31 May 2022

If They Had Made It to 70 Years

 Today, would have been my parent's 70th Wedding Anniversary. Bruce Glover married Audrey Fredricks on May 31, 1952. My father died in 2018. They were together for 66 years. Here are a few mementoes from their engagement and wedding.

Marriage Announcement in Manistee News Advocate from my mom's Bridal Book


Unknown newspaper clipping found in my mom's Bridal Book

Certificate of Registration and Guarantee for a Keepsake Wedding Set found in my mom's Bridal Book. My dad never wanted a wedding band for himself.


Bridal Gown receipt, purchased from Wurzburg's in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My mom said she took the train to Grand Rapids to buy it.

Date unknown, picture taken at the Fredricks Farm
 near Brethren Michigan

Date unknown, they look so young.


31 May 1952,-The Wedding Party
Left to Right: Marilyn Fredricks, Jeannie Fredricks, Audrey and Bruce Glover, Hank Glover, and Richard Fredricks
Marilyn and Richard Fredricks were married. Richard was Audrey's brother, Jean Fredricks was Audrey's sister, 
Hank Glover was Bruce's brother.



Honeymoon in Frankenmuth, Michigan


Frankenmuth, Michigan Motel

One of my favorite pictures of my mom, dad, and I.


My blog, my family.

29 May 2022

Sunday's Obituary: Charles Zobel

Charles Zobel was the son of my great grand aunt Henriette Fredrich Zobel. I have transcribed his obituary from Manistee News Advocate, (Manistee, Michigan), 26 June 1947, Front Page; Column 6, microfilm owned by; Library of Michigan, Lansing, Michigan.

DEATH CLAIMS CHARLES ZOBEL

Charles A. Zobel, long time resident of Manistee who was well known as a clothing and shoe merchant and more recently as an insurance agent died yesterday morning at the home of his son, Edgar, in Traverse City.  He had been living with his son during the past two months.

Eighty-two years old at the time of his death, Mr. Zobel was born in Germany and came to Manistee at the age of seven.  After being in the clothing and shoe business for many years he entered the insurance business in which he served during the past 25 years.  He was a member of Trinity Lutheran church and also the Lutheran Aid society.

Mr. Zobel is survived by his wife, the former Miss Emma Tracy whom he married in 1888; two sons, Charles of Highland Park and Edgar of Traverse City; two daughters, Mrs. Harmon Jacks of Walled Lake and Mrs. Henrietta Thompson of Grand Rapids:  one sister, Miss Ottilie Zobel of Manistee; six grandchildren and one great grandchild.

The body will be at the Bradford funeral home until 10 a.m. Saturday, when it will be taken to Trinity Lutheran church to lie in state until the time of the service 2:30 p.m.  The Rev. Theodore Zeile will officiate and burial will be in Trinity cemetery.

27 May 2022

Ancestor Biography of Johan Caspar Graf

I enjoy writing ancestor biographies because it allows me to analyze my research before I post it online for all to see. I do not want to contribute to misinformation. Also, it helps me see where gaps in my research are and shows further research avenues.


Photograph courtesy of Bob Fredricks

Johann Caspar Graf is my maternal second great grandfather. He was baptized in a Lutheran church on 19 October 1827 in the village of Rockenhausen, Pfalz, Bavaria. His parents were Johann Philip Graf and Sophia Kolter. He was born 14 October 1827 in Katzenbach, which by today's maps is 3.4 km from Rockenhausen. Today's Graf family members always say that the family was from Rockenhausen. Although, I don't have all the birthplace information for all Graf's, the family members definitely were baptized and married at a church in Rockenhausen.

from Caroline Graf White's Death Certificate

From Philippina Graf Foust Death Certificate

Caspar married Mary. Two daughter's Indiana death certificates give her maiden name as Whrightweesner/Wrightweesner. Until a marriage record is found disproving this, I will use this for Mary's maiden name. 

One of my blog readers wrote a comment on my Wrightweasner post, "In German 'Wrightweasner' might translate to 'Reitwiesner' or 'Reitwiesener', according to the sound when spoken." Searches now include all three spellings, but no luck finding their marriage record.

Caspar is recorded on an immigration list, in 1859, aboard the ship Roland. He originated in Bremen and sailed into New York harbor. This is where writing things out helps. Originally, I thought I had found Caspar's original immigration record, but Caspar had children from 1853-1863 in the United States and this wasn't his original immigration. Did he go back to Germany to help bring his brother to the United States? 

