Check my reading of record

cmillionaire

Can you check my reading of this 1657 birth record?

I think it's saying the following:

On the 17th, Johannes Hebendanz and Susanna, son named Paul

It is in Forchheim, Bayern, and can be found at https://data.matricula-online.eu/en/deutschland/bamberg/forchheim-st-martin/M1%252F1/?pg=236.

What do you think of my reading, in particular the child's name?

I think this might be the birth record for Paul Christian Hebendanz (GHWR-JRW); current research indicates he was born in circa 1655 in Forchheim.

Thanks!

cmillionaire

Ulrich Neitzel

@cmillionaire

I read the following:

17. Hl. Joanneß Hebendantz undt Sußanna. Hl. Paul Rinnagel.

It is unclear to me who Paul Rinnagel is, the sponsor? I do not see the child's name. The sign "Hl" before the father's and Paul's name is a mark of distinction (maybe "Hochlöblich" = honourable).

cmillionaire

https://community.familysearch.org/discussion/comment/528620#Comment_528620

Interesting, that makes sense.

So then how do I go about determining the name of the child? If Paul Rinnagel is the sponsor then maybe it would make sense that the child's name is Paul, but I don't know.

Looking at the other records on the page, it does seem that every record has the same formula of father, mother, and then another name (for example Georg Hoffmann, und Cunigunda, Catherine G...).

Thoughts?

Ulrich Neitzel

So then how do I go about determining the name of the child? If Paul Rinnagel is the sponsor then maybe it would make sense that the child's name is Paul, but I don't know.

Yes, it was very common for the child to be given the name of the (or a) sponsor. But I've never seen so many birth records where the names of the children were not specifically noted.

cmillionaire

https://community.familysearch.org/discussion/comment/528677#Comment_528677

So based on circumstantial evidence I think this is the person I'm looking for. Here's why:

• This is the only Hebendanz family having children in Forchheim in around 1655. Death records for the parish indicate that there was not a Paul Hebendanz who died in Forchheim in the years following 1657.
• The child was presumably named after the sponsor, who was named Paul.
• The "H.L." suggesting that the family was wealthier lines up with my understanding that the Paul Hebendanz I'm looking for was wealthier (seeing as his daughter married into a prominent noble family and his son was a court councilor [hofrat]).

What do you think of my reasoning? Does it seem like enough evidence to say that this is most likely Paul Hebendanz's birth record?

Thanks again!

Ulrich Neitzel

@cmillionaire

I don't know what information you have about Paul Hebendanz. The FS profile references only one (secondary) source that has very little life data. The birthplace is given as Forchheim, but the birthdate is missing. Parents are not named. A second name Christian is given which does not appear on the birth record.

The strongest link seems to be the name Hebendanz itself which is quite uncommon. To really prove the identity other primary sources that corroborate the birth date would be necessary, e.g., a death record with age specification or possibly a marriage record.

When googling the name I happened to find another archival document that may be of interest: link. It names a Paul Christian Hebendanz who is "Secretary of the Michelsberg Monastry in Bamberg" (1699). The document itself is available only in paper in the Staatsarchiv Bamberg.

cmillionaire

https://community.familysearch.org/discussion/comment/528691#Comment_528691

Thank you for the helpful insights!!