EARLY FÖRTIG GERMAN ANCESTRY
FIRST GERMAN GENERATION:
Lorenz Förtig, Sr. became leaseholder or tenant of the Kummershof, Monastery Farm in Amorbach in 16181.  Amorbach is located approximately four miles south of Miltenberg in northwestern Bavaria, Germany.  Lorenz, Sr. had a son named Lorenz Förtig, Jr.1. 
 
SECOND GERMAN GENERATION:
Lorenz Förtig, Jr. took over as the tenant of the Kummershof, Monastery Farm1.  He had a son named Johann Förtig1.
 
THIRD GERMAN GENERATION:
Johann Förtig was recorded as the villicus in Kummershof, the steward or bailiff of the Amorbach Monastery Farm1.  He married Katharina on January 30, 1652 in Kummershof and had a son named Georg Förtig1,2.  Johann died in Kummershof in 16721.
 
FOURTH GERMAN GENERATION:
Georg Förtig was born on February 20, 1666 in the Kummershof, Monastery Farm, Amorbach1,2.  Georg married Anna Marie Förtig on September 16, 16881.  Anna Marie was born July 4, 1669 in Watterbach, Bavaria, the daughter of Johan Förtig and Catherine Schäfer1.  Georg and Anna Marie were blessed with a son also named Georg Förtig1.  Anna Marie died on January 8, 1738 at the age of 68 in Watterbach1. The father Georg died on October 1, 1758 also in Watterbach1.  Watterbach is located approximately four miles west of Amorbach in northwestern Bavaria.
 
FIFTH GERMAN GENERATION:
Georg Förtig was born on August 3, 1693 in Watterbach1.  He was united in marriage with Anna Maria Schneider on November 29, 17211.  Anna Maria was born on March 1, 1702 in Watterbach, the daughter of Jos. Schneider and Barbara Breunig1.  Georg and Anna Maria had a son named Sebastian Förtig1,3.  Georg died on March 29, 1761 at the age of 671.  Anna Maria died on October 10, 1780 in Watterbach at the age of 781.
 
SIXTH GERMAN GENERATION:
Sebastian Förtig was born on January 23, 1732 in Watterbach1.  Sebastian married Barbara Schorck on February 7, 1763 in the Kirchzell Parish (Watterbach most likely)1,3.  Barbara was born in 1742 in Otterbach, Bavaria, the daughter of Franz Schorck1,3.  Sebastian and Barbara were honored and blessed with the birth of two sons: Martin Förtig and Johann Anton Förtig1,4.  Barbara died on October 11, 1801 in Watterbach, at the age of 58 or 591.  Sebastian died twelve years later on December 13, 1813 also in Watterbach, at the age of 811.
 
CHILDREN OF SEBASTIAN AND BARBARA:
Martin Förtig, born October 21, 1765, married Maria Anna Zeller and died March 18, 1852
Johann Anton Förtig, born June 17, 1771, married Maria Anna Bachmann and Mary Anna Nothburga Schwaninger, immigrated to the United States in 1837 and died between 1837 to 1850
 
REFERENCES:
1. Förtig Genealogical Research by Mr. Josef Fertig of Giessen, Germany.
Mr. Josef Fertig of Giessen, Germany, researched the origin of the Förtig family from the Watterbach, Bavaria area.  He obtained his information from the Catholic church records of the Parish of Kirchzell.  Josef Fertig was the author of the article Der Familienname Fertig, published in the Bergsträßer Heimatblätter on July 15, 1983.  The research information that Mr. Fertig performed was obtained from Mrs. Irmgard Förtig of Apothekenstr., Germany, via letter, dated November 2, 2003.  Mrs. Förtig was the wife of Karl Heinz Hermann Förtig, son of Hermann Josef Förtig born in 1890. Mrs. Förtig received this information from her husband's cousin Mrs. Gisela (Förtig) Pfaff.  Mr. Josef Fertig's research of the Förtig family from Watterbach is comprised of a two page letter written on August 3, 1988 and a three page report of the ancestors of Hermann Josef Förtig.
 
Letter from Mr. Josef Fertig, dated August 3, 1988.
English Translation:
JOSEF FERTIG, Wartweg 113, 6300 GIESSEN
3.8.88
 
Dear Mrs. ???
We were very glad about your letter.  We have always looked for a message from you.  I have added an extract of the church book of the church in Kirchzell.  I could complete it until the year 1618.
 
