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Tarzan's Family Tree - The Weissmuller Branch
June 1999 - I am so glad that I posted what little I know about my family genealogy on the web in 1997. I am finding relatives and "maybe relatives" all over! All of my "first hand" knowledge of my genealogy came from my grandmother, Marie Weissmuller, nee Kindlinger (1902-1992), who came over from Austria-Hungary as a two year old. She was the same age and generation as Johnny (Tarzan) Weissmuller who was her husband's (Adam Weissmuller, 1899-1937) first cousin. Strangely enough, her Biring/Kindlinger family came from a town about 30 to 60 miles south of where the Weissmuller's came from the German-speaking area in what is now Romania -- although they met and were married in Chicago, Illinois.
Anyway, as I have heard many times before from other people, we never tried to pin my grandmother down on hard facts about our origins until her memory was clouded and confused by the many generations of new family ties caused by marriages in this country. The only fact which she reported over and over again was that she and Johnny (Tarzan) Weissmuller were the same age, i.e., born 1902 in "the old country", not 1904 in Windber, PA -- that he used a brother's birth certificate to get a passport to go to the 1924 Olympics. According to my grandmother, the Windber birth certificate said "Peter John" and she thought that that child had died at an early age and a later child was also named Peter (which is a very popular name in our family due to a common ancestor and the Catholic heritage reasons). Given these treasured ramblings and "family folklore" quality of the source, consider some wonder new (old?) facts just sent to me below. Note: because of an email problem, I did not even see this information for two nights, but I was so excited, I wanted to post it here before trying to confirm any piece of it.
August 2002 - Of course all the information provided by Shirley Gibbard checked out. I had lost her email address and went searching for her address on the Internet. It turns out she is a VERY active contributor to the DANUBE-SWABIAN genealogy site which covers the Banat region where both my Dad's parents come from. To search yourself, visit: <http://www.genealogienetz.de/reg/ESE/dschwaben.html>. For information on Johnny (Tarzan) Weissmuller check out the book - Johnny Weissmuller, Twice the Hero (2000) which recounts some of this information. For the past few years I did not include Shirley's phone number nor email address to avoid having her swamped with the flood of inquiries resulting from having "Weissmuller" on your web site. For example, I have nothing to do with JOHNNY WEISSMULLER SWIMMING POOLS, but I am constantly contacted by pool purchasers about late deliveries and the need for replacement parts.
I also get many, many inquiries about whether "we are related" or not. -- Unfortunately MOST have nothing but their grandmother's vague recollections about living in the old county. I was pretty much in the same boat, except my grandmother had the family scrapbook with photos and news clippings before Johnny/Tarzan even became famous. The Internet has proved to be the backbone for my search -- passenger manifests, genealogy web sites and this site to attract real and potential relatives. The bad news is that I am an overworked system analyst (currently unemployed) and have NOT HAD the time to be come a genealogist as I would like. Others like Shirley below and a Weissmuller in Germany are, what I consider, professionals and use the tools properly and are therefore a better source to ask your linkage questions. I am going to reverse my policy on not giving out email addresses of other researchers SO THAT YOU SEEKERS CAN FIND YOUR ANSWERS. Please do not cut me out of the loop, however. When you send an email to anyone below, please send a Courtesy Copy (CC) to me also at: JohnnyW@codap.com - I would be very appreciative that the last five years of maintaining this web site will gain me more family connections.
Johnny (Tarzan's) Story - Shirley's June 1999 Input
As a Weissmuller family researcher, I too have often been asked if I am
related to TARZAN. My answer has always been " possibly", because it has
long been a family story that my mother, Katharina Weissmuller Geiger, was
related to Johnny Weissmuller. Her aunt told her in the 1930's, that
Johnny Weissmuller was born in Freidorf and that she knew his father. Of
course, when a family has the same name as a celebrity, a lot of stories
are created. Two years ago, I decided to find out if there was any
possible connection to my mother's family. It has been a very interesting
project and I thought you may be interested in what I have found out so far.
