Monday, May 6, 2024

Valentin (Valentine) Mensch


Valentin Mensch and his wife were the first generation of the Mensch line to arrive in the United States. His marriage record is also the oldest (currently) confirmed Mensch record from Europe. Valentin was born about 1782,1 presumably in the town of Neunkirchen or the rural Faulenberg property in the Saar region of what is now modern Germany.

During Valentin’s youth and young manhood, Neunkirchen changed hands politically several times. When he was born, Valentine’s home lay on the border between the Duchy of Zwelbrücken and Nassau-Saarbrücken. In 1793, the French expelled these regional rulers. In 1798, the area was annexed into the First French Empire under Napoleon as part of the larger département Sarre. When Napoleon was defeated at Leipzig in 1814, most of the Sarre became part of Prussia, although some areas were assigned to the Duchy of Oldenburg and Bavaria.

Neunkirchen did not escape the direct effects of the wars that followed the French Revolution. On September 12, 1793, a battle occurred between Austrian-Prussian troops and the revolutionary forces in the forest of Neunkirchen. Other battles were fought in the region through 1793 and 1794. Both fighting and troop movements affected villages and towns, including Spiesen, the municipality that included the Faulenberg. People stayed in their homes as much as possible and did not venture away from their villages.2 The war and political upheavals must have made a stressful climate in which the young man grew to maturity.

Margaretha Walzer Mensch

Despite the stresses, on November 26, 1806, Valentin married Margaretha (Margaret) Walzer in Neunkirchen.3 Margaretha was born on May 21, 1787,4 probably in nearby Waldmohr.5 Together Valentin and Margaretha had at least 11 children. It appears that Margaretha was a Roman Catholic, while Valentin was a Protestant, and they made an unusual compromise about the religions of their children. All their daughters were baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, but there are no corresponding baptismal records for the sons. Later records show that at least two of the sons (Valentin, Jr. and William) were Lutherans.6 Another son (Philip) may have been baptized a Roman Catholic as an adult.7,[1]

Valentine’s and Margaretha’s children were as follows:

Georg Valentin (Valentine, Jr.) Mensch was born on January 6, 1807, in Neunkirchen8 and died on March 17, 1850, in Buffalo, Erie County, New York9 at age 43 or 44. He married Catharina (Catherine) Stutzman on August 18, 1831, in Neunkirchen.10 Catharina was born in Ottweiler, Saarland on March 28, 1816,11 and christened there on March 31, 1816.12 She died in Buffalo about 1879.12 Valentine and Catharina had seven children: Frederick, Johann Christian (John), Amalia, Catharine, Valentin, William, and Carl (Charles).

Frederick Mensch1 was born on December 20, 1808, in Neunkirchen13 and died on April 9, 1851 in Erie County, New York.14,15 In Buffalo, Frederick worked as a blacksmith. He married Catherine Dentlinger,16 daughter of Jacob Dentlinger16 and Catharina Philipps,16 in Buffalo on October 13, 1839.16 Catherine was born about 1808 in Germany.17 They had six children: Catherine, Margaret, Christian, Frederick, Mary, and Elizabeth.

Philip Mensch1 was born about 1809 in “Bavaria,”18 although records of his birth date vary considerably. The 1809 birth year comes from the passenger record of the Mensch family’s arrival in New York.1 The civil registration record from Neunkirchen shows a Phlp. Thibo Mensch born or registered on 23 Mai 1810 (May 23, 1810). However, along with Valentin Senior's known children (for whom the birth years correspond to passenger records), other Menches are registered. Philip’s age stated in his will suggests that he was born in 1807.15 Thus, it is unclear whether the “Phlp. Thibo” in the civil register is Valentin Senior’s son. Philip served in the 100th N.Y. Infantry during the Civil War.19 He wrote his will anticipating that he might not survive. The will, dated 1862, began: “…now aged fifty-five Years, being of sound mind and memory, but having enlisted in the New York State Volunteers, in abating the Existing rebellion, and not knowing how long my life may be spared…”15 His life was not spared for long. He died on October 7, 1863, in a U.S. Army hospital in New York City, New York.15, 19 Philip married Franciska15 (Frances),17 whose surname is not currently known. They had at least three children: Sarah, Louis, and Christine. A male child under 5 years old, who is listed in the 1840 census as part of Philip’s family, may have died before the 1850 census.17

