I wanted to write and let you all know what the status of our Association is since we have stopped sending monthly newsletters. Research is continuing. Trudy Schenk is planning on a trip to Germany in March 1999 to research for us on the Brill line.
Great news on the Geissinger line in Austria. I have come into contact through the internet with Michael Gisiger, who is from the Geissinger family which hails from Geissingen, Austria (which is a couple miles from Goetzis, Austria--- home of Charles Geissinger, our ancestor). He has traced the Gisiger (Geissinger) family back to 1333 AD. He and I are corresponding and says he has over 100 of our ancestors on this lineage. I have not seen the lineage yet, but he is in the process of photocopying it and mailing it to me following his vacation which ends in April. I hope to share it with all of you in the next quarterly newsletter. If this turns out to be what I think it is, this is a gigantic leap forward for us on this line. I was pretty sure we were at the end of the Geissinger line, but just when I think the end of the line is there, along comes more clues to the family puzzle. Thanks to all who keep supporting the research efforts.
Here is a copy of significant correspondence I have received since the last newsletter:
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999
Organization: Trudy Schenk Research
To: jmower@silverstar.com
Subject: Research
Dear Jerry:
I just want you to know that I booked a flight to go to Germany to do your research. I'm leaving March 18, returning March 29. That's all I will do. I will see if I can get the Brill line worked out. I'm in contact with Pastor Kopania. I still have enough money in your account. I need your prayers and positive thoughts.
Regards, Trudy Schenk
From: MMower@webtv.net (Michael Mower)
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999
To: jmower@silverstar.com
I found your page about the Bedford Co. Mowers. I come from Franklin Co., PA and am told that my forefather George Mower came from Germany. Do you know of any Mower relatives of yours from Franklin County?
(I have corresponded with him.)
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1999
To: jmower@silverstar.com
Subject: Maurers
Hi Jerry,
I dont know if you are interested or related to me but I just visited your
web page and thought I would drop you a note. Nice site with alot of work
put into it! I am descended from a Johann/Johannes/John - Maurer /Mowry
/Mowrey as well, but havent gone back as far as you, mainly because there
seem to be as many Johan Maurers as there were John Smiths. Anyway, my gg
grandfather, listed above was born June 19,
1801-May 18th, 1852. He married one Salome Martz/Mertz, b. Sept 30th,
1808- Oct 23rd, 1887. They were from Northumberland county and migrated to
Jefferson county. I have a list of their children and so on. I also have
Salomes parents and siblings, but only speculate that Johns father was
Peter Mowrey, born Mahantango Valley, married a Magdalena Loudelsleger.
Not sure on that, as that is what I am working on now. If I can help you
with anything else on this branch let me know. I am new to genealogy , but
have found the hobby quite interesting! If you have heard of my branch of
the family, and know if there is indeed a connection with Peter and John,
could you let me know as well??
Sincerely, Debbie Mowrey-Hechler
(I have corresponded with her)
To whom it may concern:
Simply by using search engines for gisiger, I found this site. my family is doing familyhistory-research since twenty years now (our family tree dates back to 1251 a.d.), i would be pleased, if you could mail me some detailed information about that mentioned anna gisiger. thank you!
Michael Gisiger, solothurn, switzerland
From Michael.Gisiger@student.unisg.ch Wed Feb 24 1999
From: Michael.Gisiger@student.unisg.ch
To: jmower@silverstar.com (Jerry Mower)
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 1999
Subject: Re: Geissinger
Dear Jerry
I recently rechecked our family tree. the first written source (a buying contract) dates back to 1333 ad, not 1251. obviously, my ancestors came from Gisingen, Voralberg, Austria (first mentioned name was gisinger). unfortunately, it was up to now impossible to find any data there. We also have relatives around Switzerland, Germany, Canada and the US (New Jersey area). i can't send you a copy of the family tree at the moment, because it is too big to simply copy it (more than 100 entries). it was assembled in the 60ies by a former curator of the official archive of the Canton Solothurn. he had an excellent overview of all the official sources. I hope I will be able to send you a copy soon.
I would be pleased to hear more by you.
Michael
From: Michael.Gisiger@student.unisg.ch
To: jmower@silverstar.com (Jerry Mower)
Date: Thu, 25 Feb 1999
Subject: Re: Geissinger
Dear Jerry
Since i am leaving on vacation tommorow until April, 1, I will copy and
send you our family-tree as soon as I am back. I am looking forward to some
interesting results. Yours, Michael