he Wittmer family is closely associated with the history of Floreana Island in the Galápagos Archipelago, particularly because of their role as some of the first settlers on the island. Their story is intertwined with the mysterious and sometimes tragic history of early human habitation in the Galápagos Islands.

Key Information about the Wittmer Family and Floreana Island:

1. Arrival on Floreana:

   • In 1932, the Wittmer family—comprising Heinz Wittmer, his wife Margret Wittmer, and their young son—arrived on Floreana Island to establish one of the first permanent settlements. They were part of an effort by the Ecuadorian government to populate the Galápagos Islands and create a more sustainable human presence on the islands.

   • They were among the first families to try and make a living on Floreana, and their arrival marked the beginning of the island's transition from an uninhabited wilderness to a more populated area.

2. The Tragic and Mysterious History:

   • The Wittmers’ story is part of a larger and more tragic narrative of settlers on Floreana Island, involving intrigue, disappearances, and conflicts with other settlers.

   • A well-known episode involves Dr. Friedrich Ritter and Dore Strauch, two German expatriates who also settled on Floreana in the 1930s. The Wittmers had interactions with them, but Dr. Ritter and Strauch mysteriously disappeared in 1934, and their fate remains unsolved to this day.

   • There have been many theories about their disappearance, including the possibility of murder, a tragic accident, or a more natural cause. Some even suggest that it was related to a dispute between the settlers.

3. The Wittmers and the Floreana Tomb:

   • The Floreana Tomb is believed by some to be connected to the Wittmer family, as it is near the area where they settled. It’s not entirely clear, but the tomb might be a memorial to their efforts or related to some of the tragedies they experienced on the island.

   • The tomb has become part of the mystery surrounding the early years of human settlement on Floreana, as no clear records exist to definitively explain its origins.

4. Legacy:

   • Despite the challenges and tragedies they faced, the Wittmer family remained on Floreana for several decades, playing a role in the history of the island.

   • Margret Wittmer wrote a book titled "Floreana", which recounts their experiences on the island. The book provides personal insight into the struggles of settling in such a remote and harsh environment, as well as the relationships and conflicts with other settlers.

   • The Wittmer family’s legacy on Floreana remains a significant part of the island's history, and today, descendants of the family continue to be associated with the island.

The Wittmers’ time on Floreana Island is an example of the early struggles and complex relationships among the settlers in the Galápagos, and their story is part of the island's rich and somewhat mysterious history.