File:1956 Harms Heritage - 002.jpg

Preface

The plan to write down his genealogy and story of the Harm's lineage had been in our minds for some time before we began gathering material of the direct descendants of Johann Casten and Margetha Harms who came to Minnesota in 1856.

When it was decided to observe the 100th anniversary of their homesteading on July 8, 1956, we began to think of delving into a few past generations in Europe. An air mail letter to Fallingbostel, Hannover, where the passports for the emigrants had been made out, brought a nineteen-page manuscript from Historian Mr. Hans Stuhmacher. He had traced the ancestry back to the first Harms recorded in 1528 and on the feminine side to a Henke Wetkert in 1489. To Mr. Stuhlmacher we are greatly indebted for his search in the state archives of Hannover and Fallingbostel, and the records of the Church of Dueshorn. From the book "Die Heidmark," where the Harms and other residents of the Luneburger Heide have been recorded since their appearance in this region, he gathered much helpful date. We also appreciate the co-operation of all the relatives who made this genealogy possible. The cover design and the pen sketch of the Dueshorn Church were done by Barbara J. Wilson, Alamosa, CO.

Often we had to choose between two different dates and then base our choice of year on authentic archives or records.

We hope the assembling of this material will help future generations to realize the Harms heritage: to live a life of honest labor, physical or mental, and to cherish the faith of our fathers.

Louise Harms Casper Sharon Natalie Casper

Nineteen Hundred and Fifty Six