Mr. Arnulf Ruffmann's son Burkhard Taggart gave me some information regarding a possible link with my family tree from Eastern Prussia-Lithuania. We do not know anything further back than below.

We know that our great grandfather "Johann Heinrich Ruffman" came from Memmel to England in the late 19th century following his pit prop business. He married Mary Anne Louisa Bourne in Newcastle upon Tyne, England and had two sons "Herman Heinrich Ruffmann" and "Louis Charles Ruffmann". Johann Heinrich Ruffmann died in the Newcastle upon Tyne area on June 8, 1902. Both the sons changed their names during the first World War. "Herman Heinrich Ruffmann" took his mother's surname and became "Henry Bourne" and my grandfather "Louis Charles Ruffmann" just removed one letter and became "Louis C. Ruffman". Louis Charles Ruffman married my grandmother "Gertrude"("Gertie") and the had four children Alan, Edward(Ted), Kenneth(Ken) and Patricia(Pat). My cousin Kenneth Charles Ruffman went to Canada in ca. 1934 to attend university and settled in Canada.

Henry Bourne(ex Herman Heinrich Ruffmann) was born in the Newcastle upon Tyne area on February 16, 1879 and my grandfather Louis was born on March 30, 1880.

Is the name "Johann Heinrich Ruffmann" from Memmel (Klapedia) in ca. 1878 enough to let you fit us into the Ruffman/Ruffmann from the Eastern Prussia-Lithuania area?

"Burkhard Taggart" contacted us. I am not sure how it is that Burkhard has a surname different other than "Ruffmann"? I have presumed that that "Taggart" may be his mother's family name? Burkhard's brother I gather also lives in Overath-Vilkrath - is he a Ruffmann, or a Taggart?

Other areas mentioned are Marktheidenfeld, to the east-southeast of Frankfurt am Main. Im not sure if that is correct. I cannot find the town of "Overath-Vilkerath" on a map of Germany - using Google Map. Should I be looking for a somewhat different name? I do find an Overath about 40 km to the southeast of Dusseldorf. Not sure if that is it.

Other names mentioned Heinrich August Ruffman of Memmel and Joachim Ruffmann from Pillau? Heinrich Gustav Ruffmann ?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Alastair Ruffman

Hi Alastair,

the town overath you found with google map is right. One part of Overath is Vilkrath. Here you can find some info's in english about the small town which is first mentioned in 1060:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overath



and with http://www.dastelefonbuch.de/ you can find 2 Ruffmann's living in Overath. Open the page and type WER/WAS: "ruffmann" WO: "overath" and you will find them in
51491 Overath.

Regards from Germany,
Martin

Hi Alastair

the former german name was spelled Memel, not Memmel

Can you explain to me, what a pit prop business is. In an Memel inhabitants directory from 1858 I found an J.H. Ruffmann, who was a Böttchermeister (tubbermaster/maker) and an H. Ruffmann, same profession

Klaus

Does that profession mean Barrel Maker in English. I am unable to understand Böttchermeister (tubbermaster/maker). What is that?

I have recently purchased a 1917 Envelope With Ruffman & Co / Memel brinted in bold print on the top. It was apparently from Berlin to Copenhagen but I do not understand the Memel link. Various other Ruffmann families have links to Prussia.

A pit prop business I believe is the manufacture of the post that make the tunnel in a coal mine. When HH Ruffmann moved to the UK he is listed as a coal exporter.

Can you tell from the records yu have whether the HH Ruffman is the same person as H Ruffmann or different. I am trying to see if there is a link between Hermann Heinrich Ruffmann and a Johann Friedrich Ruffmann but so far I am having trouble . Thanks for your help. Can you send me the document you have found ? justbinit@hotmail.com.

I also found a family coat of arms that suggest Prussia as a starting point in the mid 1700's

Thanks for your message
Alastair

For your info but I cannot speak German so not sure of the meaning yet.

Thank you Martin - I am now in touch with a Ruffmann in Overath.
Regards
Alastair

The envelope from possibly Berlin to Copenhagen attached. I am not sure where the Ruffmann & Co Memel comes in if the postage is from Berlin although Ruffmann & Co possibly had more than one office ? I am not sure.

yes, it means barrelmaker

here is the homepage, i found the information
http://www.bork-on-line.de/Memel/de-index.htm

look at adressbuchsammlung 1858-1942

sorry for answering late.I had a computerproblem

Klaus

Hello Alastair,

The letter is from MEMEL and not BERLIN.

Please see this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaip%C4%97da

Kind regards,

Georg

Thanks you Georg.
I have purchased the envelope and it has now arrived. I would agree with you. I cannot see a Berlin stamp on it anywhere so looks like Memel is the next step. I have found a Max Ruffmann in a Memel directory approx 1916 so that could have been the source. My relatives had already left Germany, Prussia, Lithuania by that date for London UK so I am trying to get back to see who the parents were and where they came from.
Thanks again.
Alastair