Welcome to the September issue of our family newsletter. As we hinted at on Facebook, we have discovered so much more about Amandus’ birth family this month through some creative research and wrangling AI as a research assistant, what a month it has been! Ian takes a look at Ueckermunde, the interesting town that we now know Amandus was born in, and we share a photo taken during Amandus’ 1909 visit home to see his birth family.

Article of the Month – Update on Amandus birth family

Overview of Ueckermunde

Photo of the Month – Amandus’ 1909 visit to his homeland

A Decade in Time 1980 – 1989

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Article of the Month

In the spirit of jumping into AI, here’s a photo of the inside of my brain this month, so much to find out! Have you ever used AI to research? We’d love to hear your experiences if you have!

If you recall, we were unsure about who Amandus parent’s were, based on a mix of names listed on his marriage and death certificates and confusion about family relationships based on correspondence after he came to Australia.

In a very sharp learning curve, Kylie wrangled AI as a research assistant and was able to not just discover direct links to church book records, but use AI to translate them and piece together records to the point where we now have a much more accurate picture of Amandus’ birth family. In addition AI was able to assist with government and church records, historical societies and volunteer archivists and we now have a lot more certainty for at least two generations back from Amandus.

Firstly, we found Amandus’ baptism record, which confirmed his birth details and his parents.

Yes — this is the original parish baptism register page for Amandus August Ludwig Hoschke.

It is from Ueckermünde, Taufen 1835–1855, Bild 94, held by the Landeskirchliches Archiv der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche in Norddeutschland and viewed through Archion.

Amandus’s entry records:

• Name: Amandus August Ludwig Hoschke
• Born: 1 January 1844
• Baptised: 7 January 1844
• Father: Johann Martin Hoschke, Schuhmachermeister — master shoemaker
• Mother: Friederike Thoms
• Status: ehelich — legitimate

This is the contemporary record that gave us the strongest evidence for his actual parents. It also interestingly confirms that Amandus was baptised in Ueckermunde, family stories were that the family moved there later, but we now know that he was likely born and certainly baptised in Ueckermunde. From there we went looking for their marriage record to see if we could find further details.

This blows our first theory from last month’s newsletter out of the water, Amandus was most definitely NOT the son of Johann Wilhelm Hoschke, we now know he was the son of Johann Martin Hoschke and Friederike Thoms.

This is the Ueckermünde marriage register, Trauungen 1835–1862, Bild 8, and the relevant entry is No. 14 for Johann Martin Hoschke and Maria Dorothea Friederike Thoms. Trauungen_1835-1862_Bild8

The marriage is recorded as taking place on 7 August 1835. Johann Martin is described as a shoemaker, aged 26, and Friederike aged 32. Her full name is given as Maria Dorothea Friederike Thoms.

Without boring you with a deep dive now into each of the children, using a similar process we were able to ascertain that Amandus was the youngest of 6 children born to Johann Martin Hoschke and Maria Dorothea Friederike Thoms, including his oldest sister Louise, whose 1834 baptism was later legitimised by her parents marriage in 1835.

So now we have what we are fairly certain, is Amandus complete birth family, with 5 of the 6 children surviving to adulthood. Did you notice his sister’s name was Hulda? I’d also draw your attention to Amandus only brother Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Hoschke – you might recall from our previous newsletter that family in Germany descended from Karl Wilhelm August Daniel Hoschke, identified a close connection with Amandus, although at the time we could not confirm it. We can confirm that Karl’s father Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Hoschke was in fact Amandus’ older brother.

This research is far from over, we have yet to discover what became of Amandus’ parents and have only just started to scratch the surface of his siblings lives as adults, but the process of using AI is not necessarily cheap or quick and you need to double check everything and verify the research independently. For now, we will explain one more connection that links Amandus to the family that remained in contact with the Australian branch of the Hoschke’s for at least two generations.

Amandus oldest sister Louise Auguste Friederike Hoschke was 11 years older than him. Louise was born about 1833 in Ueckermünde, the daughter of Johann Martin Hoschke and Friederike/Caroline Thoms.

She married Carl August Frank on 23 November 1855 at Ueckermünde. Carl is recorded as being born about 1827 at Neuendorf bei Ueckermünde. The family appears to have remained around Ueckermünde initially and then moved to Danzig by the end of the 1850s.

They had four sons and a daughter, with only two sons surviving to adulthood:

1. Ernst Frank, born 25 April 1858 at Ueckermünde and died 12 April 1859;
2. Wilhelm Frank, born December 1859 at Danzig and died 2 August 1866;
3. Ernst August Amandus Frank, born 27 July 1863 at Danzig;
4. Amandus August Rudolf Frank, born 24 November 1864 at Danzig; and
5. Marie Auguste Louise Frank, born 21 January 1866 at Danzig and died 18 August 1866.

The recurrence of the name Amandus in two of Louise’s sons and at least one grandson is especially interesting. It is consistent with a close Hoschke family connection and when we look at the image below we can see that Louise’s grandson Eduard Amandus August Frank married Johann Wilhelm Hoschke’s granddaughter Grethe Ida Elwine Budig, a double connection to the Hoschke family which perhaps adds a lot of context as to why the families were so close and why Amandus felt compelled to return and visit.

