Johann Friedrich HELLMERS, son of Christian Friedrich HELLMERS (1782-1854) and Almuth Margret SCHWANEWEDEL (1789-1842), was born on 12 Jan 1829 in Steinhausen , Bockhorn, Grand duchy of Oldenburg, Germany.^{1 2} burial details indicate 80 years, i.e.1827. Johann was a Cabinet maker, Farmer. He married Elizabeth CROOK on 23 Sep 1855 in Catholic Church, West Maitland, N.S.W.² He married Annie KREMER on 25 Nov 1905 in St. David's Church, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.³ 8656. Johann died on 30 Mar 1907 in 28 Norton St., Leichardt, Sydney.^{2 1 4} Regn. no.5308. Senile cardiac failure. Johann was buried on 1 Apr 1907 in Rookwood cemetery, Sydney. Old Wesleyan cemetery section 4C grave 270.^{5 6 7} Listed as Fred J. Hellmers. Same grave as wife, Elizabeth.

An extensive history of the Hellmers family can be found in Grant Franklyn-Smith's research document PDF "Descendants of Christian Von Hellmers".

Migrated to Australia in 1854. Cabinet maker.

On marriage certificate details Johann Friedrich Hellmers, his signature, is marked with an X showing he could not write his name, so he is listed as John Frederick (Herms), a spelling error but would always be known as John Frederick Hellmers now he was in Australia.

Business.1.: 1863, Cabinet Maker, 10 Smith Street, Newtown. Business.2.: 1864, Cabinet Maker, 15 Samuel Street, Newtown. Business.3.: 1865, Cabinet Maker, 3 Samuel Street, Newtown. Business.4.: Bet. 1866 - 1870, Cabinet Maker, Denison Street,

Newtown. Business.5.: Bet. 1871 - 1877, Cabinet Maker, Newtown Road, Newtown. Business.6.: Bet. 1879 - 1880, Cabinet Maker, Albert Street, Macdonaldtown. Business.7.: Bet. 1882 - 1885, Cabinet Maker, Malcolm Street, Macdonaldtown.

Johann bought a winemaking business at Canley Vale and owned 10 houses in Sydney. His property was divided by the 3 sons. Ancestral property in Nth. Germany viewed by Aust. descendants.

NSW PO Directory 1904 has -

Hellmers Albt., orehardist, Canley Vale

Hellmers Fred., cabinet maker, Canley Vale

Hellmers John, grazier, Craigie

Helmers John F., vignron, Canley Vale

"Johann Friedrich was born in Steinhausen, Bockhorn, Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, in 1829.

He was the son of Almuth Margaret & Christian Friedrich Hellmers, a Damask Weaver, they lived on a farming estate owned by the Hellmers since 1750 at Steinhausen in the Municipality of Bockhorn in the old Grand Duchy of Oldenburg - which later became Schleswig Holstein.

He learnt the trade of Cabinet Making & later was noted to be a Master Cabinet Maker living in Hamburg in 1853.

It seems there was a form of army conscription and Johann had moved to Hamburg to avoid being drafted into the army, he received a letter from his brother-in-law Johann Hopken, warning him if he was thinking of staying in Germany, he should front up around the 4th of April to the appropriate authority as announced in the public newspapers, and then the punishment won't be too hazardous. This led him to embrace the thought of leaving his homeland.

He shortly after emigrated on the " Meteor " from Hamburg sailing to New South Wales, Australia in 1854 aged 25 to start a whole new life.

He later met & married Elizabeth Crook the following year, on the twenty third of September 1855, at West Maitland, they were to have a long life together with a large family of 14 children & 36 grandchildren.

Naturalization was granted in January 1860, and he took the Oath on the twenty second day of September 1862. (Naturalization Papers of 1860-62)"

"Died at his residence 28A Norton St. Leichardt, Frederick John, in his 80th year^3,4,8,9"

Elizabeth CROOK was born on 10 Jun 1836 in Sydney. .V1836.838.126/1836. Elizabeth was baptised on 10 Jul 1836 in St. Mary-s Cathedral, Sydney. see. R.C. Baptisms 1832-1837. vol 126 no.838. Elizabeth was 1836 - Roman Catholic. 1902Wesleyan.⁴ She died on 13 May 1902 in Canley Vale, Liverpool, Sydney.^{2 2} Regn. no.5722. Cardiac disease. Elizabeth was buried on 14 May 1902 in Rookwood cemetery.^{5 6 7 4} A double grave shared with her husband John Frederick Hellmers who joined her in 1907.

Elizabeth Crook was the second of 8 children to Henry Crook and Mary Foley, born in Sydney in 1836 and died in 1902 after producing 14 children with Johann Hellmers. She was buried in a double grave shared with her husband John Frederick Hellmers who joined her in 1907.

In 1855 it's noted that Elizabeth, could not sign her name on the marriage certificate to John Hellmers and is marked with an X.

In 1894 she was referred to as Betsy Hellmers nee Crook, on the death registration of her daughter, Wilhelmina's death.

Residence.1.: 1836, Sydney, Colony of New South Wales, Australia.717

Residence.2.: 1838, Black Creek, near Maitland, N.S.W.718

Residence.3.: Bet. 1840 - 1857, Maitland and West Maitland, N.S.W. [birth of daughter Margaret].719,720,721

Residence.4.: 1858, "Victoria Place", Sussex Street, Sydney, N.S.W. [birth of daughter Minna].722

Residence.5.: Bet. 1858 - 1860, Kingston, Sydney, N.S.W. [birth of daughter Sophia].723,724

Residence.6.: Bet. 1862 - 1863, 10 Smith Street, Newtown, N.S.W. [birth of daughter Mary Elizabeth].

Residence.7.: 1865, Kingston, (near Newtown). [birth of daughter Ada].

Residence.8.: 1870, St. George District, N.S.W. [birth of son Frederick Christian].

Residence.9.: 1872, Newtown, N.S.W,. [birth of daughter Lucy - 1872]. [birth of son Joseph Albert - 1874]. [birth of daughter Charlotte 1876].

Residence.10.: 1879, Albert Street, MacDonaldtown, N.S.W. [birth of daughter Marth Eva].725

Residence.11.: 1880, Vine Street, Redfern, [birth of son George].726

Residence.12.: Bet. 1880 - 1902, Canly Vale, N.S.W.727,728,729

"THE FRIENDS of Mr. GEORGE ADOLPHUS GEE are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his deceased MOTHER, Eliza, to move from his residence, No. 3, Vine-street, Redfern, THIS (Tuesday) MORNING, at half-past 8 o'clock, for the Necropolis.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : Tue 6 May 1879 Page 10 Family Notices).^4,10"

Elizabeth CROOK and Johann Friedrich HELLMERS had the following children:

Annie KREMER was born in 1867 in Goulburn, N.S.W., Australia.³ She was a Bookkeeper. She died in 1961 in Newtown District, Sydney.¹⁶

"Annie Kremer ,born Abt,1866 in Goulburn,N.S.W. daughter of Michael Kremer a Farmer & Mary Kremer (nee

Conner).She married John in 1905 her 1st marriage aged 39,he was 76,but he died in1907,no children were born of

this marriage. She was Informant on his death certificate, dated 2nd April 1907"¹⁶