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Dietmar's profile is another in this series that investigates who our German cousin's are. He appears, as do Peter Nocken and Jürgen Schmidt, in MyHeritage's Cousin Finder. When I trace his ancestry we see that Carl Alve's (Junior) grandfather - Wilhelm Alfer - was brother of Anna Alfer (Dietmar's 3xgreat grandmother). When we trace downline we see Brochagens and Forsters before Dietmar and his father Oswald were surnamed Höller. 
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 Relationship Report |
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 | Having given thought to this DNA link between Ivan Alve and Heinz-Georg Selbach, I turned my attention to searching for anything more available about Adelheid Witting. My interest was piqued when a DNA match between Ivan and Wolfgang Zeigler indicated some Wittings are probably related. The mesage that came with the match was that Ivan's MRCA with Wolfgang's Witting line was likely to be Ivan's third or fourth great grandparent. In other words Adelheid Witting's parent or grandparent. The family tree that came with Wolfgang's DNA information identified these people (see below) as Wilhelm Antonius Witting (1769-1845) and his father Arnold Witting (1723-1797). Is Adelheid Witting Wilhelm's daughter? Several disqualifiers emerged as I pursued this line of enquiry.
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So I turned to consider Arnold Witting as the possible MRCA. Arnold (b.1723) had at least four other sons than Wilhelm Antonius:
- Wilhelm Herman Franziskus Christianus Witting (b.1752-)
- Johannes Josephus Witting (b.1754-)
- Wilhelm Anton Christian Witting (b.1756-)
- Joannes Fridericus Antonius Witting (b.1764-)
For the moment this is where my search pauses until another DNA match with the Wittings, or some other helpful information, is found. As in the above diagram I have Adelheid temporarily attached as a daughter to Joannes F.A. Witting (red). If he is not her father I am reasonably confidant that one of his brothers marked yellow, green or blue is. Once more is known we may also discover the reason for Adelheid marrying in Beckum aged 22-23. A preliminary hunch is that Heinrich Spahr her husband came from Munster, which is about 40 km away....
Jürgen Walter Schmidt is a relative on my grandma's Wagner side of the family. The family of Theresa Alve (née Wagner) emigrated from the Hesse region of Germany to Tasmania during 1855. They travelled with several of their Wagner and Nicolai kin seeking a better life in the Antipodes. Theresa made a visit to New Zealand in 1915 and was stranded in New Zealand as first world war heated up; she was not permitted to return home to Woodsdale, Tasmania as dislike of those with German ancestry intensified. By war's end she had met and married my grandfather Henry Alve, and the rest is history.
8th Cousins! | Most recent Common Ancestors (MRCA): Johann Valentin Höhn (1672-1755) and Maria Margaretha Höhn (née) Wintermeyer (1679-1736) | ||
Jürgen Schmidt
Jürgen Walter Schmidt (born 1954 in Wiesbaden) has lived in Darmstadt since his retirement and has been a member of the local Immanuel Congregation ever since. He was ordained on October 24, 1999, by Superintendent Wolfgang Schillhahn. From 1997 to 2017, he served as vicar, parish vicar, and parish priest of St. Michaelis Congregation in Kassel. Before studying Protestant theology in Oberursel and Mainz from 1992 to 1997, he served as church warden of the Christuskirchen congregation in Wiesbaden for 15 years. As superintendent, he led the Hesse-North church district from 2007 to 2013. Jürgen Schmidt is a trained telephone counselor. He is married and has four adult children. As a pastor emeritus, he regularly conducts substitute services in Darmstadt and Reichelsheim, as well as in other congregations in the Hesse-South church district.
Pastor Schmidt (Darmstadt) celebrated his 25th ordination anniversary on October 24 2024. The now 71-year-old Wiesbaden native was ordained a Lutheran pastor in Kassel, Schmidt is married to Renate, née Bellin. He and his late first wife, Renate, née Wengenroth, have four children.
Jürgen Schmidt is on Facebook and uses the MyHeritage genealogy programme to record his ancestry.
Pastor Schmidt (Darmstadt) celebrated his 25th ordination anniversary on October 24 2024. The now 71-year-old Wiesbaden native was ordained a Lutheran pastor in Kassel, Schmidt is married to Renate, née Bellin. He and his late first wife, Renate, née Wengenroth, have four children.
