Poelkers from the USA visiting Darme
written by Joachim Schulz, Lingen
Genealogy is gaining more and more followers in America. Family Tree Tours are particularly popular, as they involve tracing ancestral roots in the homeland. This trend is also apparent in our country. Members of the working group of Lingen family researchers at the Heimatverein Lingen learned about this when their spokesperson, Joachim Schulz, was asked if he could organize a program for visitors from America. Thanks to the dedicated support from HV Darme, HV Holthausen Biene, Schützenverein St. Sebastian Altenlingen, and Emslandmuseum, an interesting and captivating program was put together.
The Poelker family descend from Altenlingen
Historical document from 1728 attracted particular attention
Hearth with the coat of arms of the Strieker ancestors
We continued past the old emergency church to house no. 17 in Darme, between the bridges. Here Gerhard Schröer presented a hearth from 1890 richly decorated with tiles. The USA Poelkers were enthusiastic about the old pipe of the Strieker ancestors. The well-preserved coat of arms of the Mühlenbauer family could even be seen here. The Striekers built and repaired many mills around Lingen and were significantly involved as master craftsmen in the construction of the choir room of the Schepsdorf church in 1874.
The former farm of the Striekers between the bridges
Both Poelkers were very moved and thanked the entire HV Darme team and Gerhard Schröer. In the afternoon, Joachim Schulz led the group to the origin of the Poelkers in Altenlingen and Holthausen. But that’s another story.
Photos by Joachim Schulz, Lingen
