He Wants Us to Know God’s Love

Searching my paternal ancestry from Bavaria, Saxony and a little bit of Switzerland–

Trudinger, Hoopman, Oetjen, Schammer, Goldmann, Crousaz de Prelaz for starters…

Also Known as Mrs. T and most wonderful mum and friend.

Searching my maternal ancestry from East Germany/Poland and Wendish–

Gross, Basedow, Hiller, Petschel, Kuhne for starters.

Beginning his search into his family history from Switzerland and Holland:

Kling, Alkemade, Wuersdoefer, Ackermann, Roth, Kuiper for starters

Lived and worked in the Hermannsburg Mission, Northern Territory from 1939-1958. My grandfather (1905-1963) died just before I was born but I was close to my grandmother (1906-1981) and visited her every opportunity I could, which was often as she lived close to us. To me, she was a shining example of hospitality, never turning anyone away. Her deep faith and connection with her Lord Jesus has had a lasting influence on me and my walk with God.

My paternal grandfather and grandmother, Lina born Hoopman (1888-1967), defied the odds and opposition from Lina’s father Rev. Johann Hinrich Hoopman to get married. You see, although my Trudinger grandfather was a highly intelligent and successful doctor and a devout Christian, he wasn’t Lutheran. In fact, his family had come from the Moravian Bretheran Community (although in Adelaide they worshipped at the Maylands Presbyterian church) and Rev. Hoopman viewed this association with suspicion. But, after waiting and being engaged for ten years, they did marry, otherwise I wouldn’t be here to tell the story. There’s more to tell but you’ll have to wait for further blogs in this journey of family history discovery. By the way, my dad’s the cute little baby being held by his mother.