Mercydorf 1734-1934 Beiträge zur Geschichte der Gemeinde Mercydorf by Dr. Peter Schiff
Buchdruckerei, Sonntagsblatt, Timisoara Contributions to the story of the Community Mercydorf by Dr. Peter Schiff, 1934. Publisher: Sonntagsblatt, Timisoara	Original copies of the text part of the book in German were supplied by John Cerny; Copy of entire book, including cover and photos, provided by Frank Philippi. Contents translated by Brad Schwebler, unless otherwise noted.
	Table of Contents Pg   Foreword 3 I: Prehistory 5 II: a) b) c) Settlement / Colonization Italians and Spaniards German Settlers from Austria & Germany French & German Settlers from Alsace-Lorraine, Luxembourg & Trier 5 III: Plan of the district of Mercydorf (map) 17 IV: Geographical situation of Mercydorf in Banat 18 V: The Chronicle of the Community 19 VI: What the Church Registers Tell Us (marriage records 1857-1934) birth, marriage and death statistics 20 VII: Pastors 56 VIII: Teachers 57 IX: Community Administration 58 X: Names of Present Day Inhabitants/house # 59 XI: Emigration and Relocation 69 XII: Mercydorf & WWI & 1914-1918 Causalities 72 XIII: Present and Future 74

Catholic Church	Catholic Church Altar	Community Center	Author & Co-workers
Girls Circle	Church Choir	Village Administrative Council	Settlers House Modern Farm House

 

Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

I. PREHISTORY

   The community of Mercydorf, which today is officially called Carani or Mercisoara, lies north of Timisoara, 24 kilometers from the Arad-Timisoara train line, which the first governor of the Banat, Count Florimund Klaudius Mercy, who erected the main road between Jadani and Mercydorf, often road past on.

     In the southern part of the community a brook called Jerschitz flowed, which went along by Saint Andreas and Bodoni.  There was a community called “Surduk” here since the middle ages, but it was soon devastated.  The name of this land is still remembered today and is still called “Surduk” by the German inhabitants of our community.  The papal tithe list of 1485 itself mentions a community of St. (Zenth) Thomas (Sct. Th.), but on the Mercy’s map of 1723/25 it is given up as a deserted place.

9/V (9 May), 1763:   Michael Rohr Gottfried Breüschneider - military Michael Kiest - military Michael Zißler - military Lorenz Wimmer Johann Josef Bothe - carpenter Jakob Metschka - military Simon Procomercy - military Christian Gerold - horse groomer Christian Drescher from Silesia Jakob König - military Fr. Braun Math. Volda - military Joh. Kirchenkopf - horse groomer Joh. Mich. Knirmüller - tailor Heinrich Krudeutz - military Math. Jordan - military Josef Staub - military Andr. Gegesch – military Fr. Behm - military Johann Georg Rötzer - carriage driver Rudolph Gut - military Georg Juratschef - military Ant. Knall - horse groomer Fr. Barfuß - baker Carolus Miller - miller   13/V (13 May), 1763:   Josef Preunig - baker Martin Chlumetschky - military   20/V (20 May), 1763:   Mich. Rieder - military Seb. Kleininger - military Joh. Andhall - military

16/V (16 May), 1763:   Josef Proczka - military Joh. Skalla - military Karl Blaska - tailor Ferd. Luberger - saddler Joh. Welfing - military Fr. Lang - military Winzensius Rosenberg Joh. Jakobi - military   27/V (27 May), 1763:   Andr. Tägl - military Gottfried Rieder - military   3/VI (3 June), 1763:   Wenzel Prakop Fr. Schlottl 6/VI (6 June), 1763:   Math. Bernsteiner - military Caspar Röthig - military Ant. Linder Math. Zellner - butcher   13/VI (13 June), 1763:   Joh. Preiß - military Petrus Pückler - military Jak. Paitaß - military Math. Selchinger

17/VI (17 June), 1763:   Josef Berger - wagon maker Math. Geld - military Josef Kalhier   20/VI (20 June), 1763:   Josef Plansch - military Pet. Fellner - military Ant. Arzberger - military Joh. Himmler - military Joh. Gottlieb Rupf - military   27/VI (27 June), 1763:   Jac. Brom - military Andr. Blaska - military Phil. Kriegel - military Joh. Carlitz - military Barth Wick - “bömischer”? farmer   12/VIII (12 August), 1763:   Wenzel Winathl - military Joh. Blast - baker   2/IX (2 September), 1763:   Gottl. Pischl - linen presser and cutting tool maker Josef Gleich - military   9/IX (9 September), 1763:   Josef Schille - military Andr. Neybauer - military   13/X (13 October), 1763: Pet. Schuler - military

The settlement list of 1764 cites the following in addition (all military):

Moritz Halel	Josef Fischer
Philipp Hoffmann	Joh. Heller
Leonhard Teufel	Joh. Beckert
Jac. Mecska	Wenzel Bartak
Christ. Tröscher	Ad. Schart
Ant. Bahl	Jos. Schonith
Seb. Schrempf	Georg Kohlmayer
Ant. Krienfeld	Jac. Kaßner
Mich. Scheidler	Casp. Soro
Lor. Sommer	Math. Straßer
Chr. Miller	Wenzel Schimbaski
Simon Bogomir	Casp. Haß
Balth. Friba	Jos. Lustinger
Dom. Dorn

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

II. Settlement ~ c.)  
FRENCH & GERMAN SETTLERS FROM ALSACE-LORRAINE, LUXEMBOURG & TRIER 

    In the years 1768-69 a last large migration followed into the Banat under Maria-Theresia, this time principally from the southwest corner of the empire, where the Emperor Franz of Lorraine was a native and from where the first governor of the Banat, Count Mercy, and many competent leaders of the imperial army came from.  The French names of the migrating families, the partially French naming of the newly opened streets in the already existing settlements, or the naming of the new settlements themselves, offered unshakable proof that the French element did not actually come from deep in the French empire in any case, and were outside of the rule and when the historian of our villages in the most recent time had to stress this to most communities in our tight homeland that over 50% of the population always came from the above-mentioned regions, we must openly and honestly confess that the greater part of the Banat Swabians came from the former imperial provinces which at the time had the French national character and when we wanted to geographically settle on the original homeland of the “Banat Swabians” of the region on historical grounds of the German people, we must point to Alsace-Lorraine, Luxemburg, and Trier.

