Above: Suhl Centrum. 44618514 - "Panoramafoto Suhl" Licensed Use via Henry Czauderna: :https://au.fotolia.com/p/201169743
Introduction

This site gives a brief overview of the lineage of Johann Heinrich Wackes, born c. 1740 in Suhl, Thuringia, Germany. The narrative portion of the site concentrates on nine generations of male members of the lineage--those who perpetuated the family's surname "Wackes." Family trees can become gigantic in size when assembled in formats like Ancestry.com or desktop programs like Reunion. The Johann Heinrich Wackes Tree that I have posted on Ancestry.com, for example, currently contains 737 individuals.
Why start with Johann Heinrich Wackes? The Hauptkirche in Suhl, St. Marien's, has been ravaged by fire and rebuilt three times since 1635. Records earlier than the mid-18th century are difficult to find. Johann Heinrich is the earliest Wackes of this particular lineage found recorded in the files of St. Marien's. The church's historian assisted me for two days in 1998. She even brought in the retired church historian to assist us. Why the special assistance? I was the first American to visit the church's records since the infamous Berlin Wall was demolished in November 1989, just nine years before my visit! (I was also invited to speak on Suhl's radio station and a two-column article in Suhl's newspaper featured my wife, Ruth, and my visit! We were the first Yanks in the radio station since 1945.) The Soviet Army took control of Suhl on July 3, 1945.
Why start with Johann Heinrich Wackes? The Hauptkirche in Suhl, St. Marien's, has been ravaged by fire and rebuilt three times since 1635. Records earlier than the mid-18th century are difficult to find. Johann Heinrich is the earliest Wackes of this particular lineage found recorded in the files of St. Marien's. The church's historian assisted me for two days in 1998. She even brought in the retired church historian to assist us. Why the special assistance? I was the first American to visit the church's records since the infamous Berlin Wall was demolished in November 1989, just nine years before my visit! (I was also invited to speak on Suhl's radio station and a two-column article in Suhl's newspaper featured my wife, Ruth, and my visit! We were the first Yanks in the radio station since 1945.) The Soviet Army took control of Suhl on July 3, 1945.