GenBlog: Families: Müller / Miller (Prussia)

Showing posts with label Families: Müller / Miller (Prussia). 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, April 6, 2013

Surname Saturday – Wach (Prussia / Illinois)

Heinrich WACH is my third great-grandfather. He was married to my third great-grandmother, Emilie WIETZKE, and I suspect he died between 1876 (last known child born) and 1884 (Emilie's child with second husband born). The family is from Pommern, Preußen, and I suspect that both Heinrich and Emilie were born there. Heinrich may have had a sister, Johanna, who married Eduard WICK, but I have not yet confirmed this suspicion. My direct line ancestors are in blue.

First Generation

Heinrich¹ WACH was probably born in Preußen and died there between 1876 and 1884. Heinrich married Emilie WIETZKE, daughter of Carl WIETZKE. Emilie (a.k.a. Amelia), was born 30 September 1845, probably in Preußen and died on 9 February 1931 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Known children from this marriage were:

+ 2	i.	Hulda² WACH was born on 9 January 1869 in Bernsdorf, Bütow, Pommern, Preußen, and died on 15 May 1914 in Dunham, McHenry, Illinois.
+ 3	ii.	Alwine WACH was born about 1873 in Preußen, and died circa 24 March 1959.
4	iii.	Carl August WACH was born on 26 October 1874 in Zerrin, Bütow, Pommern, Preußen and died on 15 September 1875 in Zerrin, Bütow, Pommern, Preußen.
+ 5	iv.	Heinrich Emil WACH was born on 29 August 1876 in Zerrin, Bütow, Pommern, Preußen, and died on 26 November 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Second Generation

Hulda² WACH (Heinrich¹) was born on 9 January 1869 in Bernsdorf, Bütow, Pommern, Preußen, and died on 15 May 1914 in Dunham, McHenry, Illinois. Hulda married first, Emil MÜLLER on 8 August 1886 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. The marriage ended in divorce on 12 December 1900. Emil was born in January 1864 in or near Bromberg, Posen, Preußen, and died after 1902.

Children from this marriage were:

6	i.	Heinrich³ "Henry" Fredrick MÜLLER was born on 1 June 1887 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, was baptized on 16 May 1912, and died circa 3 May 1963 in Illinois. Henry first married Katharine KOTTKA on 25 December 1909 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. The marriage ended in divorce between 1920 and 1925. Henry and Katherine had four children: Roy, Henry, Leslie, and Caroline. Henry married second, Elizabeth --?-- and had at least one son, Lawrence.
+ 7	ii.	Emil Karl August MÜLLER 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.
8	ii.	Ida Alwine Bertha MÜLLER was born on 9 August 1891 in Chicago, Cook, 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. Ida and Charles had at least nine children: Evelyn, Eleanora, Laverna, Lillian, Rose, Marjorie, Roy, Raymond, and Lorraine.

Hulda married second, John Fred SEVERING on 19 January 1901 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. John was born on 19 June 1853 in Germany, and died on 4 June 1932 in Harvard, McHenry, Illinois

Children from this marriage were:

Lillian³ Anna SEVERING was born on 22 November 1901 in Dunham, McHenry, Illinois, was baptized on 18 January 1902 in Dunham, McHenry, Illinois, died on 20 June 1951 in Harvard, McHenry, Illinois. Lillian married Willis LATHROP in 1938. Willis died in 1946.

Alwine² WACH (Heinrich¹) was born about 1873 in Preußen, and died circa 24 March 1959. Alvina married Wilhelm "William" TRAPP, son of Joachim TRAPP and Dora SCHUMACKER, on 22 September 1894 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Wilhelm was born on 27 January 1863 in Stralsund, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, and died on 11 May 1937 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

10	i.	Harry³ Heinrich Adolph TRAPP was born on 25 July 1895 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 4 February 1972 in Antioch, Lake, Illinois. Harry married Elsa Ida Anna "Elsie" BAHNFLETH, daughter of Franz Friedrich August "Frank" BAHNFLETH and Augusta Wilhemine Caroline HAMMAN, on 6 October 1917 in West Chicago, DuPage, Illinois. Elsa was born on 20 May 1897 in West Chicago, DuPage, Illinois, and died on 6 May 1961 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Harry and Elsa had three children: Dorothy, Elmer, and Harriet.
11	ii.	Erna Hulda Otillie TRAPP was born on 15 July 1897 in Illinois and died circa 29 May 1977 in Illinois. Erna married Paul Herman EBERHARDT about 1924. Paul was born on 25 October 1896 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, and died on 23 December 1969 in Illinois. Erna and Paul had one daughter, Carol.