     Mercydorf received very many new settlers at this time. Because of them it was necessary to build a third historical street of the community and typical for the national sense of belonging this new street was named "Frankengasse” (French Street).  A hilly continuation above the old “Scharfeckgasse” (Sharp Corner Street) came to be called “Der Berg” (The Mountain).  “Zigeunergasse” (Gypsy Street) was also extended out.

     The register mentions 150 family names here and when one has to further establish that of these already in 1770 there were 144 people in the Banat, but 146 people were carried off in 1771.  It is at the same time apparent that these families were very rich in members.

        Here is the following list of names:

1. Urschultz or Urscholtz	37. Vendreti	73. Berner
2. Abou	38. Küferr (Coufer)	74. Clement
3. Petit-Jean (family lives today in Treibswetter? Only now they write their name Petischan)	39. Pierre	75. Rock
4. Malgras from Lorraine	40. Sarlonte	76. George
5. Housson	41. Everard	77. Renon
6. Rußle	42. Tobol (Tebol)	78. Haisler
7. Eurse	43. Ravida	79. Pittermann
8. De-Manche	44. Jeange	80. Jeacon
9. Michael (Michel)	45. Gimin (Cimin)	81. Tottermann
10. Masse	46. Vieilhomme	82. Chaspierre
11. Gange	47. La-Noir	83. Vaarine
12. Simon	48. Dage	84. LeFievre
13. Moulin	49. Prufon	85. Bourginion
14. La-Fleur	50. Vonche	86. Varron
15. Charrier (Cherrier) family descendants today call “Scherche”	51.Gouillon	87. Rolleune
16. Vasseur	52. Masson	88. Ceasar
17. Lorang	53. Henriquel	89. Clair
18. La-Chaine	54. Henrion	90. La-Moulin
19. Vallier	55. Loisson	91. Rill
20. Clodon	56. Renier	92. Casimir
21. Griffaton	57. Mahalein	93. Marchal (Marschall today)
22. Charlotin	58. Moritz	94. De-Crion
23. Tibiau	59. Vengue	95. Serlut
24. Poisson	60. Rubin	96. Chambrais (Chambre)
25. Provot	61. L’Amani	97. De-Jean
26. Clerchy	62. Grauffam	98. Coussain
27. Rozer	63. Dinther	99. Mouchon (today Muschong)
28. Feriol	64. Uler	100. Gauffin
29. Bisson	65. Graff	101. Ital
30. Mirol	66. Mange	102. Cirie
31. Frey	67. Bitance	103. De-Moyenne
32. Pierrot	68. Dofall	104. Colline
33. Vincent	69. La-Clode	105. Cordieny
34. Klemm	70. Dinau	106. D-Allemange
35. Morein	71. Villan
36. Varrain	72. Thalt

Now a small list with statements of origin:

Jakob from Jouville, Lorraine – it is referred to as Juville around here, a village near Delme – French speaking;

Cadet from Ebelingen, Lorraine – Eblingen – today Eblange;

Hirz from Divert, Lorraine – such a village does not exist today – it may have become “Differten” on the Lorraine border on “prenßischen?” grounds;

Hüpchen from Elbrunn, Luxemburg. This village is not there today.  It is perhaps Ell, Ellborn, or Herbron?;

Vanki from Mannin, Lorraine – it may have been Magny or Many;

Moutarde and Louis from Metz, Lorraine,

Melter from Lodingen, Lorraine – is distorted.

Würtz from Lorraine;

Weber from Wallichen near Trier – a village by such a name lies only near Weimar, far from Trier;

Huffert from Dulbin, Lorraine – does not exist today;

Dettard from Hemmen, Lorraine;

Tritz, Diepenweiler, and L’Eveque from Heßdorf, Lorraine – now Hestroff near Belchen;

Francisque from Rimlfang, Lorraine – probably Remelfang near Bolchen;

Lämmer from Busendorf, Lorraine – Bonzonville;

Gabriel from Lorraine;

Buschi from Willerswald, Lorraine – not far from Sarralban;

Luxenberger and Leger from Frühsdorf, Lorraine; Reiter from Dollen, Lorraine – probably Dollenbach;

Auer from Alschitz, Lorraine;

Bonne from Hasling, Lorraine – could be Haßling, a German speaking village;

Gouble, Thomas, and Bastian from Berge, Luxemburg, may be Berle;

Martin from Lemorcourt, Lorraine – is Lemoncourt near Delme;

Hermann from Bolchen, Lorraine – now Boulay – this family was still simply called “Franzos” in my youth!!;

Petri from Geblein, Lorraine is actually Guebling near Dienze;

Jung from Koselmingen near Trier – it could only possibly be Gesselmingen here, but that is 100 kilometers from Trier.  Vinheron (today Wingeron) from Fremisdorf, Lorraine – probably Freistroff or Freisdorf;

Alemand, - Lorraine – Ertiensis;

Guinon: Alba Eccliensis, Lorraine;

Malpras, Lorraine, Soloney;

Bourguinison, Lorraine; Baronvillense;

D’Allemagne from Lorraine;

Magna-Racour.

 Note: above list was originally in paragraph form.

     Of these French names the following names very frequently occur in Lorraine today: Malgras, Houffon, Masse, Simon, Charrier, Vasseur, Valliere, Griffaton, Charlotin, Vincent, Tibeau (also Thibeau or Thibault), Poisson, Provot, Bisson, Frey, Pierrot, Varrain (Varrin), Loisson, L’Amant, Bitance, Clement, George (Georges), Clair, Marchal, Monchon, and Gauffin.

     According to this data Mercydorf had received about 150 French settler families.

     If one compares this number with those of the previous immigrants one arrives at the following percentages: German element, 17.6%; Italian-Spanish element, 24%; and French element, 58.4%.  Also we know that with the Italians came unmarried settlers, and of the Germans many were not married, but during the French movement they were married and many members in their families were counted.  It is a wonder that the initially predominant French influence did not reach up to the present, insomuch that in Mercydorf besides the first settlers from the French speaking part of Alsace-Lorraine mentioned there were also happened to be other French there and so it is easily possible that the community in this part of the Banat was a collection point for foreign speaking settlers!

