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My name is Caroline Wolfgramm Irwin.
Family history - the stories from and of the past - has always been part of my life. For years I thought my history was pretty simple, as far as ancestors go. There were two countries that made me - well, me: Germany and the south pacific island kingdom of Tonga. Now decades later I learn that I'm as complex as anyone else: German, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Tahitian, Hawaiian, and a touch of English. Education was taught to me by my parents as one way to have an abundant life. As a result, I am a national Harry S. Truman Scholar and hold an MBA from Golden Gate University - San Francisco. My work life has ranged from being a Howard Johnson waitress to being a lead dancer at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Hawaii to being a dispatcher for a Sheriff's Department to being an Administrative Assistant to a College President-Superintendent. On Friday, May 13th, 2011 at Noon, I retired as the Deputy Clerk from my local Town Hall. My genealogy interests range from lecturing, writing, organizing, creating educational and reunion events, field research, and sharing "ahh-haa genealogy" moments. I credit my parent, Charles Ataongo and Hena Vea Wolfgramm nee Langi, for encouraging me to connect with family and the world. As a result of this foundation, I have lived in five different countries and visited many cultures. I look forward to my time with Research Wiki as another journey to far away places to meet new people and help them connect with their stories from the past.

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...................................................homework training assignment.........................................................

Pyritz, Pommern, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany
The town of Pyritz, Pommern, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany was chartered in 1263 and is now known as Pyrcyze, Szczecin, Poland.

In searching for basic historical information about Pyritz and its beginning, a book "1263-1963 - 700 Jahre Weizackerstadt, Pyritz, Pommern" [which means "1263-1963 700 Years of the Wheat City known as Pyritz, Pommern" was referred to by directors of archives in both Poland, Berlin and Griefswald, Germany during a 1999 research trip. [right: INSERT COPY OF BOOK COVER HERE]. The author of this article located a copy through a European antique bookseller at a reasonable price\ in 2007 online. A copy of this book was also located on the shelves at the LDS Ogden Utah Family History Center located at 539 24th Street, Ogden UT  84401, Phone:  801-626-1132. The Family History Library of Salt Lake City Utah does  not have a copy.

A listing of what the book contains follows: Table of Content

Memory (Johannes Koch)………………………………………………………………………………3

We Commerate Those Who Have Passed On (Mayor Dr. Zimmermann)………………………..4

Welcome! (District Councilor Dr. Reccius)…………………………………………………………….5

Welcome to All Pyritz Citizens (Pomeranian Homeland Association)………………………………6

Sponsorship Certificate (Korbach District Committee)………………………………………………..7

Greetings (Dr. Oskar Eggert)…………………………………………………………………………….7

Foreword (Home District Coordinator Krause)…………………………………………………………8

Preface (Retired Mayor Mr. Floret)………………………………………………………………………9

Grant (City Charter Pyritz)……………………………………………………………………………….11 Introduction   Past History, the Country and its People

Timeline of the City's History The Medieval City Fortification and its Expansion The Cultural Center of the Weizacker Church and School, Science and Art, Foundations and Clubs The City's Agriculture and its Connection with the District

Agriculture and Industry The City's Assets Social Influence City Government

The End Hiking in the Pyritzer Countryside Folk Saga in the District of Pyritz List of Cities and Towns in the District of Pyritz

The District City Korbach [a sister city]

[INSERT HISTORIAL MAP OF PYRITZ, POMMERN, PRUSSIA] Pyritz was chartered in 1263 and its shape is unique - similar to an egg with the point to the north leading to Stettin and the flatter part of the egg to the south leading to Bahn. This photo was taken in the late 19th century showing that the 13th century shape still exists.

This is a book of general historical information which in turn can provide a researcher with a basis for other types of records to search for ancestral information. It provides through poetry and writings of Pyritz compatriates a sense of ties to this medieval town which still draws descendants back to its boundaries. The town's layout has remained the same since 1263. One can quickly walk through the Town from gate to gate within 20 minutes - including crossing streets with traffic.

