I had an easier time reading the " Z " names from the Gemmingen Index than any other letter. First, the exposure to the handwriting made it easier to tackle the new names. Second, the vast majority of the names were either Zimmermann or Ziegler .
It strikes one that both of these names were Germanna names and the two families had close connections in Virginia. Both of the villages of origin for the two families have been identified and neither of them is Gemmingen. It tells us to be careful in finding our people. Some of the names appear in many villages.
The " Z " names in Gemmingen in the eighteenth century were Zimmermann, Zweiffel, Zeller, Ziegler, Zehedbauer, Zentbauer, and Zwing.
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| Zimmermann | Zweiffel | Unnölher |
| Ziegler | Zehedbauer | Zentbauer |
| Zwing |
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I was comparing the Index names to the original records. The list of the Index names, which was made later by people other than the original writers, was in a much better handwriting than the originals. If you can find an Index, it is sometimes easier to start with it. Basically, it is a list of names, usually cross referenced to the original page, without a lot of confusing verbiage.
The Index that I have been quoting from, for Gemmingen in the Eighteenth Century, was made from the Baptismal Register. It may be regarded as the Birth Register. There is another Index, which I have not used, for the deaths. [I will spare you from having to read it.]
I had mentioned that late in the Eighteenth Century the name Pailer appears for the first time (this was in the Birth Register). I backed up from the first occurrence one year and looked at the marriage records and I did find the Pailer name there. He was a citizen and a smith in Gemmingen. His father was given, and I believe that the record may have the father’s origin, but the record is so hard to read that I will have to study it more. These early Eighteenth Century records are hard to read because the writer uses very small and indistinct letters. Even the pastor’s name, which appears several times as a father, never appears to be the same. (13 Oct 04)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.