The 6th Gathering in 2005 took place on Saturday September 3rd in the Langenwolmsdorf inheritance court.
Lineup for a group picture – in front of the Langenwolmsdorf cemetery portal.
Photo: Matthias Hasspacher
The Sächsische Zeitung wrote about our gathering on september, 5th 2005
Take a look at the home page Langenwolmsdorf and there under “Looking back” Forker meeting September 3, 2005!
MINUTES of the 6th FORKER GATHERING in the “Erbgericht” Restaurant in Langenwolmsdorf on September 3rd, 2005
| Teilnehmer | ||
| Leitung | Hans-Georg Forker (Refrath) | |
| Referenten | Joachim Forker (Düsseldorf) Prof.Dr.habil Armin Forker (Leipzig) | |
| Kirchenvertreter | Pfarrer Herr Fritjoph Weber (Pfarrbezirk Stolpen) Kantor Herr Erik Sirrenberg Kirchnerin Frau Siegrid Bürger | |
| Ehrengäste | Herr Uwe Steglich, Bürgermeister der Stadt Stolpen Herr Jan Barowski, Ortsvorsteher des OT LWD Frau Romy Roch, Chronistin für den OT LWD | |
| Porzellanmalerei | Frau Sybille Forkert, Dresden | |
| Presse | Herr Daniel Spittel, Sächsische Zeitung Herr Heiko Roch, Sächsische Zeitung, Lokalteil Sebnitz | |
| Kultur | Frau Birgit Lehmann und Herr Frank Müller des Ensembles „Dresdner Originale“ | |
| Protokoll | Klaus Forker (Lohmar) | |
| Familien | angemeldet bis 15.08.2005 anwesend | 46 49 |
| Familienangehörige | angemeldet bis 15.08.2005 entschuldigt gefehlt ohne Mitteilung ferngeblieben unangemeldet erschienen gesamt anwesend | 85 Pers. 14 “ 8 “ 23 “ 86 “ davon 7 Kinder |
Program items and procedure
1. Worship by Pastor Fritjoph Weber, 2:00 p.m. – 2:24 p.m
In alternating sequence, the song “Lord Jesus Christ, turn to us, send your Holy Spirit to us, with help and grace he governs us and guides us on the way to the truth” and the psalm “The Lord is faithful forever” to the devotional.
The minister then notes that it is good practice to begin the family gathering with a prayer, singing together, hearing God’s Word, and praying together. Unfortunately, the singing will not be accompanied by organ playing until the end of the service. The organist is ill and the cantor who replaces her has to leave early in order to be able to fulfill his original obligation.
Pastor Weber greeted the 89 people present as “Dear family and community”, who could actually apply for an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Probably not because of the number of family members – there would be others of this magnitude – but from the point of view of worldwide distribution. After all, Forkers are and were resident in Ireland, Scotland, North and South America as well as in Germany and as early as 1554 in the Langenwolmsdorf area.
There is no doubt that God accompanied the Forkers and the “non-Forkers” steadily on their journey through life, wherever they were in the world. The psalm “Praise the Lord, my soul, and do not forget what good He has done for you!” addresses the facts and appeals what to do when it becomes clear that what is happening is being shaped by our God and Lord. The sentence says that people praise God and that he does something good for them. But cause and effect could also be viewed in reverse order, namely, God acts for us; we thank and praise him for it. We do this because we recognize it as origin and origin. When this knowledge dwindles, so do gratitude and praise. The psalm calls not to cultivate forgetfulness under any circumstances. “What God has done” applied to today and here means: He generally gave life, ensured the existence of the family and contributed to the preservation of the name Forker and influenced projects in such a way that the Forkers meet every three years in Langenwolmsdorf. These are facts that are determined by will and that one can be happy about. God will accompany everyone present until the 7th meeting and on this way into the future sharpen the senses for everything the Forkers can be proud of and for which they can remain grateful, just as a special family.
Amrit ( Leipzig ) sings an aria from the Stabatmater by the Italian composer Giovanni Batista Pergolesi ( 1710 – 1736 ), one of the most popular sacred works of the 18th century, with instrumental support from the cantor. It is a poem set to music about the Blessed Mother in her pain for the crucified Son. The prayer contains thanks to the faithful God, to whom we owe a lot, e.g. the safe conduct to the venue, the sense of family and the awareness of the community. In addition, the expectation is expressed of returning home unharmed to the places of residence and of looking forward to the further actions of the Lord and Creator. And because we are personally doing well at the moment, Pastor Weber moves the many nameless and innocent victims of the hurricane “Kathrina” into New Orleans, USA and the selfless helpers in prayer. God knows the need and also what is joyful. The prayer is followed by the Lord’s Prayer and the blessing. Finally, the congregation sings stanzas 4 and 5 of the song “Lobe den Herr ……..” from the “Praise and Thanks” section. The collection is intended for the repair of the church roof.