The father of the genealogical tree of the Förtig family from Watterbach is Lorentz Fertig, who had taken over the Kummershof from the Amorbach monastery as leaser in 1618.  The monastery farm was then taken over by Lorentz, Jr., followed by his son, Hans.  Hans died and his wife married a Heimbücher from Watterbach.  Watterbach was nearly deserted and wasted during the time of the 30 Years War.  New farmers then came into the land.  One of them was Johann Förtig, the son of the baker Valentin Fertig from Amorbach.  The daughter of Johann, named Anna Maria married Georg Fertig, the son of Hans. So there were in the beginning two Förtig/Fertig families in Watterbach.  Watterbach was a poor village.  In 1395, there were 13 farms with no more in current times.  After the 30 Years War, nine of the farms were destroyed and uninhabited.  They must be newly settled.  Later on, many families emigrated to Bensheim and in about 1750, went to Pommern and later on to the United States and Canada.
 
I would like to write to you some more.  In 1853 and 1854, the sister of my great grandfather with her nine children from Bensheim emigrated to the United States.  I have pictures of her family from Cleveland, Ohio.  The name of her husband is the rare name Gottron.  Is it possible that your relations in the United States can find out if there are currently in Cleveland any persons with the name of Gottron or Fertig?  You intended to visit America.  I have already written to some Fertigs in the United States, but in vain.  Many of them are Jews.
 
Let us know if and when you will come again to Germany.
 
Greetings
Josef Fertig
 
Thanks for the pictures.  The flowers are again blooming!
 
(Attachments)
1. Hermann Josef Förtig, b. 22.3.1890 Watterbach, Married 19.7.1920, d. 7.3.1930 Würzburg
2. Förtig, Heinrich Josef, b. 14.3.1864, M. 7.2., Watterbach
4. Förtig, Johan Martin, b. 11.11.1806 Watterbach, married 2.10.1845, d. 25.6.1887
5. Herkert, Anna Maria, b. 11.5.1822 Buch, married 2.10.1845, d. 2.7.1894
8. Förtig, Martin, b. 21.10.1765 Watterbach, married 4.7.1797, d. 18.3.1852 Watterbach
9. Zeller, Maria Anna, 2.2.1777 Kirchzell, married 4.7.1797, 20.4.1851 Watterbach…..
16. Förtig, Sebastian, b. 23.1.1732 Watterbach, married 7.2.1763, d. 13.12.1813 Watterbach
17. Schork, Barbara, b. 1742 Otterbach, married 7.2.1763, d. 11.10.1801 Watterbach, 57 yrs. old…..
32. Förtig, Georg, b. 3.8.1693 Watterbach, married 29.11.1721, d. 29.3.1761
33. Schneider, Anna Maria, b. 1.3.1702 Watterbach, married 29.11.1721, d. 10.10.1780 Watterbach…..
64.  Förtig, Georg, b. Kummershof (that would be the Monastery Farm at Amorbach), married 16.9.1688, d. 1.10.1758 Watterbach
65.  Förtig, Anna Marie, b. 4.7.1669 Watterbach, married 16.9.1688, d. 8.1.1738 Watterbach…..
128. Förtig, Johan, Villicus in Kummershof (steward or bailiff of the Amorbach Monastery Farm) d. 1672
130. Förtig, Johan, Watterbach, b. Amorbach, married 9.30.1665
131. Schäfer, Catherine, b. Watterbach, married 9.30.1665, d. 9.6.1711 Watterbach…..
Father of No. 128 was Lorenz Förtig Jr.
FATHER OF LORENZ FÖRTIG JR. WAS LORENZ FORTIG SR, who became a leaseholder or tenant of the Amorbach Monastery Farm in 1618.
Father of No. 130 was Valentin Förtig, baker, a citizen of Amorbach…..
 
2. Amorbacher Familienbuch 1618-1913, Norbert Schmitt
English translation: Amorbach Family Book 1618-1913, Norbert Schmitt
 
-68- Gottersdorf
6039 Fertig Lorenz o.w.A., n.i.SM oo N.N.
2 Kd bekannt: 1)Lor.*7.1.1619?oo (?s.6407), 2)Nik.*21.2.1620.
English translation:
Village of Gottersdorf, page 68
6039 Lorenz Fertig, not further indicated in register, not in death register, married ??
2 children: 1) Lorenz, born January 7, 1619? married (?s.6407), 2)Nikolaus, born February 21, 1620.
 
