The area of Alsace-Loraine did not fall to the French until after Heinrich emmigration in 1749. Indications are that he was born 1721 in the Duchy of Lorraine which was a part of the HRE (Holy Roman Empire) ruled by the Habsburgs. Indications are that the family fled North during the War of Austrian Succession. The subsequent spelling of the name indicates that it is highly unlikely that they were Alsaciatian, as the construction "au" was not used in Elsaesserditch. However his birthplace has yet to be confirmed.