Genealogy Clues in Susanna Koenig Fredrich’s Death Certificate

 

Source: Susana Fredrich, death certificate (digitized copy) Number 858 (5 December 1905, stamped), Michigan, Department of State-Division of Vital Statistics, Archives of Michigan, 702 W Kalamazoo St, Lansing, MI 48915, at Michiganology.org Accessed 8 March 2025

Susanna Fredrich (née Koenig), my second great-grandmother, left behind a death certificate filled with clues that helped me learn more about her life and connect her to other family members.

Every family history researcher should know what clues to look for in a death certificate. However, the information is only as accurate as the person providing it. In this case, the informant was Susanna’s son-in-law, August Guhse, who was married to Ottilie Fredrich.

Here are some key details from Susanna’s death certificate and how they contributed to my research:

1. Full Name and Variations: Susana Fredrich

The name listed on a death certificate may include middle names, initials, or alternate spellings. Comparing it with other records can confirm identities and reveal new leads. I have found Susanna’s name spelled as Susana, Susan, and Suzanna. I have chosen to use Susanna, as found on her baptismal record.

2. Date and Place of Death: November 4, 1906, at 187 Lincoln, 1st Ward, Manistee, Michigan

This information helps locate obituaries, cemetery records, and probate files, which may provide more details about the deceased’s family and final years.

I found Susanna’s obituary in the Manistee Daily News on November 4, 1906, at the Manistee Public Library. The obituary states she died at the home of her daughter, Ottilie Fredrich Guhse. I haven't looked for her probate file.

3. Birth Date and Place: December 28, 1808, in Germany

Birth details can lead to earlier records such as birth certificates, church records, or census entries, helping track an ancestor’s early life.

I have found Susanna’s baptismal record, census records, and immigration papers. Her baptismal record states:

"Entry of birth of Susanna Koenig, birth and baptism on January 4, 1810, in the afternoon at half past two, in Wolfhals. The inhabitant Friedrich Koenig and his wife, Catharine (born Burger), had a daughter who was baptized Susanna."

This suggests a discrepancy between her reported birth year and the actual record.

4. Parents’ Names and Birthplaces: King (Koenig) and Unknown in Germany

Parents' names are crucial for identifying previous generations. Be sure to check maiden names, as they can open doors to new family branches.

The death certificate lists her father as "King" from Germany and her mother as "Unknown." Her baptismal record provides both parents’ names: Friedrich Koenig and Catharine (born Burger).

5. Spouse’s Name: Not Stated

A spouse’s name can confirm marriage records, track family movements, and lead to additional documents like census records and wills.

The certificate states that Susanna was widowed, but it does not list her husband's name. Further research shows that Susanna Koenig married Christoph Fredrich.

6. Cause of Death: Senile Debility

While cause of death is primarily a medical detail, it can hint at hereditary health conditions and lead to medical records for further insight.

Susanna’s cause of death was listed as senile debility, not surprising at the age of 96. Imagine the life she witnessed: born in 1810, she lived through nearly a century of changes before passing in 1906.

7. Informant’s Name and Relationship: August Guhse

The informant is often a close relative, which helps verify family connections and can lead to further research into their lineage.

Susanna’s informant was August Guhse, her son-in-law, who was married to her daughter Ottilie Fredrich Guhse.

8. Place of Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Manistee

Cemetery records provide additional clues. Visiting the grave or checking burial records may reveal other family members buried nearby.

Oak Grove Cemetery in Manistee, Michigan, does not have a record of her interment. Find a Grave does not list a Susanna Fredrich or Koenig or King buried in Manistee County. Despite this, her obituary confirms that she was buried in Oak Grove.

Obituary (Manistee Daily News, November 4, 1906):

"Mrs. Susanna Fredrich, a widow, died today at the home of her daughter, Mrs. August Guhse, 187 Lincoln Street, at the age of 97 years and 10 months. She leaves other daughters, Mrs. Engelhuber, Mrs. John Zobel, and Mrs. Radtke, and one son. The funeral will be held at the Guhse home Wednesday at 2 p.m., with burial at Oak Grove."

Further research into her burial location could involve checking funeral home records or a burial permit.

9. Occupation: None

An ancestor’s occupation can lead to employment records, union records, or historical context about their trade.

I have never found a record indicating that Susanna worked outside the home.

10. Address at Time of Death: Not Stated

Knowing where an ancestor lived can direct research to local archives, newspapers, and city directories for further insights into their daily life.

Although the death certificate does not specify where Susanna lived at the time of her death, one can infer she was living at 187 Lincoln Street with her daughter, Ottilie Guhse.

The 1900 U.S. Census lists her living with the Guhse family at 185 Lincoln Street, Manistee. Checking Manistee City Directories from 1900-1906 could clarify whether the two addresses were the same or if one record contained an error. A quick Zillow search shows that 187 Lincoln was built in 1900, meaning both addresses could be correct.

Final Thoughts

Susanna Fredrich’s death certificate provided numerous clues about her life. While some details raised new questions, such as her burial location, it confirmed important connections and led to further research opportunities. Death certificates are powerful tools in genealogy, when cross-referenced with other records, they can eliminate doubt in your research. 

