TROCK of Ragnit, Germany
Riccardo Schulz
to Philadelphia in the 1890s, and later moved to New York and changed
his name to SCHULZ.
His birthplace was RAGNIT, Germany; I'm not sure where Ragnit is (or
was) .... that is, what country it is presently located in. Any
information about Ragnit would also be helpful.
Adolph TROCK may have had one or two brothers (one Ferdinand TROCK,
other unknown) in Philadelphia.
Any information on TROCK of Ragnit, Germany, or Trock of Philadelphia,
or SCHULZ of New York and later of Long Branch, New Jersey, would be
greatly appreciated.
Since I am very much in touch with my family in New Jersey, the
descendants *following* Adolph SCHULZ are well known to me; I include
this information for identification purposes .....
Respond to this account.
Thanks!
Beatrice Beck
> I am trying to find information on my grandfather, Adolph TROCK who came
> to Philadelphia in the 1890s, and later moved to New York and changed
> his name to SCHULZ.
>
> His birthplace was RAGNIT, Germany; I'm not sure where Ragnit is (or
> was) .... that is, what country it is presently located in. Any
> information about Ragnit would also be helpful.
>
> Adolph TROCK may have had one or two brothers (one Ferdinand TROCK,
> other unknown) in Philadelphia.
>
> Any information on TROCK of Ragnit, Germany, or Trock of Philadelphia,
> or SCHULZ of New York and later of Long Branch, New Jersey, would be
> greatly appreciated.
Ragnit was a city (population in 1925: 7,662), and seat of a county
[<<Kreis>>] of the same name, on the south bank of the Memel River, in the
former Prussian province of East Prussia, approximately 15 km southeast of
Tilsit. It is now in the Russian district of Kaliningrad, and is called
"Neman".
You do not indicate whether Adolph Trock and his brothers were Protestant or
Roman Catholic; however, the majority of the residents of Ragnit were
Protestant. There were 2 Protestant congregations in Ragnit, the German and
the Lithuanian. The German congregation was itself divided into "city"
[<<Stadt>>] and "country" [<<Land>>], each with its own registers. The
following registers survive for each congregation:
1. Photographic copies. The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has
microfiche copies (microfiche #6309463 through 6309513) of the following
registers, made in the 1980's from *microfilms*, themselves made in the
1930's by the Reichsstelle f"ur Sippenforschung and now in the
collections of the Deutsche Zentralstelle f"ur Genealogie, in Leipzig:
1) Ragnit Stadt.
Baptisms: 1757-1800, 1829-1830
Marriages: 1758-1821 (gap between 1766 and 1771)
Burials: 1759-1800, 1809, 1819
2) Ragnit Land.
Baptisms: 1757-1814
Marriages: 1758-1800 (gap between 1770 and 1771)
Burials: 1759-1800
3) Ragnit <<Litauische Gemeinde>>.
Baptisms: 1757-1799
Marriages: 1758-1799
Burials: 1765-1799
As these microfiche are themselves copies of microfilms made in the
1930's they can be difficult to read; in addition, they contain little
information for the period after 1800.
2. Original registers:
1) Ragnit Stadt.
Baptisms: x.1757-1853 (with index)
Marriages: vi.1758-1843 (gap between 1766 and ii.1771)
Burials: 1759-ii.1846 (with index 1759-1845)
2) Ragnit Land.
Baptisms: x.1757-1836 (with index)
Marriages: vi.1758-1843 (gap between 18.x.1770 and
31.x.1771; with index 1758-1843)
Burials: 1759-xi.1838 (with index 1759-1838)
3) Ragnit <<Litauische Gemeinde>>.
Baptisms: 1757-xi.1767, 27.x.1775-1842 (with index 1757-
1767, 1775-1842)
Baptisms: 1767-1775 (Family History Library microfilm
#0491090)
Marriages: vi.1758-1843 (gap between 18.x.1770 and
31.x.1771; with index 1758-1843)
Burials: 1765-xi.1842 (with index 1765-1842)
Confirmations: 1759-1785
During World War II, these registers were stored for safekeeping in
various depots in the countryside of what later became the German
Democratic Republic. After the war the baptismal register of the
Litauische Gemeinde for 1767-1775 was recovered, probably by Paul
Langheinrich, and after having been microfilmed by the Genealogical
Society of Utah was given to what is now the Evangelisches Zentralarchiv
in Berlin. The remaining registers were deposited in the Archiv des
Evangelischen Konsistoriums der Kirchenprovinz Sachsen in Magdeburg,
whence they were transferred to the Evangelisches Zentralarchiv in Berlin
in February 1992.
