THE DESCENDANTS of J. HEINRICH SCHÖMBS

Return to the Parents of Joh. Heinrich Schömbs (*1713)

Joh. Heinrich Schömbs (*15.06.1713 Undenheim, +01.11.1785 Herrnsheim)2.3.6

Godfather was Mathäus Heinrich Sommer, Weinolsheim. Johann Heinrich Schömbs, a cooper or cellerman by occupation, was married on 28.01.1738 in Herrnsheim to Catharina Elisabeth Holtzemer from Herrnsheim. (jds Note: a cellarman would take care of the wine in casks after it had been made. A cooper makes the casks.) Following the marriage Joh. Heinrich Schömbs moved to Herrnsheim and was the first Schömbs family member to reside in the Worms area. Herrnsheim is a small village on the north side of Worms.

Because of the number of descendants in the Herrnsheim Line, a special chapter Chapter C "THE HERRNSHEIMER #1 SCHEMBS"– has been dedicated to Joh. Heinrich Schömbs and those who descended from him.

In Worms-Herrnsheim the spelling of the family was changed from Schömbs to "Schembs." The change took place early in the 18th Century, prior to 1750, with the children of Joh. Heinrich and until today the families in Herrnsheim continue to use the spelling Schembs.

Philipp Schömbs (*05.04.1715, +18.03.1717 Undenheim)2.3.7

Godfather was Theodor Schömbs, brother of the father.

Andreas Schömbs (*03.04.1718, +01.03.1719 Undenheim)2.3.8

Godfather was Theodor Schömbs, brother of the father.

Maria Katharina Schömbs (*04.02.1720 Undenheim)2.3.9

Godmother was Maria Katharina Nieb, Wahlheimer Hof. Maria Katharina Schömbs married on 21.11.1741 in Undenheim Johann Balthasar Münzenberger (*20.10.1718 Zornheim, +28.08.1782 Undenheim). Witness was Johann Schömbs, Zornheim.

Children: (11)

Anna Magdalena Münzenberger (*um 1741)2.3.9/1

Johann Mathias Münzenberger (*13.10.1742, +03.09.1773 Undenheim)2.3.9/2

The godfather was Johann Mathäus Schömbs, Wahlheimer Hof. Johann Matthias Münzenberger was by profession a baker in Armsheim. On 02.06.1767 Johann Matthias married Maria Catharina Faust in Spiesheim.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Maria Eva Münzenberger (*18.02.1768 Spiesheim)

Maria Eva Münzenberger (*27.10.1743 Undenheim)2.3.9/3

Godmother was Maria Eva Schömbs, daughter of Mathäus Schömbs. Maria Eva Münzenberger was married on 16.04.1771 to Andreas Faust from Arnsheim.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Heinrich Faust (*12.02.1772 Spiesheim)

Katharina Margarete Münzenberger (*10.10.1746, +16.11.1752 Undenheim)2.3.9/4

Godmother was Maria Eva Schömbs, daughter of Mathäus Schömbs.

Johannes Münzenberger (*21.12.1747, +25.07.1818 Undenheim)2.3.9/5

Godmother was Maria Eva Schömbs, daughter of Mathäus Schömbs. The godfather was Johannes Münzenberger, master miller in the Forstner mill.
Johannes Münzenberger was a farmer. He was married on 27.04.1773 in Undenheim to Maria Magdalena Koch (*23.09.1756 Undenheim, +12.12.1825 Undenheim).

Children: (11)

11.1.....Anna Christina Münzenberger (*22.09.1775 Undenheim)

On 22.11.1796 in Lonsheim Anna Christina married Simon Schäfer (*Lonsheim).

11.2.....Anna Elisabeth Münzenberger (*26.02.1778 Undenheim, +30.03.1825)

Anna Elisabeth was married to Tobias Müller (*11.01.1778, +27.01.1814 Undenheim), blacksmith.

Children: (5)

5.1.....Katharina Müller (*1801 Undenheim)

5.2.....Elisabeth Müller (*04.10.1803 Undenheim)

5.3.....Jakob Müller (*11.01.1806 Undenheim)

5.4.....Sibylla Müller (*11.02.1808 Undenheim)

5.5.....Valentin Müller (*27.06.1813 Undenheim)

11.3.....Anna Katharina Münzenberger (*15.01.1780, +15.03.1780 Undenheim)

11.4.....Johannes Münzenberger (*14.12.1781, +19.05.1865 Undenheim)

The godfather was Johannes Kämmerer. On 13.05.1808 in Undenheim Johannes married Katharina Petry (*10.04.1784, +30.04.1867 Undenheim).

Children: (8)

8.1.....Dorothea Münzenberger (*16.11.1809 Undenheim)

8.2.....Christina Münzenberger (*04.04.1812 Undenheim. +06.07.1780 Klein-Winternheim)

On 06.07.1843 Christina was married in Undenheim to Johann Christian Reichert (*25.10.1816 Bechtolsheim), shoemaker.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Katharina Reichert (*23.01.1842 Undenheim)

3.2.....Barbara Reichert (*25.01.1845 Undenheim)

3.3.....Theresia Reichert (*18.05.1851 Undenheim)

8.3.....Anna Maria Münzenberger (*09.03.1815 Undenheim)

Anna Maria had a child out of wedlock. He died less than two months later.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Johannes Münzenberger (*20.09.1843 Undenheim, +14.11.1843 Undenheim)

8.4.....Valentin Münzenberger II. (*31.05.1818, +31.07.1896 Undenheim)

On 18.06.1856 in Undenheim Valentin married Agnes Dusch (*22.06.1828 Ensheim, +30.05.1897 Undenheim).

Children: (5)

5.1.....Ernst Münzenberger (*22.03.1857 , +13.05.1858 Undenheim)

5.2.....Magdalena Münzenberger (*24.09.1858, +23.09.1941 Undenheim)

Magdalena on 22.11.1884 in Undenheim was married to Mathäus Krost (*23.06.1855 Ebersheim, +08.12.1909 Undenheim).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Heinrich Krost (*20.09.1885, +05.10.1889 Undenheim)

3.2.....Friedrich Krost (*28.11.1888 Undenheim, +11.10.1912 Undenheim)

3.3.....Johann Krost (*16.07.1893 Undenheim, +10.08.1973 Mainz)

Johann Krost married on 27.11.1922 in Undenheim Therese Werle (*05.01.1894 Köngernheim, +31.01.1970 Undenheim).

5.3.....Katharina Münzenberger (*13.09.1861, +04.04.1877 Undenheim)

5.4.....Christina Münzenberger (*10.01.1863 Undenheim)

Christina and Franz Benhard Fuchs (*06.07.1856 Nieder-Olm) were wed on 09.02.1888 in Undenheim.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Adam Bernhard Fuchs (*25.09.1888 Undenheim)

4.2.....Katharina Fuchs (*26.09.1890 Undenheim)

4.3.....Ernst Karl Fuchs (*09.09.1896 Undenheim, +1904 Nieder-Olm)

4.4.....Heinrich Fuchs (*04.09.1899 Undenheim)

5.5.....Valentin Münzenberger (*01.06.1866, +25.03.1867 Undenheim)

8.5.....Therese Münzenberger (*01.11.1820 Undenheim)

8.6.....Katharina Münzenberger (*21.02.1823 Undenheim)

8.7.....Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger (*30.12.1825 Undenheim, +25.09.1907 Undenheim)

On 22.04.1872 in Astheim Ernst wed Katharina Zang (*1840 Hahnheim, +21.01.1907 Undenheim).

8.8.....Johannes Münzenberger (*27.05.1829 Undenheim)

In 1888 Johannes married Wilhelmine Trefzer Keil (*10.03.1832 Obertegernau, Tregernau, Schopfheim, Baden Germany) . They had no children.

1867 Emigrant to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Click for the Story of Johannes

11.5.....Maria Katharina Münzenberger (*16.02.1785 Undenheim)

11.6.....Maria Sibylla Münzenberger (*05.09.1787, +07.01.1868 Undenheim)

Godmother was Sibylla Degünther. Sibylla and Johannes Eberhard (*21.12.1786. +05.09.1878), clothweaver, were married on 01.10.1812 in Undenheim.

Children: (10)

10.1.....Johannes Eberhard II. (*06.03.1813 Undenheim, +15.04.1894 Undenheim)

Johannes and Katharina Kasper (*14.01.1820 Ober-Saulheim, +24.07.1891 Undenheim) married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Christian Eberhard (*06.02.1855, +03.04.1904 Undenheim)

On 26.07.1884 in Undenheim Christian was married to Maria Best (*13.08.1859 Bechtolsheim, +15.04.1943 Undenheim).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Maria Eberhardt (*1884, +1965)

3.2.....Anna Eberhard (*14.11.1885 Undenheim, +11.01.1972 Gau-Bischofsheim)

3.3.....Wilhelm Eberhard (*08.07.1899, +28.08.1899 Undenheim)

2.2.....Anna Eberhard (*26.09.1859 Undenheim)

10.2.....Christina Eberhard (*30.10.1814 Undenheim)

10.3.....Maria Eberhard (*13.04.1816, +17.07.1859 Undenheim)

10.4.....Walter Eberhard (*16.04.1819 Undenheim)

10.5.....Katharina Eberhard (*11.10.1820, +04.03.1821 Undenheim)

10.6.....Magdalena Eberhard (*14.05.1822, +0.08.1829 Undenheim)

10.7.....Elisabeth Eberhard (*08.10.1823 Undenheim)

10.8.....Wolfgang Ernst Eberhard (*03.06.1826, +28.09.1826 Undenheim)

10.9.....Magdalena Eberhard (*1829 Undenheim)

10.10.....Christine Eberhard (*15.09.1831, +01.02.1833 Undenheim)

11.7.....Dorothea Münzenberger (*13.02.1790 Undenheim)

11.8.....Johann Heinrich Münzenberger (*14.05.1793 Undenheim)

11.9.....Theresia Münzenberger (*17.08.1796, +08.03.1797 Undenheim)

11.10.....Johann Adam Münzenberger (*1799, +22.08.1801 Undenheim)

11.11.....Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger (*21.02.1802 Undenheim, +01.06.1885 Greenfield Twp WI)

Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger was by profession a shoemaker.
He married on 29.03.1829 in Undenheim Christina Mühl (*02.02.1810, +Greenfield Twp WI). The family lived first at Bachgasse (today Tränkegasse) Nr. 55.
In 1847 Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger with his family of five boys and four girls emigrated to Amerika (Greenfield Township (Twp), La Crosse County, Wisconsin (WI) USA).

1847 Emigrant to La Crosse County, Wisconsin, USA
Click Here for the Story of Wolfgang and his Family

Children: (11)

11.1.....Adam Münzenberger (*28.01.1830 Undenheim)

(jds Note: There is an outstanding resource on the Web, relating to Corporal Adam Muenzenberger (*1830). He fought in the Civil War for the North, was taken captive at Gettysburg and died in a Confederate POW camp near Richmond, Virginia. Click on the Link to read the letters he wrote to his wife while he was in the Army. Very interesting.)