Source: "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957," [database on-line], Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 March 2015), Entry for Johan Casper Graf, arrival date 18 Nov 1859; Year: ; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897.

There were three Graf's on the ships manifest:

  1. On line 15-J. Georg Graf
  2. On line 16-Anna Graf
  3. On line 17-Johan Caspar Graf
Georg is Caspar's brother. Who is Anna? Georg didn't get married until he arrived in Indiana. This immigration record is in 1859. I have so many questions about J. Caspar Graf.
  1. If he married Mary Wrightweasner, when and where? Was it in Germany?
  2. When did Caspar come to the United States the first time? when did Mary?
The only census I have found Caspar in is the 1860 U.S. Federal Census. Caspar, Mary, Caroline, Philopoena (sic), Jacob, and Philip are enumerated with Henry and Magdalena Rose. The facts are below. Who are the Roses? Is Magdalena a sister of Caspar or Mary?

Name: Caspar Grove
[Caspar Graf] 
Age in 1860: 33
Birth Year: abt 1827
Birthplace: Bavaria / Bayern
Home in 1860: Harrison, Miami, Indiana
Gender: Female
Post Office: Cary
Value of real estate: View image
Household Members: Name Age
Henry Rose57
Magdalena Rose45
Henry Rose14
Casper Grove33
Mary Grove25
Caroline Grove7
Philopoena Grove5
Jacob Grove3
Philip Grove1

If Caroline Graf was born to Mary in 1853, Mary had to be in New York at the time. This helps narrow the years of immigration down for Mary. If Mary was born around 1835, she would have been about 18 years old in 1853. I am wondering if she arrived in New York pregnant and they stayed to have the baby before heading to Indiana. Their second child was born in 1855 in Indiana. Caspar may or may not have been present at the birth of Caroline.

Caspar died in March of 1869, no death certificate has been found for Caspar and he wasn't listed in the 1870 Mortality Schedule. Caspar you vex me!

Lastly, I have a transcription of Caspar's will. 

389
Kasper Graff’s Will
On the name of the Benevolent father of all I Kasper Graf of Miami County In the state of Indiana do make and publish this my last will and testament
1st I give and devise to my beloved wife in lieu of her interest in my lands the farm on which we now reside in the county of Indiana and state of Indiana. Containing about forty 40 acres during her natural life, all the stock and household goods furniture provisions and other goods and chattles (sic) which may be thereon at the time of my decease during her natural life as aforesaid, she however selling so much thereof as may be sufficient to pay my just debts, and also to sell out of my personal to the amount of Fifty Dollars which I give and bequeath to my son Jacob Graf in lieu of his share hereafter mentioned.
On the death of my said wife the real and personal Estate aforesaid to give and devise to my Eight children to be equally divided between them all, them and their heirs forever I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Guardian of all of my children, Jacob Graf, Caroline Graf Philbenia Graf Philip Graf Henry Graf George Graf Valentine Graf and Elizabeth Graf until they each arrive at the age of twenty one years or intermarry but in case my wife should again marry her Guardianship of said children shall cease and determine upon her intermarriage
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 25th day of March in the year 1869.
                                                                                                             
Kasper x Graf
        Mark
Signed and acknowledged
By said Kasper Graf as his
Last will and testament
In our presence and by
Us in his presence
   John Bernhart
   Jonas Stepler
 
390
State of Indiana
Miami County
Be it remembered that on the 12th day of April1869, John Bernhart one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Kasper Graf late of said County deceased personally appeared before John A. Graham clerk of the court of common Pleas of Miami County in the state of Indiana being duly sworn by the clerk of said court upon his oath declared and testified as follows that is to say that on the 25th day of March 1869 he saw the said Kasper Graf sign his name to said instrument in writing and for his last will testament and that the deponent at the same time heard the said Kasper Graf declare the said instrument in writing to be his last will and testament and that the said instrument in writing was at their quest of the said Kasper Graf and with his consent alerted and subscribed by the said John Bernhart and Jonas Stepler in the presence of said testator and in the presence of each other as subscribing witnesses there to and that the said Kasper Graf was at the time of the signing and subscribing of the said Instrument in writing of full age that is more than twenty one years of age and of sound and imposing mind and memory and not under any coercion or restraint as said informant verily believes and further informant says not
                                                                                                     John Bernhart
Sworn to and subscribed by the John Bernhart before me John A. Graham clerk of said court at Peru, the 12th day of April 1869
                                                          In attestation whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed                                                                             the seal of said court
                                                                                                     Jno. A. Graham Clerk
State of Indiana
Miami county
                                                                        John A Graham clerk of the court of common Pleas of Miami county Indiana do hereby certify that the within (annesced) last will and testament of Kasper Graf has been admitted to Probate and duly proved by the testimony of John Bernhart one of the subscribing witnesses there to that a complete copy record of said will and the testimony of the said John Bernhart in proof thereof has been by me duly read and recorded in Book No 1 at pages 389 & 390 of the Record of Wills of said County. In attestation whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at Peru this 13th day of April1869                             Jno A Graham Clerk CC P. Ind

