thank God) still thoroughly healthy. I am now 62 and my wife is 54 years old. We have eleven children, 6 boys and 5 girls. The youngest is 12 years old. Your other brothers and sisters are (so far as I know) still reasonably healthy.

I am sending you the letter from your sister Louise also.

To close, many greetings from us all.

Your brother-in-law,

Karl

Chas. Neumeyer

My address

Mr. Charles NeumeyerMr. Henry Meyer

GordonvilleHornsby

Cape Girardeau Co. MOMacoupin Co., Ill.

____________________________________________

[From Karl Neumeyer to AUGUST]

Gordonville Mo.

March 26, 1899

Dear Brother-in-law A. Brennecke,

I take up the pen to write a short note to you, and hope that you are in better health. Concerning us, we are, thank God, still fairly healthy.

A letter came to me from Heinrich Meyer (son of your sister Louise) sharing the sad news that his mother, your sister, died on February 10th. He is eager to know the birthplace of his mother.

I have spoken with your brother Wilhelm. He tells me that she was born in Wiershausen, district of Westerhof, kingdom of Hannover. I am reporting this because I do not know if the children can write German (they always write to me in English script) or if they have your address. So I am writing to you and if you have already received the news, these few lines should still be welcome.

As far as I know, your brothers and their families are still healthy. However, this winter much sickness and attacks of nerves have occurred. We have had a very cold and normal winter.

Now I would like you to please write to us as to whether your brothers Friedrich and Wilhelm and your sisters Louise and Karoline were born in Wiershausen or Sebexen because the elders are long since dead and we are eager for knowledge in this matter.

I am now 66 years old and my wife will be 58 years old on July 16th. We do not know how long we still have to live. Your sister Louise is freed from all earthly pain. She is now with her Savior. There she lives. My God prepare us, that in peace we can depart from here when necessary, to be with you, is my prayer.

I wanted to write sooner about the death of your sister; however, remembering that I wanted to send the death notice from the newspaper, it isn't until now that it arrived.

A son of your brother Wilhelm studies to be a minister. He was here for a visit at Christmas. He spoke German and, now and then, English here. One of my sons also studies to be a minister.

We also have a large family, namely eleven children, 6 sons and 5 daughters. Five of them are married.

Now to close, many greetings from me, my wife, and children.

Your brother-in-law

Karl Neumeyer

My address

Mr. Chas. Neumeyer

Gordonville

Cape Girardeau Co. ,Mo.

Please write again soon.

I have written your address as I have received it from your brother Jakob.
____________________________________________________
Following is a revision to the Translation of August Brennecke's Death Announcement:

"This evening at 7:30 my dear father, August Brennecke,

retired teacher, died at the age of 76 years, after much

suffering. On Monday the 28th of this month at 10 O'Clock

in the morning, the body will be transported from the place

of death, 7 Muenzstrasse, to the local train station. The

burial will be at 3:30 pm the same day from the depot at

Herzberg am Harz to the cemetery nearby.

Goslar, 25 October 1901

Tax Commissioner Justus Brennecke"

[Germans were quite title-conscious, and used titles along with names, even when it was not relevant.]

[Translation revised by Josef Rief, father-in-law of Norman Brennecke]
_____________________________________________
First Three Generations of
Heinrich August Julius Brennecke

1 Johann August Friedrich BRENNECKE
b: November 5, 1801 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany
d: October 8, 1856 in Zion United Methodist Ch. Gordonville MissouriAge at death: 54
Number of children: 11
Occupation: farm laborer and linen weaver
Special Comment: Emigrated to USA November 1844

+Engel Christine Wilhelmine EICKEMEIER
b: December 5, 1806 in Alshausen, Dukedom of Braunschweig, Germany
d: March 20, 1871 in Zion United Methodist Ch. Gordonville, MissouriAge at death: 64
m: July 12, 1829 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany
Number of children: 11

2 Heinrich August Julius BRENNECKE
b: September 26, 1825 in Sebexen, Hanover, Germany
d: October 25, 1901in Herzberg (died in Goslar) Age at death: 76
Number of children: 5

+Louise Wilhelmine Emilie Mathilde NIENSTAEDT
b: March 17, 1836
d: Bet. 1883 - 1901 Age at death: 47 est.
m: October 20, 1855 in WillensonNumber of children: 5

