The Gruenhagen surname itself is a very old family. One Gruenhagen coat of arms was recorded in Dresden, Germany in 1500. It describes the family as a Hannover family. Because I have only traced our particular Gruenhagen family to Pommerania (which is quite a distance from Hannover) in 1800, I do not know at this time whether we are related to the Gruenhagens from Hannover. It is possible that our Gruenhagen family came from Hannover to Pommerania prior to 1800. For this reason, I have included the crest of the Hannover Gruenhagens and its explanation. I have also included the lineage of Hugo Gruenhagen of Davenport, Iowa, as traced by his wife, Veda. Hugo is descended from the Hannover Gruenhagens. Perhaps someday we will be able to find a connection.

There is also another tale about the Gruenhagens from Hermannsburg (near Hannover) that I must include in this book. I found this story related in a book titled, "Goldne Aepfel in Silbernen Schalen" (translates to Golden Apples in Silver Bowls) written by Ludwig Harms in Hermannsburg in 1850. The book is basically a collection of stories taken from church records in various German communities. The particular copy of this book that I read is in the possession of a Lutheran pastor in Napoleon, Ohio. On page 49 of this book the story of Pastor Grunhagen begins. It is about sixteen pages long, so I am just going to tell the very basic story.

Sometime between the years 1521 and 1530, there was a young Catholic priest, born of nobility, named Christopher Grunhagen. One night, a young man from the working class knocked on his door and asked for something to eat and a place to sleep. The young priest asked him in. After he had eaten, said his prayers,and warmed himself by the fire, he took a handwritten booklet from his pocket and began to read. Pastor Grunhagen was amazed that this man could read. In this time, it was only the scholars and priests that could read and write. Grunhagen became very curious as to the contents of the book which was titled, "Luther's Small Catechism." He asked the young man about the book and was told that he had heard Luther preach in Wittenberg and had copied the book there. Grunhagen asked if he could read it and the young man gave him the book. Grunhagen began reading and continued reading through the night and saw the truth in Luther's teachings. He immediately went to his congregation and caused the church to change from Catholic to Lutheran. The members who did not agree with him left his church. The remainder of the story deals with the problems of uniting his congregation under Luther's beliefs.

	Hugo Walter Gruenhagen b.-10 APR 1912 Davenport, IA Still Living m. 9 AUG 1959 Maquoketa, IA spouse - Veda Izetta Propst
His Father:	Otto Fredrick Heinrich Gruenhagen b. 20 JUN 1880 Walcott, IA d. 5 MAR 1955 Davenport, IA m. 27 NOV 1907 spouse - Anna Regina Poppe
His Father:	Peter Heinrich Christopher Grunhagen b 16 SEP 184- Ort Bergen, Hermannsburg, Germany d 6 DEC 1923 Davenport, IA m. 19 DEC 1877 Davenport, IA spouse - Dorothea Marie Lange
His Father:	Carsten Heinrich Grunhagen b. 22 OCT 1812 Barmbostel, Germany d 22 AUG 1878 Hermannsburg, Germany m 5 MAY 1843 Hermannsburg, Germany spouse - Ilse Marie Dorothee Behrens
His Father:	Peter Heinrich Grunhagen b 30 MAR 1785 Barmbostel, Germany d 11 JUL 1853 Barmbostel, Germany m. 15 MAR 1810 Hermannsburg, Germany spouse - Anna Magdalena von der Weiher
His Father:	Johann Peter Grunhagen b. 13 NOV 1750 Belsen, Germany d 30 MAR 1806 Barmbostel, Germany m 11 OCT 1777 Hermannsburg, Germany spouse - Anna Marlene Dehning
His Father:	Hans Jurgen Grunhagen b. 18 JAN 1715 Belsen, Germany d. 1 MAR 1773 Belsen, Germany m. 18 JAN 1743 Bergen, Germany spouse - Anna Marlene Dageforde
His Father:	Hans Grunhagen b. 1683/1684 d 10 OCT 1753 Belsen, Germany m 20 NOV 1710 Bergen, Germany spouse - Anna Wittenberg

At left is a reproduction of the Grunhagen coat of arms which was registere in Dresden. The explanation (translated) is as follows: The Grunhagen family is an old Hannover family who possessed this coat of arms already in the 15th century. The red color (top and bottom of shield) means boldness and bravery. The green twigs represent the prospering of the family, and the silver balls indicate a profession.

