About us
Different families with similar surnames similar to Menche, Mankey, and Mancha hailing from Pennsylvania and Maryland have always been suspected to be related, but without definite documented proof, doubt existed. The Mancha surname was known to have been descendants of Johann Peter Männchen, who came to Philadelphia from Breckenheim, Germany in 1751. Although the proven, documented patrilineage goes back to 1705, there might be a common patrilineal descendancy from the Menche family who were mayors in Kirchhain, Hessen, Germany in the 15th century. Through this DNA Project, these questions are being answered. The DYS marker results from Y chromosome DNA testing are valuable to the genealogist not only to prove common Paternal descent for people of common surnames, but also to verify existing "paper-trail" genealogies.
Kirchain, Germany Menche Mayor Family* Hermann Menche: Burger in Kirchhain. Died about 1443. * Contzchen Menche: 1476 in Amöneburg * Klaus Menche: Bürgermeister in Kirchhain from 1483-1497. Died April 21, 1497. * Gela Menche: of Kirchhain, Married Heinritze Kornmann. Died before 1504. According to Familienforschung und Vererbungslehre by Robert Sommer, the legendary founder of this family was one Heinrich called "das Menche" (little man) of Amöneburg who died about 1400. Since it is said he provided grain to the people in times of famine, he was called the "Korn-Menche" and is said to be the progenitor of the Menche and Kormann families of Amöneburg and nearby Kirchhain in Hessen, Germany. However, tax lists of the area from the Abbey of Essen in 1332 include the surname "Menekin", an earlier form of Menche.
Brechenheim Männchen/Menge Lineage (Source: Breckenheim Kirchenbuch, 1657-1875) * Johann Henrich Menge: married Anna Catharina Stein in Breckenheim Feb 5, 1705. A weaver. Died May 7, 1740 in Breckenheim. * Johann Peter Männchen: son of JHM. Born: Sept 4, 1708 in Breckenheim. Married Anna Maria Crämer 19 Jan 1734 in Breckenheim. A juror. Freilassungsbrief (letter of end of serfdom) from Ludwig VIII of Hessen to Johann Peter Mänchen dated Febr 15, 1751. Arrived in Philadelphia Sept 15, 1751. Died before 1767 in Maryland.
Kirchain, Germany Menche Mayor Family* Hermann Menche: Burger in Kirchhain. Died about 1443. * Contzchen Menche: 1476 in Amöneburg * Klaus Menche: Bürgermeister in Kirchhain from 1483-1497. Died April 21, 1497. * Gela Menche: of Kirchhain, Married Heinritze Kornmann. Died before 1504. According to Familienforschung und Vererbungslehre by Robert Sommer, the legendary founder of this family was one Heinrich called "das Menche" (little man) of Amöneburg who died about 1400. Since it is said he provided grain to the people in times of famine, he was called the "Korn-Menche" and is said to be the progenitor of the Menche and Kormann families of Amöneburg and nearby Kirchhain in Hessen, Germany. However, tax lists of the area from the Abbey of Essen in 1332 include the surname "Menekin", an earlier form of Menche.
Brechenheim Männchen/Menge Lineage (Source: Breckenheim Kirchenbuch, 1657-1875) * Johann Henrich Menge: married Anna Catharina Stein in Breckenheim Feb 5, 1705. A weaver. Died May 7, 1740 in Breckenheim. * Johann Peter Männchen: son of JHM. Born: Sept 4, 1708 in Breckenheim. Married Anna Maria Crämer 19 Jan 1734 in Breckenheim. A juror. Freilassungsbrief (letter of end of serfdom) from Ludwig VIII of Hessen to Johann Peter Mänchen dated Febr 15, 1751. Arrived in Philadelphia Sept 15, 1751. Died before 1767 in Maryland.
- Sons of JPM:
- Georg Philipp Männchen b. July 26, 1740 Breckenheim. d. April 1795 near Manchester, Maryland.
- Johann Henrich Männchen b. April 15, 1743 Breckenheim. of Brodbecks, Pennsylvania (Possibly moved to Augusta County, Virginia: Henry Minga abt 1779)
- Johann Otto Männchen b. August 9, 1746 Breckenheim. of Rocky Hill, Maryland.
- Anton Männchen b. July 8, 1751 in Breckenheim. d. October 8, 1834 in Maryland
Menche Familie name familienamen Menche nachname Familien genealogie kirchhain