Christian J. Birky (Birkey): The Schrock-Birkey Connection

Christian J. Birky (Birkey)

Male 1851 - 1939  (88 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Christian J. Birky (Birkey) was born on 12 Mar 1851 in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL (son of Johannes Bircky (Birky) and Elisabeth Bircky (Birky)); died on 3 Jun 1939 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Reference Number: 146
    • Religion: Amish Mennonite

    Notes:

    Obit: . June 29, 1939 - Vol. XXXII, No 13 - pages 270, 271

    Birkey.-Christian, son of John and Elizabeth Birkey, was born near Tremont, Ill., March 12, 1851; died of complications at the home of his son, Levi, near Hopedale, Ill., June 3, 1939; aged 88 y. 2 m. 22 d. In his youth he united with the Mennonite church and remained faithful unto death. On Oct. 18, 1874, he united in marriage to Elizabeth Schertz, who passed away July 14 1878. On Oct. 9, 1879, he united in marriage to Elizabeth Good, who passed away Oct. 2, 1924. To this union 3 sons and 5 daughters were born. On Feb. 23, 1928 he united in marriage to Barbara Birkey who preceded him in death Feb. 4, 1939. Surviving are 6 children (John, Emma Stahl, and Phoebe Slabaugh of Kent Co., Mich.; Simon of Amboy, Ind.; Levi of Delavan, Ill.; and Sarah Sutter of Minier, Ill.), 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and 6 stepchildren. Two daughters (Katie, wife of C. B. Birkey and Clara, twin sister to Sarah), 2 brothers, and 2 sisters also preceded him. During his illness he frequently expressed a desire to go home, as he felt his work on earth was ended. Funeral services were held at the Hopedale Mennonite Church June 5, conducted by the home ministers.
    "The room is quiet, all is still,
    His place is vacant; 'tis God's will;
    But yet we're glad, is God saw best,
    To end his suffering and give him rest."
    ---The Children.

    Married Barbara Wittrig Birky, widow of cousin Christian H. Birky.

    16. CHRISTIAN4 BIRKY (JOHN3, CHRISTIAN2, CHRISTIAN1) was born 12 Mar 1851, and died 03 Jun 1939. He married (1) ELIZABETH GOOD. She was born 11 Oct 1860, and died 02 Oct 1924. He married (2) BARBARA WITTRIG Aft. 1924. She was born 24 Apr 1854 in Canada, and died 04 Feb 1939.

    Children of CHRISTIAN BIRKY and ELIZABETH GOOD are:
    i. KATHERINE5 BIRKY, b. 07 Oct 1880; d. 01 Dec 1903; m. CHRISTIAN BENJAMIN BIRKY; b. 1879; d. 1940.
    ii. EMMA BIRKY, b. 12 Jun 1882; d. 10 Jun 1955; m. GEORGE STAHL, 05 Mar 1922; d. 03 Jan 1948.
    iii. JOHN J. BIRKY, b. 23 Jul 1884; d. 05 Apr 1962; m. LYDIA WITTRIG, 01 Mar 1906; b. 20 Sep 1887.
    iv. PHOEBE BIRKY, b. 17 Dec 1886; d. 30 Jan 1966; m. ALBERT SLAUBAUGH, 09 Jan 1910; b. 19 Oct 1883; d. 17 Apr 1965.
    v. SIMON G. BIRKY, b. 22 May 1889; d. 01 Mar 1968; m. LIDA E. SLAUBAUGH; b. 27 May 1886; d. 29 Dec 1963.
    vi. LEVI BIRKY, b. 27 Apr 1894; d. 10 Jul 1975; m. LAURA MAST, 14 Jan 1917; b. 03 Aug 1892; d. Aug 1974.
    vii. CLARA MARIE BIRKY, b. 13 Dec 1901; d. 23 Feb 1902.
    viii. SARAH MAE BIRKY, b. 13 Dec 1901; m. LAURENCE W. SUTTER, 12 Dec 1920; b. 22 Apr 1900.

    Purchased land in Fisher for Valentine and Phoebe Good Birkey to live on when they returned from Kansas in 1895.

