GenBlog: Families: Rottman

Showing posts with label Families: Rottman. Show all posts

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Surname Saturday – Braun (Germany / Illinois)

Mary BRAUN is my second great-grandmother. She was born 19 November 1855 in or near Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany. I believe that she and her husband Carl STOFFEL were married in Germany and arrived in the US together in 1884. They settled in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, where they had seven children. My direct line ancestors are in blue.

First Generation

Mary¹ BRAUN was born on 19 November 1855 in or near Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany, and died on 9 August 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Mary married Carl "Charles" STOFFEL, about 1884, probably in Germany. Carl was born on 16 September 1855 in or near Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany, and died on 8 November 1902 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

2	i.	Heinrich² "Henry" C STOFFEL was born on 28 October 1885 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 March 1919 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. He never married and had no children.
+ 3	ii.	Anna E STOFFEL was born on 19 January 1887 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 12 June 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
4	iii.	Margaret Elisa STOFFEL was born on 10 March 1889 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 21 July 1970 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
5	iv.	Corporal Charles Louis STOFFEL was born on 30 August 1890 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died circa 12 April 1976 in Illinois.
6	v.	Marie "Elsie" A STOFFEL was born on 26 October 1892 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 10 July 1979 in Illinois. Elsie married Clarence Henry HAMMAN on 25 November 1922, in Cook County, Illinois. Clarence was born on 22 August 1899 in Indiana and died on 18 December 1979 in Illinois. Elsie and Clarence had two daughters.
7	vi.	William STOFFEL was born on 14 November 1894 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 6 February 1934 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. William married Elizabeth HARRELL on 12 November 1914 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Elizabeth was born in 1898 in Kentucky and died in 1989. William and Elizabeth had at least two children.
8	vii.	George STOFFEL was born on 1 October 1901 probably in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 3 September 1978 in Illinois. George married Marie DAHL on 10 June 1922 in Cook County, Illinois. Mabel was born on 9 April 1900 in Illinois and died on 7 January 1969 in Illinois. George and Marie had at least one daughter.

Second Generation

Anna² E STOFFEL (Mary¹Braun) was born on 19 January 1887 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 12 June 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Anna married George ROTTMAN, son of Phillip ROTTMAN and Mary Eva REEDER, on 12 February 1914 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. George was born on 19 June 1882 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 19 February 1946 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

9	i.	Edward George ROTTMAN was born on 14 December 1915 in Illinois, and died on 10 January 1968 in Mundelein, Lake, Illinois. He served in the US Army during World War II. Edward married Helen –?– after 1940. Helen was born on 23 November 1920 and died on 23 December 1999 in Wisconsin.
10	ii.	Margaret Ann ROTTMAN was born on 28 January 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 12 June 1999 in Round Lake, Saratoga, New York. Margaret married Lawrence Henry "Turk" COMERFORD, son of Nicholas D COMERFORD and Margaret A FREEMAN, on 22 July 1940 in Cook County, Illinois. Lawrence was born on 9 November 1916 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 9 September 1970 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
11	iii.	Marie Ethel ROTTMAN was born on 29 April 1920 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 July 1989 in Bensenville, DuPage, Illinois. Marie married Harold Leslie MILLER, son of Emil Karl August MILLER and Alma Mary LEPPIN, on 6 July 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Harold was born on 4 August 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1982 in Maywood, Cook, Illinois. Marie and Harold are my grandparents.

Disclaimer: Information is based on research completed as of 27 February 2013. Some details have been omitted to protect the privacy of living relatives.

Sources: Available upon request.

PDF Available: The content of this post is available as a PDF through Scribd and may updated periodically as new information is found.

Other Blog Posts: To see other posts about the Braun family, click here. To see other Surname Saturday posts, click here.

Contact: If you would like more information about this family, or would like to share what you know, please contact me at genblogjulie@gmail.com .

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Surname Saturday – REEDER (France / Georgia / Iowa / Illinois)

Mary Eva REEDER (or LASSER) is my second great-grandmother. I am not certain if Reeder or Lasser is her maiden name because each of the records I currently have list one or the other. I suppose it's possible that she was married once before and that one of the names could be a married name. Perhaps one day I will know the answer, but for now, I'm sticking with Reeder. This family has been difficult to research for many reasons, but mainly because they moved around the country several times. My direct line ancestors are in blue.

First Generation

Mary¹ Eva REEDER was born Cal 18 March 1849 in France and died on 26 October 1889 in Iowa, probably in Linn County. Mary married Phillip ROTTMAN before 1870, possibly in France. Phillip was born about 1835 in Bavaria, Germany, and died on 24 June 1885 in Golden, Jefferson, Colorado.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 2	i.	John² W ROTTMAN was born in July 1870 in Henry County, Georgia, and died before 11 October 1937 in Linn County, Iowa.
3	ii.	Louise ROTTMAN was born on 19 October 1871 in McDonough, Henry, Georgia, and was baptized on 27 May 1873 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. She likely died before June 1880.
4	iii.	Gottlieb ROTTMAN was born 14 January 1873 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, was baptized on 27 May 1873 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, and died on 10 July 1873 probably in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, where he is buried.
5	iv.	Anna E ROTTMAN was born in April 1874 in Missouri and died in 1964. Anna first married Joseph W ZARUB on 24 December 1896 in Marion, Linn, Iowa. Joseph was born in February 1874 in Iowa. Anna married second, Jacob M HOAG on 18 December 1912 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Jacob was born in 1871 in Illinois and died in 1949.
6	v.	Malissa Elizabeth ROTTMAN was born in 1875 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died between 1896 and 1900. “Lizzie” married Joseph RUSHEK on 6 April 1896 in Big Grove, Johnson, Iowa. Joseph was born on 13 August 1874 in Solon, Johnson, Iowa.
7	vi.	Charles Henry ROTTMAN was born on 11 August 1877 in Ivanhoe, Linn, Iowa, and died on 11 February 1927 in Wilton, Muscatine, Iowa. Charles married Rosanna Elizabeth "Anna" BEATTY on 14 April 1899 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa. Rosanna was born on 25 November 1880 in Sugarcreek, Cedar, Iowa, and died on 24 July 1958 in Wilton, Muscatine, Iowa. They had 13 children.
8	vii.	Mabel Louise ROTTMAN was born on 28 September 1879 and died on 1 April 1961. Mabel married Paul Frederick William HAASE on 8 May 1901 in Solon, Johnson, Iowa. Paul was born on 3 May 1877 in Germany. They had two children.
+ 9	viii.	George ROTTMAN was born on 19 June 1882 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 19 February 1946 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Second Generation

John² W ROTTMAN (Mary¹ Eva Reeder) was born in July 1870 in Henry County, Georgia, and died before 11 October 1937 in Linn County, Iowa. John married Melvina E HORN, daughter of Samuel HORN and Mary A MARSHALL, on 31 December 1891 in Lisbon, Linn, Iowa. Melvina was born in October 1862 in Johnson County, Iowa, and died in 1944.