Timeline for Johan Caspar Graf

Age

Date

   Event

0

14 Oct 1827

   Birth: Katzenbach, Germany1


0

19 Oct 1827

   Chr: Evangelisch, Rockenhausen, Pfalz, Bavaria2


8

Abt 1835

   Mary WRIGHTWEASNER was born; , , Bayern, Germany3


25

24 Feb 1853

   Daughter, Caroline GRAF was born; New York, United States4


27

1 Jun 1855       

   Daughter, Philippina GRAF was born; Miami County, Indiana,  United States5


29

17 Jul 1857

   Son, Jacob GRAF was born; Miami County, Indiana, United States


32

18 Nov 1859

   Arrival: New York, New York, United States6


33

Abt 1860

   Son, Philip GRAF was born; Indiana, United States


33

1860

   Census (fam): Mary WRIGHTWEASNER; Harrison, Miami, Indiana, United States of America7


34

10 Jan 1862

   Son, Henry GRAF was born; Indiana, United States


36

15 Sep 1864

   Son, George GRAF was born; Near Plevna, Howard County, Indiana, United States


38

14 Dec 1865

   Son, Valentine GRAF was born; Amboy, Miami, Indiana,     United States8


41

Abt 1868

   Daughter, Elizabeth GRAF was born; Indiana, United States


41

Mar 1869

   Death: United States910


41

25 Mar 1869

   Will: Miami County, Indiana, United States11


Sources for Johan Caspar Graf

1. "Germany Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898," Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 4 April 2016), citing the birth (14 Oct 1827) and baptism(19 Oct 1827 of Caspar Graf; Deutschland, Geburten und Taufen, 1558-1898, FHL microfilm 193,130.

       2. Ancestry, "Germany, Select Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898," database, Ancestry.com (ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2022), entry for Caspar Graf; Germany, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

       3. [Author], "[Article]," [ItemType], The Daily Chronicle, Peru, Indiana [IssueDate], [SpecificContent]. [Annotation].

       4. Indiana State Board of Health, "Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011," database, Ancestry.com (ancestry.com : accessed 11 February 2020), entry for Caroline White; Indiana State Board of Health. Death Certificates, 1900–2011. Microfilm. Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana..

       5. Indiana State Board of Health, "Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011," database, Ancestry.com (ancestry.com : accessed 14 May 2022), entry for Philapena Foust; Certificate Number Stamped 8809; Indiana State Board of Health. Death Certificates, 1900–2011. Microfilm. Indiana Archives and Records Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana..

       6. "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957," [database on-line], Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 13 March 2015), Entry for Johan Casper Graf, arrival date 18 Nov 1859; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897.

       7. 1860 U.S. Census, population schedule, Post Office: Cary, Harrison Township, Miami, Indiana, p 393, dwelling 768; lines 8-13, Casper Grove; digital images, ancestry.com (: accessed 13 March 2015); Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls..

       8. Shawn D. Graff, The Graf Family from Rockenhausen, Germany (http://www.graff.iwarp.com/index.html : accessed 19 October 2011), Valentine Graf birth.

       9. Graff, The Graf Family from Rockenhausen, Germany, Casper Graf.

       10. Graf-Richer Emma and Graf-Froelich, Louise, The Graf Family: A record of the seven descendants of Caspar Graf (pdf format: n.p., July 1921), p.

       11. Miami, Indiana, 1843-1900: p389-390 Graf Kasper; Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

A note about sources. I see that I have some touching up of my sources, but I decided to leave it this way for now. Source 3 shows why it is so important to write complete sources. Now, I have to go back and find the source to cite it properly and I don't remember where I accessed the newspaper. No matter what you think, you will not remember where you found it. Cite Your Sources!

I still have much to research with Caspar and Mary. I have a to do list for Caspar and Mary and will continue researching them.






