The Rebaschus come from the small town of Labowischken that belonged to the Parish District of Ballethen. Unfortunately, what happened to the parish records of Ballethen after World War II is a mystery. It is the author's hope that one of the Rebaschus descendants will locate the records so that further substantiation and the answer to so many questions may come to light! The records of the ninth and eighth generation are based upon the land records that were formerly at Gottingen and now in Berlin, Germany. Today we know of no living descendant with the last name Rebaschus. Emil Rebaschus' death ended the male line in the Uniter States as far as is known. Though they didn't produce many males, Carl, Christina, and Magdalena Rebaschus produced many fine, outstanding women and it is through their lines that most of us descend today! Though there are hunderds of descendants produced here, remember this is not a complete list. Also, note that the descendants of Christina Rebaschus Peischan are found in the Peischan section of the book except for the Herzmann descendants that are found in Section I. We are all entertwined together by "Golden Threads" to make up a most interesting tapestry! For those interested in the origins of the Rebaschus family, the letter of 16 May 1980, from an organization interested in East Prussian history sent the following information that perhaps is connected to our family: "Regarding Rebaschus: The original name is perhaps Lithuanian raibas (spotted), transformed:
Rabassaitis, Annus, Lithuanian farmer in Mantwillaiten, district of Baublen, formerly in the district of Tilsit, county of Piktupohnen, lastly in the district of Popegen, had 20 "Morgen" (i.e. about 14 acres) of land there in 1709, probably died of the plague in 1709 for in 1710 the farm is listed as 'deserted'. The plague of 1709-1710 caused whole villages in East Prussia to die out.
Rabszas, Szims, good Lithuanian, farmer, in Absteinen, district of Schreit-lauken, parish of Wilkischken in 1736, lastly in the district of Popegen on the river Jura. Szims (Simon) Rabasas had 1 hide of land (usually about 120 acres) together with Crissas Oredatis.
Raibess (ek) atis, Albas, in 1736 a good Lithuanian farmer, 29 "Morgen" (i.e. about 20 acres) of land in Kubillelen or Klampupohnen, district of Waldaukadel, parish of Enzunen, lastly in the district of Stallupohnen. Unfortunately, that is everything that I can tell you about this family up to now. " We do know that one of the Rebaschus descendants in Germany did contact the Rebaschus family in America to see whether we knew anything about the ancestors. Unfortunately, no one has been able to locate that letter. Because our Rebaschus family had ownership of land, we know that they weren't from the "serfs". Like the United States, East Prussia was a melting pot of many cultures. For example, even one of our ancestors married into an Austrian family! So let us begin our Rebaschus story in the ninth generation.