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Dear Dornfeld or associated family person:
It seems the Dornfeld family has a long history that goes back almost to the days of Martin Luther in Germany. In fact, the Dürrenfeldts were among those who were called the “Old Lutherans.” Several folks have compiled pieces of the family record and it includes probably a couple of hundred persons. We would like to get the information together for family and ancestors as shown below to add to the record and I need your help. We are also looking for stories and old photos to share.
To help complete this task, please compile the following person information for each person in your family and I will include it in the Dornfeld genealogical record. It’s ok if there are items that you don’t wish to include or other items you would like to add to the record. I will send you a copy of the completed project.
Here’s a list to give you an idea of what to include:
• Associated relationship
• Name including middle name
• Date and city of birth
• Date and church of baptism
• Date and place of graduation from highest Education
• Date and place of marriage
• Name and date of birth of spouse, names of spouse’s parents
• Primary occupation
• Church membership
• Other information, stories and photos you wish.
Please Send to: Larry and Nancy Cowan
3752 Grovner Road North
Oakdale, MN 55128
Please Email to: cowan@usinternet.com
Please Call: 651 770-1108
The following will give you an idea of the record as it is being assembled. The record goes back to Christian’s grandfather.
A2-a Christian Dornfeld
Christian Dornfeldt, son of Martin (and unknown spouse) was born 19 October 1799 at Alt Kustrinchen on Oder. Christian married Hanna Sophia Muhlenhaupt 2 February 1824 at Alt Glietzen in the Oderbruch. Hanna was born in March of 1803. Christian was 24 and Hanna was almost 21 years of age when they married. Christian and Hanna settled at Alt Glietzen where the record of the State Church indicates that they had four children between the years of 1824 and 1833.
The four children recorded in the State Church Register* at Alt Glietzen are
1. Johann Friedrich b. 6 Nov. 1824
2. Friedrich Wilhelm b. 11 Sept. 1826
3. Christian Albert, b. 5 Jan. 1831
4. Friedrich Ferdinand, b. 1 July 1833
Note: The first names as we know them are listed in the second position.
*Authority Church records of Alt Glietzen transcribed by Pfarrer Eugen Suss, Neu Tornow o Oder, 12 Aug. 1948. Also family records furnished “by Mr. Louis Dornfeld.” Note: This is likely Louis Dornfeld, b. September 25, 1878, person record code A2-a1-c2 below.
In 1839 Martin Dürrenfeldt and his family including Christian severed connections with the Evangelical United Church (the State sanctioned church) and were received into the Old Lutheran Church by Pfarrer Adolph Kindermann. In 1843 they obtained exit permits and migrated to the United States with the Old Lutherans and settled at Martinsville, Buffalo County, in New York State.
The settlement was founded by the members of St. Martin’s Lutheran Church who had come from the Oderbruch in a body. Martinsville is now a part of North Tonowanda, N. Y. Note that on arrival in America, few have even a rudimentary ability to communicate in the English language and that they must adapt fast.
Christian and Hanna had one more child, daughter Caroline W., born on April 30, 1846, three years after their arrival at Martinsville. The little girl died at the age of five on November 8, 1851. Hanna died there eight years later at the age of 56 in March of 1859 and Christian died at the age of 83 in 1882.
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