Maria Eva Scholl was born in Graben, Karlsruhe, Baden, Germany14 May 1720 to Hans Matthaeus 1681-1741 and Anna Eve Roth 1690-1741. She died at 10 years old on 19 April 1730.
Death seen as natural
If a woman died after the birth of a child (this was a dangerous process because of infections), her younger sister stepped in as new wife, or replacement. The husband (here farmer in the country) absolutely needed a wife to look after the children and farm house (cooking etc.). So he normally got remarried a second, or third time within a few months; later a one year period was recommended. Often these wives were widows themselves. So there was constant giving births and dying on the farms, similar to what happened in the stable with the animals. Death was seen as natural. Only medicine and hygienic measures lowered the infant and childhood mortality rate. However, there were very bad pestulenza waves in the 17th century in our regions. Many villages lost 30 to 40% of the population. (Peter Bertschinger)
Documents related to Maria Eva Scholl:
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| Maria Eva Scholl 14 May 1720 film 4137289 page 330 |
Translation by Robert Seal:
17. On the 14th of May [1720], a little daughter of Hanß Matthias Scholl and Eva his wife was born, who thereupon was baptized and was named Maria Eva.
Baptismal sponsors: Christoph Keller, citizen and baker here, and Maria Catharina his wife. Hanß Georg Waibel, innkeeper at the sign of the swan here, and Anna Maria, his wife.
Comments: Note + [died] in right margin under the child's names.
In this record, the scribe uses the word "Haußfrau" (literally "housewife") but in this context it translates as: wife.
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| Maria Eva Scholl death 19 April 1730 film 4137289 page 434 |
220. On the 19th of April [1730], Maria Eva died, little daughter of Mattheus Scholl, tailor, and Eva his wife, so with sound [of bells], singing, and a sermon was buried. Age: 9 years, 11 months, and 5 days.