Newsletter No. 20 Ruswil - October 1994


Contents


Preface

8th family conference in Ettiswil

20 Years of the Association of the Stirnimann / Stirnemann Families

Letter from Storbeck

On the Road as Association President

The progenitors of the Stirnimann von Ruswil and Neuenkirch

The Middle-Huprächtigen farmhouse in Nottwil

We Congratulate / Our Condolences

New Members

Our Board of Directors




Preface


Dear relatives and cousins

Dear members and friends of our family association


“Do you want to go to the conference of Stirnimann?- I have already taken 20 people there this the morning”. This surprising answer Ms. Stirnemann received from the bus driver when she took the picture in Lucerne at lunchtime on June 26 going to Wyher Castle in Ettiswil. “I have already passed this castle a couple of times and always wanted to get inside. Now I'm here!”, Georges Stirnemann from Colmar told me happily at the conference. So you can see that on the one hand the family conference was well known on that day, on the other hand there were happy and satisfied participants. That was the anniversary family conference in 1994. The board had done a great job and could justifiably be proud of the result. First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow board members for their great, unselfish work. Many thanks to our dear, loyal donors who have paid into our anniversary account. Thanks to this donation, which amounted to a gratifying 2360 francs, it was possible to rent the rooms in the castle and thereby sell the menu at a reasonable price and offer the aperitif. In addition, we were able to give each person a Lucerne coffee glass as a souvenir at the festive menu. Special praise and thanks to the ladies and gentlemen of our association who were willing to exhibit their works of art in the gallery and thus enriched the conference. The minutes in this circular report more about the conference


When we now tackle the third decade of our association, we not only look back with satisfaction, but also look forward with hope. It is important that we succeed in recruiting young members who are willing to continue our work. In this sense, I am happy to welcome a member of the younger generation to our board, namely Josef Stirnimann from Röhrliberg in Cham. I thank him for his spontaneous acceptance and hope for a happy cooperation. I would like to thank in particular the great work of the outgoing actuary Hans Stirnimann from Neuenkirch. In addition to his competent protocols, he oversaw the address management of our association members for a full ten years. This work brought him satisfaction insofar as he was able to add new members to the card index over and over again.


We are still dependent on the personal advertising of our members and are therefore enclosing a corresponding registration card with this newsletter.


The board of directors was reconstituted at its meeting on September 30th. The batch distribution can be seen on the last page. A longer-term program was also adopted: 


1995: Spring / Summer, exhibition of the two model houses Lower-Rot at the historical museum Luzern (invitation to the opening will appear in good time)


1996: Day trip to Colmar (Elass), combined with the family conference.


1991 25 years of family association; Family conference in Gränichen (Canton Aargau)


I remain with the wishes and best regards


The President

Josef Stirnimann




8th family conference in Ettiswil. Sunday June 26 1994 (20 Year Celebration)


The family conference started at 10:00 a.m. in Wyher Castle, Ettiswil, with the opening of a gallery and followed by an aperitif. The following people show their works:


- Annegreth Stirnimann, Hergiswil am See 

- Annelies Stirnimann, Littau

- Gina Stirnimann, Zug

- Hans Stirnimann, Horw

- Prof. Joseph Stirnimann, Lucerne

- Maria Stirnimann, Lucerne

- Rolf Stirnemann, Lucerne


The gallery is musically framed by President Josef Stirnimann with colleagues from Ruswil.


General Assembly


1. Greeting by the President


President Josef Stirnimann, Ruswil, welcomes the numerous members of the association as follows:


Family, clan and home have always been part of the forces that give us support and security over and over again. These considerations are also the reason why we meet here in this historic Wyher Castle. Stirnimann / Stirnemann from all over Switzerland, from Germany and France, even from Argentina meet here today and thus reinforce the opening sentence. The cultivation of the family and community spirit is cross-border with us. Our family association is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. On September 8, 1974, the founding ceremony took place in the parish hall in Ruswil. Around 180 people showed their interest in a new family association at that time. The impetus for this family association gave the first conference on September 6, 1970 in the Landgasthof Eintracht in Rüediswil. In these 20 years the association has consolidated and expanded. Many founding members have died and new members have joined our association. We can rightly claim to be one of the largest and most active family associations in Switzerland. Without exaggeration, we can also say that the Ruswil Stirnimann families are the most thoroughly researched families in the canton of Lucerne. Thanks to this research, the family homestead in the Lower-Rot could be made known and saved from the impending disintegration. Today this house shines again in its old enchanting beauty. The annual family magazine “Der Rundbrief” also serves to cultivate the sense of family and community. As the board of directors is happy to discover again and again, the newsletter is appreciated and read. From the beginning, one focus was on the history and genealogy of the individual tribes and branches of our family. As early as 1972, our researcher Prof. Dr. Joseph Stirnimann wrote the chronicle "The Stirnimann family in the cantons of Lucerne and Aargau". In 1989 the special edition about the family homestead in Lower-Rot was published. In 1991, in collaboration with the Historical Museum in Lucerne A miniature version of the main building was reconstructed for exhibitions. In order to ensure the continued existence of the association, it will be the task of the board to remain active in order to recruit new and above all young members for our association. All members are also called upon for this advertising. But we want to keep what has been tried and tested and what we have achieved and to solve the tasks ahead with joy and optimism. With these words I would like to welcome you all to the anniversary conference in Castle Wyher and open the program. I am pleased to see such a large number at our conference.


The President especially welcomes the researcher and initiative Prof. Dr. Joseph Stirnimann from Lucerne, the founding and honorary president Hans Stirnimann, Ruswil, and the founding and honorary member Anton Stirnimann, Lucerne. The President welcomes the various members from abroad with particular pleasure. He reads out the apologies. With regard to the number of participants, reference can be made to the list of participants.


The President declares that the invitations to this meeting were given in good time. Josef Stirnimann and Margrith Christen-Stirnimann are elected as tellers.


2. Minutes of the family meeting 1991


Hans Stirnimann reads out these minutes. It is approved unanimously.


