I have been trying to find the roots of my Bohmbach (formerly Bohnenberg) family in Agathenburg, Kreis Stade, Niedersachsen, Germany. My gr-gr-gr-grandfather was Johann Bohnenberg (later Bohmbach), a shoemaker from Agathenburg. He married in Hedendorf and then raised a family in Brest of Bargstedt parish before coming to America in about 1854. He was apparently the son of Diedrich Bohnenberg of Agathenburg.

As you probably know, the LDS did not film any records from Agathenburg, Barge, Wiepenkathen, or other places very near to Stade. It appears that my only course of action is to work with someone that has access to records in Germany. I will need to retain the services of a professional in Germany at some point if this cannot be resolved. As you may know, professional research in Germany is much more expensive than here in America.

I was in contact via e-mail with Mayor Peter Vollmers of Dollern, who told me that the family of Dr. Jürgen Bohmbach of Stadtarchiv Stade was from Agathenburg. He said he would speak with Dr. Bohmbach on my behalf, but he has not returned a message in well over two years. I was later in contact via e-mail with two Bohmbachs in Northern Germany that apparently could trace their family to Agathenburg. Each said he would ask family about the Agathenburg roots. One said he would talk to Dr. Bohmbach for me. Neither person has responded to a message from me in over a year. Other initial messages have gone unanswered that I sent to Bohmbachs in Germany that I have found addresses for on the Internet.

I decided to write to Dr. Bohmbach myself at the State Archive. I could not find an e-mail address, so I sent a postal letter about a year ago but did not receive a response. I followed up with another letter several months later, but I have still not received a response. I have no way of knowing whether Dr. Bohmbach received my letters or if he attempted to write back to me. I find it odd that I have lost contact with everyone that had said they could help me concerning this family.

I wish to know about the family of Johann and Diedrich Bohnenberg/Bohmbach in Agathenburg and also the others with this surname that moved to Helmste and then on to America. I wish to know why the family name was changed from Bohnenberg to Bohmbach. Has anyone else been in contact with Dr. Bohmbach, or can anyone else trace their roots to Agathenburg? I've been dead-ending for several years on this issue, so I hope somebody out there has information to help me.

Thanks,
Loren Dahling
Rochester, Minnesota, USA