The coat of arms shown at the right is a second coat of arms registered to the Gruenhagen family. Its description is registered in Siebmacher's Wappenbuch, and it also appears to be authentic. It is a possibility that the two coats of arms belong to two completely unrelated Gruenhagen families. The description (translated) is, " In white between between two green trees is a stag rampant looking back on a green lawn.

In my search for our Gruenhagen ancestors in Europe, I discovered some records of Gruenhagens in the files of the Mormon church. The Mormons copy old church records so that they can baptize those that are long dead into the Mormon faith. At this time, I do not know if any of these records are related to my family. I am including this information in the hope that someday I will find out how it relates to us.

The entries fall into two broad categories - those from records in cities in Ostpreussen (East Prussia) and those from the Hannover area. Of these, it seems at this point that we are more likely to be related to those people from Ostpreussen, which is the province next to Pommerania. Actually, entry #30 may very well be our family, even though the birth years do not exactly coincide.

	1. Bartholomaeus Gruenhagen & Ertmudis
		Children
		--Johannes	C.* 24 June 1572		Peterswald, Heilsburg (now Lidzbark, Poland)
		--Ambrose		C. 18 March 1575		" 
		--Gregory		C. 3 May 1577		"
		--Prisca		C. 13 December 1581	"
		--Margaretha	C. 9 April 1584		"
	
	2. Maurice Gruenhagen & Anna
		Children
		--Martin		C. 6 February 1569		Peterswald, Heilsburg
		--Matthew		C. 19 September 1572	"
		
	3. Dorothea Gruenhagen
		Children
		--Jacob		C. 10 July 1576		Napratten
	
	4. Johannes Gruenhagen & Gertrude
		Children
		--Gregory		C. 29 February 1596	Peterswald, Heilsburg
		--Ertmanus	C. 6 January 1599		"
		--Johannes	C. 23 May 1606		"
		--Elisabeth	C. 13 November 1608	"
	
	5. Dionysius Gruenhagen & Anna
		Children
		--Barbara		C. 28 December 1598	Settau
		--Elisabeth	C. 14 November 1601	"
		--Catharina	C. 21 November 1604	"
		--Matthew		C. 14 September 1608	"
		--Simon		C. 28 October 1612		"
		--Augustine	C. 31 August 1617		"
		--Gertrude	C. 24 February 1619	"
	
	6. Elisabeth Gruenhagen married Thomas Wulff 7 November 1621	Settau
	
	7. George Gruenhagen & Elizabeth Streel or Strehlen m. 4 March 1601 Peterswald
		Children
		--Matthew		C. 14 September 1603	Peterswald
		--Sabina		C. 16 August 1605	"
		--Petrus		C. 27 July 1608		"
	
	8. Prisca Gruenhagen married Lorenz Altoff 24 August 1603 Peterswald, Heilsburg
	
	9. Dominicus Gruenhagen & Gertrude
		Children
		--Ertmudis	C. 5 June 1605		Roggenhausen, Heilsburg
		
	10. Gregory Gruenhagen & Anna
		Childre
		--Sybilla		C. 23 March 1606		Peterswald, Heilsburg
		--Ursula		C. 2 October 1608		"
	
	11. Ambrose Gruenhagen & Anna Married 29 January 1606 Peterswald, Heilsburg
		Children
		--Magdalena	C. 5 June 1608		Peterswald, Heilsburg
	
	12. Blasien Gruenhagen & Emerentiana
		Children
		--Martin		C. 30 October 1603		Settau
	
	13. Jacob Gruenhagen & Clara
		Children
		--Johannes	C. 16 June 1609		Napratten
	
	14. Jacobus Gruenhagen & Margareta Moschall married 5 November 1617 Napratten
		Children
		--Margareta	C. 1 July 1625		Napratten
	
	15. Margaretha Gruenhagen married Petrus Turau 8 January 1617 Roggenhausen, Heilsburg
	
	16. Andrew Gruenhagen & Elizabeth
		Children
		--Anna		C. 6 September 1609	Bundien
	
	17. Gregor Gruenhagen & Gertrude
		Children
		--Anna		B. February 1634		Warlack
		--Gertrude	B. 22 April 1637		"
		--Elisabeth	B. August 1639		Scharnick, Guttstadt (now Dobre Miastro, Poland)
	