Children from this marriage were:

10	i.	Ethel³ Mary ROTTMAN was born on 29 May 1892 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 17 November 1986 in Iowa. Ethel married George W COSTER, son of James COSTER and Alice F KING, on 21 September 1920 in Lisbon, Linn, Iowa. George was born on 8 September 1893 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa and died on 26 January 1954 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa.
11	ii.	Clarence Leo ROTTMAN was born on 20 September 1895 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 6 November 1985 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa. Clarence married Marguerite Alma COSTER, daughter of James COSTER and Alice F KING, on 10 December 1919 in Lisbon, Linn, Iowa. Marguerite was born on 23 April 1899 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 12 November 1978 in Iowa.

George² ROTTMAN (Mary¹ Eva Reeder) was born on 19 June 1882 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 19 February 1946 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. George married Anna E STOFFEL, daughter of Carl "Charles" STOFFEL and Mary BRAUN, on 12 February 1914 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Anna was born on 19 January 1887 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, died on 12 June 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. It is possible that George was married once prior to Anna (still working on this).

Children from this marriage were:

12	i.	Edward³ George ROTTMAN was born on 14 December 1915 in Illinois, and died on 10 January 1968 in Mundelein, Lake, Illinois. He served in the US Army during World War II. Edward married Helen –?– after 1940. Helen was born on 23 November 1920 and died on 23 December 1999 in Wisconsin.
13	ii.	Margaret Ann ROTTMAN was born on 28 January 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 12 June 1999 in Round Lake, Saratoga, New York. Margaret married Lawrence Henry "Turk" COMERFORD, son of Nicholas D COMERFORD and Margaret A FREEMAN, on 22 July 1940 in Cook County, Illinois. Lawrence was born on 9 November 1916 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 9 September 1970 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
14	iii.	Marie Ethel ROTTMAN was born on 29 April 1920 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 July 1989 in Bensenville, DuPage, Illinois. Marie married Harold Leslie MILLER, son of Emil Karl August MILLER and Alma Mary LEPPIN, on 6 July 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Harold was born on 4 August 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1982 in Maywood, Cook, Illinois. Marie and Harold are my grandparents.

Disclaimer: Information is based on research completed as of 17 April 2013. Some details have been omitted to protect the privacy of living relatives.

Sources: Available upon request.

PDF Available: The content of this post is available as a PDF through Scribd and may updated periodically as new information is found.

Other Blog Posts: To see other posts about the Reeder family, click here. To see other Surname Saturday posts, click here.

Contact: If you would like more information about this family, or would like to share what you know, please contact me at genblogjulie@gmail.com.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Surname Saturday–Hänfler (Germany / Illinois)

Minnie HÄNFLER (with variants including Henfler, Hamfler, and Hemfler) is my second great-grandmother. She was born in Germany and married Herman LEPPIN in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

I previously discovered a possible sister, Augusta HÄNFLER, who married Philipp Zimmermann, and just days ago confirmed my suspicion further with a baptism record for Augusta and Philipp's daughter naming Minnie Leppin as a witness. Clues in other church records suggest that Minnie may have had a brother, Carl HÄNFLER, and that her parents might have been Carl HÄNFLER and August --?--. Further research is needed to prove/disprove these connections.

My direct line ancestors are in blue.

First Generation

Minnie¹ HÄNFLER was born on 9 April 1871 in Germany and died on 17 May 1945 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Minnie married Herman LEPPIN on 26 March 1894 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Herman was born on 22 March 1873 in Germany and died on 31 March 1948 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 2	i.	Alma² LEPPIN was born on 1 September 1896 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 December 1928 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois
3	ii.	Heinrich "Henry" August LEPPIN was born on 11 July 1898 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 26 March 1958 in Cook County, Illinois. Henry married Ann M FORNER, daughter of Lena, on 5 July 1933 in Cook County, Illinois. Ann was born on 10 March 1912 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1976 in Cook County, Illinois. They had three known children: Henry, Mary, and Susan.
4	iii.	Herman Paul LEPPIN was born on 17 May 1900 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 2 November 1959 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona. He never married and had no children.
5	iv.	Carl "Charles" Friedrich LEPPIN was born on 13 February 1906 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 6 October 1980 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona. Charles married Maida "Meta" HOFFMANN about 1928 in Illinois. Maida was born on 22 June 1906 in Germany and died on 28 July 1997 in Arizona. They had one known son, Warner.

Second Generation

Alma² LEPPIN (Minnie¹ HÄNFLER) was born on 1 September 1896 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 December 1928 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Alma married Emil Karl August MÜLLER, son of Emil MÜLLER and Hulda WACH, on 4 September 1915 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Emil was born on 9 February 1889 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 21 February 1938 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

6	i.	Roman³ "Raymond" Henry MILLER was born on 18 August 1916 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 May 1979 in Whittier, Los Angeles, California. Raymond married Roma C BENING between 1939 and April 1940. Roma was born on 26 August 1917 in Illinois and died on 4 August 1995 in Orange County, California. They had three children.
7	ii.	Harold Leslie MILLER was born on 4 August 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1982 in Maywood, Cook, Illinois. Harold married Marie Ethel ROTTMAN, daughter of George ROTTMAN and Anna E STOFFEL, on 6 July 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Marie was born on 29 April 1920 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 July 1989 in Bensenville, DuPage, Illinois. They had two children, their daughter, Jean, being my mother.
8	iii.	Mildred Dolores MILLER was born on 10 December 1922 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 6 September 1976 in Mountain View, Santa Clara. Mildred married Sidney William HICKS on 14 February 1940 in Cook County, Illinois. Sidney was born on 17 June 1916 in Illinois, and died on 6 August 1990 in Santa Clara County, California. They had one daughter and an adopted son.

Disclaimer: Information is based on research completed as of 9 April 2013. Some details have been omitted to protect the privacy of living relatives.

Sources: Available upon request.