So much more to discover, but for now we’ll pause here and I’ll go make another coffee and keep hunting! We are waiting on Eduard’s military records to arrive which will hopefully confirm he was August Frank who visited Australia aboard the German ship Planet and perhaps in future we will be able to tell his story as his family wrote to descendants of Amandus in Australia up until the end of WW2.

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Overview of Ueckermunde

Note that Ueckermünde and what was known as Stettin, when part of Germany, are on the Oder lagoon.  Stettin, now known as Szczecin in Poland, is the nearest major city.

Ueckermünde is a charming seaport town located in northeastern Germany, specifically in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald. It lies near the border with Poland and is situated on the picturesque Oder Lagoon (also known as the Szczecin Lagoon).

Historical Significance

• Established: Ueckermünde has a rich history, with its first known mention dating back to 1178.
• Seaside Resort: The town was officially recognized as a seaside resort in 2013, enhancing its appeal as a tourist destination.

Attractions

Ueckermünde offers a variety of attractions for visitors:

• Historical Architecture: The town features well-preserved medieval structures, including parts of its old city walls and the Castle of Ueckermünde.
• Cultural Institutions: It is home to several museums that showcase the region’s maritime history and cultural heritage.
• Natural Beauty: The surrounding area includes nature reserves and a popular beach, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

Accessibility

Ueckermünde is easily accessible due to its location near major transport routes, including rail connections to nearby cities.

Conclusion

Ueckermünde combines historical charm with modern amenities, making it a notable destination in Germany’s northeastern region. Its scenic location by the Oder Lagoon and its status as a seaside resort contribute to its appeal for both tourists and locals.

Population of Ueckermunde in 1850

According to the town of Ueckermünde’s official population records, there’s no exact figure for 1850, but the nearest data points are 3,227 inhabitants in 1843 and 3,541 in 1852. Interpolating between those, the approximate population in 1850 was around 3,400–3,500.

For context, this fits the town’s steady 19th-century growth: about 2,200 in 1812, rising to over 4,300 by 1861, driven largely by the booming brickworks industry and growing trade and shipbuilding.

For comparison Woolgoolga, a coastal town on the NSW north coast (about 25 km north of Coffs Harbour), had a population of 6,151 at the 2021 census for the state suburb area, or 5,797 if counting just the urban centre.

Merchant ship ownership of inhabitants of Ueckermunde in 1854

According to German Wikipedia, around the middle of the 19th century the shipowners (Reeder) based in Ueckermünde owned 27 merchant ships — this figure comes from the 1848 Prussian merchant marine overview cited there, so 1854 would fall squarely in that period.

For perspective relative to the population: with roughly 3,500 inhabitants around 1850, that works out to approximately one merchant ship per ~125–130 inhabitants — a fairly substantial merchant fleet for a small Haff port, reflecting Ueckermünde’s role as a trading and shipbuilding center at the time (the town had already launched 102 ships between 1781 and 1795).

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Photo of the Month – Amandus’ visit home

We have covered Amandus journey home previously, but now we are also in the process of identifying who exactly is in the photo with Amandus, we can identify Amandus only brother Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Hoschke, but we are not sure which of his three sisters is sitting in the front, although the age would suggest his eldest sister Louise and we are working through the ages of the children to identify them as well, watch this space, or if anyone has any ideas we would welcome them!

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A Decade in Time

The 1980s continued the story of a Hoschke family that was now several generations removed from Amandus and Mary Ann’s arrival in the Orara Valley. The family had spread well beyond its original home in Upper Orara, with descendants living across New South Wales and Queensland. The pioneering generation had almost entirely passed away, and the family story was increasingly being carried forward by their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their families.

1980

The new decade began with the death of Cleive Ernest “Pat” Hoschke, who passed away on 7 May 1980. Cleive was the son of Ernest Carl Hoschke, the tenth child of Amandus and Mary Ann, and Ellen Buckland. Ernest had been one of the younger members of the original family who travelled north to the Orara Valley as a child in 1886.

1981

In 1981, the family lost Edith May Smith, née Hoschke, who died on 31 July. Edith was the daughter of Harold Robert Hoschke and Alice Maud Margaret Morris. Harold was the eighth child of Amandus and Mary Ann. Edith had therefore been born into one of the branches of the family that remained closely connected to the Orara and Coffs Harbour district.

1982

William Frederick “Bill” Hoschke died on 13 March 1982. Bill was one of the children of Frederick Amandus Hoschke and Clunie Bain Manson. Frederick, the third child of Amandus and Mary Ann, had established his own family in the Orara district after selecting his property Nonegoby in 1905.

Later that year, on 16 December, Irving James Finucane also died. Irving was the husband of Edith Elizabeth Mary Tait, connecting him to the Tait branch descended from Mary Gertrude Isabel Hoschke, the eleventh child of Amandus and Mary Ann.

1983

The following year saw the death of Edward Arthur Tait, who died on 29 May 1983. Edward was the fourth child of Mary Gertrude Isabel Hoschke and William David Tait. Through his mother, he was a grandson of Amandus and Mary Ann Hoschke.

