Apfel means "apple" in German. The name Apfel is very uncommon in the United States, partly due to it having been changed to Apple. In Germany, Apfel is a much more common name.

We do not know of any of our direct ancestors bearing the actual name Apfel who came to this country. Anna Apfel's daughter, Barbara Apfel Schneider, is our immigrant from the Apfel bloodline.

The most prominent Apfel in America has been Oscar Apfel, who was one of Hollywood's top directors from 1911 - 1927, often working in collaboration with Cecil B. DeMille. After he retired from directing, he became a character actor.


Anna Apfel
Born about 1785 - 1805 probably in Germany.
Married Frederick Schneider.
Died after 1826

Barbara Schneider
Born September 26, 1826 in Prussia, daughter of Anna Apfel and Frederick Schneider
Emigrated to New York USA in 1868
Married John Christian Blumlein about 1846 in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Died November 2, 1918 in Jamaica, New York.

Caroline Blumlein
Born January 22, 1859 in Brooklyn, New York, daughter of Barbara Schneider and John Christian Blumlein.
Married Franz Josef Alfred Winkopp about 1886.
Died September 10, 1949 in Brooklyn, New York.

Walter Winkopp
Born August 8, 1893 in Brooklyn, New York, son of Caroline Blumlein and Franz Josef Alfred Winkopp.
Married Helen May "Maude" Catoggio on February 25, 1918 in New York, New York.
Died July 8, 1978 in Orlando, Florida.

Walter Michael Windsor
Born September 22, 1918 in New York, New York, son of Walter Winkopp and Helen May "Maude" Catoggio.
Married Mary Garnett Johnson on November 29, 1947 in Danville, Virginia.
Died February 29, 2008 in Duluth, Georgia.