     One is certain that in our community the French of Lorraine made a deep impression on the language and probably also on the customs and when Mercydorf and the other communities, which received French settlers predominantly and exclusively from the mentioned regions, today and apparently already for about 100 years also as German …

     After a 164 year rule the crescent* was forced out of the Banat and on the 13th of October Prince Eugen of Savoy, under Emperor Karl VI (1711-40) had also recaptured the fortress Temesvar, where at his suggestion Count Florimund Klaudius Mercy was named the first governor of the Banat.

     It is generally known that men from the Banat wanted to make it a fruitful, imperial province in a short time and the profitable activity of Count Mercy (1716-1733) had achieved that.  His first goal was already partly achieved, as men advised him to also try growing rice and cultivating silk here in the Banat next to the vineyards already begun and at the same time these cultivations were cared for especially in the imperial province by the Northern Italians and in the sunny south by independent Tirols.  So it was decided to draw Italian settlers from the above mentioned regions for this purpose. 

     This plan was entrusted with a certain “De Jean” of the Banat administration for its transition according to an authorized source.  Consequently it was decided to erect a silk factory in the capital of the Banat.  (Note: See this exposé: “The First Silk Factory in the Banat” “Banat German newspaper” – by the same author) and as one searches for a suitable place for the Italian settlers in the Banat the choice fell on the border of the Mercydorf community which appeared until then only under the name “Caran”.  In the meantime Count Mercy had to move again against the Italians, French, and the Sardinians for the emperor in the war, so Baron von Engelshofen was his representative and also later named his successor (1733-1736, 1742-1752).  He had promoted the Italian settlement with love and the village where one made these Italian settlers the main residents was called “Mercy Dorff” by him, which is the single important memorial of the father of the German settlers in the Banat existing.

     So the first 80 Italians were still into rice farming in 1733, and families specializing in silk cultivation were brought to the Banat, who were mostly under the leadership of the later famous Abbate? (abbott) Clemens Rossi from Mantua (Italy), who was a clergyman from the Trient? (Trento) Diezöfe? (Diocese).  This Rossi must not only be the caring father and pastor of his countrymen, but he already must have had a call as a practical man as he came into the Banat, it is understood, that he was to be at the same time the “director” of the Italian colony, to be the first pastor of Mercydorf, and inspector in the first established silk factory which in all probability was placed on what is today called Silk Factory Street.
 
* crescent: Reference to the Turkish Muslims who ruled the area before the Hapsburgs and used the crescent as their symbol.

     Rossi brought his settlers from the Frianl  (Northern Italy) and was already settled here in 1733 and still in the fall of the same year the noble Josef Dal-Avo also sent several families from the Trento region who also for the most part settled in “Mercy Dorff”.

     In 1736 Count Hamilton was governor of the Banat (1736-1737).  At this time they already had the conviction that the attempt with the Italian silk factory succeeded well.  He let this settlement thrive and he also brought more Italian colonists to the Banat who would be placed just under the supervision of Abbot Rossi as silk breeders.

     At the time of the first Italian migration Baron von Falkenstein, a respectable brother of St. Benedict and a relative of Count Mercy, was already the bishop of Csanad and he named clergyman Rossi to be pastor of Mercydorf right from the start, because none of his other priests understood the language of the new settlers.  Pastor Rossi performed only the funerals and marriages, during the baptism and following the entry of people being baptized in the Jesuit or seminary church of Temeswar, as he spoke to us in his “De Italorum in Banatu eristentum Origine et Parochiae Erectione Narratio.”   There was still no church hall in Mercydorf at the time and probably also therefore, because even clergyman Rossi had to live in Temeswar himself, his second practical occupation as “factory director” could go with him.

     Soon the varied population of the Banat was made up of the French-Lorraine element, the German element from the Rhine region and southern Germany, the Italian element mentioned above who came in 1734, and in addition the Spaniards who were apparently under the leadership of the retired “Trinitarier”? (trinity) Father Josef Mugnos.  The Spaniards were also settled in several communities, where already again because of the relationship of two people things may have gone well in Mercydorf.  Mugnos was named as the second pastor of Mercydorf at Rossi’s suggestion because he also understood the Italian language.  But in all probability Rossi had to look after his countrymen more, which at least led to the circumstances in which he was able to build a chapel by his own means when he heard that the bishop had the intention of visiting this very religious community next to give the Holy Sacrament of the confirmation.  This chapel was consecrated on the 12th of January, 1735 by the good-hearted Rossi.  He had personally put it on the church register himself and gave a short introduction to explain the parochial history.  To support the ministry the Italian colonists paid 40 Florints per year, of which Rossi contributed 30 Florints himself.  

     The small chapel was consecrated to honor St. Job and Santa Maria (St. Mary), the protectors of the Italians, and served the believers as God’s house until 1788, when the newly built church was finished and consecrated with a cross raising ceremony.  At the time Rev. Mugnos fell ill and left the Banat, but the untiring Rossi took over the pastor’s office and at first Dall-Avo succeeded in finding a pastor named Cosmos Colonna in 1737, who came from the imperial Neapal of Catania. On the 14th of August 1737 he took the pastor’s exam and in the absence of the bishop he was named to his office by the bishop’s general vicar, on the condition that Rossi would leave his place to the newly appointed pastor.

     At the time of the second pastor a large number of Italians came to the Banat, under both Rossi and Colonna.  They were outside Mercydorf still – in Giroda, Omor (here were the rice fields!), Freidorf, Moldova, Kusjiz, Tschakowa, Temeswar – Mehala (Bassabrunn) – to “Mercy Dorff.”  The first Italian settlers in Mercydorf consisted of 32 families and 21 single men, about 137 people altogether, which following the Spanish and later the Italian migration of 1738 already grew to 350 people. Of these Italian-Spanish colonists 69 people died in the plague in 1738, many were snatched away by fever in 1739 – 1752, others migrated back to the original homeland, several of those who stayed back were dispersed to other villages, as a result the only families still preserved here today through their descendants are the Denelutti and Philippi families. Finally it should be mentioned also that the linguistic influence which was certainly predominant in the beginning, slowly blurred under the later French-Lorraine influence and apparently only the two following words remain to the present day: 1. Avanti – which means “out (there), outside” and 2. Bravo – which means “that is beautiful, good.”

