Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Johann Georg Hiedler |
| Born | February 28, 1792 (Spital, Weitra, Austria) |
| Died | February 9, 1857 (Spital, Weitra, Austria) |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Occupation | Journeyman miller |
| Parents | Martin Hiedler (1762–1829); Anna Maria Göschl (1760–1854) |
| Spouse | (No record of marriage) |
| Notability | Legal father of Alois Hitler (1876) |
Early Life and Family Origins
On February 28, 1792, Johann Georg Hiedler was born in Spital, Weitra, Austria, into a lower-middle-class miller family. His mother, Anna Maria Göschl, handled home affairs and local market sales, while his father, Martin Hiedler, ran a small grain mill outside town. Johann Georg learnt millstone maintenance, grain selection, and basic mechanical repairs at his family’s mill by age 14.
Johann Georg left Spital aged 22 to become a journeyman miller in Lower Austria, earning a reputation for technical proficiency and punctuality. In 1818, he returned home to help after his father’s death in 1829, inheriting small family land and the water-powered mill.
Paternity of Alois Schicklgruber and Legal Recognition
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1837 | Alois Schicklgruber is born on June 7 in Döllersheim; mother Maria Anna Schicklgruber is unmarried |
| 1876 | At age 39, Alois petitions to legitimize his birth; baptismal records are amended to list Johann Georg Hiedler as father |
| 1876 | Alois officially adopts the surname “Hitler,” departing from Schicklgruber |
Although Alois Schicklgruber’s biological father is unknown, his parish priest retrospectively listed Johann Georg Hiedler as his father on his baptismal certificate in 1876. This administrative move gave Alois legal status, permitted him to inherit under Hiedler family statutes, and established the surname “Hitler” for future generations. Johann Georg died nearly two decades prior, on February 9, 1857, and never acknowledged Alois.
The Debate Over Biological Paternity
The question of who fathered Alois has long divided scholars and genealogists:
- Johann Georg Hiedler Theory: Some historians believe Johann Georg’s 1876 recognition proves paternity.
- Johann Nepomuk Hiedler Theory: Johann Georg’s younger brother, Johann Nepomuk (1807–1888), reared Alois after his birth and left him a large estate; others believe he was the father.
- Alternative Rumour (“Frankenberger Thesis”): Nazi lawyer Hans Frank claimed Maria Anna worked for a Jewish family named Frankenberger in Graz and that the father was a member of that family. Modern investigation finds no such family in Graz at the time.
DNA research have failed to establish the Frankenberger narrative by the late 20th century.
Generational Lineage and Descendants
Children and Grandchildren
| Name | Relationship | Birth–Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alois Hitler | Son | 1837–1903 | Customs official; legitimized; father of Adolf Hitler |
| Adolf Hitler | Grandson | 1889–1945 | Dictator of Nazi Germany |
| Paula Hitler | Granddaughter | 1896–1960 | Adolf’s only full sister surviving to adulthood |
| Alois Jr. & Angela | Grandchildren (half) | 1882–1956; 1883–1949 | From Alois’s earlier marriages; Angela later raised Geli Raubal |
| Gustav, Ida, Otto, Edmund | Grandchildren (full) | 1885–1890s (various) | Died in infancy or early childhood |
Great‑Grandchildren and Beyond
- From 1911 to 1987, William Patrick Hitler, son of Alois Jr., immigrated to the US, changed surname to Stuart Houston, and had four sons who reside in relative anonymity in Long Island.
- Children of Angela: Geli Raubal (1908–1931) and Leo Raubal Jr. (1906–1977): Adolf’s personal life was extensively examined after Geli’s 23-year-old death.
- Heinz Hitler (1920–1942): Son of Alois Jr., killed in action during World War II.
Following generations have few public documents beyond civil registrations and biographical footnotes.
Historical and DNA Investigations
A 2010 research of two live male cousins implicated the family haplogroup E1b1b, found in both Jewish and North African groups. Some saw this as validating the Frankenberger rumour, however geneticists note that E1b1b appears in numerous European and Middle Eastern groups, making Jewish heritage claims problematic without more proof.
| Investigation Type | Finding | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Documentary Records | 1876 legitimacy decree | Confirms legal fatherhood of Johann Georg |
| Genealogical Research | Nepomuk’s financial support | Suggests close paternal relationship |
| Archival Searches | No Frankenberger records in Graz | Discredits Hans Frank’s testimony |
| DNA Haplogroup Analysis | Presence of E1b1b haplogroup | Inconclusive for pinpointing ancestral ethnicity |
However, modern scholarship suggests Johann Georg Hiedler is Hitler’s official granddad, but biological paternity is unknown. Lack of current Jewish residences in Graz in 1837, archival evidence, and DNA signs do not support the Frankenberger allegation.
Scholarship and Contemporary Interest
In the 20th and 21st centuries, academics have examined Hiedler family documents to understand early 19th-century rural Austrian society. Research has focused on:
- Illegitimacy and Legitimisation: The 1876 parish amendment shows how illegitimate offspring might inherit decades later.
- Social Mobility of Journeymen Millers: Johann Georg’s job supported local agrarian economies but lacked long-term financial security.
- Rumor’s Effect on Historical Memory: The Frankenberger thesis shows how unsubstantiated claims can persist, especially in political narratives.
Johann Georg’s biography is mostly studied to investigate lineage, validity, and historical identity.
FAQ
Who was Johann Georg Hiedler?
Johann Georg Hiedler (1792–1857), an Austrian journeyman miller, was formally recognised as Alois Hitler’s father in 1876.
What change occurred in 1876 regarding Alois’s lineage?
From 1876, Alois Schicklgruber’s baptismal record listed Johann Georg Hiedler as his father and he took the surname Hitler.
Why do some historians doubt Johann Georg’s paternity?
Johann Nepomuk Hiedler, Johann Georg’s brother, reared and supported Alois, raising the possibility that he was his biological father.
What is the Frankenberger rumor?
That Alois’s father was a Graz Jewish guy named Frankenberger is unsupported by archives and rejected by historians.
What did DNA studies reveal about Hitler’s ancestry?
A limited Y-chromosome research found haplogroup E1b1b in multiple groups, but not enough to determine its ethnic origin.
Are there any living descendants of Johann Georg Hiedler?
Yes, descendants include four sons of William Patrick Stuart-Houston in Long Island and private relatives from Angela Hitler’s side.