PDF Available: The content of this post is available as a PDF through Scribd and may updated periodically as new information is found.

Other Blog Posts: To see other posts about the Hänfler family, click here. To see other Surname Saturday posts, click here.

Contact: If you would like more information about this family, or would like to share what you know, please contact me at genblogjulie@gmail.com.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Surname Saturday – Stoffel (Germany / Illinois)

The earliest known Stoffel in my line is Carl STOFFEL, who was born in or near Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany, on 16 September 1855. I believe that he and his wife Mary Braun, were married in Germany and arrived in the US together in 1884. They settled in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, where they had seven children. My direct line ancestors are in blue.

First Generation

Carl¹ "Charles" STOFFEL was born on 16 September 1855 in or near Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany, and died on 8 November 1902 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Carl married Mary BRAUN, about 1884. Mary was born on 19 November 1855 in or near Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany, and died on 9 August 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

2	i.	Heinrich² "Henry" C STOFFEL was born on 28 October 1885 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 March 1919 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. He never married and had no children.
+ 3	ii.	Anna E STOFFEL was born on 19 January 1887 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 12 June 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
4	iii.	Margaret Elisa STOFFEL was born on 10 March 1889 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 21 July 1970 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
5	iv.	Corporal Charles Louis STOFFEL was born on 30 August 1890 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died circa 12 April 1976 in Illinois.
6	v.	Marie "Elsie" A STOFFEL was born on 26 October 1892 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 10 July 1979 in Illinois. Elsie married Clarence Henry HAMMAN on 25 November 1922, in Cook County, Illinois. Clarence was born on 22 August 1899 in Indiana and died on 18 December 1979 in Illinois. Elsie and Clarence had two daughters.
7	vi.	William STOFFEL was born on 14 November 1894 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 6 February 1934 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. William married Elizabeth HARRELL on 12 November 1914 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Elizabeth was born in 1898 in Kentucky and died in 1989. William and Elizabeth had at least two children.
8	vii.	George STOFFEL was born on 1 October 1901 probably in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 3 September 1978 in Illinois. George married Marie DAHL on 10 June 1922 in Cook County, Illinois. Mabel was born on 9 April 1900 in Illinois and died on 7 January 1969 in Illinois. George and Marie had at least one daughter.

Second Generation

Anna E STOFFEL (Carl¹) was born on 19 January 1887 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 12 June 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Anna married George ROTTMAN, son of Phillip ROTTMAN and Mary Eva REEDER, on 12 February 1914 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. George was born on 19 June 1882 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 19 February 1946 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

9	i.	Edward George ROTTMAN was born on 14 December 1915 in Illinois, and died on 10 January 1968 in Mundelein, Lake, Illinois. He served in the US Army during World War II. Edward married Helen –?– after 1940. Helen was born on 23 November 1920 and died on 23 December 1999 in Wisconsin.
10	ii.	Margaret Ann ROTTMAN was born on 28 January 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 12 June 1999 in Round Lake, Saratoga, New York. Margaret married Lawrence Henry "Turk" COMERFORD, son of Nicholas D COMERFORD and Margaret A FREEMAN, on 22 July 1940 in Cook County, Illinois. Lawrence was born on 9 November 1916 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 9 September 1970 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
11	iii.	Marie Ethel ROTTMAN was born on 29 April 1920 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 July 1989 in Bensenville, DuPage, Illinois. Marie married Harold Leslie MILLER, son of Emil Karl August MILLER and Alma Mary LEPPIN, on 6 July 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Harold was born on 4 August 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1982 in Maywood, Cook, Illinois. Marie and Harold are my grandparents.

Disclaimer: Information is based on research completed as of 27 February 2013. Some details have been omitted to protect the privacy of living relatives.

Sources: Available upon request.

PDF Available: The content of this post is available as a PDF through Scribd and may updated periodically as new information is found.

Other Blog Posts: To see other posts about the Stoffel family, click here. To see other Surname Saturday posts, click here.

Contact: If you would like more information about this family, or would like to share what you know, please contact me at genblogjulie@gmail.com.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Surname Saturday – Leppin (Germany / Illinois)

My Leppin line currently ends at my second great-grandfather, Herman LEPPIN. I don't know much about his roots other than he apparently came from Germany and settled in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. My direct line ancestors are in blue.

First Generation

Herman¹ LEPPIN was born on 22 March 1873 in Germany, and died on 31 March 1948 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona. Herman married Minnie HEMFLER, on 26 March 1894 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Minnie was born on 9 April 1871 in Germany, and died on 17 May 1945 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 2	i.	Alma² Mary LEPPIN was born on 1 September 1896 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 December 1928 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
3	ii.	Henry August LEPPIN was born on 11 July 1898 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 26 March 1958 in Cook County, Illinois. Henry married Ann M FORNER, daughter of Lena, on 5 July 1933 in Cook County, Illinois. Ann was born on 10 March 1912 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1976 in Cook County, Illinois. They had three known children: Henry, Mary, and Susan.
4	iii.	Herman Paul LEPPIN Jr. was born on 17 May 1900 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 2 November 1959 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona. He never married and had no children.
5	iv.	Charles F LEPPIN was born on 13 February 1906 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 6 October 1980 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona. Charles married Maida "Meta" HOFFMANN about 1928 in Illinois. Maida was born on 22 June 1906 in Germany and died on 28 July 1997 in Arizona. They had one known son, Warner.

Second Generation

Alma² Mary LEPPIN (Herman¹) was born on 1 September 1896 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 December 1928 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Alma married Emil Karl August MILLER, son of Emil MILLER and Hulda WACH, on 4 September 1915 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Emil was born on 9 February 1889 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 21 February 1938 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

6	i.	Roman³ "Raymond" Henry MILLER was born on 18 August 1916 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 May 1979 in Whittier, Los Angeles, California. Raymond married Roma C BENING between 1939 and April 1940. Roma was born on 26 August 1917 in Illinois and died on 4 August 1995 in Orange County, California. They had three children.
7	ii.	Harold Leslie MILLER was born on 4 August 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1982 in Maywood, Cook, Illinois. Harold married Marie Ethel ROTTMAN, daughter of George ROTTMAN and Anna E STOFFEL, on 6 July 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Marie was born on 29 April 1920 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 July 1989 in Bensenville, DuPage, Illinois. They had two children, their daughter, Jean, being my mother.
8	iii.	Mildred Dolores MILLER was born on 10 December 1922 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 6 September 1976 in Mountain View, Santa Clara. Mildred married Sidney William HICKS on 14 February 1940 in Cook County, Illinois. Sidney was born on 17 June 1916 in Illinois, and died on 6 August 1990 in Santa Clara County, California. They had one daughter and an adopted son.

