Hi,

I am interested in communicating with anyone who might have information on the Bernhardts who emigrated from Wurttemberg, Germany, to Indiana (Lafayette and Indianapolis) in the mid-1800s.
My gggrandfather was Frank Bernhardt/Barnhardt, born 1823 in Wurttemberg, died Mar 25, 1873 in Lafayette, Indiana. He married Barbara (1830-1912, born in Bavaria/Germany).
I do not know when they immigrated to the US, if Frank and Barbara married before or after they came to the US, and I do not know Barbara’s maiden name. Living with them in 1870 was Fredrick Hoffman (b 1814 Bavaria) and with Barbara in 1880 Eva Hoffman, widow, born 1808 Germany, identified as aunt to Barbara. So, Barbara’s maiden name _could_ have been Hoffman. Or not.
Frank and Barbara had six children, five of whom left records. The parents and these children show up in the Lafayette, Indiana census, city directory, and draft registrations through the later 1800s. The parents run a boardinghouse/hotel and the boys work for the railroad and run the hotel/saloon. They are all buried in Spring Vale Cemetery, in Lafayette, Indiana.
Frederick J Bernhardt/Barnhardt 1857 – 1898; m. Louisa C Western Fred’s census entries say he was born in Indiana, but notes with his burial say he was a “native of Germany.”
Charles Bernhardt/Barnhardt 1859 – 1881
John Bernhardt 1860 – 1922; m. Clara Maria Weiss (1859-1910)
Frank J Bernhardt/Barnhardt 1863 – 1906; m. Johnanna Yeager (1867-1922)
Joe Barnhardt 1871-1871

IN THE MEANTIME, there is a John Bernhardt/Bernhart (born Nov 1, 1825, same generation as Frank, d. 1903 in Indianapolis), who immigrated to Indiana from Wurttemberg in 1854. He married Eva Eck (b. 1841 in Germany -1915) in 1861 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and had a bunch of kids, including a John and a Frank Joseph. John and Eva seem to stay in Indianapolis, and are buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. John is a gardener. Their kids are:
John Bernhardt 1862 – 1932
Frank Joseph Bernhardt 1864 – 1938
Christina Bernhardt 1866 –
Margret Bernhardt 1868 – 1944
Samuel James Bernhardt 1870 – 1952
Mary Marie Bernhardt 1872 – 1932
Wilhemina Minnie Bernhardt 1874 – 1945
William Bernhardt 1876 – 1946
George Bernhardt 1878 – 1900
Nettie Caroline Bernhardt 1879 –
Louis Bernhardt 1884 – 1952
Lony Bernhardt 1887 –

It seems very likely to me that John and Frank were related to one another, and possibly came to America together. They show up at the same time, come from the same place, and settle in the same state, in cities about 50 miles apart. So, I am looking for information on either of the families, and if you have anything to share, I’d be grateful.
Thanks,
Deb Bernhardt