Genealogy Is An Adventure

Author: Yvonne Scholz

  • Every Photo Deserves A Home Charles Kays & Almina Whitworth

    The holidays are approaching fast, so I am trying to reunite more photos with descendants. I found this couple at the Antique Trove in Roseville, California.

    This photo is of Charles Kays and his bride Almena Whitworth, probably taken on their wedding day, 28 March 1899, in Genesee, Idaho. I found the date in the Western States Marriage index on ancestry. The index itself is available for free here.

    Charles was born in Kansas and Almena in Alabama. In the 1900 Census, the couple lived together with her parents in Moscow, Idaho. By 1910 Charles and Almena had moved to Brawley, California and had three children by the names of Byron 9, Shirley 3 and Katherine 1 years old. In 1920 the family lived in Los Angeles, California together with four children. The youngest one, Virginia was born in 1911.

    The oldest child, Byron, was married by 1930 and lived in Los Angeles with his wife Marion. The 1940 Census shows one child, Barbara 7 years old. Byron’s Father, died suddenly in 1945 of a heart attack.

    Chino Champion

    Chino, California • Fri, Jan 19, 1945Page 1

    The obituary mentioned Byron, his sister Mrs. Edward Hays, Mrs. C.S. Connors and the youngest sibling Charles all living in the Los Angeles area. No mention of Byron’s mother. She must have died earlier.

    Byron’s only daughter, Barbara was born in 1933. I have not been able to find much more information about her, plus I do try to protect the privacy of descendants.

    Byron’s younger brother Charles Shirley Kays was born in 1907 in Arizona and died 1971 in Eureka, California. He was married twice. I found one daughter on Find A Grave.

    Byron’s sister Catherine Victoria was born 1908 in Oregon and died 1962 in California. I found her and her husband Edward Hays in the 1940 and 1950 Census with no children.

    The youngest sibling Almina Victoria was born 1910 in California. She died young just liker her sister in 1964. She was married to Cornelius Connors. I found one son in the 1950 census.

    I have found a few online family trees which I will contact first to see if they are interested in the photo.

    I have been successful with my first two attempts of trying to return photos.

    Every Photo Deservers A Home Minnie & Rose Middlebrook

    I wrote about three sisters a few months ago.

    Have you ever had the privilege of returning a photo or other mementos to strangers rather than your own family?

    Please leave comment below!

    Thank you for reading my blog and I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving which we are celebrating this Thursday here in the United States.

  • Every Photo Deservers A Home Minnie & Rose Middlebrook

    A few months ago I started a new series within my blog to find descendants for orphaned photos I find at antique malls, flea markets and thrift stores. The first one about photos of three sisters in July was successful. You can read about it here.

    Today I am trying to find a home for the siblings Minnie and Rose Middlebrook.

    The picture was taken in Galesburg, Illinois.

    The 1880 Census shows the sisters and their family living in North Henderson, Mercer County, Illinois.

    Their parents Frederick and Elizabeth, 47 and 46 years old, were born in England. Their older sister, Harriet 18 years old, was also born in England. Brother George, 9 years old, was born in the state of New York. Rosa, 4 years old and her sister Minnie 7.5 months old, were both born in Illinois. Their nephew, Marvin, was 1 year old. We now have the birth years for the sisters. Rosa was born in 1876 and Minnie in 1879.

    Rosa married Thomas J Wallace 14 January 1897 in the United Presbyterian Church, in Clayton, Illinois.

    In the 1900 census, Rose and Thomas lived in Clayton together with their 3 months old daughter, Minnie. In the 1910 census they live together on a farm in Council Grove, Oklahoma with their children Edo Minnie 10, Edward 9, and Shannon 6 years old. In the 1920 Census the family lives together in Garber, Garfield, Oklahoma. The children being 20, 19 and 16 years old.

    Starting with the oldest, Edo Minnie, she married G H Barnes in 1920 in Enid, Oklahoma.

    In the 1930 Census, Harold and Minnie Wallace, live together with their three children, Lulu R 8 and Edo 5 years old, in Cameron, Texas. Harold works for a service station. In 1940 the family lived still together in the same town. Lula Rose was 18 and Edo May 15 years old.

    Lula Rose married Otis Schleyer, 5 March 1944 in Kilgore, Texas. The newspaper had announced their wedding.