Disclaimer: Information is based on research completed as of 18 February 2013. Some details have been omitted to protect the privacy of living relatives.

Sources: Available upon request.

PDF Available: The content of this post is available as a PDF through Scribd and may updated periodically as new information is found.

Other Blog Posts: To see other posts about the Leppin family, click here. To see other Surname Saturday posts, click here.

Contact: If you would like more information about this family, or would like to share what you know, please contact me at genblogjulie@gmail.com.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Surname Saturday: Rottman (Bavaria / Georgia / Iowa / Illinois)

Ah, now we get to talk about my crazy ROTTMAN family. The earliest known ancestor is Philip ROTTMAN, my second great-grandfather. He apparently came to the US from Bavaria, Germany. This family has been difficult to research for many reasons, but mainly because they moved around the country several times. My direct line ancestors are in blue.

First Generation

Philip¹ ROTTMAN was born about 1835 in Bavaria, Germany and died on 24 June 1885 in Golden, Jefferson, Colorado. He married Mary Eva REEDER (or LASSER) before 1870 possibly in Germany or France. Eva was born cal. 18 March 1849 in France and died on 26 October 1889 in Iowa.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 2	i.	John² W ROTTMAN was born in July 1870 in Henry County, Georgia, and died before 11 October 1937 in Linn County, Iowa.
3	ii.	Louise ROTTMAN was born on 19 October 1871 in McDonough, Henry, Georgia, and was baptized on 27 May 1873 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky. She likely died before June 1880.
4	iii.	Gottlieb ROTTMAN was born 14 January 1873 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, was baptized on 27 May 1873 in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, and died on 10 July 1873 probably in Louisville, Jefferson, Kentucky, where he is buried.
5	iv.	Anna E ROTTMAN was born in April 1874 in Missouri and died in 1964. Anna first married Joseph W ZARUB on 24 December 1896 in Marion, Linn, Iowa. Joseph was born in February 1874 in Iowa. Anna married second, Jacob M HOAG on 18 December 1912 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Jacob was born in 1871 in Illinois and died in 1949.
6	v.	Malissa Elizabeth ROTTMAN was born in 1875 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died between 1896 and 1900. “Lizzie” married Joseph RUSHEK on 6 April 1896 in Big Grove, Johnson, Iowa. Joseph was born on 13 August 1874 in Solon, Johnson, Iowa.
7	vi.	Charles Henry ROTTMAN was born on 11 August 1877 in Ivanhoe, Linn, Iowa, and died on 11 February 1927 in Wilton, Muscatine, Iowa. Charles married Rosanna Elizabeth "Anna" BEATTY on 14 April 1899 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa. Rosanna was born on 25 November 1880 in Sugarcreek, Cedar, Iowa, and died on 24 July 1958 in Wilton, Muscatine, Iowa. They had 13 children.
8	vii.	Mabel Louise ROTTMAN was born on 28 September 1879 and died on 1 April 1961. Mabel married Paul Frederick William HAASE on 8 May 1901 in Solon, Johnson, Iowa. Paul was born on 3 May 1877 in Germany. They had two children.
+ 9	viii.	George ROTTMAN was born on 19 June 1882 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 19 February 1946 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Second Generation

John² W ROTTMAN (Phillip¹) was born in July 1870 in Henry County, Georgia, and died before 11 October 1937 in Linn County, Iowa. John married Melvina E HORN, daughter of Samuel HORN and Mary A MARSHALL, on 31 December 1891 in Lisbon, Linn, Iowa. Melvina was born in October 1862 in Johnson County, Iowa, and died in 1944.

Children from this marriage were:

10	i.	Ethel³ Mary ROTTMAN was born on 29 May 1892 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 17 November 1986 in Iowa. Ethel married George W COSTER, son of James COSTER and Alice F KING, on 21 September 1920 in Lisbon, Linn, Iowa. George was born on 8 September 1893 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa and died on 26 January 1954 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa.
11	ii.	Clarence Leo ROTTMAN was born on 20 September 1895 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 6 November 1985 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa. Clarence married Marguerite Alma COSTER, daughter of James COSTER and Alice F KING, on 10 December 1919 in Lisbon, Linn, Iowa. Marguerite was born on 23 April 1899 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 12 November 1978 in Iowa.

George² ROTTMAN (Phillip¹) was born on 19 June 1882 in Mount Vernon, Linn, Iowa, and died on 19 February 1946 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. George married Anna E STOFFEL, daughter of Carl "Charles" STOFFEL and Mary BRAUN, on 12 February 1914 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Anna was born on 19 January 1887 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, died on 12 June 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. It is possible that George was married once prior to Anna (still working on this).

Children from this marriage were:

12	i.	Edward³ George ROTTMAN was born on 14 December 1915 in Illinois, and died on 10 January 1968 in Mundelein, Lake, Illinois. He served in the US Army during World War II. Edward married Helen –?– after 1940. Helen was born on 23 November 1920 and died on 23 December 1999 in Wisconsin.
13	ii.	Margaret Ann ROTTMAN was born on 28 January 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 12 June 1999 in Round Lake, Saratoga, New York. Margaret married Lawrence Henry "Turk" COMERFORD, son of Nicholas D COMERFORD and Margaret A FREEMAN, on 22 July 1940 in Cook County, Illinois. Lawrence was born on 9 November 1916 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 9 September 1970 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
14	iii.	Marie Ethel ROTTMAN was born on 29 April 1920 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 July 1989 in Bensenville, DuPage, Illinois. Marie married Harold Leslie MILLER, son of Emil Karl August MILLER and Alma Mary LEPPIN, on 6 July 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Harold was born on 4 August 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1982 in Maywood, Cook, Illinois. Marie and Harold are my grandparents.

Disclaimer: Information is based on research completed as of 2 February 2013. Some details have been omitted to protect the privacy of living relatives.

Sources: Available upon request.

PDF Available: The content of this post is available as a PDF through Scribd and may updated periodically as new information is found.

Other Blog Posts: To see other posts about the Rottman family, click here. To see other Surname Saturday posts, click here.

Contact: If you would like more information about this family, or would like to share what you know, please contact me at genblogjulie@gmail.com .

