I, and others (Suzanne and Andreas), have been reading the Church Book for Oberfischbach around the time that Rev. Häger was the pastor. I have completed a preliminary read for the services of Rev. Häger in the matter of marriages. This record is not a Marriage Record, but is a record of the first Announcements of Intentions to Marry ("the banns"). About half of the time, he added the actual date of marriage, which generally was about one month after the first announcement of intention. In one case, the intention was not fulfilled for reasons that were not stated.
These are the surnames which occur in the Announcements of Intentions to Marry Records , as entered by Rev. Häger:
Bärn/Bär Henerici Kunte/Cunte/Cuntze Spiess Beker Hoffman Leÿendeker Stägers Bell/Belle Honrath Löberich Stahl Berluh Huttsiffer? Ludwig Stahlschmid Bros/Brost/Bross Jung/Jüng Ohrenbach Stockhauser Daub Kehler Reinschmid Stohlschnider Dilster Kinsd- - - Reisdorft Strack Döhr/Dörr Klappert/Koppert Rübel Übach Faust/Faüst Knie Schmid/Schmidt Weissgärber Fischbach Kolbe Schneider Winckel Giseler Krämer Siebel Wüste/Wüsten
Many of the names are repeated. Hoffman, Schneider, and Übach are especially popular. To continue with the surnames:
Bael Griseler Lutz/Lütz/Lutzen Schielman? Bender Haars/Hars Mentz Schnell Blecher Hausmann Neuhe Siegeler Brass/Brasen Holtzclau Peltzer Weichel Cotri Kramer/Krämer Reichard Wellees Fischach (Fischbach?) Lasen? Reisteraht Weller Gibele Latschen Reistwohl Wiste Grimme List Scherer
Several names are lumped together because I am suspicious that they may be the same name. Rev. Häger’s spelling was not always the best, it seems. In the same record the surnames of the groom and of his father may be given in two different ways. More research is needed in other records to see if there may be preferred spelling in order to put together all of the related people. Rev. Häger also has the habit of omitting letters, especially on the end of words and names. A flourish at the end is apt to stand for "en".
Rev. Häger performed 58 marriages from 5 August 1703 to 1 June 1710 (both dates are the dates of banns).
In the margin of the book, notes have been added which do not seem to be a part of the official records. For example, "tischgeld" is mentioned in more than one. That would seem to me to be "table money" or a tip, perhaps for the services rendered.
(17 Dec 03)
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