Our Hannover Roots

Sonke Wessel with Kathleen's mom, the late Florence Neilson, on a field trip to the state capitol building in St. Paul, circa 1982.

Back in the early 80s when we had three girls in school, we took an opportunity to host a foreign student, Sonke Wessel of Hannover, Germany. It was an adventure for us all, as we learned much from each other about our small world. 

Ingeborg, Kathleen, Thomas, Sonke's brother

But the most enduring part of the experience was the relationship gained with Sonke’s mother, Ingeborg. She loved everything about America and not long after Sonke’s short time with us, she came for her own visit to Minnesota. It was to be her first of a number of trips here. During those extended stays in the 80s and 90s, we spent a good deal of time comparing cultures and attitudes. We could do this because she had a good command of the English language -- although an occasional idiomatic lapse would bring hilarity. For example, a shortened nightgown is a nightie, logical, right? Doesn’t always work that way, though, as Ingeborg well knew. As in “a pair of pants.” (Pair? What pair? Pair of shoes, yes.)
But Ingeborg was never discouraged. One morning Stan came into the kitchen wearing a new pair of shorts. Those are short pants, right? So then Ingeborg innocently observes: “Stan, I see you are wearing panties today.”
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A favorite topic was always her beloved Hannover. A beautiful mid-sized city, she has presented us with maps and books and travelogues about it. She’s invited us to come many times. Today we have yet another reason to go.
The current buzz about Mom's geneology sent Stan downstairs today into the Rolfsrud archives -- only recently organized in bins by Sosie. Stan pulled out a batch of papers filed under “Wendelken.” That’s Stan’s grandmother’s maiden name. Leafing through the copious notes, he soon discovered that Hannover is an even more worthy city than he had ever realized. Much more.
Stan’s great great grandfather and great great grandmother (Mom’s blood) were both born near Hannover, Germany.
Here’s the citation, confirmed by an internet web site, word for word:
Johann Wendelken Jr was born on 31 March 1817 at Winkelmoor, Ottersberg, Hanover, Germany. He married Anna Katharina Kohlmann, daughter of Zeband Kohlmann and Katherina Gutindes, on 3 December 1841 at Worpswede, Hanover, Germany. He emigrated in 1843 from Spring, Emigrated to, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. He appeared on the census of 6 August 1850 at Ward 2, Page 177-B, Dwelling 21, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. He was (an unknown value) on 6 August 1850 at Carpenter, Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. He died in 1903 at Elkton, Brookings County, South Dakota.

The senior Wendelkens hail from the same general location. Stan’s great-great-great grandfather and great great great grandmother were married near Hannover, Germany.
Johann Wendelken Sr was born on 17 September 1786 at Mevenstedt, Hanover, Germany. He married Mettje Schnackenberg, daughter of Gerd Schnackenberg and Trina Brunjes, on 20 October 1809 at Worpswede, Hanover, Germany. He died on 26 September 1862 at Winkelmoor, Hanover, Germany, at age 76.
Grandma Mettje was born in 1788 and died in 1844.
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So there you have it. Roots in Hannover. We’ll send this off to Ingeborg right away!