24 May 2022

Brickwall Tip: Prove It Can't Be Anyone Else

Do you have ancestors who you think belong to one family or another, but don't have proof of it? This is where I am with my Daniel Fenn brick wall and finding who his father was. 

A few years ago my husband and I went on a New England research trip. While he was at Sam Adam's brewery I was at the library of the New England Historic Genealogical Society. I paid for a consultation with Rhonda McClure and her ideas have helped me further my research.

One of her suggestions was to show how it can't be anyone else but the person you think it is. What did she mean by that? I took it to mean that I needed to research all the Fenn's in the area where I knew they were living. Chances are that if they were living in Shoreham, Addison county, Vermont in 1808, other Fenn's are related. I needed to show that there isn't any other Fenn that could be Daniel's father. 

I started with the 1800 U.S. Federal Census. I discounted anyone living outside of the New England area. I have never found any existence of my Fenn family in Philadelphia, Georgia, Maryland, or Mississippi. I can always come back to these Fenn's if none are found in New England.

That left me with Benjamin, Edward, Gideon, John, Austin, and Joseph (Fenne). These six men were living in Vermont and found in the 1800 U.S. Federal Census or the Vermont, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1778-1840. I transcribed these Fenn families on an 1800 census form found at Ancestry.com. I knew that Daniel Fenn was born around 25 November 1787. I used the information from his death age of 49 years, 3 months, 13 days. 

That meant that I was looking for an entry that had at least one free white male between the ages of 10 and 15. Edward, Gideon, John, and Austin were candidates because they were all living in Rutland county, Vermont. Joseph was in Windsor county, Vermont. Benjamin and Edward couldn't be found in the 1800 Census. Who had children of those ages ?
  • Gideon had 2
  • John had 0 
  • Austin had 1
  • Joseph had 1
Now, I am looking at three candidates, Gideon, Austin, and Joseph. I could repeat the process for the 1810 U.S. Federal Census, looking for Free White Males between 20-25 years old, but Daniel married Huldah Rowley in 1808. I believe Daniel and Huldah are enumerated in the home of Hopkins Rowley in the 1810 Census.

You would think narrowing the choices down to three men would make it easier to find Daniel's father. I could not find any clues from naming patterns. Daniel had a son, Daniel C., but no Gideon, Austin, or Joseph to be found. I have no clue if Daniel had any brothers or sisters.

Further research on Gideon, Austin, or Joseph has not proven who Daniel's father was. I am still searching. I need to find out where the Fenn's came from prior to Vermont. I have a feeling it is Connecticut, but don't have definitive proof for this.

There are forty Fenn's in Connecticut in the 1800 U.S. Federal Census and I am in the process of narrowing down the candidates. It would be so much easier if they had listed all the family members.

Although, I haven't proven it couldn't be anyone else, I did narrow it down to three in Vermont and I am working on Connecticut. I have faith that this brick wall tip will work. I will keep trying to prove that Daniel Fenn's father is...

Do you have a brick wall tip for finding parents? If so, please share in the comments.


23 May 2022

Gregory Todd Fredricks Would Have Been Sixty

I am not prepared for my generation of cousins to start dying. That is what happened in August of 2009 when my cousin Greg Fredricks died at the age of 47. 

Gregory Todd Fredricks was born sixty years ago, today. He was the son of John and Louise Fredricks. He was one of six children. I wasn't close to Greg, but I do remember him fondly from visiting his home when we were kids and at the Fredricks Family Reunions. 

Gregory Todd Fredricks age 47, of Blanchard, passed away Sunday Aug. 9, 2009. Born May 23, 1962 in Lansing, MI., to John & Louise (Guenthardt) Fredricks. Greg worked for Tri-County Electric.

Surviving: Fiance: Tina Jensen
His children: Andrew Fredricks, Makenna Jensen, Nathan Jensen, Amber (Richard) Ruthruff, Ricky Ruthruff, and Bradley (Amanda) Simon.
Parents: John and Louise Fredricks.
Brothers and Sisters: Cheryl (Steve) Gaudard, Jeff (Jackie) Fredricks, Brian Fredricks, Danny (Mickie) Fredricks & Mary Beth (Bruce) Eldred.
Several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceded in death by Zackery Ruthruff, grandparents: Otto & Daisy Fredricks and Richard and Ethel Guenthardt.

