The shear mass of data included in these pages will seem confusing and
easily misunderstood. As I have responded to numerous queries related to
individuals present or not present on these pages I found myself repeating
the same words of explanation over and over again. I hope through these
words to answer many of these frequently asked questions; FAQ's in internet
parlance.
If you have a question about a Kinser ancestor you can post it on the
Family Discussion Forum
The database can be searched for information on all the names in the data
base.
As a help in navigation a 'left double click' at any point on any page
should return you to the top of the page.
So here
goes:
Spelling the name: The original German spelling appears to have
been Küntzer or Cüntzer. It now seems to have evolved there to Künzer..
When the new immigrants entered this country they gave their names to an
immigration officer. The officer recording their data spoke little German and few if
any of the immigrants spoke any English.
Küntzer was written variously as Küntzer, Kintzer, Keinzer, Kinser, and
Kinzer on various documents. In fact one Kinser immigrant had his name
spelled three different ways in one document. Jakob Kintzer and Nicolas
Keinser on the ship 'Davy' were in fact Küntzer brothers. Any and all of
the spellings at top of this page are found on the family tree. They are
all legitimate and correct.
1. Background and purpose: As several of our Kinser cousins
exchanged information over the years we became aware of a need for a
'central clearing house' where data from many sources could be collected
and be readily available to any interested party. I agreed to do a web
page which became www.kinser.org. These pages are intended for use by
all Kinser cousins regardless of how the name is spelled.
2. Sources: The information on these pages is compiled from work
by dozens of researchers digging into the family tree for at least
thirty years. These people have shared generously of their research
finding. The verbal and printed sources from which these names, dates,
and relationships; if known, are recorded in my own personal data base
consisting of 13,000 plus names. There is no practical way to cite all
the reference sources used by the various researchers but many of
the sources can be found under the individual name.
3: Information submitted: Any Kinser cousin may submit new
information. The information submitted is accepted subject to
verification. No representation is made as to accuracy; however, most of
the data is done by people who I know to be careful and accurate
researchers. When new data is submitted an effort is made to match it
with previous data. If the information that parallels present data is
accurate then the new data submitted is accepted as most probably
accurate and is added to the data base with notes as to source and time.
If the parallel information does not agree with present data then the
this fact is noted and the questionable data is not used until verified.
4: Contradictory data: As any genealogical researcher has found
different sources may contradict each other. When this happens the
contradictory information is circulated by E-mail to some seventy
cousins who provide information and opinions then the most reasonable
answer is chosen. What is called in genealogy, 'preponderance of the
evidence.'
5: Why is my Kinser ancestor's name spelled incorrectly? I know
my grandfather spelled his name Kincer or Kinzer but you have spelled it
Kinser, for example.
This difference in spelling can come from several sources:
A. Many researchers changed the spellings of names
to match their own, causing confusion and consternation among other
Kinser cousins. Please don't do this! When these changes are found they
are corrected.
- B. Some persons on the family tree chose to
use a different spelling than their fathers. There are several
instances the father used Kinser and some of his sons used Kinser
and others Kincer or Kinzer.
- C. Sometimes the name is spelled incorrectly
on legal documents. Census records are notorious for this. Court
records as well. Please be aware that many people were illiterate
well into the 1800's. and thus were at the mercy of the person
writing down the name.
6: Why isn't my Kinser ancestor on the
family tree? The names on the family tree are those whose definite
relationships have been established. There are several hundred individual names
and family groups in the data base that aren't connected because no one has yet
provided the necessary information.
7. I don't know if I'm related to this family or not. If one or
more of your ancestors was a Kinser however they spelled it you probably
are one of our Kinser cousins. All of the Kinser immigrants thus far
identified came form one small area in the Palatine states near the
small villages of Wolfersweiler or Kirsten. The available records seem
to indicate they were related.
8. Why did you use the spelling Kinser in most of the material on
the web page? Because I spell my name Kinser and since I have to
type it so many times its' easier that way; however, any way you spell
it is OK.
9. Can I submit information on my family? Yes, submissions
are welcome. Please include complete information, full names, complete
dates, sources if possible, No abbreviations please.
Robert C. Kinser |
