Martin Luther descendants

Originally published in November 2015, edited and republished.

It's been three years since I last posted. In that time, I've had babies number four and five, so life has been busy.

About two years ago, I emailed the Lutheriden organization in Germany (Lutheriden Vereinigung). I was interested in purchasing copies of the book published with all the known descendants of Martin Luther. I am sixteen generations removed from Martin Luther. I knew this growing up and when I was at BYU years ago, I made copies of a book published in the 1980s that listed me and some of my siblings. Anyway, I received an email back from Christian Priesmeier, secretary for the Lutheridens. He told me that they are in the process of updating the book and I should send them current information about our family. He also mentioned that he had been to South Carolina recently (I live in North Carolina).

So, fast forward two years and I receive an email from Christian telling me about another upcoming trip to South Carolina.  He wanted to meet up. He was here for an unveiling of a Martin Luther statue in Columbia, South Carolina. His trip also included a bunch of public speaking events in the area. The closest he came to me was Matthews, North Carolina, near Charlotte, about two hours from home.This was also his last event of his two week stay.

I drove out to Matthews to Cross & Crown Lutheran Church. I really did not know what to expect and was a little nervous as I arrived with my newborn Charlie. No need to be anxious. I was immediately greeted by Christian. The whole evening was amazing. Christian gave me a mug with a Luther Rose. And then in his opening remarks he introduced me and remarked that I was the first descendant that he's met in the states. He also introduced baby Charlie as the newest Martin Luther descendant. Christian was speaking at the church as a representative of "the family" and he described the Luther family organization and talked a bit about Martin Luther's life. I've never had a greater appreciation for Martin Luther. He truly was an amazing man that led a remarkable life. Especially for his time. And he is part of who I am. Christian had us end the meeting with singing the hymn "A Mighty Fortress is our God." That hymn is very dear to me and I was profoundly moved to be singing it in a room full of Lutherans.  I am not Lutheran,  but there was a unifying spirit there and it made my heart full to be singing with those that were together in religion because of my ancestor.

Christian Priesmeier and I are very distantly related. He is fourteen generations removed, descending through Luther's son Paul. I descend through Luther's daughter Margarete (sixteen generations ago). Very, very distant cousins.  An interesting piece of trivia I learned that night: There are no descendants of Martin Luther with the surname of Luther.  Any male lines with that surname died out a couple centuries back.

I have every intention to travel to Germany within two or three years. I will meet up with Christian and also meet my great uncle Olaf. I haven't seen Uncle Olaf since I was a baby, but we have been corresponding via email.  He and Christian live only a few hours apart.

I was unsure whether to make that trip to Matthews with my newborn. I knew I'd regret it, if I took the easy route and stayed home. These sorts of opportunities don't come very often and I'm so glad I didn't pass it up.