Blickensderfer and related families - Person Sheet
Blickensderfer and related families - Person Sheet
NameWilhelm Henrich NITZSCHKE
Birth3 Jul 1884, Utica, Oneida County, New York
Death1 Jan 1969, Rye, NY
BurialRye, New York
MotherLouise KRIEG (1848-1934)
Spouses
Birth23 Nov 1881, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Death13 Feb 1920, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Marriage1908, Rio de Janeiro, Federal District, Brazil
ChildrenWilliam Henry (1909-1919)
 Eleanora Louise (1911-1999)
Birth19 Jun 1887, Courtland, NY
Death17 Mar 1965, Rye, NY
BurialEpiscopalian church, Rye, New York (in stone wall)
Marriage18 Nov 1922, Utica, Oneida County, New York
Notes for Wilhelm Henrich NITZSCHKE
Wilhelm dropped the "z" in his name, somewhere between 1919 and 1928.

Went to Rio de Janeiro to follow a dentist, abt 1908. Isabel followed him to Rio de Janeiro and married him.

Wilhelm "William" spoke Portuguese, Spanish and Italian

William made bright green beatle stick pins, as told to Bill & Laurie Nitschke on their visit to Friede Grace and Eleanor on Sept. 20, 2002.

Belonged to a Men's Horticultural Society. Had a center page spread in Life magazine.

Before moving to Utica, he was a prominent dentist with an office in the Waldorf Historia in Manhattan, New York.

The Christmas Putz

A Putz is a joyful reminder of the real meaning of Christmas. Nativity figurines, moss, lights, buildings, evergreens, rocks, wood, and lots of imagination make up a Putz. A taped narration, music, and spotlighted scenes tell the wondrous story of Christ's birth.

The word "Putz" is a loose translation from the German, meaning "to decorate." A Christmas Putz is a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Priests placed figures of the Holy Family in churches so people had a clearer idea of the Christmas story. In its simplest form, a Putz is a decoration, representing a miniature landscape, that is placed under a Christmas tree to illustrate the story of the Christ Child's Nativity.

Moravian brought many hand carved Nativity figures with them and constructed Putz in their homes. The practice of going from house to house to enjoy them is called "Putzing."

About the Moravian Putz

A "Putz" (pronounced pootz--German for "to make beautiful.") is a miniature manger scene which many Moravian families display every year. Sometimes the figures are family heirlooms or have been acquired from abroad. In addition, several Moravian churches display a Putz for public viewing during the Advent and Christmas seasons. These displays are rather large and take many hours of combined effort by church members for pre-construction, construction, staffing during display times and for tear-down. Many of the items used in the display are handmade or donated by members of the congregation. The displays usually done in a darkened room with lights highlighting the various scenes and a "background tape" describing the scenes as they are viewed. The following is about the Putz at East Hills Moravian Church. Numerous visitors, including those on bus tours to the City of Bethlehem PA, view the Putz during the holiday season. It is one of three by Bethlehem area churches, with others at Central Moravian and Edgeboro Moravian.

Was known as a very stern, autocratic and germanic.
Last Modified 27 May 2012Created 5 Feb 2024 using Reunion for Macintosh
This collection of files last generated on 5 Feb 2024.
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