Note that these three records were cut and pasted onto a piece of paper by the pastor of the Niedenstein church before he mailed them to me. It is preferable to have the whole page on the chance that an error was made by the pastor. In this particular case, research done by a resident of Niedenstein. Gisela Weldner had August’s baptism in Feb 1837, Conrad’s birth in Jan 1838, 11 months later. She has listed Elisabeth’s baptismal as Oct 1841. August’s death certificate indicates he was 50 years and 3 months at his death in May 1887. That would make his birth Feb 1837, not Jan. 1836. I never went back to verify this in the church records myself. I probably should have since I put a engraved monument on his grave in Lutheran Cemetery (Now All Faith’s Cemetery) in Queens, New York City!
This is a photograph of the birthplace of August and Conrad Knatz, built 1817. The picture is the first page of the Niedensteiner Heimatbuch published in 1954 on the 700th Anniversary of the Town of Niedenstein. The Knatz farmhouse is in the front on the right side of the photo. The house is still there today.
Excerpt from Passenger List of the Ship Elena arrived August 04, 1860. Passenger No. 52 is August Knatz and Passenger No. 53 is Conrad Knatz. Note that both are listed as age 18 although August would have been 23 years old and Conrad would have been 21 years old. August lists himself as a weaver and Conrad as a shoemaker. Source: National Archives Passenger Lists (Microfilmed)
The May 3, 1887 death record of August Knatz Source: Municipal Archives, New York City
1874 The record of the baptism of the namesake for August Knatz, a child August Schmoll Source: Niedenstein Church Book. The entry is the top record on the page.
1804 October 28 Baptismal Record of Johannes Knatz, son of Johann Jost Knatz and Anna Catharina born Lechthaler. Source: Niedenstein Church Book. The record is the second entry from the top.
