I started my search for my Prussian ancestors in 1998. Since then, I
have uncovered a fair amount of information. Could anyone help
me with leads to move my search forward.
I'd like to eventually find the exact area of Prussia where my
great-grandfather and his wife were from. I'd especially like dates of
birth for my gr-grandfather Jacob TEWS and his parents, and any
information on his parents.
Here's the information I have:
Jacob J. TEWS (my maternal gr-grandfather)
Year of birth: 1865
Jacob's occupation: carpenter
Place of birth: Pomerania, Prussia
Parents: Carl TEWS and Wilhelmina (BARS) TEWS
Jacob's first wife: Anna (LANG) TEWS dob Apr. 4, 1869
Jacob's and Anna's daughter: Lydia Algrepina TEWS, dob Nov. 22, 1890
Jacob and Anna's sons: Samuel: (dob?) Arthur (dob 1898 Detroit)
Left Prussia for US (Detroit, MI): between 1891 -1893
Religion: attended both Free Methodist and German Second Baptist
Churches in US
I understand that the TEWS name has its origins in the Netherlands among
Mennonites, some of whom settled in Prussia in the
1600s.
1.What about the surname BARS? Where does this name originate?
2. As I understand it, my great grandparents were not Mennonites, nor
Catholic. I am not sure what relationship they might have had to the
Lutheran religion while in Prussia.
3. What was the religious makeup of Pomerania in the 19th Century?
4. Were there any particular areas of Pomerania where particular
religions concentrated?
5. Were the TEWS or BARS known practise any particular religion, as far
as you know?
6. Were there any Baptist or Methodist churches in Pomerania or any
other part of Prussia in the 19th Century?
7. Does anyone have any connection to the people have have mentioned?
I thank you for any help you might give me.
Beth Allen
Toronto, Ontario