Reviewing my husband’s family tree has been a very rewarding experience, as I’ve been able to locate and save many documents that weren’t previously available to me.
The Estermann family is no exception, as I’ve not only located original records to prove the tentative data I collected several years ago, but I’ve been able to add a new generation of parents for Maria Wapf, who married Martin Estermann.
So, let’s begin with this new generation.
Peter Wapf was born c1571, possibly in Neudorf, Lucerne, Switzerland, where he married and his children were born. No birth or baptismal record has been found for him, but it’s possible that the church records for his birthplace aren’t extant.
Elisabeth Lewerin was born c1575, also possibly in Neudorf.
Their marriage record hasn’t been found, either, but they likely married around 1596.
However, baptisms for their children have been located, along with one burial record for Jacob, all in Neudorf, Lucerne, Switzerland. These church records are found on Family History Library Film #8194319. Image numbers are in the captions:
Children:
- Beatus Jacob, baptized 23 February 1597; died young NOTE: Beatus means ‘blessed’ in Latin. Whether or not his parents named him Blessed is unknown.
2. John Baptist, baptized 2 October 1598
3. Beatus Jacob, baptized 13 April 1600; probably died young
4. Barbara, baptized 7 April 1605
5. Maria, baptized 24 March 1608; married Martin Estermann, 24 October 1621
6. Jacob, baptized 27 March 1610; buried 31 December 1694; married Agatha Bucher, 31 October 1632
This adds a new well-documented generation to my husband’s family tree and an early one at that!