Funeral Services: 11:00 am Thursday Aug. 13, 2009 at the St. Paul´s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Remus, MI. Officiating is Pastor Jonathan Voss. Visitation 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 pm on Wednesday at funeral home. Burial in Decker Cemetery of Blanchard. Memorials may be left at the funeral home. For online register book and obit see www.legacy.com. Care and arrangements entrusted to the Crittenden-Hansen Funeral Home of Remus.

Source: Obituaries at Legacy.com 

His obituary didn't show what kind of hard working man Greg was. He loved his family and the Detroit Tigers. Greg has been missed and it is a shame he isn't here to celebrate his 60th. I am sure it would have been a great party!

Happy Birthday in heaven, Greg. Greg's Find a Grave memorial can be found here.




21 May 2022

The Gift of an Autobiography: 5th and 6th Grade in the 1930's

I'll continue sharing my dad's words with his fifth and sixth grade remembrances.


Modern Day Hoover School, Hazel Park, Michigan
Photographed by Brenda Leyndyke

We had an elementary softball league composed of five or six of the elementary schools in Hazel Park and I remember I was the pitcher for Hoover School, my team in both 5th and 6th grades.  I don’t remember much about the number of wins or losses in those days; winning had none of the importance attached to it today.  Playing and participating for the sheer enjoyment was uppermost in my mind.  My mom would get so mad, many a night during the summers, because I was playing in an empty field down the street and forgot to get home for supper on time.  In those days we would play choose up with 3 batters and rest of players in field.  Batters would bat until they made an out.  If runners on first and second, the runner on second had to score if batter got on base or he would be out at home.  If batter flied out to LF he would trade places with the LF.  If he made an out at first, he would go out to right field and fielders would move around with C going to Bat P moving to C and I B moving to P etc.  There were no scores kept, no winners, and no losers.  Just a lot of batting and fielding and I don’t ever remember an argument even.



   1930 Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan
Credit: Flickr and Creative Commons

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)



My dad found the box score of his first Detroit Tiger game.

2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

During my elementary school days, I remember as if it was yesterday.  Uncle Art took me to my first Major League baseball game in 1933, at the age of 8, in old Navin Field, then the home of the Detroit Tigers.  The opponent was the hated Yankees; Lefty Gomez was on the mound for the Yankees and General Alvin Crowder for the Tigers.  Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig among others played for the Yankees and Hank Greenberg and Charley Gehringer played for the Tigers.  Detroit won 3-2 in the 10th inning when they pulled a delayed double steal with runners on 1st and 3rd.  The runner at first broke for second and the throw down had him beat so he stopped and when shortstop started to run him back to first, the runner on 3rd broke for home and beat the belated throw to the plate.

       Another memory of my years at Hoover was when I was in the school play and played the part of the King in the play.  The queen was played by a fifth-grade girl named Connie Hale and looking back I guess this was first time I was ever aware of the opposite sex and developed a “crush” on her but was too bashful to do anything about it.  I do remember occasionally riding by her house to see if I could get a glimpse of her.  After graduating from Hoover, and although she was only a grade behind me, I don’t ever remember seeing her again.


I transcribe these posts as my dad had written and he isn't here to answer my questions. I don't fact check. These are his memories. I was wondering if Hazel Park had five or six elementary schools in Hazel Park at this time.


20 May 2022

Book Review-Not All is Changed A Life History of Hingham

Previously, I wrote about researching at Talbot's in Hingham, Massachusetts. I mentioned a book that was recommended to me, Not All is Changed-A Life History of Hingham. I mentioned that I had it on my list for the next time I went to Allen County Genealogy Center.

I was thinking I wonder how much a used copy would cost. I buy a lot of used books for my genealogy library and this one would be a terrific addition. I checked Better World Books, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. I found a used copy-like new at Amazon for $7. It said it might have a slight wear on the cover. 

I bought the used copy, and I didn't see the wear they were talking about, it is almost pristine condition. Of course, the first thing I looked at was the index. I looked for the surnames of Beal, Fearing, Hobart, and Hersey. All four surnames had numerous pages of family information. I haven't even gotten to them all.

When I get a book like this the first thing I do is check the index. Next, I check those pages for family information. Then I start at the beginning and read the book. I may not read every page of the book, but I read about the early history and the times my ancestors lived there.

Lorena Laing Hart and Francis Russell Hart have written an excellent Hingham history book. It concentrates on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries but also explores Hingham's colonial history. The authors used Hingham's archives and oral histories in their research for the book. Photographs, artwork, and maps are included in the 1993 edition.