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.

WWI Draft Registration of Albert Guhse

 

Source: Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. Entry for Albert August Guhse.

Albert August Guhse, the son of August Guhse and Ottilie Fredrich, is my first cousin, twice removed. He was living in Ludington, Michigan at the time of his WWI registration.

Some of the facts about Albert Guhse includes being a plumber for the Ludington Plumber Company, being a Private in the Infantry of the Michigan National Guard, and he was blind in his right eye.

Wedding Wednesday: August Guhse and Ottilie Fredrich

Source: "Michigan Marriages 1868-1925," index and images, , Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/ : accessed 5 February 2011), 

Marriage Record number 537 for Otilie Frederick and Augustus J. Gau 

During the early days of Manistee, Michigan my ancestor, Ottilie Fredrich, married August Guhse on 28 October 1873, just a little over one year from when Ottilie immigrated to the United States.

The record which can be found at Family Search under Marriages, 1868-1925, record number 537, shows Augustus J. Gau and Otilie Frederick marrying in Manistee.  They are both age 22 and born in Germany.  He is a laborer.  They were married by Herman Lemke, Minister.  Witnesses were August Frederick and Emilie Guse, both of Manistee.

Further research shows that Herman Lemke was the minister of the German Lutheran Church, now Trinity Lutheran Church, in Manistee.  One of the witnesses was August Fredrick (correct spelling).  August, my maternal great grandfather, was the brother of Ottilie.  Their parents were Christoph Fredrich and Susanna Koenig.

An interesting side note to this record page is if you look underneath their marriage record for record numbers 538 and 539 you will see those couples were married by a Justice of the Peace, S.S. Glover.  My Samuel Stillman Glover Jr, my paternal second great grandfather.  I find it amazing when I see these coincidences.  I wonder if the families knew each other.  Although, my parents met seventy seven years later in Manistee county, the Glover family didn't live in Manistee county after the early 1900's.  The Fredrick's family did and still does today.  This is why I love genealogy, you just never know what you will uncover.

Sunday's Obituary: August Guhse

August Guhse was born 23 July 1850 in Schoenberg, Prussia. He was a prominent businessman in Manistee.

August Guhse married Ottilie Fredrich, the daughter of my second great grandfather and grandmother, Christoph Fredrich and Susanna Koenig.  They married 28 October 1873 in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.

August Guhse died 4 November 1923 in Manistee.  His death was just one week after he celebrated his 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Manistee News Advocate-Manistee Daily Advocate, 5 November 1923, page 3; column 2, microfilm owned by Manistee Public Library, Manistee, Michigan.

Transcription: 

August Guhse, Pioneer, Dies
Couple Celebrated Golden Wedding A Week Ago

August Guhse, 73, died Sunday morning at 10:45 o'clock at his home on 184 Lincoln street from stomach trouble.

A week ago last Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Guhse celebrated their golden wedding at the First street German Lutheran church and the following Tuesday Mr. Guhse was taken sick.  Until then he had enjoyed good health.  His death was unexpected.

Mr. Guhse has lived in Manistee for 51 years and used to run a grocery store on Washington street, where Piotrowski's store is now, for a number of years, but of late he has not been doing anything.

Mr. Guhse is survived by his widow and five children, Otto of Grand Rapids, Albert of Ludington, Mr. D.J. Champeau of Ionia, Mrs. William Hamlin of Grand Rapids, and Miss Ella Guhse at home.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the home and at 2 o'clock from the German Lutheran church on Fifth Street, Rev Kline officiating.  Burial will be in Oak Grove cemetery.

Sunday's Obituary: Ottilie Fredrich Guhse

Source:  Manistee News Advocate-Manistee Daily Advocate, (Manistee, Manistee, Michigan), 24 February 1933, page 3; column 6, microfilm owned by Manistee Public Library; Manistee County Historical Museum, Manistee, Michigan.

Transcription:

Mrs. A. Guhse,
Former Local Resident, Dies

Mrs. August Guhse, 80, until three years ago a resident of this city, died yesterday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Hanlin at Grand Rapids, never recovering from a paralytic stroke suffered Sunday.

She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Hanlin, Mrs. Daniel Campau, Ionia, and Miss Alma guhse of Grand Rapids; two sons, Otto Guhse, Grand Rapids, Albert Guhse of Ludington, and several nephews and nieces in Manistee.  Her husband died six years ago.

The body will be brought to the Bradford funeral home and the funeral will be held at the Fifth street German Lutheran church tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.  Rev. Klein officiating.  Burial will be in Oak Grove cemetery.

Mrs. August Guhse is Ottilie (Fredrich) Guhse, the daughter of Christoph Fredrich and Susanna Koenig.  She was born July of 1851 in Prussia.  She immigrated to the United States in 1872 with her mother and sister, Amalia.  Ottilie Fredrich married August Guhse on 28 October 1873 in Manistee, Manistee, Michigan.  Ottilie and August had five children, Otto, Emma, Mary, Alma and Albert.

