The following is a translation from German of a portion of Volume 42. Allgemeiner Band, of the Deutches Geschlechterbuch, published by C. A. Starke Verlag, Limburg an der Lahn, Germany, 1970. There may be many errors of translation and transcription. I would appreciate any correction sent to:
Gustave A. Zeissig. This page is still very much under construction.

Zeissig

from Altenburg in Thüringen (was : District of Leipzig )

Coat of Arms: In gold, from the base of the shield, five green thistle stems with three green flower blossoms - on the middle blossom a pecking zeisig surrounded by two gold and red roses. Out of the green/gold helmet with its flowing banners, the thistles and pecking zeisig.

The coat of arms goes back to the 1627 and 1629 coat of arms used by priest Jeremias Zeising, born in Klepzig by Halle am der Saale, 25 June 1572 as the son of potters, died in Grossaga near Gera 18 August 1637. ( Brief - und Siegelsammlung des Thüringischen Landesarchivs Greiz Lit. Z ). It was found in 1951 in the New Siebmacherische Wappenbuch Ergänzungscheft, Lieferung 619, Band V, Neue Folge II, Heft 5 .( Sachsbeareiter und Einsender Dr. Alfred Lindner, Archiva und Genealoge, Crimmitschau in Sachsen ).

Evangelical -Lutheran. - A lineage of the Altenburg region and the bordering areas, as well as the city of Altenburg, which was part of the Leipzig District. Out of the Village of Wuitz by Meuselwitz the brothers Tiburtius ( Portius ), Jacob, Matthes and Adam Zeissig, sons of Urban Zeissig, a farmer of Wuitz came to Altenburg on the occasion of the disposition of their father's estate on 19 September 1547 as documented in the Landeshauptarchiv Magdeburg, Gerichtsbücher Kayna Nr. 4 Bl. 203b.

It has been suspected that the family name Zeissig has been taken from the name of the bird, zeisig. From " Duden, Etymology and Word Origins of the German Language" the middle-high-German word zïse was borrowed from the synonymous Czech ciz, the sound of the original ( also, in Russian ciz = Zeisig ). The modern German form (later zïsic ) was affected by the Czech cizek, also east middle-German Zeising ( Brechenmacher, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der Deutschen Familiennamen, Limburg 1957-1963, p. 851 and Bahlow, Deutches Namenlexicon, München 1967, p. 578). The family name could have been derived from a keeper of the birds, or the name could have been bestowed as descriptive, as the zeisig is thought to have a light-hearted, cute, clever nature.

Places named Zeissig were possibly derived in a similar way. In Kreis Hoyerswerda are the places Small and Large ( Klein- and Gross- ) Zeissig. A clear determination of the derivation of the names of these two places could not be made. According to information from authorities of the local government, their names are derived from the bird names, in fact it has been this way for a few hundred years - presumably for the settlement - in this area great flocks of zeisigs roosted, especially in that time of available poplar forests. There in the proximity of the roosting was the place called Zeissholz ( Zeissigwood ).

Out of ancient sources the following references come forth: around the year 550, a leader of the Eastern Goths was named Sisigis, from the time of Theodore the Great, historians repeatedly mentioned him and presumably he was a high official.

In the oldest historical sources of Western Germany, the name Sisige is mentioned in the years 766, 811, and 845.

A Lüdeke Syzyck in Rostock was mortgaged to the brothers Ghoten, Fenceke and Nicolaus Stoyselaf for 10 Marks in Rostocker currency to restore damages done. ( 28 July 1329, Mecklenburgisches Urkunderbuch Band 8 )

Hinric Sisik's sons Nicolaus and Paulus and their ( Oheim ) Jurges Sisik in Rostock, working men, sold to the businessman and mayor Arnold Kopman their property in the village of Pastow. ( 30 June, 1335, Mecklenburgisches Urkunderbuch Band 8 ) Their seal was a forwards facing upright lion's head. It was suspected that the family came from Böhmen, based on the fact that the lion's head was on the Böhmen coat of arms.