Permission was granted in February 2004 by the City of Korbach council to this author to oversee the translation of this book into English and, in turn, grants that the book and translation may be microfilmed along with three folios of historical photos of Pyritz. This task is underway. In the interim, the reader may search for their own copy of this history on Pyritz online or visit the LDS Ogden Family History Library. The book is 6" x 8" in size, written in German, and contains 106 pages. The book is not indexed, however, it does contain historical photos of buildings within Pyritz and the surrounding areas.

Sources:

1263-1963 700 Jahre Weizackerstadt Pyritz, Pommern bei FLORET, Otto and KRAUSE, Walter.

Helpful Websites to conduct research:

http://pommerndatenbank.de/

Official City website page

Satellite Photo from Google Map

............................................................... Edit Work, Pyritz, Pommern, Prussia........................

[holding place]A book titled "700 Jahre Weizackerstadt - Pyritz Pommern" published in 1963 by the City of Korbach, Germany contains the following information of this sister-city, which is translated here for English readers. "Grant for the City of Pyritz

"Numerous rights and freedoms have been bestowed upon the city of Pyritz since 1263, as former documents show. First it [Pyritz] was granted the Magdeburg City Charter by the Pomeranian duke Barnim in the year 1263. The mentioned "Privilegium" (privileges) regarding this document, which was given to Pyritz on the day of the Holy Virgin, contained the statement that it should be operated just as it is done in the city of Stettin, and that also the guilds of the trades should follow these regulations. The respective document, of which a copy was in the Pyritz magistrate's registrar office, is translated as follows: "I Barnim, by the grace of God, duke of the Slavians, make known to all, who will see this document, for all times. In order that the memory of performed deeds will not become extinct in the course of time, the experience of discreet men honors them usually through letters. Therefore it may be made known to present and future generations that we have given and compiled such rights, as our citizens from Stettin enjoy to their own advantage and for their happy possession, to the honorable men and the distinct advocates and to all citizens and their descendants, who live in our city of Pyritz. “Also, we desire that the people of Pyritz follow the law entirely that is called the "German Innige" and each other law of our aforementioned (Stettin) citizens. However, in order that this noble gift will not be subject to discredit through false and deceptive interpretation, I personally have written this letter, which is confirmed with my seal. “Witnesses of this grant are: Gottfried von Smogerow, Johannes von Bruesewitz, the gentlemen Gobeto, Marscalcus, Dietrich Sapiens, Dietrich von Saltrodele, Arnold Sapiens, Boldwinus von Luge, Dietrich von Cellario, Wilhelm Magnus and others, whose names are not included here. "Given by hand of the notary Johannes von Parchen, in the year of our Lord 1263, on the day of the blessed virgin Agnes." "At the bottom of this document, the copy from the magistrate's records, the following countersignatures were found: "I, Antonius Petersdorff, ducal notary of the court at Stettin, certify that this is a correct copy, with my sealed handwriting, with this hand."  "I, Matthias Mietzner, certify, that this has been found in such form, in the electoral archive, which is kept in Colberg,"        "("History of the City of Pyritz", by Gustav Karpowsky)..."

.............................Another article......................................................

= German Immigration to South Pacific Islands 19th century =

The German Empire was a late bloomer when it came to colonization in the South Pacific region. In the context of this article, South Pacific is identified as those islands or lands located within the Polynesian triangle: North to Hawaii, South east to Tahiti, South west to New Zealand and back up to Hawaii again. The islands in that triangle is considered Polynesia which is coined from two Greek words: poly meaning many and nesia meaning islands.

The island of Samoa, particularly what is known today [2011] as Western Samoa, was a strong 19th century German base for the mercantile business and the town of Apia was its foundation place. Australia had a large German colony in the area of Queensland and was also a shipping base for business in the South Pacific or Oceania area of the world. New Zealand provided a shipping point also.

The economic interest of Germany was through the trade of copra and providing finished products to the South Pacific islands. Copra is dried coconut meat that is then processed for its oil and used in cosmetic and is a raw material base for other products. Enterprising German plantation owners would send out copra as the raw material and fill up returning empty ships with various manufactured goods to fill their trade stores in various South Pacific islands.