In August 1980, my cousin Frank Klein and I visited Feulen for the first time.  We met our present-day cousins, the Lindens, the Steiwers, the Bonests, and the Krieps.  The parish priest, who still had the original parish records, allowed Frank and me to study them.  Here are some of the records that I transcribed from the originals, which were in Latin:

BIRTHS: [The naming custom was for the newborn child to be given the baptismal name of the godparent of the same sex. This custom explains why it was often possible for two children in the same family to have the same first name.]

7 November 1824 Joannes Hottua, son of Peter Hottua and Elizabeth Huberty.

22 April 1827 Peter Simmerl, son of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  Godparents: Peter Hottua and Maria Gilson.   [Note: Peter Simmerl immigrated to the U.S. in May 1857. He died on 14 October 1885 in Luxemburg, Iowa]

9 July 1827 Margaretta Hottua, daughter of Peter Hottua and Elizabeth Huberty.

5 April 1829 John Baptiste, son of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  [Feulen death records state that John Baptiste Simmerl died on 9 April 1850.]

2 April 1831 Susanna Simmerl, daughter of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  Godparents: Bernard Grouper (sp?) and Susanna Hottua.   [Susanna was my great-great-grandmother, who immigrated to the U.S. in May 1857, married Frank Youngblut, and died in Gilbervtille, Iowa, on 20 May 1906.]

30 October 1831 Peter Hottua, son of Peter Hottua and Elizabeth Huberty.  Godparents: Peter Pot and Susanna Hottua.

22 April 1833 Maria Simmerl, daughter of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  Godparents: Mathias Bofi [Beaufils] and Maria Ottile.

30 October 1833 Maria Hottua, daughter of Peter Hottua and Elizabeth Huberty.

22 April 1833 Anna Maria Simmerl, daughter of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua. [Feulen death records state that Anna Maria died on 7 April 1834.]

29 January 1835    Nicholas Simmerl, son of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  Godparents: Nicholas Hottua and Maria Rodenbour.  [Feulen death records state that Nicholas died on 17 January 1837.]

31 January 1836    Johannes Hottua, son of Peter Hottua and Elizabeth Huberty.   Godparents: Johannes Huberty and Angela Hottua.

25 January 1837    Susanna Simmerl, daughter of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  Godparents: George Hottua and Susanna Berns.

15 January 1838    Nicholas Hottua, son of Peter Hottua and Elizabeth Huberty.  Godparents: Nick Hottua and Anna M. Petesc.

4 January 1839        Elizabeth Hottua, daughter of Nicholas Hottua and A. Maria Marnach. Godparents: Peter Hottua and Elizabeth Marnach.

18 January 1839    Nicholas Hottua, son of Peter Hottua and Elizabeth Huberty.  Godparents: Nicholas Hottua and Catharine Huberty.

2 July 1839 Theodore Simmerl, son of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  Godparents: Theodore Marnach and Elizabeth Bertheling.   [Feulen death records state that Theodore Simmerl, Jr. died on 1 July 1840.]

19 March 1840 Susanna Hottua, daughter of Nicholas Hottua and Anna M. Marnach.  Godparents: Theodore Marnach and Susanna Hottua.

3 June 1841 Barbara Simmerl, daughter of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  Godparents: Nicholas Lebrune and Barbara Schleich.[Feulen marriage records state that Barbara married Michel Closener in July 1872.]

11 July 1841 Susanna Hottua, daughter of Nicholas Hottua and A.M. Marnach.  Godparents: Theodore Simmerl and Susanna Marnach.

5 January 1843 Nicholas Hottua, son of Nicholas Hottua and A.M. Marnach.  Godparents: Nicholas Hottua and Elizabeth Huberty.

31 May 1843 Angela Simmerl, daughter of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  Godparents: Johannes Hottua and Angela Schaul.   [Civil records list date of birth as 1 June 1845. Feulen death records state that Angela Simmerl, Jr., died on 24 October 1844.]

5 April 1844 Theresa Hottua, daughter of Nicholas Hottua and A.M. Marnach.  Godparents: Mathias Beaufils and Theresa Marnach.

30 January 1845    Margaretha Hottua, daughter of Nicholas Hottua and A.M. Marnach.  Godparents: Dominic Ambroise and Margaretha Consemius.

12 August 1845 Johanna Simmerl, daughter of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.

20 May 1847 Peter Hottua, son of Nicholas Hottua and A.M. Marnach.  Godparents: Peter Simmerl and Maria Hottua.

15 October 1848    Maria Catharina, daughter of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua.  Godparents: M.C. Meinen and Joannes Schanen.

4 June 1850. Maria Hottua, daughter of Johannes Hottua and M.C. Meinen.  Godparents: Peter Hottua and Maria Godes (sp?).

2 February 1852    Elizabeth Hottua, daughter of Johannes Hottua and M.C. Meinen.  Godparents: Johannes Hottua and Elizabeth Mercheng.

28 April 1852 Angela Hottua, daughter of Nicholas Hottua and A.M. Marnach.  Godparents: Nicholas Marnach and Angela Hottua.

25 May 1853     Henricus Hottua, son of Johannes Hottua and M.C. Meinen.  Godparents: Henricus Linch and Catharina Kentges.

28 August 1853 Anna Maria Simmerl, daughter of Theodore Simmerl and Angela Hottua. Godparents: Peter Simmerl and Anna Maria Marnach. [Feulen death records state that Anna Maria Simmerl died on 10 October 1854.]

22 March 1854    Johannes Hottua, son of Nicholas Hottua and A.M. Marnach.  Godparents: Johannes hottua and Elizabeth Hottua.

6 April 1855 Johannes Hottua, son of Johannes Hottua and M.C. Meinen.  Godparents: Johannes Molitor and Susanna Linch.

14 July 1856 Susanna Catharina Hottua, daughter of Nicholas Hottua and A.M. Marnach. Godparents: Joannes Mertz and Susanna Hottua.

30 December 1856     Barbara Simmerl. Parish records list Barbara as the "filia naturalis" [illegitimate daughter] of Angela Hottua Simmerl. [Barbara was actually the daughter of Susanna Simmerl, as the Feulen civil records reveal. No father's name is listed on the birth or baptismal record. Barbara Simmerl lived with her grandmother, Angela Hottua Simmerl, and came to the U.S. with Angela in 1866. In 1875, Barbara Simmerl married Henry Bunkers; they were my great-grandparents.]