Lost Hartman's RediscoveredUpdated November 6, 2003 |
Derek William Hartman doc_hartman@yahoo.com |
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| Hartman: A patronymic surname taken from the German first name Hartmann, meaning "brave man." From the Germanic element "hard," meaning brave and hardy, combined with "man (Powell, Kimberly, About.com)." My Hartman family originated in the Palatinate Region, now referred to as the Rheinland or Pfalz, in southwest Germany. Palatines were members of the Reformed Church, and, beginning in 1709, were driven out of their homes by the French under Marshall Claude-Louis-Hector Villars. "The French commander announced to near half a million of human beings that he granted them three days of grace, and that, within that time, they must shift for themselves. Soon the roads and fields, which then lay deep in snow, were blackened by innumerable multitudes of men, women, and children flying from their homes. Many died of cold and hunger; but enough survived to fill the streets of all the cities of Europe with lean and squalid beggars, who had once been thriving farmers and shopkeepers. Meanwhile the work of destruction began. The flames went up from every market-place, every hamlet, every parish church, every country seat. . . . The fields where the corn had been sown were ploughed up. The orchards were hewn down. . . . The magnificent Cathedral of Spires perished, and with it the marble sepulchres of eight Ceasars. The coffins were broken open. The ashes were scattered to the winds. (Macaulay, The History of England, 3:121)" Many Palatines went to Protestant England, who wanted to use the Palatines as defenders of their American Colonies. Johann Heinrich Hartman, called Henry by most researchers on this line, came to the Colonies aboard the "William & Sara," landing in Philadelphia on September 21, 1727 (Rupp. A Collection of 30,000 Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and Other Immigrants in Pennsylvania: From 1727 to 1776. 1927:5). He was most likely part of a migration that began in 1720 from the Palatine to Rotterdam, Holland. A very good history of Henry Hartman can be found on Michael Germano's websight "Our Family Ties" (http://www.ourfamilyties.net/). So that, briefly, is how my family got over the pond. A note on German names. It may be a bit confusing to see all those John's out there, particularly in the earliest research, so here's an attempt to clarify. Up until Martin Luther began the Protestant Revolution (1517), Germany (and the rest of the world) was solidly Catholic and so were their naming traditions. Even after the German districts of the Holy Roman Empire became Lutheran, Catholic traditions remained. As a result, most people of German descent are bald now because they have torn their hair out researching their ancestors. German parents gave their children a vornamen (first name) that was spiritual, usually that of a saint (i.e. Johann for John). They then gave them a rufnamen, which loosely translates to secular name, though there isn't really an English equivalent. Usually, but not always, the first child went by the vornamen, while the following children went by the rufnamen. Hence you will find families with all the sons named John and all the daughters named Maria. For an excellent article on German naming go to Charles F. Kerchner's site http://www.kerchner.com/germname.htm My grandfather, Cleo Hartman, died in 1967, well before I was around. After his death, and my grandmother's remarrying, the Hartman & Huntsinger sides of the family drifted off. I began to dig into my family's past in order to find out more about my grandfather. Little did I know where this initial research would take me. I am interested in information regarding any individual you find on this web sight. I am always looking for new cousins and any family stories you have are welcome. You are welcome to use any photos found here, just remember to give me the credit. These photos belonged to my great-great grandmother, Elizabeth Hartman, and she took impeccable care of them. |
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