Heinrich² "Henry" Emil WACH (Heinrich¹) was born on 29 August 1876 in Zerrin, Bütow, Pommern, Preußen, and died on 26 November 1939 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Heinrich married Elizabeth "Bessie" C KUNBERGER on 6 February 1904 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois. Elizabeth was born on 9 April 1886 in Columbia City, Whitley, Indiana, and died on 3 February 1976 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.

Children from this marriage were:

12	i.	Lili Mae³ WACH was born on 24 May 1905 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, and died on 9 March 2004 in Oxnard, Ventura, California. Lili married Samuel Price DUFFIELD. Samuel died between 1976 and 2004 in California. They had no children.
13	ii.	Henry WACH Jr. was born on 19 July 1908 in Illinois and died on 15 November 1911 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
14	ii.	Earl George WACH was born on 9 December 1912 in Illinois, died on 16 October 1981 in Dowagiac, Cass, Michigan. Earl married first, Lorrie --?-- and had a daughter, Susan. Earl married second, Josephine R PULEO.

Third Generation

Emil³ Karl August MÜLLER (Hulda²WACH, 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:

15	i.	Roman⁴ "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.
16	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.
17	ii.	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.

Disclaimer: Information is based on research completed as of 4 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 Wach 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.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine’s Day!

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I share a card that my maternal grandmother gave my grandfather, many, many, years ago.

MILLER, Harold Leslie MILLER Holiday Card 002-A

MILLER, Harold Leslie MILLER Holiday Card 002-B

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 .

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.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Dear GeneaSanta, How About Some Research Help

This year I thought I’d ask GeneaSanta for some research help. There are a few research projects I’d like to make some progress on, but I need some help. Help could be in any form: help with a research plan, access to records, cousins with information, or the people in question could simply fall from the sky (wait, that would be too easy and take the fun out of it). Here are some of the cases I hope to crack in 2013.

Solomon Norton

The main question has always been if Sarah Norton, who married Aaron Webster, was in fact his daughter. I have yet to find any solid evidence, either direct or indirect, that would answer this question, other than a mention in the History and Genealogy of the Gov. John Webster Family of Connecticut With Numerous Portraits and Illustrations that she was the daughter of Solomon (p. 401) and a few bits and pieces related to where the families settled.

To be quite frank, I have no idea who his children actually are. So many claims from other peoples’ trees, some consistent across the board, others hit and miss. I really need to uncover some useful resources that can help me put the family together correctly. My current plan is to investigate Solomon further. Learn more about him, as well as his wife and children and hopefully make some sort of connection between him and supposed daughter Sarah.

To make things even more interesting, about a month ago I got an Find A Grave change request asking to add a link from daughter Sarah’s memorial to the memorial for Solomon. I didn’t even know this memorial existed (the last I checked for him at Find A Grave was in 2010 and the memorial was added in 2011). When I took a look at the memorial, I was shocked to see a second wife….what? Nowhere had I see this. But, seeing their gravestone, I had to admit, it sure looked like he had a second wife. And, yes, this is him. Through various records, I traced him all the way to Villenova, New York and surmised he died after September 1844 (the last time a pension payment was issued). The gravestone shows a death date of 8 November 1844 and he and his second wife are buried in Hamlet Cemetery, just outside of Villenova.

So I’ve started to investigate the head of household in the 1840 census for Villenova where Solomon shows up as a pensioner in the household of G B Aldrich. I know that the 90-100 aged male is Solomon and now I understand why there is a female, age 80-90, in the household; likely the the second wife that was previously unknown. The remaining people in the household are George B Aldrich (name determined by a land deed), age 30-40, with his wife (also age 30-40) and children. Could George or his wife somehow be related to Solomon’s second wife? Could she be the mother of one of them?