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Genealogy By the States – Week 4 – Georgia

Georgia

I don’t have much connection to Georgia, so this week I thought I’d share something that’s a little new to me and talk about the Georgia Genealogical Society. It’s not that I’d never heard of this society, it’s just that until recently, I didn’t know what they were up to.

GGS The Georgia Genealogical Society (GGS) seems to be one of a few state genealogical societies that is jumping into the 21st century and embracing new technologies and finding innovative ways to reach their members and provide valuable services. About a month ago I discovered that like Southern California Genealogical Society, Utah Genealogical Association, and Illinois State Genealogical Society, GGS is offering monthly webinars as a form of education for the members and the genealogy community as a whole. This is a great way to reach out to members who live beyond the borders of Georgia. The GGS webinars are free to the public when they are broadcast live and GGS members have access to the recordings through the members-only section of the GGS website. Visit the GGS webinar calendar to see what’s planned for 2013.

And while I was on the GGS website to see what webinars they were offering, I also noticed that they have a members-only section that contains a variety of resources including Index to Georgia's Federal Naturalization Records to 1950 (Excluding Military Petitions) and digital copies of the first 20 years of their quarterly journal, as well as some other resources.

They’ve even embraced social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter to broaden their outreach to the genealogical community and a new generation of genealogists. And of course, just like most state societies, GGS provides members with a quarterly journal, as well as a quarterly newsletter. Their newsletter is digital and appears to be available to non-members as well (just click cancel when the login pops up).

It’s nice to see a state society thinking outside the box and finding was to provide valuable services to its members!

Side Note: Okay, so I wasn’t going to write about my crazy Rottman family for this post because I already covered them in the Pennsylvania post two weeks ago and will be covering them in this week’s Surname Saturday post. But, on a whim, after completing this post, I decided to head over and see what was new at FamilySearch for the state of Georgia. And while the Georgia, Births and Christenings, 1754-1960 database wasn’t exactly new, it was new to me, so I figured I’d give it a go since one of the children was supposedly born in Henry Co. Georgia. And boy did I find something. You can read about here.

Genealogy By the States is a theme created by Jim Sanders over at the Hidden Genealogy Nuggets blog.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Surname Saturday: Miller / Müller (Prussia / Illinois)

My earliest known Miller (Müller) (in this line—I do have others from Luxembourg) is my second great-grandfather, Emil, who was probably born in or near Bromberg, Posen, Preußen (Prussia). He is the only one of my 16 second greats whose fate is unknown. Perhaps someone out there can help. My direct line ancestors are in blue.

First Generation

Emil MÜLLER was born about 1864, possibly in or near Bromberg, Posen, Preußen (Prussia), and died after 1902. Emil married Hulda WACH, daughter of Henry WACH and Amelia WIETZKE, on 8 August 1886 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. The marriage ended in divorce on 12 December 1900 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Hulda was born on 9 January 1869 in Bernsdorf, Bütow, Pommern, Preußen (Prussia), and died on 15 May 1914 in Dunham, McHenry, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

2	i.	Heinrich "Henry" Fredrick MILLER was born on 1 June 1887 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died circa 3 May 1963 in Illinois. Henry married Katherine KOTTKA, daughter of August KOTTKA, on 25 December 1909 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. The marriage ended in divorce about 1925. Katherine was born about 1889-1891 in Illinois. Henry married second, Elizabeth ---?--- about 1925-1926. Elizabeth was born about 1892 in Germany.
+ 3	ii.	Emil Karl August MILLER was born on 9 February 1889 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, was baptized on 3 March 1889 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 21 February 1938 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
4	iii.	Ida MILLER was born on 31 July 1891 in Illinois and died on 8 December 1970 in Wisconsin. Ida married Charles BRUNNER, son of Henry BRUNNER and Henrietta BRUA, on 25 June 1909 in Harvard, McHenry, Illinois. Charles was born in May 1889 in Germany, and died on 9 March 1952 in Harvard, McHenry, Illinois.

Second Generation

Emil Karl August MILLER (Emil¹) was born on 9 February 1889 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, was baptized on 3 March 1889 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 21 February 1938 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Emil married first, Alma Mary LEPPIN, daughter of Herman LEPPIN and Minnie HEMFLER, on 4 September 1915 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Alma was born on 1 September 1896 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 December 1928 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

5	i.	Roman "Raymond" Henry MILLER was born on 18 August 1916 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 May 1979 in Whittier, Los Angeles, California. Raymond married Roma C BENING between 1939 and April 1940. Roma was born on 26 August 1917 in Illinois and died on 4 August 1995 in Orange County, California.
6	ii.	Harold Leslie MILLER was born on 4 August 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, was baptized on 8 September 1918 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 15 June 1982 in Maywood, Cook, Illinois. Harold married Marie Ethel ROTTMAN, daughter of George ROTTMAN and Anna E STOFFEL, on 6 July 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Marie was born on 29 April 1920 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 20 July 1989 in Bensenville, DuPage, Illinois. Harold and Marie are my grandparents.
7	iii.	Mildred Dolores MILLER was born on 10 December 1922 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 6 September 1976 in Mountain View, Santa Clara, California. Mildred married Sidney William HICKS on 14 February 1940 in Cook County, Illinois. Sidney was born on 17 June 1916 in Illinois and died on 6 August 1990 in Santa Clara County, California.

Emil married second, Pearl "Myrtle" C MATTHEWS, daughter of William MATTHEWS and Mary HILLERY, on 15 February 1930 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Myrtle was born on 15 November 1895 in Illinois and died on 20 November 1967 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Disclaimer: Information is based on research completed as of 19 January 2013. Some details have been omitted to protect the privacy of living relatives.

Sources: Available upon request.

PDF Available: The content of this post is available as a PDF through Scribd and may updated periodically as new information is found.

Other Blog Posts: To see other posts about the Miller family, click here. To see other Surname Saturday posts, click here.

Contact: If you would like more information about this family, or would like to share what you know, please contact me at genblogjulie@gmail.com.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Genealogy By the States – Week 2 – Pennsylvania

Ah, Pennsylvania, that pesky state where two of my great-grandaunts claim to have been born.

First, Malissa Elizabeth ROTTMAN, both the 1880 US census and the 1885 Iowa state census state her place of birth as Pennsylvania.¹ An index entry in the Iowa marriages database on FamilySearch states Philadelphia as her place of birth² (no, I have not seen the actual record…ran out of time at the FHL last February). Yet I have not found a birth record for her in Philadelphia.