3. Cash report, determination of the annual fee


Alois Stirnimann, Wolhusen, explains the bill. The association's assets are CHF 15,200. It has increased by CHF 2500 since the last family conference in 1991. The auditor Hans Stirnimann reads out the auditor's report of June 21, 1994. He thanks the treasurer for the very good accounting. The invoice is approved unanimously at the request of the auditors. Finally, the assembly sets the annual fee again at CHF 15.- per person.


4. Elections


a) the board of directors

Actuary Hans Stirnimann announced his resignation after 10 years as an actuary in a letter dated March 15, 1994. President Josef Stirnimann thanks him for his commitment over the past few years.


The Vice President Prof. Dr. Joseph Stirnimann proposes Josef Stirnimann, Ruswil, as president again. Josef Stirnimann has held this office since 1977. The election of the current and new president takes place unanimously and with great applause.


The previous board members

- Vice President Prof. Joseph Stirnimann, Lucerne 

- Treasurer Alois Stirnimann, Wolhusen

- Maria Stirnimann, Ruswil

- Othmar Stirnemann, Sempach

- Philomena Bartholdi-Stirnimann, Zug

- Franz Stirnimann, Lucerne

- Fritz Stirnemann, Zurich


Make themselves available for a further term of office. The president proposes Josef Stirnimann, Cham, as a new member of the board. The assembly elects these eight people unanimously and in global. The assembly thanks them with big applause.


b) the auditors

The previous auditors Josef Stirnimann, Emmenbrücke, and Hans Stirnimann, Horw, are available for a further term of office. They will be re-elected unanimously.


5. Honors


The President Josef Stirnimann proposes three people as honorary members. It is this


- Heidi Stirnimann, Stansstad, as a former actuary

- Heinz Stirnemann, Storbeck (services for the association in the former GDR)

- Othmar Stirnemann, Sempach (first Stirnemann, board member and advertising in the canton of Aargau)


The assembly appoints these three honorary members unanimously and honors the appointment with great applause.


6. various


The special donation account for today's conference shows a balance of CHF 2360.-. The President thanks all donors.


At today's conference, coffee glasses, pins and coats of arms as well as the family chronicle will be sold.


The President briefly introduces the Wyher Castle. Josef Stirnimann from Lucerne suggests a day trip to Colmar. Georges Stirnimann encourages joint PC programs and the photography of the graves in Gränichen. The assembly approves this proposal.


After no more requests to speak, the meeting can be closed after just under an hour. The banquet dinner takes place in the beautiful castle hall. The menu is as follows: green salad, pork fillet, fries duchesses, seasonal vegetables, dessert. During the banquet, Hans Stirnimann, Ruswil, entertains the gathering with musical contributions. The worthy, interesting and entertaining anniversary family conference lasts until around 5 p.m. Many thanks again to all initiators, first of all to President Josef Stirnimann.


The keeper of the minutes: Hans Stirnimann




20 Years of the Association of the Stirnimann / Stirnemann Families


The knowledge of the common origin gave the impetus for the first conference of our families almost 25 years ago, which took place on September 6, 1970 in the country inn "Eintracht" in Rüediswil in the municipality of Ruswil. The conference, which was attended by around 200 people, was a complete success. In addition to the organizers, the then host of the "Eintracht", the long deceased, unforgettable Josef Stirnimann-Wälchli had a major contribution to the success of this conference. The Landgasthof "Eintracht" was the epitome of a cozy inn and had a large and beautiful hall. Already at this conference four painters from our families organized an exhibition in the inn "Eintracht", which attracted general attention.


The focus of the conference was the lecture by Prof. Joseph Stirnimann on “The Stirnimann Family in the Canton of Lucerne”. Even at this conference, the establishment of a family association was considered and a committee was appointed to take the preparatory work in hand. In 1972, our historian published the essay “The Stirnimann Family in the Cantons of Lucerne and Aargau” in the journal “Der Schweizer Familienforscher Le Genealogiste Suisse” 39 (1972) No. 7-12, pp. 57-98, which was published in the The episode appeared as an expanded special edition.


The actual impetus for founding our family association was given by Anton Stirnimann-Schöb, Lucerne, a member of the Ruswil branch of Ohmstal (Anton Stirnimann is an honorary member of our association). The foundation of our family association, suggested by Anton Stirnimann, took place in Ruswil in the hall of the parish home with around 180 people participating. Members of the various branches of the Ruswil family had gathered in particularly large numbers, but the Stirnimann families of Neuenkirch, Ettiswil Gettnau and Altbüron were also represented. From the Stirnimann of Aargau, to the great joy of all, were forest engineer Roland Stirnemann (today in Piandera in Ticino), the son of the respected former Zurich city councilor Erwin Stirnemann (d. 1970), as well as the factory owner Othmar Stirnemann, who has been based in Sempach for some time, with their wives present. It was agreed that membership in the association to be founded must be open to all name bearers. The association was founded unanimously after its purpose had been presented in a lecture.


Equally unanimous were the approved the statutes of Dr. Theodor Stirnimann, Chur,.


For the first three years, the then Ruswil primary school teacher and church council president Hans Stirnimann-Haupt headed our family association. In 1977 Josef Stirnimann, a secondary school teacher in Ruswil, was elected his successor. Under his wise and prudent leadership, the association steadily strengthened and soon had 170 members. Today there are 240.


The first foreigners soon became interested in our family association. In 1983, Heinz Stirnimann in Storbeck, a descendant of the Swiss who emigrated from the then Bernese Aargau to the Mark Brandenburg in 1691, became members with his wife and several relatives. Since then, the friendly contact and correspondence between the cousins ​​in the Mark Brandenburg and our board of directors have not broken off. Heinz Stirnimann and his wife took part in our 5th and 6th family conference (1984 and 1988) in Ruswil and Neuenkirch. Several members of our association were repeatedly guests in Storbeck.