3 Ernst August BRENNECKE
b: October 21, 1856 in Willensen
d: November 3, 1856 in WillensenAge at death: 0

3 Johannes August BRENNECKE
b: September 11, 1857 in Willensen
d: September 23, 1857 in WillensenAge at death: 0

3 August Friedrich Wilhelm BRENNECKE
b: October 22, 1859 in Sieber
d: December 10, 1859 in SieberAge at death: 0

3 Karl Friedrich August Justus BRENNECKE
b: April 18, 1864 in Sieber
d: October 19, 1920in Peine Age at death: 56
Number of children: 5

+Minna Johanna Charlotte Marie KAUFMANN
b: November 2, 1873 in Herzberg
d: May 4, 1950 in PeineAge at death: 76
m: November 2, 1897 in HerzbergNumber of children: 5

4 Mathilde BRENNECKE
b: January 13, 1899 in Goslar
d: 1999Age at death: 100 est.
Residence: Peine

4 Hans BRENNECKE
b: June 16, 1901 in Goslar
d: 1952Age at death: 50 est.
Number of children: 2

+Elsbeth PLATE
b: February 12, 1909
m: January 16, 1932Number of children: 2

4 Richard BRENNECKE
b: January 28, 1903
d: August 14, 1959Age at death: 56
Number of children: 2
Occupation: Was a bank employee in Peine

+Anna SCHMIDT
b: April 17, 1910
m: May 31, 1934Number of children: 2

4 Otto BRENNECKE
b: January 16, 1907 in Goslar
d: March 14, 1960Age at death: 53

+Ria HEGMANN
m: 1933

4 Elisabeth Marie Emma Klara BRENNECKE
b: June 14, 1915
Number of children: 2
Residence: Peine

+Karl THEIS
b: August 22, 1907 in Gemunch, near Schleiden
d: February 21, 1945Age at death: 37
m: July 2, 1943Number of children: 2
Special comment: died in WWII

3 Carl Friedrich Wilhelm BRENNECKE
b: January 18, 1867 in Sieber
d: After 1883Age at death: 15 est.
Cause of death: tuberculosis

Brennecke Driving Tour

2009-01-19T06:41:00.004-06:00

BRENNECKE DRIVING TOUR

Click on the above map/image to enlarge it.
Click here to view of video of the driving tour as taken in 2006. The vidio is an hour and 17 minutes long.

1. Start at Zion United Methodist Church, the church that August and Wilhelmine Brennecke attended along with their family. August and Wilhelmine are buried in the church cemetery, as is their sons Henry, William, Franklin, and daughter Caroline. Also, many of their grandchildren and spouses are buried in Zion United Methodist Cemetery.

2. Driving, turn left on Z at the bottom of the church hill. At the stop sign turn right. Turn right on County Road 231. Drive approximately 1.1 miles to 1195 County Road 231. The first Liberty School and also a church were located here on the left.

3. At 1.3 miles is a dirt lane to the right. Karl & Caroline Brennecke (Chapter H) Neumeyer purchased this farm in 1870 from Frederick and Louisa Deneke. It is believed the house at that time was log. The current structure was built around the log house. Karl sold this farm in 1892. Now the property belongs to the heirs of Roy and Melba Deneke (Chapter H). Melba was a granddaughter of Caroline Brennecke Neumeyer.

4. At 1.5 miles is a blue house on the right. This was part of the William Brennecke (Chapter E) farm and is now owned by Ronald and Shirlene Deneke (Chapter H). Ronald is a great-grandson of Caroline Brennecke Neumeyer (Chapter H).

5. Continue on until you get to the second Liberty School on your left. On July 15, 1889, the directors of the Liberty School District (southwest of Gordonville) paid William Brennecke (Chapter E) $64 for an acre of land to build a new elementary school. This building was to replace the original 1852 Liberty "log" school building. The new Liberty School was operational from 1890 until 1944 (the last year there was a record of a teacher.) Later, it became a part of the Jackson School District. A great-granddaughter of August and Wilhelmine Brennecke, Doris Brennecke Davault (Chapter K), taught at the Liberty School one year, 1940-1941. Turn around at County Road 222 and start back toward Z.