Her sister, Mabel ROTTMAN, according to the same two censuses, was born in Iowa. Later censuses also list Iowa as her place of birth. Yet for some reason, her obituary states her place of birth as Philadelphia.³ I have yet to find a birth record for her in either place.

This particular family is incredibly difficult to research. According to the 1880 and 1885 censuses mentioned above, their father, Philip ROTTMAN, was born in Bavaria, and their mother Eva, was born in France. I have no clue when or where they married or when they immigrated to the US. These same censuses also suggest they where all over the place, based on the places of birth for their children:

Child	Year of Birth	Place of Birth
John	1870	Georgia (possibly Henry Co.)
Anna	1874	Missouri
Malissa Elizabeth	1875	Pennsylvania (possibly Philadelphia)
Charles Henry	1877	Iowa (probably Linn Co.)
Mabel Louise	1879	Iowa (probably Linn Co.;obit suggests Philadelphia, Penn.)
George	1882	Iowa (probably Linn Co.)

I have not been able to locate birth records for any of the children. The next step is to figure out what church(es) they might have attended when they were living in Mt. Vernon, Iowa (where the last three children were likely born) and try to find some baptism records.

Another oddity of this family is the maiden name of the mother, Eva. On some children’s records she’s listed as Reeder, while on others, she’s listed as Lasser. Could Philip have married two different woman with the same first name? Could Eva have been married previously and one name is her maiden name, while the other is another married name? Who knows!

So do I have a connection to Pennsylvania? Sure, I have a few here and there. But through this particular family? Perhaps. Once I’m able to dig a little deeper into Philip and Eva, maybe there will be a bigger connection to Pennsylvania, perhaps siblings of one or the other. And if I do find some sort of connection, there are some great records already online through Ancestry and FamilySearch, as well as plenty of resources at the Family History Library that I can start with.

Sources

1. 1880 U.S. census, population schedule, Mt Vernon, Linn County, Iowa, enumeration district (ED) 264, p. 14, dwelling 118, family 121, Phillip Rotman; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 February 2010); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 351. Also, 1885 state census, Iowa, population schedule, Franklin, Linn County, p. 321 (stamped), dwelling 81, family 81, line 6, Phillip Rotman; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 December 2009).

2. "Iowa Marriages 1809-1992," database, FamilySearch (familysearch.org : accessed September 2, 2010), Rushek-Rottman, 1896.

3. "Mable Haase Rites Held Wednesday," (Mt. Vernon) Hawkeye Record, 6 April 1961.

Genealogy By the States is a theme created by Jim Sanders over at the Hidden Genealogy Nuggets blog.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Fearless Females – Memorial Pages

Back in 2010, in honor of Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo created a list of writing prompts for each day during the month of March. I didn’t participate in 2010, so I’m going to take the opportunity to participate this year, since Lisa was kind enough to resurrect her prompts for 2012.

Create a free Fold3 Memorial Page or a Genealogy Trading Card at Big Huge Labs for a female ancestor. Some of you may have created your own card back in September 2009 following Sheri Fenley’s post over at The Educated Genealogist. This time, the card is for your female ancestor. Tell us about who you've selected and why and then post a link to what you've created.

I had previously created or contributed to five memorial pages at Fold3, one for my dad and one for each of my grandparents. For my grandparents, I started with the SSDI entry and added a few facts and a photo or two. It’s been almost two years since I did that. Because of this prompt, I went ahead and updated all five pages, added sources, and some more images.

Since this prompt deals with female ancestors, here are the links to the pages for my grandmothers. I hope that some of my family members will take the time to add their memories and stories to these pages.

Read all of my Fearless Females posts.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Fearless Females – Brick Walls

Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.

Three of the four second great-grandmothers on my mom’s side are “brick walls” simply because in order to determine their parents and siblings, requires studying others of the same surname in Chicago and/or “crossing the pond” to Germany. Here are some basic details on each of them:

Minnie (Hemfler) Leppin – According to her death certificate, Minnie Hemfler was born on 9 April 1871 in Germany. Minnie married Herman Leppin on 26 March 1894 in Chicago. Minnie died on 17 Mary 1945 in Chicago. Her death certificate does not name her parents. However, based on the correlation of a few sources, I’m fairly positive that she had a sister named Augusta, who married a Philip Zimmermann (you can read more about this in my post I Think She’s Related).

Mary Eva (Reeder) Rottman – This one is definitely a thorn in my side (I’m sure my cousin Barbara would agree!). I don’t really know that much about Eva, other than she was probably born about 18 March 1849 in France, married Philip Rottman likely before 1870, and died on 26 October 1899 in Iowa. The interesting twist is that of their six children’s records, sometimes her maiden name was listed as Reeder, while other times is was listed as Lasser. Is it possible that she was married briefly before she married Philip?

Mary (Braun) Stoffel – According to her death certificate, Mary was born on 19 November 1855 in Frankfurt, Germany. She married Carl “Charles” Stoffel about 1884. On 9 August 1936, Mary died in Chicago. As I was reviewing a wedding booklet for Mary’s daughter, Anna, I was able to identify all of the names, except two. After researching those two names, I’ve come to the conclusion that Mary had a sister (could also be a cousin, but there’s definitely a relationship), Anna, who married an Otto Beckard in Chicago in 1871.

Hopefully as my research on these ladies continues, I will be able to figure out who their parents and sibling were and where they came from, other than “Germany.”

Read all of my Fearless Females posts.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Fearless Females – How They Met

How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?

My grandparents, Harold Miller and Marie Rottman, met as kids…they were neighbors. Although I don’t know the full story of how they met or started dating, I do have some artifacts, including a letter written by Marie to Harold two months before they married and a story about my grandmother’s engagement ring

The Letter

Thursday 7:00 PM

Darling,

Please do not stop at the dime store to buy anything for my hope chest. I have a plan. I hope you understand it.

You make $16.00 wk--$64.00 Month
$9.00 wk - Housekeeping--$36.00 Month
Room
$64.00
36.00 $15.00 Eat Month
$28.00 Left

$28.00
15.00
$13.00

carfare $1.25 wk = $5.00 Month

$13.00
5.00 carfare Month
8.00
2.00 Insurance
6.00 say about $2.00 Month

Thats all I can think of at the present.

How does it sound to you? Can you come over around 11 o clock instead of 12?

Love

Marie

P.S. In order to get married you have to be over 18.

[Marie Rottman to Harold Miller (Chicago, Illinois), letter, 4 May 1939, Rottman Family Artifacts; privately held by the author.]