Georges Stirnemann, the services director of the Alsatian city of Colmar, has also been our member for at least 10 years. On his initiative, three meetings of the Stirnemann residents there took place in Alsace. At our 5th conference (September 9, 1984 in Ruswil), Georges Stirnemann gave a slide show about his family and his work as a family researcher. The 11th circular (1985) reported on this interesting family, whose progenitor emigrated from Gränichen to Alsace in the 18th century.


For a few years now, our most loyal members have also included Helga, Heidi and Hansgerd Stirnemann in Hamburg. The couple Genevive and Jean Lippens-Stirnimann from Cannes in the south of France are also very welcome.


One of the main concerns of every family association is the cultivation of the family and community spirit. According to Art. 2 of our statutes, this goal is primarily served by the family meetings, which are held at appropriate intervals, and a family magazine, which is the annual newsletter. Today I am pleased to note that our association, and above all of course the board of directors, has made every effort in the past 20 years that to achieve the purposes cited in Art. 2. This was mainly done with the help of our annual newsletter, which, as I have found time and again, is valued and read by our members.


From the beginning, one focus of our newsletters was on the history and genealogy of the individual tribes and branches of our family. The 19 circulars published to date contained treatises on:


- Die Stirnimannn Neuenkirch = No. 3, 1977

- The former Stirnimann family in the Saal = no. 4.1978

- The Stirnimann of Ohmstal = No. 5, 1979

- The innkeepers who came from Lower Rot to "Three Swiss" in Lucerne and later professional fishermen and owners of the first

- Rotsee and later of the Baldegger-See = No. 6, 1980

- The Stirnimann in Rear-Etzenerlen = No. 8, 1982

- The earliest progenitors of the Stirnimann of Ruswil (nos. 10, 11 and 12 (1984-1986)

- Peter Stirnimann, the 1st progenitor in the Rot = No. 13, 1987


It is no exaggeration to say that the Ruswil Stirnimann families are among the most thoroughly researched families in the canton of Lucerne today. The ancestors of Etzenerlen will also be presented in the next circulars. In view of the numerous and high offices that they held, these are among the most important personalities of the Ruswil family, indeed of the former Ruswil office, which was incorporated into the current office of Sursee in 1823.


In this context, I would like to point out that the three Stirnimann farms in Etzenerlen have been managed by the descendants of our earliest ancestors without interruption since 1624. This is a very rare exception far beyond Ruswil. As far as I know, only the Schmidli family in Ziswil has stayed longer in Ruswil, since around 1580 or 1590, on the same farm.


Finally, I would like to thank our member and friend Heinz Stirnemann in Storbeck for his knowledgeable contributions published in our newsletter. Heinz is one of the leading genealogists in his immediate homeland, he researched the Swiss settlements in the Mark Brandenburg region and worked with the Swiss emigrant Rudolf Stirnemann (1672-1749) the genealogical table of his family and clan with his own thoroughness.


We also welcome contributions on the history and genealogy of the Aargau Stirnemanns, who mostly live in Gränichen.


In addition to the circulars, the five conferences that have been held since the foundation of our association have undoubtedly promoted a sense of tradition and togetherness as well as an interest in the history of the various tribes and branches of our family. Let me remind you of the dates and locations of these meetings. Our family meetings took place:


- on May 15, 1977 in Geiss and Werthenstein

- on June 22, 1980 in Ruswil (in connection with an exhibition by the painter Maria Stirnimann in the Chrämerhus gallery)

- on September 9, 1984 in Ruswil

- on September 11, 1988 in Neuenkirch

- on March 10, 1991 in Ruswil, where the two models of the family homestead were shown in the Lower Rot


Allow me to say a few words about a concern and project that has preoccupied us intensively for many years since our association was founded. I mean the family homestead of the Ruswil Stirnimann in the Lower Rot, built by Leonz Stirnimann in 1705, which has long since decayed and finally threatened to be demolished, to draw attention to the masterpiece of carpentry and rural culture and to ensure its salvation and restoration. The 7th circular (1981) devoted a full eleven pages to this topic and concern. What seemed more and more questionable for a long time finally became a reality, to our great satisfaction. In a highly informative building survey and thorough restoration carried out in 1986/87 under the supervision of the preservation authority, the farmhouse in Lower Rot was restored to its enchanting, original beauty inside and out and has since been a building of regional and national importance under Swiss monument protection.


Lucerne, September 1994


Joseph Stirnimann




Letter from Storbeck


Storbeck, May 12, 1994


For the 20th anniversary of the association of the Stirnimann / Stirnemann families.


Anniversaries are highlights in the résumé of individual like-minded people, joint groups or families. They are a review of a certain stretch of the common path or past achievements, a reflection on special features or an emphasis on special achievements. They serve as an incentive for future deeds with a view to a common goal.


We humans need such high points in order to set new goals. If we relate this to our name-bearers, it follows that after the low heights, after a valley hike, performances followed that rounded off the climax. In every family there are high points to which we can stand up and seek support. They are milestones in human life that were often preceded by a difficult path.


Just recently, I was able to experience how a sideline was looking for a connection to our family, a direct connection to our "grandfather" Rudolf Stirnemann, who in 1691 was the first Stirnemann in Storbeck. Generations passed before a family member asked himself: Where do we come from? If, as here in Thuringia, the name is not represented at all. After intensive research, you can reconstruct connections in this way. My version: A traveling journeyman craftsman takes up a temporary job with a guild master. One of the country's daughters is particularly fond of him. After finishing his wandering he brings her home to his Home and starting his own family. The distances were difficult to negotiate, and so the family relationships became more and more loosely until the families lost sight of each other completely.


Here is a case that could be so similar, for the time being my own version, until mutual research results in a different result. The result: once the blood finds its way back.


Heinz Stirnemann


A gram of good example is worth more than a hundredweight of words.

Francis de Sales



On the Road as Association President


In Colmar, Alsace


When he first took part in our association conference in September 1984, Georges Stirnemann invited me to Colmar. What lasted for a long time finally came true in the autumn vacation of 1993. I was allowed to be guests in Colmar with my family for four days. The large building in which his family lives is in the middle of the old town of Colmar. It still bears the old name Elsässerhof and used to serve as a hostel when the Bishop of Basel visited. The large library by Georges is impressive. You can tell here that you are dealing with a well-read and inquisitive historian and genealogist. All the Stirnemann who became or are still settled in the villages of Alsace can be found in his family research. His compilation of the various family coats of arms of this family in Alsace is interesting. I firmly hope that we will be able to incorporate his work into the newsletters from next year on.