Margaretha Elizabeth Mensch1 was born on March 23, 1812, in Neunkirchen.20 She was baptized on March 27, 1812, in Neunkirchen, Ottweiler,[2] Rheinland, Prussia.21 Although her baptismal record lists her birthday as March 26, the civil record shows a Margaretha Mensch born or registered on March 23. Margaretha died in Buffalo, New York on January 2, 1896,22, 23 at the age of 83. She was buried in the United German and French Cemetery in Cheektowaga, Erie County, New York.22 On August 19, 1841, Margaretha married Frederich William (William) Brandt in Erie County, New York.24 William was born about 1806 in Prussia30 and probably died on November 10, 1878.25 A Frederich W. Brandt, who died on this date and was born in February 1806, is buried in the United German and French Cemetery in Cheektowaga, but his grave does not appear to be associated with Margaretha’s. The Brandts had two children, Frederick William (William) and Mary.

Wilhelmina Margaretha Mensch26 was born on November 15 or 16, 1814, in Neunkirchen.26,27 She was christened on November 17, 1814, in Neunkirchen, Ottweiler.26 She might have died young because she was not with the family when they immigrated to New York. Alternatively, she might have married and remained in Europe.

Johann William (William) Mensch1,28 was born in Neunkirchen on May 24, 1817,28,29 and died in Buffalo on September 30, 1864.29,30 For details of his life see “William Mensch.”

Amalia Marie (Amelia) Mensch1 was born in Neunkirchen on April 7, 1820,31 and christened in Spiesen, Ottweiler, Rhein, Preußen.32 She died on June 19, 1899 in Lake County, Illinois,33 and was buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery there.33 Amelia married Nicholas Lux, who was born on June 16, 1817.33 He died on August 26, 1874, in Lake County, Illinois,33 and also was buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery.33 Amelia and Nicholas Lux had 11 children: Amelia, Charles, Johannes, Helen, Barbara, Nicholas F., George, John H., Edward, Matilda Anne, and Caroline Mary.

Elisabetha (Elizabeth) Mensch1 was born on November 28, 1824,1 and was christened in Spiesen, Ottweiler.34 She died sometime before 1866, when she was listed as deceased in the probate of her brother Philip Mensch.16 Elizabeth married Valentine Young.16

Charles Mensch1 was born about 1825 in Prussia.1 He died on May 17, 1887, in Cook County, Illinois35,36 and was buried in Oakridge-Glen Oak Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois.36 Before moving to Illinois he lived in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he was a steamboat agent in 186037 and a sailor in 1870.38 On October 12, 1846, Charles married Mary Klein39 or Cline40 in Erie County, New York.39 Mary was born about 1826 in France.41 She died on September 2, 1909, in Chicago, Cook, Illinois42 and like Charles was buried in Oakridge Glen Oak Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County.43 Charles and Mary had six children: Mary, William C., Carolina, Frances, Flora, and Minna.

Barbara Mensch1 was born on December 7, 1826,1 and christened in Spiesen, Ottweiler.44 She died at the age of 80 on December 27, 1906,45 and was buried in the United German and French Cemetery, Section B, Cheektowaga, New York.45 Barbara married Johannes Marcus46 (John) Wackerman,35 who was born about 1818 in France.47 They separated, and he died by suicide on July 22, 1868, in Clinton, Huron Co., Ontario, Canada.48 Newspapers reported that he had cut his own throat with a razor.48 Before his life fell apart John Wackerman owned a cooking store in Buffalo.47 The 1860 census showed that the family was relatively well off. Their household included a servant, and John had real estate valued at $3500 and personal estate worth $4500.47 Barbara and John Wackerman had four children: Amelia, John Valentin, Caroline, and George.

