Minna Frieda Juppe – the kind spirit from Domek pod Orzechem

A few years ago, during the renovation of the roof of their over 150-year-old house in Gierczyn (Giehren) in the Jizera Mountains, Ania and Darek unexpectedly discovered a gravestone of a child. The inscription reads, “Here rests in the Lord Minna Frieda Juppe from Förstel. Born on November 23, 1906, died on June 3, 1907.” Who was this little girl, and how did the gravestone end up in Domek pod Orzechem? I immediately wanted to find out.

The gravestone of Minna Frieda Juppe / Photo: private archive of Ania, the owner of Domek pod Orzechem in Gierczyn.

Minna Frieda was born in Gierczyn on November 23, 1906, at 3 o’clock in the morning, in house number 139, as the daughter of Gustav Juppe, a daily laborer, and Emma née Kuttig. On June 3, 1907, Gustav appeared at the Civil Registry Office and reported that on that day, at 10:45 in the morning, his little daughter, only 6 months and 10 days old, had passed away. Unfortunately, the cause of death is unknown – was it an illness, an accident? We may never find out.

On the right: Minna Frieda Juppe’s birth certificate, on the left: Minna Frieda Juppe’s death certificate / Source: State Archives in Wrocław, Jelenia Góra branch

Gustav and Emma had 8 more children – Marta, Emma, Anna, Heinrich, Fritz, Karl, Frieda, and Otto. From Gustav’s will, we find out that Marta married Robert Schwedler and lived with him in Świeradów-Zdrój (Bad Flinsberg) at house number 112 (Walze Street). Emma became a nun in Głogów (Glogau, Wilhelmplatz 8), Heinrich worked as a laborer in Rębiszów (Muhldorf 113), Fritz became a chauffeur, Karl was a bricklayer, also serving in the military, Frieda married Willi Tischer, and they lived in Ubocze (Schosdorf). Oskar and Anna resided in Lasek (Förstel) at 127.

Entry from the 1940 address book with the name Gustav Juppe

On the right: Gustav Juppe’s will, on the left: Gustav Juppe’s signature / Source: State Archives in Wrocław, Jelenia Góra branch.

From the sales document, we know that the property with house number 127 was purchased by Gustav from Ewald Baumert in 1918. Twenty-two years later, Gustav passed away, precisely on February 16. Before his death, he had prepared a will in which he requested that the sale of the property to third parties be considered only in dire circumstances. In April of the same year, his wife, Emma, who was bedridden due to disability, sold the property to their daughter, Anna Juppe, 51.10 acres for 1000 German marks – 300 paid in cash to the mother, and the remaining 700 divided equally among the siblings, at 100 marks each.
 
In the purchase agreement, it was specified that the 63-year-old mother, who was disabled, would have access to free accommodation in one of the living rooms. Additionally, provisions were made for her meals, heating, lighting, and cleaning. Immediate care in case of illness was also ensured, although medical expenses, including the doctor and pharmacy, were not covered.
 
Additionally, Anna was required to offer her 23-year-old brother, Oskar Juppe, who worked as a laborer, free housing until he got married, with the condition that he helped in running the farm.

Deed of sale / Source: State Archives in Wrocław, Jelenia Góra branch.

What were the further fates of the family? Is Domek pod Orzechem the former house with the number 127, 139, or did the gravestone end up here entirely by chance? Förstel is a hamlet of Gierczyn, now called Lasek, located in the upper part of the village. Looking at pre-war photos and postcards, it’s evident that there were more buildings higher up, near the edge of the forest. Did Gustav and Emma’s sons, Fritz and Karl, return from the war? What happened to Anna, Oskar, and their mother, who were living in Lasek at 127 as of 1940?

Archival photos of Domek pod Orzechem / Photo: private archive of Ania, the owner of Domek pod Orzechem in Gierczyn.

At least we know a bit more about the kind spirit residing in Domek pod Orzechem, lending a hand to the hosts. Discover it for yourself and consider Gierczyn for a weekend retreat.

Domek pod Orzechem today / Photo: private archive of Ania, the owner of Domek pod Orzechem in Gierczyn.

Thank you to Ania from Domek pod Orzechem for sharing the photos.

Sources:

  • private archive of Ania, the owner of Domek pod Orzechem in Gierczyn
  • Archiwum Państwowe we Wrocławiu oddział w Jeleniej Górze (State Archives in Wrocław, Jelenia Góra branch)

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