Reinhard Springorum (1593-1666)

Image: Dortmund, early 17th century.

Reinhard, the Earliest Known Ancestor

This is where all the threads begin to unravel—or come together, depending on how you see it. At the root of it all stands Reinhard Springorum, born in Dortmund in 1593, the earliest Springorum I’ve been able to trace, yet still undeniably connected to me. He held the title of Stallmeister, a position that appears regularly in church records, especially in the baptism and burial entries of several of his children.

The pedigree shared on the Heimatkunde Schwelm website includes a brief introduction to several Springorums mentioned in various documents from the 16th century and earlier. Some of them lived during the same period as Reinhard. However, none of these individuals can be directly linked to Reinhard Springorum, due to the lack of concrete evidence such as church book baptism records.

Image: The image depicts an early 17th-century map of the city of Dortmund, Germany. This specific engraving, titled "Dortmund um 1610," is attributed to Detmar Muhler and provides a historical representation of the city's architecture and layout during that period.

Reinhard and Catharina's Children

In 1624, Reinhard married Catrinen Vasolt. They had six children, all baptized at St. Nicolai Church, the smallest of Dortmund’s four main churches. The church books of the St. Nicolai Church in Dortmund have been relatively well preserved, though the handwriting is very difficult to decipher. They are accesible through Archion (Baptisms 1605-1707, Marriages 1605-1706), and nearly all of Reinhard’s children's baptisms can be found in these records, some of them accompanied by the names of prominent individuals in Dortmund including Johann von der Berswordt, the mayor of Dortmund.

1. Johannes Springorum (~1625 - †1694), becomes Pfarrer in Kirchende.
2. Christopffer Springorum (~1628 - †1637), dies at age of 9.
3. Elisabeth Springorum (~1630 - †1637), dies at age of 7.
4. Göde Springorum (~1633 - †?), marries Georg Brockhauss, Pfarrer in Langendreer and Unna.
5. Phillippus Hermann Springorum (~1637 - †1673), becomes a notary in Bochum.
6. Elske Springorum (~1639 - †1644), dies at age of 5.

1625 – Babtism record Joahannes Springorum

Image: Babtism record of Reinhards first child Joahannes Springorum reviels some interesting details (15 July 1625).

It's interesting to note Reinhard's title in this registration: Stallmeister. Also worth mentioning, the two witnesses at this baptism were prominent Dortmund citizens—Bürgermeister Johann von der Berswordt and Rittmeister Dietrich von Plettenburg.

In 17th-century Germany, the Stallmeister (Stable Master) was a trusted court official who managed horses, stables, and ceremonial duties. Horses were essential for travel, war, and status, and the Stallmeister ensured they were well cared for and properly presented during hunts, parades, and court events. He organized transport, oversaw equestrian displays, and worked with other officials to maintain the court’s image and operations. Often of lower nobility, the role demanded skill, leadership, and discretion, offering prestige and close access to the ruling elite.

Johann von der Berswordt

Berswordt is the name of a German noble family originally from the area around Dortmund. The Lords of Berswordt were among the oldest and most influential noble families in the cities of Dortmund and Soest. The family took its name from a small settlement near the Nikolaikirche in Dortmund. Members of the Berswordt family have been part of Dortmund’s city council since 1261. By 1803, 30 family members had served over 400 terms as councilors, including 108 terms as mayor. Around 1800, a Berswordt was referred to as the last "Patrician" of Dortmund.

Johann von der Berswordt is one of the best-known members of the family. He was connected to Dortmund not only as a mayor but also as a Geschichtsschreiber—a historian. A nobleman and lord of Hüsten, he was born in Dortmund in either 1574 or 1578 and died in Hüsten in 1640. He was the son of Johann von der Berswordt and Margarethe Mumm. As the owner of Haus Hüsten and the surrounding estate, he held an important role in the region.

It is likely that Reinhard served as Stallmeister (stable master) at Haus Hüsten, where he worked in the service of Johann von der Berswordt.

Sources:

• https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_von_der_Berswordt
• https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berswordt
• https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haus_Hüsten

Dietrich von Plettenberg

Plettenberg is the name of an old noble family from Westphalia. The name comes from their original home at the foot of the Plattberg, where the Grüne and Oester rivers meet. Today, that area is part of the town of Plettenberg in the Sauerland.

A quick search doesn't show a Dietrich von Plettenberg working as a Rittmeister near Dortmund. However, the name does appear several times in that time period, in different places. One interesting note: a Dietrich von Plettenberg is listed as a judge in Dortmund in 1614.

Sources:

• https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/K8TQ-6Z6/dietrich-von-plettenberg-1560-1643
• https://www.lwl.org/westfaelische-geschichte/portal/Internet/urkunden_datenbank/suche/regest_detail.php?dwudanpassen=J&regest=69839

1629 – Witness to the deeds of Kaspar von Romberg

Kaspar von Romberg, who had come into possession of Bladenhorst through his wife, repeatedly made use of Dortmund’s stable master Reinhard Springorum as a witness. On 8 March 1629, alongside Dortmund notary Heinrich Vethacke and Adolf im Sypen, Reinhard served as a witness to the purchase of 112 pig-grazing rights (“Mastgerechtigkeit”) in the Benninghauser Becke on the river Emscher in the district of Hörde. The seller was Johann von Hövel, hereditary tenant in Dortmund. This document bears, among others, the signature “Reinert Springorum” – the only preserved signature of this progenitor of the present-day Springorum family. Another deed dated 12 April 1640 likewise names Reinhard Springorum as a witness to Kaspar von Romberg’s purchase of a rent note.

Source:

• Geschichte der Familie Springorum in der Zeit 1700 - 1800; Dr. Höfker; p.4
• Landesarchiv NRW (Not digitized, no scan available.)

1666 – The Death of Reinhard

"The old stallmeister Reinhard Springorum is buried." The death record of Reinhard Springorum in the church books of St. Nicolai Church, Dortmund (27 September¹ 1666) is almost impossible to read. Even Transkribus has difficulties processing this old handwriting.

Image: Church book of St. Nicolai Church, Dortmund (27 September 1666).