To find the common origin of the French branches of the name Krackenberger, (with or without the letter "c"), one
must become familiar with the 18th century frontiers of Bitche, France, Hornbach, Germany and Zweibrucken,
Germany.
In this area from the beginning of the 18th century until today are many descendants of Jean Valentin Krackenberger. This Jean was from "Nerten, ex Brunschweig", as mentioned in his death record of 1718, found in the parish records of Walschbronn, France. Nerten is the phonetic transcription for Norten (currently Norten Hardenberg, Germany), a town about a dozen kilometers north of Gottingen, Germany, in the diocese of Hildesheim, Germany, where the archives are. It seems that since the name Krackenberger is as rare in France as in Germany, Swizerland and Holland, the communal stock (of our family) is from this large village (Norten). My research stopped here, however I made the following deductions. I found in France, Luxembourg and Holland many families with the similar name, Kreckelbergh. One of
them told me the name came from a mountain or hill in Austria. The French embassy in Vienna confirmed the location of this mountain in Tyrol, "Greggelberg", in the town of Scheffau am Wilden Kaiser. According to the ambassador,
Greggkelberg is pronounced "Kreckelbergh" in the local dialect. Also, Kreckelbergh no longer has a definition in contemporary German, and is thus not translatable.
Krackenbergh is a variant of Kreckelbergh, which is in turn a variant of Greggelberg. The spelling was quite varied because few people knew how to read and write, etc. The majority of French Krackenberger branches were farmers, and sheep herders. Jean Valentin Krackenberger was a shepherd who was from Nerten near Brunschweig, 31 Jan 1718.
I called Horsa Armand Krakenberger, but he and his spouse refused to assist with the genealogy research. I contacted his first wife, Eva Marie, who is divorced from Horsa. She said this branch is originally from Nurnberg, Germany, where they were beer makers. Horsa's grandmother died in New York, USA. Ernst, Horsa's father, has two brothers, one in
Lugano, Italy, with a son in Zurich. The other lived in Amsterdam, but returned to Switzerland, near Zurich.
Concerning the Kreckelbergh families.
Today there is no trace of a direct connection between the Krackenberger/Krackenbergh and the Kreckelbergh families. Everything is an assumption, even though I am convinced.
According to Horsa Armand Krackenberger, the Krakenberger's (with or without the "c") were, long ago, Jewish. Bit by bit, due to persecution, they converted to Protestantism (Lutheran), then to Catholicism. This is possible at the beginning of our tree, we find Jean Pierre Krackenberger, noted as "Ex-Lutheran" and his wife Anne Appoline Schreibeisen as "Lutheran". Today, the major part of the family is Catholic. My great grandfather, Jacob, was Protestant, although his wife, Louise Justine Guyot was Catholic.
Concerning my great grandfather, Jacob, whose mother was an unmarried mother.
Many times during my childhood I heard it said that his father who did not acknowledge him, was from nobility, and his name was "De Lothaire" without further explanation. Marie Elisabeth Krackenberger then married Schmidt or Smitt.
My father told me that Jacob Krackenberger, (my great grandfather) came to France in 1870 because of the French/German war. One of his uncles brought him and left him with a farmer in Marne. This uncle Krackenberger (first name unknown) was supposed to leave for the US. It is said there was an exchange of letters with this uncle or his descendants around the turn of the century. I don't know where this family lives. It has been said that at many times from other branches of the tree, other Krackenberger's have left for the US. These descendants live in Buffalo City, near Niagara Falls.
Another thought, I think there is, in France, a Krackenberger family who live on the road. This was at last confirmed by a conversation with a gypsy who ran across Krackenberger's in some campsites. They were originally from around Nancy, France. One of the older people in the family bought a house near Beaune, France, then sold it to return to Nancy. My research has not found anything in Meurthe or Moselle. Nevertheless, I am sure these Krackenberger's are part of our tree.
My great aunt, Marie Suzanne Krackenberger, who will be 100 years old this year, told me in a letter that in 1896 or 1898 her parents were visited by Jacob's two uncles, Georges Krackenberger and Jean George Krackenberger. She only saw them once. In checking the tree, I found Georges Adam. The only Jean George died shortly after his birth. At this time, it was common to name the new baby for one who just died. Thus, I think all of the children of Peter Krackenberger aren't listed, therefore the absence of Jean George.
In the parish and civil records of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, often the name used was not the first written, a second name was used. For example, Johann Christoph, who was known as Christoph, and Louis Philippe
Krackenberger, known as Philippe.
