I have finally made a breakthrough in my HAACK family research, and as is always the case, breaking down one brick wall creates at least 2 more. But these are good problems to have. With a lot of help from kind cousins and neighbors of the family in the old country, I have found a document made presumably from church records by what seems is a professional genealogist in 1935. It outlines my line from my George Jacob HAACK back a few more generations. If anyone thinks anything or place looks familiar, please contact me.

Georg Jacob Haack:
b. 03 Feb 1839 Westerdeichstrich
m. 29 Mar 1863 Wesselburen, to Wiebke Dorothea Harder
d. 21 Aug 1884 Bruhnsdorf
bur. 24 Aug 1884 Westerdeichstrich

Claus Johann HAACK
b. 22 May 1802 Hedwigenkoog
m. 26 Apr 1829 Buesum, to Elsabe Katharina Krage/Kraage
d. 16 May 1848 Westerdeichstrich
bur. May 1848 Buesum

Johann HAACK
b./bap. 19 Nov 1760, "of" Hedwigenkoog
m. 1790 Wesselburen, Wiebke Classen
d./bur. 25 Nov 1841 Hedwigenkoog

Johann HAACK
b./bap. 20 May 1723, "of" Hedwigenkoog
m. Margaret Mars
d. 28 Jan 1788 "of" Hedwigenkoog

Nickels HAACK (that's what it looks like to me)
b. circa 1695 "of" Hedwigenkoog
m. circa 1720 Antje Thomis
d. Aft. 1720

For the documents themselves, please see my website:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gbonner/
(choose "surname", then click on 'HAACK' from the list)

My grandfather was Heinrich Haack who married Margaretha Hagelstein. She was from an island called Fehmarn on the Baltic. She immigrated to the u.s. in 1903. Which is part of the Schleswig-Holstein area. It is an island which is now connected by bridge to Germany proper and was considered part of Prussia. I too am searching for my Grandfather's roots. I have been told that he came from an area called Heil which is supposedly in that same area. He married my grandmother in Wisconsin, and was sponsored by the Hebrew Society for his journey to America. However, we were never raised in the Jewish religion. I have only one remaining Aunt who is now 84 and when I tried to discuss this with her she told me that,,,as a family thing it was neer discussed to be quiet about it because it was a secret that we were Jewish. I don't quite understand because I can trace my grandmothers line back to 1357 on the island of Fehmarn and to this day all the churches on the island are Lutheran. Although there was persecution of the Jewish even when my grandmother came here I still don't quite understand how they could give up their faith that they grew up with. I don't know if this will be of any help to you but I wish you success. Please let me know....we may be related as some distant cousin. Pat

Hello I am searching for my German grandfather (Heinrich) Gerhard Haack.
Who was during the war 40/45 in Holland.
He was at the Luftwaffe 19.Flak brigade?

Can you help me for my search?
Thanks Yvonne Woltjer
(The Netherlands)

Hello,

I also have a grandfather (Heinrich) Gerhard Haack, but I don't knew him at all.
He was during the war of 40/45 in Holland.
At some time in 1944 he must been in Holland because my father was born at 18 march 1945.
His year of birth must be 1924, because I have been told he was the same age like my grandmother.
Can you help me please, I am searching for my grandfather, but it is very difficult to find him.
greetings
Yvonne Woltjer
The Netherlands

Hi Yvonne:

I am not sure how much help I can be. I have been pretty unsucessful thus far in trying to trace my Grandfather. My grandfather was Heinrich Haack, born in Germany but way before your grandfather was born. He came to the United States before WWI. There are some Haacks that came into Canada during WWII and then migrated down into the United States, in both Wisconsin and into Iowa. My grandfather was in his 80's when he died. I was but 5 years old so it would have been about 1955 when he died. My grandmother was Johanna Hagelstein born in 1891 in Lemkenhafen Fehmarn.

I can trace her family back over 700 years. I do know that my grandfather supposedly came from Heil Germany. He also had children from a previous marriage when my grandmother married him. All of his children were in the United States and some may have fought in WWII but as Americans. A cousin perhaps or perhaps a nephew. It was common during those times to name a child after your brother or cousin. I am afraid that is all I really know. I only have one Aunt remaining on that side and she is in her late 80's.
She lives about 1200 miles away from me. We do talk on the phone about once a month, so I will ask her if she might know something. I would like to ask if you might know what religion your grandfather was. It is important to me to know my heritage as I am sure it is for you. And I have some very mixed signals from all quarters on this. If you would like to email me directly that would be ok. If not I will understand. I sincerely hope you find what you are looking for.

Patricia, California

Hello Patricia,

Sure I want to email you, but I can't find a email adress of you here.

Thanks for replying me, yes for me it is important to find my grandfather and maybe his family.
My father died, my grandmother died, so there are not many people to ask.
But any way my father was never told who his father was.
My grandmother kept it a secret whole her life.
So the only thing I know is his name, and I just received a photo of my grandfather last week.
My brother has it, but we haven't had contact for so many years, but he was so nice to give me a copy of my grandfathers picture.

My grandfather was a german soldier during the second world war, and in 1944 he must have been in Holland, because my father was born in 1945!
I am at many worldwar 2 forums, and by placing his picture there they can tell my he was at the Luftwaffe 19th FlakBrigade.

I hope you found all the answers too, just like me.
It would be nice mailing to you, I shall give my emailadress to you, so you can mail me first.

jtj.huisman@quicknet.nl

Thanks again, and hope to hear from you.
greetings
Yvonne