Catharina (Catharine) Mensch1,35 was born on March 3, 182949 and christened in Spiesen, Ottweiler.50 She died on June 16, 1885, in Chicago, Illinois.51 In 1870, Catherine was running a saloon in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.52 Catharine married Joseph Widmer or Witmer,49,35 who was born in Baden about 1815.49 He apparently had died or separated from Catherine in or before 1870, as he was not listed with her in the 1870 census. Catherine and Joseph had five children: Joseph, Christian, Rose, Emma, and Catherine.

According to The Peter Stutzman Family Story,12 Valentin and Margaretha had another son, Daniel, who did not emigrate with the rest of the family. The civil birth register for Neunkirchen shows a Grg. Daniel Mensch born or registered on May 4, 1811.53 Since the civil register does not include the parents’ names, the record does not confirm that Valentin and Margaretha had a sixth son named Daniel.[3]

In 1834, Valentin immigrated to America with his wife and most of his children. His eldest son, Valentin, Jr., initially remained in Neunkirchen, but he would bring his family to New York about a year and a half later.

According to his ship’s passenger record, Valentin was 52 years old.1 He left no record of why he had chosen to leave his homeland relatively late in life. However, by 1830, German emigration had begun to increase dramatically, with most going to the United States. The emigrants wrote letters home to family and friends describing the opportunities available in their new locations. German newspapers published these letters, which prompted others to emigrate.54

There were additional reasons that could have prompted Valentin to seek a new home with safety and better opportunities for his children. The industrial revolution had changed the way of life in Europe. People left the trades and the farms to work in factories, but the working conditions were miserable, and unemployment was high. These conditions led to political unrest. A small-scale uprising by tailors occurred in 1830 but was rigidly put down by the authorities. There would be subsequent uprisings culminating in German Revolution (or March Revolution) in 1848 – 1849,55 but by then the Mensch family would be safely in America.

To reach the United States, the Mensch family travelled to Le Havre, France, a journey of over 600 km. There they boarded the ship Asia, which carried them to New York City, arriving on May 26, 1834. The ship’s passenger list, filed in the Port of New York, lists Valentin as a laborer from Prussia bound for Ohio.1 The passenger list translates the family’s forenames into French. Thus, Wilhelm is listed as Guillaume, Elisabetha as Elise, and Catharina as Charlotte.1

There is no record of why the family had intended to go to Ohio or why they instead settled in Buffalo. However, had their intended destination been somewhere in northern Ohio, from New York City they might have travelled up the Hudson River to the Erie Canal and then up the canal to its terminus in Buffalo. Buffalo was a major port for shipping on the Great Lakes. Daily passenger service had been running between Buffalo and Cleveland, Ohio since 1830.56

There are several possible reasons why the Mensch family remained in Buffalo. They might have been short of money and unable to pay for the ship to Cleveland. They might have been tired of travelling, or they might simply have liked what they saw in Buffalo. The city was young and vibrant. Although it had been inhabited for over thirty years, it had been incorporated as a city only two years earlier. Buffalo had grown from 2400 people in 1825 to 10,000 in 1832, and by 1835 the population had increased by another 5,000 inhabitants, many of whom were German immigrants. The city’s first bank opened in 1834, and its first railroad was chartered the same year.57

Valentin, Jr. followed his father and siblings at the end of 1835. He sailed from Le Havre on the packet ship Silvie de Grasse accompanied by his wife Catharina and two children, Frederick and Johann Christian (John). They arrived at the Port of New York on December 26, 1835.58