Jürgen Schmidt is on Facebook and uses the MyHeritage genealogy programme to record his ancestry.
Ten Generations - click image to enlarge
 Click on image to enlarge. | I discovered Peter-Jörg Nocken when I realised he had a link to my Lamsfuβ ancestors in the region of Hückeswagen where my grandfather Carl Wilhelm Alve was born and grew up. He is my 5th cousin as the image indicates. In March 2023 we had this exchange on the MyHeritage message board, Hi Peter |
Peter mentions Christian Lamsfuß who was born in the late 1600s. Me married Catharina von der Höhe and together they were the grandparents of Johann Wilhelm Lamsfuß (1759-1811) who married Catharina Gertrudis Kemmering (1763-1829). These two - Johann Wilhelm and Catharina Gertrudis - are Peter's and my most recent common ancestors (MRCA). They seem to have spent their whole lives in and around Hückeswagen. Another view of Peter's ancestry to our MRCA is this, If you click on the image you may get a larger view of this ancestry chart.
Peter-Jörg Nocken
Peter's ancestry chart above also depicts our most recent common ancestors (MRCA) - Lambsfuß=Kemmering - in the context of his wider maternal family tree: I find two things notable about this.
At the age of 80 we might assume he is well into his retirement now.
Terry Alve
- Anna Catharina Kemper nee Bosbach (b.1790 Kürten) is likely a close relative, if not the sister, of Wilhelm Bosbach (b.1792 in Kürten). Wilhelm was Carl Alve's grandfather - the Carl Alve who came to New Zealand in 1876
- Peter's grandfather, Peter Johann Scheurer (1879-1916), was killed in France fighting during WW1.
At the age of 80 we might assume he is well into his retirement now.
Terry Alve
MARGARET'S (MY WIFE) DNA MATCH AUTOCLUSTER REPORT
Names removed to preserve privacy.
Names removed to preserve privacy.
This weekend I have been working on my wife's DNA matches in our MyHeritage online geanealogy platform. A very helpful, graphical and powerful tool inluded is the Autocluster report. Margaret's is above. The coloured squares indicate groups of people who share a common ancestor (or ancestral line) with Margaret. Many of them are 4th or 5th cousins. In this report, 103 relatives have been assigned coloured squares. Usually the most accessible matches are towards the top and correspondingly the least accessible are at the bottom.
However, the second to last (dark blue) cluster in this report. highlighted with a yellow circle. gave me a surprise and yielded a new, confirmed match this weekend.
The blue squares contained the info below in the associated Autocluster spreadsheet...
However, the second to last (dark blue) cluster in this report. highlighted with a yellow circle. gave me a surprise and yielded a new, confirmed match this weekend.
The blue squares contained the info below in the associated Autocluster spreadsheet...
DATA RELATING TO THE THREE RELATIVES IN CLUSTER 18.
THEY ARE ALL PROBABLY DESCENDED FROM THE SAME ANCESTRAL COUPLE - M3G15!
THEY ARE ALL PROBABLY DESCENDED FROM THE SAME ANCESTRAL COUPLE - M3G15!
The figures in red relate to this new confirmed match. In the info available, this match was described as a 3rd or 4th cousin. The figures are:
A corollary to this discovery, on the basis that the three relatives indicated are in the same line, is that most likely they are all descended from the same ancestral couple - McMillan=Fraser. I deduce this on the basis that their matching DNA 44.97, 48.64 and 60.71cM means they are in same match territory.
Whereas I had previously doubted the likelihood of the Autocluster report lower level matches yielding good results, I move forward in my genealogical investigations confident that there are surprises to be found anywhere and everywhere as we closely examine the data and the various reports that help me to analyse it!
Terry Alve
- 60.71cM (centimorgans) is the match size in terms of shared DNA - usually around 4th cousin territory.
- 225 are the number of ancestors available in the family tree attached to this relative.
- 18 describes the blue cluster - 18th from the top.
A corollary to this discovery, on the basis that the three relatives indicated are in the same line, is that most likely they are all descended from the same ancestral couple - McMillan=Fraser. I deduce this on the basis that their matching DNA 44.97, 48.64 and 60.71cM means they are in same match territory.
