While Cathy Meder-Dempsey (Opening Doors in Brick Walls) gave me a tutorial in obtaining death records from Alsace, we incidentally found a marriage record from my ancestors. Cathy’s generosity in teaching me, as well as her translations of records, was so above and beyond. Cathy, thank you so much!
This marriage record is for my 2nd great-grandparents, Anne Riehr and Antoine Schirmer on 10 January 1842 in Steinbrunn-le-Bas, Haut Rhin, France.
What follows is Cathy’s translation of this record.
Here is the translation of the French marriage record. You will notice at the very end that the witnesses and likely the couple and their parents may have spoken German.
In the year 1842, the 10 January at 9 o’clock in
the morning, before us Antoine Schweichler, mayor and civil officer
of the commune of Steinbrunn le Bas, canton of Landser, arrondissement
of Altkirch, department of Haut Rhin
appeared Schirmer Antoine, famer, age 28 years,
born and resident in this commune, of age legitimate son of Laurent
Schirmer, farmer, age 70 years and Anne Marie
Legibel, without a profession, age 71 years, married couple residing
in this commune, present and consulting in the projected marriage – of one part
and the damsel Riehr Anne, without a profession, age 24 years, born and
resident of Luemschwiller, legitimate of age daughter of Jean Thiebaud
Riehr, farmer, age 55 years et of Françoise Sutter,
without a profession, age 58 years, married couple and residents of the said
Luemschwiller, here present and consenting to the marriage – of the other part
who required of us to procede in the celebration of marriage
projected between them and of which the publication was made before the
door of our town hall and before the door of the town hall
of the commune of Luemschwiller, the first time on 26 December
1841 and the second time on 2 January 1842
at noon and there being no opposition to the said marriage
having been signified we granted their requisition after having
read 1. the extracts of the birth records, 2. the
two publications, 3. a certificate delivered by the mayor of Luemschwiller
on the date of 9 January of the current month constituting that
no opposition to the projected marriage was made, 4. chapter 6 of the
civil code concerning marriage, we asked the future husband
and the future wife if they wanted to take each other for husband and wife
each of them responded separately and affirmatively, and we declared
by law that Antoine Schirmer and Anne Riehr are united in marriage.
of all that we have draw up this record in the presence of Joseph Kauffmann,
farmer, age 46 years, Jean Kauffmann, farmer, age
38 years, the two brothers-in-law of the bride, Morand Richard
farmer, age 32 years, and Leger Zarsinger(?), farmer, age
38 years, the two residents of Luemschwiller, all
four witnesses, who after we read and
gave an interpretation in German, all signed with us and
the parties of the contractants.
signatures….
***
OK, German. We know that Alsace was pulled between Germany and France, but I’d love to know what the day-to-day lives of these people was like. How did they negotiate the language situation? Did they stubbornly cling to German even when they lived in France? I do believe that my grandfather who immigrated from Alsace was a German speaker. Did he know French? Do you know any novels that might show me a glimpse of what it was like to live in Alsace in the 1800s or the 1700s?
The Family Kalamazoo 
I don’t know about novels, but I seem to recall that the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? included an episode about someone whose ancestors came from one of those places that oscillated between France and Germany (Metz, perhaps). There was a museum with various documents, including letters, and interviews with elderly residents. Sadly. I cannot recall which celebrity’s ancestry it was. But, you never know, someone else might. Might be worth giving online forums (maybe Rootschat) a try? Andrew.
Andrew, what a great lead. I will search for that episode. Thank you!
It might have been J.K. Rowling. See here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Do_You_Think_You_Are%3F_(UK_TV_series)#Series_8_(2011)
Let’s see if Andrew thinks this is the one!
Andrew, do you think Val is right? is it the J.K. Rowling episode?
Cathy is awesome! What a detailed document. I also have some relatives who lived in the region of what is now southwestern Germany where early 1800s documents were in French and then switched back to German. I’d be interested in learning more also. Let me know if you find a good source!
She truly is! Are the documents stored in France or Germany? It’s odd to think of German language records stored in France, but that is the way some are. Did you read Andrew’s suggestion?
No, I will go back and read it. Thanks.
That’s very cool!!! …that you found that record AND the fantastic genealogical act of kindness as well!
I am so lucky on both counts. And so grateful to Cathy!
It was fun being able to chat with you while you followed my directions and found the records.
My Alsatian ancestor left in 1752. I would also like to know more about what life was like for the three generations (back) I’ve found for my immigrant.
My godfather and his wife (my 1C1R) lived outside of Strasbourg and spoke Alsatian, a Germanic dialect, at home but also German and French as both were learned in school.
Thank you, Luanne, for the mention. It was a pleasure.
You make me wonder if my ancestors could have been bi or trilingual. That really would make a lot of sense for some although they appear to have been farmers. Wonderful working with you, Cathy. I’m so grateful to you!
I would think at least bilingual. From this marriage record they were proficient in German but had to have the French marriage record translated before signing. They more than likely spoke Alsatian in the home. You’re welcome, Luanne.
Oh, that’s probably true! What is Alsatian like?
If they speak it slowly it is a lot like Luxembourgish – a mixture of German and French – but more German.
I can’t believe I don’t know these things!
What a great post and the document is wonderful, so detailed. I loved that Anne was called a ‘damsel’. I was also surprised by Antoine’s parents ages, they were in their 40’s when they had him. While not surprising for today that did seem older for back then.
I guess they kept having kids as long as they could. 😉 Damsel. What a word! There ain’t nothing like a dame. I wonder if dame comes from damsel! French records seem wonderful. Just missing, of course, the elusive cause of death!
Congrats on yet more amazing research. Can’t help you with novels, but I believe the Grimm Fairy Tales were from Alsace rather than Germany, if that helps
Are you serious? Where did you hear that? The stuff of my childhood nightmares! “Look inside the chest, my son.” Then the stepmother bangs the lid down….
So amazing to be able to make those discoveries…good for you!
Thanks, Ann Marie! I’m always hungry for more info! 🙂
lol…genealogy is an addiction!
I’m pretty sure you’re right!
What exciting finds!
So exciting!
I may have use for that information, too, since I appear to have some ancestors who lived in those borderlands.
It’s an odd area to do historical (versus genealogical) research on. I so want to know what it was REALLY like.
To me, history and genealogy are inextricably entwined.
Each sheds light on the other!
Luanne, this might help: http://french-genealogy.typepad.com/genealogie/2009/06/les-optants-of-alsacelorraine.html
I just printed it out to read it. My eyes are so tired from travel I can’t read much on the screen yet.