In other book reviews I have shared the chapters and highlights, but this book is 509 pages plus maps. The years of the maps are 1857, 1879, 1903, and 1936. I especially like the line drawing collage by Barbara Menzies showing the ancient houses and buildings. The homes and buildings are numbered with a key on the facing page showing the address, person or business name, and year.

The book is divided into parts with chapters in each part. Part One is the early history. Part Two is the years 1865-1896. Part Three covers the years 897-1928 and Part Four 1929-1970. Included are lists of illustrations and maps, which are plentiful. Notes, bibliography, and an index complete the book.

This is a comprehensive historical accounting of Hingham, Massachusetts. Quality sources are cited. I look at the sources for further reading.

I am thankful to Hingham Historical Society's archivist Michael Achille for pulling Not All is Changed-A Life History of Hingham book. If you have Hingham Massachusetts family history this is the book for you.

 My early Hingham ancestors are:

John Beal and Nazareth Hobart

Caleb Beal Sr. and Elizabeth Huet

Josiah Beal and Rachel Hersey

Seth Beal and Abigail Clark

John Fearing and Margaret Hawks

James Hersey and Mary Fearing

William Hersey and Elizabeth

Edmund Hobart and second wife, Margaret Dewey

Rev. Peter Hobart and Elizabeth

John Mayo and Hannah Freeman


18 May 2022

Premature Male Child-Infant Death

Source: "Michigan, Death Certificates, 1921-1946, Index and Images, Michiganology, michiganology.org: accessed 13 May 2022, Premature male child, death certificate state no. 51 331, 30 May 1923; Michigan Department of Community Health, Lansing

It was not unheard of in times past for mothers to give birth to numerous children. Not all children survived to adulthood. The reasons for twentieth century infant deaths included: lack of good prenatal care, low birth rate, maternal illness, congenital malformations, malnutrition, and infectious diseases to name a few.

In 1923, a death certificate was issued for a Premature Male Child. I don't know if this baby was given a name or not, but it was the baby of Maggie and Harry Klingelsmith, my great aunt and uncle. Baby Klingelsmith was born and died on 30 May 1923 in Dickson Township, Manistee, Michigan.

The cause of death was premature death at six and a half months caused by measles on the part of the mother. Poor Aunt Maggie had the measles and lost her baby. Aunt Maggie had three other children ages 2, 4, and 6. I wonder if any of the children had the measles.

The measle vaccine wasn’t available until 1963. I remember having the measles and getting the vaccine. Vaccines saves lives. Today, they have a MMR titer blood test to check for measles, mumps, and rubella immunity. Even though I had all three of those childhood diseases, the MMR titer test showed I was not immune. I found this out after I gave birth to Travis. I was immunized at that time. 

Aunt Maggie didn't have the advantage of a MMR titer or a vaccine. I am sure Premature Male Child wasn't the only child whose mother got the measles in the past. I'm sorry Aunt Maggie had to grieve the loss of her only son. I remember Aunt Maggie as a genuinely nice woman. She was my grandmother's sister and when we would visit Grandma Fredricks, she would pop in to say hi. Maggie did have one more child one year later in May of 1924.

The four children of Harry and Maggie Klingelsmith were Doris, Ernestine, Rachel, and Margaret.


16 May 2022

World War I Draft Registration of Chas. George Zobel


 Source: "World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," [database on-line], Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 23 June 2014), entry for Chas. George Zobel Registration Number 82; United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. 

I like World War I draft registrations for the information it provides about the person. I have used this information to further my research. 

Chas. George Zobel is my second cousin, once removed. One might wonder what I could gain from so distant a relative. The Zobel family has been a great source of information for my Fredrich family. Chas. grandmother, Henriette Fredrich Zobel, is the sister to my great grandfather, Johan August Fredrich. It was through Henriette that I found her and J. August's parents.

The above draft registration provides clues to learn more about Chas. I learned that in 1917 he was employed by MSC,State Michigan, Lansing, Michigan. I believe MSC was Michigan State College. I could look for further information there.

Also, he spent three months in the Michigan National Guard. Another line of research for me.

I learned about Chas's hammer toes that prevented him from serving at the time. I have never found any military records for Chas. and do not think he ever served.

World War I draft registrations are easy to find. Don't overlook them in your research. You never know what you might find.

15 May 2022

Archives of Michigan Holds Genealogy Seminar

Every July the Archives of Michigan hosts a great genealogical educational experience. The dates this year are Friday, and Saturday, July 8th and 9th.