I'm not sure if this is given to all members of the family, I haven't checked. Fifteen years ago I discovered that I could locate water with the branch of a hazelnut tree. A dowser I watched work in a field in Haute Saone invited me to try it out, and I discovered this hidden gift. I asked my close family if they also had this power. We made some trials. My father, Lucien Louis, yes, my mother, Renée, no, my sister Régine, not really. It worked for her if my father and I helped, we took her hand and the stick reacted. Where does this power come from? Which ancestors had it?
The farm in Dorset, a hamlet in the area of Walschbronn, France, played a big role in our family. It was essentially the "crib" of numerous Krackenberger's who were born or died there. Jean Valentin came from Norten and died in 1718.
The farm was of some importance. Today, a part of the very old building still exists, perfectly restored by it's current owner.
Krackenberger/Krackenbergh/Kreckelbergh. I searched many of the government archives in Doubs and the library in Besancon, and only found one possible connection, a Walter Krickeberg. The names all sound different in French, but more similar in German, and wonders if Walter is related. Walter was a professor at the university of Berlin Wilttersdorf and published several books on ancient civilization from 1918-1960.
Note: The address of the archives in Norten is: Kirchenbucharchiv, Postfach 10 02 63, Germany (Deutchland), 3200
Hildesheim. This author mentions that the archivists there don't do research, and recommended a professional genealogist. He thinks that further research here will allow the tree to go further back in time, because these records haven't yet been examined.
The KRACKENBERGER Family Tree
- Johannes Christoph Krackenbergh married Maria (last name unknown)
- Children
- Johann Valentin Krackenberg/Krackeberg/Krackenberger born 10/24/1665 Bishausen, Norten, Germany
- Johann Valentin Krackenberg/Krackeberg/Krackenberger born 10/24/1665 Bishausen, Norten, Germany married
Agnes Anholter
- Children
- Jean Pierre Krackeberg/Krackenberger died 5/10/1761 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Jean Pierre Krackeberg/Krackenberger died 5/10/1761 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France married Anne Appoline
Schreibeisen born 2/8/1704 in Schweyen, France died 10/11/1761 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Children
- Marguerite Krackenberger
- Maria Catharina Krackenberger born 7/29/1720 in Waldhouse, France died 4/2/1785 Stautein, Germany
- Franz Krackenberger born 6/18/1723 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 12/30/1796 in Molschbacherhof,
Wattweiler, Germany
- Johann Krackenberger
- Johann Krackenberger married Catharine Schott born 10/6/1720 in Loutzviller, France died 4/30/1761 in
Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Children
- Francois Krackenberger born 10/20/1738 in Rolbing, France
- Catherine Krackenberger born 9/30/1740 in Loutzviller, France
- Jean Michel Krackenberger born 10/12/1742 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 4/27/1807 in Walschbronn, Dorst,
France
- Marie Barbe Krackenberger born 9/7/1744 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died in Eschviller, France
- Marie Catherine Krackenberger born 8/3/1746 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Marie Madeleine Krackenberger born 4/3/1749 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Anne Appoline Krackenberger born 8/9/1751 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Balthazard Krackenberger born 11/7/1753 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Anne Eve Krackenberger born 10/16/1755 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Antoine Krackenberger born 3/23/1758 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 1/26/1821 in Neufgrange, France
- Jean Krackenberger born 6/24/1760 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Jean Michel Krackenberger born 10/12/1742 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 4/27/1807 in Walschbronn, Dorst,
France married Anna Elizabeth Doufeu born 6/7/1744 in Guiderkirch, France died 4/21/1807 in Walschbronn, Dorst,
France
- Children
- Francois Krackenberger born 10/14/1765 in Loutzviller, France
- Andrea Krackenberger born 1/4/1768 in Rolbing, France died 1/13/1819 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Jean Krackenberger born 12/25/1769 in Loutzviller, France died 1/14/1773 in Loutzviller, France
- Anne Marie Krackenberger born 9/14/1772 in Loutzviller, France
- Jean Georges Krackenberger born 2/2/1774 in Loutzviller, France
- Barbe Krackenberger born 8/7/1776 in Loutzviller, France
- Catherine Krackenberger born 8/2/1779 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Marie Eve Krackenberger born 11/19/1781 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Andrea Krackenberger born unknown died 1/13/1819 married Anna Marie Liechtel on 1/301798 in
Grosssteinhausen, Bavaria Pfalz
- Children
- Eva Krackenberger born 11/26/1798 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 1/10/1835 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Jean Krackenberger born 8/28/1801 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 7/11/1807 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Pierre Balthasard Krackenberger born 8/10/1802 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 7/10/1889 in Four Corners,