    Buried:
    Hopedale Mennonite Cemetery

    Christian married Elizabeth Schertz on 18 Oct 1874 in Tazewell Co., IL. Elizabeth was born in 1858; died on 14 Jul 1878. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Christian married Elizabeth Guth (Good) on 9 Oct 1879. Elizabeth (daughter of Josef (Joseph ) Guth (Good) and Katharina Stalter) was born on 11 Oct 1860 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 2 Oct 1924 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Notes:

    Married:
    Or 1878

    Children:
    1. Katharine (Katie C.) Birky (Birkey) was born on 7 Oct 1880 in Tazewell Co., IL; died on 1 Dec 1903 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.
    2. Emma Birkey was born on 12 Jun 1882 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 3 Jan 1948.
    3. John J. Birkey was born on 3 Jul 1884 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 5 Apr 1962 in Alto, Lowell Twp., MI.
    4. Phoebe Birkey was born on 17 Dec 1886 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 17 Apr 1965.
    5. Simon G. Birkey was born on 22 May 1889 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 1 Mar 1968 in Howard Co., IN; was buried in Howard Co., IN.
    6. Levi Julius Birkey was born on 17 Apr 1894 in Delavan, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 8 Jul 1975 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.
    7. Clara Marie Birkey was born on 13 Dec 1901 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 23 Feb 1902 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.
    8. Sarah Mae Birkey was born on 13 Dec 1901 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 26 Jan 1986 in Sarasota, FL; was buried in Sarasota, FL.

    Christian married Barbara Wittrig on 23 Feb 1928. Barbara (daughter of Joseph Wittrig (Vitrich) and Anna Nancy Gascho) was born on 24 Apr 1854 in Ontario, Canada; died on 4 Feb 1939 in Bloomington, McLean Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Notes:

    Married:
    from obituary of Christian J. Birkey


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Johannes Bircky (Birky) was born on 25 Jan 1815 in Augsburg, Bavaria, GR (son of Christian Bürcky (Birki) and Katharina Nafziger); died on 9 Nov 1896 in Tazewell Co., IL.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Occupation: Farmer/Deacon; A Horseman In Germany
    • Reference Number: 182
    • Religion: Amish
    • Residence: 1839, Butler Co., OH
    • Immigration: 12 Oct 1839, Le Havre to New York
    • Residence: 1840/44, Tazewell Co., IL
    • Ordained: 1847 and 1864, Tazewell Co., IL
    • Census: 1860, Elm Grove Twp., Tazewell Co., IL

    Notes:

    “Big John,” “Black John”, lived in Tremont. A deacon in the Dillon Creek Congregation by 1864. Attended the 1875 conference of Amish ministers in the Sutter barn.

    “In Germany....John was a horseman and a good horseman he was, as I found out for myself when I stayed with him in the spring of 1868-69, when he was breaking four-year old colts to work that had been raised in the woods, wild and vicious.”

    The 1850 census of Tazewell County shows the households of Valentine, Andrew, John (with Jacob and Joseph), and Christian in consecutive order on one page.
    Their household on the 1850 census of Tazewell County: farmer John Burkie, 35, Germany; Elizabeth, 25, Germany; Elizabeth, 2, Illinois; John, 1, Illinois; laborer Jacob, 25, Germany; and laborer Joseph, 22, Germany. John is found as a 65-year-old retired farmer on the 1880 census of Elm Grove, living with three children. He stated that his father was born in France, his mother in Hesse.

    Birth:
    Near Augsburg

    Residence:
    With brother Christian

    Immigration:
    Aboard the Burgundy. Passenger list shows J. Burky, 24, and C. Burky, 31.

    Residence:
    Along Dillon Creek

    Ordained:
    Served Dillon Creek, later Delavan Prairie congregations

    Census:
    Page 168:
    John Bergy age 45, farmer b. Bavaria; Elizabeth age 31 b. Bavaria; Elizabeth age 12 b. IL; Christian age 9, b. IL; Valentine age 5, b. IL.

    Johannes married Elisabeth Bircky (Birky) on 7 Jan 1847 in Tazewell Co., IL. Elisabeth (daughter of Valentin (Valentine) Bircky (Birky) and Elisabeth Unzicker (Hunsiker)) was born on 19 Nov 1826 in Nymphenburg, Bavaria, GR; died in Oct 1866 in Tazewell Co., IL. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Elisabeth Bircky (Birky) was born on 19 Nov 1826 in Nymphenburg, Bavaria, GR (daughter of Valentin (Valentine) Bircky (Birky) and Elisabeth Unzicker (Hunsiker)); died in Oct 1866 in Tazewell Co., IL.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Reference Number: 169
    • Religion: Amish Mennonite
    • Immigration: Oct 1846, NY

    Notes:



    Birth:
    Weibach Castle, No. 17, normal birth at 7:30 am with midwife N. Gunzler in Nymphenburg.