In 1362, Georgius Cysik led a rabble army against Denmark for the Hanse town of Rostock, and was taken captive with his forces during the land and sea siege of Helsingborg during a Danish counter-attack on 8 July 1362. Also in Danish captivity, as of 6 January 1364, were Paul Cysik and his men. ( Hanserezesse I. Band )

From 1349-1350 the name Apecze Cisik appeared in Robschicz and Heldingen as well as Putilsdorf. ( Lehnbuch Frierich des Strengen, XLVI, Orlamünde )

Between 1352 and 1362, the Cloister property at Belgern was damaged by Johannes Zeissig, Henselin Wesenig, Conrad Binser, Johannes Vogkenrade und Helfenhelser. The damage amounted to about 300 Shock great-pennies. After the Abbot of Mother Cloister Bosau in Thüringia had pronounced their excommunication, he retired. ( Originalurkunder Nr. 3692 im Sächsischen Landeshautarchiv, Dresden )

In 1391, Gieslebrecht Cziesig and Hermann von Plawin, town council head, made a vow of compensation for a financial transaction with the council and citizens of Saalfeld in the City of Jena. Document from 7 August 1391 in Stadtarchiv Jena ( Urkunderbuch der Markgafen von Meissen und der Landgrafen von Thüringen IB 1S. 295 Z.31 )

On 10 April 1397, Hroth von Cyczicz presented himself, along with other members of the nobility, to be reconciled before King Wenzel in Prague

In 1463, Frydel Czissigk ( or Czeiske ) was referred from military service in Crimmitschau ( Albrecht, Schützenerinneungen von Crimmitschau )

On 7 February, 1507 Anthonius Zceysig was made Presbyter of Molich ( Matriculation register of Hochstifts in Merseburg )

In 1528, Hans Zceyseck of Naumdorf by Gössnitz paid 48 great-pennies to the Mountain Cloister in Altenburg. His worth was 1557 with 120 Shock.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the family names Zceysigk, Zceysik, Zceiske, Zceyssigk, Zeysigk, Zeisingk, or others similar appeared on the land tax rolls of the Saxon princes, widely spread in the area of Dresden, Leipzig, Meissen, Oschatz, Elsterwerda, Zeitz and Altenburg.

These lists are for the most part well preserved and are to be found in the Saxony Landhauptarchiv in Dresden. Whether there is a connection between these many different name versions and the known existing branches ( beginning with Urban Zceysik, about 1500 in Wuitz) was not able to be explored. The current style of the family name, Zeissig, comes from the 18th century, and has been maintained by all lines of the family. The Altenburg-Schmöllner Lineage was not researched further. The First Altenburg Lineage stems from the beginning of the 18th century. Out of the Second Altenburg Lineage two separate lines branch off, one centered in Altenburg and the other in Waldenburg.

Both the brothers Bartholomäus ( Vc. ) and Johann Friedrich ( Vd. ), great-grandsons of the first Zeissig namebearer, Urban Zeissig, were through father and grandfather, white- and fine-leather tanners. Also their descendants practiced the art of leather tanning for centuries from their separate plots of land. In the 18th and 19th centuries, other occupations appeared: agriculturists, farmers, architects, military officers, civil servants ( in the Altenburg line ), teamsters, cobblers, hosiery workers, teachers and clockmakers ( in the Waldenburg line ). In the Altenburg-Schmöllner line, starting in the VII and VIII generations, the occupations of "Bader" and surgeon appear.

Documents used in putting together this sequence of Zeissig family lines includes the following sources: Stadtbücher of Altenburg in the Altenburg Landesarchiv, local church documents, and the matriculation registers of the Universities of Leipzig, Wittenburg, Jena, Erfurt, and Frankfurt an der Oder from the 15th - 17th centuries.


