Death of Arnoldus Knecht Oct 1752

Gary Knecht

I think this says he died on 26 Oct in Rüden age 63, but I can't make out all the other words. Can you please help? I can't find a Rüden anywhere near Solingen. Can you? FHL Film 176232; image 261 of 348 - LE310 S1752/509/04 (right page, 4th entry)

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8Y-K7ZL-2?i=260&cat=15184

JohnsonGreg

Left column: 31st, 67 (burial date, burial number)

Arnoldus Knecht in Rüden, died on the 26th of the same (month)

age about 63 years

Rüden is a small farm/district in south Solingen:

https://solingenmagazin.de/in-rueden-stehen-die-kirschbaeume-in-bluete/

https://www.ich-geh-wandern.de/rundwanderweg-friedrichstal-r%C3%BCden-solingen

https://www.wiki-data.de-de.nina.az/Obenr%C3%BCden.html

Note: if you use google to translate these websites it sometimes reads funny because it translates the name "Rüden" into "male" or "male dog".

Gary Knecht

Thank you! Thank you @JohnsonGreg

Gary Knecht

I have been unable to find his baptism. Any suggestions for where to look?

sylviaelchinger1

Do you have a marriage record for Arnoldus? It may give the town of his birth, which may be different than Solingen or Rüden. Also, the death record says his age is "about" 63 years, not exactly that. So look at records maybe for a year before or after the presumed birth year.

Gary Knecht

Several of Arnold's siblings were born in Widdert (Höhscheid) which is one of several villages adjacent to (and now part of) Solingen. I have unsuccessfully searched Films 176230 (reverse order) and 176231 for 1689-1691 but have difficulty deciphering some of the handwriting. I should probably also search 1688. His marriage record is here (5th one)--can you find any more clues here?

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS8Y-238G?cat=15184

sylviaelchinger1

Here's the translation of the marriage record -

Arnoldus Knecht, legitimate son of Wilhelm Knecht of Widdert, and Anna Christina Flocke, surviving daughter of the deceased Peter Flocke of Widdert.

This implies that Arnoldus was born in Widdert, as you say his siblings were. What's the birth order of the siblings? Is there a gap where Arnoldus might fit in? Is he the oldest? Youngest? If oldest, do you know when his parents married?

Gary Knecht

Arnold is the 7th child in a family with 9. He fits right in where I think he should be: 1689, 1690, or 1691. I haven't yet checked late 1688 or 1692.

Knecht-Joost Family Group Sheet.jpg

sylviaelchinger1

What about confirmation records? Do they exist for this place and timeframe? Children were usually confirmed around age 14. Sometimes, if you're lucky, a birth date will be included with the confirmation, but maybe not for a record in the late 1600s / early 1700s. It's worth a try though.

Another possibility is the Bürgerbuch. When a person became a citizen, other information beyond name and date may be provided, such as name of father, place of previous residence if applicable, and even birthdate.

Gary Knecht

I have never seen confirmation records in Solingen, but I will look again. I'm not familiar with the Bürgerbuch. Civil records in Solingen and vicinity begin in 1811 or 1812.

sylviaelchinger1

Bürgerbuch for Solingen can be found here - have fun!

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/1027111?availability=Family%20History%20Library

Gary Knecht

FamilySearch has lots of great records, but some require a users manual. This is one such collection. I have been here before but have absolutely no idea how to use it. And Arnold is a distant cousin, so I'm not likely to invest the time needed to learn.

Thanks anyway!