The catastrophic living conditions resulting from the commencement of the industrial revolution led to the Weberaufstand 1844 in Silesia. Due to the introduction of mechanical looms in factories in Chemnitz, the outwork of thousands of weavers became unprofitable. At the same time foreign competition resulted in lower salaries, so that the income of the outworkers sank far below the level of sustenance. Even in Bodenburg, a number of citizens, who besides from very limited agriculture, lived from trade and outwork, suffered bitter poverty as a result of this development.

In addition to the growing pressure of the rulers, in the years following 1844 all of Europe was suffering from crop failures, leading to an enormous increase in the prices of food. The crisis of overproduction, resulting from inexperience and failing insight of the manufacturers, led to a rapid devaluation of the citizens' currency.

The rural population had nothing to harvest and the urban population had nothing to buy. In the years starting from about 1834 the so-called "Verkoppelung", the merger of widely spread estates, began. Its goal was to simplify farming, but it also resulted in the loss of fallow land, the grassy slopes of ditches roads that the poor used for grazing their goats, "the cows of the poor men". They lost part of their sustenance. It's therefore not surprising that a wave of emigration took place at that time (about 1849 to 1864).

There was a great famine. Typhoid and cholera spread over many parts of Europe. In March 1848 there were riots against the rulers in the area around Bodenburg. Windows were smashed and guns were fired. Troops were assembled and the bourgeois formed militias against the poor rioters.

Many of the poorer people were completely disillusioned by the defeat of the revolution. The discouragement and the lack of hope for a change for the better led to the dream of a free life in America. A wave of emigration started depopulating whole villages. Especially those villages inhabited by so called dependants lost their best workers. In addition, the younger brothers of the heirs to the farm and the poor journeymen who were not able to become masters of their trade joined the exodus. These workers, farm-laborers and journeymen had nothing to lose, except for their lives, but everything to win. Those who were young and strong had the best chances to make a new life for themselves in America.

As to Bodenburg, it suffered a new catastrophe in 1851.Bodenburg had been part of the Braunschweig territory for centuries but as an enclave surrounded by land of the Kingdom of Hannover. On January 1st, 1851 Braunschweig joined the "Preußischer Zollverein" (The Preussian customs union). Thus, Bodenburg was a like a foreign country within the Kingdom of Hannover and subsequently was to be starved out by the surrounding areas.

Until December 1st, 1852 customs officers lay in wait for smugglers around Bodenburg. But even in 1860 the people in Bodenburg had to pay high customs fees and buy expensive trading licenses in order to be able to trade with the surrounding territories of Hannover.

The following list of emigrants of the exclaves Bodenburg and Oestrum ( Gruhne ) plus the documents of the Staatsarchiv Wolfenbüttel (StA WF 129 Neu 11 Nr. 9Bd. 3 / Entlassung aus dem Unterthanen-Verbande) might be of interest to genealogists.

ZIMMERMANN, Carl - Landchirurg (surgeon ) Gesuch von 1846 (application from 1846)

KÄSE, Ernst - Landwehrsoldat (soldier), Fleischer (butcher) aus Bodenburg Gesuch Nr. 1518 v, 21. März 1849 nach Amerika (Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst Käse, geb. 1824, war Soldat bei (was a soldier with) der "3ten Compagnie des 2ten Battailons des Herzogl. Infanterie Regiments". He wrote an application to be discharged from the military on March 21st, 1849. With the consent of his mother, Justine, nee BRUNE, widow of the casual laborer August Käse, he wanted to go to St. Louis, where he expected to make a good living as a butcher

REUTER, Johann Ernst Friedrich Christoph - aus Bodenburg, geb. 1825, Schlossergeselle (journeyman locksmith) Gesuch Nr. 773 v. 28.Jan. 1851, Abreise März nach Amerika (departure to America in March)

OPPERMANN, Ernst Friedrich - Tischlergesell (journeyman carpenter) aus Bodenburg, geb. 1828 Gesuch Nr. 4423 v. 12.Juni 1851