The Buffalo city directories provide a glimpse of the Mensches’ lives. Valentin, Sr. first appeared in a city directory in 1836, shown as a laborer living on Elm Street above Genesee59 in the German section of the city. In 1839, Valentin, Jr., recorded as “Georg V Minsch,” was working as a blacksmith at Elm Street below Genessee, while Valentine “Minsch” was a laborer with a house on Genessee below Michigan.60 By 1842, both Valentin, Sr. and Valentin, Jr. were listed as blacksmiths located at the corner of Elm and Genessee Streets.61 In the previous (1841) directory, Valentin, Jr. had been listed as a blacksmith at the same location, while Valentin, Sr. was shown with no occupation but living in a house on Elm Street west of Genessee.62

By the mid-1840s Valentin appeared to have acquired some financial means, as he was able to lend money and become a mortgage holder. On November 13, 1846, he lent money to one Philip Hellriegel, and on March 1, 1847, he provided a mortgage to his son Valentin, Jr.63

However, Valentin had little time to enjoy his wealth. He died in Buffalo on August 7, 1848,35 leaving a will that was not probated until after the death of his son Valentin, Jr. in 1850. He appointed his wife “Margaret” as his executrix. The probate package lists the names of his children, including daughters and their spouses and the children of his deceased sons, Valentin, Jr. and Frederick.

Margaretha lived for another 17 years, with her unmarried daughter Catherine in 185064 and without any family in 1860.65 Apparently, she was not suffering financially. Census records show that she owned a house worth $3,000 and personal estate worth $300.64,65 Although she lived in the house, she generated income by renting part (or most) of it to another family. 64,65 She also worked as a midwife.65 Margaret died on August 27, 1865,66 and was buried in the United German and French Cemetery in Cheektowaga, Erie County, New York.66


 

Source Citations

     1.  “Year: 1834; Arrival: New York, New York,” online images, Ancestry.com (http://home.ancestry.com : accessed 18 Mar 2014), manifest, Asia, 26 May 1834.

    2.  Gemeinde Spiesen-Elversberg, “History and Culture.” [Online] https://www.spiesen-elversberg.de/en/sport-free-time-culture-and-tourism/history-culture/. Accessed April 4, 2024.

     3.  Ancestry.com, “Saarland, Germany, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1776-1875,” Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016, Entry for Valentin Mensch and Margt Walzer. Original data:Zivilstandsregister, 1798-1875. Landesarchiv des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken-Scheidt, Deutschland.

     4.  “Find a Grave,” 2020.  [Database online] http://www.findagrave.com.  Find a Grave, Provo, UT.  Rec. Date: 17 May 2020, Memorial page for Margaret Walzer Mensch (21 May 1787–27 Aug 1865), Find a Grave Memorial ID 91181486, citing United German and French Cemetery, Cheektowaga, Erie, New York. Cit. Date: 2 May 2014.

     5.  Henri Eisenbeis, “Family Tree” (https://gw.geneanet.org/lepeps), In entry for Margaret Walzer, wife of Valentine Mensch.

    6.  Family Search, “New York, Church Records, 1660-1954” (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRL-S5VL : 10 October 2019), Citing St. John's Evangelical and Lutheran Church, FHL Film No. 370920, citing Wilhelm Mensch and Anna Schanz, 1841; also citing Valentin Mensch and Katharine Stutzman in the record of Carl Mensch, 1848.

    7.  “New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2HJ-KWR : 17 February 2023), Valentini Mensch in entry for Philippus Mensch, 1858. Source Film No. 928695 (St. Michael Catholic Church, Buffalo, NY).

     8.  Ancestry.com, “Saarland, Germany, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1776-1875,” Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016, Citing Grg Valentin Mensch, 1807.

     9.  Erie, New York, Estate Papers, 1800-1929, Case 15074-15121, Valentine Mensch, Jr. 15085; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 20 Mar 2014).

     10.  Ancestry.com, “Saarland, Germany, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1776-1875,” Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016, Citing Georg Valentin Mensch and Catharina Schulzmann.

     11.  1860 United States Federal Census, Images online at Ancestry.com.  Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls, Census Place: Buffalo Ward 6, Erie, New York; Roll: M653_747; Page: 56, line 35; Family History Library Film: 803747.