11.2.....Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger (*04.10.1831 Undenheim, +Greenfield Twp WI)

11.3.....Dorothea Katharina Münzenberger (*13.11.1832 Undenheim)

11.4.....Philippina Münzenberger (*16.05.1834 Undenheim)

11.5.....Anton Münzenberger (*25.02.1836, +23.06.1838 Undenheim)

11.6.....Christine Münzenberger (*09.05.1837 Undenheim, +29.03.1811 Greenfield Twp WI)

11.7.....Carolus Christian Münzenberger (*27.11.1839 Undenheim)

11.8.....Margaretha Münzenberger (*06.02.1841 Undenheim)

11.9.....Philipp Münzenberger (*30.05.1842 Undenheim, +09.03.1919 Greenfield Twp WI)

11.10.....Dieter Münzenberger (*04.01.1844 Undenheim, +31.01.1845 Undenheim)

11.11.....Johann Baptist Münzenberger (*26.10.1845 Undenheim)

Andreas Münzenberger (*16.07.1749, +02.06.1752 Undenheim)2.3.9/6

Godmother was Maria Eva Schömbs, daughter of Mathäus Schömbs.

Anna Katharina Münzenberger (*18.02.1752 Undenheim)2.3.9/7

Godmother was Anna Catharina Schömbs, daughter of Johann Schömbs sen.

Anna Christina Münzenberger (*12.02.1754 Undenheim)2.3.9/8

Godmother was Anna Christina Schömbs, wife of Georg Schömbs.

Anna Sybilla Münzenberger (*04.10.1756 Undenheim)2.3.9/9

Godmother was Anna Sybilla Schömbs.
Anna Sybilla married Wolfgang Deginter (*Frettenheim) in Undenheim on 04.02.1783.

Maria Magdalena Münzenberger (*18.09.1758 Undenheim)2.3.9/10

The godfather was Maria Magdalena Korb, Bechtolsheim.

Heinrich Münzenberger (*21.01.1762 Undenheim, +27.12.1808 Undenheim)2.3.9/11

The godfather was Heinrich Schömbs. On 23.11.1784 in Undenheim Heinrich was married to Maria Katharina Landgraf (*1758 Schornsheim, +03.01.1820 Undenheim).

Children: (6)

6.1.....Maria Barbara Münzenberger (*09.09.1785 Undenheim)

On 08.06.1823 Maria Barbara married Martin Schreiber in Mommenheim.

6.2.....Christina Münzenberger (*22.01.1788 Undenheim)

6.3.....Wolfgang Ernst Münzenberger (*31.10.1790 Undenheim)

Wolfgang married on 26.10.1813 in Undenheim Anna Maria Wald.

Kinder: (5)

5.1.....Valentin Münzenberger (*01.01.1815 Undenheim)

5.2.....Anton Münzenberger (*02.02.1817 Undenheim)

5.3.....Elisabetha Münzenberger (*28.01.1819 Undenheim)

5.4.....Anna Maria Münzenberger (*12.11.1820 Undenheim)

5.5.....Margaretha Münzenberger (*03.12.1824 Undenheim)

6.4.....Johannes Münzenberger (*14.05.1793 Undenheim, +18.03.1794 Undenheim)

6.5.....Valentin Münzenberger (*29.01.1795 Undenheim)

6.6.....Elisabeth Münzenberger (*28.09.1797 Undenheim)

Elisabeth married Joannes Berger on 09.02.1820 in Undenheim.

Johann Georg Schömbs (*02.10.1723 Undenheim)2.3.10

Godfather was Johann Georg Schneider, Köngernheim. Johann Georg Schömbs was married on 16.11.1746 in Undenheim to Anna Christina Lichtenecker (*02.10.1727, +1786).

Children: (5)

Maria Margaretha Schömbs (*22.03.1747 Undenheim)2.3.10/1

Godmother was Anna Margaretha Lichtenecker, Friesenheim, daughter of the Friesenheim mayor.

Johann Peter Schömbs (*18.03.1749 Undenheim)2.3.10/2

Godfather was Johann Peter Geist, son of the baker.

Johann Daniel Schömbs (*11.01.1752 Undenheim, +24.05.1789 Hahnheim)2.3.10/3

Godfather was Johann Daniel Lichtenecker, mayor of Friesenheim.

Johann Bernhard Schömbs (*02.07.1754 Undenheim)2.3.10/4

Godfather was Bernhard Schömbs, Wahlheimer Hof. Bernhard Schömbs probably lived in Friesenheim.

Balthasar Schömbs (*22.03.1757 Undenheim, +19.03.1812 Dexheim)2.3.10/5

Godfather was Balthasar Münzenberger. Balthasar Schömbs was married twice. His first wife was Anna Maria Jochum (*Dexheim). Then on 29.07.1888 in Dexheim he married Anna Maria Schmalz (*18.09.1768, +11.01.1814 Dexheim). Balthasar Schömbs was by profession a "säckler." He probably lived in Friesenheim, but also some time in Dexheim and Nierstein.

Children: (9)

9.1....Mathäus Schömbs (*23.07.1789, +23.07.1789 Friesenheim)

Godfather was Mathäus Joachim, Dexheim.

- Oppenheimer Linie -

9.2...Bernhard Schömbs (*06.07.1790 Friesenheim, +28.06.1839 Oppenheim)

Godfather was Bernhard Schömbs, Friesenheim. Bernhard Schembs, who owned a vineyard, married on 07.06.1813 in Oppenheim Anna Margaretha Heck (*30.07.1785, +07.12.1856 Oppenheim).

Children: (6)

6.1....Catharina Schembs (*24.04.1814 Oppenheim, +22.01.1988 Mainz)

On 23.05.1852 Catharina married Johann Schmid, by profession a painter of landscapes.

Children: (3)

6.2....Sebastian Schömbs (*06.01.1817 Oppenheim, +12.04.1895 Oppenheim)

Sebastian Schömbs, like his father a grape grower, was married on 14.05.1844 in Oppenheim to Elisabetha Schmitt (*26.06.1809, +15.08.1879 Oppenheim) from Dienheim.

Birth Record for Sebastian Schembs (*1817 Oppenheim)

Children: (3)

3.1....Johannes Schömbs I. (*09.01.1845, +15.08.1916 Oppenheim)

Johann(es) Schömbs I. was married on 10.08.1869 in Oppenheim to Anna Maria Ewald (*18.05.1845, +31.03.1893). On 18.01.1896 he married again, this time to Philippine Datz Faul, a widow.

On 11.25.1905 Johann Schömbs was honored with a Community medal with the inscription "For faithful work".


Johann Schömbs I. (*1845)	Sebastian Schömbs (*1870) with Wife and Children

Children: (9)

9.1.....Sebastian Schömbs (*05.10.1869, +16.12.1869 Oppenheim)

9.2.....Sebastian Schömbs (*31.12.1870, +19.04.1940 Oppenheim

Sebastian Schömbs was married on 02.10.1897 in Oppenheim to Catharina Becker (*15.07.1868 Gonsenheim, +11.04.1928 Oppenheim).

Children: (2)

2.1.....Johann(es) Schömbs I. (*18.09.1898, +1970 Oppenheim)

Johann Schömbs I. was married on 07.04.1923 in Oppenheim to Juliane Johanna Sander (*14.05.1902, +1987 Oppenheim).

Like his father, Johann Schömbs I was born in Oppenheim in the family home at Mainzer Straße 64. He took over the family business of growing grapes and making wine from his father. After his death his son-in-law Helmut Sander, also skilled in the business, carried it on. Today the Restaurant "Zum Fässje" is also operated from the same location.


Johann Schömbs I. with wife Juliane and daughter Mechthild	Former Winery of Johann Schömbs I.

Johann Schömbs I had the nickname "Dewett". This nickname actually began with his grandfather (two generations back). Story has it that his grandfater had a striking similarity to a General Dewett, a famous general in the Boer War in South Africa. His friends began calling him Dewett, and it stuck (for generations).

As a birthday gag, Johann Schömbs I decided to make a special champagne "Dewett", and labeled it as such. He had so much fun with this, that "Dewett-Sekt" became a continuing product in the champagne program of the winery.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Katharina Barbara Schömbs (*27.110.1925, +19.06.1926 Oppenheim)

4.2.....Luise Elisabeth Schömbs (*03.11.1926 Oppenheim, +29.06.1991 in Regensburg)

Luise Elisabeth Schömbs married Hermann Adler, Mannheim. She died tragically as a result of a fall down a staircase in a Regensburg restaurant celebrating a birthday.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Mechthild Maria Adler

4.3.....Gertrud Johanna Schömbs (*1933 Nierstein)

Gertrud Johanna Schömbs married Albrecht Brauch, Ludwigshafen.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Barbara Brauch

4.2.....Eberhard Brauch

4.3.....Angela Brauch

4.4.....Ulrich Brauch(+)

4.4.....Mechthild Schömbs (*1945 Nierstein)

Mechthild Schömbs married Helmut Sander (*1937).


Wedding Foto of Mechthild Schömbs	Mechthild with father Johann Schömbs I.

The husband of Mechthild, Helmut Sander, is active in his retirement as a guide in the winemakers museum in Oppenheim.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Claudia Sander (*1965)

Claudia Sander is since 1989 married to Norbert Kessel.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Johann Kessel (*1991)

2.2.....Katharina Kessel (*1994)

2.2.....Tomas Sander (*1966)

Tomas Sander active in the transportation business.

2.2.....Luise Schömbs (*ca. 1900 Oppenheim)

Luise Schömbs married Lorenz Galm from Mühlheim bei Offenbach.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Cecilia Galm

4.2.....Sebastian Galm

4.3.....Johann Galm

4.4.....Norbert Galm

9.3.....Johann Schömbs III (*12.12.1872, 02.11.1916 Oppenheim)

Johann Schömbs III and his second cousin Jakob Schömbs (*1872) emigrated from Germany to Belgium in the early to mid- 1890s. They were listed in the Police Immigration Dossier, Johann as "Jean" and Jakob as "Jacques".

Entry of Jacques and Jean Schömbs in the
List of Immigrants to Antwerp

Following his return to Germany, Johann married on 08.01.1898 in Oppenheim Anna Martin from Wald-Uelversheim.

Children: (8)

8.1.....Philipp Schömbs (*29.09.1900, +03.01.1979 Oppenheim)

Philipp Schömbs married Katharina Frank (*16.07.1907, +04.2001 Nierstein).

Children: (1)

1.1.....Traudel Schömbs

Traudel Schömbs is married to Norbert Lerch.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Birgit Lerch

3.2.....Holger Lerch

3.3.....Moritz Lerch

8.2….Georg Schömbs (*1901, +23.10.1906 Oppenheim)

8.3.....Elisabeth Schömbs (*25.10.1902 Oppenheim)

8.4.....Maria Katharina "Käthe" Schömbs (*15.10.1904 Oppenheim, +31.05.1988 Oppenheim)

Käthe Schömbs married Anton Bien (*1905, +1971).

8.5.....Anna Schömbs (*08.03.1906, +25.11.1989 Oppenheim)

Anna Schömbs married Jäger, Oppenheim

8.6.....Luisa Schömbs (*27.04.1908, +10.05.1909 Oppenheim)

8.7..... Margaretha Schömbs (*24,04.1909, +29.11.1992 Oppenheim)

Margaretha Schömbs married Schmitt,Oppenheim.

8.8.....Johann "Jean" Schömbs

Johann Schömbs married Anneliese Zehntbauer. After the early death of Jean, Anneliese married a Herr Lenz.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Hans Otto Schömbs

Children: (1)

1.1.....Name unbekannt (Mädchen)

9.4.....Elisabetha "Elise" Schömbs (*02.08.1874 Oppenheim)

Elise Schömbs married David Oel.