Researching Sisters Leads to Finding Great Great Grandmother

J. August Fredrick is my maternal great grandfather who immigrated to the United States around 1871.  No one knows a lot about his family and he has been a source of frustration for me.  Since I wasn't getting anywhere with him, I decided to research his sisters.  I knew he had three sisters who came to the United States because they were listed in his obituary.  I was hoping to find information that would lead me to what part of Prussia J. August was from.  I found a little more than I thought I would! 

Source:  The Pioneer Press, (Bear Lake, Michigan), 1 February 1924, front page, column 3, copy of newspaper from Manistee County Historical Museum, Manistee, Michigan.

He had three sisters, Mrs. John Zobel, Mrs. August Guske and Mrs. Leo Engelhuber, listed in his obituary.

Source:  1880 U.S. Census, , population schedule, Ward 3rd and 4th, enumeration district (ED) 165, p9, dwelling 70, August Guhse; digital images, ancestry.com (: accessed 13 April 2011)

I hit a genealogical jackpot when I searched the 1880 Manistee, Michigan census for the Guske family.  I found the August Guhse family (August, Ottilie, Otto, Emma and Mary) listed.  In addition, there was a mother-in-law, Susan King, listed.  A mother-in-law, I did a double take!  Had I found my great great grandmother?  I was cautious as I had seen mother-in-law listed before on a Glover census record and it wasn't true, but I was excited anyway. 

Source:  1900 U.S. Census, , population schedule, Ward 1; Manistee, Manistee, Michigan, enumeration district (ED) 31, p 2A, dwelling 13, Head of household Aug Guhse; digital images, ancestry.com (: accessed 6 February 2011).

I continued my census searching and found the Guhse family in the 1900 Census for Manistee, Michigan.  This time the August Guhse family included August, Otella, Otto, Emma, Mary, Alma, Albert AND Susie Frederick.  Susie Frederick was listed as grandmother this time.  I was excited!

No one in the family is going to believe that J. August Fredrick's mother was living in Manistee, Michigan.  They don't think she came to the United States, let alone immigrated here.  I figured if I was going to convince them I better do a little more digging.

Source:  Susanna Fredrich; Scandinavian passenger manifest, 21 October 1872, 107; in Canadian Passenger Lists, 1865-1935; C-4511 to C-4542 (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Library and Archives Canada), Roll C-4527.

The next document I found was a passenger list for Susanna Fredrich, Amelia Fredrich, and Otelia Fredrich.  They traveled from the port of Liverpool, England; Londenderry, Ireland to Quebec arriving 21 October 1872.  Manistee, Michigan was listed as their destination to which ticketed.

Michigan Deaths and Burials, 1800-1995 at familysearch.org has a record of Susana Fredrick's death.  She died 4 Nov 1906 in Manistee, Michigan.  Her father's name is listed as King.  So, I believe when the 1880 Census was taken she was listed as Susan King for some reason.  She did not read, write or speak English and this may have contributed to the information listed. 

Source:  Manistee Daily News, (Manistee, Michigan), 4 November 1906, microfilm owned by Manistee Public Library, Manistee, Michigan; and Manistee County Historical Museum, Manistee, Michigan.

The last piece of information I have discovered, so far, is a short obituary from the Manistee Daily News stating she died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. August Guhse.  The paper lists her survivors as daughters, Mrs. Engelhuber, Mrs. John Zobel, Mrs. Radtke, and one son.  The one son is J. August Fredrick, I wonder why he wasn't listed by name.  He lived about 20 miles from Manistee in Brethren, Michigan.  Mrs. Radtke was actually her oldest granddaughter, Albertina Zobel.
 
I think this shows the importance of researching brothers and sisters of your ancestors.  I never thought I would find my great, great grandmother in a United States census, but I did.  I was just looking for more information in the 'hopes' it would lead me to new records.  I ended up with a new ancestor instead.  I now have more records to search (naturalization records).  Plus, I have news to share with the family.

Selling Groceries and Feed in 1883: Those Places Thursday

143-149 Washington Street, Manistee, Michigan (April, 2011)

My great uncle, August Guhse, owned a grocery and feed store at 147-149 Washington Street in Manistee, Michigan. (the left end of the building seen above)  He started his business in 1883 at this location.  August Guhse started his career as a clerk for Henry Mau at a store on River Street, in Manistee.  Next, he worked for Joseph Baur on River Street.  In 1883, August Guhse and Joseph Baur became partners at the Washington Street building, under the firm name of Baur and Guhse.  When Joseph Baur died, August Guhse became sole proprietor.  The store carried a complete line of groceries and provisions, hay, flour and feed.  

 

The building can be found on the corner of Washington Street and Lincoln St. (it's currently for sale).  This was just a short walk for August as he and his family lived behind the store on Lincoln Street. 

August Guhse was born in Germany in 1850.  He married Ottilie Fredrich on 28 October 1873, in Manistee, Michigan.  August Guhse and Ottilie Fredrich had five children; Otto, Mary, Emma, Alma and Albert.  August Guhse died 4 November 1923 in Manistee, Michigan.

Source:  The Salt City of the Inland Seas. Manistee, Michigan: Manistee Daily News, 1899.  (Available online here.)