     12.  Stutzman, D.T., and F.C. Martin, The Peter Stutzman Family Story (Morgantown, PA: MASTHOF Press, 2011), Citing Catharina Stutzmann (#152) and Valentin Mensch, Jr., pages 36 and 37.

    13.  Ancestry.com, “Saarland, Germany, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1776-1875,” Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016, Citing Frederick Mensch, 1808.

     14.  Family Search, “New York, Church Records, 1660-1954” (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRL-S5VL : 10 October 2019), Citing Frederick Mensch death 1851.

    15.  Erie, New York, Estate Papers, 1800-1929, Case 15074-15121, Philip Mensch, Case Number 15088; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 20 Mar 2014).

     16.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Family Search, [Online] https://familysearch.org/, “New York, Marriages, 1686-1980” entry for Fredericus Mensch, 1839, citing reference FHL microfilm 928700.

     17.  “1850 US Federal Census - New York, Erie County,” Images online at www.ancestry.com.

     18.  1860 Census Buffalo, Erie, NY (Schedule 1 - Free Inhabitants of the 4th Ward of Buffalo, NY, page 66.  June 30, 1860. Census Images Online, Ancestry.com).

     19.  “U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934,” database and images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : accessed 20 Mar 2014); Philip Mensch; Roll Number: T288_322.

    20.  Deutschland, Rheinland, Bistum Trier, katholische Kirchenbücher, 1704-1957,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSQ-VV5X : accessed 28 Feb 2021), Citing Margaretha Mensch, Certificate #6. .... Ancestry.com, “Saarland, Germany, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1776-1875,” Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016, Citing Margth Elizb, 1812, civil registration.

     21.  Deutschland, Rheinland, Bistum Trier, katholische Kirchenbücher, 1704-1957,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1: accessed 28 Feb 2021), Citing Margaretha Mensch Baptism 1812, Certificate #6.

     22.  “Find a Grave,” 2020.  [Database online] http://www.findagrave.com.  Find a Grave, Provo, UT, Memorial page for Margaretha E. Brandt (25 Mar 1812-1896), Find a Grave Memorial ID 79928529, citing United German and French Cemetery, Cheektowaga, Erie County, New York ; Maintained by Phyllis Meyer (contributor 47083260).

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     24.  Family Search, “New York, Church Records, 1660-1954” (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRL-S5VL : 10 October 2019), Fred Wm Brandt and Margareth Munsch, 19 Aug 1841,  certificate No. 267; citing Marriage, Erie, New York, United States, multiple churches, New York.

    25.  Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79928330/friedrich_w-brandt: accessed April 3, 2024), memorial page for Friedrich W. Brandt (Feb 1806–10 Nov 1878), Find a Grave Memorial ID 79928330, citing United German and French Cemetery, Cheektowaga, Erie County, New York, USA; Maintained by Phyllis Meyer (contributor 47083260).

     26.  Deutschland, Rheinland, Bistum Trier, katholische Kirchenbücher, 1704-1957,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1 : accessed 28 Feb 2021), Citing Wilhelmina Margaretha Mensch Baptism 1814, Certificate #16.

    27.  Ancestry.com, “Saarland, Germany, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1776-1875,” Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016, Citing Wilhelmina Margaretha Mensch, 1814.

    28.  Ancestry.com, “Saarland, Germany, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1776-1875,” Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016, Citing Joh. Wilhelm Mensch, 1817. Civil registration.

    29.  Reamy, B. and M. Reamy, Erie County New York Obituaries as Found in the Files of the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society [1811-1880], 1992.  Finksburg, MD: Pipe Creek Publishing Inc.

