How to Research Your Hessian Soldier Ancestors | Ancestral Findings Podcast

[@Ancestralfindings]

Thank you for listening to the podcast and subscribing... I really appreciate it.

[@dvdbluraydude3038]

My 5x great-grandfather, Conrad Earthenhouse, was a Hessian. Thank you for the video.

[@prussianproductions9958]

I have a Hessian ancestor who was stationed in Connecticut, and after the war he stayed and went to Canada with Loyalists and married into their family.

[@markdemell8056]

My 5 times great grand father was Adam Rohmann ,a Hessian soldier who settled in Quebec,Quebec.After the revolutionary war.I am glad he did or else I would not be here now.

[@lorenzbroll101]

A really nice and honest explanation.

[@DaRude1_78]

My 6th great grandfather was a hessian. You can easily find him by searching Philip the Hessian. His name was Philip (Hinckel) Hinkle. He came from the province of Hesse-Hanau Erprinz. He came through Canada, fighting for the British and was captured in New York, then moved to Virginia as a prisonor. He escaped from capture and eventually fought for the Americans. After the war, he settled just outside of Greenbrier West Virginia. I still have family in the area. His grandson, Phillip, purchased a mountain in Richwood WV, still named Hinkle Mountain , where my family owns land on the original mountain. The majority of his bloodline today lives between N.E. Ohio (me and mine) and West Virginia/ Virginia.

[@Ancestralfindings]

Thank you for sharing such a fascinating story about your 6th great grandfather, Philip (Hinckel) Hinkle. It's incredible to hear how he navigated such a complex journey, from fighting for the British as a Hessian soldier to being captured in New York, then joining the American cause and settling in West Virginia. Stories like his provide a unique perspective on the complexities of war and personal allegiance. It's especially interesting that you have a personal connection to this history, with your family still owning land on Hinkle Mountain in West Virginia. I can relate to your story as I also have Hessian soldier ancestry in my family tree, and I'm from West Virginia. It's these personal connections to history that make genealogy so compelling. Your story is a perfect example of how our ancestors' experiences shape our family narratives and connect us to the past. Thanks again for listening and for adding such a rich personal account to the topic of Hessian soldiers!

[@AmandaJ223]

Very disappointed in this recording, I was very much looking for links, more information about how to find Hessian solders records. Not a history lesson. Sure you can check German and British military records, but where do you find these records. The name of this should be "What is a Hessian Solder" not "How to Research Your Hessian Soldier Ancestors"

[@matthewwhiskeyman6441]

Amanda there are a good amount of books online. I have a direct link to a Hessian musketeer from the Hesse Hanau Regiment. Check this book out Enemy Views by Bruce Burgoyne - it is a translation of personal Hessian diaries. My 4th great grandfather is mentioned by name and many others are as well. It took me years to find this. Another place is the library of congress.

[@andyjwagner]

Terrible! Inaccurate and misinformed. Hessians were not mercenaries and saw little personal benefit from their service-the money went to the princes, not the men. They were usually peasant conscripts, forced to serve. While Hessians were highly disciplined, tough, and intimidating, they were no more brutal than their British counterparts. Part of their discipline was being whipped and beaten by their own sergeants for infractions. How an ancestry video on Hessians can fail to mention the HETRINA database, maintained by the modern German state of Hesse, is beyond me. It’s a comprehensive database of all German soldiers who served in the Revolution. Oh, and learn to pronounce Hesse-Kassel.

[@matthewwhiskeyman6441]

The HETRINA database is a great source of information. I have used it myself. I too believe this video is highly inaccurate. Most of these soldiers did not end up well off and certainly not rich from plunder. Although, the men did get a wage (if the prince did not take all of the money), it was generally lesser than the British counterpart and the German officers were not allowed to lead some of their own troops but rather had to be lead by British officers. Disease, if not battle wounds or poor imprisonment conditions, or the brutal winters or hot summers killed a good deal of the Hessians off...

[@johnkassel318]

Yes we were very much a mercenary state(s) of sorts and while it was not in the benefit of the soldiers to go and die tell me what else we could have done ? Hesse was nothing but farms at the time there was no industry to work, either you were a farmer or a soldier and if you were a soldier you proudly fought for our lady of Kassel as my family did.

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

thank you.

[@TtrainInVain]

I have one of the only Hessian dog tags in existence, to my knowledge, (as dog tags didn't come about officially until after the civil war), that I acquired about 15 years ago after it was found metal detecting. The last name.of the soldier was HALL. Its pewter. I'd love to find more info on the piece.

[@Liescomefromtheright]

Is there a list of German house names that served under the Hessian banner?

[@Ancestralfindings]

Thank you for your question about researching Hessian soldiers in your family tree. The quest to find ancestors who served as Hessian soldiers during conflicts like the American Revolutionary War is indeed a fascinating aspect of genealogical research. Regarding your specific query about a list of German house names that served under the Hessian banner: While there isn't a singular, comprehensive list of all German house names, there are several resources that can be incredibly useful in your research. Many Hessian soldiers were hired from various German states, and records were kept by these states as well as by the British who hired them. Here are a few avenues you could explore: Military Records: Some German states have maintained records of their soldiers. These records might be available in regional archives in Germany and can include muster rolls, regimental lists, and other military documents. Published Rosters: Several rosters and books have been published listing Hessian soldiers who served, especially during the American Revolutionary War. These can often be found in larger libraries or through genealogical societies. Online Databases and Forums: Websites dedicated to genealogical research, like Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org, may have digitized versions of these rosters. Additionally, forums and groups dedicated to genealogy or specifically to Hessian soldier ancestry can be great places to ask for information and advice. Hiring Records: The British records, available in archives in the UK, sometimes list the German states or houses that provided troops, which can be a starting point to narrow down your search. Local German Archives: If you have an idea of the specific region in Germany from where your ancestor might have come, reaching out to local archives or hiring a professional genealogist with expertise in that area can be very helpful. Remember, the spelling of surnames and place names might have changed over time, so be flexible with your search terms. Additionally, given the age of these records, some might not be digitized and may require in-person research or the assistance of a researcher who can access the archives in Germany or the UK. Your interest in this unique aspect of history is commendable, and I wish you the best of luck in your research journey. Keep in mind that genealogical research can sometimes be a long process, but it can be incredibly rewarding as you uncover your family's past.

[@jameylee3296]

They weren't mercs. They were auxiliaries. There's a difference.

[@filipematias5127]

The 6 german principalities where the British contracted the services of soldiers under the generic name of Hessians were: 1) Landgraviate of Hesse-Homburg 2) Margraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt 3) Margraviate of Hesse-Kassel 4) Electorate of Hanover 5) Landgraviate of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 6) Margraviate of Bade-Durlach

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

thanks.

[@DrEvull]

What about Ansbach and Bayreuth?

[@mikenicolay2483]

So we were Merc's in WWI and WWII for the UK?