Johann Friedrich Ephraim Menz c.1837

& Marie Elisabeth Hante

Born: JOHANN FRIEDRICH EPHRAIM² MENZ (JOHANN GEORGE¹) Known as 'Friedrich' according to his signature on his marriage certificate. It is thought Friedrich may have been born in Mecklenburg Germany about 1837.

Arrival in Australia: I have not proven this shipping arrival but the information found leads me to think it is very possible that Friedrich arrived aboard the ship "Adolf" (3) on 20th February 1865 his surname being spelt "Mentz". another passenger on the voyage was a Fritz Mentz. [Info found : Emigrants Hamburg to Australia 1860-1869 fich no.1of2]

Marriage: Johann 'Friedrich' Menz aged 29yrs married 19year old Marie Elisabeth Hante on 9th March 1866 at the residence of Mr Neuondorf a farmer of Kingsbelt in the district of Gawler South Australia. George Neuondorf was a witness.

There is a big possibility that George Neuondorf (who's grandparents were George Neuondorf & Catharina Elisabeth Menz) and Johann 'Friedrich's father George Menz  were cousins. 

Marriage certificate 9th March 1866

Wife Born: MARIA ELISABETH HANTE is thought to have been born about 1845 in Prussia (noted on her D/cert) the  daughter of JOHANN FRIEDRICK/FRED HANDT/HANTE/HUNTER. No mother known at this point in time.

Shipping: My research has draw a blank for Maria's arrival.

Death of Fredrick: Fredrick / Friedrich died some time between his marriage in March 1866 and his wife's remarriage February 1868.

The only death registration which fits Friedrich Menz death in SA for 1866-67 is a Fredrick Menz dying at the Adelaide Hospital South Australia on 25th August 1867. His age noted as 24yrs (too young for my Fredrick). The cause of death noted as Hepatitis. No other details are given on the death certificate. But the Adelaide hospital admission register states this Fredrick was 30year old (this age now fitting in with his age at marriage.) He was a labourer who's address at this time had been Lyndoch Valley SA, religion Protestant, born Mecklenburg Germany, 2years 6months in the colony,   But!! states he was single. I believe this is my great great grandfather and that the informant knew nothing about the deceased as most columns on the death certificate were blank. Friedrich is believed to be buried at West Terrace Cemetery SA.

Death Certificate Friedrick Menz 25th August 1867

IMPORTANT NOTE: Information about Johann Friedrich Ephraim Menz in the SA Biological Index is incorrect here he is entered with parents Friedrich Peter Menz & Maria Sophie Beelitz but his father was Johann George Menz. 

Marie Menz Remarries : Johann Gottlieb Schultz

2nd Marriage: Marie Menz aged 21years  married 25year old widower Johann Gottlieb "John George" Schultz on the 20th February 1868 at Lutheren Church Schoenborn SA.

2nd Husband Born: Johann was born 9th June 1843 at Bethany Sth Aust son of German Lutherans and early Bethany South Australian settlers Johann Gottlieb Schultz Snr. & Pauline Kitta who had arrived in Australia aboard the ship "Skjold".    

Marriage Certificate Marie Elisabeth Menz & Johann Gottlieb Schultz

Johann Gottlieb's 1st marriage: had been to Anna Dorethea Nitschke (b.1845-d.1867 aged 22years possibly in child birth with their child Annie Martha Schultz born 1867. Anna's parents were Gottlob Nitschke & Johanne Eleonore Hirte).

 Maria and John George had their first child Maria Lydia before their move to Victoria where they had three more children, Mary, John & Charles.

The Schultz were farmers in the Moe area of Gippsland (Latrobe River/Tangil)

Death John George Schultz:  Johann Gottlieb "John George" died 20th August 1907 at Elgin Street Sale aged 64years and buried at Sale Cemetery. 

Death Marie Emma Schultz (formally Menz nee Hante): Died 30th August 1931 aged 84years and is buried at the Moe Cemetery.

Information from Marie's death certificate: The informant on her death certificate her son Albert Schultz stated his mother was born Prussia had been in Sth Australia 4yrs and 61years in Victoria making her c.19yrs on arrival. She was 19 when she married JFE Menz. But Albert also said she was married to Menzies?? in Magdenburg Germany, when its a fact she married Menz 1866 South Australia.

Information from :

Marriage SA certificate Johann Friedrich Ephraim Menz & Marie Elisabeth Hante.

Marriage SA certificate Marie Elisabeth Menz & Johann Gottlieb Schultz

Birth certificate of daughter Emma Maria Menz

Death certificate of Marie Elisabeth Schultz

Death Certificate of John George Schultz

Adelaide Hospital admission Friedrick Menz

Death certificate Friedrick Menz

Birth & Death certificates of children

 The Schultz Family "BETHANY " Sth Australia

Johann Gottlieb Schultz Snr. & Pauline Kitta arrived in Sth Australia aboard the ship "Skjold". Bethany (or Bethanien as it was known before 1917) was established in 1842 and was the first village to be established in the Barrosa area by a group of German Lutherans most of whom had arrived in South Australia aboard the Skjold in 1841.