2. Welcome by Hans-Georg Forker 2:25 p.m – 2:30 p.m
Hans-Georg thanks Pastor Weber from the bottom of his heart for the dignified design of the devotion and the thought-provoking words of the speech. He then welcomes Mayor Steglich, who arrived shortly after the start, and Mayor Barowski. He explains why the Forkers meet regularly every 3 years in Langenwolmsdorf and what reasons motivate the participants to make the long journey. The driving force was probably the desire to trace back details about the family tree back to the top ancestors using the numerous available documents, in order to supplement existing knowledge or to meet up with relatives in a completely informal manner to exchange news, evoke memories or about what had happened since the last meeting to talk. Of course, one is also secretly curious about what Joachim may have discovered in his research work. How do you get into such a community? Hans-Georg recalls the poem by Hansgeorg Stengel ( can be read in the minutes of the 5th family reunion ), whose insight is: one is born into it at some point and put on the track of life somewhere. Birth and death would be difficult to avert, but what lies in between is determined by those who exist. If one takes into account the low life expectancy of past centuries, the Forkers would have become quite old at 50 years of age. Nowadays, reaching the age of 80 is no longer a rarity. The writer Erich Kästner had already warned about the value of the family, because he described his insight with the words: “Because without ancestors you would be like a shipwrecked person in the ocean of time All alone on a tiny and uninhabited island – all alone, all alone, all alone, great grandmother.” Hans-Georg thanks Joachim for his great personal commitment to the organizational preparation of the meeting and also thanks all those present for coming.
3. Welcome by Hans-Georg Forker 2:25 p.m – 2:30 p.m
Hans-Georg thanks Pastor Weber from the bottom of his heart for the dignified design of the devotion and the thought-provoking words of the speech. He then welcomes Mayor Steglich, who arrived shortly after the start, and Mayor Barowski. He explains why the Forkers meet regularly every 3 years in Langenwolmsdorf and what reasons motivate the participants to make the long journey. The driving force was probably the desire to trace back details about the family tree back to the top ancestors using the numerous available documents, in order to supplement existing knowledge or to meet up with relatives in a completely informal manner to exchange news, evoke memories or about what had happened since the last meeting to talk. Of course, one is also secretly curious about what Joachim may have discovered in his research work. How do you get into such a community? Hans-Georg recalls the poem by Hansgeorg Stengel ( can be read in the minutes of the 5th family reunion ), whose insight is: one is born into it at some point and put on the track of life somewhere. Birth and death would be difficult to avert, but what lies in between is determined by those who exist. If one takes into account the low life expectancy of past centuries, the Forkers would have become quite old at 50 years of age. Nowadays, reaching the age of 80 is no longer a rarity. The writer Erich Kästner had already warned about the value of the family, because he described his insight with the words: “Because without ancestors you would be like a shipwrecked person in the ocean of time All alone on a tiny and uninhabited island – all alone, all alone, all alone, great grandmother.” Hans-Georg thanks Joachim for his great personal commitment to the organizational preparation of the meeting and also thanks all those present for coming.
4. Photography 2:40 p.m. – 2:45 p.m
Lineup for a group photo on the uphill path to the entrance to the cemetery. Numerous photographers go to great lengths to capture the result of their own stage directions or requests that have been called out on film or to save them on digital data carriers.
5. Drinking coffee together, beginning at 3:00 p.m
The Nestroy family and employees quickly bring the desired drinks and portions of cake to the participants who are now thirsty for coffee.
Joachim continues the activities started in the morning on the program item “Information and registrations on ancestors and descendants from/in our computer database”. The Forkers take advantage of the offer whenever the schedule allows. Family trees are displayed on large-scale diagrams, existing information is presented on the screen of the mobile computer and files are supplemented with new information. Mayor Steglich has the opportunity to address words of welcome to the audience. He chose this time because the commemoration of the ancestors in the church should take its intended course.
For him it is already a tradition to speak to the large Forker family. He likes to take part in events. He would see his hopes and wishes fulfilled if the Forkers’ bond with Langenwolmsdorf was maintained for quite a long time. He encourages – as long as the visitors’ stay allows it – to take part in the merry hustle and bustle of the festival week that has just opened, which is dedicated in particular to the kindergarten and the fire brigade. Mayor Barowski also greets on behalf of the local council and emphasizes that Langenwolmsdorf is a very lively village, whose activities deserve to draw attention to them throughout Europe and to promote a visit to the village.
Mr. Steglich and Mr. Barowski leave the coffee group after about an hour because they still have other representative duties to perform.