As you probably know, it is very difficult to obtain records from the
National Archives in Romania. But I did obtain a copy of an article from a
Weissmuller researcher in Germany that appeared in the Neue Banater
Zeitung, June 29, 1979 entitled
DER TARZAN STAMMT AUS FREIDORF (Tarzan Comes From Freidorf)
In the article are photocopies from the records for the Roman Catholic
Parish of Freidorf, Temes County, Hungary (now Romania) that shows the
following:
Baptism Record:
Janos (Johann)Weiszmueller, a male,legitimate child, was born the
2 June, 1904 and baptized in the parish church on 5 June 1904. His parents
were Peter Weiszmueller, a day worker from Varjas, and Ersebert
(Elisabetha) Kersch, of Szabadfalu(the name for Freidorf at the time).The
Godparents were Janos Borstner and Katharina Erbesz.
Ref: Romanian National Archives, Freidorf Parish Records Baptisms Band 7
No. 40.
The Freidorf Parish records also contain the record for the marriage on
7 June 1903 of Peter Weiszmueller, the widower of Margit Mueller, formerly
of Varjas, age 26 years, now living in Szabadfalu in house No.192 to
Ersebet Kersch, the daughter of Konrad Kersch and Ersebet Buecher, 23
years, single, living in Freidorf in house No. 84.
REf: Romanian National Archives, Freidorf Parish Records Marriages 1903,
Page 31, No. 10
The same birth record for Johnny Weissmuller is also printed in the
Freidorf history book by Karoline-Lotte Wilhelm
HEIMATBUCH DER DEUTSCHEN GEMEINDE FREIDORF IM BANAT
Druckerei Weigand,
Wasserburg, Germany,
1985
The article also has some information about your branch of the Weissmuller
family and I would be very pleased to send you a copy if you would like to
have it.
The Weissmuller family arrived in New York on the S.S. Rotterdam on Jan 26,
1905, having left Rotterdam on Jan 14.
The ship passenger manifest shows:
Peter Weissmuller, age 27, German race, from Szabadfalu, Hungary
Elisabeth, wife, age 24,
Johann,child, age 7/12
No occupation was given for Peter W. and the family was going directly to
Windber, Penn. to brother-in-law Johann Ott. Peter W. was in possession of
$13.50 and the condition of health is recorded as good for all three
members of the family.
I'm sure you have found that there is much misinformation about the origin
of Johnny Weissmuller in books and on the internet. I am amazed how often
authors keep repeating information without checking primary records. I
hope that you will find this useful and that you might like to include it
in your TRUE STORY on your web site. From other information like,census
records etc, I have some thoughts about why Johnny created some of the myth
himself.
We can only imagine the difficult lives of immigrant families in the early
years of this century. Also, I have some earlier, incomplete information
that may link Johnny Weissmuller to the family of my ancestor, Johann Pauli
Weissmueller, who entered Hungary from Harsberg, Germany, in 1754.
Am I related to Tarzan? Probably.
With greetings from our branch of the Weissmuller family,
Shirley
Sensible Johnny: Dear Shirley, Thank you so-o-o-o very much!!!!!!
Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 15:07:53 +0200
Subject: Johnny "Tarzan" Weissmuller - here's another relative
Hello Johnny,
as I have just found your page
http://www.codap.com/tarzan.htm#TARZAN
and having read the letter at
http://www.codap.com/tarzans_family_tree_.htm
I just want to tell you this:
My mother who was born in 1915 in Timisoara (the Romanian name of this
town; it was called Temesvar or even Temeschburg in German language) used
to tell us children that one of her mother's cousins was Johnny Weissmuller
- the Tarzan Actor, that is.
My mother's birth name was Elvira Keller. Her own mother's birth name was
Grimm (as far as I remember, Maria Grimm).