Whereas I had previously doubted the likelihood of the Autocluster report lower level matches yielding good results, I move forward in my genealogical investigations confident that there are surprises to be found anywhere and everywhere as we closely examine the data and the various reports that help me to analyse it!
Terry Alve
DNA Matching is a Vital Tool
for Today's Family Researcher
I use the MyHeritage online genealogy platform to assist my family research. This includes using the DNA matching facilities provided. In the last few years massive advances have been made in connecting personal DNA with that of relatives. Now I regularly make significant discoveries as I use various techniques to connect with relatives, including establishing who common ancestors are on the basis of discovering DNA matches.
Recently I have posted a page on this website to more fully describe what I am doing with not only my own DNA, but with that of other close relatives. I introduce the four relatives whose DNA I am working with, I indicate the six generations of relatives in my direct ancestral line, I provide a link to a very helpful DNA research video, I briefly introduce some of the MyHeritage tools available for DNA research and, I offer a case study about how I worked with one relative to advance their family research.
Communication is an essential part of family research. Often DNA matching benefits from dialogue to check hunches raised by the research tools. I talk about the various communication channels I use.
Recently I have posted a page on this website to more fully describe what I am doing with not only my own DNA, but with that of other close relatives. I introduce the four relatives whose DNA I am working with, I indicate the six generations of relatives in my direct ancestral line, I provide a link to a very helpful DNA research video, I briefly introduce some of the MyHeritage tools available for DNA research and, I offer a case study about how I worked with one relative to advance their family research.
Communication is an essential part of family research. Often DNA matching benefits from dialogue to check hunches raised by the research tools. I talk about the various communication channels I use.
I have today published a first newsletter (attached) promoting a Gutenberg Wellington Descendant Reunion. This gathering will run from 10am-5pm on Sunday 22 March 2026. It will provide descendants and associates opportunities to interact, sail on Wellington harbour (Whanganui-a-Tara) and visit the Wellington Museum which features early Wellington maritime exhibits. We will korero and hear some input about conditions in Europe when our forbears left in 1875, receive information about the 100 day sea voyage on the Gutenberg sailing ship and how it was for these immigrants when they arrived in Aotearoa, including where they went. Click on the button to view the newsletter pdf.
All emails to you will contain an unsubscribe link should you not want to receive furture emails.
We have also setup a Reunion Facebook page which you can view/join via this link
We have also setup a Reunion Facebook page which you can view/join via this link
 | The list of descendants who arrived in Wellington on 23 March 1876 aboard the Gutenberg (Gutenburg) from Germany is growing. You may have noted Grace's response in this news blog which is copied below. A good reminder that descendants have spread far and wide since 1876. Interestingly her post fills a gap in the record (mine at least) that the one child born on this 1876 voyage of the Gutenberg was Alexander Guttenberg Ficinus. |
Hello! This is a really interesting post to come across; I'm a descendant of Carl and Bertha Ficinus (which appears to have been mistranscribed as Fieinus, which is fair given that it is cursive), particularly their son born on the ship, Alexander Guttenberg Ficinus. They came from the town of Guben in Prussia. They didn't end up staying in New Zealand, instead immigrating to Melbourne in 1877 where Carl worked as a carpenter. It's really cool that you and others have collated this information! | To date I have information and/or contact details for the following Gutenberg immigrant families and individuals:
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You can help by:
Watch this space for further posts about this event and these people.
Thank you.
Terry Alve
027 600 1926
[email protected]
Or, use the Contact form on this website.
- Providing key contact info for representative descendants who are willing to promote this gathering to their whanau;
- Providing further info about the life of these immigrant families after their arrival in New Zealand;
- Indicating your willingness to be part of a planning group who will arrange the 22 March 2026 event.
Watch this space for further posts about this event and these people.
Thank you.
Terry Alve
027 600 1926
[email protected]
Or, use the Contact form on this website.
Celebrating the Sesqui-centennial of Alve Arrival in New Zealand
The ship Gutenberg passenger list below contains the names of those who travelled from the port of Bremmerhaven, Germany leaving on the 18 December 1875. They arrived in Whanganui-a-tara (Wellington Harbour) on 23 March 1876. It will be 150 years to the day on Monday 23 March 2026 when these Vogel Scheme immigrants arrived in Wellington. Alve descendants are planning to mark the occasion with a gathering in Wellington (and possibly cruise on the harbour) on Sunday 22 March 2026. If you are a descendant of one of the immigrants who arrived in Wellington on this ship you might like to join us.