Children: (1)

1.1…..Anna Maria Oel (*07.1896, +10.12.1898 Oppenheim)

9.5......Katharina Schömbs (*01.09.1875 Oppenheim)

9.6.....Philipp Schömbs (*26.11.1876 Oppenheim, +04.02.1957 Bensheim)

Philipp Schömbs at age of 40 years in the Militär (1916)

Philipp Schömbs was married in September 1904 in Oppenheim to Eva Fell (*04.02.1883 Ebersheim, +08.01.1944 Bensheim). Eva was the daughter of Konrad Fell III (*1849 Bodenheim, +1939 Bodenheim) and Katharina Nauth (*1852 Ebersheim, +1929 Ebersheim).

From the last will and testament (jds Note: the German word for will is "Erbauseinandersetzungsvertrag") of Johann Schömbs I., (+ 1916), we know that Philipp already worked at the Guntrum vineyard in Bensheim. He apparently had moved the business to Bensheim from Oppenheim.

Philipp Schömbs and
wife Eva Fell (ca. 1944)

Philipp Schömbs during the Harvest in Bensheim


Excerpt from the Familienstammbuch of Philipp Schömbs click images to enlarge

Children: (5)

5.1..... Anna Maria Schömbs (*01.07.1905 Oppenheim, +24.03.1942 Bensheim)

Anna Schömbs married Hermann Philippi.

Anna Schömbs

Children: (4)

4.1.....Karl Philippi (+)

4.2.....Eva Philippi

4.3.....Adam Philippi (+)

4.4.....Günther Philippi (+)

5.2..... Karl Schömbs (*21.07.1907 Oppenheim, +09.10.1977 Bensheim)

Karl Schömbs was by profession a winemaker. He worked like his father at the Guntrum Winery in Bensheim. Karl Schömbs was married on 26.10.1929 in Bensheim to Katharina Amrhein (*01.01.1908 Kolmbach/Odenwald, +07.05.1987Alsbach).

Karl Schömbs and wife Katharina Amrhein with Children
(v.l. Karl, Johann, Heinrich Philipp) (1940)

Children: (6)

6.1.....Johann Schömbs (*1929 Kolmbach/Odenwald)

Johann Schömbs continued the family tradition and was a winemaker at the Guntrum Winery. The family still lives today in Bensheim-Auerbach. Johann Schömbs married Maria Albert (Mainz).

Anniversary Picture at the Guntrum Winery. Back row next to the Cask (left: Johann Schömbs, right: Karl Schömbs)

Children: (4)

4.1.....Johanna Schömbs (*1950)

Johanna Schömbs married Mahmoud Fahel (*1946 Jordan).

Children: (4)

4.1......Rene Schneider (from Johanna's first marriage)

4.2.....Ahmad Fahel (*1980)

4.3.....Hassan Fahel (*1981)

4.4.....Samir Fahel (*1993)

4.2.....Josefa Schömbs (*1951)

Josefa Schömbs married Rudolf Utschig.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Alice Utschig

2.2.....Larissa Utschig

4.3.....Angelika Schömbs (*1956)

Angelika Schömbs is in her second marriage, this to the U.S. airman James A. Ikard. They live in Temple, Texas.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Michael Gonzales (*1974) from her first marriage

Michael has retired from the U.S. military and is going into his second career as a commercial helicopter pilot. He is married to Josie McDonald. They have two children.

Children: (2)

2.1.....

2.2.....

3.2.....Daniel Gonzales (*1982) from her first marriage

3.3.....Donovan Ikard (*1996)

Donavan has completed high school and is going to a technical college in Waco. He will be studying computer science.

4.4.....Andreas Schömbs (*1962)

Andreas Schömbs has his own horticultural business in Bensheim. He is married to Petra Patzke.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Tobias Schömbs (*1992)

6.2.....Karl Schömbs (*19.11.1937 Bensheim, +1965)

Karl Schömbs married Rosalia Bari (*26.06.1940 Budapest Ungarn, +Aug 2001). He was a municipal employee until he took his own life.

Children: (6)

6.1.....Juliane Schömbs (*1958 Bensheim)

In her second marriage Juliane Schömbs was wed to Darrell Smith. The wedding was in 2008 in Darmstadt. Darrell was a career U.S. Army soldier, stationed in Germany most of his twenty-two years in the service. He is now retired from the Army and they live in Rosamond, California USA. Darrell works at Edwards Air Force Base as a civilian.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Sandy Michael Schömbs (*1975 Jugenheim)

Sandy lives in Wixhausen. He worked as an electrician in his earlier years but now works in a pharmacy. He has two children from previous relationships. His partner is now Nina, who has two children from her past life. Sandy's children are as follows:

Children: (2)

2.1.....Mike Skotara (*~2000 Darmstadt)

2.2.....Kim Justin Jaeger (*~2005 Darmstadt)

6.2.....Hans Jürgen Schömbs

Children: (4)

4.1.....Marco Schömbs (*1983)

4.2.....Sascha Schömbs

4.3.....Torsten Schömbs

4.4.....Maximilian Schömbs

6.3.....Karl Schömbs

Children: (X 3)

3.1.....Nina Schömbs (*1983)

3.2.....Sohn Schömbs

3.3.....Sohn Schömbs

6.4.....Klaus-Diether Schömbs (+2000)

6.5.....Hildegard Schömbs

Children: (1)

1.1.....Gerry Gronauer

6.6.....Antonia Schömbs (*1962)

Children: (1)

1.1.....Jessica Schömbs (*1983 Darmstadt)

Jessy lives in Eberstadt.

Children: (5)

5.1.....Tyron Kaiser (*2002)

5.2.....Tex Schömbs (*2004, +2004)

5.3.....Jadon Kaiser(*2005)

5.4.....Fynn Kaiser (*2006)

5.5.....Kimberly Inge Rosalia Schömbs (*2008)


Jessica and her children, circa 2013 Click to enlarge Left: Tyron, Jadon, Fynn and Kimberly; Right: Jessy, Jadon, Fynn and Kimberly

6.3.....Heinrich Philipp Schömbs (*19.02.1940, 01.08.1940 Bensheim)

6.4.....Philipp Schömbs (*1941 Bensheim)

Philipp Schömbs lives in Bensheim. Philipp Schömbs was married on 15.05.1964 in Bensheim to Hildegard Täubel (*1945 Kroisbach/Ungarn).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Robert Schömbs (*1964 Bensheim)

Robert Schömbs was married on 08.07.1988 in Bensheim to Gabriele Kethe Bohrer (*1965). Robert Schömbs lives in Heppenheim and is by profession an electronics technician.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Sven Peter Schömbs (*1990 Bensheim.)

2.2.....Nina Birgit Schömbs (*1997 )

Nina Schömbs eating Spaghetti – 2000
(jds Note: One of my favorite pictures
from our 2000 trip to Deutschland)

3.2.....Peter Mathias Schömbs (*1967)

Peter Mathias Schömbs, by profession a carpenter, was married on 28.09.1995 in Bensheim to Hannelore Mautry (*1971).

For years Peter Schömbs has been active in Ninjutsu (a martial art), both as performer and trainer. He is holder of the "Fifth Dan", and with it one of the highest ranking trainers in Germany. Peter is co-author of the book "Karate Kumite".


Peter Schömbs in Ninjutsu-Training (newspaper picture)	Peter Schömbs (*1967)

Children: (3)

3.1.....Attila Philipp Schömbs (*1996)

3.2.....Raphael Leonardo Schömbs (*1998)

3.3.....Helena Schömbs (*2003)

Cousins Raphael (1998) and Nina (1997)

3.3.....Birgit Bettina Schömbs (*1968 Bensheim)

Birgit Schömbs is married to Gunther Koch (*1966). She works in retail sales.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Lisa Sophie Koch (*1991 Bensheim)

3.2.....Laura Koch (*1994)

3.3.....Oliver Koch (*2002)

6.5.....Gertrud Elisabeth Schömbs (*1949 Bensheim)

Gertrud Schömbs lives in Bickenbach bei Darmstadt. She is married to Carl Weber.

Children: (2)

2.1......Tanja Weber

2.2......Manuel Weber

6.6.....Eva Schömbs (*1951)

Eva Schömbs was married to Karlheinze Wetzel aus Weinheim.

Children: (3)

3.1......Alexandra Wetzel

3.2......Heiko Wetzel

3.3......Sven Wetzel

5.3.....Rosa Schömbs (*10.01.1910 Oppenheim, +)

Rosa Schömbs married Philipp Gottmann (+)

Children: (5)

5.1......Adam Gottmann

5.2......Philipp Gottmann

5.3......Eva Gottmann

5.4......Hans Gottmann

5.5......Theresia Gottmann

5.4.....Eva Schömbs (*31.08.1913 Bensheim)

Eva Schömbs married Heinrich Vetter (+). She lives in Bensheim.

Children: (2)

2.1......Georg Vetter

Georg is a baker in Bensheim.

2.2......Hermann Vetter( + )

5.5.....Sebastian "Bastian" Schömbs (*30.06.1920, +13.03.1995 Bensheim)

Sebastian Schömbs married Kunigunde Lambert (*27.06.1921 Fehlheim, +02.02.2004 Heppenheim). They were married in Bensheim 08.01.1944. The family lived in Bensheim-Fehlheim.


"Bastian" Schömbs	Sebastian and Kunigunde Schömbs with Children Karl Philipp, Therese and Margarete

Children: (4)

4.1...."Karl" Philipp Schömbs (*1944 Fehlheim)

Karl Philipp Schömbs
and Anna Maria Vonthin

Karl Philipp Schömbs lives in Hüttenberg bei Wetzlar. He first came to Wetzlar when he was in the armed forces. Karl married Anna Maria Vonthin (*1947 Lugendorf). In 1990 Karl remarried. His second wife is Anita Rödl Kosiak, nee Rödl (*1949 Niederwetz). They live in Hüttehberg bei Wetzlar.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Marion Schömbs (*20.12.1965 Ehringshausen, +21.12.1965 Gießen)

4.2.....Claudia Schömbs (*1967 Bensheim)


Claudia Schömbs	Adrian Droß

Claudia was married 25.03.1993 in Hüttenberg to Lothar Droß (*1961 Volpertsheim)

Children: (1)

1.1.....Adrian Droß (*2000 Wetzlar)

4.3.....Christina Schömbs (*1968 Bensheim)

In 1988 Christina married Claus Müller (*1964 Wiesbaden). In a second marriage Christina married Eberhard Bierbach (*31.03.1948 Offenbach/Main). The wedding took place on 17.04.1998 in Offenbach am Main. Christina and Eberhard have a daughter Ann-Kathrin.

Christina is now married to Markus Huckebrink (*29.06.1972).


Christina Schömbs Bierbach	Ann Kathrin Bierbach

Children: (1)

1.1.....Ann-Katrin Bierbach (*2001 Offenbach/Main)

4.4.....Markus Schömbs (*1970 Bensheim)

Markus Schömbs lives in Wetzlar with his wife Rosemarie Ströhmann (*1973 Braunfels). They were married 01.06.1994 in Wetzlar.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Elisa Maria Schömbs (*1999 Gießen)

2.2.....Celine Sophie Schömbs (*2002 Ehringshausen)


Claudia (1967), Markus (1970), Christina (*1968)	Markus Schömbs with daughters Elisa and Celina

4.2.....Margaretha Schömbs (*13.06.1947 Fehlheim, +10.11.1976)

Margaretha was married 12.12.1968 to Helmut Geipert (*1942 Biebesheim)

Children: (2)

2.1.....Andrea Geipert (*1973 Jugenheim)

2.2.....Simone Geipert (*1975 Jugenheim)

4.3.....Therese Schömbs (*1951 Fehlheim)

Therese Schömbs was married on 08.08.1969 in Biebesheim to Günther Neidlinger (*11.05.1948, +12.11.1994 Biebesheim).