My grandmother, Ms. Grimm, was born around 1895 (I am not sure about the
year, sorry) and she died in 1942 - so due to the fact that I have been
born in 1953 I did not have the chance to meet her. In 1944, my mother and
both of her sisters came to Austria as refugees due to the circumstances at
the end of World War II. The perspectives for the german-speaking minority
were very bad these days in this area.
So,
"Am I related to Tarzan? Probably."
Me, too. Most probably, at least.
I am not a genealogy researcher, neither an experienced nor an enthusiastic
one. But I should like to know a little bit more about the Weissmuller
connection.
Best regards from Austria (Innsbruck, Tyrol),
Walter J. Ferstl.
Back to Top
From: "david hignite"
Subject: Weissmuller-Ott
Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 11:42:33 -0700
I just visited your web site and read the background on Johnny Weissmuller.
It provided a lot of interesting information. I have a couple of facts you
might be interested in.
In the article there is a reference to the Weissmullers going to a
brother-in-law Johann Ott in Windber, PA upon arriving in America. Johnann
Ott is my grandfather. My mother, Katherine Ott (b.1915), was their
daughter and fourth eldest of four children. She was born in Chicago when
the family relocated there from Windber. My uncle, John Ott was born in
Windber. My other Uncle, Joseph Ott was born in Freidorf in 1900. Of
course, my grandmother (Katherina Kersch) was the sister of Elisabetha
Kersch Johnny Weismuller's mother.
Apparently, the Weismullers and Ott's were close as they moved and lived
together in Chicago in St. Micheal's parish and later my grandparents lived
in a small suburb near Chicago known as Villa Park. My mother was a
seamstress at Sak's Fifth Avenue in Chicago during the 30's and thru Johnny
Weismueller got a seamstress job at one of the movie studios near Los
Angeles, CA. She worked both at the studio(s) and Saks in the late 30's the
40's. I was born in San Pedro, CA. in 1947. My mother, aunt and both uncles
are now deceased. I was raised for some time by my uncle, John Ott. I do
have contact with my aunt (91) who was the wife of Joseph Ott and knew
Weismuller personally and has given me some additional information.
That is a quick summary of what I know. Just thought I would send you a
quick email that may fill in some blanks for you. I have some paperwork
that may add more dates if you are interested.
Date: Sat, 24 Aug 2002 22:08:45 -0700 (Via Sensible Johnny's Email)
I would like to pass this information on.
My name is Donald Tallitsch. My mother was also born in Freidorf. When we were young she told us that she was a cousin of Johnny Weismuller. I have no idea as to how she knew that she was relater to him. My mother came to this country in 1906, so I have been told. Her parents also went to Pennsylvania, my grandfather worked in the coal mines. My grandfather did not like working in the mines and said that he would sooner return to Europe than work in the mines. He moved his family to Chicago, when I was never told or don't remember. My grandfathers name was Joseph Ott. What my grandfather did when they arrived in Chicago, I have never been told, but he eventually became what was known as a cellar boss in a brewery. My father came from Ujbarok Hungary and eventually worked for my grandfather in the brewery. My parents were married in Chicago in 1913.
My grandfather was Joseph Ott
My grandmother was Krispin
There were three children
Elizabeth (my mother)
Josephine
Franz
If you do get this letter, please reply as I am trying to build our family genealogy and is very difficult to get family history to fill in the blanks.
Donald Tallitsch
aerbus1997@hotmail.com or donald@tallitsch.com
Kindlinger - Biring - Borst Connections
From: "Cheryl"
Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2002 00:24:06 -0500
Dear Mr. Weissmuller,In researching on the web for my own family tree of the KINDLINGER family, the web brought up your site. Let me tell you, I was very surprised to hear that we are some how related to the Weissmuller family also. We live in Michigan and have not been able to track down any history of the Kindlingers until I found your site. If you could provide me with any information on the Kindlinger side of your family, I would greatly appreciate it. We have only been told that the family comes from either Germany, Austria, Hungary, or Romania. We are confused and do not know where to look. If you are too busy, I will understand and I thank you for your time. Your web site has already provided us with some information and that alone is dear to us.