The Alves and the Schormanns knew each other in the Ruhr Valley, Germany, travelled together on the Gutenberg, worked on the construction of the Rimutaka railway line and subsequently building the line to Masterton before farming together on the Alfredton Road east from Eketahuna from 1880.
Heins Briesemann moved to Stratford and farmed. His grandson Trevor and his children live in Tawa, Wellington near where I live.
Tina White (a great grand daughter) wrote an interesting historical reflection about Clara Malgraff and her family who, within a week of landing in Wellington, travelled on the s.s. Napier to Foxton, as did about 30 others early April 1876. She eloped (and married leter 1876 as a 15 year old) with Jan Iskierka, a Polish man who had arrived a short time before on the Terpsichore. Her family subsequently went to Whanganui. She (Clara Malgraff Iskierka) lived into the 1930's dying in Auckland. https://tinyurl.com/malgraff
Perhaps you are a (Wellington) Gutenberg passenger descendant, or know someone who is. If so you may be interested in getting in touch. Perhaps marking this occasion is something that you would like to do. Get in touch: [email protected] or 027 600 1926.
Terry Alve
Alve Family Historian & Genealogist
The Alves and the Schormanns knew each other in the Ruhr Valley, Germany, travelled together on the Gutenberg, worked on the construction of the Rimutaka railway line and subsequently building the line to Masterton before farming together on the Alfredton Road east from Eketahuna from 1880.
Heins Briesemann moved to Stratford and farmed. His grandson Trevor and his children live in Tawa, Wellington near where I live.
Tina White (a great grand daughter) wrote an interesting historical reflection about Clara Malgraff and her family who, within a week of landing in Wellington, travelled on the s.s. Napier to Foxton, as did about 30 others early April 1876. She eloped (and married leter 1876 as a 15 year old) with Jan Iskierka, a Polish man who had arrived a short time before on the Terpsichore. Her family subsequently went to Whanganui. She (Clara Malgraff Iskierka) lived into the 1930's dying in Auckland. https://tinyurl.com/malgraff
Perhaps you are a (Wellington) Gutenberg passenger descendant, or know someone who is. If so you may be interested in getting in touch. Perhaps marking this occasion is something that you would like to do. Get in touch: [email protected] or 027 600 1926.
Terry Alve
Alve Family Historian & Genealogist
We have recently obtained a picture of the ship Gutenberg taken when it was on an Adelaide, Australia slipway undergoing an annual inspection in 1868. At that time it was named the Edinburgh before it was sold to a German company to become the immigration ship Gutenberg Gutenburg).
The 'Edinburgh' 1867 later the 'Gutenberg' on an Adelaide Slipway
On Monday 23 March 1876 three Alves - Maria Theresia, Carl Wilhelm and Anna Maria Catharina (aged 1) - entered Whanganui-a-tara (Wellington harbour) aboard the Gutenburg ship as Vogel Scheme assisted immigrants from Germany.
To mark the occasion we envisage Alve descendants and friends, and perhaps some other descendants of Gutenburg immigrants will gather, cruise on the harbour and spend time together in and around central Wellington (Poneke). It is suggested that this gathering be on Sunday 22 March 2026.
Planning is at an early stage and we are forming an organising group to make this event happen. Please contact me if you would like to join the organising group for this gathering. Also, if you would like to offer some accommodation for out-of-towners during this weekend, we would be pleased to know.
Contact: Terry Alve - 027 600 1926 or [email protected]
To mark the occasion we envisage Alve descendants and friends, and perhaps some other descendants of Gutenburg immigrants will gather, cruise on the harbour and spend time together in and around central Wellington (Poneke). It is suggested that this gathering be on Sunday 22 March 2026.
Planning is at an early stage and we are forming an organising group to make this event happen. Please contact me if you would like to join the organising group for this gathering. Also, if you would like to offer some accommodation for out-of-towners during this weekend, we would be pleased to know.
Contact: Terry Alve - 027 600 1926 or [email protected]
Alve News
A digest of news about and from the Alve and Milne Families in New Zealand.
What's been happening in your family that the wider family may be interested in? Make this News Blog your News by contributing material for publication.
Editor
Terry Alve - family history researcher, Anglican priest and web developer
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