I need a list of the number of people named I. Winkelmann, follow all specifications and cite sources?

Question

I. Winkelmann is the name written on a German gas mask can from WWI (with the mask still intact and in good condition) that I have with me right now. The rest of the inscription is "I.M.G.K. /93" . I am fairly certain that he must have been someone my great grandfather killed in combat. It looks like a standard issue. I would also like to know what the "I.M.G.K." means.

Answer 1

I have seen numerous articles in local newspapers about Europeans seeking the descendants of Americans killed in a war in order to send a keepsake home.  Here is a recent one from New Jersey: http://tinyurl.com/4kljoo

In that case, a Geman named Wim Lannoy "check[ed] American military records online" to find the soldier; he then "reached out to the local press in Morris County for help."

I don't know whether German military records are online, but you might consider sending an email to a few German newspapers to see whether they can help. (It can be in English; many Germans speak our language.) You can find a list here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_new...

Who knows - your inquiry could result in a newspaper article over there!

In addition, consider joining a mailing list and posting your query there for even more advice in finding Herr Winkelmann. One such is the GREATWAR maillist, listed here:

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jfulle...

Rootsweb people are known to be friendly and helpful.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Unfortunately I don't know any German, but I'm finding a source:  Directories & Member Lists > Adreßbuch der anhaltischen Landeshauptstadt Dessau: nebst den eingemeindeten Vororten Alten, Dellnau, Großkühnau, Jonitz, Kleinkühnau, Naundorf, Pötnitz, Scholitz, Törten und Ziebigk 1933

The name contained on page 457 appears to be Irchitett or Urchitett, the font is hard to read. On page 273 of the same directory is a Gustav Winkelmann.

Searching for I. Winkelmann in Germany, I am getting 8 results (including the above):

  2 Adreßbuch der anhaltischen Landeshauptstadt Dessau: nebst den eingemeindeten Vororten Alten, Dellnau, Großkühnau, Jonitz, Kleinkühnau, Naundorf, Pötnitz, Scholitz, Törten und Ziebigk 1933 (in German)  

  1 Altonaisches Adreßbuch für 1880 (in German)  

  1 Braunschweigisches Adreß-Buch für das Jahr 1866 (in German)  

  1 Einwohnerbuch des Stadt- und Landkreises Celle für 1927-1928 (in German)  

  1 Handels-Register des Königlichen Amtsgerichts Berlin-Mitte, 1916 (in German)  

  1 Lebens- u. Genussmittel: Adressbuch der Lebens- und Genußmittelbranche, 1925 (in German)  

  1 Mitgliederliste des Verbandes Deutscher Eisenwarenhändler E.V., 1928 (in German)  

If any of these sound like possibilities, you can email me and I can send you the images.