A report on the family reunion is to appear in the Sächsische Zeitung in the next few days, to which the editors want to add a photo of the oldest and youngest participants. A specially traveled photographer takes pictures of Hans-Georg (89), who is proudly and carefully holding Leonie Sophie from Berlin (5 months) in his arms. Both look meaningfully into the camera, the senior with grandfatherly benevolence, the youngest with childlike trust.
6. Report on activities since last meeting by Joachim Forker 3:25 p.m -3:35 p.m
The main focus was on the search for other ancestors in the neighboring towns of Langenwolmsdorf, especially for the many branches that still had to be connected. However, the work is becoming increasingly difficult, since the short-staffed parish offices hardly have time for commissioned research. In some places, early documents that were destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War or fires, e.g. the church in Schmiedefeld, were also missing. Thus further ancestors of the branches from the neighboring places can hardly be determined.
He is currently busy checking the telecommunications directory “Das Telefonbuch” of Deutsche Telekom AG. The regional volumes served as a valuable source in the search for further Forker addresses.
Joachim repeats his request to inform him immediately of any changes in address or changes in personal status such as marriages, births and deaths. In addition, he raises the question of whether the 3-year cycle of the meetings should be retained, or whether a majority would advocate longer intervals.
With regard to the contributions donated at the 5th meeting, he explains that a large part went to the plaque unveiled at the same meeting and the cultural contribution that is still expected today. Other expenses related to the invitations. 270 addresses were written to; 52 of the enclosed reply cards were returned. Thus, the Forkers are represented today with the main trunk and 9 branches.
The evaluation of the feedback showed that 75% favored a cultural contribution, only 45% wanted to dance. On the basis of this unequivocal vote, historical figures will later surprise us. Unfortunately, the dancing pleasure has to be renounced.
At the end of his remarks, Joachim appeals to continue to support the further work for the benefit of the family association through generous donations. The appeal did not go unheeded in the hall. The subsequent collection yields an amount of a few euros.
7. Noble handicrafts from Saxony presented by Sybille Forkert from Dresden” 3:35 p.m – 3:40 p.m
Hand-painted porcelain has always been a special gift for special occasions and a stylish testament to the arts and crafts of Saxony, where European porcelain was invented in Dresden in 1708 and European porcelain painting was founded , from Dresden.
She paints white porcelain from well-known German and French manufacturers in almost all genres.
This included classic floral decorations and elaborate Watteau paintings, but also bird and insect motifs, hunting and wild scenes, Ming dragons, family crests or paintings in the style of the Saxon romantic Ludwig Richter.
Whimsically painted animal figures have become popular collectibles.
The viewers can convince themselves of the high quality of the work using the plates and coat of arms with the Forker coat of arms that they brought with them.
Whoever buys such a work of art is sure to own a unique piece.
The precious pieces on display lead to discussions between prospective buyers and the artist.
8. The Scottish Farquharson story narrated by Armin Forker 3:40pm – 4:05pm
Armin has limited his contribution to the sub-topics ” Clan on the River Dee ” and ” Fabrics Make History “. Included is a critical questioning of some aspects.
He begins by stating that our putative ancestors, the Farquharsons and Farquhars, probably abandoned one of Europe’s most beautiful contemporary travel destinations before the mid-16th century: Scotland.
would have left them behind and turned towards the mainland by sea via the Baltic Sea or the Atlantic.
Family tradition, castles, palaces, a country between the North Sea and the Atlantic, proud like no other in the later British Empire, they exchanged for a new home in Eastern and Central Europe as well as in North and South America.
to Scotland won.
Listeners learn about Balmoral Castle, the summer residence of the British royal family, and other attractions.
It would have been astonishing, however, that the Scots were just as familiar with the name “Farquhar” as “Forker” as if they were in Germany.
Keywords “Balmoral” and “Farquhar” lead unerringly to a certain valley widening of the River Dee not far from Aberdeen, in the wonderful Grampian region, between the town of Ballater and Balmoral Castle, which is assigned to the Farquhar clan as a settlement area.
Armin now goes into more detail about the term ” clan “. The clan is comparable to an extended family, which differs from others by symbols and signs and is led by a head, called the chief. Clans are first mentioned in the 12th century. Even then, the inhabitants of the highlands wore checkered woolen cloths with the pattern called tartan ( taatn ) to distinguish them. All members of the clan carried the chief’s name, even if they were not related by blood. The members of a clan followed a code of honor, and the men were warriors who defended their herds at the risk of their lives. Scottish tartan fabrics – traded in bales – are characterized by woven color check patterns associated with a relevant clan. The pattern applies not only to the kilt, but also to scarves and ties. The costume is completed by a leather belt, knee socks, special footwear, a skin bag and a dagger. A richly decorated waistcoat is worn on festive occasions. Today the color – check – pattern collection includes 150 variants. A special pattern has also been handed down for the Farquharson’s and Farquhar’s.