6. On the right, just past the gate at 1921 County Road 231, is where the home of William Brennecke (Chapter E) was located. Missouri Brennecke Asling (Chapter E) and her husband Louis lived on the William Brennecke farm at one time also. She was a daughter of William Brennecke.

7. Backtrack and at Z turn right toward Gordonville. Drive approximately .6 mile to Ruby Lane. On the left as your drive by, you can observe the location of the farm that Karl and Caroline Neumeyer (Chapter H) moved to from the farm off County Road 231 in 1892.

8. Continue into Gordonville. At 943 Highway Z, a blue house on your right is the house in which Karl and Caroline Neumeyer (Chapter H) were living when they died in 1921. Driving, circle on S. Clark and South Bohnsack back to Z. Turn left on Z. Go back toward Zion UMC. Instead of turning left to go to the church, take State Highway OO to State Highway F. Turn right. Drive thru Tilsit. Continue on until County Road 335. Turn right again. The 1988 Brennecke Family book states that the Frank Brennecke (Chapter J) farm adjoined his father August Brennecke's farm, between Jackson and Tilsit.

9. At 4.9 miles from Z and OO (Zion UMC) is where Daniel Brennecke (Chapter J) lived. This land was a part of the Frank Brennecke (Chapter J) farm. Daniel was a son of Frank Brennecke. Another son, Benjamin Brennecke (Chapter J) lived near by until the 1960's. To get to the original Frank Brennecke (Chapter J) farm, turn off Road 335 onto Road 329. We are told it is not advisable to drive all the way down to the farm. Just drive to Dead End Road 326 and turn around and come back to Road 335 and turn right and continue driving a short distance to the next place.

10. At 5.1 miles from Zion UMC is where a sign reads "McCullough Butter Sweet Ridge." A portion of this property is where August & Wilhelmine Brennecke lived. Refer to page 18 on the August and Wilhelmine Brennecke home and land. That page also tells about Henry Brennecke's land (Chapter B).

11. Drive onto Highway 72, turn left, drive to Highway 34 and turn left again and drive .6 of a mile to see where the original entrance to the farm of Jacob Brennecke (Chapter K) once was There is no longer a lane going to the farm, but there is a row of trees and you can see where the lane used to be. The old Cane Creek School (which is no longer there), was just across Highway 34 from the lane. (After going to another home, we will come back and drive to where the house once stood.)

12. Drive on west to State Highway UU, a few miles north of Burfordville. The George Brennecke (Chapter I) farm was on Stroder Branch (about 1 1/2 miles from Highway 34) on State Highway UU. A great grandson, Carl Criddle (Chapter I), owns the farm now. He lives on the right side of the road and his mother still lives on the "Criddle) home place across the road on the left. A few yards down the hill on the left is where the original George Brennecke (Chapter I) home stood. There is a metal building where the cellar was located. On down the hill is a driveway to the left (with hay bales near by). Drive in there. To the right on the hill is a row of trees where the three-story basement type barn was located. For more information on the barn, refer to the history in Chapter I.

13. Go back to Highway 34 and turn left. Observe again the original entrance to the Jacob Brennecke (Chapter K) farm about .6 mile before reaching Highway 72 West. Turn left on Highway 72 and go to the entrance of Lakeview Acres (a subdivision) and turn left. This entire subdivision is the former Jacob Brennecke (Chapter K) farm. It lies between Highways 72 and 34. Drive to the end of the subdivision and on the left is a beautiful brick home on the site of the original home of the Jacob Brennecke family.

This is the end of the driving tour. Go back to the entrance of Lakeview Acres subdivision and turn right to go to Jackson or Cape Girardeau.

DIRECTIONS TO AUGUST BRENNECKE FARM BY WAY OF JACKSON, MO

Drive 2.2 miles on Highway 72 West from the intersection of Highways 24, 61, 34, and 72; then turn left on County Road 335 and drive 1.75 miles. When you see the sign at the left that read "McCullough Butter Sweet Ridge" you know you are there. The sign also has a "walking horse" on it. The August Brennecke home was located about one-fourth mile down the gravel road on a long ridge. All that remains to mark the place is a sunken spot where the old stone-walled cistern was. There is also a small pond which Jacob "Jake" Brennecke (Chapter K) was a "Buffalo wallow."

