The Willigs

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Of the four family names we have researched, we have had the least success tracing our Willig roots. Before her death, Helen Schleis Sigmund claimed being told by her mother, the former Maria Willig, that Maria's grandfather hailed from Switzerland. A look at Swiss records revealed there are, indeed, many Willigs living in that country today. But we have been unable to trace our Willig connection further back than Sotin in present-day Croatia, circa mid-1800s.

Anton Willig was born December 28, 1863 to Sebastian Willig and Judeta Abt. Anton married Elizabeth ''Clara'' Kovach, but their marriage date is unknown. Clara was born August 4, 1867 to Stephan Kovach and Magdalena Fisher.

Before the turn of the century, the Willigs and Kovachs were living in Sotin, a small German settlement which was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The couple had two known children:

Maria Willig b. 8/4/1893

Stephan Willig b. 4/19/1896

On February 13, 1902, Anton arrived in New York on the SS Rotterdam.
On the ship's manifest, he noted that he was married, a laborer, in possession of $8, and on his way to Sharon, Pa. Nothing more is known of Anton or Clara's activities until 1909, when young Maria and Stephan arrived in the USA to join their parents. They disembarked the SS Argentina in New York on March 26. It is clear from the manifest that by this time, Anton and Clara had settled in Aultman, a tiny train-station community in Stark County, Ohio. Aultman is all but extinct today, but Anton and Clara's descendants continue to live in the immediate region.

Clara died January 5, 1927 of a post-operative bilateral hernia. She was 59. Anton lived until September 29, 1938, dying of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 74.

Maria Willig married Martin Schleis on Valentine's Day (February 14) 1914 in Akron, Ohio. Martin was born October 29, 1896 to Jakob Schleiss and Katharina Weiner. (Martin lost an 's' in his name after arriving in the United States.) Maria died in her sleep on November 21, 1970. She was 77. Martin died in a nursing home on January 19, 1976 at the age of 79. The couple had 10 children: Kathryn Julia Schleis Magdalene Helen Schleis Jakob Schleis Anthony Herman Schleis Martin Joseph Schleis Clara Josephine Schleis Stephen Lawrence Schleis Lawrence Michael Schleis Maryanne Schleis Frank John Schleis Stephan Willig married Katharine Knoch sometime prior to 1915. Katharine was born October 15, 1894. Stephan died August 9, 1972; his wife passed away April 9, 1977. The couple had seven children: Katheryn Willig Madlyn Barbara Willig Elizabeth Clara Willig Ruth Katharine Willig Stephen Elias Conrad Willig Earl John Willig Donna Mae Lyda Willig

We have been contacted by Willigs in other parts of the world who have had more success tracing their lineage back further.

Matthias Willig of Germany lists here his direct line, beginning with his father: Friedrich Wilhelm Willig, b. 7/2/1922 Frankfurt Friedrich Christian Willig, b. 3/30/1887 Frankfurt Nicolaus Willig, b. 8-6/1858 Hofheim Johann Willig, b. 5/6/1809 Frankfurt Wilhelm Johann Willich, b. 8/28/1755 Bornheim Johann Christian Willich, b. 1695

Michael Willig of Norway is also very interested in his roots, and has traced his line back to the 17th century as well. He also discovered the family crest. Michael's ancestors are as follows, beginning with his father: Heinz Willig, b. 3/27/1942 Wiesbaden Hermann Willig, b. 10/3/1902 Rudesheim Franz Heinrich Willig, b. 7/7/1863 Kamp Heinrich Willig, b. 3/17/1834 Hasselbach Ludwig Willig, b. 7/26/1806 Spaabrucken Philipp Willig, b. 4/6/1774 Spaabrucken Petrus Willig, b. 3/17/1737 Spaabrucken Johann Heinrich Willig Konrad Willig

If any names look familiar to you, contact the appropriate researcher:

	Paula Schleis, USA
	Matthias Willig, Germany
	Michael Willig, Norway

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