     30.  Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY, Genealogy Request, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY and Lot Registers, Forest Lawn Cemetery (Genealogy data transcribed from cemetery records by Ed Dibble, January 2003). .... A.D. 1850 - 1866. Forest Lawn: Its History, Dedications, Progress Regulations, Names of Lot Holders, & C. (Buffalo: Thomas, Howard & Johnson, Franklin Printing House. 1867. [Online] http://members.tripod.com/~wnyroots/index-bflo-lot.cem.html).

     31  Ancestry.com, “Saarland, Germany, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1776-1875,” Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016, Citing Amalia Marie Mensch, 1820.

     32.  Deutschland, Rheinland, Bistum Trier, katholische Kirchenbücher, 1704-1957,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1: accessed 14 Oct 2018), Citing Maria Amalia Mensch, Baptism 1820, Certificate #13; Spiesen, Ottweiler, Rhein, Preußen, Deutschland, Bistumarchiv (Diocese Archive), Trier, Germany.

     33.  “Find a Grave,” 2020.  [Database online] http://www.findagrave.com.  Find a Grave, Provo, UT, Citing Nicholas and Amelia Lux, St. Patrick's Cemetery, Lake County, IL.

     34.  Deutschland, Rheinland, Bistum Trier, katholische Kirchenbücher, 1704-1957,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1: accessed 28 Feb 2021), Citing Elisabetha Mersch, Baptism 1824, Certificate #27.

     35.  Ancestry.com, Cook County, Illinois, U.S., Marriage and Death Indexes, 1833-1889 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Sam Fink, comp. Sam Fink's Chicago Marriage and Death Index. Chicago, IL.), Citing Charles Mensch.

     36.  “Find a Grave,” 2020.  [Database online] http://www.findagrave.com.  Find a Grave, Provo, UT, Memorial page for Charles Mensch (1824-16 May 1887), Find a Grave Memorial ID 212986375, citing Oakridge-Glen Oak Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County, Illinois ; Maintained by Stacey Shaw (contributor 47914361).

     37.  1860 United States Federal Census, Images online at Ancestry.com.  Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.

     38.  1870 U.S. census, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, population schedule; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593.

     39.  Family Search, “New York, Church Records, 1660-1954” (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRL-S5VL : 10 October 2019), Carl Mensch and Mary Klein, 12 Oct 1846; citing Marriage, Erie, New York, United States, multiple churches, New York.

     40.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Family Search, [Online] https://familysearch.org/, “Illinois Deaths and Stillbirths, 1916-1947”, entry for William C. Mensch. Digital Folder Number: 4152383, Image Number: 1303, GS Film number: 1852180, Reference ID: certificate # 13772.

     41.  “1850 US Federal Census - New York, Erie County,” Images online at www.ancestry.com. .... 1855 New York Census, Erie County, New York, population schedule, Buffalo City, Ward 4, dwelling 982, family 1624, line 33, Charles Mensch; digital images, Ancestry.com, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com).

     42.  Ancestry.com, Cook County, Illinois Death Index, 1908-1988 (Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Illinois, Cook County Deaths 1878-1922.” Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2010. Illinois Department of Public Health. “Birth and Death Records, 1916-present.” Division of Vital Records, Springfield, Illinois.), Citing Mary Mensch.

     43.  Illinois State Archives, Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 ([Online] https://apps.ilsos.gov//isavital/deathsrch.jsp.), Citing Mary Mensch.

     44.  Deutschland, Rheinland, Bistum Trier, katholische Kirchenbücher, 1704-1957,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1: accessed 14 Oct 2018), Barbara Mensch Baptism 1825, Certificate #36, Spiesen, Ottweiler, Rhein, Preußen, Deutschland, Bistumarchiv (Diocese Archive), Trier, Germany.

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     46.  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Family Search, [Online] https://familysearch.org/, “New York, Births and Christenings, 1640-1962”, entry for John Valentin Wackerman. GS Film number:               928696, Reference ID: Pg. 21 - #77.