Emil Miller

This is the only one of sixteen great-great-grandparents that I do not know the fate of. I have written about this family several times, and while I finally learned the fate of his wife, Hulda Wach, I still don’t know what happened to Emil after 1902. Did he die, move, remarry? No clue. I know nothing about his parents or if he has any siblings. Recently I discovered a possible birth location for him, but I believe that it’s the “bigger city” syndrome and that he probably came from a smaller village near the big city. But, I’m going to investigate it nonetheless because you just don’t know until you look.

Ferdinand Schwartz and Johann Kremer

Both are third great-grandfathers who were born and raised in Luxembourg. Their children, Johann Schwartz and Margaretha Kremer came to America and settled in Aurora, Kane County, Illinois, where they raised their own family. While I know what happened to Ferdinand’s first wife (mother of Johann Schwartz; she died in Luxembourg) I have no idea what happened to him or his second wife, Anna Maria Thiel, or Johann Kremer and his wife, Catharina Terres. I hope to explore these families a little more in 2013.

So GeneaSanta, if there is anything you can do to help, I’d so much appreciate it!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Fearless Females – Timeline

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 timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines.Post an image of it or link.

I took the opportunity to experiment with some online timelines. I settled on Time Rime. Here’s a simple timeline for my second great-grandmother, Hulda (Wach) Miller Severing. If you’d like to know more about Hulda, read my post Hulda (Wach) Miller Severing.

Read all of my Fearless Females posts.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Fearless Females – Gone Too Soon

Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family?

I have several female ancestors who passed on too early. Here are the stories for two of my great-grandmothers.

Alma (Leppin) Miller – Alma Leppin was born 1 September 1896 in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 19 she married Emil Charles Miller 4 September 1915 in Chicago. Together, Emil and Alma had three children: Raymond, Harold, and Mildred. Alma died 15 December 1928, at the age of 32, due to heart trouble.

Catherine (Schwartz) Cahill – Catherine Schwartz was born 16 April 1894 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois. On 25 April 1916, she married John Cahill in Aurora. Just two-and-a-half years after their last child was born, Catherine reportedly committed suicide on 26 January 1925 in her home in Aurora. She was just 30 years of age.

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.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Hulda (Wach) Müller Severing

Hulda Wach was born in January of either 1868 or 1869 in Bernsdorf, Pommern, Preußen, daughter of Heinrich Wach and Emilie Wietzke. She appears to be the oldest of the four known children of Heinrich and Emilie: Alvina, born about 1873; Carl August, born in October 1874; and Heinrich Emil, born in August 1876. Because Hulda’s mother remarried sometime between 1876 and 1884, it is possible that her father died during the same period. Emilie married “Fred” Schultz and they had one know child, Mildred, born about 1884.

At the age of 15, Hulda left her home, possibly alone, to seek a better life in the US. She departed from Hamburg, Germany aboard Suevia on 12 October 1884 and arrived in New York on 27 October 1884 with her sights set on her final destination of Chicago.

About two years after settling in Chicago, she married Emil Müller on 8 August 1886. Over the next few years, Emil and Hulda built their life together, having three children: Heinrich, born 1 June 1887; Emil, born 9 February 1889; and Ida, born 31 July 1891. In 1890, Hulda’s sister, Alvina immigrated to the US, followed by her mother, brother Heinrich, and half-sister Mildred in 1891, all settling near one another in Chicago.

By March 1895, Emil and Hulda were separated. Hulda filed for divorce in 1900, which was finalized in December of that year. She was now free to marry John Severing, of McHenry County, Illinois, on 19 January 1901 at Chicago. One child, Lillian, was born of this union.

After marrying John, Hulda moved to Dunham, McHenry County, Illinois, about 70 miles northwest of Chicago. The local newspaper shows her visiting Chicago frequently to spend time with family and friends. By June 1912, Hulda was suffering from stomach cancer, which took her life on 15 May 1914.

According to her obituary, her “life was marked by industry, frugality and attentiveness to the affairs of her home and those committed to her care, as well as a life of faithfulness to her Christian duties.”

These are just the facts that I’ve accumulated so far as I continue to piece together Hulda’s life. I’m interested to know what drove her to leave her home and family at the age of 15, and why her family followed her six years later. I’d also like to know how she adapted to big-city life in Chicago.

1905 map of Pommern illustrating the small village of Bernsdorf where Hulda was born.