    Immigration:
    On Ship Kilby: Joseph, 29; Catherine Augustein, 21; Barbara Augustein, 20 (Joseph’s wife-to-be); and Valentine Burkey, 26, Joseph’s brother. Catherine Augustein later married a John Burkey.

    Children:
    1. Elizabeth Birky was born on 25 Dec 1847; died on 13 Apr 1898; was buried in Roanoke Twp., Woodford Co., IL.
    2. John Birky was born in 1848; died in 1848.
    3. 1. Christian J. Birky (Birkey) was born on 12 Mar 1851 in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 3 Jun 1939 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.
    4. Valentine B. Birky (Birkey) was born on 14 Apr 1854 in Pekin Heights, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 16 Feb 1924 in Foosland, Champaign Co., IL.
    5. Katherine Birky was born on 5 Jan 1863 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; died on 10 Apr 1928 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Christian Bürcky (Birki) was born in 1781 in Bitche, Moselle, FR (son of Christian Birki (Bircki) and Barbe Koch); died on 26 Apr 1840 in Siebenbrunn, Bavaria, GR; was buried on 28 Apr 1840 in Haunstetten, Bavaria, GR.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Occupation: Farmer
    • Reference Number: 34
    • Religion: Mennonite
    • USR1: Pneumonia, per Dr. Heelbast from Augsburg
    • Residence: 1804-1813, Geretsried, Bavaria, GR
    • PURC: 22 Jun 1829, Unterdiessen, Bavaria, GR
    • PURC: 1830, Abstried, near Diessen, Bavaria, GR
    • PURC: 13 Feb 1832, Heimberg, Bavaria, GR

    Notes:

    Previously from Freudenbergerhof near Bitche in Lorraine.
    Later at Heimberg, near Augsburg.

    Harry F. Weber, in his book "Centennial History of the Mennonites of Illinois" reports them as the Big Burkeys and listed them along Dillon Creek in 1841. Reference is made to them as the Big Birkeys because of their large stature. Joseph was the youngest of the six sons and the smallest, and he was a man of over 6 feet in height and weighed over 200 pounds. In 1850, according to U.S. census files, Joseph Birky was 22 years old and his brother Jacob was 24, and they were living with their brother John Birky in Tazewell County, Illinois.
    —————————————
    While in Bavaria, Christian was one of the signatories to a letter sent March 18, 1811, to King Maximilian I. Joseph (ruler from 1806-1825). In it the “Elders of the Menonists” of the dairy farm Oberndorf, appealed to the King for permission to hire their own private instructors to educate their children in their own catechism, since he had allowed them freedom of religion. But “some of the community have received legal orders to send their children to school a good half hour away.”

    The answer came to them on Sept. 11, 1811, that “attendance of the local school remained compulsory, but the Mennonite children were not compelled to participate in religious instruction.”

    Other signing the letter were: Christian Güngerich, Heinrich Stalter, Daniel Zehr, Johannes Bächler.
    ———————————————————

    Following are the memories of Valentine Birky (recorded in 1935) of his grandfather Christian Birki (1781-1840).

    “The son, who was my grandfather, grew to manhood in France. He, being of more than ordinary strength, was wanted for the army, so he fled to Germany, settling in Bavaria near the town of Augsburg. The French hunted for him in the hay and grain with their bayonets. His mother and sister came to Bavaria later.

    “In Bavaria, Christian set up housekeeping. He raised a family of six sons and two daughters.... They tell me the Birkys were of the nobility, whatever that may mean. The Birky brothers were large men; they stood six feet tall and over. None of them fleshy, as I remember them--large frame bone and muscle.

    “One thing we must give them credit for: none of them were drinkers, which was a trouble with some of the German people in those days when liquor flowed so freely. I knew the brothers well, all but my own father, which I regret very much not knowing. I have always heard him highly spoken of. Their father was considered the strongest man in Bavaria, I am told. “

    The following taken from "A Brief Account of the History, Ancestry & Descendants of the John C. Birky Family."