Children: (2)

2.1.....Thomas Neidlinger (*1969 Biebesheim)

2.2.....Stefan Neidlinger (*1972 Biebesheim)

4.4.....Brigitte Schömbs (*1956 Bensheim)

Brigitte Schömbs

Brigitte Schömbs married on 08.11.1976 in Fehlheim Willibald Hechler (*1956 Hambach). The family lives in Bensheim-Fehlheim

Children: (1)

1.1.....Melanie Hechler (*1981 Bensheim)

Children: (1)

1.1.....Kevin Michael Sebastian Hechler (*1998 Heppenheim)

9.7.....Karl Schömbs II (*27.07.1878, +08.06.1956 Oppenheim)

Karl Schömbs II. was married on 08.07.1905 to Anna Bastian.


Karl Schömbs II at the age of 39 years in the Militär (ca. 1917)	Karl Schömbs II. with Wife and Daughter

Children: (????)

Who is the daughter?

9.8.....Adam Schömbs (*06.06.1880, +04.09.1880 Oppenheim)

9.9.....Josef Schömbs (*09.01.1883, +06.09.1886 Oppenheim)

3.2......Anna Maria Schömbs (*15.06.1846 Oppenheim)

3.3......Catharina Elisabetha Schömbs (*05.12.1850, +27.12.1913 Oppenheim)

Catharina Schömbs was married on 14.02.1874 in Oppenheim to Joseph Rumpf (*1850 Oppenheim).

Children: (2)

2.1.....Anna Maria Walpurga Schömbs (*24.04.1872 Oppenheim, +21.05.1872)

2.2.....Wilhelm Schömbs (*07.04.1874, +08.08.1874 Oppenheim )

6.3....Joh. Philipp Schömbs I. (*15.09.1819, +27.12.1913 Oppenheim)

Philipp Schömbs was married on 30.01.1842 to Anna Catharina Reinhard

Children: (6)

6.1.....Georg Schömbs (*22.02.1842, +24.02.1842 Oppenheim)

6.2.....Georg Schömbs II. (*10.08.1843, +02.01.1906 Oppenheim)

Georg Schömbs II. was by profession a cart driver and "Wingertsschütz". On 01.12.1866 he married Maria Margaretha Bals (*1847), Molsheim.

Children: (12)

12.1....Katharina Dorothea Schömbs (*03.03.1867, +08.05.1921 Oppenheim)

12.2....Adam Schömbs (*23.08.1868, +28.06.1877 Oppenheim)

12.3....Margaretha Schömbs (*22.08.1870, +04.01.1923 Oppenheim)

12.4....Christina Schömbs (*23.01.1872, +08.06.1877 Oppenheim)

12.5....Katharina Schömbs (*25.03.1873, +10.06.1877 Oppenheim)

12.6....Georg Schömbs (*01.12.1873 Oppenheim)

12.7....Georg Schömbs (*18.07.1874 Oppenheim, +28.04.1875 Oppenheim)

12.8...Bernhard Schömbs (*18.11.1876 Oppenheim, +03.01.1955 Oppenheim)

Bernhard Schömbs was by profession a vineyard operator. On 05.03.1904 in Oppenheim he married Christiane Caroline Kallenberger (* 04.07.1876, + 06.06.1963). According to oral history the family of Christiane was known as Kallenberger "von" Kallenberger, or the Kallenbergs of Kallenberg. The family probably owned a castle on the Donau (in Germany the Danube is known as the Donau) by the name Kallenberg.

Children: (4)

4.1..... Christina Carolina Schömbs (*15.12.1904 Oppenheim, +13.02.1906 Oppenheim)

4.2.....Emma Schömbs (*12.05.1907 Oppenheim)

Emma Schembs married the carpenter Johann Reitz aus Oppenheim.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Anneliese Reitz

Anneliese married Kemet.

3.2.....Susanne Reitz

Susanne Reitz married Friedrich.

3.3.....Ernst "Ernie" Reitz

4.3.....Georg Schömbs (*11.06.1910 Oppenheim, +ca. 1982)

Georg Schömbs was married on 07.08.1937 in Kaub to Frieda Dörscheid, nee Vogel (*24.07.1912)

- Bacharacher Linie -

Children: (4)

4.1..."Hermann" Georg Schömbs (*1938 Bacharach)

Hermann Schömbs worked for the railroad in a non-technical position. He married Anneliese Lustig (* 14.04.1940), but they later divorced.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Markus Schömbs (*1967 Bingen)

Markus Schömbs was by profession a cook. On 04.03.1988 he married Edith Bahmann (*1960) in Sonthofen. Today they live in Hindelang/Allgäu.

4.2.....Christina Schömbs

Christine Schömbs by profession a saleswoman. She married a Herr Hauß.

4.3.....Olaf Schömbs

Olaf Schömbs is by profession a butcher. He lives in Monzingen.

4.4.....Thorsten Schömbs

Thorsten Schömbs is by profession an electrician and lives in Bacharach.

4.2.....Klaus Schömbs (*1941)

Klaus Schömbs is in the insurance business. He is married to Martha Hain. They live Worms-Pfeddersheim.

Children: ( )

4.3.....Bernhard Schömbs (*19....)

Bernhard Schömbs is a career soldier in the German Army. He married Anette... and they live in Kiel.

4.4.....Horst Schömbs (*1951)

Horst Schömbs is in electronics in Bacharach.

4.4.....Ernst Schömbs (*26.05.1915 Oppenheim)

Ernst Schömbs died in the Second World War.

12.9...Karl Schömbs (*10.09.1878, +19.07.1959 Oppenheim).

Karl Schömbs was married on 07.05.1900 in Oppenheim to Francisca Hemb (*04.02.1875 Nieder Reiffenberg). He later married another woman on 24.02.1939.

Children: (6)

7.1.....Catharina Schömbs (*08.07.1903 Oppenheim, +22.08.1903 Oppenheim)

7.2.....Katharina Schömbs (*07.11.1905 Oppenheim)

7.3.....Karl Schömbs (*14.01.1909 Oppenheim, +20.11.1976 Mainz)

Karl Schömbs was married on 05.06.1933 in Oppenheim to Maria Franziska Zweibrücker (*1911, +1978)

Children: (1)

1.1.....Anna Katharina Schömbs

Anna Katharina married Becker, Oppenheim.

7.4.....Hans Schömbs

Children: (1)

1.1.....Oliva Schömbs

Oliva is married to Horst Wenzel.

7.5.....Hedda Schömbs

Probably Hedda lives in Amerika.

7.6.....Anna Schömbs

Anna Schömbs lives in France.

7.7.....Paul Schömbs (*~1920 Oppenheim)

Paul Schömbs worked as a mason, but was also a boatman on the Rhine for many years. Substance abuse led to many problems for Paul. He had a relationship with a Frau "Dörr", Bottrrop, from which son Paul was born. Later he was married in Heidenheim a.d. Prenz to Margarethe Unger. From this marriage four more children were born. Margaretha and Paul later divorced.

Relatives of Margarethe are supposed to live in Amerika.

Children: (6)

6.1.....Paul Schömbs (*1940)

Because of the circumstances of Paul's birth, he was raised in an orphanage. Later he learned the profession of typesetting. He married Waltraud, and they have their own courier service today in Kempen bei Krefeld.

From 6.6 Paul's marriage to Margarethe Unger we know of three children:

6.2.....Willi Schömbs (*01.01.1942)

Willi Schömbs first was given the family name of his mother (Unger), but later he took on the family name Schömbs. Willi Schömbs lives in Hürben.

6.3.....Paul Schömbs (*07.06.1947)

Paul Schömbs lives in Giengen an der Brenz.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Carmen Schömbs

2.2.....Sabine Schömbs

Sabine married a man by the name of Ostrowski.

Reinhold Schembs, Mainz, Werner und Paul Schömbs, Carmen und Sabine at the Familientreffen on 04.06.2005 in Worms-Herrnsheim

6.4.....Werner Schömbs (*1954)

Werner Schömbs lives in Giengen an der Brenz. Werner tells of the difficult early years that the children had, as their father did not take care of them. There is no contact with their father.

12.10..Anna Schömbs (*31.07.1883 Oppenheim)

Anna Schömbs was married on 23.08.1909 in Kostheim to August Bitz.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Johann Bitz (*12.09.1909 Mainz-Kastel, +25.11.1985 Mainz-Kastel)

Johann married Johanette Mayer (+1997 Mainz).

Children: (1)

1.1.....Johann Bitz (*30.08.1944 Mainz, +17.07.1999 Mainz)

Johann married Johanna Geitenbeek (*1942 Vriezenveen Niederlande).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Sabine Bitz (*1968 Mainz)

Sabine Bitz and Uwe Weinheimer were married.

Children: (2)

3.1.....Hanna Weinheimer

3.1.....Jantina Weinheimer

3.2.....Marion Bitz (*1969 Mainz)

Marion married Dieter Darmstadt.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Jana Darmstadt

3.3.....Heiko Bitz (*1974 Mainz)

Heiko Bitz married Miriam Schust.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Tabea Bitz

2.1.....Leonie Bitz

12.11..Georg Schömbs (*31.07.1883 Oppenheim)

12.12..Elisabetha Schömbs (*29.10.1889 Oppenheim)

6.3.....Peter Schömbs (*27.03.1845 Oppenheim, 15.02.1892 Oppenheim)

Peter Schömbs was married on 30.12.1869 to Salome Volz.

Children: (5)

5.1.....Philipp Schömbs (*01.04.1870, +10.08.1871 Oppenheim)

5.2.....Jakob Schömbs (*13.02.1872 Oppenheim, +05.10.1901 Pacific Ocean, off the coast from San Francisco CA)

Jakob Schömbs (*1872, Oppenheim) appears in an immigration list in Antwerp, Belgium (Police Immigration Index, 1840-1930). He is listed as "Jacques Schömbs". The second person is a Jean (i.e. Johann) Schömbs, also born 1872. Johann Schömbs and Jakob were second cousins, both great-grandsons of Bernhard Schömbs (*06.07.1790). They emigrated together to Antwerp, Belgium in the early to mid- 1890s.

Entry of Jacques and Jean Schömbs in the
List of Immigrants to Antwerp

Johann returned to Germany and was married in Oppenheim in 1898.

The San Francisco Call newspaper on October 8, 1901 reported on the ships arriving at the Port the prior day. The sub-title to the article states "One of the Sailors is Washed Overboard". The sailor was one Jacob Schombs, a 29 year old German. The article is presented here in a first and second part.

Jakob Schömbs Overboard
Click to enlarge

The Farallon Islands are a small group only 30 miles off the coast of San Francisco. Jacob almost reached the destination after a voyage of five months from Antwerp. The sketch on the front page of the paper gives a wonderful image of the ships of the day.