LOCATIONS OF HOMESTEADS OF OTHER CHILDREN
OF AUGUST & WILHELMINE BRENNECKE

The homestead of August and Wilhelmine Brennecke and their children, Henry Brennecke (Chapter B), William Brennecke (Chapter E), Caroline Brennecke Neumeyer (Chapter H), George Brennecke (Chapter I), Frank Brennecke (Chapter J), and Jacob Brennecke (Chapter K) can all be seen on the driving tour.

You may also visit the homesteads of their other children. More information on August Brennecke (Chapter A) in Germany may be found in Chapter A or within the article entitled "Research in Germany (Page 84.) The location of the homestead of Fred Brennecke (Chapter D) was on Bellevue Street, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, at the present site of the post office. The location of the homestead of Louisa Brennecke Meyer (Chapter F) must have been near Hornsby, Illinois, as they are buried in Kinder Cemetery there. Maybe one of their descendants one day will help us determine the location of their homestead.

Charles Brennecke (Chapter G) owned a farm just north of Kelso, Scott County, Missouri. Travel south on Highway 55 from the Jackson/Cape Girardeau exit approximately 15 to 20 minutes to the Scott City exit. Follow the signs toward Kelso, which will put you on U.S. Highway 61. U. S. Highway 61 now splits the farm into two parts. Highway 61 was built in the 1920's or 30's. The Charles Brennecke homestead stood on what is now 668 N. Messmer. Messmer used to be the old Kingshighway/Highway 29. Turn left onto Messmer near the KC Hall. The property is located on the left side of the road at 668 N. Messmer. The Charles Brennecke barn was still standing in 1975, but the large two-story house burned in 1925. Not long after 1975, the barn was taken down. A modern house now sits directly behind where the old house used to sit. If you look carefully at the lawn in front of the house, you can see an indentation where the old house stood. There is also a small mound where the old well was filled in and closed up. You can get a good image of the size of the land by standing in front of this house and looking out to the other side of Highway 61, and then to the left where the gravesite stands, and then to the right where the KC Halls stands. It is known that all of this land, and maybe more, was part of the Brennecke Farm.

An alternate route to the homestead is to travel down U.S. Highway 61 a bit further until you see the city limit sign. Shortly before the city limit sign, turn left and travel one block to Messmer. Turn left onto Messmer and the house will be on the right side. Also, if you turn right onto Messmer and travel a short distance you will see a cemetery on the left side of the road in which the family of Heinrich Peetz, friends of Charles Brennecke, are buried.

To travel to the gravesites of Charles and Caroline Brennecke (Chapter G), go to the city limit sign on U.S. Highway 61. Directly past the sign you will see a new subdivision on the right side of the road. Turn right into the subdivision and then take the first left. The address of the house is 141 W. Honeysuckle, on the corner of Honeysuckle and Tulip. More information and photos can be seen under Chapter G.

Genealogy Bank

2007-04-24T07:32:00.000-05:00

Genealogy Bank is said to have some new passenger lists online. I had never been to this place before, so I went to check it out. Just type in "Brennecke" and hit enter.

I found some interesting things, but I am not sure it is worthy the payment to get the records (566 records). I did not spend enough time analyzing what is there. It costs $19.95 per month. One month may be enough to grab everything in every surname a person might find.

I found the newspaper articles to be the most interesting. They give a little view of a snippet of the article.

What does everyone think? Anything we need to go after?

Prayer Request

2007-04-15T20:57:00.000-05:00

Our fellow Brennecke genealogist and friend, Bob Brenneke, is in need of prayer as he struggles with cancer. Bob has been continuing the research of his Brenneke (without a "c") line for the past 22 years.

You can find his line in Cluster 4 (updated today). The research of this line was started by A.M. (Gus) Brennecke. Gus and Herb Schaper (who began the research for Cluster 1) communicated in the 1970's.

The connection between the two lines was reopened when Bob found our line (cluster 1) on the internet in 2003 in hopes of possibly someday making a bigger connection with other Brenneckes.

