Franz Ferdinand Josef is a key figure within my research for two primary reasons:
First, within generation 8 [Theodor’s children], he is the eldest son who inherits the Lusebrink and therefore perpetuates the land ownership legacy.
Second, he changes the name spelling from Balz to Bals. I believe this coincides with the birth of Theresia, who is his first child with his second wife Theresia Koch-Schulte, but I don’t have any documents to confirm this assumption.

Children
Note: All children work on the farm until it’s time to make their own way in life.

Theodor is the first born son, but he takes the path of education and becomes a doctor of medicine. While working as an assistant doctor in a hospital in Gelsenkircen-Buer, he contracts blood poisoning, which ultimately leads to his death.

Franz is the second son, but he inherits the Lusebrink. It’s my assumption that he is the chosen heir even before his brother’s death due to the fact that Theodor chose a career in medicine.

Heinrich serves in the 4th Grenadier Regiment during WWI and falls ill with pleurisy on 19 November 1915, to which he succumbs after two weeks in the field hospital in Alexandrovo, Russia. Family notes say he was part of the assault on Jakobstadt, but that occurred in 1917 and would therefore be impossible.

Theresia is first child with Theresia Koch-Schulte. She marries Friedrich Mittrop and they have seven children.

Joseph marries Josefa Deimel and I’m unsure about children.

Anton is recorded as being a tenant at Haus Höhenscheid near Arolsen, which was a monastery that became a manor farm. He marries Johanna Berglar-Plaß and I’m unsure about children.

Elisabeth is a total mystery to me at the current time.

Maria dies in 1906 aged 35 days.