The Michel Family of Freinsheim

Michel or Michael as a surname appears only sporadically in 18th century records in Freinsheim. A daughter named Johanna Eva Michael was born to Anna Maria and Johann Georg Michael 02 May 1732 and christened in Freinsheim the same day.

Maria Magdalena Michael married Sebastian Speidel in Freinsheim 23 Nov 1751. They had two children born 1752 and 1754, both christened in Freinsheim.

Christina and Martin Michel also had two children christened in Freinsheim. Maria Agnes Michel was born 21 Feb 1776 and christened 22 Feb 1776. Johannes Michel was born 25 Feb or Mar 1778 and christened 26 Feb or Mar 1778.

I haven't been able to find follow-up information for any of these records.

Catharina Hohl and Michael Michel

Catharina Hohl and Michael Michel had at least five children, one born before 1816 and the others born 1817-1826. This suggests that the parents were born 1776-1797. My best guess for Catharina is the daughter of Anna Christina Willi and Johannes Reichard Hohl born 28 Oct 1783 and christened in Freinsheim 29 Oct 1783. My best guess for Michael is Johann Michael, the son of Maria Christina Zimmermann and Johann Wilhelm Michel christened in Herxheim am Berg 19 Dec 1779.

As I said, Catharina and Michael had at least five children that I could find records for:

• Peter born in or before 1815. Married Sophia Walz, daughter of Catharina Wernz and Franz Walz, in Freinsheim 19 Dec 1839;
• Anna Christina christened 16 Oct 1817. Possibly the Christina Michel who married Jacob II Engel 10 Oct 1837. Jacob died and was buried in Freinsheim 18 Sep 1856. Definitely the Anna Christina Michel who married Jacob Weibert, son of Anna Maria Auth and Andräas Weibert, 27 Oct 1857. Their daughter Anna Christina Weibert was christened in Freinsheim 20 Jun 1858 but died and was buried 04 Mar 1862;
• Reichard christened 15 or 19 May 1820. Married Anna Margaretha Kaufer, daughter of Magdalena Stürmer and Conrad Kaufer, 07 Aug 1849. I have no further records for this couple;
• Elisabetha christened 09 Apr 1823. Married Johann Friedrich Schuster, son of Anna Elisabetha Butterfass and Jakob Schuster, 09 Oct 1845. Friedrich had been born 31 May 1821 and christened in Colgenstein, 10 km north of Freinsheim. I have no further records for this couple; and
• Catharina christened 26 May 1826. Married Christoph II Harm, son of Charlotta Schramm and Christoph Heinrich Harm, 01 Dec 1853. They had five children christened in Freinsheim 1854-1865.

Michael Michel died and was buried in Freinsheim 19 Aug 1842. Catharina Hohl died and was buried in Freinsheim 02 Sep 1853.

Gertraud Harm and Jacob Michel

Gertraud Harm and Jacob Michel married in Freinsheim 19 Apr 1836. Both of them were probably born during the records gap. I don't know if or how Jacob may have been related to Michael Michel.

Gertraud and Jacob had five children, all christened in Freinsheim. One died at the age of 17:

• Reichardt born 15 Apr 1837, christened 19 Apr 1837. Married Anna Maria Bender in Kallstadt 16 Apr 1863;
• Heinrich christened 09 Jan 1839. Married Maria Magdalena Walter, daughter of Maria Magdalena Koblentz and Karl Ludwig Walter, in Gönnheim 29 Apr 1869. Their son Jacob Karl Michel was born 27 Mar 1870 and christened in Freinsheim 15 Apr 1870;
• Jacob christened 03 Jul 1842. Died and was buried in Freinsheim 27 Dec 1859;
• Juliana christened 21 Dec 1845. Possibly the Juliana Michel who married Jacob Reibold and whose daughter Maria Elisabetha Reibold was born 23 Oct 1875 and christened in Freinsheim 19 Nov 1875; and
• Elisabetha christened 12 Jun 1850.

I have no further information on Gertraud Harm, the senior Jacob Michel or their daughter Elisabetha.

Emigration: 1854

According to the Tabellarische Übersicht ber Auswanderungen nach überseeischen Ländern aus der Gemeinde Freinsheim someone with the last name Michel is listed as emigrating from Freinsheim in 1854. Although there's only one person, they're marked as being the head of a family rather than emigrating as an unmarried woman or man. The person's first name appears to be Margaretha Catharina or possibly Margaretha Christina.

I have no other records on Margaretha.