Of course, we all know that whatever information we find on the internet should be verified, if at all possible, with other sources. About iron works, mining, etc. in Siegen, you may want to take a look at this URL: _http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/SHA_SIV/SIEGEN.html_ (http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/SHA_SIV/SIEGEN.html) Remove any punctuation fore and aft which AOL seems to add.to the URL. (Then you may want to dig out your OLD print Encyclopedia. Ours is hidden behind the sofa!!! But once in a while we dig it out!) Since iron working as well as mining and smelting, etc. were main occupations in Siegen since early days, one could speculate that our early Germanna residents were at least familiar with skill associated with iron. One did have to make a living!!! In English research of parish records, at least in the baptism records, one finds that the occupation of at least one of the parents is given. Is that true of German baptism records of early date? Do any of the baptism records--or manumission records--of our early Germanna ancestors still exist? E.W.Wallace **************AOL Search: Your one stop for directions, recipes and all other Holiday needs. Search Now. (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1212792382x1200798498/aol?redir=http://searchblog.aol.com/2008/11/04/happy-holidays-from -aol-search/?ncid=emlcntussear00000001)

The Siegen and Oberfischbach church records sometimes mention occupation of the father or status of the father.  It is not consistent throughout.  Hans Jacob Holtzclaw is always mentioned as "schuldiener" which literally translates as "school servant"; however, Ernest Thode in his German genealogical dictionary gives the meaning as "school teacher".  Thode makes a distinction between school teacher and schoolmaster.  Rev. Haeger's occupation is listed first as co-rector of the Latin School and later as the pastor at Oberfischbach.  These are the only ones from the first colony where the occupation is consistently given-at least in the church records.  I have been reading these records for a number of years but still haven't finished reading all of them because life and laundry often get in the way. I assumed that you are referring to the baptism records in their German homeland, but that assumption may be incorrect (as assumptions usually are)..  In the Virginia colony, no records have been located of the early Reformed church at Germanna or at Germantown.  I am not aware of any manumission records per se in regard to the Germanna group.  Manumission is usually cited in relation to slaves being freed.  The First Colony were not slaves although they were bound to Spotswood for one half their passage.  The difference as I see it (and it is a huge difference!) is that slavery was for life and extended to your descendants and being indentured to someone to pay off a debt which had a definite ending time known to both parties..  In the case of the First Colony, I think their time of indenture was about 3 and 1/2 years.  I think John Blankenbaker has presented the best timeline for the First Colony's departure from Germanna to Germantown.  He might be willing to repost this to the list.  I am sure it is in the list archives but could not easily locate it. Suzanne Collins Matson ________________________________ From: "Hdanw@aol.com" <Hdanw@aol.com> To: GERMANNA_COLONIES-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Monday, November 10, 2008 11:19:16 PM Subject: [GERMANNA] Occupations in Siegen In English research of parish records, at least in the baptism records, one  finds that the occupation of at least one of the parents is given.  Is that  true of German baptism records of early date?  Do any of the baptism  records--or manumission records--of our early Germanna ancestors still  exist? E.W.Wallace