	18. Matthew Gruenhagen & Anna
		Children
		--Hedwig		C. 7 October 1640		Settau
		--Sabina		C. 4 April 1643		Bundien
		--Gertrude	C. 7 March 1646		Settau
	
	19. Martin Gruenhagen & Gertrude
		Children
		--Laurentius	C. October 1642		Peterswald, Heilsburg
		--Margaritha	C. 16 July 1647 		"
		--Andrew		B. 3 December 1649		Regerteln
		--Michael		C. 13 October 1652		"
		--Elisabeth	B. 1 November 1654		"
	
	20. Georgius Gruenhagen married Helena 28 October 1642 Peterswalde, Heilsburg
	
	21. Valentinus Gruenhagen & Gertrude
		Children
		--Valentinus	C. 29 January 1645		Peterswalde, Heilsburg
	
	22. Johannes Gruenhagen & Elisabeth
		Children
		--George		C. 1651			Warlack
		--Johannes	B. 9 July 1654		"
	
	23. Johan Gruenhagen & Catharina
		Children
		--Judith		B. 19 November 1689	Worlack
		--Agnes		B. 25 December 1697	"
		--Johannes	B. 31 January 1701		"
		--Matthew		B. 16 September 1703	"
	
	24. Valintinus Gruenhagen & Anna
		Children
		--Dorothea	C. 29 January 1707		Queetz
	
	25. Gertrude Gruenhagen married Martin Treig 15 May 1718 Benern
	
	26. Johannes Gruenhagen & Margaretha
		Children
		--Catharina	B. February 1724		Wolfsdorf, Guttstadt
		--Magdalena	C. 8 January 1727		"
	
	27. Johannes Gruenhagen & Anna
		Children
		--Anna		B. 1 May 1739		Scharnick, Guttstadt
		--Jacob		C. 13 July 1742		"
		--Gertrude	C. 29 April 1746		"
		--Johannes	C. 17 August 1749		"
	
	28. Johannes Gruenhagel & Dorothea
		Children
		--Elisabeth	C. 15 February 1743	Wolfsdorf, Guttstadt
		--Gertrude	C. 22 April 1755		Beiswalde (died in infancy)
		
	29. Gertrude Gruenhagen married Joachim Knar 27 November 1786	Guttstadt
	
	30. Johannes Gruenhagen & Gertrude Plotz
		Children
		--Michael		C.1798			Eschenau, Guttstadt
		--Martin		C. 25 October 1801		"
		--Johannes	C. 16 January 1804		"
	
	31. Valentine Gruenhagel & Catharina Reinke M. 9 February 1819	Glottau
		Children
		--Franciscus	C. 4 January 1819		Glottau
		--Rosa		C. 3 August 1820		"
		--Barbara		C. 3 December 1822		"
		--Susanna		C. 30 September 1824	"
		--Johannes	C. 9 June 1826		"
		--Valentinius	C. 15 October 1829		"
		--Jacobus		C. 13 May 1832		"
		--Apollonia	C. 10 February 1835	"
		--Elisabeth	C. 7 September 1837	"
	
	32. Philip Gruenhagen & Elisabetha Hippel married 5 November 1820
		Children
		--Andreas		C. 19 November 1821
		--Anna		C. 1 April 1824
		--Johannes	C. 5 May 1826
	
	33. Philip & Rosa Gross
		Children
		--Catharina	C. 11 September 1831	Stolzhagen
		--Rosa		C. 3 January 1833		"
		--Maria		C. 23 August 1835		"
		--Barbara		C. 22 August 1837		"
	

	1. Hans Heinrich Gruenhagen & Ilse Margarethe Riechers
		Children
		--Heinrich Christian	C. 7 October 1764		Hannover, Haimar
		--Heinrich Wilhelm		C. 8 December 1767		"
		--Hilmar Conrad		C. 3 October 1768		"
		--Johann Heinrich Christian	C. 12 November 1769	"
		--Maria Dorothea		C. 4 February 1770		"
		--Johann Wilhelm		C. 27 April 1773		"
		--Johann Friedrich		C. 20 May 1775		"
		--Ilse Sophie Juliane	C. 14 November 1779	"
		