     From 1734 to 1736 the church register in Mercydorf listed the following names: 1. Campolongo, 2. Piccola, 3. Scheng, 4. Steraid, 5. Mihelazzi, 6. Savoy, 7. Belloni, 8. Gielmi, 9. Sufadelli, 10. Tomassin, 11. Loppio, 12. Petorlini, 13. Ferre, 14. Dal-Pra, 15. Coradello, 16. Ferrari, 17, Bizetta, 18. Majoli, 19. Torgela, 20. Agostini, 21. Carli, 22. Capra senior and junior, 23. Calarozzo, 24. Volpe, 25. Borgogno, 26, Schmidt, 27. Pelegrini, 28. Furlanelli, 29. Coli, 30. Caretta, 31. Paoli, 32. Cararro, 33. Carpanterra, 34. Marchi, 35. Buchatti, 36. Brizzo, 37. Baecha, 38. Cristani, 39. Sufatti, 40. Dorighi, 41. Dal-Avi, 42. Philippi, 43. Dal-Pezzo, 44. Tonetta, 45. Denelutti, 46. Maggi, 47. Briza, 48. Bour, 49. Modena, 50. Camin.

     Of these the following migrated back in 1736. 1. Volpe, 2. Dorighi, unmarried, 3. Philippi, son of the Philippi who migrated here, 4. Brizzo (Briza), unmarried, 5. Schmidt, mit the whole family, 6. Dal-Avi, unmarried, 7. Maggi, unmarried, 8. Bour, unmarried.

     1737 a supplement was added to the register with the following names: 1. Clanzer, 2. Christophori, 3. Catta, 4. Sufari, 5. Cajola, 6. Cepata, 7. Arugua.

     Of the above-mentioned families the following came from south Tirol: 1. Philippi from Gardol, Trento Diocese, 2. Piccola from Terlag, 3. Brizzo, and 4. Coradello, from unknown villages.

     Together with Rev. Mugnos apparently only two Spanish families have settled down in Mercydorf: 1. Dominikus Cajola, 2. Soro.

     Besides the Italian families in Mercydorf, Rossi also mentions: Rardelli in Bassabrunn (Temeswar), 2. Bona and 3. Bevilaqua in Freidorf, 4. Sufati in Tschakowa, 5. Valter, 6. Pessata, 7. Bacca, all three in Beschenowa, 8. Bonedi, 9. Brugna, both from Cussitz.  All of these families are entered into the Mercydorf register also until 1841, probably because they also all migrated here.

     It is apparent from this short treatise that Mercydorf was the center of Italian colonization and in the end when we still mention that silkworm breeding is an important source of employment for the poor population of this community, one has every reason to keep the first Italian settlers in thankful memory!

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

III. PLAN OF THE DISTRICT OF MERCYDORF - VILLAGE MAP & STREET NAMES

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

IV. GEOGRAPHICAL SITUATION OF MERCYDORF IN THE BANAT

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

V.  THE CHRONICLE OF THE COMMUNITY

Coming One Day

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

VI. CHURCH REGISTERS ~ MARRIAGES 1734-1848

Note: Chart 1 is compiled alphabetically for easy searching.  Further below is Chart 2 is compiled Chronologically according to the year of marriage per the book, Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff.  The entries are published according to my visual perception.  The print from a photocopy, old English font and difficult to read. As I transcribed more entries, they will be added, so please check back.   If you have a lookup request, please send the couples' names and the year of marriage.  I will get back with you as soon as possible....Jody

Chart 1 - Alphabetical
Mercydorf 1734-1848 by Peter Schiff
compiled by Jody McKim 2003
- unleserlich: illegible
 

Groom	Bride	Groom	Bride	Groom	Bride	Groom	Bride
Amon	Beberin	Fioretti	Del Saltari	Lufenburger	Trizin	Schenta	Trinquele
Anthall	Quilliaume	Floi	Birta	Luis	Simon	Schiilz	Blefimgherin?
Balthanfer	Bodanin	Folfel	Graufamin	Lutzenburger	Wurdsin	Schipta	Mayerin
Bame?	Walichin	Francis?et	Eberswailerin	Luy	Ployerin	Schneider	Mercier
Beber	Prifin	Furlanelli	Conin	Mardi*	Giehmi	Schreder	Kellerin
Beltoni	Bollari	Furlanelli da P()o	Piccola	Martini de Moter	Sjuh de Olengen	Schuch	Justin
Bertoni	Arcangela	Gicst	Seiptin	Matezzoni	Schoc(t)nerin	Schufat	Zabaneli
Biamchini	Bechingerin	Goner	Bona	Menatti	Khufferin	Schulter	Manbaldin
Bifetta	Bugera	Goner	Modena	Menatti	Etienne	Schulze	Wainmaierin
Bigner	Moutard	Goner	Modena	Michelli	Gotzin	Sembini	unleserlich
Bisows?I	Jacobin	Goner	Brunra	Modena	Oblam	Sourmer	Pitance
Bona	Catano	Gonner	Furlanelli	Modena	Mardelli	Starailh	Walter
Borri	Zciotta	Graujanr	Kelelrin	Molter	Vilellun	Steraid	Mardelli
Brisso	Brugnavi	Guttman	Kifferin	Molther	Ejetin	Steraid	Trinquelin
Brizo	Cometi	Hann	Stamherin	Moutard	Biten	Subitsch	Mullerin
Brument	Schw(n)ttin	Jacob	Paumgartnerin	Mullner	unleserlich	Sufail	Toneta
Brunn	Kataroza	Jordan	Lorethin	Mutardt	Tricz	Sufati	Bevilaqua
Burati	Borgognus	Jungmann	Jacob	Mutardt	Etienne	Sufati
Cajper	E'Umant	Junkmann	Shonin	Mutart	Mangarin	Tamafia	Zajotta
Campolongo	Galparina	Jurfo ( f ?)	Scho(a)ttin	Orichsultz	Tomasin	Tegel	Watzlaffraha
Capelletti	Pangraila	Kena	Dezterin	Paleta	Forjterin	Tomafia	Tonettin
Carlino	Glodonim	Khuffer	Schreinerin	Paul	Reirnerin	Tonetta	Marengerin
Catarozzi	Paefano	Kiffi	Jacobin	Penter	Conna	Tringer	Bislager
Chriftophori	Peton	Kilion	Tafler	Philippi	Dalmoreth	Tringuel	Stamherin
Conah	Ron	Kirchen?nopf	Oberhofferin	Pitanz?	Raine? Staine?	Trinquele	Berjinerin
Connetta	Rardelli	Kleininger	Dignel	Plalchia	Ulbelchtin	Ultzy	Grosserin
Corabello	Bevilaqua	Klets?a	Schrederin	Planfetz	Kayferin	unleserlich	Trinquelin
de Schmitt	de Bertt	Klodon	Kadin	Poth	Cadetin	unleserlich	Boiar
del Pra?	La Bettona Criftano	Konah	Trinkvelin	Pranz	Lufch?inwatfch?in	Urfulc	Kiferin
Domitrov	Dortich	Laman	Ronr	Procomery	Kleinin	Valentin	dal Pra
Dorn	Fridrichin	Lauer	Zayn	Purger	Stephanin	Valentin	Goftini
Dur / Duf	Muffenell	Lemmer	Walich	Ralbodi	Rong	Volgangus	Beczkovi
Eberhardt	Beconin	Lemmer	Prerin	Reider	Pocfornin	Vollhoser	Bastianin
Eiterat	Diafin	Lenger	Reinin	Reindel	Pfaffin	Watz	Rottniundin
Endres	Octaviani	Licsenpurger	Pajerin	Repperger	Kollin	Weira	Sufanelfa
Ethiene	Jungin	Lih	Sfeferin	Retzer	Wernerin	Wejia?	Krezdornin
Etiem	Bikchofin	Lomer	Kitianin	Rigotti	Burtzin	Wendlin	Bona
Etiene	Kitianin	Loreth	Küffer	Rofair	Menati	Willembs	Fallerin
Etiene	Stuntzin	Loreth	Cadet	Rofenberg	Bourguignon	Wurch	Junkmann
Feldner	Probftin	Loreth	Duc	Rois?tmund	Wimeran	Zwick	Fligelman
Ferion	Zwengeifen	Loriis	Lamante	Rull	Maurin
Ferrari	Caprava	Luberger	Moutarde	S?ala	Ru?chits?a