    Source: The Austin American

    Austin, Texas · Tuesday, March 14, 1944

    Lula Rose had at least 2 children and one grandchild.

    Edo May, Lulu’s sister was born 1925 in Oklahoma. She married twice, had one son, one adopted son and step children.

    Rosa Middlebrook’s second child, Edward George Wallace was born 1901 in Illinois and died 1963 in Brownsville Texas. He was married, had two sons, two daughters and 12 grandchildren. I found his obituary online as well as his death certificate.

    Source: Valley Morning Star

    Harlingen, Texas · Tuesday, July 02, 1963

    The youngest child of Rosa Middlebrook, Thomas Shannon Wallace, was born 1906 in Missouri. He married Ruth Bryant in 1940 in Oklahoma, Texas.

    The couple had at least two daughters. One them got married, however I don’t know if they had children.

    Now let’s take a look if I can find descendants of Minnie Middlebrook. She married Edward C Smith 15 February 1899 in Mercer County, Illinois. In the 1910 Census, the couple lived in Avena, Fayette, Illinois with their two children George E Smith 8 and Gladys 6 years old.

    I found George’s obituary from 1970. He married Bessie Shirkey 22 June 1921 in Libertry, Indiana. They had a daughter named Janet who married Chris Schweiger. They had three children.

    The Belleville News-Democrat

    Belleville, Illinois • Wed, Feb 18, 1970Page 2

    George’s sister Gladys was born 21 January 1904 in Illinois and married Harry Nicholson 3 February 1923 in Indiana. I found her obituary as well. Gladys died in 1983. They had three daughters, Juanita, Alice and Opal, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

    Palladium-Item

    Richmond, Indiana • Wed, Oct 5, 1983Page 8

    Minnie and Rose Middlebrook both have lots of descendants. Hopefully I will make contact with one of them soon, so the girls can be returned to their family.

    Have you ever returned old photos or other mementos to strangers?

    Please leave a comment below!

  • St. Martin’s Day

    In Düsseldorf, Germany where I grew we celebrated St. Martin’s Day on November 11th. Every year in elementary school we mad lanterns for the parade. A tea light was used for illumination.

    When it started to get dark, we met in the school yard with our lanterns. St Martin on his white horse and with his red cloak led the parade through the part of the city where I lived. The band played music and we sang St. Martin songs. The most famous one was: “Ich geh mit meiner Laterne und meine Laterne mit mir”. Translation: “I walk with my lantern and my lantern with me”. At the end of the parade we returned to the school yard and St Martin would share part of his cloak with a beggar.

    After the parade we children would go from store to store and receive candy and other goodies. The bakeries would give out Weckmänner.

    It’s a sweet bread with raisins and a pipe. After eating it we would pretend to smoke the pipe.

    Martin was a roman soldier in the fourth century who shared his cloak with a freezing beggar. According to legend, that night he had a dream in which Jesus Christ appeared and carried half of his cloak. This prompted him to become a soldier and later a bishop in Tours, where he became known for his charity and humble lifestyle.

    Martin was born in Hungary around 316 AD and served as a Roman soldier. He was 17 years old when he performed the famous deed.

    One cold winter day, he encountered a freezing beggar outside the gates of Amiens. Having only his sword and cloak, he cut the cloak in half and gave one half to the man to save him from the cold.

    During the night, Christ appeared to him in a dream, wearing half the cloak, and told him that with his act he had clothed Christ himself.

    After this experience, Martin was baptized and left the army. He later became a monk and founded the first monastery in Europe.

    Although he initially hid from the office, he was consecrated Bishop of Tours. Even as a bishop he lived very modestly and dedicated himself to the poor and needy.

    He died November 8, 397 and was burred on November 11. To this day, he his venerated as a saint and on St. Martin’s Day he is commemorated with lantern parades and roast goose.

    Did you celebrate St. Martin as a child?

    Please leave a comment and/or subscribe!

  • Mary Anne Sinclair Frost’s Unsual Family

    Mary Anne Sinclair was born 11 October 1837 in Cape Town, South Africa. She was the daughter of Thomas Kenneth Sinclair and Maria Magdalena Weingartz. She was also the granddaughter of my distant cousin, Adamus Paulus Weingartz, who immigrated to South Africa, from Düsseldorf, Prussia via the the Netherlands in 1787. I blogged about Adamus a while ago. You can read about him here.