    “The son [of Christian Birki [b. abt 1700], also named Christian, grew to manhood and was constantly sought for service in the military. Eventually he escaped back into Germany. There he was married and raised a family six sons and two daughters. The names of the children in order of age were: Katherine, Christian, John, Andrew, Valentine, Jacob, Joseph and Elizabeth.

    Between 1830 and 1840, when the older sons were approaching manhood, plans were made for the Christian Birky family to move to America, but the father suddenly became ill and died. Even so, loyalty to their faith of non-resistance caused them to continue plans to go to America. The two older sons, Christian and John, went to America alone first and settled in Butler County, Ohio. About a year later the other four brothers joined them in Ohio, and a short time later all six went west and located along Dillon Creek in Tazewell County, Illinois. This was in the year 1839 or 1840. The sister Elizabeth, who had married Jacob Eichelberger, came to America with her family and settled in the vicinity of her brothers. The mother and older sister, who married a man by the name of Jacob Rogie, remained in Germany.”

    “[Christian] left his wife, one son, and one daughter. The French army sought this one son, Christian, to serve in the army. They often dug in the hay and grain with their bayonets, thinking that they might find him. To avoid this persecution, Christian fled to Germany and then into Bavaria. His mother and sister came later. This took place about 1800 or a little later. In Bavaria, Christian was married and became the father of six sons and two daughters, although it is thought that there was a third daughter who died early in youth. The names of the children were, in order of age: Katherine, Christian, John, Andrew, Valentine, Jacob, Joseph and Elizabeth.

    Sons Came Over.
    Of the six brothers it was apparent that there were three deacons and one minister. Between 1830 and 1840 this family prepared to come to America, but the father suddenly took sick and died, so it was decided that the two oldest sons, Christian and John, should make the journey alone, which they did.
    It was customary for voyagers to take along enough provisions for the journey and also to do their own cooking. There were quite a few Hungarians on the ship and as the Birky boys were the only Bavarians, the Hungarians held the majority. One day John was seasick and Christian went down in the kitchen to do the cooking he found that an Hungarian had a large pot of potatoes on the stove. When Christian came with his kettle, which was small, to cook some soup the Hungarian told him to get out as he couldn't cook.
    The boy went upstairs and told his brother John, the story goes, that he must come down to the kitchen, as the Hungarian had insulted them. Christian went down again and tried to put his kettle on but again without success. The Hungarian told him to get out. But Christian, his ire called up, was himself the aggressor this time and seizing the pot of hot potatoes, turned them upside down on the Hungarian's head. In the meantime John came downstairs, and while the Hungarian was trying to get at Christian a seaman tripped him and he fell at John's feet. Thinking the boy had thrown him he left them alone, his fight gone.
    About a year later the other brothers came to America and settled in Butler county, Ohio, with the two oldest brothers, but they remained there only a short time and then moved to Tazewell county, Illinois, about 1859 or 1860. The sister Elizabeth, who had married Jacob Eichelberger, came to America with her family and settled in the vicinity of her brothers. The mother and the oldest sister, who married a man by the name of Jacob Rogie, remained in Germany.
    The name was formerly spelled Purckey, but has been changed to Burky, Birkey and Birky. The P was changed to B and the C omitted in Switzerland, and other minor changes have been made by the different branches of the family.”

    Residence:
    South of Munich. Leased Schwaigwall (Gut Wahl/Wolfratshausen-Waal estate), succeeding Joseph Stalter; Joseph rented only 50 days, Christian had a contract for 10 years. A Schwaige was not a ordinary farm, and according to Helmut Gingerich it provided for for a castle or monastery, needing skills such as distilling and cattle raising and a knowledge of business processes. Christian and his people farmed the 240 Bavarian acres of meadows and pastures until 1813.

    PURC:
    Tafernwirt. Purchased an inn that included 53 acres of farmland. In 1831, Christian is mentioned twice as witness of the Mennonite community, and as innkeeper in Schwabunterdissen.

    PURC:
    Heimberg estate, near Daniel Unzicker

    PURC:
    Bought farm estate near Fischach and 25 km S.W. of Augsburg, from Baroness von Grimmenstein for 4,000 Guilders. This farm was also near Daniel Unzicker’s Abstried Schwaige.