The Scottish mountainous region on the River Dee resembles the Thuringian landscape. Some of our putative ancestors left these homelands as early as the 16th century. Apparently tired of the numerous feuds and arguments, they emigrated via the Baltic Sea, mainly to Poland and the Baltic States.
Emigration movements could also have been triggered by the Reformation that took place in Scotland in 1542-1560 when the Calvinist John Knox founded the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, which became the state church. Many inhabitants of the Catholic faith – who did not agree with the change – left the country as a result.
Armin names another historical event that had drastic consequences for the Scots. After the lost battle at Culloden on the Moor near Inverness on April 16, 1746 against the English, who also used well-trained Hanoverian troops, the Scots had to give up their identity. They were sometimes brutally oppressed, were not allowed to speak their language or wear their clan-related clothing. The dreary and hopeless living conditions led to further waves of emigration.
Only since recognition in the Victorian era about 150 years ago has the dictate been relaxed and Scottish history has been able to be researched. But there were significant gaps. Much is not proven. When the tartan of a particular pattern and color scheme for a particular clan is offered throughout Scotland today, ancient drawings are relied upon as far as they survive. It is true that one strives diligently to maintain serious traditions, but the influence of profitable marketing and tourism also plays an important role in Scotland. Regarding the settlement of Scots in the Stolpen area, which was still Catholic at the time and was subordinate to the Bishop of Meißner, Armin notes that some German historians object to this assumption of the family association. Such coincidences and uniqueness are not documented in the historical process, and there are no documentary records about it. However, one thing makes them meek: our name reference. It is uniquely location-related and not derived from the Low German ” forke ” = fork. Because all German forkers resident in the world come from Langenwolmsdorf. Doubts could still be nurtured, however, since no remnants of their language or customs have survived from the alleged Scottish immigrants.
When and why Scottish Farquahrs settled here in Langenwolmsdorf is just as unclear as their route from Silesia to here. So there is still plenty to explore.
9. Words of thanks from Jürgen from Seevetal 4:05 – 4:10 p.m
Jürgen thinks that it is finally time to praise and recognize the Executive Committee for the intensive work and the minutes. The work done deserves special recognition in front of a large audience. It was a matter of the heart for him to take the initiative. His thoughts and words met with a positive response from the audience and a grateful reception from those addressed so warmly.
10. Cultural contribution by the ensemble “Dresdner Orginale” 4:35 p.m – 5:45 p.m
Dressed in the fashion of Augustus the Strong, a lady and a gentleman enter the hall with dignified steps. One can see that the two of them embody the upper class of society, which offered services at the court of the Saxon king, constantly tried to gain influence or simply wanted to please the ruler. The lady breaks the silence after both have carefully examined the audience. Nobility obliges, she tells the astonished listeners with firm conviction. That is why the Imperial Countess Anna Constantia von Cosel is inclined to grant you an audience, to give you insights into the meaningful, baroque time at court and not to skimp on truths, backgrounds and amusement. Her companion, Lieutenant General and Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Kyaw – fortress commander of Königstein and Stolpen – silently agreed to the announcement in a respectful attitude.
What follows is a varied series of cheeky sayings, cheerful little songs – sometimes in duet in Saxon dialect and standard German – , amorous bon mots, amusing farces and witty dialogues. For example, a baroque dressing room could be described as a spare parts store or the Elbe as the Grand Canal. August the Strong loved multiple tracks, it was like a marshalling yard; in short, an exhilarating rotation. The listeners are made familiar with the duties of a mistress.
Biting aphorisms by Georg Christoph Lichtenberg are heard, and the conditions at court at the time are transferred to the present.
At times, the viewers are drawn into what is happening. The use of a turned potentiometer, which can measure the degree of passion, and the distribution of the potency-enhancing herb “thyme” trigger cheerful reactions.
The actors Mrs. Birgit Lehmann and Mr. Frank Müller shine in their roles with winning charm, bubbling wit, profound knowledge, hearty humor and high acting skills. They know how to combine tradition and modernity in the most excellent way and to entertain the audience in the best possible way.
So the audience is not stingy with the artists’ bread. Both actors are given a warm round of applause.
11. Dance
The program item listed in the invitation is omitted for the reasons stated in Joachim’s report.
12. To the end
An often-quoted piece of advice is that when it’s at its best, go. Numerous forkers follow this motto. Those for whom the evening has just started get together in two groups. One stays where the action is, the other seeks out the guest rooms on the ground floor. The experience provides enough topics for conversation.
Willing helpers support the packing of the genealogical presentation documents.
Armin thanks the members of the “ preparatory committee ” who were still present for the once again extremely successful event. At around 10 p.m., the sandman warns you to leave.
Correspondent Klaus Forker
