As we have seen in the 12 for ’25 posts this month, the Estermann family was firmly entrenched in Neudorf, Lucerne, Switzerland for decades.

The extant church records which contain their vital records are in the Roman Catholic Church. However, Martin Luther brought church upheaval to many parts of Roman Catholic Europe in the early 1500s and, at some point in the 1600s, the Estermann family not only left Switzerland, but also became adherents of the Protestant faith.

Burial records haven’t been identified for Wendel Estermann’s parents so it isn’t known whether Wendel left Neudorf for Mannheim, Germany on his own or if other family members left with him.

What is certain is that Wendel Estermann married Veronica Deler, daughter of Hans Deler per details in the marriage record, on 7 April 1656 in Bretten, Baden, Germany.

Aside from the name of her father, little else is known about her family. However, the Deler surname isn’t very common and I’d venture to put forth the theory that Veronica was also from Lucerne, Switzerland, possibly from either Rothenburg or Eschenbach. Neudorf is but 11 miles from Eschenbach and Rothenburg is but 4 miles away, so all these towns are easily accessible even if walking.

There are just a handful of Deler records in Lucerne, so they may all tie into Veronica’s family.

First, Hans Deler was buried on 12 December 1658 in Eschenbach.

When Veronica married Wendel, her mother’s name was not recorded.

However, Nicholas Deler, son of Hans Deler and Johanna Keichliger was baptized in Rothenburg on 3 June 1644.

Further, one Anna Deler married Anthony Welman on 8 October 1656 in Eschenburg and a second marriage is found for an Anna (possibly the same woman) Deler who married Bernhard Zubler on 7 October 1668, again in Eschenbach.

From these few details, I am almost afraid to assemble a family unit. NOTE: This is a theory, NOT proof of Veronica’s family.

Hans Deler, born c1600; buried 12 December 1658, Eschenbach, Lucerne, Switzerland; married Johanna Keichliger [perhaps Eichliger or Eichler as I’ve found surnames to be transcribed a myriad of ways by people who aren’t expert (including me) at reading old script.] There is an Eicheler family living in Willisau, Lucerne, Switzerland at the turn of the 17th century.

It’s quite a distance from Eschenbach, but given that Wendel moved from Neudorf to Mannheim (220 miles), it’s definitely possible that an Eicheler family moved 62 miles between Willisau and Eschenbach.

Remember, at this time in history, this part of Europe was in religious and economic turmoil in addition to The Thirty years War from 1618-1648 taking place in their backyard. People were on the move.

To continue, – Hans was likely born c1608, perhaps in Lucerne, Switzerland and married Johanna Keichliger (or some variation of spelling), c1632. [We will assume for this theory that Johanna was his first and only wife.]

Possible Children:

1. Veronica, born c1633; married Wendel Estermann, 7 April 1656, Bretten, Baden, Germany
2. Anna, born c1635; married Anthony Welman, 8 October 1656, Eschenbach, Lucerne, Switzerland (2) Bernhard Zubler, 7 October 1668, both in Eschenbach, Lucerne, Switzerland
3. Nicholas, baptized 3 June 1644, Rothenburg, Lucerne, Switzerland

I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to prove this theory since there seems to be a lack of church records providing more information. It’s particularly disappointing that the burial records never, ever give any family connection in this time period. Occasionally, the priest might have noted that the person was a child or widow/er. He didn’t even record the age of the deceased!