    Mary Anne married Frederik Dunch Frost 12 October 1855 in Cape Town, South Africa. Frederik was born 22 June 1828 in Stepney, England. The couple had their first child, Frederik James, on 31 July 1857 in Capetown. He was baptized 28 August 1857 in St. Georges Church in the same town. I have no further information on Frederik, he might have died very young.

    The young family then left South Africa and went to England. Their second child, Sara Perry Frost was born 30 November 1858 at sea. In the 1861 England Census we find Sara and her parents in Middlesex. No sign of her brother Frederik. The father’s profession was mariner or sailor.

    Sara stayed single her whole life. I found her in the 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 Census. She never married and she never worked. May she inherited some money. Sara died in January 1938.

    Sara’s sister Mary Magdalena Frost was born 18 June 1860 in Shadwell, London. I also found Mary in several censuses in England and she never married. In fact I found her living together with Sara and a younger, sister, Alice Mary Frost in 1921. Alice Mary also never married.

    Mary died April 1935 in Conway, Wales. So, why did the sisters not get married?

    The fourth child, Angelina Anna Frost was born circa 1862 and you guessed it, was also a spinster. She died in March 1900. What is going on in this family?

    The fifth child, Alice Mary Frost, was born 1863 in Islington, London and died in July 1939 in Surrey, England. I already mentioned her earlier, living together with her other unmarried sisters. We know have four sisters, all unmarried. Let’s take a look at the rest of the siblings.

    The sixth child, Frederick James John Frost was born in 1866. He left England and immigrated to Ohio, USA in 1892. He married Gertrude Mae Walker 11 October 1899 in Trumbull, Ohio. The couple had three children, Florence, Dorothy and Frederick Theodore. Frederick James died 13 August 1936 in Youngstown, Ohio and Gertrude died 27 January 1948 in Warren, Ohio. Their children Dorothy and Frederick both married. I couldn’t find a marriage or death date for Florence.

    The seventh child, Ada Frost, was baptized 31 May 1867 in Surrey, England. I did find her in the 1891 and 1901 England censuses. I couldn’t find anything specific after the 1901 census.

    The eighth child, Henry James Frost was baptized 20 September 1868 and died in October 1952 in Surrey, England. I did not find a marriage for him.

    The ninth child, Claud Frost, was baptized 10 April 1873 in Surrey. He married Rose Mabel Ledbrook 3 September 1902 in Saint Mark, England. They had three children together, Barbara, Evelyn and Phillip. I haven’t been able to find any marriages for them.

    The tenth child, Elsie Maude Frost, was baptized 22 January 1875 in Lambeth, England. I found her in the 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 England censuses plus in the 1939 England and Wales Register. Yes, you guessed it, she was not married either.

    The eleventh child, Albert George Frost, was born circa 1876. He immigrated to Australia and married Madeleine Henrietta Bode 7 April 1899 in Queensland, Australia. The couple had three children, Horace, Vivian and Adrian.

    The twelfth child, Horace Frost, was baptized 24 August 1877. I was able to find him in census records. In 1911 he lived together with his sisters, Sara and Elsie Frost. I have no specific dates for him after that.

    The last child, Leslie Howard Frost, was born in 1879 and died in 1880

    This family is mind boggling. None of the girls go married! Two of the boys went to America and Australia respectively. One stayed in England.

    Have you ever encountered such a family in your research? Leave a comment below.

  • Cemeteries

    Just last week we visited another cemetery. We were supposed to go to Point Loma, however due to the federal government shut down it was closed. Instead we decided to stop by Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. It is a federal military cemetery in San Diego with some of the same views you can see from Point Loma.

    When I took the pictures I didn’t realize that the graves all faced the San Diego bay. It is a beautiful and peaceful place with lots of sunshine and probably a lot of fog at times.

    The cemetery is located on 75 acres and has more than 120,000 interments. It’s the final resting place for military personal since 1846. The gold rush didn’t start until 1849 and California became a state in 1850.

    In September I went to the famous Virginia City Cemetery in Nevada. It felt like I travelled back in time. The cemetery is located on a huge hill and grouped by professions and religions, goes on forever. Most of the people buried there, were born in other countries. I found many graves of Germans, British and Irish descent.