In 2017 a record of various seamen lost at sea was discovered. It shows that Jacob Schömbs, who was washed overboard in 1901, was from the town of Oppenheim in Deutschland. It confirms this is the correct Jakob Schömbs.

5.3.....Bernhard Schömbs (*24.02.1874 Oppenheim, +11.06.1874 Oppenheim,)

5.4.....Friedrich Schömbs (*22.10.1877 Oppenheim)

5.5.....Anna Maria Schömbs (*18.08.1880 Oppenheim)

6.4.....Catharina Schömbs (*17.09.1846 Oppenheim)

Catharina Schömbs was married 15.10.1875 in Oppenheim to Franz Weber from Weinolsheim.

6.5.....Philipp Schömbs II (*22.03.1849 Oppenheim, +05.07.1902 Oppenheim)

Philipp Schömbs II., a winemaker, was married on 18.11.1871 in Oppenheim to Charlotte Carolina Johanna Eichelsbach (*1860). On 25.01.1876 he married again, this time with Regina Eichelsbach (probably a sister of his first wife).

Children: (11)

With Charlotte Eichelsbach

11.1...Karl Schömbs (*09.12.1871, +19.05.1895 Oppenheim)

11.2...Helena Schömbs (*22.06.1873 Oppenheim)

11.3...Johannes Schömbs (*13.09.1874 , +12.12.1874 Oppenheim)

11.4...Clara Schömbs (*12.08.1875 Oppenheim)

With Regina Eichelsbach

11.5...Christina Schömbs (*04.11.1876, +04.09.1878 Oppenheim)

11.6...Johannes Schömbs (*30.08.1878 Oppenheim)

11.7...Adam Schömbs (*15.03.1879 Oppenheim, +10.01.1939 Mainz)

Adam Schömbs was married on 06.09.1908 in Oppenheim to Anna Lindemeyer from Gernsheim.

Children: (1)

1.1..... Philipp Adam Schömbs (*26.08.1913, +27.10.1973 Oppenheim)

Philipp Adam Schömbs was married on 01.08.1937 in Oppenheim to Helene Elisabeth Kühn (*1914, +1977). He was by profession a "Verputzer" (plasterer) and went by the nickname "Setna". At age 60 he took his own life.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Adam Schömbs (*08.07.1942, +10.12.98 Oppenheim)

Adam Schömbs married Hillegund.., but they later divorced. In his second marriage Adam married a woman by the name of Wehrheim. Like his father, Adam was known by the nickname "Setna". By profession he drove a beverage truck driver.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Hans-Jürgen Schömbs (*1966 Mainz)

Hans-Jürgen Schömbs married Martina Keim, Mainz. The family lives in their parent's home in Oppenheim at Gaustraße 22.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Larissa Schömbs (*1997)

3.2.....Andrea Schömbs (*1968)

Andrea Schömbs married an American. They live in Texas.

3.3.....Sabrina Schömbs (*1972)

Sabrina Schömbs was married in Guntersblum.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Heidi Schömbs.

Heidi Schömbs ist verheiratet mit Kuhnt.

11.8....Eva Schömbs (*18.10.1881, +30.07.1951 Oppenheim)

Eva Schömbs was married on 09.05.1909 in Oppenheim to Johannes Fernes (*09.04.1880).

11.9...Georg Schömbs (*29.12.1883 Oppenheim, +14.11.1943 Mainz)

Georg Schömbs was twice married. In his first marriage on 19.11.1910 in Nackenheim he married Christina Grünewald (*07.08.1883, +30.08.1913 Nackenheim).


Georg Schömbs (*1883)	Georg Schömbs, later in life

Witnesses were his brother Adam Schömbs, Oppenheim and Johann Grünewald. His second marriage was to Christina Lenhard.

Georg Schömbs worked for the railroad. He suffered from diabetes, necessitating the amputation of one of his legs later in life.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Georg Schömbs (*07.09.1911 Dexheim, +09.04.1967)

Georg Schömbs married Sophia Darmstadt (*1903, +1944 Dexheim).


Georg Schömbs (*1911)

Georg Schömbs during the bottling of the Wine
in his Parent's Yard

Georg Schömbs was by profession an electrician. He worked for a while at the firm MAN, and later for Opel, Rüsselsheim. Georg was an avid gymnast, and was active in his free time in the local gymnasts club.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Hiltrud Schömbs (*1940)

Hiltrud Schömbs married Egon Molitor. The family lives in Mz-Drais.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Anette Molitor (*1964)

Anette Molitor married Frank Betig

Children: (2)

2.1.....Jule Betig

2.2.....Nina Betig

3.2.....Bettina Molitor (*1965)

Bettina Molitor lives in Düsseldorf.

3.3.....Christine Molitor (*1966)

Christina Molitor married Hans Peter Bitsch.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Marco Bitsch

2.2.....Dennis Bitsch

2.2.....Harald Schömbs (*1944)

Harald Schömbs married Jutta Schmitt.

Harald Schömbs

The family lives on the Zöllerstraße in Dexheim. The building in which they live was earlier a cloister. In the cellar of the building there are several underground tunnels which lead in the direction of teh Dexheim Castle.

Harald Schömbs is by profession an electrician. He works for Kapselfabrik Nackenheim. In his free time he, for thirty years, has been a volunteer for the Dexheim Fire Department.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Anja Schömbs (*1974)

Anja Schömbs is married to Jürgen Bacher. Anja is a sales person by profession. The family lives in Dexheim.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Dominik Bacher(*2000)

2.2.... Frank Schömbs (*1977)

Frank Schömbs is by profession a carpenter. He works in Klein-Winternheim. Frank Schömbs lives in his parent's house in Dexheim.

Siblings Anja Schömbs and Frank Schömbs

3.2.....Gustl Schömbs (*1915)

Gustl Schömbs and brother Georg Schömbs (v.l.)

Gustl Schömbs married Peter Mumm. She lives in Mainz-Drais.

Gustl Schömbs

Children: (2)

2.1.....Ursula Mumm

Ursula married Günther Kohl.

2.2.....Inge Mumm

Inge Mumm is married to Reisinger.

3.3.....Maria Schömbs (*1917)

Maria Schömbs and Breckenheimer

Maria Schömbs was three times married. The first marriage was to Herr Breckenheimer (died in WWII). The second marriage was to Herr Häfner. In her last marriage she wedded Herr Hay.

Children: (1) from her marriage with Häfner

1.1.....Ute Häfner

11.10..Auguste Schömbs (*31.10.1886 Oppenheim)

Auguste was married 05.11.1910 to Josef Rumpf in Oppenheim.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Josef Schömbs (*01.12.1904 Oppenheim)

Josef was six years old at the time of his mother's marriage to Josef Rumpf. The marriage documentation refers to Josef (the child) as a "gemeinsames Kind" or a "child in common". Josef Rumpf was the father.

11.11..Anna Elisabetha Schömbs (*24.01.1890, +10.01.1874 Frankfurt)

6.6.....Bernhard Schömbs (*11.04.1852 Oppenheim)

6.4....Maria Clementina Margaretha Schömbs (*03.12.1821 Oppenheim, +30.07.1907 Oppenheim)

Maria Clementina Schömbs was married on 12.09.1843 in Oppenheim to Wendelin Bauer (*1817, +23.11.1895 Oppenheim).

Children: (4)

4.1.....Georg Bauer (*30.04.1845, +18.03.1846 Oppenheim)

4.2.....Anna Maria Bauer (*31.03.1846, +22.07.1900 Oppenheim

Anna Maria Bauer was married on 27.05.1871 in Oppenheim to Carl Joseph Petry.

4.3.....Ottilia Bauer (*26.12.1848 Oppenheim)

4.4.....Friedrich Bauer (*26.06.1858 Oppenheim)

6.5.....Georg Schömbs I. (*18.08.1824 Oppenheim, +09.03.1881 Oppenheim)

Georg Schömbs I, by profession in the wine business, was married on 08.06.1851 in Oppenheim to Theresia Wüst (*10.01.1827 Gimbsheim, +24.07.1898 Oppenheim).

Children: (10)

10.1....Christina Schömbs (*16.11.1851 Oppenheim)

10.2....Wendel Schömbs (*20.02.1853 Oppenheim, +14.10.1908)

"Wendel " Schömbs was married twice. On 19.02.1880 he married Magdalena Lathome (+1889). His second marriage was on 15.03.1890 to Martina Heid (+18.04.1921) from Ulmbach. Martina Heid operated a milk store in the building where they lived in Oppenheim at Treibergasse 7.

Children:(9)

9.1....Margaretha Schömbs (*22.04.1881, +15.08.1887 Oppenheim)

9.2.....Christina "Dina" Schömbs (*22.07.1882, +29.01.1966 Oppenheim)

Christina Schömbs married Andreas Burkhard.

Children:(2)

2.1.....Klara Burkhard (*12.12.1902 Oppenheim, +01.07.1971 Herten)

2.2.....Josef Burkhard (*02.12.1905 Oppenheim, +1933 Oppenheim

Josef heiratete 1928 in Oppenheim.

9.3.....Katharina "Kätha"Schömbs (*07.10.1883 Oppenheim)

Katharina Schömbs married Klippel.

9.4.....Anna Agatha Schömbs (*18.05.1885, +20.09.1966 Mainz)

9.5....Georg Schömbs (*19.11.1886, +24.11.1886 Oppenheim)

9.6....Johann Schömbs (*30.07.1888, +1914)

Johann Schömbs died as a soldier in World War I. His name is inscribed on the memorial plaque in the Nierstein cemetery.

9.7.....Clara Schömbs (*16.08.1889 Oppenheim)

Clara Schömbs married Kurz.

9.8.....Philipp Paul Schömbs (*04.12.1890, +30.07.1983)

Philipp Paul Schömbs married Clara Hoffeller (*18.12.1890, +03.11.1939). He was over 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall and a very large man. In Oppenheim he was known by his nickname as "Milchschömbs" (milk Schömbs). This name was obviously derived from the milk business which he had taken over from his parents. He operated the business in the home of his in-laws on Wormser Straße. It was at the time a large business in which at times 25 employees worked. The milk was delivered throughout the city.

Later he worked with his uncle Philipp Schömbs (nicknamed "Äppelmännche") in the estate of a grain mill. When the mill, due to the burden of the wages of the workers, became unprofitable, Philipp Paul returned to the dairy business, operating a vineyard/winery and doing farming on the side. His uncle Philipp became a cashier at the Oppenheim Kreissparkasse (bank).

In his free time Philipp Paul Schömbs was an enthusiastic and well known hunter in the area. He leased an area for hunting in Dolgesheim. It is passed down that the hunters often quenched their thirst with drink, and one time on their return to Oppenheim in an old Opel they had an accident. On the way home they would pass a treacherous, narrow and dark curve with a stone wall alongside. In their iniebrieted state they had an accident. The family was informed by the the police that they should pick up their injured relative. Along the road there were three streetlamps and then the curve began. The usually tipsy hunters always got their cues from the lights. But unfortunately on this particular night one of the streetlamps was out. One of the hunters screamed to turn when he saw a the third lamp was out, but it was too late.

It is passed along that Philipp, despite his large body, was a very warm hearted man. He was very early in life (possibly even as a child) active in the Oppenheim Red Cross. At his death he had been he had been a volunteer at the Red Cross for over 40 years. He received numerous honors for his contributions to the community (see the following article in the "Oppenheimer Landskrone", which appeared in the year 2000 for the 100th Jubilee of the Red Cross in Openheim.