The original registers are of course far easier to read, and extend
later than the microfilm copies made in the 1930's. So far as I know, the
Family History Library in Salt Lake City has a microfilm copy only of the
baptismal register of the Litauische Gemeinde for 1767-1775, and has not
yet obtained microfilm copies of the registers formerly in Magdeburg.
However, you should be able to obtain extracts from the original
registers for the period after 1800 directly from the Evangelisches
Zentralarchiv, at the following address:
Evangelisches Zentralarchiv
Jebensstrasse 3
D-10623 Berlin
Germany
You can write in English. Please enclose with your letter at least *4*
International Reply Coupons (available at any U.S. Post Office for 95
each) to cover the cost of return postage, as well as a copy, preferably
on ancestral charts, of all the information you already have on your
Trock ancestors.
The Family History Library contains microfilm copies of the following land
records which may help you in your research:
1. Ragnit, Dom"anenamt. Grundleihenb"ucher, 1728-1863 (microfilm #1187944
through 1187962; inventory in microfilm #1188770).
2. Ragnit, Justizamt. Grundbuchindex und Privilegienabschriften, 1833
[Grundbuchindex] and 1850 [Grundsteuerrolle] (microfilm #1188620 through
1188623, 0071131, 0071132, 0071165, and 0071166).
The Family History Library also contains microfilm copies of the
Generalhufenschoss for Ragnit for 1719 (microfilm #1187193 through 1187196)
and various Steuerb"ucher for Ragnit for 1539-1748 (microfilm #0071007 and
0071052), should you discover that the family had settled in Ragnit as early
as the 18th century.
You may find the following books on Ragnit and the surrounding area of
interest:
1. Ragnit city:
1) Hans Geog Tautorat, _Ragnit, Ein Rundgang durch die unvergessene
Stadt an der Memel_ (Pl"on 1970).20 pp.
2) Hans Geog Tautorat, _Ragnit in Wandel der Zeiten, Ein Beitrag zur
Geschichte der Stadt an der Memel_ (Pl"on 1972).203 pp.
2. Ragnit area:
1) Erich Kuhnke, _Heimatbuch des Kreises Tilsit-Ragnit_ (Ragnit 1932).
208 pp.
2) Fritz Brix, ed., _Tilsit-Ragnit, Stadt und Landkreis, Ein
ostpreussisches Heimatbuch_, Ostdeutsche Beitr"age aus dem
G"ottinger Arbeitskreis, 50 (W"urzburg 1971). 611 pp.
In the event these books are not available in the United States they may be
borrowed through International Interlibrary Loan from the
Martin-Opitz-Bibliothek [formerly: B"ucherei des Deutschen Ostens]
Berliner Platz 11
D-44623 Herne
Germany
A newsletter for Germans from the Ragnit area, _Land an der Memel,
Heimatrundbrief f"ur den Kreis Tilsit-Ragnit_, has been published since 1967.
It now appears twice a year. According to the index to issues #42-47, which
I have before me, this publication contains primarily personal memoirs, travel
reports, and reprints of pre-World War II articles on localities and local
customs; it appears to contain no genealogical information. I do not know who
publishes this, but you can almost certainly obtain the address from the
Kreisgemeinschaft Tilsit-Ragnit
Kieler Strasse 118
D-24536 Neumuenster
Germany
The Martin-Opitz-Bibliothek (see above) also appears to have a complete set.
The primary society for genealogical research in East Prussia is the
Verein fuer Familienforschung in Ost- und Westpreussen
In de Kruemm 10
D-21147 Hamburg
Germany
Its publications include:
1. an annual, _Altpreussische Geschlechterkunde_, 1-4 (1927-1943 and a Neue
Folge, 1953 to date (the German Genealogical Society of America Library
in Los Angeles, California, has the volumes for 1927-1943 and for 1986
onwards);
2. an annual collection of pedigrees, _Altpreussische Geschlechterkunde -
Familienarchiv_, 1956 to date (the German Genealogical Society of America
Library has the volumes from 1986 onwards); and
3. an annual "record series", Sonderschriften, from 1961.
Annual membership in the Verein is DM 90, rather high even by German
standards, but members usually receive at least 2,000 pages of material every
year.
You may be able to contact living descendants of any Trock relatives who
stayed in Ragnit until the end of World War II.