Jennings Co., Indiana
- Andre Krackenberger born 8/19/1804 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Georges Krackenberger born 9/26/1807 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Pierre (Peter) Krackenberger born 2/20/1810 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 4/30/1839 in Walschbronn, Dorst,
France
- Anna Marie Krackenberger born 10/7/1813 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 4/1/1817 in Walschbronn, Dorst,
France
- Pierre Balthasard Krackenberger born 8/10/1802 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 7/10/1889 in Four Corners,
Jennings Co., Indiana married Eva Zahm born 5/3/1800 in Breidenbach, France died 1/27/1870 in Four Corners,
Jennings Co., Indiana
- Children
- George Krackenberger born 10/4/1829 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Pierre (Peter) Krackenberger born 2/1/1832 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 11/21/1881 Four Corners, Jennings
Co., Indiana
- Mary Krackenberger born 1833 in Germany
- Catharine Krackenberger born 6/9/1834 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France
- Louis Krackenberger born 1835 in Dorst, France
- Christina Krackenberger born 8/20/1836 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 4/2/1839 in Walschbronn, Dorst,
France
- Balthasard Krackenberger born 10/7/1828 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France died 1/21/1872 in Four Corners, Jennings
Co., Indiana
- Pierre (Peter) Krackenberger born 2/1/1832 in Walschbronn, Dorst, France, died 11/21/1881 in Four Corners,
Jennings Co., Indiana married Mary Stahl born 3/17/1830 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana, died 9/3/1912 in
Jennings Co., Indiana
- Children
- Margaret Krackenberger born 10/10/1853 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana, died 4/27/1879 in Hardenburg
(now Hayden), Jennings Co., Indiana
- Anna Marie Krackenberger born 6/26/1855 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana
- Magdalena Krackenberger born 9/20/1857 in Jennings Co., Indiana
- Nicholas Krackenberger born 1858 in Jennings Co., Indiana
- Peter Krackenberger born 1859 in Jennings Co., Indiana
- Elizabeth Krackenberger born 3/25/1861 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 5/30/1935 in Four Corners,
Jennings Co., Indiana
- John Krackenberger born 11/26/1863 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 7/6/1953 in Brookville, Franklin
Co., Indiana
- Francis Xavier Krackenberger born 12/1/1865 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 9/19/1908 in Lafayette,
Tippecanoe Co., Indiana
- Henry Krackenberger born 9/18/1868 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 11/30/1912 in Indianapolis,
Marion Co., Indiana
- John Krackenberger born 11/26/1863 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 7/6/1953 in Brookville, Franklin Co., Indiana
Co., Indiana married Barbara Maschino born 3/3/1865 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 6/5/1944 in Four
Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana
- Children
- Rose Catherine Krackenberger born 1/17/1890 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 7/5/1975 Jennings Co., Indiana
- Ann Mary Elisabeth "Annie" Krackenberger born 7/27/1892 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 7/15/1975 Shelby Co., Indiana
- Cecilia Margaret Krackenberger born 3/31/1892 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 10/1/1929 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana
- Leo Adam Krackenberger born 11/5/1897 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 9/26/1972 in Santa Rosa,
Sonama Co., California
- Lawrence Henry Krackenberger born 12/23/1901 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 6/22/1985 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana
- Anthony Edward John Krackenberger born 1/29/1910 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 4/28/1933 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana
- Leo Adam Krackenberger born 11/5/1897 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 9/26/1972 in Santa Rosa,
Sonama Co., California married Veronica Elizabeth Munier born 3/28/1897 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana died
10/31/1937 in Indianapolis, Marion Co. Indiana
- Children
- Angela Marie Krackenberger born 7/1/1922 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 6/24/1995 in Ocala, Florida
- Ruth Elizabeth Krackenberger born 11/17/1923 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana
- Robert John Krackenberger born 4/20/1925 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana
Veronica Elizabeth (Munier) Krackenberger born 3/28/1897 died 10/31/1937
- Leo Adam Krackenberger born 11/5/1897 in Four Corners, Jennings Co., Indiana died 9/26/1972 in Santa Rosa,
Sonama Co., California also married Mary Edith Henley born 8/31/1906 in Hardin Co. Kentucky died 3/12/1989 in
Beech Grove, Marion Co. Indiana
- Children
- Richard Leo Krackenberger born 10/9/1941 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana
