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Translation of many pages by Pastor Harry Scholtz  from the:

Chronik der von Rönne

by
Gerhard von Rönn in 1993

 

Chronicle of the "von Ronne"

Preserved by an old family from the (Rivers) Weser and Elbe wetlands.

_____

Gerhard von Ronn, 1933

 

VR001

 

At first--nothing, but...somewhere one must begin!

Many a name-cousin has already searched for his Ronn'schen ancient ancestors and has found here and there, something, yet not thus far a family chronicle. Also I collected for 20 years all I could learn about the Ronn'schen as well as about the origins of the family name and have now gathered together my collection and other memorabilia in a comprehensive edition.

Moreover it is important that every interested person must gather together evidence of his nearest forebears, due to the official confidentiality of records, as of official birth registers, marriage and death records held by governmental offices. Only after that might it be possible to find ancient ancestors in this chronicle!

A direct proof of ancestry about forebears is possible in most cases only back to the beginning of the 17th century because only since 1650 church records of vital statistics had to be kept in the lower-Elbe-area. Besides, during the past, records and registers have been lost. Should, therefore any family posses an old family-tree which does not appear in this chronicle, please send me the information!

Our chronicle begins historically at year zero, even though the family name can be proved from records only during the 13th century as a very ancient Bremen-area knight-nobility which originated from the Weser River marsh, resp. the then existing ancient endowments (foundations) Bremen and Verden (cities) from which issued later freemen, nobles and middle class.

Now then....!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VR002

Contents

page

VR001 At first nothing, but somewhere

VR003 History since year zero

VR012 Of the ancient endowment Bremen

VR021 RUNNE in the original

VR033 The knight Dyderik and his descendants

VR047 The first Ronne-Knights at a glance

VR051 This and that of the Ronnes

VR081 Family von Ronne in the east

VR093 Family von Ronne in Gluckstadt/Prussia

VR097 Family von Ronne in Elms-horn/Vetersen

VR101 Family von Ronne in Eitze/Ahlerstedt

VR107 The middle call families von Ronn-e-n

VR111 Family von Ronn-e at Niederhull

VR131 Family von Ronn-e at Cadenberge

VR145 Family von Ronn-e at Drochtersen

VR155 Family von Ronn-e at Hamelvorden

VR161 Also Hamburg attracted the von der Ronne

VR171 Family von Ronne in the Baltic area

VR195 (Weapons) coats-of-arms of family von Ronne

VR207 The Ronne-castle and similarly-named places

VR217 Sources of the family chronicle

___________________________

Sincere thanks

to all who, indirectly contributed to this family chronicle to the patient collaborators at the state archives of lower Saxony at Stade, in the county archive Otterndorf, in church offices, t the honorable caretakers, historians and family researchers without whose preparatory and cooperative work this chronicle could not have been completed. As much as possible, original sentence construction and harmony was preserved, texts and dates were carefully, and hopefully, noted without error.

Gerhard von Ronn

Hamburg-Harburg, anno 1993

VR003/004

Historical Data

from the paganish Old Saxons to their Christian

conversion through Charlemagne and

the bishops of Bremen and Verden.

 

---a brief backward look----

 

VR005

The new calendar, by which the years were counted from Christ's birth, are used for this chronicle. Although we now know that the Roman Abbot Dionysious Exeguus established his calendar only about 525 years after Christ's birth for the Roman rulers as well as for the surrounding areas and for the world beyond himself, we will now, as far as possible, remember life and world of our ancestors since Anno Domini (the year of the Lord).

 

The Great People of the Old Saxons!

There was once a ruler of the Cheruscians Arminius, popularly called Herman who, with his brave men in the year nine, new calendar, destroyed the Roman Legions 17, 18 & 19 commanded by Fieldmarshal Varus at the Tuteburg Forest (Wiehen mountains), which stopped the expansion northward of the Roman military monarchy due to its losses.

However Tiberious Claudius Nero, since 14 AD Rome's new emperor, sought vengeance and dispatched now Drusus Germanicus with a large flotilla northward, to "expunge the shame, and to install great fear among the Barbarians".

Now then! The Romans were able, by cunning and betrayal, to capture Herman's wife Thusnelda and his son, and were able to defeat Herman's army at the Weser river. However the Roman flotilla was lost in a severe storm during its voyage home.

Thus remained full of occupation by the Legions the area north of Limes! So: Our ancient forebears (Franks, Alemans, Thuringians, Saxons, etc.) remained separate, did not have to learn Latin left behind little in documents, as proven by the dearth of reports from this era.

The Roman consul and Chronicler Tacitus named in 98/99 "chauker" the people between the Weser and Elbe Rivers. In his writing, "Die Origine et situ Germanianum" he describes them as "noble and peace-loving people". Roman traders traveled this land during calm times and traded their wares for local products.

Then came the "Wandering of Nations" in the 4th-6th century. With the Germanic (nations) were counted Langobards who traversed the region southward, in the lower Elbe R. region lived Saxons who had crossed the Elbe R. (sahsuotas = sword people) who must have been brave seamen, because they traveled to Britain with the northward living Anglens and Jutes, where they together founded the Anglo-Saxon empire.

 

 

 

 

VR006

The local Chauken and Saxons co-mingled. But how did they live in those days? The archeologist discovered that during the first centuries, Chaukens, esp. Saxons owned cattle (almost hornless) sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, and rather small horses. Living was by agriculture and livestock, while for protection one trusted beside the power of the gods, the might of the tribe's ruler (prince).

According to present metric measure, Germanic warriors were about 160 cm tall, still a few centimeters taller than Romans or other south landers. There was no priesthood among ancient Saxons. Sacrifices and cult action was done by the leaders of tribes or clans. To the "gods" were sacrificed humans and animals. Mythos and hero-tales speak of these gods of our heathen ancestors.

Before all others must be named the one-eyed Odin, also known as Woden. This one, reigning as "Prince of the Asen" in the heroes paradise, was the head of the Germanic world of gods. As god of battle he rode an eight-legged steed "Sleipnir" accompanied by the wolves Geri and Freki, and the ravens Hugin and Munin.

His "Walkyre" gathered the fallen warriors from the battlefields and took them to Valhalla the hero's paradise. Odin accepted human sacrifices and his spouse Frigg was regarded as goddess of marriage and mother of all earthly fertility.

Their son was BALDRS (Baldur), acc. to the "Edda" of the gods a "handsome, brave favorite" who, however, was killed with a mistletoe by his blood brother HODR (Hodur), and was cremated with his spouse Hanna on the ship HRINGHORNE.

LOKI is said to have been the instigator of this murder. Loki's daughter Hel, goddess of the underworld, wished to release Baldur out of her world, when all beings were weeping. Loki refused, taking his place in ancient Nordic mythology. He was connected with fire and considered the intriguer (mischief maker) among the gods.

One of the most important gods was THOR (Donar), son of Odin and of Yord, the Mothe Earch. Thor was weather and thunder god, whose sign was the hammer. He was responsible for fertility of creature and earth and to him animal sacrifices were made. Also SAXNOT, war god ZIU and springtime goddess OSTARA were known to ancient Saxons.

In Nordic mythology the world ash YGGDRASIL is mentioned, a holy tree at the center of the world, beneath whose roots lay the worlds of humans, of Hel and of hoar-giants. The worldview of ancient Saxons consisted of three sub-terrestrial, three terrestrial, and three above-terrestrial realms. Near the Fountain of Fate, at the foot of the world ash, abide the Nornes URD (past), WERRDANDI (present) and SKULD (future).

 

VROO7

The legendary World axel/ash IRMINSUL, probably a pillar of victory dedicated to a god IRMIN, was located near the Eres castle, a border fortress at the upper Diemel River in the Saxon Hesse-land. The Diemel flows into the Weser River near Karlshafen.

Free Saxon men conversed in the folks assembly on the thing-square. How was their hierarchy? They had no king! In wartime they elected a province ruler from their own ranks, a duke! His despondency was traced through the ancient Saxon nobility as of "godly" ancestors.

"Free men" (Frilinge" made up the mass if people. "Half (semi) free" men (Liten) continued to be eligible as soldiers by voluntary dependency but had no vote.

The "not free" were without rights and unable to becomes soldiers. They were forced laborers upon capture during war.

Three field agriculture was predominant (summer-seeding, winter sowing and fallow). Meadows, woods, and waste land are common property (Allmende) of a tribe. Out of these tribes developed village communities with internal rule.

Houses of stone were much later in the north than in southern Europe.

The Saxon house had walls of woven material and clay and also straw= resp. reed roofs. Inside was often a single room with a fireplace at the center. Window opening were closed at night with curtains and wood. Torches and vessels of oil or wax, served as lighting.

Carolus Magnus, king of the Franks not only enlightened our history story by leaving behind the works of Chroniclers, but he also brought to the Saxons Christianity through the art of persuasion by many Frankish swords.

In as many as twenty bloody campaigns during the years 772-804 the pagan Saxons (Westfalia, Engern, Ostfalen, etc.) were "converted" and had to put on the baptismal shirt just as their ruler Widukind.

Immediately at the beginning of his visit Karl (Charles) had the "Irminsul" near Crsburg cut down, to prove to the ancient forebears the impotency of their gods. Pagan customs, esp. those of human sacrifices, were now punishable by death.

Now Frankish imperial order ruled. In Osnabruch (783), Minden (786), Verden (786) and Bremen (795) bishoprics were founded to establish Christianity.

 

 

 

VR008

Vanquished tribal elders swore fidelity to Karl (the Great) and thereby became liable to military servitude and to taxation. A tenth of harvest and cattle were the annual tax. Mounted royal couriers carried out and controlled Karl's edicts.

Men of military obligation had to appear in spring at the "Mayfield" in the prescribed number with arms and provisions for six months. According to the "Saxon Mirror" later conscription tours were six weeks! Beyond that a vassal (conscript) was to be free from all service for six weeks before and six weeks after serving "to enjoy the empires peace."

--------------------------------------------------

It is said that Karl's Franks were in resting formation about 800 AD near the "Runenborge" (Ronneburg) at today's Frankenhill near Sinstorb. On the Kattenhill near Fleestadt Saxon warriors lay in wait, of the Katten-clan, rejecting conversion to Christianity. The survivors later had to don the sack-cloth baptismal shirt.

When 200 years later this battle ground, Sinnisdorpe, became a church locale, according to a record of 1004 AAD, the Ronneburg was already called an old fortress.

More about this in the last chapter (places) of this chronicle.

------------------------------------------------

In summer 804 AD Emperor Karl resided at Hollenstedi, named by his chroniclers HoldunStedl and Oldunsteti. He expected to meet King Gottrick of the Danes, who preferred to stay at Haithabec and did not come. The Saxon's defeat was accomplished and Karl had many of the Saxon families who fought him deported into the southern areas. Karl entertained the Obotriten prince Thrasko and made him king of the lands east of the Elbe River.

But nothing is permanent, as one can read in the history books.

Anno 810 was a fateful year for Karl. King Gottrick (Godfried) with his Norsemen had captured 100 ships. Karls beloved elephant (a gift of Harun al Raschid) died, his son Pippin died in Italy, King Thrasko was murdered, and the Wilzen conquered the Hohbeck Fortress at the northeast border.

Karl the Great (Charlemagne) a giant of great vitality, fell from his horse; this was considered a bad omen. Still, he planned military expansion at the northern border as far as the Eider River, which did not succeed for he died in 814 AD.

After his death this place was revived by his son Ludwig the Pius. Ludwig established his government at Diedenhofen at the Mosel River. He named the Monk Ansgar of the monastery Corvey the "Apostle of the North," and promoted him to Bishop north of the Elbe River of all Christendom in 834, with bishopric at Hamburg.

VR009

Anno 845 Viking destroyed Hammaburg (Hamburg). Bishop Ansgar transferred his seat to Bremen. Anno 904 the Vikings "visited" Stade at the mouth of the Schoinge River on their seaworthy ships--unannounced, of course1 A terrible battle ensued. Several barons with their men put up resistance, were defeated and taken prisoner. Much ransom was demanded.

Because the prisoner Baron Siegfried of Harfeld escaped from their ship, the Vikings mutilated other hostages by cutting off noses, ears and hands and throwing them off the boats. However before the Vikings even reached the North Sea there was a terrible revenge wrought.

Bremen knighthood chronicler and vice chancellor Luneberg Mushard wrote anno 1708 that "the first Saxon King Henricas Auceps in time restored the former glory of the German-Saxon Nation!"

<<< For this praiseworthy hero did not accept humiliation by Huns who devastated the German Land, especially his own Saxonland which had low respect with former Frankish emperors anyway, but he drove out such evil guests as the Huns who laid waste the land and burned down Bremen, and fortified as best as he could the Saxon Land against any similar future attacks.

Therefore he build the first fortified cities in the lands of the Saxons fortified fortresses at certain places, called up a certain number of fortress-men from the knights-order who, in case of emergency, would be up and defend such fortresses with their servants. In order not to have shortage of weapons and skill, he ordered annual, still occurring army competitions, and proved thereby that he was constantly prepared to meet head on all enemies with a well equipped army, readied through the knights-games and tournaments which he had introduced.

From this time these were called knight-worthies since they carried the sword in service of Fatherland and faith, militia, armed men, official, freemen, knights, armor-bearers, servants-men, pages, fortress-guards.

Yes, these began to blossom in the land to such extent that they were not only in highest positions of clerical service as arch-abbots/abbots, or in secular positions as land marshals, etc., etc., in administration for arch-and other bishops, but it was not even rare that they would fill the chairs of archbishops and bishops.

Not in the least became this highly praiseworthy knights-force of old famous and known in foreign wars and movements armory which must be counted especially the armed excursions to retake the holy lands and Jerusalem, as well as the wanderings or pilgrimages in Liefland, in order the convert the pagans.

VR010

Concerning the army campaigns in Palestine, one can read in the chronicle of General Baron de Bederkesa, how the Barons von Bederkesa together with the Knights of the Bishopric Bremen as also the counts of Oldenburg and Stotle, as well as the city Bremen contributed mightily to the conquest of the Holy Land.

Likewise also did the knights-equals of this archbishopric in the time that followed give convincing proof that their zeal never flagged to bring the Christian religion back again to its main seat; prominent among them was the archbishop Hartwico von der Lith. who undertook a voyage to said land about anno Christo 1197.

Beyond this was the Lieflandic nation raised through Baptism and converted to Christianity mainly by an archbishop at Bremen, and received its first arch- and other bishops as well as the knighthood from this archbishopric; as also from neighboring Westphalia.

Finally, I have in fulfillment of my tasks taken timely care to record that lands, as the land Wusten/Hadeln and Rehdingen had little, some no knighthood, as is present in this archbishopric, and that even the Land Redingen, only after it was taken over by archbishop Giselberto anno Christo 1300 in a scheme involving assistance by knighthood, was ruled by this and other neighbors' nobility.

Finally I testify herewith that my sole intention in this my labor is, next to giving God glory, to give information about the history of my fatherland to the perpetual praise of the most praiseworthy Nobleness of the dukedoms Bremen auf Norden, whereby I have here contributed all as far as I know, to the best of my knowledge. Should there be a mistake here or there, an understanding reader may take into consideration human insufficiency...>>>>

Not without cause did the Knighthood Chronicle Luneberg Hushard named earlier assign

The Knights of Runne to the "Bremish" nobility

The first bearers of the name lived in the area of the archbishopric Bremen and Verden in the marshland of the Weser River, where there existed a residence Runne to the west of Nienburg. There were Ronnen and Ronner, just names as Priele or of rivers which do not inform as to the origin of this name! One may assume that the Runne-Knights came out of the Weser river marshes and the Oste-tributary area called "Ronne", which gave rise to the name! Not the other way around! Since when was the Ronne River named so? It cannot be established. Both sides of the estuaries contained Ronne lands!

Our Ronne-judges, who from 1450 occupied the church parish court, were busy mostly with lower court matters, such as taxes, road and dike work, adjustment matters, etc. The king was always the highest court judge, resp. the bishops, as his stand-ins!

VR011

As mentioned early on, the Germanic tribes and our ancient Saxons settled their quarrels, which always exist in some way, mostly within the clans. During the Frankish era county courts took over the administration of justice and soon law books came into being for the north German area.

 

The Saxon Mirror

 

The "Saxon Mirror", a work from the first third of the 13th century, was meant to represent the Saxon tribal rights by its author, the Anhalt noble-free Knight Eike von Repgow.

(SAXON MIRROR ORIGINAL LANGUAGE--3 LINES)

represent a rhyming introduction. In a land and other rights settlements, first of all customs are recorded which ordered the daily life and rights.

Eike von Repgow, born ca. 1180-1190 wrote the Saxon mirror first in Latin then in low-German. The law book found wide distributions. IT was translated into several languages.

Even until World War II, about 200 complete Saxon mirrors, handwritten existed, among them the so-called "Heidelberg Pictorial" as the oldest existing pictorial originating about 1330. The text-illustrations are arranged in such a way that the illiterate can utilized them when memorizing explanations of justice.

(NEXT 8 LINES ARE FROM A PAGE FROM THE HEIDELBERGER PICTORIAL)

Following are the names of the "Landlords" of the Ronnes, the Bremen arch-bishops in order to bring to light also this fame of our forefathers.

VR012

The Ancient Parish Bremen from 780-1648

 

Karl the Great (Charlemagne) expanded his realm of power by campaign after campaign and brought to the Saxon peoples south of the Elbe River the teaching of Christianity. During 32 bloody war years (772-804), the Saxon tribes were compelled to say farewell to Walhalla and their gods. With the Frankish warriors came missionaries and preachers into the Saxon-land and erected baptismal chapels everywhere.

In 780, Karl gave to the Anglo-Saxon priest Willehad the Wigmodig province as missions area with seat in Bremen. At Worms, Willehad only promoted to bishop in 787, dedicated a wooden church on the dunes of the Weser River in 789. He died the same year. His successor Willerich (805-838) continued the mission work. Leuderich (839-847) was the last "Bishop". Ansgar united Bremen with Hamburg in a double bishopric.

Emperor Ludwig in 834 appointed the monk Ansgar to a Parliament at Diedenhofen, promoted him Bishop north of the Elbe River and persuaded an old Saxon minstrel to translate the "holy Writings" into a Saxon poetic language, in order to fashion for the Saxon a Christendom more easily absorbed. The minstrel even incorporated concepts of pagan mythology.

When the Vikings conquered the Hamma fortress in 845, Ansgar fled via Harburg to Ramelsloh where a pious woman Skia received him and presented him with a piece of land for the building of a cloister. In 847 the bishop's seat in Bremen became vacant. Ansgar went there and took over also the Bremen bishopric. His pupil Rimbertus, "gentle as Moses, loving as an Apostle", so it was said, took his place from 865-888. Thereafter came Adalgar (888-909) and had "happy years while Arnulf, the strong king ruled and Hoger was in 915 "visited" by the Huns. From 916-917 Reginward resided as archbishop.

After King Arnulf, King Konrad reigned and the Saxon king Heinrich who build fortresses and fortified cities, defeated the Huns and expanded the borders eastward, King Heinwrich also introduced army competitions and tournaments for knights.

Anno 937 Emperor Otto appointed his chancellor Adaldag as successor of the lively Unni (917-936). He re-established the "mission of the North."

Adaldag ruled from 973-988. During the rule of Libentius, in 994 the Northmen attacked Stade. Then followed Unnwannus (1013-1029), Libentius II (1029-1032) and Hermann (1032-1035).

VR013

Archbishop Beselin Allebrand who resided at Hamburg, a serious and efficient man, received in 1036 from Emperor Konrad II, the special right of >> Jurisdiction, Customs, Coinage, and further Privileges.<< Bezelin used this imperial permission, began a market in Stade, and extracted their custom imposed in merchandise.

From 1043 to 1072 ruled Adalbert of the House of Wettin. This probably most important Bremen church prince was disciple and counselor to emperors Heinrich III and IV. He made Bremen to be "like Rome known and a gathering center of the North", so wrote Adam of bremen, his contemporary biographer. With the stones of the city wall he once destroyed, Adalbert had a new dome built. In 1063 he received from Emperor Henry IV imperial rights in all of Wigmodien, as also the large estate Lesum as well as numerous lowlands at the Weser, Ochtum and Hunte Ris which later became marshlands. He was the Vindicator of Henry IV fate!

The next archbishop, Limar, accompanied Emperor Henry IV on his "walk of Repentance" across the Alps to the fortress Camossa, which is found in every history book where the pope finally retracted the "ban." Humbert was archbishop only from 1101-1104.

Archbishop Friedrich concluded a contract in 1106 with five daring Dutchmen of the diocese Utrecht wherein they obligated themselves to bring Dutch settler into the Wesr River marsh, where they were to build dikes, as they were used to in their previous home areas. Thereby began a large scale cultivation of and settling in the river marshes of the Weser and Elbe Rivers.

The archbishops Adalbero (1123-1148) and Hatwig I (1148-1168) continued this work. About 1140 colonization began at the lower Elbe River was State according to the directives of the Dutchmen, i.e. about 1143 near what is now Hollern and about 1148 near Lu (now Stinkirchen). Lowlands and Moors without owners were given to colonists. These new settlers remained free persons according the "Dutch rights" and paid 1/11th income tax as in Holland instead of the usual 1/10th.

The next Bremen archbishop Friedrich died in 1184. His successor Hartwig II was friend to the Welfs and because of that he was expelled like Duke Henry the Lion in 1190 by Barbarossa's son, King Heinrich VI. He is said to have made his nephew Albert bishop of the mission bishopric Livland in 1199. In 1200 Albert led an army of pilgrims on 23 ships to Livland. Upon Hartwig followed Gerhard I as archbishop at the Bremen seat.

At 1217 Gerhard II came whose zeal for power was resisted by the Sledingers, for which they were accused of "sins crying to heaven". In 1234 the emperor and a crusader army were engaged to "beat and bring to their senses" the Stedingers near Altenesdorf.

About this time i.e. from 1205 to 1231 the bishop of Verden was name VSO VON WOLPE!!

VR014

In 1257 the bremen and bishop Gerhard II and the Duke of Braunschweig Albert exchanged the castle >>Langwedel<< bear Verdeb for the >>Horecastle<< at Harburg at the Elbe River "for the sake of peace." But when was there peace?

From 1259-1273 Hildebold was archbishop and had "diverse aggravations" with the freedom-loving Rehdingers. The successor Giselbert subjected the Rehdingers in 1275, and again in 1300 by means of a cunning deception, using a "Tournament of Bremen knights" for a punitive expedition against the Rehdingers. In 1306 the Rehdingers rebelled again, despite arms provided from beyond the Elbe. They were defeated at Stade and had to flee. And so, as was customary, the land was devastated both "fire and sword" by the invading victors.

We count several more archbishops, who more or less decided the life at the archbishopric Bremen in their time.

Between 1306-1327 Duck Johann and Bishop Nicolaus of Verden were named administrators, also Johann I Fuzsat who ruled again as archbishop in 1327.

Further ruled as arch bishops at Bremen and in the archbishoprics.

(8 following dates and names)

It was Otto II who in 1396 had castle Ostenhagen destroyed because the archbishops there were a "thorn in the eye." The knights of Ostenhagen were "entitled to 1/10th in the 13th century and did apparently divert more into their own pockets than they were entitled to. Were they perhaps also robbers? Now they are exterminated and those still living rode toward "Ostland" (Baltic) where the name surfaces again.

After archbishop Bladain came Gerhard III, a baron from the house of Hoya, from 1442-1463, when he died. Gerhard invested anno 1450 his vassal, knight and armor-bearer

DIEDERICH VAN DEME RUNNE

with the jurisdiction in the church parish zur-Osten. This hereditary judgeship was passed on to the oldest son and heir in the family and remained family-owned for 200 years.

Heinrich II, Baron of Schwarzburg held the Bremen archbishop's seat from 1463 to 1496. He was followed from 1497-1511 by the in the "Mushard" mentioned Johannes III. RODE.

VR015

Archbishop Christoph, Duke of Braunschweig-Luneburg, during his reign (1511-1558), had to experience than from AD. 1522 even his "own Bremers" turned toward the new teaching of Dr. Martin Luther, which were preached here by the Augustinian monk Heinrich von Zutphen. Christoph and the succeeding archbishops of the >>Princely office at Vorde<< (now Bremer Vorde!) administered the arch- bishopric since that time.

In the Registers of the arch bishops of Bremen farther archbishops are named (p. VR015 - four names.

The archbishop Johann Friedrich died 1634 in the "old Bustehude Cloister" (Old Cloister). The proper title resp. addressing of the next to last landlord sounded like (to) "The highly esteemed, brightness and high-born prince and lord, Lord Johann Friedrick, the chosen and postulated archbishop and bishop of the seats of bremen and Lubeck, heirs in Norway, prince in Schleswig-Holstein..."

In 1637 the Bremers did homage for the last time to the last Bremish archbishop, the Prince Friedrich of Denmark, who..." aspired to supremacy and proved himself more and more distinctly as enemy of the city of Bremen," whose citizen how however are governed by a freely elected Council. The archbishop Friedrich ruled officially from 1634 until the Peach of Osnabruck.

After the end of hostilities of this long war (1618-1648) the archbishopric came under Swedish rule. First prince of the new >>Duchy Bremen<< became the Swedish King Carl XI Gustav.

Philipp Christoph Baron Kongismarck, who had conquered the lands became "Royal Vicar" and replaced about 1648 the Ostinger Judge Johann von Ronne with Johann Friedrich of Arensen, who simultaneously was Prefect of Oldenhof.

The Swedish-domination lasted from 1648-1712 interrupted by several Danish incursions.

 

VR015

Count Otto Von Ronne

Was an official in 1657 in Frieburg for Northkehdingen, and Count Sturke officiated in Butzfleth for Southkihdingen. They were abducted by the Danes to Gluckstadt with their documents. The Judge Johann von Ronne reinstated by the Danes, had to flee to Gluckstade with them.

VR016

For the Swedish general Wrangel re-conquered the lands. In 1659 Stade burned down. In 1675 the Danes were again in Kehdingen, the men of Munster were in Himmelpforten, Celle troops were in Alten land. There followed war-distress, poverty, starvation, dying for the whole population. In Germany 3/4 of the people died since outbreak of the war in 1618!!!

In 1676 the city and fortress of Stade was surrounded by 20,000 men. The Swedish general Horn had to surrender. Until 1680 the "Reich's troops" remained in power, than the Swedes regained power.

But now the Danes re-occupied the former archbishopric from 1712-1715, now the counts-seat bremen. Taxation was high and strictly enforced. A popular saying was : "Trust, see, who? Never a Swede or Dane!"

In 1715 Denmark was ready to sell the plundered land to the electoral prince of Hannover. Hannover regiments took possession of the land. In 1719 the Swedes had to relinquish their claims and the land was united with Hannover.

Between 1715 and 1866 the lower Elbe River area also belonged to Hannover. In 1801 Prussian soldiers entered the land for the first time. In 1803 came Napoleon's French army. Thereafter (from 1871) the land finally remained with Russia and the German Empire.

* * * * * * * *

The Power of the Floodwaters

Anno 1412 Elbe -- 30,000 persons perished

Anno 1435 Elbe -- much damage was done

Anno 1445 Elbe -- many places were flooded

Anno 1470 Elbe -- much life, human and livestock was lost.

VR017

There were frequent rainy years resulting in crop failures, sickness epidemics, cattle diseases and flooding caused by storms. People were powerless against rain, pestilence, cholera. Against flooding, however, dikes were built to protect.

THEREFORE THERE WERE STRICT DIKE LAWS

Supervisors and inspectors of the dike system were the Dike Barons. The basic tenet of all Dike rules rested on the sentence: No land without dike, no dike without land! Whoever, on his property, did not follow dike laws forfeited his land without mercy. Should n owner repeatedly be unable to pay the high costs of dike-repairs, he had to stick a spade into the ground concerned and to show this to the authorities. Whoever withdrew the spade took over the debts and became the new owner.

There were strict punishments for damage to dike reinforcements, as trees, etc. offenders' hands were chopped off. Whoever neglected his dike, and thereby brought devastation, was "buried" there (1424). Whoever did willful damage was mercilessly burned to teach.

The Dike Ordinances for the bremen area recorded similar punishments in 1743. They demanded severity from Dick judges "as from God's own Hand."

Dikes had inspectors since 1106, archbishop's Friedeich's era, but dikes often were not high enough. Damage and breaks resulting in much damage came repeatedly in coast and marshlands. Here are years of severe floods in North Sea, Elbe, Weser and Ostedikes regions.

 

 

 

 

VR019

Researchers of names differentiate between family names according to motive for appellation.

1. First names as Adams, Friedrich/s/en, etc.

2. Origin--Place of as Franke, Freese, etc.

3. Home-place land characterization as Auf der Heide (on the heath) , Bert (hill), etc.

4. Profession, Social Standing as Brewer, Baker, etc.

5. Personal Characteristics, Distinguishing Marks as small

Dialects had special influence on family names, so did dialect changes during the centuries (old high German, middle German, etc.)

Many persons could, but would not write, since writing was a specialty, knowledgeable writers in a time without dictionaries. The letter by Christian William von Ronne of 1766 is interesting for it's grammar. He signed it CWvRonn (without the 'e').

The original of the marriage contract of 1641 the bridegroom signed "Gertt vom Rhon," while the recorder wrote Gerdt vom Ronne.

The new high German attained usage in the 16th century with the Gutenberg printing of books and Bibles since 1450. Now it became rewarding to learn to read and write.

VR021

Coat of Arms Von Runne is the form of origin of the present family name von Ronn/e/n

VR023

Von Runne is the form of origin of the present family name von Ronn/e/n

The identification of the Knights >> von deme Runne<< with the Ostiger Family von Ronne was based on a copy from an original b the chronicler Mushard/v.d. Decken in which very distinctly the name-form >>von deme Runne<< is used for the family in 1450. (Knighthood-Archive Stade)

 

from Monumenta Nobilitate Antiguae...from Luneburg Mushard (1708)

Not always have all family tree branches retained the identical names development. Even today there exist several bearers of the name Runne!

>>van deme Runne<<

>>die vom der Ronne?<<

VR024

Where Do We Begin With Our Search for the Ancestors?

An "ancient knight-nobility" is expected to live in a castle. Yet here we immediately find ourselves in an area of ignorance. Were our ancestors Saxons or Franks or even Dutchmen? Perhaps not the latter. But what do we really know?

We do know that on 25 November 1242 Bishop Luder of Verden transferred to the abbey at Walsrode the "paramount" of the tenth of Renneborgh, which the Walsroder Probst Sigfried had purchased from the Baron of Wolpe. This "Tenth=Payment" refers to the residents of the place "eighth of the castle." Already in 1233 the Countess Kunigunde and her son, Baron Konrad von Wolpe, had pledged this "tenth" to the Walsroder abbey. This castle, called Ronneburg today, lay on the northern boundary of the bishopric Verden, above the Elbe River lowland resp. where today is located the southern provincial boundary of Hamburg and Merkelfeld.

Is the Ronneburg a genealogical-tribal Castle? Did the ancestors live here once? According to newer research did this walled castle serve as refuge/border fortification against the Vikings or/and Eastern nations already in the 9th-10th century. If Charlemagne's Frankish army camped near the Runneburg about 800, the castle is several decades older. Already anno 1004 the castle, located on a cliff high above its environs, was called an "old castle" in one document. After the Vorluand Lewenwerder (today: Neuland) was liked, and after the Horeburg (Harburg) was built, the Ronneburg lost its value and deteriorated.

About the knights or castlemen nothing has been passed on, but the Knights of Runne did exist! Were they original lords on the Runneburg, or vassals of the Baron Wolpe? Came the Wolper from Baron Yso von Wolpe, who is mentioned since 1180 and became bishop von Verden in 1205, or did they exist earlier, when the "tenth" was mentioned? So far this cannot be answered.

It is fact that near the Wolper Castle there existed a place called Runne, west of the Weser River in the present area of Marklohe which, however in 1300 AD was owned by the Lords of Tiesenhausen!

Besides, there flowed a Ronne, Runne resp. called "Kulenkamper Beeke today! Round about Vilsen/Asendorf there were severe "Refuge Motten," among them one "Museborg" where the people fled during invasions! In this wider territory we find documented also about 1300 the first Knights of Runne.

 

 

 

 

 

VR025

What Do the Documents Say?

      1. Baron Konrad von Wolpe gave up all rights and possessions west of the Weser River in 1250.

      2. On 10 January 1252 Baron Kongrad von Wolpe returns land areas to the Bishop of Minders.

      3. Barons Gotschalk and Hermann von Pyrmont sell the "tenth" in "Renne."

1300/Runne-record in the parish Lohe,

1380/Runne-record in the "Vogedic Leuenow?"

The "von Runne" in 1300 owned a house "Godestorf"

A further record of 1250 shows transactions for further real estate.

"

"

"

Transactions recorded in dialect

"

"

"

Dyderick von Runne and brother Rodolf. Such name similarities are certainly not accidental. Perhaps the loss of the property Runne came through the death of the brothers' father.

It is certain that the loss of the Runne property came through the Barons Hoya and Aldenburg.

(see also "This and That/Anno 1257)

VR026

The "Hoyer Record book," containing old documents show compared to the just named Hoyer real estate register (p. VR025) that, in 1300

>>Mr. Dyderick Von Runne Ryddere and Rodolfus his brother<<

Anno 1423, south of Bremen, Hinrik and Robert von Runne were residents of bremen parishes.

The name of brothers Eler, Williken and Herman von Runne were mentioned in a chronicle without explanation.

The Runne-Knights are said to have had a Weapon Seal of three birds, doves...

...in 1336 a Johann von Rennen was a lord at Dorpat (Lithuania, conquered by the German Order, attached to the bishopric.

A Friedrich von Runne owned in 1375 a property in the lower Elbe in the province Rehdingen.

Anno 1402, a peace treaty mentions a Kurd von Runne in Mecklenburg; the seals of Nikolaus and Johann von Ronne are described, were they sons of Kurd.

According to the seals, they seemed to originate in the Ostinger+Kehdinger area!?!

VR027

Whose Vassals Were the "Knights von Ronne"?

Here the following may be considered.

1. The Barons von Wolpe probably were their Lords

      2. A portion of the Wolpe properties fell to the Aldednburg Barons one of whom without doubt, between 1326-36 was a Lord Rudolf von Runne of Godestorf.

      3. The Baron Hoya in 1450 appointed his vassal Diederich von Runne justice in the "zur Osten" parish.

But there also is another possible theses. It goes back to before anno 800, and the building of defense forts near Hoya. There the Kulenkamper Beeke (?) area was called Ronne, or Runne

VR028

It is also very possible that the Knights von Runne during the Saxon wars against Charlemagne before 800 were among the warriors of Baron Widukind.

In that case the ancestors may come from the Weser River marshes. But where originated the name "Runne"? Why did the pronunciation of the name change so often?

In Mid-low-German "Renne" or "Runne" also denotes 'border'. The town Ronnenberg recalls its name as Runenberg, runeplates (for old script writing). Later Rinnen were the name of water runs or flows in fields! The "Ronne" between Oste and Elbe, etc. were wider water-runs before the dikes. The "Runne" near Osten on an old map was called Ronne River!! and ran through the Ronne lands.

What Actual Events Must be Considered?

Before anno 800 there existed a Runne River in Widukind's Weser River marshes. Verden became bishopric in 786 and the Runnen (men) were obliged to do military duty for the bishops of Bremen-Verden. The bishopric Verden bordered northward at the Elbe River. At a river-crossing (over), a border fortress was built, named Ronneburg, documented in 1004 as "old Fortress", later allowed to go to ruin, perhaps because of the new mightier fortress (Harburg) nearby. The "Tithe" from the place Ronneburg was made in 1233 or 1242 to the Abby Walsrode.

Before 1300, the name "von Runne" was used in the Weser River marshland. There the feudal register of Baron Hoyer mentions the brothers Dyderik Ortigis and Rudolf as being named later "von Ronne", titled knights and lords at Godestorf.

The Bremer cathedral deans possessed already in 1219 a manor and in 1230 large Tithe-gifts of land near Osten and, since 1255 owned all titles to Hull and Grossenworder. About 1372 the names of the first Runne-settlers are mentioned. In the winter of 1396 archbishop Otto ordered the fortress Ostenhagen destroyed because the knights, tithe-holders at Isensee, withdrew their loyalty to him. Mushard records: "They came to naught!" i.e. death. Robber-knighthood and high-sea pirates became strong, larger cities became free and independent.

Most likely archbishop Gerhard enlisted the help of Diederich von Runne during or after the storm and flooding of 1445, along with other tithe-landholders.

Exact information, alas, is unknown.

VR029

The Chronicler and Co-rector Luneberg Mushard reports in his chronicle printed in 1702.

MONUMENTA NOBILITATIS ANTIQVAE

Memorial to the ancient, famous exalted Nobel generations, exp. the highly praiseworthy knighthood’s in the barons-areas of Bremen and Verden...

"The old noble weapon shield of the Masters von Ronne is divided in the middle by a silver white streak dividing two equal red colored fields. Above the helmet adorned with wreaths is presented a green tree with three slim branches protruding on either side.

LATIN SENTENCE

"A pious heart reaches heaven’s fountains/bearing/like a tree/fruit in season. This the green tree of the Ronnes presents/as long as a branch yet exhibits fruit of piety.

What concerns the first of this old Bremen knight aspires/ I have not found data, however/long known among noble knight circles in the land/before the reign of archbishop Johnanes Rode/shows these knights to have been included in the noble Kedigische families.

Anno 1450 lived Diederich von Runne/received jurisdiction in the parish Osten from Archbishop Gerhardo.

Anno 1500 there lived Diederich/Claus and Erich von Runne.

Anno 1572 three of this family were named in the roster of the Bremen knights, i.e. Claus, Gordt and Berthold von Runne.

Anno 1643, 3rd July, Asimus von Runne wed Mariam v. Vertabe.

They produced four sons Johann, Wolf-Hinrich, Asimus and Luder von Ronne also a daughter Magdalena.

Also this family is spread through Denmark through Claus von Ronne a Danish captain who with his wife left various heirs.

VR030

In the handwritten Bremer State archives a chronicler Herman Post recorded old, settled families of the bishopric Bremen/Verden. Yet while there are naturally inconsistencies, as admits Mushard in 1708, the archives are correct. Hermann Post writes for posterity.

1. Timme von Ronne

2. Otto von Ronne

In January 1932 a family history of the Ronnes appeared in the journal "Niderdeutsche Heimat."

In the Vorder Register of 1500, landed property of "Otten van deme Runne" is mentioned as of 1475.

"

"

Family chronicles establishing knights and knight-attendants von Ronne--Knight candidate Otto van Runne lived in Altendorf in 1475 with wife Mette and son Johann.

VR031

How Did One Become a Knight in the 13th-17th Centuries?

Service at the courts of landed lords often began as page, armor-bearer, squire, or candidate for knighthood. Being dubbed a knight means the acquiring of knighthood, was preceded by years of training also in weaponry.

Then followed the reception of the knight-candidate with imposing ceremonies to which the church gave its assent. The candidate spent the last night in prayer, called the weapon-watch. The next day, the candidate, robed in a traditional soutane, a priest's cassock, does penance and received the Holy Sacrament. Then he bathes, puts on white barg, reclines and receives ceremonial visitation.

Afterwards he puts on the knight's cloth, the mail shirt and head garb, kneeling down he pledges that he will spare neither life nor good in the defense of religion, widows, orphans and suppressed people. After the oath he is equipped with valuable spurs. Sword and valor-sash. This valor sash he drapes over his neck as he proceeds to the church.

After Mass the priest takes the sword, blesses it and returns it to the one who is to become a knight, who now places it before the ruling Lord who sits in the midst of his entourage. Now the candidate kneels and utters his second oath toward the assembled knights, he is given the knight's dubbing, two or three dubs with the flat sword upon the shoulder, and so "in the name of God, holy St. Michael and the holy George" he becomes a knight.

Then the new knight takes possession of his helmet, a shield and lance, he mounts a horse in order to present himself to his neighborhood in his new rank.

The knight, however, who becomes guilty "of betrayal renouncing his or others' faith, capital or heinous crimes" would be impaled on a mast in full armor upon the gallows with shield upside down.

Knighthood disappeared with the appearance of fire arms. The valor of foot soldiers triumphed over the boisterous remonstrations of the last knights.

After that time, the Title "night" was still bestowed but only as an honorary title signifying a certain Order, as was the case of several Ronne family members who served in Polish and Russian armies as recorded in their personal papers, as the knights of Russian St. Andreas Order, the Polish White Eagle Order and the Wladimir-Order.

In the "Bremer Knight's Roll" of 1645, in which "Steed Service Fees" were recorded according to the horses of the nobles, are mentioned four squires v. Ronne from the Ostener parish, and also Judge Johann with two horses, Captain Gertt, Barthold and Otto each with one horse.

VR032

Richard A. Rusch wrote in his "Chronicle of the Parish Osten": The office of the first judge in the parish was Anno 1450 handed over to the old-settled family >von Ronne< by the arch-bishop and was inherited by the oldest son; this prominent noble family directed the fate of the parish for almost two centuries.

During the 30 Year War the parish Osten suffered also during the lower Saxon involvement in that war. During the invasion by the troops of Tilly which besieged Stade the judge of that time Hinrich von Ronne lost his life. Since his sons were still minors, and the enemy occupation permitted no peace in the land, the parish remained without judge for two years. Anno 1629 Johann von Ronne, of a side branch of the old-settled family, was called to be judge; held the parish until the end of that big war, which involved the Oste-Marsh several more times. Johann von Ronne had to give up the office in 1648 when the Swedes occupied the archbishopric and became masters in the land at the "Peace of Westphalia."

During 1649, and once more in 1659 the Ostinger citizens petitioned the Swedish government to install Gerd von Ronne, son of Hinrich who was Killed in 1627 as judge. They were turned down and filled the position with officials of their choice. Gerd von Ronne, captain by rank, married in 1641 and was elected upper-dike count in the Osten parish.

The deposed judge Johann von Ronne, being urged by the parishioners, placed himself at the disposal of the Danish occupiers as judge in 1657 during the second Swedish-Danish war. It lasted but a short time, for the Swedes re-took the territory, and Johann von Ronne had to flee to Gluckstadt.

The family property was confiscated by the Swedes, because he "consorted with the enemy." It was only after several petitions to the Swedish governor, Count von Konigmark, as well as recommendations by the Danish government, that Johann von Ronne was allowed to return in 1662. The last judge of the Ronne family received his property back, the Altendorf nobleman's court. This was, however, so run down and indebted with war debts that it brought no joy.

"Ancestor of a Burgher's Branch"

 

is the designation of Detlef vom Ronne (Ballie=Meierhofe) by several historians. He was a son of Claus von Ronne and Marger Brummer of Altendorf. The preacher Dessebrock so recorded in 1634 (Stade). A Christoph von Ronne owned property and portions of church land in 1637.

Detlef's son Diederich von Ronne became pastorate-"Kathner"(?) at Osten with 18 "Mogen" of owned land, his son Detleff von Ronne lived until 1676 and possessed in Oberhull a manor with landed property at the war's end (in 1648), occupied by Dieederich's widow, Detleff's mother in 1657. This ancestral property at Oberhull passed later to the family Hottendorf.

VR033

Knight Dyderik von Runne and his Brother Rodolf

 

are mentioned several times about anno 1300 in the Weser River marsh. The lease register of the Counts of Hoya and misc. records in the Hoyer record book, record the family name in Latin "de Runne" or in new-high-German "Von Runne."

The name "Runne" changed apparently in the 16th century to >von Runn/e/n<

Older spellings prevailed here and there.

The Baron von Hodenberg noted in the Hoyer records...

a land deal ref.

Mr. Dyderik von Runne Ryddere

and Rodolfus his brother

From records it can be seen that the Knight Dietrich and his brother Rudolf owned the house Godestorf about 1300. Further reports follow chronologically ordered follow!

 

VR034-on Family tree

dates and names

(VR053 mentions "1871 emigrants to America")

"Things discovered, in chronological order!"

(Note by H.S.-- pages 034-045 contain statistics from about 1300 to 1757, apparently gleaned from here and there. With the date I give the gist of the information, except for portions in an Old Germanic dialect. If detailed content is desired, it will be easy to request translation by date.)

About 1300 Diederich von Ronne, Knight and Master at Godestorf

Among persons leasing land, registered with the Counts of Hoya and Dyderik von Runne, knight, and Roddf his brother are noted! What is the significance of name similarity? The seat "Runne" was lost before 1300 due to the father's death. Could the brothers Runne have been brought up to be knights by the widow?

It's logical, but provable!

1326 Rudolf von Ronne, Knight and Master at Godestorf

"..This second Rudolfus de Runne is said to have been "one of the youngest knights on April 30, 1326.

On 4 May 1336 Rudolf's de Runna Miles testifies... (text in old dialect)

(Note H.S.--further data guessing at fatherhood by knight Dietrick von Runne.)

VR035

1336 In Lithuania the name turns up already in the 14th century where in 1336 a JOHANN von RENNEN was named canon of Dorpat. A 100 years later another Johann von Rennen is mentioned.

In Lithuania a new family line developed "from the March," acquired much fame. In 1709 after the battle of Poltawa Carl Ewald von Ronne was promoted by the Russian Tsar Peter I and elevated to the level of baronage, a level confirmed in 1732 by the Polish King August II.

 

1340 WUKGEKN vib RONNE, property owner at Godestorf

... is the older son and heir of Dietrich von Ronne

... About 1423, 83 years later, several Runne's are noted "South of Bremen."

Before 1372 CONRAD AND HEINRICH VON RONNE

Historian Merker notes that the first Runnes lived between Elbe and Oste; ...the Runnes "a squire family from the Marsh..." now belonged to the "nobility of the parish Osten."

Pastor Heinrich Borstelmann in 1929 noted a real estate deal made in 1372...

(Note from H.S.--rest in dialect)

VR036

In 1450 the name from "Von deme Runne" for the family "von Ronne" was used. Conrad was born before 1320, Hinrik before 1350.

1375 KURD, KLAUS and JOHANN VON RONNE Wechtern(?) in the land of Kehdingen had a property at Wichterden" acc. to city records.

1402 KURD, KLAUS and JOHANN von RONNE, Mecklenburg note regarding a Kurd von Ronne, living in Holstein, belonged to the vassals of the counts of Mecklenburg and owned landed property. No information regarding Holstein has been found. The first names Kurd, Klaus and Johann belong to the most used names of the von Ronnes in the lower Elbe area.

1423 ROBERT von RONNE, at Hude, south of Bremen.

...mentioned at "Robert van Runne, squire"

14.. HEILEWICH von RONNE at Rastede, south

..his widow is mentioned... rest in old dialect.

VR036

14.. KNIGHT TIMME von RONNE, grandfather of the first judge. State archive of bremen mentions Timme and Eler van deme Runne...the names are not mentioned in later decades.

1450 DIETRICH von RONNE, first judge of the family in the Osten parish...this note was found:

Anno 1450 did live

Diederich von Ronne , and received in trust

the seat of justice of the parish at Osten

from the archbishop Gerhardo

...archbishop Gerhard III, ruling between 1442-1463,...installed a reliable vassal of the family von Runne which has been in the area since 100 years...

The judgeship remained family-owned for 200 years...

In 1648 the bishopric fell to the Swedes...

VR038

1475 OTTO, JOHANN and ERICH von RONNE, of Osten

Otto, residing at Altendorf, sold an inheritable judge's right at Osten to Pastor Hinrike Yercke...

1500 DUETRICH, CLAUS and ERICH von RONNE, Altendorf/Osten

...three brothers recorded as living

1531 VON RONNE of DURINGEN?

..name mentioned in real estate transaction..."

1533 CLAUS VON RONNE of Altendorf

named in the "Register" of Parish Osten

1536 JACOB von RONNE, Bishop in Denmark

called Bishop of Roskilde/Denmark...

1541 CHRISTOFFER , JOHANN, HINRICH von RONNE

...recorded in a Stade register...

1542 AUGUSTIN von RONNE, Kengingbruch

...married into an "old noble family..."

1549 BARTHOLD von RONNE, Altendorf

...mentioned in a register..."

1550 DETLEV VON RONNE, heir-property at Geversdorf

...Detlev was born in 1500...

1560 SQUIRE GERDT VON RONNE, Altendorf, parish Osten

...received the heir-judgeship, Bremen, in 1560

1566 CHRISTOFFER VONM RUNNE, on the Hull

...recorded as plaintiff in a suit...

1568 GERDT VON RONNE of Altendorf is "free"

...an assessment re: plows was paid for him

1572 GERDT, CLAUS, and BARTHOLD VON RONNE

...honorable mention as of the Bremen knighthood...

1576 DETLEF VON RONNE, heir of Geversdorf and Balje

...buys three pieces of land...

1577 CLAWES VON RONNE buys some land...

VR040

1578 ...some property transaction

1583 CLAUS VON RONNE, Geversdorf, (DETLEF's brother) mentioned

1585 DETLEF VON RONNE, judge at Geversdorf

...more property deals...

1586 GERDT VON RONNE, judge, more transactions

1588 ..more deals...

1592 ORTGIES VON RONNE, Hamelworden (GERDT'S son)

...more deals...

1600 CHRISTOPF VON RONNE of Kehdingen

...at the monastery, cloister Stade.

VR041

1604 BARTHOLD VON RONNE, of Altendorf

...judgeships

1604 HINRICH and CLAUSS VON RONNE

...pays tax at Osten

1609 NIKOLAUS VON RONNE in Hamburg family-book

1613 DREWES VON RONNE, by the Lake

..a son of CLAUS

1616 JOHANN alias GERT VON RONNE, archive entry

1617 BARTHOLD VON RONNE donated a bell

1621 OTTO VON RONNE, GERDT'S son

...bought a manor during the 30 Year's War

1621 CLAUS VON RONNE of Altendorf

...signed a hunting agreement

VR042

1627 JOHANN VON RONNE, ORTIGIE's son

...bought a manor in the "wild moor"

1634 DETLEF VON RONNE, Geversdorf and Balje...archive entry

1636 JOHANN VON RONNE, judge in parish of Osten

1636 ERICH VON RONNE, cloth trader at Osten

Treasury and Contribution

1636 CLAUSS VON RONNE, Grosswerden

1637 DIEDERICH VON RONNE, Osten

1637 CHRISTOPH VON RONNE, Geversdorf

1637 HERMANN VON RONNE, Oederquart

 

 

 

 

VR043

1637 BORCHERT VON RONNE, farm

1637 OTTO VON RONNE, livestock

1638 BARTHOLD VON RONNE, Geversdorf, farm

1657 Real property of the VON RONNE's at Osten

1657 Danish troops occupy VON RONNE property

1657 Cottage owners at Osten RONNE

VR044

1657 Names of cottage owner--widow VON RONNE mentioned

1669 Dike laws and lands; VON RONNE mentioned

1658 OTTO VON RONNE - mentioned in Knight’s registry

1660 PETER VON RONNE

1663 JOHANN VON RONNE

1663 ASIMUS VON RONNE

...his sons receive property near Magdeburg through the Count of Saxony

VR045

1675 CLAUSS, DETTLEFF, HINRICH and JOHAN VON RONNE, Grossenworden

When the "munster-people" invaded and besieged Stade on 3 Feb. 1675, Stade was in need of more soldiers...CLAUSS VON RONNE appeared with a musket ("fire pipe"). DETLEFF and HINRICH appeared with a short sword...the latter, 65 years old, could not take part any further.

1694 BARTOLD VON RONNEN, heirs

...bestow upon the church in Osten a wine flagon of silver in memory of BARTOLD VON RONNE to the honor of God...

1733 "MADAME" VON RONNE (probably Anna Hedewig, SYVESTER HINRICH's widow) sells her real property to Jacog Schlichting in the parish Osten.

1757 BORCHARDT VON RONNE, Altendorf

...an inscription of new ownership by Jacob and Anna Schlichting 31 May 1757.

--------------------------------------------------

Explanation of Titles:

Counts in Kehding--province representative, OTTO VON RONNE until 1660

Judge's position, inherited, parish Osten (VON RONNE 1450-1648)

Dike-counts or Dike judges--supervise dike systems

Captain or Lieutenant--military titles

Meier--Lesee of real property

Broham, Baw--full or half real estate

Plachkaten--hut, with fields

Kuchkaten--residence with garden

Hausmann--house-and land-owner

Bauman--farmer

VR047

 

WHEN -- WHO -- WHERE?

The "first" Ronne-Knights at a glance!

 

(sources are given)

This page gives family tree from 1300 to 1500.

DYDERICK to OTTO VON RONNE

 

VR048

Knight GERD VON RONNE and his "tree"; name appears Anno 1575 in the model roll of Bremen’s knights.

DIEDERICH to JOHANN 1400 to 1822

VRO49

Knight CLAUS VON RONNE and his "tree"

CLAUS to CHRISTIAN WILHELM 1550 - 1723

VR051

VON RUNNE

VON RONN/E/N

 

This and That

Personal and Other Things Passed Down

VR053

This and That

Personal and Other Old Records

of Family Members

ANNO 1004 - 1993

(see 1871 immigrants to America)

VR054

ANNO1004 was the RUNNEBORG an ancestral castle?