Lineage



I. Urban Zeissig ( born about 1475, died about 1547)

A farmer from Wuitz ( county Zeitz ). At the probate of his estate 5 sons and 3 daughters were of legal age, the other 4 daughters and the youngest son Adam had guardians. The oldest son Tiburtius inherited the property of 1350 Guilders. The maternal inheritance amounted to one-third. From the tax registry of the County Office in Zeitz in 1569, the property was taxed 120 New Shock.

His children, all born in Wuitz:

1. Tiburtius, born ??, died ??, named as the heir of the estate in Wuitz on 19 September 1547.

2. Matthes, born ??, died ??. On Monday of Andreas ( 2 December ) 1555, as a citizen of Altenburg in Thüringen he bought a house and Inn from Valentin Schleusingk in the Teichgasse ( Pond Street ) " at the top of the corner near the Rosspfüzen " for 990 Guilders Angeld 400 Guilders ( Stadtbuch Altenburg 1550 ff. Bl. 267 )

- married, not researched further.

3. Hans, born ??, died ??, farmer in the Wuitz area.

4. Jakob, born cerca 1520. See IIa

5. Moritz, born ??, from the probate records in 1547, described as " foreign " ( referring to death location ).

6. Adam, born about 1530, see IIb.

7. Margarete, born ??, died ??, married Bendikt Roder.

8. Katherina, born ??, died ??, married Vincz Czaulich

9. Margarete, born ??, died ??, married Blesing Wolfram.

10. Priska, born ??, died ??, her guardian in 1547 was Paul Kuig, married widower Phillip Skolen..

11. Regina, born ??, died ??, her guardian in 1547 was Peter Naumann.

12. Priska, born ??, died ??, her guardian in 1547 was Kaspar Naumann.

13. Gertrud, born ??, died ??, her guardian in 1547 was Ulrich Winkler.

IIa Jakob Zeissig

Born in the vicinity of Wuitz ( County of Zeitz ) about 1520, died in Altenburg in Thüringen, 15 November 1583. Since 21 March 1551 a citizen, since 1568 town councilman of Altenburg, textile maker, council chamberlain and Senator. On 21 March 1551 he bought as Jacob Zceyssken, from his sister Priska and the widower Skolen and other inheritors from the previous marriage of Phillip Skolen, Jonas and Caspar, the entire household for 185 Schock 30 Great Pennies and house and yard for 350 Guilders. He needed only just a part of the sum to "close the deal", because he had made arrangements with the widower Skolen ( Stadtbuch Altenburg 1550 ff. Loc. 1 Nr 31 Bl. 47 ) The final contract with the children Jonas and Caspar Skolen and their guardians was settled in 1559. ( Stadtbuch Altenburg a.a. o. Bl. 49 ) He acquired, on Monday of Invocation ( 23 March ) 1556 from his brother Matthes ( I.2 ) the Inn on the Teichgasse ( Pond Street ) " at the top of the corner by the Rosspfüzen ", that his brother had acquired in 1555 from Valentin Schleusingk ( Stadtbuch Altenburg a.a. O. Bl. 267 u. 275 )

Married in Altenburg about 1550 to Gertraud Gerhardt ( born about 1530 , died in Altenburg, 12 December 1571 )

Sons, born in Altenburg:

1. Jacob, born about 1551, see IIIa.

2. Hans, born about 1554, see IIIb.

II b. Adam Zeissig, born in the vicinity of Wuitz ( county Zeitz ) in 1530, died in Altenburg, 19 September 1603, he was a citizen ( Burger ) of Altenburg since 14 October 1556, textile maker, from 1556 - 1569 Assessor, 1571 - 1577 councilman, then chamberlain; his guardian in 1547 was Hans Winkler, citizen of Zeitz. On 1 October, 1556, with his brother Jacob "Zceissigk" ( II a. ), he acquired the house in St. Johannsgasse above Venturn Kirchhoffs house for 600 Guilders and sold it on Friday after "Erhardi" ( 15 January ) 1558 to Nickel Quelmitz for 620 Guilders ( Altenburger Stadthandelsbuch 1550 ff. Loc. 1 Nr 31 Bl. 295 a u. 334 )