HENNIGES, Christian Conrad - Bäckermeister (master baker) aus Bodenburg, geb. 1824 oo mit EWIG, Johanna Marie Christine geb. in Voldagsen 1824 (As recorded in the documents the master baker was not supposed to get a passport because his divorced wife had given evidence that he himself had set fire to his house. According to the clerk of the court there were no objections to handing out a passport to the baker's wife.) Gesuch Nr. 5841 v. 14.Aug.1851, Abreise September nach Amerika. (departure for America in September)

DEDERDING, Conrad aus Bodenburg, geb. 1805. Schuhmachermeister, (Master shoemaker, widower with no children. According to the files a bad ....... (illegible) drinker, an idler and known to be a poor man) Gesuch Nr. 2738 v. Apr.1852

STOFFREGEN, Heinrich Ernst Christian, Stellmacher (wheelwright) aus Bodenburg, geb. 11.6.1820, Sohn des Stellmachers Johann Ernst Christian Stoffregen und der Luise BERGER oo 10.6.1849 mit BOHLMANN, Helene Marie Anna Sophie geb. in Marienrode 1820 Tochter des Schmiedemeisters B. (daughter of the master smith) deren Sohn (their son) STOFFREGEN, Friedrich Karl Ernst geb. 28.9.1851 Gesuch v. 1852 nach Amerika

STOFFREGEN, August Ernst Carl, Stellmachergesell (wheelwright journeyman) geb. 1831 Gesuch v. 1852

VOSS, Christian, "Guedarbeiter" (Gutsarbeiter) und Landwehrsoldat / Handarbeiter (farm worker, soldier, manual laborer) Geb. 1825 Gesuch Nr. 4299 v. Mai 1853 nach Amerika

STOFFREGEN, Johann Friedrich Wilhelm, Seilergesell (rope-maker journeyman) aus Bodenburg, geb. 1.3.1833, Sohn des Rademachers (Stellmachers) (son of the wheelwright) Johann Ernst Christian Stoffregen und der Johanne Wilhelmine Leonore SANDVOSS Stiefbruder (step brother of) des Heinrich Ernst Christian Stoffregen Gesuch Nr. 4632 v. 7.Junif1853

SCHÜNEMANN, Heinrich Wilhelm Friedrich, Müllergesell (miller journeyman) geb. 25.2.1835 Sohn des Fuhrmannes (wagoner) Just Heinrich Ludwig Schünemann und der Hanne Wilhelmine Christine UHDE Gesuch Nr. 5426 v. Juni 1853

SALOMON, genannt Becker, Johann Heinrich Andreas Carl, Müllergesell und Landwehrsoldat (miller journeyman) geb. 20.6.1826 Gesuch Nr. 6318 v. 9. Aug. 1853 In 1870 Salomon inherited house no. 54 in Bodenburg and started a family ROHDE, Johann August Heinrich, geb. 22.6.1822, Anbauer und Weber in Bodenburg son of the grave-digger and laborer of odd jobs Georg Heinrich Rode and Johanne Christine Henriette LANGE oo Hildesheim 2.4.1850 mit SANDMANN, Helene Margarete geb. in Bockhorn 18.3.1821, Tochter des Häuslings in Bockhorn Gerd SANDMANN und der Marie Dorothee RABING. Deren Kinder: Johanne Charlotte Dorothee geb. 28.7.1850 Johann Heinrich Georg Otto geb. 27.8.1851 Johann Carl Heinrich geb. 27.5.1853 Gesuch Nr. 6141 v. 2. Aug. 1853

BODE, Heinrich, Anbauer und Weber, aus Beulshausen Geb. 1822 oo n.n. (Name der Ehefrau unbekannt) und deren 3 Kinder Gesuch von 1853

KRETH, Johann Carl Heinrich geb. 18.8.1802 Sohn des Tagelöhners Johann August Wilhelm Kreth und der Johanne Marie Sophie KLAGES oo mit KISSNER, ... mit 4 Kindern nach Amerika Gesuch v. 1854