    Died:
    At 11:00 am in the house of Peter Hochstetler while visiting the family. Services at his funeral were conducted by minister Peter Hochstettler (1814-1884), a resident of Meringerau. Hermann Hage says he died at “Siebenbrunn b. Augsburg.” This is 20 miles east of Fischach, Christian’s home since 1838.

    Buried:
    At the wall from the chapel, in the presence of Stephan Klughammer the priest in the parish of St. Georg, near the Hochstetler family “the oldest from the Mennonite Peter Hochstetler, tenant to the Brik’schen farm.” Peter was in charge of the burial. (Haunstetten equals Siebenbrunn: they are very close together.)

    Christian + Katharina Nafziger. Katharina was born in 1776/1777; died on 3 Apr 1861 in Ehingen, Bavaria, GR; was buried on 5 Apr 1861. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 5.  Katharina Nafziger was born in 1776/1777; died on 3 Apr 1861 in Ehingen, Bavaria, GR; was buried on 5 Apr 1861.

    Notes:

    Died:
    Schaffhauserhof, home of her daughter Katharina Burcky Rocke. (Schaffhauser Farm by Nördlingen)

    Children:
    1. Katharina Bürcky (Birki) was born on 5 Aug 1805; died on 25 Nov 1886 in Neidenfels, Palatinate, GR.
    2. Christian Bürcky (Birky) was born on 29 Oct 1810 in Bavaria, GR; died on 26 Sep 1885 in Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.
    3. 2. Johannes Bircky (Birky) was born on 25 Jan 1815 in Augsburg, Bavaria, GR; died on 9 Nov 1896 in Tazewell Co., IL.
    4. Andreas Bircky (Buerky) was born on 27 Oct 1816 in Willbach, Bavaria, GR; died on 27 Jan 1892 in Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.
    5. Valentine Bürcky (Birky) was born in 1817 in GR; died on 30 Nov 1856 in Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL.
    6. Jacob Bürcky (Birki) was born on 4 May 1826 in Völlerdingen, Alsace, FR; died on 4 Jul 1883 in Garden City, Cass Co., MO.
    7. Joseph Bürcky (Birki) was born on 19 Mar 1828 in Bavaria, GR; died on 6 Dec 1906 in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE; was buried in Dec 1906 in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE.
    8. Elizabeth Bürcky (Birki) was born on 25 Nov 1829 in Bavaria, GR; died on 27 Jun 1899 in Livingston Co., IL; was buried on 28 Jun 1899 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.

  3. 6.  Valentin (Valentine) Bircky (Birky)Valentin (Valentine) Bircky (Birky) was born in 1794 in Dehlingen, Völlerdingen, Alsace, FR (son of Johannes (Jean) Bircky (Bircki, Percky) and Barbara Bircki); died on 12 Sep 1860 in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Sep 1860 in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Occupation: In Europe A Bauer (Farmer), In US A Farmer
    • Reference Number: 36
    • Religion: Amish
    • Residence: Bef 1803, Völlerdingen, Alsace, FR
    • Residence: ? 1803, Riedenburg, Bavaria, GR
    • Residence: 1813, Dachau, Munich, Bavaria, GR
    • PURC: 1825, Dachau, Munich, Bavaria, GR
    • Residence: 1815 - 1828, Dachau, Munich, Bavaria, GR
    • Immigration: 31 May 1828, Dachau, Munich, Bavaria, GR
    • Residence: 1830, Pellheim, Bavaria, GR
    • PURC: 8 Mar 1833, Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR
    • PURC: 15 Apr 1841, Ludwigsfeld, Bavaria, GR
    • Death: 12 Aug 1848, Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR
    • Residence: 1831-1849, Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR
    • Immigration: 21 Jun 1849, NY
    • Census: 1850, Morton Twp., Tazewell Co., IL
    • Residence: 1860, Morton, Tazewell Co., IL

    Notes:

    Valentine, father of thirteen children, all of whom emigrated to America, although not all at the same time, lived in Gern, Bavaria, when his children were born. The year after his wife died, Valentine, with some of his family came to America. He left Gern near Munich, Bavaria with five children, and with 10,000 fl., one of the larger amounts taken out of the country--much more than most immigrants. His brother Christian took the same amount. Valentine was of the "Little Red" Birky's. The family’s emigration is documented in Friedrich Blendinger’s material (the emigration to North America from the governmental district Upper Bavaria in the years 1846-1852, in: ZBLG (magazine for Bavarian national history) 27 (1964), p. 431-487. The magazine is on line with full text.