The Barbara J. Brown Family History Seminar, co-sponsored with the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan Genealogical Council, will be a hybrid experience this year meaning it will be held virtually and in-person. Dr. David McDonald will be the featured speaker this year. Dr. McDonald's presentations include:

  • Polly's Family: From New England to the Plains & Beyond
  • Lutherpalians & Presbygationalists: Where Did Grandma's Census Church Go? 
  • Research in the Old Northwest Territory
Dr. McDonald is a certified genealogist (CG) with more than 45 years of research experience. He has taught at both institutes, SLIG and GRIP, as well as numerous national conferences. Dr. McDonald's complete bio can be found here.

Other speakers and their topics include
  • Annakathryn Welch, Archive of Michigan-Anatomy of Coroners Records 
  • Daniel Earl, Professional researcher-Ancestors in Context: Putting History in Your Family History
  • Kris Rzepczynski, Archives of Michigan-Discoveries in the 1950 Census 
  • Judy Nimer Muhn, Professional researcher-No Dead Ends: Finding Your Way Through Family Roadblocks
  • Jessica Trotter, Researcher and Blogger-Occupational Records: Finding Work Related Paper Trails
  • Chelsea Heisler, Librarian at Marshall (MI) District Library-Bringing History to Life: Engaging with Your Community through Local History and Family Stories
  • Matt Pacer, Library of Michigan-Library of Congress Digital Collections for Michigan Researchers
And if that is not enough attendees will be treated to an Archives of Michigan tour with Mark Harvey, State Archivist.

I bet you are asking how much this is going to cost. The cost for the two-day seminar with all the programs listed above is just $45, for either in-person or virtual! I will be going, will you?

For more information, including registration, go to either the Michigan Genealogical Council's website or the Barbara J. Brown Family History Seminar page at the Michigan.gov website. Registration deadline is July 6.

Obituary of Albert Guhse

FORMER LOCAL MAN IS DEAD

Albert Guhse, former Manistee resident, died Friday evening at the American Legion hospital in Battle Creek.  He was 52 years old.

Mr. Guhse was born in Manistee on May 26, 1892.  When he was about 25 he left to make his home in Ludington.  Later returning to Manistee to work as a plumber for the firm of Lloyd & Smith before moving to Bay City.  He had been confined in the hospital for the last year.  

Surviving are two children, Irene and Gilbert.

The body was brought here this noon and funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Bradford funeral home.  Burial will be in Oak Grove cemetery.

Source: Manistee News Advocate, (Manistee, Michigan), 1 May 1944, page 3; column 7 & 8, microfilm owned by; Library of Michigan, Lansing, Michigan.

My notes about the obituary. The obituary was published in the Manistee News Advocate, Manistee, Michigan. Albert Guhse died in Battle Creek, Michigan. Prior to his illness he lived in Bay City, Michigan.

He died at the American Legion Hospital of tuberculosis. The American Legion Hospital was originally the Roosevelt Community Center. It was built during World War I at Camp Custer, now Fort Custer. In 1921, it became the American Legion Hospital serving mostly tuberculosis patients. It has since been torn down. An article about the hospital can be found here.

The body was brought to Manistee and burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Manistee, Michigan.

13 May 2022

Where is the French Heritage Corridor?


Credit: Wikipedia Commons-Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Did you know that a French Heritage Corridor (FHC) is being developed? I learned about the FHC in the Spring 2022 Edition of the Michigan Genealogical Council Newsletter. The newsletter is available on the front page of the MGC's website and is free for anyone to view. The article about the French Heritage Corridor is on page 12.

The French Heritage Corridor is a creation of the French Heritage Society (FHS) Chicago Chapter. According to their website, "the mission of the non-profit FHS is to promote l’amitié between the United States and France; to raise funds for restoration projects in France and the United States; and to provide educational exchange and internship opportunities for university students in France and the U.S." 

The Chicago chapter's emphasis is on the following Midwest states-Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The FHC initiative will focus on these states as well.

Michigan will be part of this initiative and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this project. Seven Michigan organizations have expressed an interest in the project. Hopefully, more Michigan organizations will come on board as more is learned about the FHC. The seven organizations are:

 Alliance Française de Kalamazoo French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan

 Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project

 Joseph L. Peyser Endowment for the Study of New France

 Mackinac State Historic Parks 

 Monroe County Museum System 

 Niles History Center (Fort St. Joseph Museum)

 River Raisin National Battlefield Park

French Canadian ancestry is a big part of Michigan's history. The French Heritage Corridor will celebrate this history for all to explore.

