Heinrich Springorum

Could Heinrich Springhorum Be Family?

While looking into the Springorum line, I came across a 1664 organ built by a Heinrich Springhorum — one of the oldest known in the Ruhr area. The organ was installed in Essen and, although it’s suffered damage over the centuries, its origins were well-documented.

The name caught my eye. Springhorum is close to Springorum, and back in the 17th century, spelling was far from standardized — names often shifted depending on who was writing them down. Even more interesting: 1664 is the same period when Johannes Springorum’s children were being born in Dortmund. That puts Heinrich and Johannes at roughly the same age in the same region. Could they have been brothers? Or at least part of the same extended family?

It’s just a theory for now, but definitely worth digging into more. If anyone has leads, old documents, or theories of their own — I'd love to hear them.

The 1664 Organ in the Essen Cathedral

Researchers studying historical organs in the Ruhr region found 178 instruments, including 19 in Bochum alone. But the oldest turned up next door in Essen Cathedral—an organ built in 1664 by Heinrich Springhorum.

Over the centuries, woodworms did serious damage to the instrument. By 1934, the last original windchests, pipes, and parts of the console had to be removed. It wasn’t until the 1960s that organ builder Romanus Seifert restored it, adding new pipes to the original case.

Back to Heinrich Springhorum: the name and date line up with Johannes Springorum’s generation. If Heinrich was active in 1664, that would make him a contemporary—possibly even a brother. The name spelling could’ve changed over time, as often happened. It’s a small detail, but possibly a big clue.