    Birth:
    Probably born at either Lutterbacherhof or Buscherhof (both near Sarre-Union and Rimsdorf). Lutterbacherhof is now a part of the Cultural Heritage Inventory Department Palais du Rhin. See https://www.pop.culture.gouv.fr/notice/merimee/IA67006033

    Residence:
    Lutterbacherhof, near Saar-Union/Saarbrücken, FR

    Residence:
    Lived on rented farms with brother Andreas (Country court Riedenburg [Flugelsberg]), and with Christian (in County Court Munich.
    Google translation :
    Gern and Riedenburg
    lt. deed of citizenship of
    In 1828 he stayed until about 1815
    with his brother on the
    Wing mountain.

    Residence:
    Unterweilbach tenant, of Court Spreti, near Dachau.

    PURC:
    Purchased an estate in Arzbach from his brother Christian.

    Residence:
    Tenant at Unterweilbach.

    Immigration:
    Received France to Bavaria immigration permit. ”Here appears Valentin Bircky from Lutterbach in Alsace, 34 years old, father of seven children, five boys, and two girls, the oldest 13 years of age, the youngest two years of age, asking for permission to emigrate.”

    Residence:
    Arzbach estate (about 2 miles north of the center of Pellheim) called Schloss Pellheim.

    PURC:
    Purchased Kandler farm estate, house No 3 from Joseph Stalter, Elisabeth’s step-father.

    PURC:
    Mayerrhof, house No. 8, called “Wurzer estate in Ludwigsfeld near Munich, and Dachau.

    Death:
    Death of wife Elisabeth Unzicker

    Residence:
    Valentin moved with his family to his father-in-law living in Gern near Munich

    Immigration:
    Via Liverpool on ship Minnesota. Evidently the family was originally booked to depart with ship agent Karl Dick from Augsburg via Mannheim-LaHavre-New York. Plans must have changed since they ultimately arrived on the ship Minnesota, via Liverpool to New York.

    Census:
    Age 67, living with son Joseph and Barbara (Eigsti) Birky; also living there was Christian Springer, laborer.

    Residence:
    Year of his death

    Buried:
    Birky-Landes Cemetery, personal visit, Plot #36 on cemetery map dated 8/12/2013

    Valentin married Elisabeth Unzicker (Hunsiker) in 1812 in Munich, Bavaria, GR. Elisabeth (daughter of Unzicker (Hunsicker) and Magdalena Nafziger) was born in 1796 in Breimthal, Heidelberg, Bavaria, GR; died on 12 Aug 1848 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR; was buried on 15 Aug 1848 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 7.  Elisabeth Unzicker (Hunsiker) was born in 1796 in Breimthal, Heidelberg, Bavaria, GR (daughter of Unzicker (Hunsicker) and Magdalena Nafziger); died on 12 Aug 1848 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR; was buried on 15 Aug 1848 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Reference Number: 37
    • Religion: Mennonite
    • USR1: Stroke

    Notes:

    Unzicker, originally Hunzicker= from Hunzicken, Canton Bern. The initial H was probably lost during a stay in France where an H is not pronounced at the beginning of a word.

















    More likely, Elizabeth could have been a sister to Daniel b. 1798 who married Magdalena Kahn.}

    Birth:
    Near Wieslock and Heidelberg

    Died:
    Farmer’s wife, at age 54, on her father’s farm

    Buried:
    Gern Mennonite Cemetery

    Notes:

    Settlement of Valentine’s estate lists Joseph first and Jacob seond--the rest in the same order as here.

    Married:
    about 1812-1813 - 2,500 Guilders given to the bride and groom on the occasion of their marriage by the bride’s family.