Thank you for all your hard work in the research.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Kindlinger
Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2002 11:34 PM
Subject: Re: family tree
There was very little research on my part. My Grandmother, Marie Weissmuller, was born Marie E. Kindlinger - second oldest of 9 children. Only one boy from that group - Michael Kindlinger. From my great Uncle Mike and Aunt Helen, flowed many Kindlingers I grew up with in Michigan (Detroit, Livonia,Redford Twnship area). To keep things confusing, "Mike" is used for about four generations. My great uncle Mike's son, Mike joined the Air Force and stayed in Texas when he got out. All I ever heard was about cousin Mikey staying in Texas (How could he do that!). He died at a relatively early age, but not before having a son named Mike. This is the Michael Kindlinger who drives for Yellow Freight and calls me on occasion when he is in Texas. (I too joined the Air Force and stayed in Texas when I got out -- where ever could I have gotten such an unorthodox idea!) He has sons named Tray (about 27 years old) and Brandon (about 23 years old). -- I'm copying this from the cork board next to my computer -- I just haven't had the time to format it for the web site. I have some other notes in my day planner that I got from my Dad.
If you found my web site, you found most of what I know. What do you know? Who are your kids, parents, grandparents, etc. The more you tell me, the more I could probably help. -- Johnny
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 10:40:49 -0500
Dear Johnny,
I am so excited!! It seems we are very closely related. OK....here goes...........
My husband is Richard Kindlinger. His father was Peter Kindlinger, and his father was Michael Kindlinger, married to Helen Kindlinger!! Your great aunt and uncle are my husbands grandparents!! What does that makes us? Im not sure, but definetly family!!
Rich says that he remembers seeing you when he was small. He says his father Pete and your father Adam often got together and visited. He was a member of Pete's wedding party to his first wife Irene. (Rich's mom). He remembers them making furniture together, and Adam playing with him and throwing him up in the air and other fun stuff like that. He also remembers you! He said to ask you if you used to shoot a gun backwards with a mirror. He thinks it was you that could do that, but he was small at the time. Rich has one brother named Jim. Jim would be your age. He is 51. JIm remembers you alot more.
Rich says he would come and visit with your family when he would visit with his father and new step mother, Eileen. Adam would probably remember Eileen more than Irene....they were divorced when the boys were little.
Rich and Jim have a first cousin in Texas.....cousin Michael of course!! He drives for Yellow Freight, just like you said! When I read that, I knew we were talking about all the same people. We just heard from Mike at Christmas!
Rich says he thinks he visited Adam and Jean in Redford or Livonia area? He's not sure. Both Jim and Rich remember seeing the photo you have posted on the web site of you and your cousin John somewhere in his grandparents house or maybe your house?
He also remembers a lady called Aunt Mary that lived in Chicago, Illinios and going to see her. Could that be your grandmother? If so, then he remembers seeing her at his grandfather Michael's funeral some years back. ( perhaps around 1965?) Was she a big woman?
This is all so exciting since we did not expect to learn so much so quickly. Peter died in 1996. His brothers, Uncle Mike & Uncle Bill are gone, and we have not been able to get much information from Aunt Ruth. (Peter's sister) She is currently living in Livonia.
We still see her alot, and her children. She married a man with the last name of Wynn. When we asked her about information about the family, it seems she gets confused to as where they originated from too. She remembers working in the family bakery in Chicago all those years ago. Then there were a few years that her and Pete didnt speak due to some family arguement, so now when we are curious as to family history, we didnt know who to turn to.
Rich is at work today, that is why I am writing to you, but he is very excited too, and wants to email you and your dad to see if he remembers him at all.
We are going to call Jim and tell him all this exciting news too. This is going to blow his mind. He talked to Mike at xmas too, and no one ever mentions the Weissmuller connection. I guess we didnt think to ask, and they didnt think we didnt know....
Thank you so much for writing back, and I hope to continue communication with you as we can detail our family history a bit more from all this.