Alsace has a lot to offer in terms of landscape and culture. So we had the opportunity to get to know the wine route with the well-known villages such as Riquewihr, Kaysersberg (birthplace of the world-famous missionary doctor Albert Schweitzer), Türckheim etc. Typical for all villages were the wonderful timber-frame buildings. Many buildings and facilities still bear witness to a great historical past, as well as the castle “Haut-Königsburg”, the monastery “St. Ottilienberg” and the Strasbourg Cathedral. When Georges was with us, everything came to life thanks to his well-founded explanations with many interesting details. He was our art guide in Colmar's “Museum von Unterlinden” and explained to us, above all, the famous sculptures and pictures of the main altar, called “lsenheim Altar”, by the two artists Nicolaus von Hagenau and Grünewald.


This made Colmar and Alsace an impressive experience for the whole family. Many thanks to the entire Stirnemann family for their loving hospitality. AU Revoir!


In the state of Brandenburg, ex-GDR


At the family conference in 1984, Heinz Stirnemann wished to be there with his wife Lisel. At that time, however, this was only possible if he was invited by a person from the association and this person was also invited to his village. Storbeck was then part of the socialist country of the GDR. Since I had traveled a lot, I was of course interested. I invited them over to my place and did the many formalities. Actually, I only expected Heinz to have difficulties leaving the country, but had to realize that Switzerland was no better in terms of entry visas. I had to prove that I had a permanent wage, that I was not employed and that my civil rights were not restricted. This was the only way for Heinz to get the entry visa to Switzerland. I owe it to this fact that I was included in the files of the security police. But in the end everything worked out and Heinz and Lisel arrived at my place in Ruswil. I was then invited to Storbeck with my family. So much for the prehistory.


So this summer I traveled with the whole family to the state of Brandenburg to “Storbeck via Neu-Ruppin”. After a 1000-kilometer drive, we were allowed to stay in his bungalow in Molchow. It was right on the lake, so we could take a dip in the water as we pleased or go on excursions in a rowboat. Daughter-in-law Ilona, ​​Rainer's wife, kept us company with her two daughters Maria and Anja most of the time. Heinz and Lisel had already provided for our physical well-being in the refrigerator. On the first Friday they invited us to a party to which his two sons Jürgen and Rainer and their families were invited. On both Sundays Heinz and Lisel came to the bungalow themselves and spoiled us with food and drink.


As a Swiss, you have trouble with this landscape at first, because it is absolutely flat. You miss the mountains. But if you take the effort and take a closer look at it, you can discover a lot of interesting and pleasant things. The whole area is only fifty meters above sea level and is connected by a network of lakes and canals. When visiting the great city of Berlin, it became very clear that it was once a great imperial city and imperial capital. What London is to England, Paris is to France, Berlin is to Germany.


The main topic at the moment was of course reunification with West Germany. Because the transition from the socialist to the market economy system cannot possibly go as smoothly as one hoped or wished for. So the central question is always: "How safe is my job?" With unemployment of a good 30 percent, this is rightly in the foreground. And again and again one hears the accusation against the West that only the East Germans have to adapt, and the West Germans have the say economically. When you hear them tell about their social achievements, it's easy to understand. In the days of the GDR one was socially protected. The staple foods were cheap to buy and the same price across the country. Even the smallest village had its grocery store, and people were not inclined to go to the neighboring village or the centers, because they were equally expensive there. Today these shops in the small villages have all disappeared, and the restaurants are also closed. First, food has become more expensive and, second, income has not increased accordingly. This is also the case in Storbeck. If you want to go shopping, you have to drive to the next town in Neuruppin, about 10 km.


During the GDR era, everyone had a job, both men and women. Today it's over. The trades that have been learned are no longer in demand or are no good for the new market economy. It doesn't look any better in agriculture. Large, wide, pot-level areas lie fallow today and receive decommissioning contributions. Heinz's two sons have managed to keep their jobs so far. Rainer has set up his own business with his wife Ilona. The former utility rooms of his father serve as storage rooms. Jürgen and his wife Jutta work in Neuruppin. Both had to give up their jobs even though they had an engineering degree.


This resulted in interesting conversations evening after evening. We had the opportunity to get to know a new area and a different people, to exchange information and to make new contacts. What Heinz Stirnemann and his wife Lisel have experienced in their lives so far in German history, suffered, tolerated but also celebrated, will hardly happen again. All attention!


In addition to the great hospitality that we were able to experience, this visit was a great personal enrichment for the whole family. Thank you very much to all the Stimemann families.


He who gives to the poor lends to God.

Victor Hugo




The progenitors of the Stirnimann von Ruswil and Neuenkirch (continued)


The circulars No. 18 and No. 19 dealt with Peter Stirnimann-Schwegler (1694-1769), the fifth and at the same time one of the most important of the seven ancestors in the Ruswil Rot the father's farm, then from the second Son Adam, who took over the farm in nearby Mittelarig, which his father had bought. The third son Augustin, whose descendants were innkeepers for “Three Swiss” in Lucerne and later professional fishermen, was discussed in detail in circular no. 6, and the fourth son, Leonz, the monk of the Franciscan monastery in Werthenstein, in circular no. 18


Joseph Stirnimann

Joseph Stirnimann was baptized on June 23, 1722 in Ruswil. His godparents were Joseph Ambüöl and Magdalena Marbach, the wife of the official father Johann Walter Stirnimann (1676-1735), the much younger stepbrother of the official man Peter Stirnimann in Etzenerlen, who died in 1709. Joseph Stirnimann was married twice. His first marriage was "the young man Joseph Stirnimann from the Rot", as reported in the marriage book of the Sursee parish, on February 5, 1748 in the parish church there with Anna Maria Katharina Willimann (Wiliman) of Reiden.


In earlier centuries it was customary in our regions for a wife to loan to her father-in-law or her husband, if the property was still the property of the father-in-law, to him as a loan. The husband or father-in-law established a validity for the benefit of his wife or daughter-in-law on his property, which was usually called a surcharge. Anna Maria Katharina Willimann also gave the amount of 763 guilders 30 schillings, apparently her modest trousseau, to her father-in-law as a loan, who on June 29, 1761 raised the corresponding surcharge in her favor on the Lower Rot farm.


The first marriage of Joseph Stirnimann lasted about 11 to 13 years (the date of death of the woman could not be determined). Of the five children, two sons and three daughters, it appears that only the two sons grew up. In the following, their names (first name underlined), the dates of baptism (= b) and death (= d) as well as the names and dates of their marriages (= m).


Peter Joseph b Nottwil, September 4, 1754

m. Lucerne, St. Peter, April 14, 1788, Agatha Büölmann

d. Nottwil, Unter-Stockschürli, January 10, 1812 (age 57)


Joseph Leonz Augustin

b. Nottwil, August 17, 1756

m. Sursee, February 7, 1785, Maria Anna Manig 

d.  Buttisholz, November 23, 1837

The young widower's second marriage was on September 8, 1764, again in the Sursee parish church, with Anna Maria Sidler of Nottwil. Of the ten children in this marriage, the following four sons grew up (first name underlined):


Johann Kaspar Joseph

b. Nottwil, March 11, 1771

m. Sursee, February 3, 1800, Katharina Achermann of Willisau, Jageten

d. ?


Augustin Joseph Mauritz

b. Sursee, September 22, 1744

m. Sursee, February 3, 1800, Anna Maria Magdalena Elisab. Marg. Müller of Muwil

d. Buttisholz, Brüggen, March 21, 1833


Johann Joseph Anton

b. Nottwil, September 28, 1779

m. Lucerne, St. Peter, October 28, 1805, Barbara Bösch of Ruswil

d. Sursee, Mariazell, January 8, 1839


Johann Kaspar Joseph

b. Nottwil, January 1, 1781

m. Lucerne, St. Peter, June 6, 1814, Katharina Arnet

d. Ruswil, November 5, 1856


Joseph Stirnimann died on April 28, 1795 at the age of 73.


On May 20, his six sons Peter, Leonz, Joseph, Augustin, Johann and Kaspar and their four daughters Anna (m. Niklaus Häfliger, Reiden), Katharina (m. Joseph Gut, Sigerswil, Grosswangen), Maria Anna and Regina received the estate of father's from the division authority. According to the protocol, the farm Lower Rot included: the property, on the house,


There are 35 Jucharten in the yard and barn

the hinder Weid 7.5 Jucharten

the Hüttenweid including the small Weidli 8.5 Jucharten

the front Weid 8.5 Jucharten

the Strossrnätteli (Stockmätteli?) 1.5 Jucharten

the Hetzenrütiweid 13 Jucharten

the forest pasture against the forest 5 Jucharten

A total of 79 Jucharten


4 pieces of forest:

the first 2, such a brook runs through 2.5 Jucharten

the large forest 9,5 Jucharten

the upper forest 2 Jucharten

A total of 14 Jucharten


Prescription: 9562 guilders

Property value: 11,000 guilders

(Gde Archiv Ruswil. Teilungs-Prot. Vol. 8, p. 66 ff.)


On March 23, 1800, the six sons and four daughters shared the paternal inheritance (the extensive division protocol has not yet been evaluated). The unusual thing about this division was that the four sons from the second marriage took over the paternal farm and shared it with each other, while Peter and Leonz, the married sons from L Ehe, moved away from Ruswil, Peter to Nottwil, where he died in 1812 without heirs, Leonz to Buttisholz.


Adam Stirnimann

The baptism of Adam Stirnimann was not entered in any of the parishes in question (Nottwil, Buttisholz, Ruswil, Sursee). However, Adam is identified as the son of Peter Stirnimann (Leonz’ son who inherited Lower Rot) and Anna Maria Schwegler by the division protocol of January 10, 1770. During this division, Adam took over the farm in the Mittelarig (Middle Arig), from his father which Peter had acquired in 1766 and 1769, Adam had married the farmer's daughter Anna Maria Müller from Dachselleren in the parish church of Sursee in Sempach 11 years before, on January 27, 1759. Of the 13 children, only the following five, one daughter and four sons, grew up:


Anna Maria Rosa

b. 7.4.1761

m. Römerswil, February 6, 1786, Niklaus Felix, Hof Höhli, Römerswil 

d. Römerswil, after 1802 


Peter

b. May 31, 1762

m. Sursee, November 27, 1794, Gertrud Elisabeth Mehr

of Menznau

d. Buttisholz, Dorf, September 14, 1834, Wagner 


Joseph Adam

b. August 18, 1767

m. Sursee, November 27, 1794, Anna Maria Fischer of Grooswangen

d. Mittelarig, shot dead by the French on April 15, 1799 in today's Bucheli house


Johann Joseph Leonz

b. June 23rd, 1770

m. I Sursee, November 27, 1794, Maria Anna Wüest

m.n II Sursee, August 4, 1812, Wwe Maria Anna Huber 

d. Mittelarig, April 4, 1813


Kaspar Xaver Alois

b. 3/13/1772

m. Sursee, November 19, 1798, Anna Maria Katharina Birrer of Luther

d. Mittelarig, shot dead by the French on April 15, 1799 in today's Bucheli house


Regarding the marriage of the second daughter Anna Maria Rosa to Niklaus Felix, farmer on the Höhli farm in Römerswil, it should be remembered that the youngest brother Leonz of Adam Stirnimann with the religious name Fortunat was a monk of the Franciscan monastery in Werthenstein. One of his confreres there was Father Ludwig Felix (1749-1813), who came from Hof ​​Höhli in Römerswil, like Father Fortunat was a confessor in the Muotathal women's monastery for a while, and in his last years a preacher at the court church of St. Leodegar in Lucerne. There is no doubt that these relationships explain the marriage of the farmer's daughter in Mittelarig to Niklaus Felix. The Felix family in the Höhli in Römerswil still owns an expressive oil painting with the portrait of the Franciscan Ludwig Felix.