Chart 1 - Chronological
Mercydorf 1734-1848 by Peter Schiff
compiled by Jody McKim 2003
- unleserlich: illegible

Yr- Baptisms-Marriages-Deaths /  Yr- Baptisms-Marriages-Deaths / Yr- Baptisms-Marriages-Deaths

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

VII. PASTORS

Since the origin of our community the following pastors were in charge of the parish office:

1. Abbot Clemens Rossi in 1733,

2. Josef Mugnos in 1734 until the middle of August,

3. Abbot Clemens Rossi 1734-1737,

4. Cosmas Colonna until 1740,

5. Abbot Clemens Rossi until 1746,

6. Franciscan Sebastian Jomolit as administrator from February to September 1746,

7. Franz Anton Martinuzzi until December 1752, buried in the vault of the small chapel by canonized Clemens Rossi,

8. then came Rev. Prejning for some months who was canonized as well,

9. Franciscan Erasmus Sgumbert as administrator for two months,

10. Franciscan Joh. Kapistran Glavas as administrator for two months,

11. Franz Jablis as administrator in 1753 and 54,

12. the Franciscan Josef Bachich as administrator until the end of 1755,

13. Jose Abulner as administrator until September 1758,

14. the Franciscan Zölestin Formacher as administrator and after him Florian Primaresics,

15. Peter Anton Walpol from Passenheim from December 1758 until January 1764, after which he went to Weißkirchen and soon he went to Temeswar as canon,

16. Franz Xavier Paleschnigg from Pernhalla from 1764 until April 1766,

17. Paul Herlen as administrator until December, who came as pastor after Billed,

18. Dr. Johann Georg Greder until the end of 1769,

19. Johann Georg Lynbisics, first as pastor, then as dean and he was finally a canon,

20. Joachim Adam from 1776 until April 1778,

21. Michael Speer until November 1793,

22. Eugen Glaubecht until 1794,

23. Andrew Tari until the end of 1807,

24. Heinrich Keß until 1810,

25. Georg Farkas until the end of 1812,

26. Josef Haffner until 1825,

27. Georg Body until 1859 as deacon,

28. whose successor was Dr. Lorenz Schlauch who was later bishop.  Then he was cardinal – arch bishop from Oradea-Mare.  He was pastor of Mercydorf until October 1883,

29. Gustav Bobik as archdeacon from 1 October 1883 until 7 November 1907,

30. Michael Palla followed as administrator until 1 April 1908,

31. then Georg Schiller followed until 30 June 1911,

32. Likewise Cadislaus Molnar was administrator until 29 October 1912,

33. Jakob Brunner was pastor from 30 June until 29 October 1912,

34. Michael Seitz, a son of the community, followed him, and he retired on the 15th of December 1927,

35. Since this time Dr. Adalbert Bluskovics has been the pastor in charge of the community to the complete contentment of all beliefs.

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

VIII. TEACHERS

During the establishment of our community until the present day, the pastor’s register was very well kept and preserved, but the first school register is no longer at our disposal today and also the first community books were lost partially during the world war, and partially on the occasion of the last move of the notary’s office, so we must depend completely on the memorandum from the deacon Gustav Bobik which we can report in the following manner: “Our community was established by Italians who were instructed in the beginning by the pastors because it was difficult to find someone who was proficient in this language.

This went on until 1761 when the first employed teacher here was Peter Due from Lorraine, who probably came here from the homeland together with the first immigrants from Lorraine. His successor was Johan Jakob Mager from Lorraine until 1771.  In 1778 Christof Taub worked here and he was followed by Franz Kornibe who was sheriff/mayor in the beginning, then teacher, and finally he was teacher and notary.  He was followed by Nikolaus Walter (1790), then Jakob Bayer (1803).  In 1811 Andreas Kurz was teacher in the beginning, then Mathias Erßner.  From 1816 on it was Ferdinand Rödl.  From 1828 on it was Karl Ehrwerth. From 1847 on it was Josef Schäffer.  Up to then we only had one grade on the average in our community.  But from about 1842 on we had two and finally three grades with teachers for each grade by 1873.  The following teachers worked with the lower grades: Johann Groß, Joh. Regenhold, Franz Lukaß, Heinrich Titl, Karl Rothschadl, Anton Leitich, Johann Schwarz, Karl Schäffer, Paul Eberstein, and Joh. Karl Gschwadudauer.