If you would like more information, check out the following:

1. Michigan Genealogical Council Spring 2022 Newsletter

2. Kankakee Daily Journal

3. French Canadian Heritage Corridor .pdf


01 May 2022

My May Ancestor's Celebrations


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The first of the month is a good time to share anniversaries of births and marriages from my family tree. Below is the list of people and their anniversaries. No living people are included in my list.

1 May 1666

Aaron ROWLEY (356)

1 May 1787

Jacob MAUST (235)

1 May 1822

Elizabeth MAUST (200)

1 May 1830

Samuel J. LIVENGOOD (192)

2 May 1917

Donald Leroy GRAF (105)

3 May 1710

Seth BEAL (312)

4 May 1917

Mary Louise FENN (105)

6 May 1660

Hannah POOR (362)

6 May 1858

Mary MAY (164)

6 May 1883

Harry GLOVER (139)

6 May 1924

Margaret May KLINGELSMITH (98)

8 May 1823

David Samuel MAST (199)

8 May 1875

Johann August FREDRICK and Louise Fredrike ZASTROW (147)

8 May 1938

Carl Henry TRITTEN and Kathryn Louise FREDRICK (84)

10 May 1691

John MAYO (331)

10 May 1728

Simeon ROWLEY (294)

10 May 1864

Christina Sophia WATT (158)

10 May 1866

James F. SHAW and Estella J. FENN (156)

10 May 1910

John Richard WATT and Agnes Pauline ANDERSON (112)

11 May 1606

Constance HOPKINS (416)

11 May 1923

Hilda Marie GRAF (99)

12 May 1882

Frank H. GLOVER and Hattie Lodema FENN (140)

13 May 1604

Elizabeth HOPKINS (418)

13 May 1836

Samuel Stillman GLOVER Jr (186)

14 May 1667

Hans Georg ARTZ (355)

14 May 1697

Matthias PUFFER and Mary SPURR (325)

14 May 1730

Rev. Peter LIVENGOOD (292)

14 May 1779

Johann Peter GRAF (243)

15 May 1866

Louis Baird GLOVER (156)

16 May 1881

Sophia WATT (141)

16 May 1883

David WATT and Catherine MCGEE (139)

17 May 1770

Elizabeth STEWART (252)

17 May 1941

Claude Raymond GLOVER and Edythe Sarasin BOOKER (81)

18 May 1600

Peter MAST (422)

18 May 1827

Sarah Salisbury GLOVER (195)

19 May 1680

Hannah MILBOURN (342)

19 May 1864

Mary Jane GLOVER (158)

19 May 1934

Leslie KASKINEN (88)

20 May 1763

Joseph MAUST (259)

20 May 1783

Ann Matelda Nancy BOWLES (239)

20 May 1864

Anna B. YUNGBLUTH (158)

20 May 1871

Sarah Winnifred GLOVER (151)

20 May 1925

Richard Lewis FREDRICK (97)

21 May 1632

Ralph SHEPARD and Thankslord PERKINS (390)

21 May 1684

Edward CLARK (338)

21 May 1702

Abigail CLARK (320)

21 May 1840

Vinera Josephine GLOVER (182)

21 May 1908

Dorothy June WEBER (114)

21 May 1931

Jack TRITTEN (91)

22 May 1881

Jacob GRAF and Sarah Catherine LARRISON (141)

22 May 1899

Jean GIBSON (123)

23 May 1667

Stephen HOPKINS and Mary MERRICK (355)

23 May 1924

Wayne Everett JOHNSON (98)

23 May 1962

Gregory Todd FREDRICK (60)

24 May 1801

John Christian LIVENGOOD (221)

24 May 1835

Richard Mackey WAMSLEY (187)

25 May 1837

Daniel W. GLOVER (185)

26 May 1840

Heinrich "Henry" GRAF (182)

26 May 1892

Albert GUHSE (130)

26 May 1915

Fred TRITTEN (107)

28 May 1954

Norman KURTH (68)

30 May 1923

Infant Son KLINGELSMITH (99)

31 May 1701

Nathan CLARK and Jemima JEWITT (321)

31 May 1781

Paul PIXLEY and Sylvia PHILIPPS (241)

31 May 1788

William Augustus BEGOLE (234)

31 May 1801

Amelia "Milla" GLOVER (221)

31 May 1801

Polly "Mary" GLOVER (221)

31 May 1921

Rachel Leona KLINGELSMITH (101)