My great-grandfather Benedict Fernekees was born on Jan. 19. 1831, in Hochspeyer, which is 20 km southwest of Wattenheim, and 53 km northwest of Germersheim.

Benedict's parents were Johannes Wilhelm Fernekees and Eva Schwartz. They were married in Hochspeyer on May 6, 1828.

Benedict's siblings include: Franz (b. 1829), Heinrich (b. 1834), Barbara (b. 1835), Heinrich (b. 1837), Martin (b. 1840) and Margaret (b. 1842).