Familien Chronik: Michael Blau und Barbara Dobmeier  Table of Contents Gleißenberg Photo Cover Introduction ii Gleißenberg Area Map vi Notice of Intent to Emigrate (German Script) vii Notice of Intent to Emigrate (Translation) viii Michael Blau and Barbara Dobmeier Family 1 Joseph Blau and Anna Brickl Family 4 Joseph Blau and Anna Gruber Family 21 Mary Blau, Daniel G. Brickl, John L. Ruhland, George Brey Family 32 Michael B. Blau and Christina Hutter Family 35 Barbara Blau and Simon Brickl Family 38 John Blau and Caroline Gruber Family 61 Theresia Blau and Henry Frank Family 72 Index of Names 80 ©
2001 Familien Chronik Michael Blau und Barbara
Dobmeier Description: This book is ibico bound, has over 80 pages including a map, photos, newspaper articles, documents, and history of the Michael Blau and Barbara Dobmeier family and their descendants. | Michael Blau and Barbara Dobmeier - Family History Gleißenberg, Germany Michael Blau and Barbara Dobmeier were born in the small town of Gleißenberg, which is located in the Oberpfalz, in the eastern area of Bavaria, Germany. Nearby towns are Furth im Wald, located near the Czech Republic border, and Waldmünchen, which was formerly the county seat. The city of Cham is now the county seat. Michael Blau was born on August 25, 1825. His baptism document lists Georg Blau, a shoemaker in Gleißenberg, as his father. The birth date of Georg Blau has not yet been determined. Michael’s mother was Margaretha Gruber from Geigant, Germany. One of the earlier known spellings of the Blau name was Plab. The Plab name was changed to Blab in the mid 1700's and within 3 generations the name evolved into Blau, which means "blue" or "drunk" in the German language. No one can say for sure why the name was changed so many times, but church records confirm all three spellings. Other variations of Blau found in Germany are Blaw, Plob and Blow. Barbara Dobmeier was born on December 25, 1833. Her baptism document lists Franz Dobmeier as her father. Franz was a farmer in Gleißenberg. Barbara’s mother was Anna Maria Schinabeck whose father was from Arnschwang, Germany. The Dobmeier name also has various spellings: Domajer, Dobmajer, Dobmayer, and the earliest known spelling, Thomayer. Barbara's baptism record listed her last name as Domajer. Michael and Barbara were baptized in St. Bartholomäus Catholic Church in Gleißenberg. Michael Blau and Barbara Dobmeier’s first child, Joseph, was born on April 3, 1861 in Gleißenberg. Michael and Barbara were unmarried at the time of Joseph's birth. On February 8, 1862 Michael (age 36), Barbara (age 28), and their infant son Joseph, went to the Königliches Landgericht, the Royal Judicial Office, in Waldmünchen to register their intent to emigrate to North America. In the protocol, Michael stated that he hoped to have a better future in America than in Bavaria. Michael possessed a fortune of 175 florin, which he stated would be more than enough money for the journey. He hoped to find work in America, and hoped that his many friends from the Gleißenberg area would help him. Florin is an old name for gulden; and at this time, 175 gulden would equal about 297 German marks. A house cost approximately 1,000 marks in the 1860’s. In 1871, the currency changed from gulden to marks. In Barbara's protocol, she stated her sister Maria Meindl, who was married to Nikolaus Meindl, had emigrated to America six years earlier. Maria wrote to Barbara several times asking her to come to America and described America in such a way that Barbara decided to emigrate, too. Barbara also stated in her protocol that she had an illegitimate son named Josef, and that Michael Blau from Gleißenberg admitted to being the father. Barbara stated that Michael would emigrate with her to North America, and that she would also take her child. They planned to travel from Nürnberg to Bremen where they would board the vessel Gauss. Bremen is located in the northern part of Germany. It is not known how long the voyage lasted, but the vessel arrived at the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, USA on June 12, 1862. Buffalo, New York - Plain, Wisconsin Michael, Barbara, and baby Joseph made their way to Buffalo, New York where it is assumed the Meindl's helped them find a home. Within three weeks after their arrival in America, Michael and Barbara were married. They were married on July 7, 1862 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Buffalo, New York. Their second child, Mary, was born on December 25, 1863 in Buffalo. By May of 1864, records show that Michael and Barbara Blau and their children moved from Buffalo to Plain, Wisconsin. They purchased the Charles Lamb farm, which was their home until their deaths. The farm is located about one mile southwest of Plain in the Township of Franklin, Sauk County, Wisconsin (Section 7, Town 9 North). In 1871 and 1877, Michael Blau also purchased land in Section 19, Town 9 North in Sauk County. Seven more children were born to Michael and Barbara: Michael B., born October 29, 1865; Barbara, born January 20, 1869; Frank, born September 19, 1870; Alois, born October 2, 1872; John, born March 17, 1874; Theresia, born August 29, 1876; and Anna, born April 25, 1878. Author: Debbie Blau |