     47.  1860 Census Buffalo, Erie, NY (Schedule 1 - Free Inhabitants of the 4th Ward of Buffalo, NY, page 66.  June 30, 1860. Census Images Online, Ancestry.com), Year: 1860; Census Place: Buffalo Ward 4, Erie, New York; Roll: M653_746; Page: 643; Image: 155; Family History Library Film: 803746.

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     49.  1860 Census Buffalo, Erie, NY (Schedule 1 - Free Inhabitants of the 4th Ward of Buffalo, NY, page 66.  June 30, 1860. Census Images Online, Ancestry.com), 1860; Census Place: Buffalo Ward 3, Erie, New York; Roll: M653_745; Page: 88; Family History Library Film: 803745.

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     51.  Illinois State Archives, Illinois Statewide Death Index, Pre-1916 ([Online] https://apps.ilsos.gov//isavital/deathsrch.jsp.), Citing Katharina Widmer, Certificate No. 00065154.

     52.  1870 U.S. census, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, population schedule, Milwaukee Ward 7, p. 150A, dwelling 730, family 706, Catherine Witmer; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593, roll  M593_1728.

    53.  Ancestry.com, “Saarland, Germany, Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 1776-1875,” Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016, Citing Grg Daniel, 1811, civil registration.

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    55.  “German Revolutionary Period (1830s - 1870s) and German Empire (1871 - 1918).” [Online] https://www.visitberlin.de/en/german-revolutionary-period-1830s-1870s-and-german-empire-1871-1918. Accessed April 6, 2024.

    56.  Case Western Reserve University. “Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: Transportation.” [Online] https://case.edu/ech/articles/t/transportation. Accessed April 7, 2024.

    57.  Buffalo Architecture and History. “The History of Buffalo.” [Online] https://buffaloah.com/. Accessed April 7, 2024.

     58.  “Year: 1835; Arrival: New York, New York,” online images, Ancestry.com (http://home.ancestry.com : accessed 18 Mar 2014), manifest, Silvie De Grasse, 26 Dec 1835.

    59.  The Buffalo Directory, 1836. Buffalo City Directory, 1836 - Buffalo & Erie County Public Library - Buffalo City Directories - New York Heritage Digital Collections (oclc.org). Accessed April 24, 2024.

    60.  “United States City and Business Directories, ca. 1749 - ca. 1990”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZND-F87J : Thu Mar 07 21:22:02 UTC 2024), Entry for Valentine Minsch, 1839.

    61. The Buffalo Directory, 1842. Buffalo, NY: The Courier Company of Buffalo. [Online] The Buffalo Directory: Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming: Internet Archive. Accessed April 4, 3034.

    62.  1841 Crary’s Directory for the City of Buffalo. Buffalo< NY: Faxon and Graves Printers; Faxon and Read, Publishers. [Online] Buffalo City Directory - Google Books. Accessed April 24, 2024.

    63.  “United States, New York Land Records, 1630-1975”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6JGV-4W6S : 29 December 2023), Valentine Mensch, 1847.

     64.  “1850 US Federal Census - New York, Erie County,” Images online at www.ancestry.com. Buffalo, Ward 4.

     65.  1860 United States Federal Census, Images online at Ancestry.com.  Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls, Census Place: Buffalo Ward 4, Erie, New York, page 86.

     66.  "Find a Grave," 2020.  [Database online] http://www.findagrave.com.  Find a Grave, Provo, UT, Citing Margarat Waltzer Mensch, United German and French Cemetery, Cheektowaga, Erie, NY.



[1] A record transcription without a supporting image shows that Phillipus Mensch, son of “Valentini Mensch and Margarethae Walzen,” was baptized in Buffalo, Erie, New York on May 17, 1858. The transcription shows Philippus’ birth date as 1847, which is clearly impossible. It is unclear whether this is an incorrect transcription of the birth date (possibly 1807) or the person baptized was actually a grandson of Valentin and Marguerite.

[2] Ottweiller appears to be a parish that includes subordinate churches. It was also a civil district created in 1814.

[3] Note that the baptismal record transcriptions of the six daughters list their parents’ names.

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