PIEPER, Carl Friedrich Heinrich, Schmiedegesell (smith journeyman) geb. 1826 Gesuch v. 1854

MÜLLER, Wilhelm Ferdinand, Kaufmann (merchant) (geb. 1803 oo mit VOLLBRECHT, Johanne Henriette Auguste Bertha geb. 1822 deren Sohn MÜLLER, Friedrich August Wilhelm geb. 21.9.1847 Gesuch v. 1856

STOFFREGEN, Johanne geb. 1831 Gesuch v. 1856

DENECKE, Ernst, Leineweber (linen-weaver) (geb. 1830 Gesuch v. 1857

FLEINER, Auguste geb. 1832 Gesuch v. 1857

KIEHNE, Carl Heinrich Christian, Tagelöhner (laborer for odd jobs) geb. 1826 oo mit SCHAPER, Ilse Sophie Henriette geb. in Sehlem 15.6.1823 deren Kinder: 1.Sophie Caroline Amalie geb. 26.1.1852 2. u. 3. Name unbekannt Gesuch v. 1857

PHILIPP, August, Schlachtermeister (butcher) geb. 1825 Gesuch v. 1857

SCHÜNEMANN, Carl Friedrich Ferdinand, Fleischergesell (butcher journeyman) geb. 8.1.1838 Sohn des Bäckermeisters (master baker) Ernst Friedrich Schünemann und der Johanne Friederike Wilhelmine HENNIES Eltern verstorben, 9 Kinder hinterlassen, Haus Nr. 42 (parents died leaving 9 children, house no. 42) Gesuch v. 1857

WARNECKE, Johann Wilhelm Martin, Handlungs-Commis geb. 18.12.1834 Sohn des Maurers und Leinwebers (son of the mason and linen-weaver) Heinrich Friedrich Wilhelm Warnecke Und der Johanne Wilhelmine Rosine FRICKE Gesuch v. 1857

BAESECKE, Wilhelmine Auguste Charlotte geb. 1831 Tochter des Drell- und Damastwebermeisters (damask-weaver) Baesecke Gesuch v. 1858

DORTMUND, Carl Ludwig August, Tischlergesell und Landwehrsoldat (carpenter journeyman and soldier) geb. 4.6.1831 Sohn des Böttchers (cooper) Johann August Friedrich Dortmund und der Johanne Christine Magdalene GROTJAHN Gesuch v. 9. Apr. 1858

FUNKE, Auguste Louise Sophie Friederike geb. 18.12.1839 Tochter des Kornhändlers und Fuhrmannes (corn-merchant and wagoner) Johann Ernst Friedrich Christian Funke und der Marie Luise SIEVERS Gesuch Nr. 9834 v. 17. Dez. 1860

EBELING, Caroline aus Oestrum geb. 1840 Gesuch Nr. 6233 v. 7. Aug. 1860

SCHÜNEMANN, Wilhelm Carl Heinrich, Bäckergesell (baker journeyman) geb. 20.2.1833 Sohn des Bäckermeisters (master baker) Ernst Friedrich Schünemann, Bruder des 1857 ausgewanderten (brother of the emigrated) Carl Friedrich Ferdinand Schünemann Gesuch v. 1860

UHDE, Friederike aus Oestrum geb. 1835 Gesuch Nr. 6579 v. 26. Aug. 1862

FUNKE, Johanne Henriette Ernestine Caroline geb. 20.4.1837 Tochter des Fuhrmannes Funke, Schwester der 1860 ausgewanderten Auguste Funke (daughter of the wagoner Funke, and sister of Auguste Funke who emigrated in 1860) Gesuch v. 1862

DAMMEYER, Ernst, Arbeitsmann geb. 1825, von der Frau getrennt (worker, born in 1825, separated from his wife) Gesuch Nr. 7353 v. 12. Sept. 1863 über Bremen nach Amerika