The present day older generation of the community were taught by these teachers: Director Paul Eberstein, Josef Tuskan, Laurenz Tritz, and Paul Horvath and today the following teachers are active in our schools: Director Martin Willkomm, Laurenz Zirenner, and Anton Lamert.  The kindergarten was led by Therese Göpfrich.

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

IX. COMMUNITY ADMINISTRATION

    In the beginning the community administration was led by a teacher capable of writing, who was therefore usually also the “Schulze” or “Schultheis” (mayor/sheriff), called judge today.  The first notary was appointed in 1779, after which the Banat was divided into three Komitats (districts) and was added to Hungary again.  In 1779 Franz Kornibo was notary; from 1780 on it was Ladislaus Karucsonyi; from 1796 on it was Josef Barinska; from 1817 on it was Michael Kakujay; from 1828 on it was Mathias Veßlovßky; from 1831 on it was Anton Widma; from 1833 on it was Paul Kakujay; from 1847 on it was Ludwig Zsutty; from 1860 on it was Johann Staß; from 1861 to 1880 it was Jakob Dzsada; then came: Georg Reimholz, Ad. Oberst, Joh. Maurus, Ferd. Langer, Kolomon Rucz, Jos. Silier.

     The present day local administration is: Judge Johann Morgen; Adam Kunst; V. Richter; Jos. Silier, notary; community counsel: Joh. Neumann, Jos. Minnich, Franz Billo, Mich. Haupt, jr., Franz Ingrisch, jr., Peter Welter, Joh. Laroche, Jos. Silier, jr., treasurer; Karl Eichert, secretary; Ms. Theresia Kasparek, small claims judge; Joh. Friedl, Joh. Kindling.

 An Important Community Act

     As already mentioned above the community register was almost completely lost, therefore we have from the first years, even from the recent past there are also no documents, which we could barely remember in the historical past of our community.  But an important and very interesting act was when the pastor’s register was found enclosed in a letter, which we will follow here word for word:

 Report

     Strength which we find the truth to the tax: admit that we are obligated to the well-being of our children, in the year 1837, when our God blessed us with a good harvest, a 24e class for a teacher to educate.  But in case a bad year should follow, we will join together as soon as a blessed year should follow to undertake this farming.  Present and with our signature acknowledged.  Mercydorf on the 28^th of August, 1838.  Philippus Auer, juror; Jakob Zirenner, Nikolaus Reiter, Mathias Wirtz, Aloisius Zollner, Joh. Bücher, Joh. Jung, Nik. Auer, Mich. Luberger, Joh. Siegur (?), Thomas Pack, Joh. Lang, Joh. Reinert.

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

X. LIST OF NAMES OF THE PRESENT DAY INHABITANTS ~ 1934

     How deeply apparent the following numbers show themselves:

     German inhabitants – 1228; Romanian, Hungarian, and others – 276, ie. Today 1,504 people live in the community.

     German families with one child: 111 families, with 2 children: 88 families, with 3 children: 9 families, more children: 13 families, and without children: 33 families.

The following statistics are sadly arranged: 

In 1928 – 24 people born, 30 died

In 1929 – 20 “              “   24 “

In 1930 – 20 “              “   23 “

In 1931 – 18 “              “   27 “

In 1932 – 26 “              “   23 “

     In the last five years 103 people were born and 128 died. The numbers speak volumes, and there is still much, very much to do to enlighten our people until they comprehend that one must sacrifice the comfort of the individual for the fate of the whole group, otherwise our remaining Swabian core can in no way be saved from a public catastrophe.

 Information given:

House No: - Name of the Father and the Mother- Children - Total family members - Occupation - Property in yokes.

(pre-1934 by house no.)

In 1934 there were 407 households. These pages are in small gothic print. Please be patient as we search.   Lookups by request: Contact Us

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

XI. EMIGRATION & RELOCATION

Coming One Day

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

XII. MERCYDORF & WORLD WAR 1

Here is the special memorial which the men erected who themselves participated in the great people’s struggle which the fatherland must bring the demanded sacrifices in true German loyalty.  Our community has also taken its proper share of this terrible sacrifice as 143 of the best men from the ranks were placed at the disposal of the fatherland in the course of this bloody war, of which 40 of them died in the field a soldier’s honor.  The community was proud of its sons who were excellent in war competence and well solved problems in battle and many of the men called up attained the highest ranks of the non-commissioned officers.

The community and each of those survived this terrible war always felt that one must also outwardly show recognition for these former heroes and therefore we also wanted the names of those in our short history who died immortalized which themselves had been bravely hit when they opposed the resistance of the enemy on the homeland grounds with genuine Swabian reserves in the different war theatres of the World War at the side of their German brothers from the motherland.  And the families who had given the brave fighting soldiers from the homeland soil could be proud of this blood relationship, the accomplished work which the Swabian warriors of the Banat homeland had achieved, and at no time forgot, not only for eternity but also handed down to the coming generations!  An eternal, respectable memorial to our fallen war heroes, only half of which came back healthy from the battlefields, a dignified acknowledgement of those warriors is certain and we are still pleased to have it in the midst of our earthly lives today!  And all of the inhabitants in the community here are especially thankful who have made their little contribution for a proper memorial today!

(Kom.: Temesch-Torontal; Kr. Winga)

Persons who died during WW-I

Namen entnommen aus Beiträge zur Geschichte Merczydorf- von Dr. Peter Schiff.

Chart translated by Alex Leeb

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Mercydorf 1734-1934 by Peter Schiff

XIII. PRESENT & FUTURE

   Our community was always in the past as they are also in the present, progressively adjusted and that also left us hope that Mercydorf in the future would follow just as in every German community in the Banat, in which the true unspoiled German colonial spirit of our ancestors renewed and for all time the later descendants would inherit.