	2. Hermann Gruenhagen & Ilsabe Krugger Married 16 June 1695 Hannover, Isernhage
		Children
		--Ilsabe & Anna (twins)	C. 3 September 1696	"
		--Juergen Luelf		C. 3 July 1698		"
		--Hans			C. 25 May 1701		"
		
	3. Heinrich Gruenhagen & Margaretha Fuhrberg
		Children
		--Jaust Conrad		C. 28 April 1726		Hannover, Haimar
		--Ilsa Sophie Dorothea 	C. 30 November 1727	"
		--Hans Heinrich		C. 13 June 1737		"
		
	4. Jacob Gruenhagen married Margreth Von Fintel 7 November 1724 Hannover, Fintc
		
	5. Heinrich Melchior Gruenhagen & Anna Ilse Rampenthal married 9 May 1765 Hannover, Haimar
		Children
		--Hans Heinrich	 	C. 12 March 1766		Hannover, Haimar
		--Heinrich Wilhelm		C. 9 December 1767		"
		--Johann Heinrich Andreas	C. 12 November 1769	"
		--Heinrich Conrad		C. 14 February 1772	"
		--Hans Heinrich		C. 17 July 1774		"
		--Ilse Sophie Dorothea	C. 17 January 1777		"
		--Marie Elisabeth		B. 1 April 1782		"
		--Heinrich Christoph	C. 23 February 1785	"
		
	6. Christian Henning Gruenhagen & Ilse Magdalene Wittenberg
		Children
		--Ilse Marie Juliane	B. 1 April 1771		Hannover, Haimar
		--Heinrich Hilmar		C. 13 August 1775		"
		--Johann Heinrich Wilhelm	C. 12 November 1777	"
		--Johann Conrad		C. 21 September 1779	"
		--Ilse Sophie Christine	C. 26 December 1780	"
		
	7. Heinrich Christian Gruenhagen married Ilse Sophie Christine Stullen 20 April 1792 Hannover, Haimar
		Children
		--Ilse Sophie Christine	C. 2 September 1792	Hannover, Haimar
		--Ilse Marie Dorothea	C. 28 August 1795		"
		--Ilse Marie Wilhelmine	C. 2 June 1800		"
		--Johann Heinrich Christian	C. 15 July 1804		"
		--Sophie Eleanore		C. 5 November 1809		"
		--Johann Heinrich Conrad	C. 30 August 1812		"
		
	8. Heinrich Wilhelm Gruenhagen married Marie Dorothee Droeson 19 May 1803 Hannover, Haimar
		Children
		--Heinrich Wilhelm		C. 20 November 1803	Hannover, Haimar
		--Johan Heinrich Conrad	C. 15 June 1806		"
		
	9. Johann Friedrich Gruenhagen married Catharina Juliane Rosen 13 October 1803 Hannover, Haimar
		Children
		--Maria Dorothea Eleonore	C. 11 May 1805		Hannover, Haimar
		--Ilse Sophie Dorothea	C. 10 July 1808		"
		--Heinrich Wilhelm Carl	C. 23 April 1810		"
		
	10. Johann Heinrich Gruenhagen & Ilse Lammers
		Children
		--Mett Trin		B. 5 January 1770		Hannover, Visselhoevede
		--Johann Cord		B. 10 April 1772		"
		
	11. Heinrich Wilhelm Gruenhagen married Alheit Annemann 16 November 1680 Hannover, Verden
		
	12. George Conrad Gruenhagen & Adelheide Behre
		Children
		--Hermann			C. 5 March 1665		Hannover, Isernhagen
		
	13. Juergen Luelf Gruenhagen married Dorothee Gercken	4 September 1729 Hannover, Isernhagen
	

This map is a rough representation of the various Duchies within the Kingdom of Prussia between 1815 and 1918. There were many border changes during this time, so the map is not meant to be entirely accurate.

At the very northern border of Prussia, you will find Pomerania, or Pommern, as it is called in German. The earliest history of our family that's covered in this book begins here.

Pomerania is a green region of flat farm land and low rolling hills nestled against the Baltic Sea. The coastline is cut by many inlets and several harbors. Being so close to the water created a natural industry - fishing. I have no doubt that many of our ancestors were fishermen.

In 1945, Pomerania was divided between Poland and East Germany along the Oder River. the town of Polchow, from which our ancestors came, is now located in Poland.

On the map, I have placed the cities which I have referred to in this book. The names in parenthesis are the Polish names which these towns were re-named after 1945.