Source:  Church Book of the Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed Parish at West Leyden, Lewis Co., LDS/FHC microfilm #1479678 Item 6

The original church record starts about 1846 and is in written in German. Please refer to the original source for the "best" translation!  Although I have some experience in translating the old style German handwriting it is still difficult for me to read, especially when reading uncommon or unfamiliar names.  I have tried to indicate where I'm unsure of a spelling using "?" and underlining the portion of the word that I couldn't read.  If no underline is present, then the entire word is in question.  I've used "??" for places where I couldn't even make a guess at the word in question.  My own notations and/or comments are provided in [-]'s.

The handwriting in English that I have noted within this document is likely that of Laura Wolfe Jopling a descendant of Peter Wolf.  Laura had possession of this church book for some time and in most instances those who have additional information in English are known to be related to her family.

The only portion of this book that I have not tried to translate is a short section that appears to be the description of the annual trustee meetings from the first 3 years (1846-1848).  There are several names appearing in this section.

Please note that the names are the German equivalents of what most of these individuals used on a daily basis including, in some instances, the spellings of last names.  For instance Gerstbecker was generally spelled Casbaker by the family members and Draschel was Traxel, etc..  I have left the spelling of all names as in the original source, as best as I could decifer them.

I know that several families who attended this church resided just over the county line in Ava, Oneida, NY.  Those that I personally know of are members of the Beyel, Roser, Traxel and Wolf families.  There are probably others.  Also, many of these families were from the area of Pirmasens, Germany.

                                                                                                  - Lisa Slaski
                                                                                                     translator & transcriber

Copyright © 2001-2:  Lisa K. Slaski
All rights reserved.