Ronneburg, south of Hamburg, is called an old castle already in 1004. It existed certainly in Charlemagne's time, 800. The lease-tenth is paid in 1242 to the monastery Walsrode.

ANNO1257 The Weser River marshland-ancestral home of knights of VON RONNE? A 1257 archive bears out the Wolpe relationship. Johann von Heyer is mentioned in 1358. The De Runne, erstwhile vassals of Aldenburg counts lived in the Mouseburg at the RONNE, or RUNNE River.

VRO55

ANNO 1475 OTTO VON RONNE's purchase agreement of inheritable succession (of name and place); in ancient dialect

This covenant between OTTO VON RONNE at Altgendorf and the Pastor Hinrich Jercke at Osten, was printed in 1761 in H.H. Pratje's "The Dukedoms of Bremen and Verden."

VR056

ANNO 1560 GERD VON RONNE as Ostinger Junker (titled landowner)

(document in old dialect); also imprinted in 1761 by Pratje--see VR055

 

VR057

Same document/Old German) continued

VR058

Old document of VR057 concludes with name GERD VON RONNE.

ANNO 1641 Marriage Contract of Captain GERDT VON RONNE of ALtenburg (old and modern German)

Groom: GERDT VON RONNE. Gerdt is the son and heir of Judge Hinrich Von Ronne who was killed in 1627 (30 Years Way).

VR059

ANNO 1650 JOHANN VON RONNE, the last judge is deposed

At first the 30 Years War had spared the north. Only in 1637 did Tilly, General of the Catholic League cross the Elbe River and arrived at Osten with his troops. Judge Hinrich at the head of the residents protested the destruction of the church spire and is fatally wounded at the ferry crossing. Denmark withdrew and, in 1629, gave up the bishopric.

The judge's position was filled by JOHANN VON RONNE, born approximately 1590-1600, a son of ORTGIES who sold his estate in the parish Altendorf Hamelworden in 1592 and now belonged to the Osten parish.

JOHANN VON RONE was not wealthy, but very industrious...

The war continued. In 1632 the Swedes invade, then the Pappenheimers (pope's loyalists), then the Swedes return as uninvited guests. There was killing, looting and burning.

In 1636 Judge JOHANN VON RONNE bought an estate, fully developed from the Stade mayor, located in the Altendorf peasant village (more purchases are noted).

The "Knight's Roll" records further purchases in 1645 and 1647. Then came the Peace of Osnabruck. The bishoprics Bremen and Verden were given to the Swedes, who replaced Judge JOHANN in 1650.

Persuaded by his parish people, the ex-judge offered his services to the invading Danes, who were quickly driven out by the Swedes, who confiscated JOHANN's property. (details of property)...

JOHANN fled across the Elbe to Gluckstadt. After numerous appeals, joined by Denmark, he was rehabilitated in 1663, allowed to return and to reside in a Moor cottage in Oberaltendorf. He appealed to the Count Koenigsmarck pleading for return of his property which was granted in 1666.

--text of appeal--

--property holdings of ex-judge JOHANN--

VR060

17th CENTURY/ The RONNE Family Properties in Altendorf

(this page contains a detailed list of properties, owners and map)

ANNO 1689 Dike Rights Covenant Altendorf-Sea Dike (text...)

Among 37 signers in 1689, are the names GERDT VON RONNE, BURCHARD VON RONNE, BARTHELDT VON RONNE

VR061

ANNO 1697 East of the Elbe (from city archive in Rostock)

Names of RONNE family members, spouses, and towns of origin.

ANNO 16th and 17th CENTURY Marriage or Convent RONNE daughters

VR062

ANNO 1746 The new church receives BERTHOLD's bell

The cost of the new church building was over 30,000 thaler. JOHANN VON RONNE is noted among many untiring supporters.

In 1745 a cattle disease did terrible harm in the Bremen parish. In spite of hardships, St. Peter church was built in 1746. The bells is inscribed BARTHOLD VON RONNE.

VR063

ANNO 1709 CARL-EWALD VON RONNE, Baron and Russian General

Beginning in 1439, the ancient forebear JOHANN VON RONNE received lands in trust for archbishops Scharfenberg. JOHANN VON RONE by custom was titled "captain at Ronneburg." He is said to have cultivated the lands now hereditary...In 1592 the trust was renewed by the widow of MICHAEL VON RONNE for herself and seven children.

In 1630 Hermann-Heinrich VON RONNE married...had a son in 1663 born in Livonia, CARL-EWALD VON RONNE, who took up a military career and served in various armies. When the Swedes invaded the Baltic lands and, in 1700, defeated the Russian army at the Narva Fortress, Tsar Peter enlisted Carl-Ewald. In 1704 the Ingerman-land was again in Russian hands and in 1709 the final battle was won at Poltava.

(Then follows a historic account of the battle of Poltava, Ukraine, on June 8, 1709, in which Russian forces defeated the Swedes.) A commander named VON RONNE is mentioned leading Russian troops.

Afterwards VON RONNE was promoted Commanding General.

Two years later, when Tsar Peter was overwhelmed by Turkish forces at Azov, Calvary General VONNE brought relief by threatening the Turkish positions.

CARL EWALD VON RONNE died in 1716 at Grodno, a much decorated office of Russian forces. The Tsar also made him a baron. His son was CARL JOHANN ERNST Baron RONNE.

VR064

ANNO 1766 A letter by CHRISTIAN VON RONNE to the brothers Schlichting (old dialect)

1777-1839 From the life of geometrician (surveyor?) CHRISTIAN WILHELM VON RONNE (an account of his life-experiences)

VR065

ANNO 1793 THE RONNE-ROCK NEAR BITSUM, FOHR ISLAND

Under this rock was once buried a casket containing remains of Johann Caspar Ronne, buried in dishonor. (Contains said story of presumed killing of own infant)

(The Fohr Island >Birtg Sea< Ronnes lack the "von" in their names. names of their family branch are given.)

VR066

ANNO 1798-1865 FRIEDRICH LUDWIG von RONNE

Friedrich Ludwig von Rone was a law expert and Prussian politician. Born Nov. 27, 1798, near Gluckstadt, died April 7, 1865, in Berlin. (Famous civil servant, much traveled--also on business to America; served King Friedrich Wilhelm IV; a liberal politician, he stood for inviolability of persons and private property.) His son Julius published in 1867 in Berlin: "Friedrich von Ronne, His Life and His Treatise on the Constitution of the USA."

VR067

ANNO 1804-1891 LUDWIG PETER MORITZ VON RONNE

A brother of Friedrich and also law-expert, born Oct. 18, 1804, Gluckstadt.

(Also a civil servant, and assessor at a Berlin court; a parliamentarian who, with his brother, published a brochure on Prussian land laws. Active in defining laws of the new German Reich in 1871; decorated with medal of the order of the crown; died Dec. 22, 1891; the "Ronne Strasse" in Berlin-Charlottenburg was named for him.

VR068

ANNO 1843 Dedication for ANNA CLARA ELSNER von GRONOW nee VON RONNE

(Wilhelm Grimm, famous storyteller, wrote a dedication to his "little neighbor" on Jan. 6, 1843, in Berlin. Also a brief biography of Elsner who was born Jul. 4, 1832 in Silesia (now Poland) and died in 1893 in Berlin.)

VR069

ANNO 1830 CORDT VON RONN, at the RONNE Locks

(brief biography)

ANNO 1836 CLAUS DIEDRICH VON RONNE

(long biography)

VR070

Born 1842 in Neustadt Balic Sea (Ostse)...In 1871 "Frederich" emigrated to USA, married there in Glendale (Cass Country, Nebraska< Martha Jane, nee Lewis.) At Weeping Water, Nebraska, he bought a farm which he enlarged during his lifetime. In 1920, he died using only the name Ronne, was much respected in, was succeeded by 5 sons, who also used the name Ronne (pronounced Rohne). Frederick's son Benjamin Franklin took over the farm and lived to 1972.

 

List of sons.

Among the children and grandchildren are officers ( 2 colonels) several state employees, teachers, construction developers, railroad engineers, more farmers,--as was told us by Mrs. Marion Heesch (Hamburg), a great-great-grandchild of Carl Christian (of Kiel).

Only since November 1983 do the grandchildren know that their grandfather came from Germany. The first "Americans" visited Hamburg and Osten the summer of 1984.

The following ancestors of Friederich Christopher Marcus Von Ronne all were born in the locks-field area between Ronne-Deich (Dike) and Ostedeich: 1-6

______________________

 

Farther Emigrants to American were:

--see names --

VR071

ANNO 1855 CHRISTIAN WILHELM VON RONN, Windmiller at Cadenburg

Once seen from far and wide, this mill was build by Christian Wilhelm von Ronne. (Bio follows)

ANNO 1888 ALBERTUS VON RONNE-Great Miller Master at Oberholz-Scharmbeck

(Bio of family, owners of a Dutch-type windmill.)

The last master miller was Albertus' son Richard who died in 1985. The mill, now a historic landmark, was sold to the city.