     In the beginning the inhabitants of Mercydorf were occupied in the new homeland with obtaining the pure life and this work of keeping up was made somewhat more difficult in our village because at the same time there was friction between the colonists which existed because, as we saw, Italian, Spanish, French, and German elements were here.  The last group finally won the upper hand because the next generation introduced in the end from the original homeland were pure German and because later we received Germans who migrated here from the surrounding area from the other German colonial villages.  From this we interpret the name of the lowest part of the community: “Saderlach”.  The register there in the Saderlach community near Neu Arad (New Arad) contained data up to the present day of those who moved away from their own families to Mercydorf.  It is doubtless, that those who settled in the lowest part of the community mentioned here actually kept the names of the original community until today.  Dr, Franz Neff, lawyer from Neu Arad, wrote to us the following regarding this matter: “It was in the years 1755-1760 that several German colonists moved from the Saderlach community to Mercydorf, among them were also members of the Morgen family.

   In the official inhabitants’ register for the Saderlach community of 1755 the Saderlach resident Martin Morgen is named who had a wife, a small child, and a farmhand, and Benedict Morgen who also had a wife, a small child, and a farmhand.  Since 1760 there are no longer any Morgens in Saderlach.

   After that the German element managed to strive economically to grasp a firm foothold, but from 1880 on a general and economic upswing began for the whole Banat Swabian population, of which our community was also deeply moved.

 The social upswing was for the economically qualified.  The farmers did not want to further divide up the paternal clod of earth among all of their sons and so the Swabian children tentatively began to train for intelligent careers.  So it was inevitable that one also had to learn the Hungarian state language at the time without which one could not  come into state service.  The middle school of Temesvar – Timisoara, which was next to us, remained in any case German until the end of the ‘80’s.  Therefore one could only learn the Hungarian language in the capitol city of the Banat with difficulty, because they had more of a German character at the time than nowadays.  Therefore the studious children of our community in outlying Hungarian cities or Hungarian villages were given in exchange so they could learn the state language.

   In the middle school then the Swabian offspring received a pure Hungarian education and so in the shortest time the adult Swabian intelligentsia would alienate their own people, which was especially quickly established in such cases when the affected Swabians in a Hungarian region were used outside of the Banat in state service, which was mostly the case.  The core of our people, our farmers, remained overall German  – and with then we wanted the whole population of our people to grasp it!  There were those under them of the nature from specially gifted heads, whose robust Germaness was always upheld and their innate feelings were strong, especially through military service in the former Austro-Hungarian army.  Already before the World War many intelligent people were beginning to understand and the World War has then completed its good work in this respect.  We have to find our way back to our German people and strive to nourish a sense of belonging with our ancestral brothers.

    A sign of an intellectually worthwhile life of a village are always the social and cultural associations.  The oldest association of our community is the Trade Association, frequently also called Zunft (Guild), Innung (Guild), or Meister (Master Craftsman) Association.  It was already established in Mercydorf in 1852 and had a special upswing under the experienced leadership of “Raseur” master craftsman Jakob Schiff, who was the head of the association from 1897 to 1902.  It was a beautiful entertaining life that the association led, at different formal events, but especially at the annually held general assembly where all the fellow shopkeepers were met by the guild master with village music and after the assembly they were accompanied back again by all of the members of the association with music.  It also happened this way when the master craftsman held a ball.  This association is already 82 years old today and presently stands under the goal conscious leadership of master craftsman Ferdinand Wick and honorary president Dr. Ad. Blasowics, pastor.  Concerning the development of our oldest association we gathered from the speech by the present day foreman Ferdinand Wick, who at the 82^nd celebration of the association said the following: “At the establishment there were 28 members including: Jos. Debler, shoemaker; Jakob Kade, blacksmith; Peter Pletsch, landlord; Mathias Wick, cabinetmaker; Mich. Griech, Kammacher?; Jöh. Schäffer, cabinetmaker; Joh. Wachinger, wagon maker; Claudius Eß, cabinetmaker; Joh. Spitzikel, barrel binder; Peter Krauß, Riemer?; Joh. Schauß, blacksmith; Jak. Hübchen, butcher; Joh. Krauß, butcher; Franz Ferch, wagon maker; Joh. Schag, barber; Georg Szenetra, blacksmith; Adam Berweiler, shoemaker; Joh. Blau, barber; Joh. Mullar, barber; Wendel Zotter, blacksmith, whose handiwork has existed for 5 generations; Jak. Heblinger, carpenter; Nik. Schipper, blacksmith; Mich. Keller, miller; Veith Schiff, barrel binder; Jak. Kolocsar, mason; Ant. Schöninger, blacksmith, whose handiwork has existed for 4 generations.”  The first foreman was: Josef Dobler who immigrated from Germany and also played an outstanding role in political life.  The association – called Zunft (Guild) in the beginning issued apprentice and master craftsman letters, but lost its privileges in 1867.  It remained, however, under the name as a social association until 1877, then it operated until 1897 as Association of the Business Enterprises.  At the time Jakob Schiff was elected to the boards of directors, who purchased 4 state lots now and then for the association, so the association also bore the name “Losgruppengesellschaft” and remained so until 1914.  From 1914 to 1919 there was no association activity.  Then it existed recently under the name Trade and Commerce Association which from 1924 to the end of 1929 was overheard to be the Iron Ring Trade Association until finally on the 15^th of January, 1930 it became connected as the local group of the German-Swabian Trade and Commerce Association.

