Hi Kanzlers,

My name is Jeremy Canze. I am in search of my father's family, who nobody seems to have much information about. I have as far back as my ggg grandpa George Canze, Sr. who lived in Bavaria, Germany in the early 1800's. He moved to the US and had at least one son, George, Jr., who is my gg grandpa. He was born in Lancaster, New York.

I assume somewhere along the line my family name got changed, perhaps when George, Sr. traveled to America. Does anybody have any information that might relate to this family? I was given information from The House of Names, Inc. that Kanzler was a variation of the name Canze and was popular during the Middle Ages in Germany.

If anybody has any info, please let me know. It would be much appreciated.
jcanze@hotmail.com

Thank you,

Jeremy Canze

Sorry, Jeremy, that I can't give you much info, as I myself am looking too. I've never seen your variation of the name before, but it might interest you to know that my Kanzler ancestors changed their name's spelling to CANZLER. Probably to make themselves less german in the wake of World War One.
As for Bavaria, that is not the same as my experience. My stories tend to aim towards Schleissen, (Silesia) and Sachen (Saxony) I don't know which Saxony, by the way.
Are you sure the two names are the same? And do you know what Canze means? (Kanzler means Chancellor.)

Sincerely,

Alexander

Alexander,

I am not sure that these two names are related at all, I just noticed the peculiar resemblance in the names and in search of my ancestors thought it could be a possibility. As far as origins, I have no record nor "legend" info that implies saxony or any of the other names you mentioned in your family's history. I have been told that the Canze family is from Germany, and recently from a genealogy lookup service I read that Bavaria is the specific origin of the name. Along with this information came a notice that varations of the name include Canzler, which now I know is what you have heard of your family. Perhaps our families are connected in some way, but it may be a very long time before we discover the real truth.

Jeremy

My grandfather's name was George Frederick Kretzmer and his mother's name was Gerhadine Canzler. This is the first mention I have seen of anything close to that spelling. Do these names sound familiar? I am looking for info and relatives.

Hmm... those names don't ring a bell right off hand, however, my picture of this family going back that far is still unclear. If I recall correctly, my ancestor Paul Cnazler would've entered the country in the NYC area about 1883, so it's certainly the right time frame and area. Do you know anything more about them? Mine were very cagey and left few clues about their origins.

Ihave a pic of gerhadine canzler-at least, I think it's her- nothng else, so far.

So far here is what little I know:

Most of the family Kanzler came from Russia, where they had lived amongst the Volga Germans, who were brought in by Tsarina Katherine the Great to "civilize" the steppe.

I am not certain that my Paul Canzler is related to these people or not, however, he did socialize with a Jacob Kanzler, and I do know that he is a Volga German. So...? More research is required.

The big challenge would be finding a ship list, as that would tell where he came from.....

Do the surnames Merel or Klamt ring any bells?

I have recently renewed my efforts to trace my family's ancestry. My elusive great grandfathers name was Gustaf Adolf Canzler, but he used the name Adolf Canzler after immigrating. According to family lore, he had a brother named either Paul or George who went "west". Aunts and Uncles memories are vague, so I am not sure if it is Paul or George. Immigration period would be around 1883-85. Adolf stayed in the NYC area and married Eugenia Pflugheber. The only information that I have been able to drag up about Adolf is that he was born in Jena, Saxony, Germany, served in the German Imperial Marine Corps from 1878-1881 and died 4/17/1904.

They are listed in 1900 census in New Jersy, Hudson County, Pg 233 A sheet A. I'm not related, just happened to see them on there. Good luck

I am the grandaughter of Eugenia Pflugheber (married to Adfolph Canzler). My maiden name was Canzler changed to Cansler after a divorce in 1981. Grandpa Adolph was born Nov.10, 1857 in Jena, Germany - Died Apr. 17, 1904 in NYC, NY - buried in Trinity Cenetary, Brooklyn, NY. Grandma was born in Neckargerach, Baden, Germany Dec/ 17, 1862 and died in Ponpton Lakes, N.J. Mar. 11, 1940. She is buried at Madona Cemetary in Fort Lee, N.J. My father researched the family history at the Brooklyn Library and I have his original papers. I would be happy to hear from you. Live in CA with my companion kitty in a senior complex. You didn't give your name though so I won't know how to address you. My nickname is Gene.