I have traced myself back to Henriette Redwanz born in Tuchel (Tuchola), Gdansk, Poland in 1835. Then I hit a wall. Any suggestions on how to get more info on her? Any thoughts on the name? I contacted a researcher who feels Redwanz is Germanized, possibly Radwanc, or Radwaniec.
Redwanz indeed looks to be a Germanised version of Radwaniec. There is only 1 Radwaniec now living in Poland (in Poznań or vicinity). But there are 6 people named Radwaniecki (probably a patronymcio nickanem meaning "son of Radwan"). It was probably dervied from the Radwan c-o-a which depicts a stylised religious banner. Its origin goes back to a mediaeval incident in which a Polsih force scattered after their standard-bearer fell in combat. One of the knigths galloped off to the nearest church, grabbed one of the parishes processional banners, returned to the fray, rallied his troops round the banner and carried the day.
Thanks for the interesting history. I had heard to connect it to "the son of Radwan" so that suggestion matches. I have Henriette's christening record. Any suggestions on how to get her birth record so that I could possibly find her parents' names? Or some other way to find her parents' names?
Try: Old Documents Archives Archiwum Akt Dawnych ul. Długa 7, 00-950 Warsaw, Poland phone: (48-22) 831-5491>93 chagad@poczta.onet.pl; archiwa.gov.pl (Before accepting root-tracing assignments, they indicate whether the required information is available and provide research-cost estimate.)
Henriette Redwanz was the maiden name of Henriette Bratz. I have a letter written by her son to her brother, my grandfather, Carl Redwanz, in 1925. He emigrated to the USA in 1881.
I had the letter translated about 20 years ago. It told of the hardships they endured and asked for his financial assistance, which he gave. The son who wrote the letter was named John. That is about all I can recall being told.
Henriette Redwanz's mothers maiden name was Catherina Mueller. She died young and her husband remarried but I don't know the second wifes name. My grandfather (he died before I was born) told his family that his stepmother was unkind so he left home at an early age.