   The second association of Mercydorf was the Marksman (Rifle) Association, which already on the 10^th of September, 1871, celebrated its flag dedication festively, where the following was reported to us:

   “The new Mercydorf marksman flag, which is produced on mothem? silk damask, on one side with a picture of the holy immaculate Maria and the other side with the Hungarian coat of arms, so the double-sided white silk flag was decorated, whose one length bore the motto “Powerful through the harmonious bond, for God, king, and fatherland” and on this end the gold embroidered Hungarian coat of arms.  The other length bore the words “Magdelena von Barinyai in the year 1871” and this end bore the gold embroidered coat of arms of the noble family of Barinyai to Monostor.  This was consecrated under the aegis of noble Ms. Magdelena von Barinyai, as flag mother, after the Roman Catholic Ritus in the year of the redemption 1871, on the 10^th of September during the ruling period of his majesty of the apostles King Franz Josef I; under the land administration of the imperial Hungarian responsible ministry of minister president: Count Julius Adràssy; for the Interior: Wilhelm von Toth; for Finance: Karl von Kerkapolyi; for Culture and Education: Theodor Pauler; Justice: von Bitto; for Public Works and Communication: Ludwig von Tißa; for Agriculture, Industry, and Trade: Josef Szlàvy; Minister of the King, Adalbert Baron Wenkelm, and minister for Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia: Kolomon von Bedekovits; during the rev. diocese bishop Alexander von Bonnaz; the overseer of the Temeser Comitat: Sigismund von Ormos; supreme court judge of the New Arad area (jaras): Julius von Bogma; the large landowner of Mercyfalva and Jadaul: Johann von Barinyai; the village notary: Jakob von Djida; the village executive: Johann Kasparek; the office teachers: Josef Schaffer, and Paul Eberstein; the bailiffs Mayhuitian Mandl and Kastners Karl and Johann Geist.  The shooting choir consisted of: commandant: Joh. Kasparek; lieutenant: Josef Wagner; flag leader: Georg Leichnam; corporals: Josef Fedrich, Joh. Filippi, Joh. Luy, Joh. Czauß, Michael Buffy, Josef Johann; and from the marksmen: Michael Bernstehner, Joh. Kunst, Jos. Metyke, Jak. Hermann, Ferdinand Fedrich, Joh. Kirsch, Joh. Gimpel, Jos. Eß, Jac. Klauß, Nik. Krauß, Lorenz Shipperl, Franz Schönborn, Peter Wilhelm, Jak. Wingron, Joh. Mich. Nik. Reinert, Georg Schneider, Filipp Blau, Thomas Bohr, Jos. Hermann, Jos. Kunst, Joh. Schrank, Joh. Kasper, Mich. Schück, Joh. Kneipp, Franz Gerold, Peter Tobias, Wendel Bruckler, Pet. Hanika, Fr. Warth, Ludwig Widder, and Mich. Wingron.  This flag is property of the Mercydorf Roman catholic church, decided to be the standard of the Mercydorf choir at the time. – Certificate of the correctness of all the preceded followed by the following personal signatures.  Signed in Mercydorf on the 10^th of September, 1871.  Kajetán D… (illegible), 1^st station chief of Mercydorf; Jos. Schäffer, teacher; August Bobic, Roman catholic priest; Maximilian Mandl; Lord Joh. Von Barinyai de Monostor, estate administrator; Joh. Kasparek, marksman captain and judge; Joh. Wagner, marksman lieutenant; Jakob Djida, notary; Joh. Louis, corporal; Mich. Buschl, corporal; Mathias Wick, guild chairman.

   The third important association of our community to emphasize is the church choir, which was established in Nov. 1907 under the leadership of choir teacher Martin Willkomm, who is a descendant of one of the oldest families of the community, whose ancestors were already in the earliest times also established in the leadership position of village judge of Mostern in 1797.  After fruitful activity the association could now celebrate its 25^th anniversary under the leadership of director teacher Martin Willkomm went on with great festivities and at the same time the new flag of the association was consecrated, which was the gift and masterwork of flag mother Josephine Willkomm.  The association for which our community earned a great deal of credit in public and church life, was presently led by the following gentlemen: honorary foreman Dr. N. Blaskovics, village pastor, foreman Jak. Welter, farmer, choirmaster Martin Willkomm; our church choir presently consists of 40 male and 20 female members.

     It cannot be the task of this small booklet that we exactly describe the life of all of our associations, but for all the great credit earned in the cultural development of our community, their leaders will be named here together.

     Presently the following associations exist: Roman Catholic church choir, led by by Jakob Welter and Martin Willkomm.  Roman Catholic Rosary Association: Eva Reich.  Catholic German Women’s Association: Katharina Siller.  Catholic German “Mädchenkranz” (Girl’s Wreath?): Theresia Hübchen.  Marien-Mädchen (Mary-Girl?) (Altar Association): teacher Amalla Horvath.  Catholic German Youth Association: teacher Lorenz Zirenner and Franz Tobias.  This association actually existed since 1908 under the leadership of  teacher Lorenz Zirenner, under whose leadership the stage piece “Stabelcompeter” was performed in 1908.  The association has played a leading role in the cultural life of the community up to the present day.  The Sports Association existed under the leadership of notary Josef Siller and Peter Warth.  The sports leader is jurist Jakob Cade.  This association was established in 1924 under teacher Lorenz Zirenner, who is now honorary president of the association and was taken over by Josef Siller in 1930.  Undertakers Association: Adam Friedl.  Trade and Business Association: Ferdinand Wick.  Agricultural Association: Karl Gabriel.  “Hutweide” Cooperative: Ludwig Haupt and the newest association: Fireman’s Association with our very own notary Josef Siller and commandant Hans Wegel at the head

    And in social respects is referred to as the role taken on by all of the marksman choir which in the new state order of 1919 could not be saved.  The voluntary Fireman’s Association was established at the suggestion of the supreme court judge Manata and the district fire inspector Constantinovici on the 16^th of May 1933 with 26 men and on 1 May 1934 a fireman’s music band was also formed consisting of 15 fireman’s musicians with bandmaster Jakob Schweninger at the head.  The number of present day members is 53 active and 93 supporting members.

   The two hundred year past of our community is proof that the life of our ancestors was hard from the many misfortunes that followed, but they have struggled through the great difficulties, have kept the traditional beliefs of the Father, kept the paternal customs and courtesies on the whole, that we can renew again in the present our progress as simple members in the framework of our people and fatherland is certain.  The World War has robbed us of so many brave friends and brothers, which legal practices of the new fatherland (agrarian law, conversion) have also caused us much damage besides benefits which we want to make good again with German diligence and perseverance.

   The community of Mercydorf which for the time being has only vivid memorial for which the first governor of the Timischer Banat, Count Florimund Klaudius Mercy is remembered, is therefore at the same time an important memorial stone in the history of our close homeland and it will be with the help of the ability of the brave Swabian population that it will remain so in the future.

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