VR072

ANNO 1915 EDMUND KARL VON RONN - Automobile dealership owner at Stade.

Edmund was born in 1882 in Hamburg. Ancestors lived at the Oste River since 1800. Members of this family left for Kiel, for America, and for Hamburg.00 (Bio follows)

Edmund's grandson Nicolas-Karl Von Ronne was born 1992

VR073

ANNO 1917 Imperial Godfather for FRIEDRICH WILHELM VON RONNE

Emperor Wilhelm II offered god father hood to families with 7 or more children. Plus seal, inscription and 60 marks.

-- text and bio follows

VR074

ANNO 1991 GEORGE VON RONNE Journalist and Nature filmer for TV

-- bio follows

ANNO 1991 SOREN VON RONNE, Tax Consultant and Jump Rider for Germany

VRO75/76 -- blank page

VR077 Weddings from Church Records 1665-1734

VR078

1726 - 1760

VR079

1761-1803

VR080

1800 - 1846 + 1763

VR081/82 back The Ostinger Families VON RONNE

Noted from church registers and assembled

VR083 The Ostinger Hereditary Judges

See appended note that "those marked _ were supplied by Bob's second cousin Marion in Hamburg.

--- 1-8 -- brief bios

VR084 Judge Hinrich's descendants

-- bios --

VR 085 Bios continued

VR086 (not among papers)

VR087 Claus Von Ronne's ancestry

-- bios --

VR088 Chrono-notes by birthdates of the family patriarchy

 

VR089 -- cont'd --

VR090 -- cont'd --

VR091 -- cont'd --

VRO92 -- cont'd --

VR093 Cont'd Hanover -- Gluckstadt -- Berlin

VR094 Bio's continued

 

VR095/96 Bio's continued

VR097 Elmshorn - Vetersen, etc. Holstein

Bio's continued -- see Marchs 1740-1773!

VR098 See Marks 1815-1850

VR099/100 Bio's continued

Bottom page: RANDY VON RONNE – bios

 

 

Genealogy of Randy von Ronne

Eugene, Oregon

April 1, 1997

 

Randy’s ancestors originated from Germany. They lived in the northern part of the country near the city of Hamburg and in the province of Schleswig-Holstein. Most of them lived in the community of Elmshorn, about 15 miles north-west of Hamburg, in Vetersen about 4 miles south of Elmshorn and some lived in Glückstadt near the Elbe River, about 15 miles west of Elmshorn. While looking at the records, the family’s central location seemed to be Elmshorn. It is also obvious that they didn’t venture too far away from their home-town.

It appears that the Rönne’s date back in Germany to the year of 1001. However it is difficult to follow family lines that far back, because accurate record keeping didn’t start until about 1650. This was the time when churches were designated to keep records of those who were born, married and diseased. For these they used ledger type books, one for the born or baptized, one for the weddings and one for the burials and kept the information in longhand.

The kept information was generally quite accurate and relatively easy to trace, because people didn’t move around much and mostly stayed married to the same person. However, due to wars or other calamities some of the records did vanish, therefore it is not unusual to run into gaps or unanswered questions while searching for ancestors.

Randy’s ancestors can be traced to the year of 1660.

 

        1660 Claus von Rönne was born in 1660. There are no records of his birthplace, about his parents and his occupation. He did live in the city of Glückstadt, near the Elbe River. He married Metta Romontos and they had six children. The two youngest were twins and one of the twins, Hinrich Claus represented the succession line in Randy’s family tree.

          1. Metta, 1682-....,

          2. Anna Dorthe, 1683-.....,

          3. Johann Christoffer, 168. -.... ,

          4. Dorothea Anna, 1688-....,

          5a. Hinrich Claus, 1690-....,

          5b. Schwantje, 1690-....,

           

      1690 Hinrich Claus von Rönne was born in 1690. His wife’s name was Dorothea (no last name and birth date given). It is, however, noted that she came from the city. It may be safe to assume ;that she came from the city of Hamburg, since that is the big city nearby. There is reference to children, but no specifics are given. As a matter of fact, at this point there seems to be a generation gap in record keeping or until Otto von Rönne is mentioned in advanced age or perhaps Otto was adopted.

       

      1740 Otto von Rönne I. 1740-1821. Otto married a girl by the name of Gesche Witten in Elmshorn (This may have been the time when the Rönne familzy line began and continued in Elmshorn later). Their six children were as follows:

      1. Dorothea, 1767-...., She was married to Claus Kühl, in Elmshorn,

      2. Catherina, 1770-1833 Married to Claus Rawe, in Elmshorn,

      3. Otto 1773-1831 Married to Christina Wiese, in Elmshorn,

      4. Gesche 1776-1801 Married to Marx Springer, in Elmshorn,

                          5. Claus 1779-1846 Married to Anna Hütmann, in Elmshorn. They had two daughters: Gesche, who never married, and Anna Metta who married Hinrich Heitman in 1841,

                      6. Hinrich 1782-1793 He died as a child at age 11.

                       

      1773 Otto von Rönne II. 1773-1831. Otto lived in Elmshorn where he learned and practiced the occupation of bartending. As mentioned above, he married Christina Wiese of Elmshorn. Christina was Otto’s second wife. He was married earlier to Anna Magdalena Todt. Out of the two marriages eight children were born. These are the following:

      1. Rebecca, 1802-1872 (of 1st marriage), married to Marx Vosz, Elmshorn,

      2. Anna, 1810-1818 (out of 2nd Marriage)

      3. Otto, 1812-........,

      4. Albert, 1815-....., Married to Catherina Kelting, Elmshorn

                          5. Abel, 1817-...., Married Hinrich Thun in Elmshorn in 1838,

                      6. Claus 1820-1871,

                        7. Hinrich, 1823-...., May have died young, therefore there was a second Hinrich in 1828.

                        8. Hinrich 1828-1832 This one also died very young.

                         

      1815 Albert von Rönne I. 1815-...., Albert also lived in Elmshorn and was a sailor or worked on ships. He married Catherina Kelting in 1840 and they had five children. Catherine lost her life when she drowned in a lake or in the ocean, no date given. Their children were the following:

                      1. Christina 1844-1869 Christina never married,

                        2. Margarethe Magdalena 1846-1916 Married to Hermann Fend,

                        3. Otto 1848-1914 Married to Marie Krohn,

                                4 Albert 1850-....., Albert was married 1st to N.N. Stahl, 2nd to Margarethe Strenge and may have had a child with a Rebecca Kruger.

                                5. Carl, 1851-...,

                                 

      1850 Albert von Rönne II. 1850-...., Albert, as mentioned above, was married 1st to N.N. Stahl, 2nd to Margarethe Strenge and may have had a child with a Rebecca Kruger. Albert was a musician and traveled with bands. His home is noted as Heidgraben and not Elmshorn anymore and his children seemed to have scattered also. These were the following

                            1. Johannes Albert, 1872-...... Johannes left Germany to immigrate to the USA in 1889.

                          2. Katharina, 18..-1917. Married Johannes Behrman, Elmshorn.

                          3. Otto 1887-....., Otto also immigrated to the USA,

                            4. Hermann, 1889-1912, Married Helene Kröger, Pinneberg, they had three children: Kathe, Egon and Inge.

                             

        1872 Johannes Albert von Rönne, born March 7, 1872. Immigrated to the USA in 1889 when he was 17 years old. He may have been inspired by his uncle Friedrich Christopher Marcus von Rönne who was the first of the Rönne’s to immigrate to the USA. Fridrich or Christopher Marcus, as he was called later, came in 1871.

        Johannes Albert got married in 1911 in Sacramento, California. He married Maria von Roehr who was born in 1875 in Wittenberg, Germany. Her parents were Henrich von Roehr and Walburga Müller.

        Johannes Albert and Maria’s son was (Constantin / Constan / Connie) .

         

        1912 Constan John von Ronne, born on April 8, 1912 in St. Helena, California. Constan John married Vivianne Loraine Post in 1942. Vivianne was born on September 19, 1914 in Thurston County, Olympia, Washington. Vivianne parents were John Harland Post and Maria Belle Lippold.

         

  1. Randy Von Ronne, born on April 21, 1950 in Thurston County, Olympia, Washington. He married Barbara Louse Pretzer on March 20. 1976 from Klamath Falls, Oregon. Barbara born Sept. 10, 1951 in Saginaw Michigan
    Children:
    • Jeffery Von Ronne, born on Sept. 15th 1977 in Decatur Alabama
    • Michelle Marie Ronne, born on Sept. 27th 1979 in Huntsville Alabama

 

 

VR101 Eitze, Coppel, etc. -- further bios

VR102 -- cont'd --

VR103/4 -- cont'd --

VR105/6 Ancestry - Review -- see marks _

VR107/8 The simple burgher families von RONN/E/N from church

registers assembled

VR109/110 Biographies

VR111 "

VR112 "

VR113 "

VR114 "

VR115 "

VR116 "

VR117 " see marks _

VR119 "

VR120-128 "

VR129/30 blank

VR131-142 "

VR143 " ancestry review -- see marks _

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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