The Engagement Ring

The year was 1938. I was an 18-year-old girl. I had been going with my 19-year-old boyfriend for about a year. We were in love and knew we would marry someday. Jobs were scarce for young men, but on Christmas Day, Harold came to my house with engagement and wedding rings. I was elated.

The engagement ring was too big so we wrapped string around it to fit my finger.

During the winter we made plans to marry on July 6, 1939. We were saving as much as we could for the wedding. Harold only made $16.75 a week so our dates weren't expensive. On most Sundays we packed a lunch and went to North Avenue Beach on Lake Michigan.

One Sunday I noticed my ring was missing. We looked on the blanket and sifted through the sand. We searched for about five hours and had to give up because it was dark. My engagement ring was gone. Harold knew I was upset so he decided to burry his ring in the sand so our rings would be together just as we would spend our lives together. It wasn't an expensive ring but one that he was fond of. We packed up and took the streetcar home.

When we arrived home I told my sister that I lost my ring. She said, "No, you didn't. It must have fallen off your finger during the night because I found it when I made your bed this morning. You had already left for the beach."

We were married in July and our marriage lasted almost 43 years when the Dear Lord took Harold from me. I'll never forget the love and understanding he showed that day on the beach.

[Marie (Rottman) Miller, story, ca. June 1982, Miller Family Artifacts; privately held by the author. This story was dictated by Marie to her daughter Jean (Miller) Cahill after the death of Marie's husband, Harold.]

Read all of my Fearless Females posts.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Newspaper Search Helps Identify Family Photo

A few weeks ago, I discovered digitized copies of newspapers for Cedar Rapids, Iowa at the Digital Archives of the Cedar Rapids Public Library website. I made several discoveries for my Rottman family that lived near Cedar Rapids.

One of those finds has to do with the identification of a car that my mother was photographed in when she was a child. I know that sounds strange, but it’s true.

Below are two photos of my mom, her brother, and their cousin in an antique (by today’s standards) car. I had no idea where the photo was taken, nor what the year, make, or model was of the car.

While I was doing my newspaper searches, I came across an article in the 14 August 1955 issue of The Cedar Rapids Gazette entitled, “Antique and Classic Autos at Fair.” In part, the article states:

“A 1904 Cadillac owned by Donald and Robert Rottman of Lisbon. This car was purchased new by the Rottmans’ grandfather and is in its third generation in the family.”

When I saw the year of the car, I had a déjà vu moment and thought about the photos above of my mom and the old car. Since there was no photo in the article, I put my thoughts aside, and continued my newspaper search.

Later, I came across another reference to the car in a photo caption, which was in the 11 July 1966 issue of The Cedar Rapids Gazette.

The caption reads:

“AN AFTERNOON PARADE was one of the Legion day features in Mt. Vernon Saturday. In this photo, from left, Roland Rottman, 9, David Rottman, 8, both of Mt. Vernon, and Cindy Levien, 14, of Solon ride in a 1904 Cadillac, which was one of the units in the parade.”

Although it’s hard to tell from the newspaper photo if it’s the same car that my mom was photographed in, I was of the opinion that it was certainly possible. I now had two references to this car and the family, so I emailed my mom both newspaper clippings and asked her if it was the same car. Her response was “Yes—think it’s Bob Rottman’s.” And according to the first article, indeed it was connected to Bob.

The first article indicated that Robert and Donald’s grandfather purchased the car new. That grandfather could have been either John Rottman or James Coster…another mystery for another day.

Friday, October 21, 2011

And All the Stars Aligned

It has been one heck of a week, okay more like one heck of a couple of months, but I digress. But amidst the chaos, I did experience serendipity. One by one the stars aligned and led me to quite the discovery. It’s a mystery I knew I’d solve one day, but figured it would take a tremendous amount of time and research in facilities and records that are not exactly nearby. But in a strange twist of fate, there it was.

The Back Story

Barbara is a cousin of mine and we met in early 2008 when she emailed me about a common ancestor, Philip Rottman. We exchanged a few emails and then lost touch until June 2010. We converse here and there about our Rottman clan periodically through Facebook, trying to learn more about Philip and his wife Mary Eva. Neither of us has had much luck on this front.

The Stars Begin to Align

The other day, Barbara posted a note on my Facebook wall about a possible passenger ship record for Mary Eva. Several comments were exchanged, one of which was the following (in part) from Barbara:

“…Aunt Anna always said her father told her that Phillip left the family and went to Colorado where he died in a bar fight...He had asked Mary Eva to go with him, but she refused...just a family story, but it may have a hint of truth….”

My response was:

“In my grandmother's notes, there is a mention of Golden, Colorado by his name...the story could very well have some truth to it.”

Here I had someone else mention Colorado, so now I’m working with the assumption that the reference my grandmother made about her grandfather and Golden, Colorado had to mean something.

On Wednesday night, I was reading the September issue of Family Tree Magazine and checking out their top 101 website list. Listed was Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection. Now mind you, I’ve known about this possible connection to Colorado for years and I have checked for death records and online newspapers in the past, but this website seemed new to me, and since Barbara and I were on the subject of Philip and Colorado, I made a note of the website.

Last night, I was checking out some of those 101 top websites and came to the Colorado newspaper one. I did a quick search for Rottman, Rotman and Rothman (all with double “n” too) and got nothing. Not knowing how good the OCR search was, I decided to browse by newspaper. I looked at the newspaper in Golden and the ones in Denver, but none of them had the time period I was looking for. Bummer.

All Hope is Not Lost

I then wondered if I had ever searched GenealogyBank for a newspaper article. I was sure I had, but they add new stuff all the time. Something told me to go there and search again. I did a search for Philip Rottman and a bunch of New Jersey papers came up. And just as I was about to throw in the towel and get back to what I had previously been doing, I saw it: an 1885 article in a Denver newspaper. I just knew it had to be him, right?

I start reading the article. It seemed promising. The man was a “stranger” and fell out of a window to his death. Blah, blah, blah, they don’t know him, his son is there, yaddy-yadda…it seems like this is going nowhere and that there will not be enough information to determine if this is MY Philip. Then I get to the last paragraph, it starts:

“During the day something was learned of the man. His name was Philip Rothman and he came from Lisbon, Iowa…”

Mind you, the opening paragraph included his name (the surname was spelled Rottman). Why it took to the last paragraph of a fairly lengthy article to get to this, well I’m sure the foresight was to annoy me some 120 years later.