FUNKE, Johanne Rosine Elisabeth geb. 23.11.1834 Tochter des Fuhrmannes Funke, Schwester der 1850 ausgewanderten Auguste und der 1862 ausgewanderten Johanne Henriette Funke Gesuch Nr. 5706 v. 14. Juli 1864

FUNKE, Ernst Heinrich Conrad geb. 8.4.1847 Gesuch v. 1864 Sohn des Fuhrmannes Funke und der Bruder der 3 ausgewanderten Funke-Töchter Braucht wegen der zurückgebliebenen Körperentwicklung niemals zum Militär (son of the wagoner Funke and brother of 3 Funke daughters who emigrated to America; he didn't have to serve in the army because he was physically retarded) REDDERSEN, August Heinrich Wilhelm, Handlungscommis, geb. 13.1.1834 Gesuch Nr. 1995 v. 15. März 1864

GROTJAHN, Johann Heinrich August geb. 23.7.1822 in Gr. Ilde Tagelöhner in Bodenburg, Sohn den Häuslings Johann Heinrich Conrad Grotjahn und der Johanne Marie Engel Elisabeth HABEKOST oo Harbarnsen 21.8.1859 mit DORTMUND, Johanne Marie Wilhelmine geb. 30.12.1831, Tochter des Braumeisters (daughter of the master brewer) Heinrich Ernst Dortmund und der Sophie Elisabeth Koch, deren Kinder: Johanne Christine Wilhelmine geb. 4.2.1861 Friedrich geb. 31.10.1864 Gesuch Nr. 2054 v. 6. März 1866

DORTMUND, Johann August Ernst Heinrich geb. 21.9.1842 Sohn des Böttchers (son of the cooper) Johann August Friedrich Dortmund und der Johanne Magdalene GROTJAHN, Bruder des 1858 ausgewanderten Carl Ludwig Dortmung Gesuch v. 1866

WOLTER, Heinrich August, Schäfer aus Bodenburg geb. 1819 oo Christine geb. VOLAND geb. 1820, deren Kinder: Heinrich, geb. 1853 Wilhelmine geb. 1855 Julia geb. 1858 Henriette geb. 1864 Gesuch Nr. 4127 v. 17. Mai 1867 Lt. Akten Schulden vom Kauf eines "Sophas", Preis 20 Taler, Anzahlung 2 Taler, Schulden 18 Taler, Schuldner wechselt ständig den Aufenthalt. (According to records, in debt for the purchase of a sofa for 20 Taler, down payment 2 Taler, debtor keeps changing his residence) REDDERSEN, Johann Heinrich Eduard, Kaufmann (merchant) geb. 30.10.1841 Sohn des Färbers (dyer) Karl Friedrich Reddersen und der Christiane Dorothee WINNECKE oo Breinum 19.7.1866 mit BRÜNIG, Dorothee Sophie Wilhelmine geb. 20.4.1842 Tochter des Ackermannes in Breinum Heinrich Brünig und der Dorothee PHILIPPS. Gesuch Nr. 6415 v. 6. Aug. 1869 Lt. Akten vom früheren Mühlenbesitzer zu Oestrum, jetziger Fruchthändler In Bremen, Heinrich Bartens : (as mentioned in the records of the former mill owner, Heinrich Bartens, now a fruit merchant) in Bremen. Forderung von 96 Thalern 10 Gutegroschen 11 Pfennig gegen den Kaufmann Deuard Reddersen. Gläubiger verlangen, vor der Erledigung der Schuld keinen Pass auszustellen. (The salesman Eduard Reddersen demands the payment of 96 Talern and 10 Gutegroschen and 11 Pfennig before a passport is issued).

FUNKE, Johann Ernst Friedrich Christian geb. 1812, Kornhändler oo mit SIEVERS, Marie Louise (Ehefrau taucht im Gesuch nicht mehr auf /evtl. verstorben?) Tochter FUNKE, Louise Sophie Dorette geb. 2.12.1844 Großsohn FUNKE, Heinrich geb. 18.4.1857, whose mother died several years ago. Gesuch Nr. 5793 v. 13. Juli 1869