Researching the Petry and Peter Families of Bad Durkheim,
Pfalz-Rheinland, Germany
by Kathy Jost-Shouse
My great great grandparents Daniel PETRY and Rosina FREUNSCHT were married on December 22, 1837 in Seebach, Pfalz, Bayern according to Civil marriage records.
This picture was taken by Max Lederle about 1890 in Bad Durkheim.
Bad Durkheim, located in west central Germany, is 13 miles west of Mannheim and is in Rheinland-Pfalz. Pfalz, a Bavarian territory in the 1800's, is now a modern state. Bad Durkheim is best known as a health resort and for it's wine trade and yearly wine festival.
Church records in the Evangelisch-Reformierte Bad Durkheim, Pfalz, Germany indicate that Daniel and Rosina had nine children:
| Elisabeth | born Dec 1839 |
| Jacob | born Feb 1842 |
| Franziska | born Jun 1844 |
| Catharaina | born Oct. 13, 1846 |
| Johannes | born Jan 24, 1849 |
| Friedrich | born May 27, 1851 |
| *Daniel | born Jul 28, 1854 |
| Sophia | born Jan 06, 1858 |
| Anna Maria | born Sept 17, 1859 |
Family history tells me that my great grandfather, Daniel PETRY ran away from home at the age of 18. He immigrated to the United States aboard the ship Main and arrived on July 05, 1873 at Castle Garden, New York. On the trip, Daniel met Elizabeth PETER also from Bad Durkheim. She is listed on the ships manifest as Lizette PETER, age 19. They married sometime before 1880.
Daniel and Elizabeth PETRY lived in Brooklyn, NY. Daniel was a butcher and owned his own shop while Elizabeth, more often called Lizzie, took care of their ten children. Bertha, Elizabeth, Emma, Anna, Arthur, Frederick, Rosa, Lillian, John and May were all born in Brooklyn.
The Petry's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party held at Trommer's Beer Garden in Brooklyn.
The parents of Elizabeth Peter Petry were Philipp PETER and Barbara KOOB. Barbara was born in Grethen. They were married on April 13, 1848 according to church records, at the Evangelisch-Reformierte Bad Durkheim, Pfalz, Germany.
Philipp and Barbara had six children Anna Maria, Philipp, Wilhelm, Elizabeth, Barbara and Sophie all born in Bad Durkheim. Family history tells me that Elizabeth brought her mother Barbara to the US however I have not been able to verify that.
If you think you might have some information about the Petry or Peter family, please contact me! I would love to hear from you!!
Visit my other family sites
Jost website / Holton website / Stevens website / Johnson website