Anyway, I knew from that second sentence, this was without a doubt, my Philip Rottman. The article goes on to talk about his wife, whom he was separated from, and children, suggesting that part of what Barbara has heard was in part, true.

Then, to add even more dancing to the already super-happy dance, it mentions that “he has a mother living at Lisbon, Iowa, who is about 75 years of age.” Seriously? While a name would have been nice, just that fact that his mother apparently immigrated to the US, was 75, and living in Lisbon is certainly a huge step forward in learning more about this family.

Another Moral This Week

Even though I was focused on several other things this week, and not really working on this family, something pulled me in a different direction, namely, cousin Barbara. Then the events followed they way they did in a nice, neat package. It just goes to show you that things really do happen for a reason. And, when life hands you a box of chocolates, you better stop what you’re doing and open it…you never know what you might get!

A PDF version of the newspaper article can be read here (I hope, I always seem to have problems with Google Docs).

Saturday, July 16, 2011

SNGF - “Heritage Pie” Chart

This week’s challenge from Randy is:

List your 16 great-great-grandparents with their birth, death and marriage data (dates and places).
Determine the countries (or states) that these ancestors lived in at their birth and at their death.
For extra credit, go make a "Heritage Pie" chart for the country of origin (birth place) for these 16 ancestors. [Hint: you could use the chart generator from Kid Zone for this.] [Note: Thank you to Sheri Fenley for the "Heritage Pie" chart idea.]
Tell us about it in your own blog post, in a comment to this post, or in a post on Facebook or google+.

Here’s mine:

graph

16. Thomas CAHILL - bap. 8 May 1860 in Thomastown, Kilkenny, Ireland; died 15 October 1929 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois; married Margareth MILLETT, 3 July 1887 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois.

17. Margareth “Maggie” MILLETT – bap. 3 February 1863 in Old Grange, Kilkenny, Ireland; died 7 January 1945 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois.

18. John SCHWARTZ – born 11 Arpil 1856 (cal.) in Luxembourg; died 20 January 1912 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois; married Margaretha KRAMER, 6 September 1888 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois.

19. Margaretha “Margaret” KRAMER – born 31 October 1866 in Consdorf, Echternach, Luxembourg; died 14 January 1945 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois.

20. Timothy McMAHON – born 14 May 1874 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois; died 14 October 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois; married Sarah Jane WARD, 11 November 1899 in Lake County, Indiana.

21. Sarah Jane WARD – born 7 April 1875 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois; died 8 October 1956 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

22. James Manly GARRISON – born 26 December 1861 in Picton, Prince Edward, Ontario, Canada; died 23 May 1909 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois; married, Sarah Jane MULLIGAN, 23 January 1893 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

23. Sarah Jane “Jennie” MULLIGAN – born 16 April 1870 in Flint, Genesee, Michigan; died 26 April 1947 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

24. Emil MILLER – born January 1864 in Germany; died after 1902, probably in Chicago, Cook, Illinois; married Hulda WACH, 8 August 1886 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

25. Hulda WACH – born 9 January 1869 in Germany; died probably between 1910 and 1920 in McHenry County, Illinois.

26. Herman LEPPIN – born 22 March 1873 in Germany; died 31 March 1948 in Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona; married Minnie HEMFLER, 26 March 1894 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

27. Minnie HEMFLER – born 9 April 1871 in Germany; died 17 May 1945 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

28. Philip ROTTMAN – born about 1835 in Bavaria, Germany; died between 1885 and 1889, probably in Linn Couny, Iowa; married Mary Eva REEDER before 1870, possible in France.

29. Mary Eva REEDER – born 18 March 1849 (cal.) in France; died 26 October 1889 in Iowa.

30. Carl “Charles” STOFFEL – born 16 September 1855 in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany; died 8 November 1902 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois; married Mary BRAUN, about 1884.

31. Mary BRAUN – born 19 November 1855 in Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany; died 9 August 1936 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

This is the Face of Genealogy

Photo of my grandmother, Marie Ethel ROTTMAN Miller, 1925.

For the reason behind this post, please refer to GeneaBloggers article The Face of Genealogy.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Saturday in the Attic – 09/11/10

This week’s find is a War Ration book issued to my great-grandfather, George Rottman. Based on an interesting article I found, WWII War Ration Books at Genealogy Today, I guess this one, being Book Four, was issued toward the end of 1943. Below are scanned images of the front, back, and some of the stamps.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Rottman Letter, 23 November 1943

A continuation of letters written by my great-grandfather, George Rottman. The letters were written to his children while he was away from home visiting family in Iowa and Wisconsin in the 1940s.

This letter was written on 23 November 1943 to Marge (Rottman) Comerford. A transcription follows the images.

Lisbon Ia
Nov 23-43

Dear Marge and all,

Received your letter also books and knee pad and stamps thanks for same I dont wear it all the time as it seems to draw or something. My knee is better to-day and yesterday so maybe it is good for awhile now. I got a pair of knee warmers so you dont have to get any. You must of had quite a party on Shirley would of liked to of been there I got a letter from Ed and when he lets me know when he is comming I will get there some way. I dont think the Buses will be too crowded where you get a seat and hold it all the way there. Well Mabel and Alma had an argument and Mabel left so Rose and I are here alone again. I have to do some of the cooking or at least watch it and dish up sometimes I killed a rooster this A.M. so Rose is putting it on to cook now 1:30 P.M. it ought to get done in time for supper. We have plenty of eggs to eat. Fishing is out altho we have some yet they are froze. Ducks are all gone and its no good rabbit hunting till it snows. I got a squirrel the other day. Clarence and Donald are husking corn down to Lee Pickets. I have been doing the chores all except milking and the chickens. Lots of water to pump but they have a gas engine on the pump and I start it when it starts which is when it feels like it. The other morning I cranked and cranked till I got tired then went in the house and sat down read part of a paper went out and just came up on the crank once and away it went. Thats the way it acts He is going to put in an ele[c]tric motor when he gets around to it and gets things lined up. Vina has been worse the last 3 days. She keeps Rose busy washing pads and changing her she messes all over the bed like an infant So I do quite a bit in the house Alma dosnt do anything down here. I have enough reading matter to last me quite a while as I dont get long to read at a time only at night then I go to bed early. Well I guess this is all I can think of this time so will close hoping to hear from you soon and see you soon too

Love to all

Dad

Transcribed by Julie Marie CAHILL Tarr, 24 August 2008.