Knatz Family in Africa- with connecting roots in Zueschen, Germany

“On the occasion of the great deportation after the war, or about 1919 or 1920 was deported to the above mentioned brewer C. Knatz from Otavi. Supposedly, he tried a few years later, probably in 1924, again get some entry permit, but it is the director of this circular have been refused. Was not upheld, I kindly ask you to tell me deported for any reason the above mentioned Knatz was and for what and for what reason his re-entry application.The reason for my request, you will perhaps strangely touching, are the following. My father, a former co-owner of Erhard and Schultz, Swakopmund, was waging against the now located in Germany Knatz a process which must be proven that Knatz at the outbreak of war in 1914 and even after completion of the same property was located in absolute decline. I is therefore crucial if you would tell only whether the financial circumstances of both Knatz the cause of the deportation as the denial of re-entry were. Should we make this demand for any costs, so I ask the same request with me. I thank you in advance for their efforts and draw on the Lord Secretary for South West Africa, Windhoek. Yours Faithfully”

The Following charts show the genealogy of this branch of the Knatz family in Zueschen. I hope someone will take on the challenge of tracing the family back further to determine if there is a connection with the Knatz family of Niedenstein. Note that Carl Heinrich Knatz’s father Heinrich was married twice and there are children from both marriages. Carl Heinrich Knatz who went to Africa is descended from Heinrich’s marriage to Martha Elisabeth Sonnenschein. After Martha died, Heinrich married his sister-in-law, Martha’s sister Christiane who was six years younger than Martha.

Family Record of Heinrich’s Knatz’s marriage to Christiane Sonnenschein. Carl Heinrich Knatz who went to Africa is descended from this marriage

Note Johann George Knatz was from Fritzlar which is close to Niedenstein.

Finally, a record of the birth of Hans Knatz in Namibia showing his German father and his African mother and a picture of Hans.

Below is a photograph of Han’s two half sisters, Lisse and Annemie in Germany that he never met.

Carl Heinrich’s sisters Anna Marie and Anna Elizabeth.

This is a picture of the Heinrich Knatz home and brewery.

This last document is the death certificate of Carl Heinrich Knatz, Veronica Knatz’s grandfather