I wish that I was a bit older myself when I met Bob online so that I would have had more free time to be able to work towards finding that connection. Time sure does get away from us as it is already 2007 and I have hardly even touched the stacks of information I have in my possession. If only I had, maybe a connection could have already been found. It saddens me and maybe there is some lesson to be learned about our lives and time in all of this.

I did dig out my older binders and the dust went flying today.

If there are any Brennecke researchers who would like to take the time now, before too much more time passes, to look into his line for Bob, it would touch his heart (and mine).

I note from his photo that Bob was in World War II. I thank him and God for his service to our country. Having recently lost my own Grandpa in February who was also in the war, this is even touching my heart more. There is nothing quite like the memory of soldier after soldier walking by my Grandpa's casket saluting him. I salute Bob.

Here is a photo of Bob with his girls. Certainly, we pray for them as well as they go through this difficult time. We ask God to give them peace. We ask God to enable boundless quality time together that will remain as memories forever.

What is RSS?

2007-04-15T11:15:00.000-05:00

I love RSS feeds! If you haven't gotten hooked on them, you need to!

What is RSS? How do I use it? This is so new to so many of us!

RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication

How simple is it, really? Well, once you get the hang of it, it is easy.

The quick basics: Once you put the "url" to a site into a "feeder," you can view the feeder to quickly see all new posts at all the various sites all handy in one place. It is a one stop place to be informed of new posts.

URL

Although not necessary as most readers will find the URL for you, it is helpful to learn how to get the "url." You will see them everywhere once you become aware of them.

Most of them look similar to this little box.

To get the url, simply (yes, simply!) right click with your mouse and choose "copy shortcut" and it will put the url into your clipboard. Then simply (yes, simply!) paste [control v] the url into the feeder you have chosen.

Just store that knowledge in the back of your head for now as most readers find the URL for you and each feeder has different methods of installing the url's into their feeders, so you will need to read their instructions.

Sometimes you will see icons that will directly add to a specific feeder. In that case, you can simply (yes, simply!) click on the button. This is the button that Feedburner uses.

FEEDER

Next, you need to choose a feeder that you want to utilize. You may need to test out several of them before you choose one as your own.

There are MANY feeders available for your to use. Here is list of them. Or try these listings. Here is a list of some of them. Here is another list of them.

I prefer to use Bloglines, which I find easy to use and easy to read. You can add a button to your favorite links for ease in adding feeds to your account. It's so easy to just click on that when I want to add a feed. Unsubscribing from a feeds or editing it is so easy too. I love how it is so much faster than reading e-mails as you do not have to delete anything. Once you read the feed, it recognizes it. Only non-read feeds are in bold. However, if you want to go back and re-read, you can still do so.

There are several other popular readers, one of which includes Google Reader. I have read that it has more capabilities than Bloglines and that people are preferring it.

The new Internet Explorer 7 has a feature for feeds. You will see the icon in the tool bar at the top of the browser. You can add feeds and read feeds right from your browswer.

To back up your feeds in IE7, click on the icon with the plus sign in front of the star and choose "import and export."

What I love about the new IE7 is the feed icon that changes from grey to orange whenever it recognizes that a site has a feed. I'm getting in the habit of watching it. When I see it turn orange, I know that the site contains an RSS (but then I sub to my Bloglines).

Feedblitz is another popular one because it sends an e-mail when new posts are made, rather than having to log into a feeder. Other readers have this capability as well, such as Bloglines.

Website Gedcom Test

2007-04-12T22:22:00.000-05:00

I am currently testing a software that will generate HTML pages with a GEDCOM. I am excited about the possibilities. This will allow me to quickly and easily put information on the website without having to format the pages myself.

In addition, it is clickable!

I have just uploaded a test page for Cluster 1 (Jackson, Missouri). Please play with it and let me know what you think by leaving a comment below. Now is the time to get familiar with how the commenting works on our new blog!

When reading the information, the oldest generation is to the right, which seems a little backwards at first until you get used to it.

Click Here to View Test

Welcome to the new Brennecke Genealogy Blog!

2007-04-12T09:02:00.000-05:00

I would like to welcome you to the new Brennecke Genealogy Blog where we, as Brenneckes, can interact.

Please stay tuned as I set this place up!

While you wait, take a moment to leave a comment for others to read. Click on the link below for "comment." There is no need to have an account. Just choose "other" or "anonymous."