pg1

Helle Family Line of Descent from 1485

The Name Helle

In "A Short History of the Town of Ruethen and the

"Helle' Family," The name Helle is derived from an agricultural term for a place name. Further research indicates the place was a deep wooded canyon in Wurtemberg.

The Family Crest

The Helle Family Crest which appears on the cover of this book2 was designed by Dr. Hans Helle in the 1920's and may be used by any relative who likes it. There is no plume on the helmet because this is not a noble coat of arms. Dr. Helle incorporated the black cross of "Kurkoln'- the electorate of Cologne -- which is also in the Ruethen Town Coat of Arms. This cross signifies the Helle Family's roots in the town of Ruethen and the bishopric of Cologne in the Kingdom of Westphalia. The pretzels are traditional symbols of bakers and the leaves are symbolic of brewers, two occupations most frequently practiced by the Helles of Ruethen.

The Scroll

A photo of a two-foot section of the eight meter scroll which is a record of the Helle Family Genealogy appears on page seven. In addition to genealogical statistics and the short history reproduced in Chapter Two, there are brief historical sketches of many family members, detailed indexes and a list of those killed in action in various wars. Also indexed are those known to have immigrated to other principalities and other countries.

The Coat of Arms of the town of Ruethen is in the upper left hand corner of the scroll. Permission for Ruethen to use the black cross of the Electorate of Cologne was granted by the archbishop who was the electorate when Ruethen was founded. The black cross rests on a silver escutcheon.

Scroll Title and Credits

The scroll is entitled: "Genealogical Table of the Family Helle from Ruethen in Westphalia." The credits and authors appear directly below the title, the first being: "With a short historical segment, data about sources and register of persons and places. Revised and edited by Dr. of Medicine Hans Helle, specialist for skin and venereal diseases in Bochum, (Germany) Christmas, 1931," The second: "The Genealogical table is shortened from the original 16 meters to 8 meters, so it is handier when rolling and unrolling it. Newly revised and completed by research by the certified master brewer, retired, Fritz Helle, Ruethen (West Germany) Christmas, 1968."

========================================================================

I.HANS in der HELLE

b.Unknown

d.Before 1509

A burger and baker in Ruethen, in Westphalia, HANS in der HELLE lived in House Number 118. His name does not appear in the town record of receipts in the year 1479 but is first found in the Ruethen Town Register for 1485. He probably immigrated to Ruethen with his wife and grown children between those years. He died before 1509 because in the castle book of that year the son, JOHANN in der HELLE, is named as the house owner of House Number 118. The children of record were:

1.HANS in der HELLE

b. and d. Unknown

2. JOHANN in der HELLE

b. and d. Unknown

3.HERMANN in der HELLE

b. and d. Unknown

JOHANN in der HELLE was a burger of Ruethen. A baker, he lived in House Number 118. He is listed in the treasurer's register and in the Ruethen Town Register in 1487, p. 13 under "Beckerteken.. .j. mr. of JOHANN in der HELLE."(Johann and the information for the two years before he is mentioned are written directly together in the same writer's hand and one entry cannot be distinguished from the other.)

The one child of record was 1.JOHANN in der HELLE

b.Unknown

d.Before 7 June 1566

JOHANN in der HELLE was a baker and beer brewer. He lived in House Number 118 in Ruethen. In 1511 he was enfeoffed (part of a fiefdom), receiving a farm with a country house in Meeste as enfeofiment successor of Johann Rasche.8 In 1531 he was the Ratsherr Acciseherr -- Councii Exciseman.

Johann's name is often listed as a witness in the County

and the City of Ruethen Rolls of Registration. He was also

listed as a witness in the Eslohe Parish Register of the County

of Meschede. (Domseitfer, History Qf Eslohe, 1896, p. 32.) 9

Johann died before 7 June 1566. The only child of record was:

1.JOHANN in der HELLE b. and d. Unknown

IV.JOHANN in der HELLE b. and d. Unknown

JOHANN in der HELLE was a burger in Ruethen. Until 1529 he lived in House Number 126 in the middle quarter; then he lived in House Number 1 56b in the eastern quarter. He was called JOHANN in der HELLE" de JUNG" --JOHANN in der HELLE the YOUNGER ONE -- when he was cited with his father JOHANN HELLE. In 1566 he was a sexton in Thuelen near Brilon. As the only heir of his deceased parents, he laid claim to a meadow by the Moehne River and two morgen arable land in front of the Hachtor (main gate) of Ruethen. The only child of record

was:

1.JOHANN (JOIST) in der HELLE, called

MELMEKE

b.Unknown

br.Ruethen; 2 Oct. 1630

V.JOHANN (JOIST) in der HELLE, called MELMEKE

b.Unknown

br. Ruethen; 2 Oct. 1630

m.Ruethen; ca. 1583 - 1585 JOHANNA MELM EKE

b.and d. Unknown

JOHANN (JOIST) in der HELLE, called MELMEKE is listed as a baker, brewer and distiller. He was a Ratsverwandter in Ruethen (a member of the city governing body, particularly the city council). He lived in House Number 116 and owned a business acquired through marriage to the WIDOW MELMEKE. References are made to Johann in various registers from 1576 to 1619. In one entry he is listed as the House Successor of the Widow Melmeke. Apparently he introduced a spirits bill to the Town Council in 1623/24. In the Council Protocols for 1 June 1624, Johann (Joist) was named as having taken an oath and providing bail to keep the peace of his son, VOLPERT.

Johann was buried as JOHANN MELMEKE, commonly known as "in der HELLE "the GREATI" " The children of this marriage were:

(i.JODOCUS (JOST) in der HELLE, called MELMEKE

b.Unknown

br. Ruethen; 20 Sept. 1625 (Plague!)

2.DAUGHTER

b.and d. Unknown

3.JOHANN in der HELLE, called MELMEKE

b. Unknown

d. ca. 1650

4.VOLPERT in der HELLE, called MELMEKE b. and d. Unknown

5.INFANT

b. Unknown

br. Ruethen; 4 Sept. 1616

VI.JODOCUS (JOST) in der HELLE, called MELMEKE

b.Unknown

br. Ruethen; 20 Sept. 1625 (Plague!)

m.Ruethen; 30 July 1617

MARGARETHE SACHSE

b. Unknown

br. Ruethen; 9 Apr. 1649

m.2nd - Ruethen; 12 Jan. 1626

PETRUS KLEINE, a shopkeeper in Ruethen

b.Unknown

br. Ruethen; 4 Mar. 1667

JODOCUS (JOST) in der HELLE, called MELMEKE is also listed several times as "JODOCUS MELLEJUS". He was a baker and distiller and lived in House Number 116. He served on the town council in 1619, 1620, 1623, and in 1624 he was the exciseman.

"A Moment in Time" -- Historical Vignette

Only the vital statistics about this couple and the brief biographical sketch above appear on the scroll. However, from those brief statistics emerge personal tragedy and insight

continued