My interest in family history began after typing the Schwartz Family History in 1983 for my Aunt, Clara Schwartz Fischer. I have always been interested in history, and family history just made it personal and closer to home. I started asking questions and with the generosity of family, far and near, was able to compile this book.
I must have been a detective in my past life because I will pursue a clue to our family puzzle until the mystery is solved. I always have to find that elusive missing piece. For me, family history is a good book I just can't put down until I have found the missing ancestor.
Call me a genealogist! I know many people who pick up the daily newspaper to read the funnies or Ann Landers, but I head for the obituaries. They are small family histories, and I find them truly fascinating to read.
I knew that my great-grandparents were from Salzbergen, Germany. So in the early spring of 1988, I wrote a letter to that local Catholic parish seeking information about our family. I asked the priest for assistance. I was wondering if he had any parishioners with the surname of Lammers. Indeed he did! He gave my letter to Maria Lammers Grondmann. Unable to read or write English, Maria gave my letter to her son, Georg Grondman, an attorney.
Georg answered my letter and began to answer my questions. I found my German counterpart. We both were digging for our family's history. He had been researching the Grondmann family name, but with my inquiry he began researching the Lammers line. We corresponded and exchanged information over the years. In 2000, Georg and other Lammers descendants organized a family reunion in the City of Salzbergen. My brother, Craig, and I attended this wonderful, well planned reunion. For both of us this was a once in a life time opportunity, and it was such a thrill!
During our trip to Germany and the Netherlands, we visited the village of Denekamp, Netherlands, the home of our ancestors. Sigrid, Georg's wife, and I were going to the archives, and Craig was going to research the cemetery. In passing I mentioned I would like to see the cemetery also. I would join Sigrid shortly. After I saw my first Kokkeler headstone, I was hooked. We found twenty-two headstones. Needless to say, I never did make it to the archives. Most people go to see castles and quaint villages, we got excited over a cemetery!
Georg's help and generosity was invaluable to my German and Dutch research. So many questions were answered and gaps filled because a parish priest directed my letter to the right family. That one letter sparked new life in the search for our ancestors. Georg was inspirational in his enthusiasm for family history. I not only found a cousin in Germany, but a dear friend. Georg passed away on June 7, 2003.
The Balog line was difficult to research. Balog (Balogh as it sometimes spelled) is a common Hungarian name. I couldn't find the right Balog branch to my tree. Many records were destroyed during various conflicts through the years. Because of a language barrier I needed the assistances of a researcher.
The Kozilek family line took quite a bit of effort and the search was on. I was informed the family was probably Polish, Slavic or Czech. Again, without the help of a researcher, I would have nothing to contribute to this family. The researcher discovered that the Kozilek family was actually Czech. I sometimes joke that the family must have been in the witness protection program because I couldn't find any information on them! The information on this family comprises only on their European origins.
It is my hope that the information gathered in this book will be useful to others who are interested in our family history. This could be a possible beginning. My wish is that this book may bring enjoyment to the members of the Kokkeler, Lammers, Balog and Kozilek families.
Please help keep our family history updated with any new marriages, births, divorces and deaths that may occur in your families. No information is insignificant, it is our family history!
May your sense of family and interest in history be enhanced through the reading of this book. It is my sincere desire that you will be proud of our ancestors and grateful for the hardships they endured to provide us with the lives we enjoy today.
I would like to thank everyone for sharing their piece of our family history, I truly appreciate your help. Only with everyone's help was I able to compile this book. |