    The cemetery was established in the 1860’s and about 5000 people are buried here. If you walk the cemetery, bring water and sun screen. Good walking shoes are preferred. Best time to visit is October.

    In June we went to the Carmel Mission in California. I took one picture of the cemetery.

    How many people are buried here, is unknown. The cemetery was established in 1771.

    Last year in September we went to two cemeteries in Europe. The first one was in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.

    Lauterbrunnen cemetery is nestled in the beautiful Swiss mountains with a view of the famous waterfalls.

    We also visited Berchtesgarden cemetery in Germany.

    This cemetery is nestled in the beautiful Bavarian Alps.

    Please note that every picture was taken by me.

    If you liked reading this article, please leave a comment and/or subscribe. Thank you!

  • Distant Cousins

    We all grow up with first cousins if we are lucky enough. I grew up with several of them living close by in Düsseldorf and a couple who lived near Munich. Even though the Munich cousins were far away, I still got to see them at least once or twice a year.

    When I grew up, I never even heard of the term, distant cousin. No one talked about the family history. My Oma, Adelheid Sevenich, had several siblings whom I never really met, except for one great aunt, named Tante (aunt) Grete.

    I do have a picture of Oma and her siblings and her parents from the 1920’s.

    Oma is the pretty lady in the middle standing behind her parents.

    My Oma and all her siblings lived in Düsseldorf-Heerdt all their lives, except for her sister Sibilla who had moved to the Netherlands.

    In about 2011 I started to contact the Heerdter Bürgerverein (Heerdter Citizens’ Association) via messenger on Facebook. I did this several time to gather information about Heerdt and my extended family. I am sure they got tired of me and low and behold a second cousin, named Gabi, contacted me. Gabi’s grandfather, Jakob, and my Oma were siblings.

    Jakob Sevenich circa 1920’s

    Cousin Gabi and I met in Germany in 2018. She is on left side.

    Gabi then proceeded to tell me about a third cousins, Annemarie, who still lives in Heerdt. Annemarie’s grandfather was Gerhard Sevenich

    who was the brother to our great grandfather Franz Sevenich.

    Sevenich Family early 1900’s

    Gerhard Sevenich is sitting on the left side, next to 2x Great Grandfather, Johann Sevenich and Franz is sitting next to 2x Great Grandmother, Josephine Gröbbels Sevenich.

    Another 3rd cousin, Ursula, contacted me. She is the descendant of Adelheid or Adele Sevenich, who is standing behind Gerhard on the left side.

    Adelheid Sevenich Lenzen 1871-1943 was also my Oma’s Adelheid Sevenich 1899-1982 godmother.

    Baptism entry for my Grandmother. All children were baptized in the Saint Benedict Church.

    Cousin Gabi and I found yet another second cousin, named Hermi, short for Hermine. Her grandmother was Anna Sevenich, who was the sister of Gabis grandfather, Jakob and my grandmother Adelheid.

    The Sevenich family came from Brachelen and migrated to Heerdt in about 1871. I do have one distant cousin named, Peter, whom I have contact with and who reads my blog on a regular basis. He has been able to help with our oldest Sevenich ancestor. Peter still lives in Brachelen and has send me some wonderful literature about the area. I love the way ancestry breaks down how we are exactly related.

    Peter Wilms 
    5th cousin 1x removed

    Karl Josef Wilms 1935-2016
    Father of Peter Wilms

    Helene Franziska Sofia Coenen 1903-1986
    Mother of Karl Josef Wilms

    Peter Johann Coenen 1875-1965
    Father of Helene Franziska Sofia Coenen

    Peter Jacob Coenen 1842-1927
    Father of Peter Johann Coenen

    Anna Barbara Gertrud Sevenich 1817-1883
    Mother of Peter Jacob Coenen

    Johann Jacobus Sevenich 1784-1865
    Father of Anna Barbara Gertrud Sevenich

    Johann Peter Sevenich 1751-1800
    Father of Johann Jacobus Sevenich

    Franz Sevenich 1797-1874
    Son of Johann Peter Sevenich

    Peter Johann Sevenich 1838-1910
    Son of Franz Sevenich

    Franz Sevenich 1870-1950
    Son of Peter Johann Sevenich

    Adelheid Katharina Sevenich 1899-1982
    Daughter of Franz Sevenich

    Katharina Josephine Schneider 1927-1982
    Daughter of Adelheid Katharina Sevenich

    Yvonne Katharina Krings
    You are the daughter of Katharina Josephine Schneider

    Finding my second, third and fifth cousins has been the highlight of my genealogical research. Distant family members don’t just have names, dates and locations, but they come alive.

