Looking for Braun family in Bell (Hunsrück) 1568-1688 – Eike Pies / Familienbuch Kastellaun
I'm researching the Braun family from Bell (Hunsrück, Germany) and have reached a dead end in the parish records. I'm hoping someone with access to Eike Pies' books or additional local sources might be able to help.
I'm looking for:
- Joannes Mathias Braun, born around 1675, died 1728 in Bell.
- Anna Maria, wife of Joannes Mathias Braun. They married in 1703 in Bell. The marriage appears to have been irregular, and she was already approximately 7–8 months pregnant at the time. I have not found her birth, death, or place of origin.
- Mathias Braun (father of Joannes Mathias), born around 1640, died 1700 in Bell.
- Joannes Peter Braun (son of Joannes Mathias Braun), married Catharina (surname unknown). I only have records of their children in Bell and her death in 1761. Her maiden name and origin remain unknown.
Some additional information:
- According to references by Eike Pies, Mathias Braun was already a resident of Bell in 1670. Unfortunately, I only have the citation, not the original entry.
- Eike Pies also reportedly gives information on Maria Elisabeth Braun, born 1648, died 1688.
- I have found numerous baptisms, marriages, and godparent entries involving the Braun family in Bell, but I have not been able to identify the origins of either Mathias Braun or Anna Maria.
The specific book I am trying to consult is:
Familienbuch für die Stadt und das Amt Kastellaun 1568–1798
Since I live in Brazil, obtaining the books is difficult due to exchange rates and shipping costs, which are currently higher than the cost of the books themselves.
If anyone has access to this book, or to records from Bell between 1568 and 1688, I would greatly appreciate any lookups or references related to the Braun family.
Posted Jun 20, 2026, 4:29 PM UTC