    Children:
    1. Jakob Birky (Bircky) was born in 1813 in Unterweilbach, Bavaria, GR; died on 1 Mar 1887 in Peoria, Peoria Co., IL; was buried in IL.
    2. Joseph Bircky (Burkey) was born on 13 May 1816 in Nymphenburg, Bavaria, GR; died on 13 Mar 1902 in Milford, Seward Co., NE; was buried in Milford, Seward Co., NE.
    3. Christian (Harry) Bircky (Burkey) was born on 4 Sep 1819 in Obersanding, Bavaria, GR; died on 6 Nov 1890 in Milford, Seward Co., NE; was buried in Milford, Seward Co., NE.
    4. Valentin Bircky (Birky) was born on 12 Oct 1820 in Nymphenburg, Bavaria, GR; died on 28 Jun 1901 in Tiskilwa, Bureau Co., IL; was buried in Bureau Co., IL.
    5. Andréas Bircky (Birky) was born on 11 Oct 1822 in Nymphenburg, Bavaria, GR; died on 7 Nov 1892 in Tazewell Co., IL.
    6. Magdalena Bircky (Birky) was born on 12 Dec 1824 in Nymphenburg, Bavaria, GR; died on 18 Feb 1897.
    7. 3. Elisabeth Bircky (Birky) was born on 19 Nov 1826 in Nymphenburg, Bavaria, GR; died in Oct 1866 in Tazewell Co., IL.
    8. Catharina Birky was born on 18 Jan 1829 in Nymphenburg, Bavaria, GR; died on 18 Mar 1870 in IL; was buried in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL.
    9. Heinrich (Henry) Bircky (Birky) was born on 31 Dec 1831 in Arzbach, Bavaria, GR; died on 4 Aug 1918 in Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL.
    10. Maria (Mary) Bircky (Birky) was born on 19 Mar 1833 in Bavaria, GR; died on 28 Oct 1908 in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE; was buried in Shickley, Fillmore Co., NE.
    11. Johann (John) Bircky (Birky) was born on 1 Jan 1835 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR; died on 28 Mar 1925 in Peoria, Peoria Co., IL; was buried in Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL.
    12. Jacobine (Bena) BIRKY (BIRCKY) was born on 13 Jan 1838 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR; died on 5 Sep 1914 in Milford, Seward Co., NE; was buried in Milford, Seward Co., NE.
    13. Barbara Bircky (Birky) was born on 9 Jan 1840 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR; died on 28 Jul 1934 in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL.
    14. Joseph Bircky (Birky) was born in 1861; died on 21 Mar 1861.


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  Christian Birki (Bircki) was born about 1759 (son of Birki); died on 13 Aug 1797 in Bitche, Moselle, FR.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • EARL: Y
    • Reference Number: 35
    • Religion: Anabaptist
    • Residence: Unterdiessen, GR
    • USR1: From A Fall

    Notes:

    The grandfather of the Big Birkeys (who immigrated to Illinois) died at Bitche  at 7 a.m. 26 Thermidor 5 - Aug. 13, 1797 (we had circa 1800). The 10 a.m. entry describes him as Christian Bircki, 38, husband of Barbe Koch, of la cense de la Rosselle. Witnesses were his father-in-law Christian Koch, anabaptiste de Gendersberg, 65; and Jacques Berguste, secretary of the municipality, 36.

    Christian and Barbara/Barbe were residents of a 297-acre farm called Freydenberg in the neighborhood/parish of La Rosselle within Bitche [Fr. la cense de la Rosselle dit Freydenberg]. Up until the early 20th century potatoes were raised there and processed through a distillery.   

    BITCHE
    Bitche is the site of an historic fortress [Fr. Citadelle de Bitche], standing 250 feet over the town.  It was constructed in 1624. Beginning in 1744 army officer Louis de Cormontaigne rebuilt it to be self-sustaining with its own water supply.  On Nov. 17, 1793 a 739-man garrison held off an assault by 1,200 Prussian troops.  The siege is found in military histories as an engagement in the First Battle of Wissembourg. 

    During the Napoleonic wars the citadel was used to confine prisoners of war.  It was common to see them marched to the citadel in chain gangs.  Officer prisoners under guard were routinely permitted to leave the citadel and purchase food at the town's markets.  Accounts of imprisonment there can be found online in Edward Fraser's Napoleon the Gaoler; Personal Experiences and Adventures of British Sailors and Soldiers during theGreat Captivity (1914).   During Napoleon's 100 days in 1815, the French commander repulsed a siege by Austrian troops. 

