From: Ralf Rossmeissl
To: Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer
Bechhofers had to take a surname by law in 1813.
They took the name Bechhoefer, because living in
the village of Bechhofen since 1682. Before the
family lived since 1604 in the little town of Herrieden
and before probably in Gunzenhausen.
"Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer" schrieb:
> Thank you for the information. How old is the town of Bechhofen itself?
> By the 1930's were there any Jews in Herrieden or Gunzenhausen?
The Jews of Herrieden were thrown out in 1682 and setteled back to Bechhofen.In Gunzenhausen was a pogrom 1933 (first antisemitic killings in Germany), 1934, 1938. Last Jews of the congregation fled end of 1938. All in all nearly 120 Gunzenhausen born Jews were killed and about 50 Jews from Bechhofen.
"Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer"
> If I recall correctly, I am the person who first made the connection
> between you and my uncle, Jerry Bechhofer, a few years ago.
Exactly - I visited Jerry last week for dinner. Every time its wonderful to see the candles of Bechhofen still burning and also that there are Bechhoefers out in the world! Meanwhile the old bet olam in Bechhofen is closed to the public, so its very quiet around your common ancistors, who founded theplace in 1603.
1. explanation of the word Pech = pitch; Hofen = pot; place were pitch was poiled
2. explanation Bechthold = German tribes man named Bechthold; Hofen = homestead Homestead of the free Franconian German tribesman Bechthold In Franconian slang, since 1806 part of Bavaria, P = B, T = D, ..