<<Heimatortskarteien>> are directories of Germans expelled from what is now
Poland in 1945. They are arranged alphabetically by place of residence in
1939. The addresses they provide (primarily in what was West Germany) are
often from the 1950's and 1960's and are consequently out of date; however,
it is almost always possible to determine the present whereabouts of the
people listed, or, if they are deceased, the addresses of their heirs, from
the local police registers [<<Einwohnermelderegister>>]. The Heimatortskartei
(HOK) for East Prussia is the:
Heimatortskartei fuer Nordosteuropa, Abteilung Ostpreussen und Memelland
Meesenring 8
D-23566 Luebeck
Germany
The Heimatortskarteien are an outgrowth of the "search service"
[<<Suchdienst>>] set up by the churches in Germany immediately after World War
II to help reunite Germans expelled from the East with relatives and friends
in (West) Germany. A similar service was set up by the
<<Landesausgleichs"amter>>, the West German government agencies responsible
for providing immediate economic relief to those expelled from the East until
these were able to provide for themselves. The government equivalents to the
Heimatortskarteien were the <<Heimatauskunftstellen>>, which were also
arranged alphabetically by locality. The Heimatauskunftstellen for East
Prussia were originally housed at the Landesausgleichsamt Schleswig-Holstein,
on the Meesenring, right next door to the HOK (see above). However, several
years ago, in accordance with a law passed in 1988, the records were
transferred to the jurisdiction of the
Bundesarchiv, Abteilung VIII: Lastenausgleichsarchiv
Lastenausgleichsarchiv
Justus-Liebig-Strasse 8a
W-95447 Bayreuth
Germany
So far as I know, however, the records are still accessible, at this new
address.
The Family History Library Catalog also contains several microfilms catalogued
under "Archiv der Evangelischen Kirche in Deutschland (Hannover).
Bescheinigungen, ca. 1949-1957. ... Certificates of birth, baptism, marriage,
death and confirmation obtained from former German areas of Europe, concerning
refugees to West Germany after World War II." As these records were in 1957
held by the Protestant church, I am assuming they now form part of the
Heimatortskarteien. However, you might wish to check them for any Trock
references just in case they are *not* incorporated into the
Heimatortskarteien. Any addresses will of course be quite out of date.
However, it is always possible to trace an individual in West Germany so long
as the address given dates from after 1945. The microfilm you should search
is #0470157, which covers families from East Prussia with surnames beginning
in "Q"-"T".
The following church organizations can provide the addresses of any German
parishes with large numbers of members originally from East Prussia:
1. Gemeinschaft evangelischer Ostpreussen e.V.
Amelungshof 5
D-30519 Hannover
Germany
2. Hilfskomitee der evangelischen Deutschen aus Ostpreussen
Hauptstrasse 1
Beienrode
D-38154 Koenigslutter am Elm
Germany
In addition, the following is the German national "fraternal" organization of
ethnic Germans from East Prussia:
Landsmannschaft Ostpreussen e.V.
Parkallee 86
D-20154 Hamburg
Germany
Newspaper: _Das Ostpreussenblatt_.
You might wish to write to the Landsmannschaft, and if _Das Ostpreussenblatt_
accepts enquiries for missing persons you should certainly consider placing
announcements of your wish to contact anyone with information on any Trock
families that lived in Ragnit prior to 1945.
The Landsmannschaft is a national organization whose members come from all
over East Prussia. Germans from East Prussia have also formed societies
[<<Heimatkreisvereinigungen>> or <<Bundesheimatgruppe>>] and cultural centers
[[<<Heimatstuben>>] to collect and preserve information on the various
counties in East Prussia. Although the information these societies and
cultural centers have at their disposal varies greatly from institution to
institution, some have had remarkable success in reuniting "East Prussian"
Germans with their relatives scattered throughout the rest of the world. The
following organizations may be of help to you in researching the Ragnit area:
1. Depot des Heimatkreises Tilsit-Ragnit
Johannisstrasse 1
D-24306 Ploen
Germany
2. Patenschaft fuer Stadt Ragnit
Stadt Preetz
Rathaus
D-24211 Preetz
Germany
You can write to all the organizations above in clear, concise English,
but remember always to enclose at least 2 International Reply Coupons to
cover the cost of return postage.
Finally, the following is a list, in postal code order, of all the "Trock"
entries in the 1990 CD-ROM edition of the West German telephone directories.
Wolfgang Trock, Brunshornweg 5, Bahlburg, D-21423 Winsen, Germany
Katharina Trock, Weiherstrasse 27, Holzhausen, D-35232 Dautphetal
Peter Trock, Vautierstr 48, D-40237 Duesseldorf
Norbert Trock, Korbgasse 5, D-55116 Mainz
Franz Trock, Loehrrondell 9, D-56068 Koblenz
Josef Trock, Schulstrasse 21, D-56112 Lahnstein
Zelimir Trock, Koblenzerstrasse 1, D-56112 Lahnstein
Claudia Trock, Mittelstrasse 24, D-56357 Miehlen
Irene Trock, Baederstrasse 2, D-56357 Pohl
Irene Trock, Rotlint 96, D-60389 Frankfurt am Main
Erika Trock, Melibocusstrasse 38, D-60528 Frankfurt am Main
Wolfgang Trock, Gundhofstrasse 21, D-60528 Frankfurt am Main
Hermann Trock, An der Zingelswiese 11, D-65933 Frankfurt am Main
Ruediger Trock, Meisenweg 7, Hainhausen, D-63110 Rodgau
Mathias Trock, Seestrasse 2, Hainhausen, D-63110 Rodgau
Frank Trock, An der Schleifmuehle 39, D-64289 Darmstadt
Walter Trock, Parkstrasse 63, D-64289 Darmstadt
Winfried Trock, Darmstaedter Strasse 63, D-65428 Ruesselsheim
Armin Trock, Lenbachstrasse 28, D-65428 Ruesselsheim
Wilhelm Trock, Auf der Hoehe 26, D-65623 Hahnstaetten
Rainer & Robin Trock, Birkenweg 54, D-65623 Hahnstaetten
Holger Trock, Rheingaustr. 57, D-65719 Hofheim am Taunus
Walter Trock, Schlossstrasse 8, D-65719 Hofheim am Taunus
Willi Trock, Lorsbacherstrasse 9, D-65719 Hofheim a Taunus
Juergen Trock, Landwehr 4, D-65795 Hattersheim am Main
Rudolf Trock, Waldallee 77, Bremthal, D-65817 Eppstein
Trock, Elke, Koenigsbergerstrasse 19, D-65830 Kriftel
Trock, Mike, Lindenstrasse 11, D-65830 Kriftel
There is of course no guarantee that any of these people is related to your
ancestor Adolph. Nevertheless, you may wish to write to them. Your initial
letters should be in German. If you do not know German you can obtain an
appropriate German form letter from the German Genealogical Society of America
Library, P.O. Box 865, Claremont, CA 91711-0865. (Beware of the sample letters
given in the popular guides to German genealogical research--most of them are
appallingly inaccurate.) Please enclose with your letter at least 4
International Reply Coupons to cover the cost of return postage, as well as
a copy, preferably on ancestral charts, of all the information you already
have on your Trock ancestors.
Michael Palmer
=======================================================================
Beatrice M. Beck Michael P. Palmer
1028 Oxford Ave. P.O. Box 765
Claremont, CA 91711 Claremont, CA 91711
Tel: 909-626-1362
Internet: be...@cgsvax.claremont.edu
=======================================================================
Fred Rump from home
>His birthplace was RAGNIT, Germany; I'm not sure where Ragnit is (or
>was) .... that is, what country it is presently located in. Any
>information about Ragnit would also be helpful.
Ragnit was a small town in East Prussia (pop. 10,000) in Kreis Tilsit (Tilsit
County). It is in the very northernmost area near the old Memelland. It is
today part of the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad Oblast and is called Neman.
Fred
--
Fred Rump
26 Warren St. uucp: ...{dsinc uunet}!cdin-1!icdi10!fr
Beverly, NJ 08010 domain: fr...@compu.com or icdi10!f...@cdin-1.uu.net
609-386-6846 "Freude... Alle Menschen werden Brueder..." - Schiller
Fred Rump from home
>Its publications include:
>1. an annual, _Altpreussische Geschlechterkunde_, 1-4 (1927-1943 and a Neue
> Folge, 1953 to date (the German Genealogical Society of America Library
> in Los Angeles, California, has the volumes for 1927-1943 and for 1986
> onwards);
>2. an annual collection of pedigrees, _Altpreussische Geschlechterkunde -
> Familienarchiv_, 1956 to date (the German Genealogical Society of America
> Library has the volumes from 1986 onwards); and
>3. an annual "record series", Sonderschriften, from 1961.
To the treasure trove of information Michael Palmer came up with, let me only
add that in the above 'Geschlechterkunde' (XII,29 - 1981) a directory of
Ragnit confirmations appear for the years 1784-1787 as compiled by Guenter
Adomat. See pages 290-294.
Obviously there in no assurance that your Trocks had any long history in
Ragnit but looking at all the suggested material might also pinpoint when the
family went there and from whence they came.
While the thought of Michael Palmer is fresh on my mind, some time ago there
was a recent flurry of E-mail as to the lack of private response to direct
mail to his address. A month or two ago I received mail explaining that there
were problems with the receiving system at the claremont node. Apparently
mail would be delivered to various subterranean directories to rest there in
peace. But other than that, it's been rather quiet from that direction. Maybe
they still lose their mail but somehow can read soc.roots without problems. I
guess I'll try another message in a moment to see what happens.
fred