    Residence:
    Tafernwirt

    Died:
    Petite-Rosselle (La-Rosselle) Christian died at Bitche at 7 a.m. 26 Thermidor 5 - Aug. 13, 1797. He is described as Chistian Bircki, 38, husband of Barbe Koch, of la cense de la Rosselle. Witnesses were his father-in-law Christian Koch, anabaptiste de Gendersberg, 65; and Jacques Berguste, secretary of the municipality, 36.

    Christian married Barbe Koch about 1781. Barbe (daughter of Christian Koch and Madeleine Martin) was born about 1768; died on 28 Dec 1834 in Heimberg, Bavaria, GR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 9.  Barbe Koch was born about 1768 (daughter of Christian Koch and Madeleine Martin); died on 28 Dec 1834 in Heimberg, Bavaria, GR.

    Notes:

    Notes:

    Married:
    bei Augsburg

    Children:
    1. 4. Christian Bürcky (Birki) was born in 1781 in Bitche, Moselle, FR; died on 26 Apr 1840 in Siebenbrunn, Bavaria, GR; was buried on 28 Apr 1840 in Haunstetten, Bavaria, GR.
    2. Veronica Burkey was born on 4 Oct 1796 in Bitche, Moselle, FR; died in 1855 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in 1855 in Hopedale, Tazewell Co., IL.

  3. 12.  Johannes (Jean) Bircky (Bircki, Percky) was born about 1748; died in 1802.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Religion: Mennonite
    • Residence: late 1700s, Rimsdorf, Lower Alsace, FR
    • Residence: Abt 1803, Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR
    • Immigration: 11 Jun 1803, Dehlingen, Völlerdingen, Alsace, FR
    • Immigration: 1804, Dehlingen, Völlerdingen, Alsace, FR

    Notes:

    An entry from a document in Bern, Switzerland of emigrant families

    Jan 1700
    Benedikt Bürcky from Trimstein, Switzerland (abt 30 miles SE of Bern) moved to Griesbach, Alsace (Hanau-Lichtenberg)

    3 Jun 1710
    Christen Bürcky moving out from Switzerland

    3 Apr 1727
    Niclaus Bürcky from Höchststetten, Germany (Near Karlsruhe and Heidelberg) moved out with his children

    19 Sep 1748 (This could be our Johannes)
    Johannes Bürcky from Herblingen, Germany, moved to Zweibrücken/Palatinate/Germany.

    Birth:
    an estimation derived only from the birth year of his second wife

    Residence:
    Buscherhof, also near Saarewerden

    Immigration:
    Permission for emigration to Bavaria granted - from Lutterbacherhof

    Immigration:
    Buscherhof in Alsace to Steingaden, Bavaria

    Johannes + Barbara Bircki. Barbara was born in 1748; died on 24 Jan 1826 in Perlach, Bavaria, GR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 13.  Barbara Bircki was born in 1748; died on 24 Jan 1826 in Perlach, Bavaria, GR.

    Other Events and Attributes:

    • Religion: Anabaptist
    • USR1: Paralysis of the lungs

    Notes:



    Died:
    At 78 years old

    Children:
    1. Andreas Bircky (Burcky), Sr. was born in 1778 in Rimsdorf, Lower Alsace, FR; died in USA.
    2. Barbara Bircki was born about 1782.
    3. Christian Birki was born on 14 Mar 1788-1789 in Rimsdorf, Lower Alsace, FR; died on 14 Feb 1866 in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Feb 1866 in Groveland Twp., Tazewell Co., IL.
    4. 6. Valentin (Valentine) Bircky (Birky) was born in 1794 in Dehlingen, Völlerdingen, Alsace, FR; died on 12 Sep 1860 in Tremont, Tazewell Co., IL; was buried in Sep 1860 in Groveland, Tazewell Co., IL.
    5. Maria Birki was born on 18 Jan 1824 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR.

  5. 14.  Unzicker (Hunsicker)

    + Magdalena Nafziger. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  6. 15.  Magdalena Nafziger
    Children:
    1. 7. Elisabeth Unzicker (Hunsiker) was born in 1796 in Breimthal, Heidelberg, Bavaria, GR; died on 12 Aug 1848 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR; was buried on 15 Aug 1848 in Gern, Munich, Bavaria, GR.


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