The three brothers Peter, Joseph and Leonz all married on the same day, namely on November 27, 1794 in the parish church of St. Georg in Sursee. The death register of the parish church of Nottwil reports that the two brothers Joseph and Xaver lost their lives on April 15, 1799 in the war in Middle Arig. More on this in the next section.


Two dead in the Beetle War

After the French Revolution, the French also submitted Switzerland and established French military rule with the support of elements hostile to the state. The whole country was plundered by French troops and by the political and military representatives of France, especially the state coffers were confiscated in the most unrestrained way. As in most cantons, resistance to the new Helvetic constitution, created on the French model, formed in the canton of Lucerne which the people had to take the oath on August 19, 1798. In the then office of Ruswil, the resistance and incitement to the new constitution was so strong that Ruswil and four other communities were occupied with three battalions of French troops. The population of Ruswil finally gave in and swore the oath to the constitution.


In the spring of 1799 the Helvetic French government had to provide 18,000 men to defeat Austria and Russia the in the war and they also planned to move 20,000 men to protect the internal order. As a result of all this, an open uprising broke out in Beromünster, Nottwil, Ruswil and Entlebuch against the hated Helvetic government, which was called the Beetle War because of the year of the beetle flight. ' On the night of April 14th to 15th, 1799, the Helvetic government sent a force of 1,000 men, including 500 French soldiers, into Nottwil. Some of them moved from Neuenkirch up the mountain towards the Flüss Chapel. The rebels were beaten and dispersed by the government troops on the heights of the Flüss and near Upper- and Middle Arig. The descendants of Adam Stirnimann-Müller knew until the recent past - according to the master tailor Anton Stirnimann, who worked for a long time in the old schoolhouse in Nottwil until he moved to Sursee with his sister Rosa and there on March 12, 1967 at the age of 90 years - to report how French soldiers broke into the two houses of the Stirnimann family in Mittelarig and shot the two brothers Joseph and Xaver. The death register of the parish of Nottwil records the names of eight men who perished in the war on April 15, 1799 (“in bello obierunt”). In the first place are the two brothers


Joseph Stirnimann vir, Mittelarig 

Xaver Stirnimann vir, Mittelarig

called.


The names of the next five should also be recorded here:


Mathias Kaufmann famulus (= servant), Elischwand

Johannes Schmidli, Oberbernern

Joseph Bächler, Oberbernern

Joseph Hug, Oberbernern

Jakob Meier, Bramegg 


The last person named is a peregrinus (= stranger) whose name nobody knew.


The Latin word vir means a married man. The former Joseph Adam Stirnimann, who was married to Anna Maria Fischer, left two sons, of whom descendants still live today. The marriage of Xaver Alois Stirnimann, who was married to Anna Maria Katharina Birrer, remained childless, as the Franciscan Fortunat Stirnimann informed his brother-in-law Niklaus Felix in Römerswil in a letter dated 29th fallow month 1800:


It also happened that Xavery Stirnyman died blissfully without children and his quoted remittances were distributed among brothers and sisters.


On July 12, 1815, the Stirnimann siblings had their farm in Mittelarig auctioned off “in the cover letter Buttisholz, Kirchgang Nottwil, judicial district Sempach and Amt Sursee”. The farm included 2 houses including pigsties, a part of the barn (the other part belonged to the Bucher brothers), a part of the warehouse including Bünten, tree garden, mats, pasture and forest, in detail:


Herb and tree gardens and house mats approx. 7.5 Jucharten

The Weyermatt, in which the granary is located, has about 2 Jucharten

The owner of this farm gives the Bucher brothers and Joseph Stirnimann Strass and Weg to their share memory

The Neuweid approx. 6 Jucharten

The Langweid approx. 5 Jucharten

The moss approx. 6.5 Jucharten

The Stöckliweid approx. 6.5 Jucharten


All of the above items and goods lying next to each other, bumpers ...

The Neuweid approx. 6 Jucharten bumps into the house mat that goes with it, to Joseph Stirnimann Baumgarten ...

The Haldenweid approx. 8.5 Jucharten

The Rothalden approx. 3 Jucharten

Butt, among other things. of Leonz Stirnimann's forest

A total of approx. 51 Jucharten


A piece of forest in the Upper Forest, comes to about 3/4 Jucharten at Joseph Stirnimann's forest

A piece of forest in the lower forest, meets Joseph Stirnimann Forest and Weid approx. 3 Jucharten

A piece of forest in the Eglisberg Forest, bumps inter alia to Leonz Stirnimann Forest and Weid approx. 3/4 Jucharten

A piece of forest in the Füglisberg Forest approx. 2.5 Jucharten

A total of approx. 7 types of Juch


The increase offer was 7,200 guilders or 9,600 francs. On July 12, 1815, the farm was added to the respected Jakob Lütolf of Knutwil for the sum of 8,300 guilders. - Sursee City Archives, Kauf- und Gülten-Protokoll Nottwil, Vol. C 1813-1827, pp. 114-118.


J. St.



Remarks

1 About the Franciscans Fortunat Stirnimann and Ludwig Felix: P. Hans Kaufmann MSF, Das Totenbuch des Franziskanerkloster Werthenstein, in: Zeitschrift für Schweizerische Kirchengeschichte 52, 1958, page 107, No. 93 and 95.

2 About the Helvetic and the Beetle War: Kasimir Pfyffer, History of the City and the Canton of Lucerne, Volume 2, Lucerne 1861, page 1 ff., Esp. Page 69 ff. - Geographical, statistical and historical description of the political community of Ruswil, along with a final word. As a contribution to local history for home and school, edited by A. Erni, teacher in Ruswil. Willisau, printed by C. Kneubühler 1878.


