I am a descendant of Abel Menz born Albrecht Bie Suhl, Thuringen, Prussia in either 1835 or 1836. He immigrated to Australia in the late 1840s if the information I have gained is correct. I will have his naturalisation certificate soon and hope it has this information on it so I can confirm some other details.
I believe he is the brother of Johanne Menz who married Magdalena Lass, both of whom arrived in Australia on the Steinwaerder in 1849. These are the Menz biscuit company Menz. I have also been told there was another brother but have not been able to link anyone with Johanne or Abel as of yet.
Abel's parents were Johannes Menz and Elizabeth Hessel Menz. There is some confusion on whether Hessel is her maiden name or not.
Abel married Elizabeth Beutt in 1856, and had 11 children, nine of whom survived. Elizabeth died in 1893. Abel then remarried, to Amalie Frankenstein in 1896.
Abels son William bn 1863 married Heneretta Elizabeth Rossi in 1886. They had 7 children before her death in 1902. William then remarried Grace Benning Millar, and had another 5 children.
Abel and Henerettas son William Alexander Rudolph Menz is my great grandfather, his son William Kevin Menz is my Grandfather and his son Michael John Menz is my father.
I have details of children and marriages of most children in all generations down from Abel and am more than willing to pass this info on.
I am hoping to locate someone who is researching Johannes and Elizabeth Hessel in Suhl or can at least point me in a direction to go to find Abel's birth cert, or details of his parents. I have hit a serious roadblock, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in Advance
Karenne Menz