Great news. My application to join The American Society of Die Söhne der Napoleonischen Kriege (also known as Die ZöNK) has been accepted! Loosely translated, the Sons of the Napoleonic Wars is made up of people like me who can trace their ancestral lineage to German soldiers who fought against Napoleon’s armies in the early 19th century. Not to be outdone by its American counterparts, the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, Die ZöNK has strict guidelines requiring applicants to submit genealogical proof. They don’t let just anyone join.
Thanks to baptismal records kept at the parish of Hartum, Germany, (and the talents of Dr. Jarren, my German ancestry researcher), I know that Johann Christian Grannemann, my 4th great grandfather, was a soldier in the “Lettow Regiment”. Taking its name from its commander, Major General Karl Ernst Ludwig von Lettow, this fighting unit was stationed at Minden, which is near Nordhemmern where Johann Christian was born. Under von Lettow’s command, the “Lettow Regiment” fought Napoleon’s armies at the Battle of Auerstedt in 1806. After the fighting at Auerstedt came the retreating from Auerstedt, which thankfully meant a return to farming for Johann Christian.
Here’s a condensed version of my application (in English) – I’ve omitted all of the birth, marriage and death dates:
I am the son of D. W. Trantham and his wife Norma Utlaut Trantham;
Grandson of Troy Louis Utlaut and his wife Myrtle Ellen Clark;
Great-grandson of Wilhelm Louis Utlaut and his wife Mary Madena Rufi;
Great 2 grandson of Frederick Rufi and his wife Marydien Grannemann;
Great 3 grandson of Johann Heinrich Grannemann and his wife Anna Sophie Marie Ilsabein von Behren;
Great 4 grandson of Johann Christian Grannemann, who fought with the Lettow Regiment, and his wife Anne Dorothee Luise Bredemeier;
Great 5 grandson of Friedrich Wilhelm Grannemann and his wife Catharine Margarethe Rethmeier
My membership packet is en route! I am especially looking forward to the “Remember the Auerstedt” bumper sticker.
Kenfolk: Utlauts
Relation: 4th great grandfather
Common ancestors: Johann Christian’s parents, Friedrich Wilhelm and Catharine Margarethe (Rethmeier) Grannemann, are my 5th great grandparents.
References:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Ernst_Ludwig_von_Lettow