The Middle-Huprächtigen Farmhouse in Nottwil


About 1.5 km south and about 200 m above the Sempacher Sea, on the northern slope of the Nottwil mountain and about 2 km south of the village of Nottwil are the farms Small-, Large-, Middle- and Upper-Huprächtigen. In 1668, the wealthy farmer Hans-Jakob Stimimann (d. 1670) in the Rot in Ruswil acquired the 212 Jucharten Land and 28 Jucharten Forest in Upper-Huprächtigen for 6500 guilders as a dowry for his only daughter Elisabeth, who married in the same year Walter Meyer. After the early death of this couple, Peter Stirnimann in the Rot (Leonz’ brother who took over Upper Rot) and the official man Peter Stirnimann in Etzenerlen (cousin to Peter and Leonz of the Rot)- both grandchildren of Hans-Jakob - as the guardians of the six children, sold the two farms on December 12, 1692 to the three brothers Hans-Jakob, Jakob and Klaus Hüsler of Rickenbach in the Michelsamt for a price of 2,600 guilders and a tip of 150 guilders. Of the three brothers, however, only Hans-Jakob (Hüsler) and his family moved to Upper-Huprächtigen. The Hüslers have always belonged to the wealthy peasant civil servant families of the Michelsamt. Hans-Jakob Hüsler expanded his property by also acquiring the homesteads in Lower-Huprächtigen. From his four sons the eldest, whose name was Hans-Jakob and was first married to Anna Mari Stirnimann from the Upper Rot (Leonz’ brother Peter’s daughter), took over, Upper-Huprächtigen. Hans-Martin, the second son, received today's Middle-Huprächtigen farm. The stately farmhouse was built here in 1734 and, thanks to a thorough renovation, returned to its original baroque style in 1990 in splendor and today it is one of the most beautiful and largest farmhouses in Central Switzerland. In addition to the Middle-Huprächtigen farm with its 130 Jucharten land and 16 Jucharten forest, Hans-Martin Hüsler also owned a second farm in Bühl in Nottwil, to which 110 Jucharten belonged. Hans-Martin Hüsler left behind an only son named Jakob and the two daughters Anna and Anna Maria Barbara, each of whom received the unusually high dowry of 8,130 guilders. Anna was married to the official ensign Joseph Stimimann (1706-1786) (Grandson of Peter Stirnimann of Etzenerlen) in Etzenerlen and is consequently an ancestor of most of the Ruswil Stirnimann (but not those of Neuenkirch and Ohmstal).



 



Claus Niederberger, graduate In the yearbook 11/1993 of the Historical Society of Lucerne, pp. 59-75, the architect, deputy of the Cantonal Monument Preservation of Lucerne, wrote a thoroughly documented and illustrated report on “The restoration of the Middle-Huprächtigen farm in Nottwil” with lots of information about the Hüsler and Stirnimann published. The informative report is available as a reprint.


J. St


Literature on the History and Genealogy of the Stirnimann / Stirnemann family


Joseph Stirnimann

The Stirnimann family in the cantons of Lucerne and Aargau

Beromünster 1973 (CHF 15.-)


Claus Niederberger

The farmhouse Lower Rot in Ruswil

Special print from "Yearbook of the Historical Society Lucerne", Vol. 7, 1989 (Fr. 15.-)


Claus Niederberger

The restoration of the Middle-Huprächtigen farm in Nottwil

Special print from "Yearbook of the Historical Society Lucerne", Vol. I 1, 1993 (Fr. 15.-)


All of the above publications can be obtained from the following address:


Mrs. Maria Stirnimann-Schenkermayr

Murgasse 1, 6017 Ruswil




We Congratulate


In his new home, Spyr 18, Ruswil, Hans Stirnimann-Schenkermayr celebrated his 75th birthday in excellent health on May 2nd, 1994. His family and his business were and are his purpose in life, whereby he has always lived his humility and philanthropy.


On Saturday, May 14th, Roger Stirnimann and Anita Albisser shook hands in the Dottenberg St. Jost Chapel in Adligenswil. Roger is the son of our cashier Alois Stirnimann, Wolhusen.

Alois and Cäcilia Stirnimann-Brunner, Brönnerhof, Meierskappel have been the proud parents of their first son and ancestor Lukas since August 1994.


Heidi Stirnimann from Strick, Ruswil, successfully completed her apprenticeship as a grocery seller at the Willi bakery in Ruswil.


Ms. Maria Anna Stirnimann-Stübi, Am Reistweg 1, Stans, celebrated together on September 11, 1994 with their two daughters Adelheid (our well-deserved former secretary) and Hildegard and their son Jules, civil engineer HTL, Hergiswil NW, his wife, their daughters Annegret and Maja and their son Tobias and their closest relatives and friends celebrated their 90th birthday. The jubilee lost her husband, the professional fisherman Julius Stirnimann, to his death 32 years ago. The commitment, optimism and superiority with which she has mastered her life's work deserve admiration. We wish the honored jubilee continued a carefree, sunny retirement.


Since 1989 Hans Stirnimann-Helfenstein, community clerk in Neuenkirch, our esteemed actuary, has held the office of president of the community clerk's association of the Canton of Lucerne. At the General Assembly on September 23, 1993, Hans Stirnimann was confirmed for another term of office with great applause. We congratulate our actuary on this sign of trust.




Love alone understands the secret of giving gifts to others and getting rich yourself in the process.


Clemens Brentano 


Our Condolences


On May 4th Josef StirnimannOberli died in St. Erhard. He was born on January 30, 1910 as the son of Alois Stirnimann (1877-1909) and Frieda Müller on the Holzhof in Neuenkirch. The family came from the hall in Ruswil (circular no. 4, p. 8). The father died before the birth at the age of only 32 years. The mother remarried, and so Josef grew up with three step-siblings with his stepfather. He lost his mother at the age of eleven and subsequently found a new home with the Muff family on the Alp property in Neuenkirch. At the age of 25 he married Maria Oberli, who gave him three daughters, Marie, Frieda and Margrit. After the marriage, he and his wife initially took over the small property of their in-laws in Hämikon. But after only two years he moved with his family to St. Erhard near Sursee, where he continued to work as a milker. With his mental agility and foresight, Josef Stirnimann took up the profession of insurance agent at the age of thirty. For a full 31 years, up to his retirement, he dutifully and successfully worked in the field for Rentenanstalt. Right up to old age he pursued his numerous meaningful hobbies, such as gardening, bees, equestrian sports and music. He was known for his spontaneous, selfless willingness to help. He also campaigned for social housing. Anyone who knew this kind, sociable and helpful man will keep him an honorable memory.