As a young boy Philipp Paul Schömbs was a wrestler. In one match he broke three ribs of his adversary. He felt so badly about this, that he decided to become a first aid worker. Later he served in the 1st World War in the medical service. According to his stories, this participation caused him to get badly wounded. As camouflaged first aid attendants, he was assigned to transport the big guns with horse teams. Just when he gave the horses a whip and lifted his arm, he was shot. But the whip saved him, for the shot was slightly deflected by the whip. The shell entered his body and left through the back, but fortunately missed his heart. For special bravery he was awarded the Iron Cross.

Besides the two natural children of Philipp Paul and Clara, they adopted a third child who was a relative of Clara's. The girl had the same name as Clara, Clara Hoffeller. Their adopted daughter Clara Hoffeller later married Werner Lang.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Anna Margarethe Schömbs (*1915, +1995)

Anna Margarethe Schömbs married Fritz Gillot.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Paul "Rainer" Gillot

Rainer Gillot owns a winery in Oppenheim.

2.2.....Renate Gillot

Renate Gillot was married in Oppenheim to Benedikt Lohmüller.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Oliver Lohmüller

2.2.....Mathias Lohmüller

2.2.....Clara Schömbs (*1917, +1936)

Clara Schömbs died from tuberculosis.

9.9.....Georg Schömbs I. (*06.04.1893 Oppenheim, +07.05.1975 Mainz)

Georg Schömbs was married on 07.08.1914 in Oppenheim to Johanna Loos (*15.03.1893, +16.02.1982 Oppenheim).

Georg Schömbs (*1893)

Georg Schömbs was known in Oppenheim as "Weinbauschulschömbs" (Wine Growing School Schömbs). The name came from his many years of being active in the school. He was there from 1919 to 1958 as cart driver and Bulldog (old tractor brand Lanz) driver. In the 1930s he worked there taking care of the horses, Georg Schömbs was always jovial according to his colleague Karl Oberhaus. During World War II the army installed a cannon on his tractor and it was for defense.

Children: (5)

5.1.....Gertrud Schömbs (*ca. 1914)

Gertrud Schömbs married Bingenheimer. She lives today in a home for the elderly in Oppenheim.

Children:(4)

4.1.....Peter Bingenheimer

Children: (2)

2.1.....Michael Bingenheimer

2.2.....Simone Bingenheimer

4.2.....Georg Bingenheimer

Children: (4)

4.1.....Uwe Bingenheimer (+)

4.2.....Bernd Bingenheimer

Bernd married Simone ... in Dienheim.

4.3....Heike Bingenheimer

Heike Bingenheimer was married in Nackenheim.

4.4.....Bärbel Bingenheimer

Bärbel Bingenheimer is married to Friedel Hartmann. The family lives in Nackenheim.

4.3.....Hannelore Bingenheimer

4.4.....Wilma Bingenheimer

Wilma married a man by the name of Reid.

5.2.....Martina Schömbs

Married Schenk.

5.3.....Wilhelm Schömbs (*1919, +1956)

5.4.....Katharina Schömbs (*1920-1948)

Katharina Schömbs married Herbert Rüdiger.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Dieter Rüdiger

Children: (2)

2.1.....Birgit Rüdiger

2.2.... Beate Rüdiger

5.5.....Johann Georg "Hans" Schömbs (*10.01.1927 Oppenheim, +14.09.2007 Kaiserslautern)

Johann Georg Schömbs was married on 23.05.1953 to Gisela Messmer (+24.03.2020 Bad Kreuznach). Georg Schömbs was for many years the school director in Sprendlingen. He also was a resident of Sprendlingen.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Renate Schömbs (*13.11.1953 Oppenheim)

Renate tells her own story:

"I was born in my grandmother's house at Baumschulweg in Oppenheim. At the time my father was a teacher in Pfaffen- Schwabenheim, where we lived for 10 years, then moved to Sprendlingen, where my father became a school principal.

My first marriage was to Wolfgang Behrendt , a policeman. The ceremony was in 1974 in Sprendlingen. Our son Stefan Behrendt was born in 1975 in Mainz. I divorced Wolfgang in 1982.

I met Major William G.Fischer (*27.8.1942 St. Louis MO USA) in Sprendlingen where I lived in 1985. He was a military judge with the U.S.Army JAG Corps at the time stationed in Mannheim. I was teaching German to his oldest son who was my son’s age. He was stationed in Bad Kreuznach at the time and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel while there. So the American soldier fell in love with a deutsche Fräulein and vice versa. We married in 1986 and PCS‘d (permanent change of station) to Mannheim where our daughter Sarah was born in 1988. We lived in wonderful officer’s housing, surrounded by forest in Benjamin Franklin village. Life as an Army wife was very new and exciting for me, also considering I had both, German and American friends which made it very interesting. I actually led a double life.

After three years in Mannheim we got orders to PCS to Fort Benning in Columbus GA. I was devastated, although it had been clear to me all along that we couldn’t live in Mannheim forever. But reality caught up with me. Living on economy first we moved after a couple of months on post to Wickersham Ave in the town of Fort Benning, very nice officers housing, near the Army golf course. We had a very southern looking mansion with 1O rooms, 3 bathrooms, maids rooms and millions of roaches. Life in USA was all new and different, the people, the humidity, warm weather on Xmas and especially the huge number of cockroaches was hard for me to get used to. I could not get used to it. I was very homesick. I tried to get adjusted and took a job as a high school teacher with Muscogee County at Shaw High School, teaching English and German. I had to have my German teaching paperwork translated and got a temporary teaching certificate.

At the time I was a mother of 5 children, 3 stepsons and 2 of my own, which was quite a challenge plus working at the High School. So I quit the job there and started working at a preschool in Fort Benning. It was easier because it saved me a lot of driving and gave me more time for the family. After 2 years in Ft. Benning we PCS‘d to Nürnberg, Germany where I got a permanent job at a school for slow learners. I found very good friends there, at Sarah’s Kindergarten and at the school where I was teaching. We still have close contact today.

I decided to stay in Germany and divorced my husband in 1992. He then got orders to Fort Carson, CO and I lived happily in Nürnberg where I got adjusted very well.

In 2000 I decided to move back to my Heimat Rheinhessen, closer to my family in Sprendlingen. I started teaching and lived in Bad Kreuznach. In 2014 I decided to apply for the job as an assistant principal at an elementary school in Sprendlingen and worked there until I retired in 2019. In 2020 I moved from Bad Kreuznach to Nierstein, close to my origin Oppenheim where I was born and where my son is living. Being there I realized that I missed the things I was used to and friends in and around Bad Kreuznach, so I moved back after 1 year.

You see, I am suffering from "Wanderlust" as my Fischer mother-in-law would have described it."

Renate and Sarah Fischer at the Rhein boat dock in Nierstein

Children: (2)

Children with Wolfgang Behrendt:

2.1.....Stefan Behrendt (*09.09.1975)

Children with William Fischer:

2.2.....Sarah Susanne Fischer (*27.06.1988 Mannheim)

Sarah works in mayor's office in the community of Sprendlingen-Gensingen.

10.3...Georg Schömbs III. (*23.12.1855 Oppenheim, +11.08.1902 Oppenheim)

Georg Schömbs III. married Katharina Sauer (*31.12.1861, +15.06.1943 Frankfurt).

Children: (5)

5.1.....Georg Schömbs (*01.11.1882 Oppenheim, +1969 Frankfurt)

Georg Schömbs married Elisabeth Laufer (*22.01.1887 Dienheim, 22.04.1961 Frankfurt). The family lived in Frankfurt-Sossenheim.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Wilhelm Philipp Schömbs (*25.10.1907, +05.02.1909)

3.2.....Georg Schömbs (*14.11.1908 Sossenheim, +26.08.1997 Toledo Ohio)

Georg Schömbs was married on 29.02.1936 to Frieda Müssig (*17.03.1913 Wertheim, +20.11.1996).

1929 Emigrant to Toledo, Ohio
Click for the Story of Georg Schoembs

Georg and Frieda Schömbs emigrated in 1929 to Amerika. In Amerika he wrote his first name as "George" and the family name as "Schoembs". He had at first a difficult time. He was employed in the ship building industry, which brought him a good income and allowed the family to do some traveling. He worked with many black Americans, which was a new and difficult experience for him.

Children: (1)

1.1.....George W. Schoembs (*1941 Toledo OH)

On 17.07.1971 Georg W. Schoembs married Margaret Kathleen Fox (*04.04.1950 Cheboygan MI). George Schoembs career involved computers. like his father he was in contact by letter with their German relatives, especially Marianne Schömbs Stauber in Wiesbaden.

3.3.....Gustav Schömbs (*22.04.1914, +18.03.1944)

Gustav Schömbs married Pauline Kaiser (*1915). Gustav Schömbs died in Frankfurt during World War II during an Allied bombing of the city.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Gabriele Schömbs (*1943)

Gabriele Schömbs is married to Detlev Weber (*1941). The family lives in Frankfurt am Main.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Oliver Weber (*1968)

2.2.....Michael Weber (*1969)

5.2.....Philipp "Georg" Schömbs (*15.10.1884 Oppenheim, +09.01.1965 Biebrich)

Georg heiratete Katharina Schuster (*1888, +1970).

Children: (2)

2.1.....Marianne Schömbs (*08.03.1923, +10.08.2010)

Marianne Schömbs married Karlheinz Stauber (*07.07.1922, +14.05.2004). The family lived in Wiesbaden.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Michael Stauber (*1947)

Michael was married twice. From his first marriage he has two daughters. About 1995 Michael married Petra. They live in Wolfersheim-Wohnbach.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Mirja Stauber (*1977)

3.2.....Katja Stauber (*1982)

Children: (1)

1.1.....Leni Stauber (*2010)

From his marriage with Petra:

3.3.....Isabel Stauber (*1995)

2.2.....Willy Schömbs (*1924-1977)

Willy Schömbs married Ingeborg "Inge" Liska (*1928). The family lived in Wiesbaden, where Inge still lives.

By profession Willy was a decorator of display windows. He also drew the Schömbs family coat-of-arms. A drawing of his carries the date 1760. He tried to imagine how the crest must have been first drawn, a couple of centuries earlier.

It is reported that Willie, as a young man of about 17 years and for years later, worked with the well known and popular television host Heinz Schenk ("Wirt blauer Bock"). Heinz Schenk moderated and parodied, while Willie quickly painted the pictures. The shows were broadcast from the "Scala."

Children: (2)

2.1.....Jürgen Schömbs (*ca. 1948)

Jürgen Schömbs lives in Wiesbaden-Erbenheim. He also is not married.

2.2.....Joachim Schömbs (*ca. 1952)

Joachim Schömbs lives in the family home in Wiesbaden. He too is a bachelor.

5.3.....Anna Margaretha Schömbs (*10.06.1886 Oppenheim)

5.4.....Friedrich Schömbs (*05.03.1888 Oppenheim)

5.5.....Karl Friedrich Schömbs (*06.06.1889, +24.04.1893 Oppenheim)

10.4....Anna Margaretha Schömbs (*14.01.1858, +28.02.1946 Oppenheim)

Anna Margaretha Schömbs was married on 31.12.1877 in Oppenheim to Johannes Gerber (*1850, +28.02.1946 Oppenheim).