-79- Kummershof
6407 Förtig Lorenz ?*7.1.1619 Gott.(?s.6039)o.w.A., n.i.SM oo Maria N. (nach RMLA),n.i.SM.
5 Kd bekannt: 1)M.*13.4.1653, 2)A.M.*13.4.1656, 3)Joh.*10.5.1659, 4)Lor.*11.8.1661, 5)Jak.*18.7.1663.
English translation:
6407 Lorenz Förtig, born ?January 7, 1619 in Gottersdorf (?s.6039) not further indicated in register, not in death register, married Maria ? (after RMLA), not in death register
5 children: 1)Maria, born April 13, 1653, 2)Anna Maria, born April 13, 1656, 3)Johann, born May 10, 1659, 4)Lorenz, born August 11, 1661, 5)Jakob, born July 18, 1663.
 
-79- Kummershof
6406 Förtig Johann o.w.A., +vor Dez. 1674(n.i.SM), Hofbauer oo 30.1.1652 Katharina N. a.Buch, To.d.Schultheißen von Buch(o.w.A.),n.i.SM.
8 Kd bekannt: 1)Kath.*?(nach RMLA), 2) Joh.*20.3.1656, 3)Pet.*?(nach RMLA) oo(s.6405), 4)M.*6.3.1661 oo (s.4005), 5)Val.*18.7.1663, 6)Gg.*20.2.1666, 7)Matthäus*8.3.1671, 8)Christina*19.12.1674.
English translation:
Village of Kummershof, page 79
6406 Johann Förtig (not further indicated in register) died after December 1674 (not in death register), Yard Farmer married on January 30, 1652 to Katharina, Buch, daughter of Schultheißen of Buch (not further indicated in register), not in death register
8 children: 1) Katharina, born ? (after RMLA), 2) Johann, born March 20, 1656, 3)Peter, born ? (after RMLA) married Barbara (s.6405), 4) Anna Maria, born March 6, 1661, married Ardreas Balles (s.4005), 5) Valentin, born July 18, 1663, 6) Georg, born February 20, 1666, 7)Matthäus, born March 8, 1671, 8)Christina, born December 19, 1674.
 
The following is a brief comparison between the genealogical information contained in the Amorbacher Familienbuch by Mr. Norbert Schmitt (NS) and the Förtig genealogical research by Mr. Josef Fertig (JF) of Giessen, Germany.  A summary of the genealogical information by JF is as follows:  Lorenz Förtig, Sr. became leaseholder or tenant of the Kummershof, Monastery Farm in Amorbach in 1618.   Lorenz, Sr. had a son named Lorenz Förtig, Jr., who took over as the tenant of the Kummershof, Monastery Farm.  Lorenz, Jr. had a son named Johan Förtig, who was recorded as the villicus in Kummershof, the steward or bailiff of the Amorbach Monastery Farm.  Johan had a son named Georg Förtig.  Johan died in 1672.   Georg Förtig was born in the Kummershof, Monastery Farm and married Anna Marie Förtig on September 16, 1688.  Anna Marie was born July 4, 1669 in Watterbach, Bavaria.  Georg died on October 1, 1758 in Watterbach.
 
The book by NS was then examined to verify the above genealogical information by JF.  NS indicates that a man named Lorenz Förtig, no. 6039, lived in the village of Gottersdorf (approximately 1 kilometer north of Kummershof) and had a son named Lorenz, who was born on January 7, 1619? in Gottersdorf.  The son, Lorenz Förtig, no. 6407, married Maria and had five children from 1653 to 1663 while living in Kummershof, the third born named Johann, born May 10, 1659.  In addition, NS documents a man named Johann Förtig, no.  6406, (with no known relationship with Lorenz Förtig, no. 6407) who was recorded as a Yard Farmer and married on January 30, 1652 to Katharina and he died after December 1674.  He had eight children from 1656 to 1674 while living in Kummershof, the sixth child named Georg, born February 20, 1666.
 
No. 6039, Lorenz Förtig (NS), is most likely the same person as Lorenz Förtig, Sr. (JF), for the following reasons: 1. Both persons have the same name, Lorenz, 2. Both persons have a son named Lorenz, 3. Both persons were alive in 1618, 4. Both persons lived in the same area, within 1 kilometer of each other in the Kummershof / Gottersdorf  region, 5. In the Kummershof / Gottersdorf region, No. 6039, Lorenz Förtig, is the only recorded Förtig family member living in the early 1600’s. 
 