The Tait family had originated in Wellington, where Mary and William raised their family above the family bakery before later moving to Sydney. Edward had served in the Australian Army during the Second World War, spending three and a half years with the 104 General Transport Company of the Australian Army Services Corps.

1984

In 1984, another member of the Tait branch passed away when Robert William Tait died on 27 March. Robert was born in Wellington in 1916, the second child of Mary Gertrude Isabel Hoschke and William Tait. During the Second World War he served with the Royal Australian Air Force, seeing service in Canada, Egypt, the United Kingdom, India and the Middle East.

After the war, Robert had a long career with Castrol Oils and lived for many years in Sydney. His death marked the passing of another member of the generation whose lives had been shaped by the experience of wartime Australia and the enormous social changes that followed.

1985

Phyllis May Hoschke died on 19 June 1985. Phyllis was born in 1916, the daughter of Ernest Carl Hoschke and Ellen Elizabeth Fisher Buckland. She was therefore a granddaughter of Amandus and Mary Ann.

Phyllis had grown up in the years following the family’s move to the North Coast. Her family eventually moved to South Tweed Heads, where she and her husband Bert established their home. Their family remembered Phyllis for her beautiful garden and the many hours she and Bert spent working in it.

Sadly, Phyllis died in 1985. She was only 69 years old and did not live to see her grandchildren marry and establish families of their own. She and Bert had children who went on to have eleven children between them, meaning that her branch of the Hoschke family continued into another generation.

In December 1985, Ralph Robert Ide died, aged 70. Ralph was the son of Hulda Minnie Hoschke, the twelfth child of Amandus and Mary Ann, and Robert Burdett Smith Ide. Ralph had grown up in the Upper Orara community and, together with his wife Joyce, remained connected with the district.

Ralph had served during the Second World War with the Volunteer Defence Corps, spending three years with the 16th Battalion. He and Joyce had three children and had settled in the Orara Valley after their marriage in 1936.

1986

1986 brought several losses within the wider family. On 5 April, Melbourne Malcolm McPhail died. Melbourne was the husband of Elsie Bain Hoschke, daughter of Frederick Amandus Hoschke and Clunie Bain Manson.

Later that year, Geoffrey Edward Hoschke died on 27 November 1986. Geoffrey was the only child of Edward Thomas “Ted” Hoschke and Margaret Porter. Ted was one of Amandus and Mary Ann’s thirteen children and had served in France during the First World War. Geoffrey’s own life continued that tradition of service. He served during the Second World War with the 2/12 Australian Commando Squadron, attaining the rank of Corporal.

1987

In 1987, the family lost Lionel Edgar Hoschke, son of August Frank Hoschke and Henrietta Selina Richards. Lionel died in Queensland aged 80. Born in 1907, he was part of the generation of grandchildren of Amandus and Mary Ann.

Lionel’s branch illustrates the geographical spread of the family. Although the Hoschke story began in the Orara Valley, descendants had established homes and families in Queensland and other parts of Australia.

On 25 July 1987, Arnold Arthur Charles Hoschke also died, aged 71. Arnold was the son of Harold Robert Hoschke and Alice Maud Margaret Morris. He had married Ellen Maude Susannah Brooks in 1936 and was living in Enmore, Sydney, later in life. His death meant another member of the family descended from Harold Robert Hoschke had passed away.

1988

In 1988, the wider family lost Arthur George Davis, son of Jessie Caroline Hoschke and George Davis. Arthur was born at Upper Orara on 15 August 1908 and died at Casino on 31 August 1988, aged 80. He was one of Jessie and George’s seven children and therefore a great-grandson of Amandus and Mary Ann through their daughter Jessie. Arthur married Alice Blanche Norma Lucas at Coffs Harbour in 1934, and they had three children: Gordon, Barbara Norma and James Arthur.

But 1988 also gives us something particularly important for the family history.

Ada Mary Davis, Arthur’s sister and another descendant of Jessie Caroline Hoschke, wrote her recollections in 1988 for inclusion in the Davis Family Descendants book.

Ada had spent part of her life working at the Orara Post Office, alongside her aunt Annie Hoschke, and had a wealth of memories of the family and the local community. By writing down her recollections in 1988, she was helping to preserve information that might otherwise have disappeared with her generation.

This is a significant moment in the longer Hoschke story. The family had moved from simply living its history to actively recording its history.

1989

The final year of the decade brought the death of Alice Davis, née Lucas, on 9 February 1989. Alice had been married to Arthur George Davis for more than fifty years. Arthur had died only a few months earlier, in August 1988, making Alice’s death another significant loss for their family.

Through her marriage to Arthur, Alice had become part of the Davis branch descended from Jessie Caroline Hoschke, Amandus and Mary Ann’s fourth child. Her death therefore closed the decade with the loss of another person connected to one of the family’s oldest North Coast branches.

The Hoschke Family at the end of the 1980’s

By the end of 1989, more than one hundred years had passed since Amandus and Mary Ann began their Australian family story.

The pioneers themselves were now long gone. Their children were almost entirely gone. Their grandchildren were becoming the older generation.

But their descendants remained.