And just think, all this because I put the name Kindlinger in the "search" area and it came back with a "Tarzan" site. I couldnt believe it!!
A couple quick questions.....
Have you been able to put together a family tree yet?
Do you know if your great Aunt Helen's maiden name was Pieno? She was from Hungary we believe.
We were also told that her husband Michael was from possibly Romania?
Were they the first to come to America, or their parents?
We dont expect you to know much about the Kindlinger side, but any information you can provide is greatly appreciated.
So nice hearing from you Johnny!
take care and hope to hear from you again soon.
Best Wishes,
Cheryl Kindlinger
Date: Wed, 24 Apr 2002 19:13:57 -0600
Hi, I do believe we are relatives... cousins. If you are who I think you are. Your father's name is Adam, and he has a sister named Marion. Marie Kindlinger Weissmuller was my Godmother and Aunt. My mother Helen Kindlinger Borst is her younger sister. My mother was the first born in America. My parents lived in Chicago, Illinois. When your grandmother came to America she lived in St. Louis, Mo. Later, the family moved to Chicago , Illinois about 1916. Most of the family stayed in Chicago, But, Your grandmother and her brother Mike moved to Dearborn , Mich. Uncle Mike had a bakery for a long time and Your grandfather Adam, who was a wrestler.. I heard the story many times, he and "Tarzan" were cousins.-owned and ran a roller skating rink. It was the only rink in Dearborn, Mich. After Uncle Adams death, Aunt Mary we called her Mary ran the roller skating rink for many years. I lost contact with her after I moved to California.. about 1970. I have been tracing the family tree, and was surprised to see the names Weissmuller and Biring, because I have been researching the Birings, who are Marie's maternal grandparents! If you are interested I would be more then happy to share the family tree information with you. Your grandmother still has two living siblings, Bertha and Marge, they live in the Chicago suburbs the other 8 have passed away. Marie has one first cousin still living in St. Louis, Mo. Irma Biring. My dad John Borst and your dad Adam Weissmuller Jr. ( your dad was called Junior when I knew him and You Aunt Marion was called Tootsie by family members) were close when you dad was a child. If you check your dad or your Aunt Marion can tell you, they have a cousin named Marion . Oh , yes the story I was told by my Mother was that Adam named you John after my dad. Sure would love to know if I am right and you are Johnny, Adams son. It would be great to hear from "family" Later, Marion Borst Hoskins.Short answers: Yes, I am who you think I am. My Dad (Adam) wanted me named "John" after John Borst, but my mother made the name "Johnny" on my birth certificate which, of course, has caused me 52 years of aggravation, so far. My middle name is Joseph - after my Uncle Joe - my Aunt Marion's husband who my Dad called "Daddy Joe" since his Dad (my grandfather) died when my Dad was only 12 years old.
I am attaching a very large zip file (about 850Kb) with the information I have on the Biring/Kinglinger family tree. Use WinZip or PKUnzip to separate it back into individual files. I only zipped up the family tree text information -- I have about 8 photos which are about 10 - 18 Megabytes each. IF YOU SENT ME A MAILING ADDRESS, I WILL COPY THEM ALL TO A CD-ROM AND MAIL IT TO YOU.
This is a family tree I got another relative - Shirley May. I just recently scanned in the material referenced in my web site to send to Cheryl Kindlinger - wife of Richard Kindlinger (son of Peter, son of Michael - my grandmother's (Mary) brother). - see the note I sent her regarding errors about my first cousin Margarite (Marge)- my Aunt Marion's daughter.
If you have any family tree info, I am REALLY interested. Send me emails or snail mail:
Johnny J. Weissmuller
10218 Lorene Lane
San Antonio, Texas 78216-4409
NOTE SENT TO CHERYL:
Cheryl, There are several files Zipped together. Download WINZIP if you don't already have an "unzip" program. Pages4_14.pdf covers the Kindlinger Family. My Grandmother (Maria/Mary/Marie Kindlinger)'s MOTHER was Theresa Biring who married Peter Kindlinger. All this information comes from the Biring family history.
