The whys of why my website is called Treptower Keys. It’s all wrapped up in history, my history and genealogy, and my patroness, the Hekatae. And now to explain…

Treptower

Back in 1982, my Mom passed away unexpectedly. In the chaos following, I sought out my great uncle’s genealogy project (Dad’s family). I needed to ground and finding out about my family was it. I found genealogy interesting, and still do. And besides, the trips to Manitowoc WI were fun. We turned them into weekend family getaways.

The family’s oral history says we came from Kummerow, in Germany. Back in 1982, we knew of two- a small village on Kummerower Zee (the largest lake in Germany, and a small village, near the Baltic Sea, between Stralsund and Rostock. Now, there are four (all small villages) you can find on Google Maps. All of these lay in Pomerania, divided, and fought over, by Germany and Poland.

NOTE: Kummerow (pronounced CUE-mer rov) means miserable or sorrowful man.

In the Mantiwoc WI County’s Recorder of Deeds office, I found records of my great-great grandfather, Ferdinand. He was my immigrant ancestor, coming from Mecklenburg/Pomerania, with his wife- Sophia in the 1880s. On his death certificate, I found his father’s name- Johann Kummerow von Treptower Deep. I searched for a Treptower, and Treptower Deep, but didn’t find one. (I did find Treptow, a park in Berlin.)

1988. I joined the Society of Creative Anachronism. I chose the name Ferdinand von Treptower. Ferdinand for my immigrant ancestor, and the street I lived on in my hometown of Forest Park IL. Treptower was from Johann. I started a household in the Society called the Freehold of Treptower. Our badge was a gold tower with three steps at its base, centered on red over blue. We ended the freehold in 1991. I continue to use the badge since, tho, I tend to use a castle of three towers. I enjoyed my Society years.

Treptower has been a part of me since I found out about it in my research. I have continued to research it and some things have come to light. Alten Treptower is the name of a city near the southern Kummerow villages. Also, a city originally named Treptower is now a port of Poland. I have no idea how these cities are a part of my history, but I continue my research..

Keys

My Patroness, the Hekatae has many titles. The one closest to my heart is Kleidouchos Panto Kosmou. The Keeper of the Keys of All the Cosmos. All the possibilities. All the choices. All the Cosmos.

In 2002, I fought the Hekatae, when She/They chose me as one of Theirs. Prior to this time, I was comfortable in my Paganism dealing with archetypes- the Blue Lady of Compassion, the Red Lady of Beauty, Wind (the Afterlife), Steel (Strength tempered by Honour), etc. When I was chosen, it was not my choice. I was comfortable where I was. I had chosen to be where I was. I like being static and in my familiar environments and situations [no matter if they are best for me or not]. I said as much as I fought Her/They. She/They are Change, the In-Between, the Warrior, the Support, the Visionary, and so much more. And They chose a stick in the mud. To bring forth change. Yeah right…Me?

Me. You can see a lot of what I’ve become with the Hekatae in my life by perusing my ‘Who Is’ on this website.

I honour the Hekatae. I fight the Hekatae . I pray to the Hekatae. I am supported by the Hekatae. I see with the Hekatae. I am changed by the Hekatae. I bring forth change into the world from, by, through the Hekatae, and myself.

I have keys.