German Immigrants in the Falbrook and West Maitland area

[Denise Kay]

My great great grandparents ( Johann and Minna Renz-Rentz)came to Australia from Hamburg in 1856 on the Cesar Godeffroy. Two of their children were born in the Maitland area in1859 and 1864.
Their father's occupation was listed as a shoemaker but on the shipping records he is a landmann.

I am looking for any information about the German settlement at this time and if there is any way of findong out more about my forbears

[rosball]

Just a little snippet ... (possibly your man)

John RENZ, a German at Howe's Flat called as a witness at Singleton court
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18716796

regards,
   Ros

And a reward to be paid by Mr RENZ shoemaker of Weller's Cottage,  East Maitland Rd for return of his horse http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18639702

[rosball]

A letter from a German immigrant outlining some of the conditions they had to endure (to Maitland Mercury)

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article701336

And an example of the hardship suffered by a German immigrant - very sad

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article701243


regards,
   Ros

adding : Essentially the German immigrants were lured out here by promises of what they thought were high wages, not realising that the cost of living here was so much higher.  They were bound by contracts which only paid them a minimal wage and could barely survive.

[Neil Todd]

Seems thery lived between Maitland, Singleton and later Forbes where their last child was born.
HENRY RENZ 11999/1867.

Neil   

[rosball]

Pre-emptive leases approved
District of Grenfell  John RENZ 240 acres county of Forbes
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117577498

cheers,
   Ros

[rosball]

Mena Renz, was charged that she did, on the 17th July, at Warraderry, steal fifteen sheep,
the property of Messrs. Allen and Watson ; a second count charged her with receiving, knowing them to have been stolen, and a third with killing, for the purpose of selling the  skins   etc etc
(quite a detailed account)

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117579656

Sentenced to 6 months hard labour at Young

At NSW state records there is a record
RENZ     Mena, at Grenfell, date of committal   25 Jul 1879  offence Sheep stealing, committed for trial at   Grenfell   reels   2760 & 2761   

[Neil Todd]

The growth of German immigrants to the Hunter area was the need for people to work in the Wine Industry. Henry LINDEMAN among others set up wine making and procurred many from Germany to work in the vineyards and processing. Seems Johann may not have enjoyed the work he came for (Landmann) and went on to use his trade Bootmaker and there would have been a need for that.

Neil

[Denise Kay]

Thank you so much for all your information. Now I can spend my holidays doig family history.

Have a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2014.

[emilypos]

Hi Denise

 Just found these messages.   John & Minna RENTZ are our grandsons  gt x 5 grand parents

 Been trying to find Minna ( many spellings  ) maiden name.  No joy so far . Just havent found the right rock to look under yet !

Bye

emilypos