Note we KNOW there are errors in this. My cousin Marge Schasney/Blanding doesn't even show up and her children (Mark & Neil) show up under her sister, Susie. We need to get fixed at some point when I enter all this into a software package rather than a word processing program. I only have this in hard copy from Shirley May (see Page 16)
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 2002 00:35:24 -0600
Hi Cousin! <G>, This is so exciting, to find a relative on line!. I have been tracing the family tree for awhile, I run into "brick walls" and then stop for awhile and then go back to give it another try. You have the Birings, that is a lot of information and most of it agrees with mine. However there are several errors, I will go down page by page and send you corrections. I have information similar to this , I like to "double check" my information. I have found that memories are good but... they can be shaky . So, I have copies of the ship manifests, when Peter Kindlinger came with Susan, and then Teresa came with Katherine, Mike and Marie. I will send you a copy of them. You will not find them at the Ellis Island site because they arrived at Baltimore , Maryland. Peter, Teresa and children are listed in the 1920 US census in Chicago, Illinois. I have death certificates of most of her siblings, anytime I had a date and place . I don't have ANY information on Peter Kindlinger. I have his parents names they are Frank Kindlinger and Susan Airdalie? got this names from Social security. I will send you a copy. I have been able to trace him form the time he arrived in the USA but, cannot find any sisters brothers etc... or anyone who knows or will talk about him. Kindlinger is an unusual name If you have ANY kind of information on him I sure would appreciate it. I am SO glad you answered. Later, Marion Borst Hoskins OOPS!!! almost left out my address: 907 E. Curtis Ave., Parma, Idaho 83660 Later, MarionDate: Wed, 1 May 2002 18:24:34 -0600
X-MSMail-Priority: High
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.50.4522.1200
X-Loop-Detect: 1
Hi Johnny, I did not forget you. My computer has been acting up, it is time . I just ordered a new one. I will have it up and running in about 2 weeks. Might be off line for a day or so to get everything adjusted. But, I will be here. I sent you some copies but, it would not let me scan and send the death certificates. So, I will make copies and snail mail them to you. I can send you corrections that I have for the information you did send.
So,
starting with Susan Biring, She was born January 28, 1866 , She came to Chicago, from St. Louis in 1924 6 months before she died. She was a widow when she arrived in Chicago. This info is on her death certificate.
Gertrude Biring was born Sept. 21, 1873 and died July 30, 1948. per her Death Certificate.
John Biring's daughter Lillie was born October 16, 1907 St. Louis , Mo. John and Elizabeth went to Ciacova to show her mom the baby and she died while they were there. She died July 25, 1908 , Ciacova, Hungary.
John Biring Jr. died December 29, 1998, St. Louis, mo.
Charles Biring married Fern Elkins Fern was born October 24, 1918, St. Louis, Mo.
Irma Marie Biring married Walter Jean Bosch Walter died June 16, 1992, St. Louis, Mo.
Teresa Biring- your Great-grandmother died January 26, 1950 per death certificate and Peter your GGfather died June 25, 1950 I have both of their death certificates.
Susan Kindlinger Schroeder -Great Aunt- Died August 23, 1960 I have her d. c. and a copy of her obit.
Katherine Kindlinger Schick, I have a copy of her D>C> and her obit. The obituary is not a clear copy but, I will try. Her husband Emil, died in 1950 but, I do have the exact date so no death certificate.
Helen Pilo Kindlinger died April 18, 1990 , Inkster, Wayne County Michigan. She was in Advance Nursing Center. This is your Great Uncle Mike's wife.
My mom is next in line but, there are so many errors I will have to rewrite the entire thing - Later
The second son, Peter Kindlinger was Born November 12, 1912, died March 12, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois He died of Pneumonia, the death certificate was signed by his father Peter Kindlinger - your Greatgrand father. I have a copy of his death certificate, that shows these dates. I will send more later. Hugs, Marion
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