No. 6407, Lorenz Förtig (NS), is most likely the same person as Lorenz Förtig, Jr. (JF), for the following reasons: 1. Both persons have the same name, Lorenz, 2. Both persons have a father named Lorenz, 3. Both persons have a son named Johan/Johann, 4. Both persons lived in the mid 1600’s, 5. Both persons lived in the same village, Kummershof, 6. In Kummershof, No. 6407, Lorenz Förtig, is the only recorded Förtig family member living in the mid 1600’s. 
 
No. 6406, Johann Förtig (NS), is most likely the same person as Johan Förtig (JF), for the following reasons: 1. Both persons have the same name, Johann/Johan, 2. Both persons have a son named Georg, 3. Both persons died on or after the 1670’s, 4. Both persons lived in the same village, Kummershof, 5. In Kummershof, No. 6406, Johann Förtig, is of the only recorded Förtig family in the 1600’s except for No. 6407, Lorenz Förtig, 6. Georg, the son of No. 6406 (NS), was born in 1666 and this date corresponds to a very limited range of possible birth dates for Georg (JF) considering that: A. Georg (JF) was married in 1688, which would make him 22 years old if born in 1666 and B. Georg’s (JF) wife was born in 1669, which would make Georg (JF) 3 years older than his wife if born in 1666.
 
Therefore, the work by NS is in predominant agreement with the research by JF. However, according to NS, No. 6407, Lorenz Förtig cannot be the father of No. 6406, Johann Förtig for the following reasons: 1. Johann, the son of No. 6407 was born in 1659, 2. Johann, No. 6406, was married in 1652 and had his first recorded child in 1656.  Therefore because of the preceding dates, the two individuals cannot be the same person. 
 
Since No. 6406, Johann Förtig (NS), is most likely the same person as Johan Förtig (JF) as described above, the NS genealogical information will be incorporated in the current family genealogy.  However, since the relationship between Lorenz Förtig, Jr. and his son, Johan Förtig as detailed in the JF research cannot be verified in the NS research, all information on Lorenz Förtig, Jr. and Lorenz Förtig, Sr. as presented in the NS research will not be incorporated into the current family genealogy and it is presumed that the JF research work is still valid unless proven incorrect.
 
The presumption of the validity of the JF research work is based on the following reasons: 1. JF was an avid Förtig/Fertig family researcher as evidenced by the publication of “Der Familiename Fertig”, an article by JF on the origin of the Fertig family name.  JF would have likely devoted a higher level of accuracy to researching the details of the Förtig family as compared to NS, who was doing a broad research of all the families in the Amorbach region, 2. JF may have based his research conclusions on reliable records other than the source references that were utilized by NS.
 
The above being said, the JF research is still questionable since JF did not record any birth dates for the first four generations of the Förtig family.  Therefore, JF did not likely find any actual birth records which would have positively confirmed the relationship between the first four family generations.   However, as earlier stated, the JF research work will remain in the current family genealogy until it is determined to be incorrect.
 
3. 1763 Marriage record of Sebastian Förtig and Barbara Schorck.
Diözesanarchiv Würzburg, Pfarrei Kirchzell, Kirchenb. A2 b (1705-1790), Aszug aus den Kirchenbüchern der kath. Pfarrei Kirchzell, Eheregister 1763: Seite 49
7. Febr. Inthronizatus est honestus adolescens Sebastianus, filius legit. Georgii Förtig p.m. incolae in Watterbach cum pudica virgine Barbara Francisci Schorck ex Otterbach fil. legit. Test. praesent. 57.
 
English translation: Excerpts from the Kirchzell Parish Church Books, Marriage Register 1763, A2b (1705-1790), held at the archives of the Catholic Bishop in Würzburg, Germany.
The marriage between unmarried Sebastian Förtig (son of late Georg Förtig in Watterbach) and unmarried Barbara Schorck (daughter of Franz Schorck in Otterbach) has been performed on February 7, 1763 in Kirchzell in the presence of 57 witnesses.
 
4. 1771 Birth and baptismal record of John Anthony Fertig.
For more information, see the reference section for John Anthony Fertig.
 
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