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Joseph Ernewein and Catherine Ott in Alsace, some NEW INFO

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Joseph Ernewein and Catherine Ott in Alsace, some NEW INFO

Posted: 10 Sep 2005 3:17PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Ernewein, Ott, Anstett, and Roethel
I think I have made a significant find in the Ernewein trails.

As many of us here know Sebastien and Joseph H Ernewein were twin sons born to Catharine Ott in 1835

However, it would appear that these boys were a) not born in Soufflenheim and b) were not born in wedlock.

Here's the evidence I have uncovered.

1) The 1836 census of Bas-Rhin

Joseph Ernewein ca 1801 was in Soufflenheim during the census listed as single with no children and living with a brother Philip and parents Laurent and Catherine (Fritmann)

Joseph who immigrated to Canada with Catherine and the twins had a brother Modes. That individual is also placed in Soufflenheim but married and with children. Modes's marriage record confirms these same parents Laurent and Catherine which agrees with the oral records we have.

There was also at least one Philip who later came to Canada and I believe he is the brother of both Joseph and Modes.

So, we can conclude that this Joseph is the brother of Modes and the man we all know to have come to Canada (and find a few more generations of Ernewein in Alsace)

No (stay with me) there is no record of twin boys born in Soufflenheim in 1835 to Catherine (ott) and Joseph. THere is however a birth in 1837 and a subsequent infant death, so we can indeed place this coupel in Soufflenheim.

Enter the name Catherin Ott in the census of 1835 and guess what? You have a single Catherine Ott living in HATTEN Bas-Rhin about 5 miles from Soufflenheim, she lives with her sister and brother in law (who like Joseph Ernewein was a weaver) and she has TWIN SONS named Joseph and Sebastien who are born in 1835. Hatten is the first town north of Soufflenheim on the old road so it is not a stretch that they met up there.

Now Hatten is also about a stone's throw from Soult Sous Forets the home of Theresa (Roethel) Anstett and as you trace the Anstett lines back you come across the name again OTT!

It would appear that a) Sebastien (my GG grandfather) and Joseph were not born in wedlock. Given Joseph 1801 has an uncle Sebastien, it could be that the boys are still his blood children but prior to marriage. SInce they evidently did marry sometime before 1837 (see Soufflenheim death of infant child) it can be assumed that this couple is in fact our ancestors. Quite a lot of stuff huh?

Fascinating too, one very good reason for leaving Alsace despite Joseph holding a trade? His illegitimate sons may not have been able to work in a trade in Alsace. The opportunity in Canada and the U.S. certainly proved a better move for this family.

now, there is a heck of a lot to still research and with runniny my business I don't have a lot of time on my hands so if there are any volunteers to do some research I can point you in a further direction.

Phil Hauser.

P.S. one of Sebastien's decendant families is situated in New Orleans, They are fine but it does sound like they have sustained major damage. Ed who has written here before, if you are reading this, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

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