Friday after "Lucia" ( 15 December ) 1570, he bought a half barn from Veit Nelter, between Jacob Schleusing and Ulrich Phalen, for 12 New Shock. ( Altenburger Stadthandelsbuch 1567 ff. Loc. 1 Nr 32 Bl. 117 ).

On the Sunday after Ursula ( 27 October ) 1576 he bought the tavern on the route to Mina by Altenburg from his debtor, Benedix Jungkhansen ( C, I. Loc. 1 Nr 134 des Stifts Altenburg, St. Georgen, Handelsbuch so anno 1576 angefangen, Bl. 634 )

On Monday after Misericordia ( 22 April ) 1577, Frau Margaretha, the widow of Heinrich Fischer, sold a 1 1/2 acre field to her friendly son-in-law Adam Zeissig. ( Gerichtshandelbuch auf dem Lande 1575 - 1587 Bl. 179 ).

A contract was drawn on 10 November 1598 between Adam Zeissig and Simon Demussen Wittib ( widow ? ) dealing with " wild water ". It was a question of a watercourse that flowed through the landholdings of both parties. Mrs. Demuss agreed not to pollute the water. ( Altenburger Stadthandelsbuch Lit. J. 1585 Loc. 1 Nr 33 Bl. 405a ).

Married in Altenburg around 1560 to ?? Fischer ( born about 1540, died ??, daughter of Heinrich Fischer of Altenburg and Margaretha ?? . )

Children, all born in Altenburg:

1. Katharina, born 28 September 1562, died ??.

2. Abraham, born 1563, died Altenburg 9 August 1564.

3. Heinrich, born 28 May 1564, died ??.

4. Margaretha, born 24 June 1565, died Altenburg 17 April, 1566.

5. Elisabeth, born 16 January 1567.

6. Abraham, born 9 January 1569, see III c.

7. Margaretha, born 13 May, 1571.

8. Susanna, born 10 August 1573.

9. Friedrich, born 2 March, 1576, see III d.



III a . Jacob Zeissig, born in Altenburg around 1551, died in Altenburg 29 August 1589.

Married in Altenburg on 21 February, 1579 to Katharina Winter, born in Altenburg about 1559 died in Altenburg ??, daughter of Johann Winter and ?? Kerner.

Children, born in Altenburg:

1. Heinrich, born 9 March 1580.

2. - 6. 5 daughters



III b. Hans Zeissig, born in Altenburg about 1554, died in Altenburg 1585, citizen and leather dealer in Altenburg;

He was married in Altenburg 24 September 1582 to Gertrud Kermes ( daughter of Valentin Kermes ), by the Will of 29 September 1600 between her and her two sons, Adam Zeissig ( II b ) was named as a blood relative ( Blütfreund ) and guardian - she married again - Christpherus Chilianus

Sons, born in Altenburg:

1. Valentin, born 20 December 1583, died ??, a citizen and white leather tanner in Altenburg. He was married three times and had ten children. This line was not researched further.

2. Hans, born 20 January 1585, died ?? , further details unknown.



III c. Abraham Zeissig, born in Altenburg 9 January 1569, died in Altenburg 17 January, 1626, citizen and Master Cooper of Altenburg; on 12 November 1618 he exchanged his house with the heirs of David Naundorf ( C II. Loc. 1 Nr 387, Erbteilungsbuch 1612 ff. Bl. 564a )

First marriage in Altenburg 19 November 1598 to Ursula ??, the widow of Reinhardt, born about 1570, died in Altenburg 1599, childless, she had an arrangement made shortly before her death and her last Will, on 14 February 1600, left her two children by her first marriage, Barthel and Ursula Reinhardt a 3 acre field on the Schachwitzer road, her second husband. Abraham Zeissig, inherited an acre on Cottwitzer way, and managed the deceased daughter Anna Reinhardt's estate, and received the house in the Teichgasse ( Pond Street ) ( C. III. Loc. 1 Nr 386, H. Erbteilungsbuch 1599 ff. Bl. 24a ).

Second marriage in Altenburg, 3 November 1600 to Susanna Schönzahl, born about 1580, died...

Children of the second marriage, born in Altenburg:

1. Maria, born 16 August, 1601, died 19 August 1601.

2.Eva, born 2 March, 1603, died.......

3. Susanna, born 22 May, 1604, died....

4. Margaretha, born 5 April, 1606, died Altenburg 1609.

5. Adam, born 28 April, 1608, died 28 March, 1633.

6. Margaretha, born 17 November, 1610, died......

married Nicolaus Babst, Hufschmied ( Blacksmith? )

7. Marie, born 2 June 1616, died Altenburg, 16 March, 1632.



III d . Friedrich Zeissig, born Altenburg, 2 March 1576, died in Altenburg, 13 September 1642, a citizen ( Bürger ) and Master Tanner; he acquired ( on 20 January 1613 ) the house on Kornmarkt, between Paul Scnurbuschen and Caspar Kretzgen's houses for 910 Guilders from the heirs that Andreas Liebolt ( the Elder ) left behind. ( Landarchiv Altenburg, Stadtbuch Altenburg Lit. N. 1608 ff. Bl. 300a ).

On 24 September, 1624, he bought a 2 acre field on the Treschergrund from Frau Maria and Susanna (widow and a virgin daughter of citizen Tielemann ) for 350 Guilders. The field extended from the Steinitzergrund, between the younger Paul Rothen on the Schmöllischengassen and Barthol Rohlands fields. ( Landesarchiv Altenburg, Stadtbuch Altenburg Lit. Q 1622 ff. Bl. 405a ).

His heirs reached a settlement on 10 April 1643 concerning the residential houses on the market, that he bequeathed. The estate was sold to Friedrich Zeissig ( the younger, IV b ), his legal advisor and brother-in-law Peter Rothe, Mr. Michel Kretzschman in guardianship for Hans Zeissig (5) from outside the country ( auslandische ), Christian Zeissig ( IV c ) and his guardian Christian Keppigen. The estate consisted of the house on the market on the upper Rohrkasten on the Jüdengasseneschen with yard, tavern, garden, stables, and other properties, next to Mr. Caspar Krugelsteins houses, with all rights and privileges, as well as the half barn in front of Johannstore by Mr. Hans Satler's barn, with also the half Braupfanne ( brewpot? ) and other brewing vessels and equipment. It was sold by his brother Jeremias Zeissig ( IV a ), citizen and tanner, for 1000 Guilders. ( Landesarchiv Altenburg, Stadtbuch Altenburg Lit. W 1642 ff Bl. 158 b ).

He was married in Altenburg on 10 June, 1610 to Susanna Zeller, born 15 January, 1591, died 23 September, 1642, daughter of Peter Zeller, textile maker from Krummensteindorf.

Children, born in Altenburg:

1. Jeremias, born 19 May, 1611, see IV a, Altenburg-Schmöllner Lineage.

2. Susanna, born 18 January, 1613, died....

married ...Peter Rothe, who was the "legal advisor" in the estate settlement of 10 April, 1643.

3.Child, born 25 August, 1615.

4. Friedrich, born 6 August 1616, see IV b, First Altenburg Lineage

5. Hans, born about 1620, died.... in the settlement of the estate on 10 April, 1643, he was named as the "foreigner"..

6. Christian, born 27 December, 1624, see IV c, Second Altenburg Lineage.






To be continued...........

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