This German Bible contains Family Register pages between the Old and New Testaments. The Family Register is composed of the Trauungen (Marriage Register), the Geburten (Birth Register), and the Sterbefalle (Death Register).
The Marriage Register contains information on the marriage of Nathan Haas and Esther Merkel. It says: "Am 14ten September 1844 wurde Nathan Haas zu Ester Merkel durch Herrn Pfarrer Helfrich getraut", which translates as: "On the 14th of September 1844 Nathan Haas was married to Ester Merkel by Pastor Helfrich".
The Birth Register lists the names and birthdays of the children of Nathan Haas and Esther Merkel. The surname Haas is omitted. A solid line is drawn under child 2 in the original, followed by the word Kinder (Children), then followed by child 3. This is a transcription of the inscription.
1. Maria Anna, geboren den 14ten Februar 1846
2. Wilhelm Merkel, geboren den 29ten Januar 1849
Kinder
3. Louise Emmeleine, geboren den 14ten Januar 1852
4. Hanna Catharine, geboren den 20ten May 1856
5. Fanny Susanna, geboren den 21ten April 1859
6. Lenore Florente, geboren den 27ten September 1864
This is the translation with the surname Haas added:
1. Maria Anna Haas, born the 14th of February 1846
2. Wilhelm Merkel Haas, born the 29th of January 1849
Children
3. Louise Emmeleine Haas, born the 14th of January 1852
4. Hanna Catharine Haas, born the 20th of May 1856
5. Fanny Susanna Haas, born the 21st of April 1859
6. Lenore Florente Haas, born the 27th of September 1864
The Death Register indicates that Maria Anna and Wilhelm (Marianne and Wilson) died in 1851. This explains the solid line under their names in the Births Register.
A transcription of this page is:
Der 12 Monat December 1851AD? is Marianne den 15ten gestorben.
Den 12 Monat December 1851AD? is Wilson Merkel Hass den 20 December gestorben.
A translation of the two items on this page is:
The 12 month December 1851AD? is Marianne the 15th died; i.e. Marianne died 15 December 1851.
The 12 month December 1851AD? is Wilson Merkel Hass the 20 December died; i.e. Wilson Merkel Hass died 20 December 1851.
A newspaper article in English is glued inside the front cover. This describes a surprise gift which Mrs. Esther Haas was given by her son-in-law Wallace Lechner for her 78th birthday. Also included is news on others in the community, which is Shanesville, Earl Township, Berks County, PA. The article follows:
Shanesville -- Her 78th Birthday
Mrs. Esther Haas, of this place, was greatly surprised on the occasion of her 78th birthday anniversary, when D. C. Brumbach, a furniture dealer, of Boyertown, brought her a handsome rocking chair. The chair was ordered by Wallace Lechner, a son-in-law, without the old woman's knowledge. Mrs. Haas is hale and hearty for one of her age.---Mrs Catherine Brumbach of our village is sick with heart disease. Dr. Wagner attends.---Mrs. Jno. Rhoads is still in a precarious condition.---Addison Conrad, employed as miller by Wm. R. Hoch, fell from his bicycle and dislocated his arm at the elbow.
The page opposite the inside front cover of this Bible has the inscription "Chas. H. Lechner July 25, 1933", indicating that he came into posession of this Bible at that time. Charles H. Lechner is a son of Wallace Lechner.
Note: Nathan Haas, Esther Merkel, Fannie Haas, Wallace Lechner, and Charles Lechner (son of Wallace and Fannie) are all mentioned on Page 1297 of the Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County, PA by Morton L. Montgomery (published in 1909).
Note: An additional child exists which was not listed in this Bible. This is Llewellyn Edward Haas, born 10 MAY 1862 and died 21 MAY 1862. He was buried at Zion Church Cemetery, Maxatawny Twp., Berks Co., PA. The source is: "Zion Union Church Cemetery, Maxatawny, Maxatawny Twp., Berks Co., PA cemetery records".
Submitted by: Richard.
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