Koberstein's of Brazil

Franz Koberstein emmigration via Hamburg

The emmigration passenger list gave Ruhlsdorf, Prussia as the residence of Franz (born abt 1847, 58), Wilhelmina (born abt 1849, 56), Frieda (born abt 1890, 15), and Emil (born abt 1873 32).  Franz and Wilhelmina were listed as father and mother to daughter Frieda.  Emil was listed separatly, but the same residence is clear indication they are probably the same family.  Emil was given as born in Lethandia, Poland by Elizana Koberstein a descendant in the ancestral file shared by her.  I have been unable to locate a place with this name.  Adolfo, the son of Emil was indicated as born at Lithuania/Latvia/Poland on August 8, 1918, which conflicts with the passanger list departure of April 15, 1905.  The next older sibling Adolina was indicated as born in Poland on December 27, 1912, which is not in conflict.  I wonder if the birth of Adolfo is in error, given the 6 year gap between the siblings.

 

They came on the ship Guahyba via the Hamburg-Südamerikanische Dampfschifffahrt-Gesellschaft shipping line.  The departure was on April 15, 1905.  They came on the accommodation: Zwischendeck.  This is the deck between (Zwischen) the main deck and the hold of the ship.  They came via the ports of Antwerpen; Leixoes; Lissabon; Südbrasilien in the passenger list.  I assume this is Antwerp Belgium; Leixões, Portugal; Lisbon, Portugal; and then to South Brazil (Südbrasilien).  I have no idea what the Südbrasilien port would be, however Sao Francisco is listed as the destination.  I believe this is São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil due to its proximity to current day Koberstein's and Curitiba, where Koberstein's live.  General information on German immigration to Brazil 1824 - 1969.

The occupation of Franz and Emil is listed as Landwirt (Farmer).

See the Emil database and the passanger list information.

I had some time before received information about a Francisco, who it is clear is the full name for this Franz.

"My name is Marcos Schroeder, 39 years old, born in Rio do Sul, State of Santa Catarina, South of Brazil. Many years I have searched about my ancestors and towns where they lived. I know that the first teacher in Rio do Sul (at that time Südarm, later Bela Aliança and finally Rio do Sul) was Franz KOBERSTEIN. He was born at June 6, 1846 and died at July 30, 1924. (editor note: This is consistant with the Hamburg emmigration passenger list)  I have only this information about him and know that descendents are in Rio do Oeste, near to Rio do Sul and others in Paraná, another State ."
 
 

A visitor to Rio do Sul has stated, "This area was mainly colonized by germans and nowadays they still speak german in their houses although the german language is not supported by Brazilian Gov. In contrast to the official language, the portuguese.  Different generations of germans are leaving here, some of them speak an old german mixed with portuguese and different old dialects. This looks like a little Bavaria in Brazil."

Here is a modern view of Rio do sul:
 
 

I also found more information about this Franz, "The first school that is on record, belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Community, dated in the year 1908. ... The teacher of the school was Francisco Koberstein (although there is controversy if Hobus the Pastor was the first). Fiori (1991), explains that for the descendants of foreign citizens (such as "Südarm") they developed a system of schools where the distinction between urban areas maintained by school corporations, belonging to the religious congregations and schools or Community colonial (typical of rural areas and low population density). These schools are fit and foreign, in which one or most subjects were taught in foreign language, even if the teacher was of Brazilian nationality. And that is where the problems begin Lutheran School in Rio do Sul."  More information.

I have identified two apparently different Koberstein (also spelled Koberstajn or Koberstain) families in Brazil.  Some that I have identified in this family that descended from Franz and Emil actually live in the state of Parana.  Specifically,

It is very interesting to me that the wife of Emil was given as Teofila Schauer (By elizanna Koberstain).  She is listed as born on May 5, 1870 in Lodz, Poland.  Lodz is a main city in Poland about 230 Km South of Kolonia Brynsk, where my Koberstein come from.

My second Great Grand Aunt was Wilhelmina Schauer (wife of Martin Koberstein) whose mother was Roseana Schwar (born in 1800 in Prussia).  Wilhelmina was born in 1831 in Prussia.  It makes me wonder if this is the same Schauer family and subsequently Emil Koberstain is related to Martin Koberstein my 2nd Great Grand Uncle.  In order for this to be so, the birth years indicate Teofila would have to be child of a brother (to have retained the Schauer name) of Wilhelmina.
Here is a list of all people in the Emil ancestral file and locations mentioned:

1. Francisco b) 6 Jun 1846, Prussia
• Spouse: Wilhelmina b)
• Emil b) 5 May 1878 Lethandia, Poland d) Argintina
• Spouse: Teofila Schaurer: b) 5 May 1870, Lodz Poland, d) Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Rodolfo b) 17 Apr 1904, d) 11 May 1973
• Spouse: Lidia
• Adolina b) 27 Dec 1912, Poland d) 7 Nov 1972
• Adolfo b) 8 Aug 1918 Lithuania/Latvia/Poland, d) 22 Jan 1982 Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Groso, Brazil
• Spouse: Elisiaria Soares b) 8 Aug 1918 Lithuania/Latvia/Poland
• Ataid
• Adolfo b) 8 Jul 194
• Spouse: Miguleina Pinho b) 8 May 195
• Rodolfo b
• Spouse: Vicentin
• Lucian
• Kati
• Rudolfo Jr.
• Matilda
• Spouse: Edgar Frank
• Mariluci Frank
• Lucimere Fran
• Eliza Fran
• Edgar Frank Jr.
• Eduardo Adolfo Frank
• Samuel
• Spouse: Neuza Le
• Evandro
• Leandro
• Teresinha
• Spouse: Florentino Araujo
• Marcio Araujo
• Jose Adolfo Araujo
• Lisu
• Spouse: Marilene
• Malena
• Olga b) 29 Jun 1956 Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Groso, Brazil
• Spouse: Odenir Moreira
• Henrique Moreira
• Joao Bosco
• Spouse: Ana Maria
• Marcelo
• Alexandre
• Spouse: Leocardia
• Joao
• Claudio
• Caludia
• Frieda b) Abt. 1890, Prussia

The only new city is Guimarães, Mato Groso, Brazil shown in the map below:

 
 

Adolfo moved quite a ways from Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, al the way to the state of Mato Grosso.  This is about 1900 Km North through the states of Parana, Sao Paulo and Mato Grosso du Sul.

I wonder why he went so far away.  I have found a neighborhood in this city, Chapada dos Guimarães, Mato Groso, Brazil, that is named Adolfo Koberstain, presumable after this person.  He may have been an original settler here to have such a tribute.

I guess Koberstein's just were born to migrate to the greener hill!