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Palatine German (Pfälzisch/Pälzisch or Pfaelzisch/Paelzisch) language question

Palatine German (Pfälzisch/Pälzisch or Pfaelzisch/Paelzisch) language question

Posted: 12 Jun 2010 2:36AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Benmark, Wilfong, Wildfong
This is a question that someone knowledgeable in Palatine German (Pfälzisch/Pälzisch or Pfaelzisch/Paelzisch) language may be able to answer. First a little background to why I am asking the question.

My wife's 2nd great grandfather was known as Charles Benmark. He and Martha Wilfong (Wildfong) had a son named Albert Benmark who was born in North Easthope, Perth, Ontario. In the 1851 Canadian census Martha's family's religion was listed as Dunkers.

According to census and marriage records Charles Benmark was Scottish. Benmark is not a known Scottish surname nor does not appear to be a German surname. According to family lore Charles was a wanted man amnd changed his name. Also the same lore states Albert Benmark spoke fluent german. (I am guessing he learned it from his mother and her family.)

My theory is that Charles was involved in the Canadian Rebellions of 1837-38 (known as the Great Patriot War in U. S.) According to the histories of that war many of the participants in Canada were Scottish. The rebellions were ruthlessly put down by the British and there were many deportations of participants to the island of Tasmania.

If correct then it is possible Charles went into hiding, lived amongst the Brethren and adopted a surname based on a word in the Palatine German (Pfälzisch/Pälzisch or Pfaelzisch/Paelzisch) that was spoken by the Brethren. Also it is possible this is a variation of his original surname (i.e. the German Mey surname became May in the U. S. etc.)

My question is: Does the word Benmark appear in Palatine German (Pfälzisch/Pälzisch or Pfaelzisch/Paelzisch) and, if it does appear, what is it's translation/meaning?

Thanks,
Larry Isberg
isberg48@yahoo.com

Re: Palatine German (Pfälzisch/Pälzisch or Pfaelzisch/Paelzisch) language question

Posted: 1 Jun 2013 10:49PM GMT
Classification: Query
don't know if you have gotten an answer but if you try the german mailing lists for Pfalz - on rootsweb, look at mailing lists, the folks are usually very helpful from Germany and those in the US who have been educated or lived there.s
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