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Biographical works often focus on the members of a specific occupation or trade, such as theologians or communications workers. See the “[[German Biography|Biography]]” section. For help in determining the meaning of old occupational terminology, see the Family History Library publication German Genealogical Word List). Also check the “[[Germany Language and Languages|Language and Languages]]” section. For a helpful list of German Occupations with their English equivalents please check this site [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~romban/misc/germanjobs.html German Occupation list] | Biographical works often focus on the members of a specific occupation or trade, such as theologians or communications workers. See the “[[German Biography|Biography]]” section. For help in determining the meaning of old occupational terminology, see the Family History Library publication German Genealogical Word List). Also check the “[[Germany Language and Languages|Language and Languages]]” section. For a helpful list of German Occupations with their English equivalents please check this site [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~romban/misc/germanjobs.html German Occupation list] | ||
== Totenlade== | |||
In Germany members of guilds or professional organizations as well as people from poorer neighborhoods protected themselves against accidental or sudden death by joining an arrangement which was called “Totenlade”. The term suggests that an actual box was furnished (which might have been the case in the beginning) to hold money and papers, as well as statutes. However, later the word “Totenlade” also meant society with a name attached to it, i.e., Totenlade “Die Zunft der Bürstenmacher” (The society of brush makers) | |||
<br>In medieval times the breaking out of fires was a common occurrence. It left house owners, their neighbors and sometimes entire neighborhoods devastated to the extent that they needed to rebuild. In order to accomplish this task people had to rely on the generousity of others for food and building materials. When the great fire of London destroyed a large part of the city, people in other cities of Europe started to take measures. Craftsmen, merchants and members of the general population established a Totenlade, a sort of co-op and were known by names, i.e., Butter und Käse-Händler-Brüderschaft (the brotherhood of butter and cheese merchants). All members contributed an entrance fee and then deposited yearly amounts of money. In case of death, money would be distributed for burial or support to the survivors. Many people were members of several Totenladen. And many members were not local. Totenladen often had their own burial spots. In many address books of the 19th century Totenladen are listed. | |||
<br>If the documentation of a Totenlade has survived, a receipt about paid moneys would reveal the recipient, as was stated in the Totenlade “Gott mit uns allen” in Hamburg. In this instance, the messenger came to a survivor to pay a certain amount for his deceased mother, whose name was stated. The survivor then had to sign the receipt in which case his name and relationship was also given.<br>From a family historical point of view, Totenladen give yet another piece of evidence of the whereabouts of ones ancestors.<br> | |||
Sources:<br>Ahnenforschung Paap. Totenladen, Versicherung und Hilfskassen. Quellen im Staatsarchiv Hamburg. 2011<br>W. Lampe. Altenwerder Totenlade aus dem 18. Jahrhundert in Norddeutsche Familienkunde, 1. Jahrgang Heft 2, page 43<br>Wikipedia: Totenlade, then Sterbekasse | |||
== Diaries of midwives == | == Diaries of midwives == | ||