10.5. ..Friedrich Schömbs (*12.05.1860, +18.01.1909 Oppenheim)

Friedrich Schömbs was married on 14.04.1888 in Oppenheim to Klara Braun.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Johanna Schömbs (*28.08.1888)

Johanna Schömbs married Jean Kipp (*1886, +1949).

3.2....Maria Schömbs (1892 - 1985)

3.3.....Julia Elisabeth Schömbs (*04.05.1905 Oppenheim, +13.12.1992 Oppenheim)

Julia Elisabeth married in 1934 in Koblenz.

10.6....Bernhard Schömbs (*21.09.1862, +06.01.1905 Oppenheim)

Bernhard Schömbs was married on 06.05.1890 in Worms-Herrnsheim to Katharina Bell (*25.08.1862, +02.08.1930 Oppenheim). Witness was Friedrich Schömbs from Oppenheim

The 1890 Wedding Picture of Bernhard and Katharina
Click to enlarge

It is probable that Bernhard was involved in raising horses and teaching riding. For in 1911 his first two sons both joined the Calvary. But very different Calvaries. Ludwig (*1891), twenty years old at the time, joined the Hessian Calvary Regiment #24. Paul (*1892) was 19 years old in 1911. He joined the U.S. Army, Fifth Calvary.

Bernhard passed away fifteen years after he and Katharina were married and six years after the birth of their fifth child. We know of Katharina's later years from various letters, some written by her and others by her sons.

The letters are available in the Timeline of Paul Schömbs Bell (*1892). The references in parentheses are the dates of the letters. To read those written by Katharina (there are only two from January and November 1929) go the Timeline. In column 3 ("Event") one can see which are the Katharina letters. A synopsis (in English) of each letter is bulleted in "Comment". To read the original letters, which are in German, click on the PDF Link in the right-most column.

In 1924 Bernhard reported that "Ludwig's family is impatient with their mother Katharina and complaining about her". (Franz 231224)

Lee Bell Taylor's Foto Album 2020
CLICK to see the Foto Album
(Foto on right: Erika Schömbs Ludwig (*1920))

The November 1929 letter bares the relationship between her and the second wife of her son Bernard (*1895). She had been living with Bernard and Gerda for a few years. Katharina wrote in a letter to Paul "she knows Paul is aware of her relationship with Bernhard's second wife Gerda. She says Gerda is "one of those people who do not like mother-in-laws. Gerda wants Katharina to leave the house so her mother can move in. Katharina says Gerda has six or seven other siblings with whom her mother could live. Gerda told Katharina to her face "You should be glad that you are still here." Gerda has nourished hatred for her (Katharina) for the past three years. She stays out of Gerda's way. Her room has no heat. That is why she became so sick a year ago. Gerda set Bernhard against her, his mother. She (Katharina) has been through a lot with Bernhard and Gerda." (Katharina 291129)

In November 1929 Katharina was living at St. Bilhildenkloster, Josefstraße 49 in Mainz. Today it is an old people's home. At the time it may have been an hospital. She was no longer living with Bernhard and Gerda.

Children: (5)

5.1.....Ludwig Johann Bernhard Schömbs (*09.02.1891 Oppenheim)

Ludwig Schömbs was a professional soldier. In the First World War he was a sergeant in the cavalry. Ludwig married Catharina "Käthe" Kautz (*01.29.1891 Niederflorstadt), probably in about 1919 after the end of the War. They had their first child in 1920.

They may have had a second daughter, born on 13.01.1936. In a reporter of German judicial decisions between 1945-1966 Vol. 1 concerning homicide of the National Socialists is told of a trial against an accused Dr. Schmidt. He had killed 30-50 children (obviously disabled people) by morphine injections. Among of the children killed by him was an eight-year-old Anneliese Schömbs from Gießen. Probably this was a daughter of Ludwig Schömbs.

When the National Socialists came to power in the 1930's, Ludwig again joined the military. In 1933 he became an SA Storm Trooper in Hitler's buildup. In April 1936 he was elevated to Truppführer (troop leader).

After his retirement from the military and beginning about 1954 Ludwig was active as a horseback riding instructor at the Justus-Liebig University. Ludwig Schömbs performed the riding instructions with private horses in a riding hall which was in front of the dormitory. In a directory he was listed as "university stall manager" with the address Brandplatz 5.

In 1956 and again in 1961 there were articles in the newspaper wishing Ludwig happy birthday (his 65th and 70th). He was a very well known riding instructor at the University of Gießen.


Birthday Present for a horse lover - 1956 Click to enlarge	The greatest happiness on earth is sitting in the saddle of a horse -- University's riding instructor Ludwig Schömbs 70 years (1961) Click to enlarge

The articles are somewhat similar. The same photograph was used in both. The articles go on to say:

Since his youth Ludwig Schömbs has been bound to horses and equestrian sport. If Ludwig Schömbs is riding with his students through the streets of Gießen, all drivers stop and young and old are pleased by the scene. Since about 1920 Ludwig has held the position of riding instructor in Gießen. In 1911 the Oppenheimer joined the Hessisches Leibdragoner Regiment #24 (Hessian Calvary Regiment #24). Returning home after World War I his successful participation in a tournament of the 25th Calvary Brigade in Bad Nauheim marked a watershed for him. Riding and instructing became his mission in life. During World War II he was stationed in Lapland. His most wonderful memories are a ride to Darmstadt for the 70th birthday of the former Landes-Stallmeister Schörke and participating in a ride with his comrades from Gießen to Saarbrücken called "On the saddle through the German counties". Always a special pleasure has been the success of his students in competition with other universities. After the University riding school was destroyed during the War he started a riding school for children and women until the University facility could be rebuilt. After the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome the Mexican equestrian team went to visit Ludwig. In an article in a major Mexican newspaper they dedicated a tribute to him.

This last point is particularly interesting since Ludwig's siblings Franz and Siska had emigrated to Mexico in the early 1920's. It is possible, perhaps even likely, that Franz and/or Siska were somehow instrumental in establishing or supporting the Mexican Olympic equestrian program.


Frau Dr. Pauly giving Ludwig a very big bottle of Cognac Click to enlarge	Ludwig's Birthday party, 1966 Click to enlarge

But let's go back into Ludwig's earlier years again. We know from letters written by Ludwig and his brothers to their brother Paul that Ludwig was out of the military after World War I. And the period between the Wars he owned a riding and equestrian training business. The references in parentheses to the bullets below are to the Timeline of Paul Schömbs Bell (*1892). To read those written by Ludwig (there are only two from 1929 and 1957) go the Timeline. In column 3 ("Event") one can see which are the Ludwig letters. A synopsis (in English) of each letter is bulleted in "Comment". To read the original letter, click on the PDF Link in the right-most column. They are almost all in German. Many of the insights into Ludwig's life come from his brothers Bernhard's and Franz's letters.

"Bernhard says that Ludwig's wife's family is impatient with their mother Katharina and complaining about her. Franz says he has not heard from Ludwig since he refused to lend him money. (Franz 231224) Franz talks about a letter from brother Ludwig. (Apparently Ludwig had asked for Franz's financial assistance to which Franz had refused.) "Franz had always thought Ludwig's business (riding school) went well but now he learns that Ludwig has debts of about 1500 Mark. Franz decides to give Ludwig the money because Ludwig brought up the issue. He is proud of the business and spoke from his heart. He fears, if Ludwig is under pressure, he will go to a Jew who will charge him very high rates for a loan. He fears Ludwig might have to give up his riding school. He hasn't an address for Ludwig and little cash but could write a check ($375) in Paul's name. He asks Paul or Esther to inform Ludwig." (Franz 241125) In a letter Ludwig reports "he has nine horses. He has a lot of expenses for them everyday, especially when the business is slow. He has thought about selling the horses but he would not receive much for them and in the spring would have to then buy new horses. He has thought about getting out of the business altogether but it easier said than done. Because of Germany's loss of the War all businesses are doing terribly. Ludwig hopes for better times soon. At least Germany is beautiful." (Ludwig 200129) In 1930 Franz commented to Paul "Ludwig earns serious money with his job as a riding instructor at the university of Gießen. But if Ludwig and his wife have money, they spend it. If their income goes down they go into debt." (Franz 300530) In 1932 Ludwig and his wife Käte wrote Paul: "they are in good health, but the situation in Germany is stressful and everything is politically tense……..they still have their 8 horses and everything else is fine, if only the bad times would not be." "…it used to be nice in Germany, but now only unemployment and misery reigns everywhere. " (Ludwig 160932) Then with Germany leading up to World War II: Franz tells Paul that "Ludwig again is in the military. And that all of Ludwig's horses are as well." (Ludwig is 47 years old at this time) He says the "crisis in the capital (Berlin) is now over. The Frogs and Tommys (Franz is using these nicknames for the French and British) must see now what they won't believe in advance." (Franz 251038) "Ludwig has been in the military since the War (World War II) started with Poland. All of his horses were taken for military service. Poor Erika (Ludwig's daughter) must have been crying. She grew up with them, loved them so much and won prizes in riding and jumping tournaments. (Franz 181239)

Children: (1)

1.1.....Erika Schömbs (*about 1920)

We learned more of Erika from a letter written in October 1957 from Ludwig to his brother Paul Schömbs Bell (*1892 Oppenheim) in Arizona. (Ludwig 281057)

Erika had married a gentleman by the name of Karl-Heinz Ludwig (*13.11.1921, +30.01.2017 Nürnberg), the son of Heinrich Ludwig and his wife Paula nee Dörfler. Karl-Heinz studied law and political science after WW II in Marburg and came to the Regional Court of Nürnberg in 1952.

In 1972 Erika wrote to her Uncle Paul Bell. She and Heinz had spent Easter in Rome. They would be going to Mexico City in October to visit (and meet for the first time) her Aunt Siska, Uncle Franz and their spouses. Erika asked if Paul can come to Mexico City as well. (Erika 240472)

Heinz was a District County Judge and then President of the Oberlandesgericht (Higher Regional Court) from 1978 until 1986 in Nürnberg. Further he was a member of the Bavarian Constitutional Court from 1980. Karl-Heinz passed away in 2017.

Children: (3) Below the story of the descendants of Erika is just outlined. It will be written with their help

3.1.....Bianca Ludwig (*1946)

Bianca and Götz von Rochow (*1945) married.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Fee von Rochow (*1973)

Children: (3)

3.1.....Nina von Rochow (*1992)

3.2.....Svenja von Rochow (*2002)

3.3.....Franka von Rochow (*2003)

3.2.....Pia von Rochow (*1974)

Thomas Bäuerlein, Klara, Pia and Ellen von Rochow
Klick zur Vergrößerung

Pia's husband is Thomas Bäuerlein (*1974).

Children: (2)

2.1.....Klara (*2007)

2.2.....Ellen (*2010)

3.3.....Trutz von Rochow (*1979)

Trutz is single.

3.2.....Claudia Ludwig (*1953 Nürnberg)

Claudia married Herr Laufersweiler, with whom she had one son.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Eike Laufersweiler

3.3.....Michael Ludwig (*1956 Nürnberg)

Michael, Sabrina, Mark, Inge and Gismo
Klick zur Vergrößerung

Michael and Inge Schmid (*1959) married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Mark Alexander Ludwig (*1992)

2.2.....Sabrina Alena Ludwig (*1994)

5.2.....Paul Schömbs (*16.03.1892 Oppenheim, +Okt 1981 Tucson AZ)

Paul Schömbs (in America "Schombs") emigrated to America in 1911. He immediately entered the U.S. Army Calvary. It was the same year as Ludwig (*1891) had entered the Hessian Calvary as seen above. In all probability the business of their father Bernhard (*1862) seriously involved horses. The U.S. Calvary (Fifth Calvary, Troop F) stationed Paul in Southern Arizona guarding the Mexican border.

Fifth Calvary, Troop F
Click image to enlarge

Paul Schombs is on the far left, sitting between the first and second rows looking straight at the camera and holding his hat in front of his legs.

Following his three year service commitment, Paul settled in southern Arizona working in the mines. While Paul was required to register for the U.S. military in 1917 to serve in World War I, he was exempted. Undoubtedly because he had three brothers serving in the Germany military. In 1921 Paul made two major decisions. He first changed his name from Paul Schombs to Paul "Bell", taking his mother's maiden name as his family name. He then moved to Mexico, to Tampico where his brother Franz settled about a year later. In 1922 Paul returned to Germany for a visit, staying six months. He talked with his siblings about emigrating to Mexico. Germany was weighed down with the punishing terms of the Treaty of Versailles.

Paul's story is fascinating to read, one of the most interesting of all the Schömbs emigrants. Plus Paul kept many documents, letters and photographs from his life. They are available on a separate webpage, the Paul Schombs Bell Timeline.

1911 Emigrant to Arizona
Click for the Story of Paul Schömbs

While in Mexico Paul married Esther Muñoz (*1894). He began an aviation business, flying over Mexico City distributing brochures and advertisements from the air. But the business ended abruptly with a plane crash in October 1926. The marriage ended soon thereafter and Paul returned to the United States in 1928.

In January 1936 Paul married for the second time. His wife Irene Hackett (*29.06.1906 AZ, +12.04.1970 Oracle, AZ) was a widow with three children (Alice (*1929), James (*1930) and Edward (*1934)). Paul and Irene had one child together.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Lee Bell (*1936 Tucson AZ)

5.3.....Bernhard Schömbs (*14.12.1895 Oppenheim)

It is from the death record of Bernhard's wife Lotte Albertine Pauline Schwarzbach (*1900, +07.05.1923 Darmstadt) that we know of his first marriage. Most of his life we know from letters, either written by Bernhard himself, his mother or brothers, available in the Timeline of Paul Schömbs Bell (*1892). In column 3 ("Event") one can find the letters. A synopsis (in English) of each letter is bulleted in column four "Comment". To read the original letter, click on the PDF Link in the right-most column. The original letters are in German.

In 1924 Bernhard wrote to Paul "Life is very sad in Germany because everything was destroyed in WW I. He (Bernhard) had many opportunities to became a pilot during the WW I." (Bernhard 11/1924).

Sometime in the 1920's Bernhard married again. His second wife had the name Gerda. Their mother Katharina wrote in 1929 "she knows Paul is aware of her relationship with Bernhard's second wife Gerda. She says Gerda is "one of those people who do not like mother-in-laws. Gerda wants Katharina to leave the house so her mother can move in. Katharina says Gerda has six or seven other siblings with whom her mother could live. Gerda told Katharina to her face "You should be glad that you are still here." Gerda has nourished hatred for her (Katharina) for the past three years. She stays out of Gerda's way. Her room has no heat. That is why she became so sick a year ago. Gerda set Bernhard against her, his mother. She (Katharina) has been through a lot with Bernhard and Gerda. Bernhard now realizes that he married for money. When his business failed he thought this would be a solution." (Katharina 291129)

With the terrible economic times of the Depression Bernhard was unemployed: "Bernhard doesn't have a job. Bernhard has chickens and sells the eggs. In Bernhard's house they have rented two rooms and a kitchen." (Ludwig 160932)

In 1938 Bernhard wrote to Paul that "Paul had been using the old Darmstadt address but that it should be Traisa - Darmstadt, Waldstraße 49. They now live in Traisa, a small village near Darmstadt. He has been working in a dairy factory here since 1936. Fortunately the postman forwarded Paul's mail to him." And comments about his relationship with his brother Ludwig (*1891), also in Germany, "Everybody is well in Traisa and the same with Ludwig's family, although he only hears from Ludwig at the holidays." (Bernhard 130238)

5.4.....Franz Schömbs (*~1897 Oppenheim, +about 1975 Mexico)

Franz too emigrated, although he went to Mexico in about 1922. He and Rosa "Rosi or Rose" Bauer (*1897 München, +28.03.1982 Mexico City DF) were married on 31 January 1924 in Tampico, state of Tamaulipas, on the Gulf of Mexico. . Ten years earlier oil had been discovered in the Tampico area, the first oil in Mexico. The city was growing rapidly with its new industry.

~1922 Emigrant to Mexico
Click for the Story of Franz Schömbs

Franz and Rosi lived in Tampico for seven years. He worked for a company involved in the oil industry and perhaps also mining.

Franz and Rosa returned to Germany in 1929 for an extended stay. After arriving back in Mexico in 1930 Franz moved to Mexico City, the capitol. Throughout the 1930's he was involved in various small businesses, sometimes as a part owner. But the businesses were not successful. Their experience in Mexico was disappointing to Franz and Rosi. They frequently thought of and wrote about their desire to leave Mexico and live their lives back in Germany.

Again in 1936 they traveled to Germany, visiting Oppenheim and München. Finally in 1941 they left Mexico for Germany – for good! War was raging in Europe. Their trip home was halted in central Russia where they were traveling by train to Oppenheim. They spent the next eight years in China, returning to Mexico in 1949, four years after the end of the World War II.


Frank inspecting mine site in Arizona Click to enlarge	Rosa, circa 1950 Click to enlarge	Rosa and Franz, circa 1952 Click to enlarge

Most of their lives we know of from their letters written by Franz to his brother Paul. The letters are available in the Timeline of Paul Schömbs Bell (*1892). In column 3 ("Event") one can find the letters from Franz. A synopsis (in English) of each letter is bulleted in column four "Comment". To read the original letter, click on the PDF Link in the right-most column. The original letters are in German.

While Rosa and Franz wanted children, they had none.

The story of Franz and Rosi is told in the Emigrant Chapter. Click on the Link in the box above to read it.

5.5.....Franziska "Siska" Schömbs (*1899, +02.02.1984 Mexico City DF)

Franziska emigrated to Mexico in 1923 aboard the ship Toledo. After departing from Hamburg, the Toledo made calls to England, Spain (3) and Cuba before reaching Vera Cruz and finally Tampico, Mexico. From the passenger list we know Franziska's destination was Vera Cruz, Mexico.

1923 Emigrant to Mexico
Click for the Story of Franziska Schömbs

In 1924 Siska married Erich Dietz (*1891 Wien (Vienna) Austria, +15.05.1952 Mexico City DF). In 1931 Erich and Franziska were married for a second time, or perhaps the marriage was just re-documented. In the 1931 documents Erich is identified as Eric Dietzschold. The reason for this 1931 documentation is unclear.

The story of Siska and Erich is told in the Emigrant Chapter. Click on the Link in the box above to read it. And much information is available in the Paul Schömbs Bell Timeline.

In 1954, two years after the death of Erich, Franziska returned for a visit to Germany. She flew from Mexico City, via New York, to Paris. The flight manifest is for Air France flight 046 on 1 July 1954. She then returned to Mexico in October. She later visited Paul in Arizona on two or three occasions.

Siska and Erich also did not have children.

10.7...Philipp Schömbs (*26.02.1865, +21.06.1956 Oppenheim)

Philipp Schömbs married the widow Käthe Knußmann (+2001). Philipp was industrious, rather short, and well known in Oppenheim. It is passed down that he was known by the nickname "Appelmännche". He operated a grain mill in Oppenheim on Wormser Straße. Later he worked as a cashier at the Oppenheimer Kreisparkasse (bank). In his free time he was an enthusiastic hunter.

Philipp Schömbs was in possession of the Family crest (see Chapter A, Introduction). The coat-of-arms came to Dexheim in a roundabout way. A Mrs. Ruf, a teacher, whose mother was born a Schömbs and a friend of Maria Schömbs Michel, gave the crest to Maria who has has it on her wall today.

10.8...Johann Schömbs II (*27.07.1868 , 10.04.1920 Oppenheim)

Johann Schömbs II married Maria Dorothea Best (*23.08.1872 Dienheim).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Johann Heinrich "Hans" Schömbs (*14.07.1897 Oppenheim, +Mz)

Hans Schömbs, who also was called "Jean", married Hedwig Seyfried (*28.06.1911 Mainz). The parents of Hedwig owned the Central Hotel in Mainz. After the death of of her parents Hans Schömbs took over as Hotelier of that well known Hotel which was right at the Hauptbahnhof (main train station). Following the bombing of the the building on Hindenburgstraße in World War II, the family lived for some time with relatives (Bernhard Schömbs und his wife Gretel) in Traisa bei Darmstadt.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Doris Schömbs (*1935 Mainz)

Doris Schömbs for many years has lived and worked in Paris. She is an Assistant at the international organization OECD.

2.2.....Sigrid Schömbs (*1937 Mainz)

Sigrid Schömbs married Hans Falk. They live in Werl bei Dortmund.

3.2.....Änna Agatha Schömbs (*10.09.1902 Oppenheim, +1931 Berlin)

Änne Schömbs lived in Berlin and was married to Herr Wolf.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Renate Wolf

Renate Wolf is married to Noack.

3.3.....Katharina Schömbs

Katharina Schömbs lives in Oppenheim and married Drücke.

10.9....Nikolaus Schömbs (*09.03.1870, +22.07.1870 Oppenheim)

10.10...Jacob Schömbs (*04.03.1870 Oppenheim, +08.05.1870 Oppenheim)

6.6.....Anna Margaretha Schömbs (*18.08.1827 Oppenheim)

9.3....Anna Margaretha Schömbs (*1791/92 Friesenheim, +16.03.1863 Dexheim)

Anna Margaretha Schömbs was married on 21.12.1817 in Dexheim to Philipp Joseph Sohn (*08.09.1790 Dexheim, +16.04.1864 Dexheim).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Anna Maria Sohn (*24.08.1818 Dexheim)

3.2.....Johannes Sohn (*23.05.1821 Dexheim)

3.3.....Georg Sohn (*20.02.1827 Dexheim)

9.4....Anna Maria Schömbs (*14.11.1794 Friesenheim)

Godmother was Anna Maria Neumer, Friesenheim.

9.5....Maria Theresia Schömbs (*1797 Dexheim, +1800 Dexheim)

9.6....Mathäus Schömbs (*07.09.1800 Nierstein/Dexheim)

9.7....Johannes Schömbs (*03.10.1803 Nierstein/Dexheim)

9.8....Georg Schömbs (*23.01.1807 Nierstein/Dexheim, +vor 1866)

Georg Schömbs was married on 14.11.1862 to Philippina Sohn.

Announcement about the free auction in Pfälzer Zeitung 1866

Children: (1)

1.1.....Georg Schömbs (*16.11.1862 Lambrecht/Pfalz).

The announcement from 04.April 1866 informs about an open auction of two pieces of land. After Georg Schömbs' death at the instigation of his widow Philippine and in the name of the minor son Georg, whose interests were represented also by his legal guardian Heinrich Laubscher, the act happened by a court decision of 21. March 1866.

9.9....Gertrud Schömbs (*27.10.1810 Nierstein/Dexheim)