Family history

Family history

Two generations of this Haas family lineage has been traced starting with my 12^th great-grandfather Hans Haas who was probably born circa 1555 in that area of present day Germany now known as the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. Sometime before 1580 he married Maria Bannheurs. Of this union one child is known to have been born. Hans died in 1614 and probably lived out the remainder of his days in or near the town of Eningen. Researchers report finding "alt" as a part of Hans Haas's name in the record of his death. A general translation of "alt", especially as it applies to a person, is that Hans lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age.

My lineage continues through Maria Haas(Hasen) the daughter of Hans Haas. Maria was born 1580 in the village of Dettingen an der Erms which is located about 6 kilometers from the aforementioned Eningen. As such it is quite probable that the family of Hans and Maria (Bannheurs) Haas lived in Dettingen an der Erms and their death events are reflected in the records of the Eningen Parish which may have included both communities. Maria married Caspar Beck, a native of nearby Bad Urach sometime around 1599. Of this union at least seven children were born between 1600 and 1618. I am descended through their daughter Anna Maria Beck born in 1607.

Origins of the surname

Research into the history of this Haas family line indicates that the meaning and history of this surname is most likely linked to that area of Europe where the German* language is commonly spoken.

Meaning of the Name

The Haas surname originated from the Middle High German word hase which in German means ‘hare’, hence a nickname for a swift runner or a timorous or confused person. In some cases Hass is perhaps a habitational name from a house distinguished by the sign of a hare. As a Jewish name it can also be an ornamental name or one of names selected at random from vocabulary words by government officials when surnames became compulsory.

History of the Name

First found in Bavaria, where the family was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The Haas family crest traditionally displays a hare on a blue or red shield.

Early Immigrants to North America

During the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries hundreds of thousands of Europeans made the perilous ocean voyage to North America. For many it was an escape from economic hardship and religious persecution. For most it was an opportunity for to start over, own their own land, and make a better future for their descendents. Immigration records show a number of people bearing the name of Haas, or one of its variants, as arriving in North America between the 17^th and 20^th centuries. Some of these immigrants were: Johann Friedrich Hase, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1738 and Maria Heslin who settled in New York State in 1846.

* German Surname Meanings & Origins

Many German names have their roots in the Germanic middle ages. The process of forming family names began around the year 1100 and extended through 1600. All social classes and demographic strata aided in the development of names. First Names (Rufnamen) identified specific persons. Over time the first name began to be applied to the bearer's whole family. At first through verbal usage, family names (Familiennamen) were later fixed through writing. Until the 17th century, first names played a more important role. The earliest family names derived from the first name of the first bearer (Patronym). Later names derived from the place of dwelling and location of the homestead. If a person of family migrated from one place to another they were identified by the place they came from. Of more recent origin are names derived from the vocation of profession of the first bearer. These names comprise the largest group and the most easily recognizable, for they tell what the first bearer did for a living. Another group are names derived from a physical or other characteristic of the first bearer. Finally, there are names that tell you the state or region a first bearer and his family came from; the age old division in tribes and regions (low German, middle German and upper German) is often reflected in names.

Variations of the surname

Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to unfold and expand often leading to an overwhelming number of variants. As such one can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames because in early times, spelling in general and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized. Later on spellings would change with the branching and movement of families. Spelling variations of this family name include: Hase, Haase, Haas, Hasse, Hasen, Haass, Haasse, Haasen, Haes, Haese, Haess, Haesse, Heslin, Haeslein, and many others.

Source: Surname Resources at ROOTSWEB

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Direct Ancestors

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NAME

BIRTH / DEATH / LOCATIONS

Hans HAAS

Birth: c. 1555 in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany?

Death: 11 NOV 1614 in Eningen, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Maria HAAS

Birth: 4 DEC 1580 in Dettingen an der Erms, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Death: aft. 1617 in Eningen Parish, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany?

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Ancestral locations

Researching the locations where my ancestors lived has provided me with valuable evidence needed to fill-in the gaps in my family trees. It has also led me to many interesting facts that enhance the overall picture of each family group. The names of states and counties on the following list were derived from the known places where the persons in the “Direct Ancestors” list (see above) were born, married, and/or died.

COUNTRY

STATE

COUNTY / SUBDIVISION

GERMANY

BADEN-WURTTEMBERG

Reutlingen: (Dettingen an der Erms; Eningen)

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ANCESTRAL LOCATIONS

Source documents

The documents and headstones contained within the “Source Documents Archives” have been located during my research of this family, and used as evidence to prove many of the facts contained within the database of this family’s record.

Most of these documents can be considered as primary or secondary evidence. Primary evidence is usually defined as the best available to prove the fact in question, usually in an original document or record. Secondary evidence is in essence all that evidence which is inferior in its origin to primary evidence. That does not mean secondary evidence is always in error, but there is a greater chance of error. Examples of this type of evidence would be a copy of an original record, or oral testimony of a record’s contents. Published genealogies and family histories are also secondary evidence.

Classifying evidence as either primary or secondary does not tell anything about its accuracy or ultimate value. This is especially true of secondary evidence. Thus it is always a good idea to ask the following questions: (1) How far removed from the original is it, (when it is a copy)?; (2) What was the reason for the creation of the source which contains this evidence?; and (3) Who was responsible for creating this secondary evidence and what interest did they have in its accuracy?

SOURCE: Greenwood, Val D., The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, 2^nd edition, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD 21202, 1990, pgs. 62-63

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SOURCE DOCUMENTS

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General Surname Resources

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Cyndi's List - Surnames, Family Associations & Family Newsletters Index - Sites or resources dedicated to specific, individual family surnames.

Free Genealogy Search Help for Google - This free genealogy site will help you use Google™ for your research. It will create a series of different searches using tips or "tricks" that will likely improve your results. The different searches will give you many different ways of using Google to find ancestry information on the Internet.

FamilySearch.org - Family History and Genealogy Records - The largest collection of free family history, family tree and genealogy records in the world.

Top Genealogical Websites - These mighty roots resources compiled by “Family Tree Magazine”, will give you the power to bust through research brick walls and find answers about your ancestors—all from your home computer.

SurnameDB Free database of surname meanings - This site SurnameDB.Com contains a large FREE to access database (almost 50,000 surnames) on the history and meaning of family last names.

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Images gal lery

During my research I have collected images and photographs that are of general interest to a particular family. Some of them are presented on this website because I believe they tend to provide the reader with additional information which may aid in the understanding of our ancestors past lives.

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FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS and IMAGES