Project Surnames
Gabenesch, Gabenisch, Gabennesch, Gafanesch, Gafenesch, Gavanesch, Gavanesche, Gavenesch
Project Background
INTRODUCTION : (Language Translation Assistance) :
http://www.google.com/language_tools
http://www.translation.langenberg.com
The following information was compiled from countless hours of research gathered from several sources including :
* French Genealogist Marie-Odile PERES,
* "Les Familles de Bining de 1660 a' 1905", Cercle genealogigue du Pays de Bitche, Auteur : Beatrice KIRSCH,
* Internet and microfilm records from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and
* Interviews and documents from several living members of the GABENESCH, GABENISCH, GAVANESCH(E), GAVENESCH, GAFANESCH and GAFENESCH families in Western Europe.
Special recognition is warranted for someone who has been vital to the research gathering - Colette CHRISTIANY nee GABENESCH. Without her unbridled spirit, tireless efforts, and ability to speak French, German, and English - none of this would be possible.
Another person deserving special recognition is Richard WEISSE. Richard is the son of Georgette GABENESCH and has been instrumental in providing assistance with the genetic testing.
During the Summer of 2007 I was privileged to visit the region surrounding Bining, Lorraine, France and meet several of the aforementioned people. I was honored with a warm welcome from Mr. Christian MARTINE, maire de BINING. Mr. MARTINE's wife is Marie-Reine nee GABENESCH (daughter of Leon GABENESCH).
Colette CHRISTIANY, Richard WEISSE and Marie-Reine MARTINE are descendants of Christian GABENESCH / Marguerite KNIDER (see Family Background).
I am honored to be the family secretary and administrator of this website.
Regards,
Michael Stephen Gabennesch
Cincinnati, Ohio USA
FAMILY BACKGROUND :
In the winter of 1847/1848, my great, great, grandfather Christofel GABENESCH emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio USA from Bining, Lorraine, France. About a year later, his wife Elisabeth LETT and their daughter followed, with the assistance of Elisabeth's sister Catherine.
In the United States, the surname changed to GABENNESCH with the addition of a second "n" around 1859.
Conventional genealogical research shows that Christofel is the great, great, grandson of Chretien GABENESCH / Anna Marie MULLER. Chretien and Anna settled in Kalhausen, Lorraine, France in the early 1700's.
Another branch of the GABENESCH family was started by Christian GABENESCH / Marguerite KNIDER after they settled in Bining, Lorraine, France - about the same time that Chretien/Anna Marie settled in Kalhausen.
In 1777, Jacques GABENESCH (Chretien's grandson / Christofel's grandfather), married Christine GOTTWALLES in Bining. As a result, many of Chretien's descendants lived in Bining while others lived in Wiesviller, Lorraine, France.
Since Kalhausen, Bining, and Wiesviller are located within a short distance of each other, and both GABENESCH families were masons/stone masons - it is strongly believed that the two families are related - but this has not been verified through conventional genealogical research.
In the mid-1800's two of Christofel's first-cousins (sons of Jacques GABENESCH / Anne HENRICH) moved to Amance and Nancy, France and their surname changed to GABENISCH.
According to German Language scholars associated with the University of Cincinnati, the "SCH" ending in the surname uniquely demonstrates a Germanic origin - but the GABENESCH / GABENISCH surnames cannot be located in Germany or Austria.
Through further research using conventional research methods, records show that there were two GAVANESCHE families living and working as masons/stone masons in the Montafon Valley, Voralberg, Austria in the 1500's. Adam GAVANESCHE / Sara GERBSPACHER in St. Gallenkirch, and Georg GAVANESCHE / Christine BERTLE in Schruns. The surname eventually changed to GAVANESCH in the 1800's. Living members of this surname can be found in France and New Zealand.
Around 1808, two GAVANESCHE brothers (Franz Josef and Jean-Jacques, descendants of Adam / Sara) moved to Bollviller, Alsace, France and their surname changed to GAFANESCH. Emil GAFANESCH (grandson of Jean-Jacques) emigrated to the USA in 1887 and settled in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Living members of this family reside in the USA, and France.
Conventional research also shows that Joseph GAVENESCH and his wife Madelina KAUFMAN emigrated from Germany to New York around 1850. About 1860, after their first two children were born, they moved to Hudson, New Jersey (later became Jersey City, NJ) where they owned several tenant houses and operated a grocery store. It appears that living members of this family reside in Germany only.