This post was written as part of my commitment to The Family History Writing Challenge. Since my main goal is to put fingers to keyboard, I was not concerned with citing sources, however, sources are available if you are interested.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Perhaps He Was Abducted By Aliens

I’ve been spending my “free” time reviewing old issues of Harvard Herald to learn more about my Miller family who lived in McHenry County, Illinois in the early 1900s. There have been many discoveries made, which have furthered my research on this family. But this find, well, it was quite unusual.

Last week, I had come across the following brief in the 4 December 1913 issue:

At first I wasn’t even sure it referred to my great-granduncle’s wife, but the address seemed familiar, so I made a copy of it. What was odd, was it seemed that Henry wasn’t in the picture, since she was looking for a “means of support for herself and little child.” This was why I initially questioned whether it was the same family. Consequently, I knew that sometime after 1920, they apparently divorced, but this was seven years prior, and two additional children were born of this union between 1914 and 1916.

Then yesterday, I finally understood why she was seeking work. Henry had disappeared, as evidenced by the following article I found in the 26 February 1914 issue:

How bizarre is that? I wonder what happened to him, where he went, and how he managed to find his way home. Who knows, maybe he was abducted by aliens ;)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

And There She Is…Hulda’s No Longer MIA

I’ve written many times about Emil MILLER and Hulda WACH, both immigrated to the US from Germany and settled in Chicago, where they eventually married. I knew from notes in family papers that Hulda married a second time, to John Severing, and they had a daughter Lillian. Based on that information, I found that Hulda and John married in January 1901 in Chicago and they were found living together in McHenry County, Illinois in 1910. John is found in the 1920 and 1930 censuses married to someone else and I therefore concluded that Hulda either died or remarried between 1910 and 1920.

I asked a fellow genealogist to check the death index for McHenry County for Hulda between 1910 and 1920; she found nothing. So earlier this month, I decided to conduct research in the local newspaper in hopes of uncovering what happened to her. I started going week by week, looking at the entire contents of the eight-page (usually) paper; it took five hours to go through one year. During 1910, there were a few mentions of Hulda and her children, mostly noting visits to (or from) Chicago. By the end of August 1910, she was still living and known as “Mrs. John Severing” having visited Chicago along with her daughters Lillian and Ida (“Mrs. Charles Brunner”).

Having just moved to a new city, I contacted the local library on Monday to ask if they did inter-library loans with the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, knowing that they have these particular newspapers on microfilm that they loan out. Thankfully, they do, so I went to the library, got my new library card, and requested the films for 1910-1920 (this saves me a two-hour drive, roundtrip and parking costs, so I was pretty excited about that alone!!). When the films come in, I plan to resume my search with 1911.

But here’s the kicker. While looking for something else (because it always happens that way), I noticed that the Illinois Probate Records, 1819-1970 collection on FamilySearch was updated on 29 November. Curious to see what had been added, I followed the link and discovered there were many new counties, one of which….wait for it…was McHenry! So naturally I looked to see what was available. Although it reads “Probate Records v. 4 1844-1985” I learned that it is only an index. I headed over to the surnames beginning with S. They are organized by year, so I started with 1910 and it didn’t take long to find an entry for Hulda Severing in May 1914 (right underneath was a listing for her minor daughter, Lillian).

Unbelievable. First, I can’t believe that I finally found some sort of source that gives me some clue as to when she died, especially since I anticipated continuing the search through newspapers for a span of ten years! Naturally, when I get the films, I will head directly to May 1914 and start there, but in all honestly, I still plan to go through all the years when the family lived there. I found so many interesting nuggets in just one year, I’m sure I will find other interesting things as I search the remaining years.

Second, I’m surprised there is a probate file for her. I plan to call the county ASAP to find out how to obtain a copy of the file and hopefully that will give me more information such as a specific date and place of death.

While I’ve found this little nugget, there is still much more to uncover on this family. I still have no idea what happened to her first husband, Emil. In addition to the local newspaper, I’ve found several other items related to the family of her second husband John in the Rockford newspapers available on GenealogyBank. It was through many searches that I finally learned what became of Hulda and John’s daughter Lillian. The pieces are finally starting to come together and this probate file will be one more piece of the puzzle.

If you haven’t already, be sure to read my previous posts about this family: