re: Goerners in Texas
Dear Felix,
You say in your message that you were surprised to find several Goerners in the States.There are more than a few Goerners in Texas that have come from our immediate family.In the last two generations these Texas Goerners have spread all over the USA and have lived and worked all over the world.At one time my mother had four children living in four different continents.Since you like to reflect on people’s characters, interests and deeds, perhaps you can explain what made them leave Austria in the middle of the 19th Century and wander all over the world.
There are several specific things I would like to say:
1) I think we were told and have always assumed that our name was originally spelled with the umlaut.That is why each branch of the family pronounces the name in a different way.They have attempted to Anglicise the umlaut sound.
2) We would appreciate what ever ideas you might be able to offer on where we came from –
- Family members state that my great grandfather, who immigrated with his wife and 4 children, in the 1850s lived in Berndorf, Austria.
- The passenger list showing the family’s arrival in Texas says the family is from Neudorf(no country given). There is a note following saying there are 18 in Germany.
- My grandfather’s first cousin came to Texas 20 years later and is listed as coming from Bohemia.
- My grandfather’s marriage certificate is quoted as stating that he was ‘of dem Koenigr Boehman’.Could ‘dem Koenigr Boehman’ be ‘of the Kingdom of Bohemia’?
3) Do you know of genealogical societies or local history societies in Austria?Such societies are common in the USA and Britain.They are often able to answer questions and give useful information about resources.If there are such societies, could you post an address so we can contact them?
I am glad you were curious about the Goerners/Gorners.That curiosity could make you a genealogist.
Sincerely,Margaret Goerner Johnson