Stanzel Family Tree

15 January 2019

continued from 13 Jan 2019

  'Of his regiment, only 27 men survived to reach home. the rest of his regiment
perished on the return trip. He was young, strong and healthy when first
conscripted. His parents hardly recognized him as their son when he staggered
home.  Towards spring, after regaining most of his former strength, he
advised his parents that he was going to leave home, otherwise he would be
recalled back into the army, as soon as spring arrived.
  How, why or when he reached Belfast, Northern Ireland we don't know.
He got himself a job working in the Belfast shipyards which was recognized
as the largest shipbuilding centre in the world. Fearing he might be recalled
back into Napoleon's Army, he took out naturalization papers and became
an Irish citizen. Like all young men, he found himself a young Irish girl, or
biddy as they were called over there. Her first name was Sarah, maiden name
unknown. they fell in love with each other and he went to the Priest to make
arrangements for the marriage. The only hitch was that most of the people in
Northern Ireland were Protestants and she would have to become a Catholic
before the Priest would marry them. When he informed her of this, she said no.
they broke up for a short time, but loneliness make the heart grow fonder. So he
went to her and asked if he became a Protestant, would she reconsider. Her
answer was yes, so they became united shortly after in a Lutheran church.
  [to be continued]
Jim Stanzell