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INTRODUCTION:
This homepage tells the story of the persecuted
Austrian Protestants of the 16th. to 18th. century who had been set under constant pressure by the roman-catholic church after Martin Luther had published his revolutionary theses in 1517. These religious men and women were and
are called “Exulanten” (Exiles). During several waves of expulsion, the Austrian Lutherans were driven out of their home country. This came only to an end after
Lutheran belief was officially extinguished in Austria. In the year 1652 our Pfaender ancestors were among those who were forced to leave their homes for good.
Almost forgotten while the centuries passed by, many
helping hands made it possibIe to rediscover our family´s
heritage. Especially the very beginning, when our ancestors would rather leave their home in Austria than to surrender to the old belief of the rulers. A religious heritage that moulded our family until today.
I
would like to thank my father who assembled the first pedigrees from my grandfather´s inheritance. Furthermore I would also like to express my gratitude to the Church of The Latter Day Saints, whose immense archive of
ecclesiastical records made my search much easier. Additionally a big thank you to Kurt Karl Pfaender (+2005) and his wife whose archive also contributed to a large extend. And last but not least also thanks to all related and
none-related genealogists and/or namesakes who contributed with their families´ documents.
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