After a life that was shaped and filled with deep faith, selfless kindness and care for her relatives and fellow human beings, Ms. Berta Stirnimann-Aregger died on June 18, 1994 in Etzenerlen, Ruswil, at the age of 62.


Ms. Marie Heini-Stirnimann (formerly Oberwil) died on May 5, 1994 at the old age of 98 in the Schlossmatte retirement home, Ruswil. The deceased was born in Hinter-Etzenerlen as the eldest daughter of the Stirnimann-Näf family. In 1914 the family moved to the large neighboring courtyard, Saal. She was the proud mother of 9 sons and one daughter. In good mental and physical health, she was faithfully caring for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren until her death.


Anna Bucher-Stirnimann (née Wolfisberg) died in Rear-Etzenerlen in Ruswil at the age of 74. Ms. Bucher married Josef Stirnimann at a young age, who unfortunately died early. In her second marriage she married Alois Bucher. Despite many fates, she was always cheerful and worried about her 7 children.


At the Studen farm in Nottwil, Mrs. Marie Stirnimann-Schurtenberger passed away on October 26, 1993 after a rich life at the age of 80. Her life was filled with love and care for her large family of 11 children. The deceased was our mother Board member Philomena Bartholdi-Stirnimann in Zug.


Nothing sells better than what you give to a friend who needs it!

Chinese wisdom


Being rich in joys does not depend on poverty, but on a contented heart.

Jeremias Gotthelf


Friendliness is the kindest of all lying, has the loveliest face of all, it is the key to all hearts.

Jeremias Gotthelf


In most cases, a friendly, trusting word has more effect and penetrates deeper than a stern, harsh one. So the rain goes deeper into the ground than the hail; that's why God lets rain more than hail.

Jeremias Gotthelf


Making other people happy is the best thing you can do in the world.

Peter Rosegger


In his goodness God created the useful, in his wisdom the beautiful, in his power the great.

Basil the Great


As long as you travel with a favorable wind, hold out your hand to the shipwrecked man; as long as you are happy and rich, bring help to the sufferer!

Gregory of Nazianz


When there was a little more love and goodness, a little more light and truth in the world through a person, his life had a meaning.

Alfred Deip



New Members


Stirnemann Bernd Marktstrasse 4

D-2002 Stargard Castle


Stirnimann Bernd

Semmelweisstrasse 21

D-17036 Neubrandenburg


Stirnimann Reiner

Dorfstrasse 30

D-16818 Storbeck ü. N.


Stirnimann Erich

6212 Forest Lane Paradise California 95969-3513

Schlegel-Stirnimann Bernadette Sonnmattstrasse 10

6055 Alpnach Dorf


Hunziker-Stirnimann Rita

Neuheim 4a6275 Ballwil


Stadelmann-Stirnimann Emma Pfisterhus, 6142 Gettnau

Stirnimann Hans Werner Urteneweg in Münchringen 3303 Jegensdorf


Stirnimann Moritz jun. Lindenstrasse 4

6005 Lucerne


Stirnimann Robert Rebhalde 28

8555 Muellheim


Troxler-Stirnimann Josef Weidackerstrasse 5

9245 Oberbüren


Grüter-Stirnemann Erika Schauensee

6204 Sempach


Bernet-Stirnimann Rita Rufswil

old cheese factory

6153 Ufhusen


Stirnimann Thomas

Chilegässli 45610 Wohlen


I warmly welcome the fourteen new members to our family association on behalf of the board.


J. St.


Our Board of Directors


President: Josef Stirnimann-Haas, Realteacher, Unter-Sonnenbergli, 6017 Ruswil 

Vice-President: Prof. Dr. Joseph Stirnimann, Adligenswilerstrasse 11, 6006 Lucerne 

Actuary: Josef Stirnimann-Tura, engineer HTL, Röhrliberg 4, 6330 Cham

Treasurer: Alois Stirnimann-Zihlmann, Managing Director, Burghalde 6, 6110 Wolhusen 

Material Manager: Maria Stirnimann-Schenkernmyr, Spyr 18, 6017 Ruswil

Secretary: Philomena Bartholdi-Stirnimann, Steinhauserstrasse 19, 6300 Zug

Address Management: Franz Stirnimann-Bühlmann, businessman, Grüneggstrasse 30, 6005 Lucerne

Membar: Othmar Stirnemann, manufacturer, Hubelstrasse, 6204 Sempach 

Fritz Stirnemann-Dittli, Berninastrasse 25, 8057 Zurich

Honary President: Hans Stirnimann-Haupt, teacher i. R., Rüediswilerstrasse 42, 6017 Ruswil 

Auditors: Josef Stirnimann, PTT officer, Wolfsbühl, 6020 Emmenbrücke

Hans Stirnimann-Schumacher, ed. Official, Schöneggstrasse 45, 6048 Horw


The President asked for contributions, communications and suggestions for the newsletter


Enclosures:

Payment slip for the 1994 membership fee of CHF 15.- registration card

Order card



 



Another family crest from the exhibition at the family conference is for sale by the Stirnemann Gränichen at the special price of CHF 500.-. Size 22.5 x 28 cm, real antique lead glass.


To order from:

Josef Stirnimann

Sonnbergli, 6017 Ruswil Telephone 041 - 73 22 14



 



One-time, limited edition, five-color print, with the coat of arms of Stirnimann Ruswil + Ohmstal, and Stirnemann Gränichen

Price Fr. Box made of Plexiglas Fr. 2.‑

Available from:

Franz Stirnimann

Grüneggstrasse 30, 6006 Lucerne