    I want to thank my cousins, Gabi, Annemarie, Ursula, Hermi and Peter for helping with my research. They contributed names, articles, pictures and so much more. I am so happy that I found you!

    Have you made contact with any distant cousins? If yes, please leave a comment or subscribe!

  • Charles Burgess 1843-1928

    Charles was the son of Stephen T. Burgess and Elizabeth Bentley. He was born 2 September 1843 in Tomkinsville, Monroe County, Kentucky. Charles had three siblings, Sara, Plesent and Jessie. In the 1860 Census, Charles’s father was probably not alive.

    In 1864 Charles served in the Civil war as a private in company F, First Tennessee mounted infantry. U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles

    NameCharles M Burgess
    Enlistment Age18
    Birth Date2 Sep 1843
    Birth PlaceKentucky
    Enlistment Date8 Mar 1864
    Enlistment RankPrivate
    Muster Date21 Mar 1864
    Muster PlaceTennessee
    Muster CompanyF
    Muster Regiment1st Mtd Infantry
    Muster Regiment TypeInfantry
    Muster InformationEnlisted
    Muster Out Date22 Jul 1865
    Muster Out InformationMustered Out
    Side of WarUnion
    Survived War?Yes
    Last Known Residence PlaceStevens County, Washington
    Death Date26 Feb 1928
    Death PlaceHunters, Washington
    Burial PlaceHunters, Washington
    CemeteryGreenwood Cemetery
    Additional NotesWife: Rachael L.
    TitleIndex to Compiled Military Service Records; Civil War Veterans Buried in Stevens County by Roger W. May; Report of Adjutant General State of Tennessee

    Source: Ancestry.com

    Charles married his sweetheart, Rachel Williams, aka Rose, at Independence, Kansas, in 1866 according to his obituary, however the official date was in 1871.

    NameChas M Burggess
    GenderMale
    Age25
    Birth Dateabt 1846
    Marriage Date30 Jul 1871
    Marriage PlaceMontgomery, Kansas, USA
    SpouseRechael S Williams
    Film Number001404520

    Source: ancestry.com

    The couple had a large family:

    • 1. Rosetta, born 1866 in Kansas City, Kansas, died 1935 in Colfax, Washington. She was married to Thomas Adams and they had 4 children. Second marriage to Thomas Elliott, they had one child.
    • Stephen Henry born 1871 in Kansas, died 1940 in Spokane, Washington. He was married to Carrie Crook, they had 1 child. Second marriage to Anna Woodcock.
    • Ida born in 1875, no other information available
    • Loretta Rachel born 1876 in Iowa City, Iowa, died 1909 in Peach, Lincoln, Washington. She was married to William Lee Brannan and they had 4 children.
    • Anna born 1878 in Iowa, died 1936 in Hunters, Stevens County, Washington. She was married to Peter Wayne Heber, they had 3 children.
    • Mary Florence born 1880 in Iowa, died 1953 in Spokane, Washington. She was married to Charles Waters and they had 7 children.
    • Charles Andrew born 1882 in Iowa, died 1958 in Spokane, Washington. He was married to Mary Glasford Gildersleve and they had 4 children.
    • Edith Martha born 1885 in Springfield, Oregon, died 1928 in Colfax, Washington. She was married to Ed Hickman and they had 2 children.
    • Myrtle born 1890 in Stevens County, Washington, died 1963 in Spokane County, Washington. She was married to Arthur Owen and they had 3 children.
    • Robert born 1891 and died 1976 in Washington. He was married to Zelva Little and they 10 children.
    • Pearl born 1894 and died 1982 in Washington. She was married to Thomas Andrews Lantzy and hey had 2 children.

    In 1880, Charles and his family lived on a farm in Pottawattamie, Iowa. According to the federal census, Charles was illiterate. His parents supposedly were from Virginia and Tennessee.

    NameCharles M. Berges
    Age37
    Birth DateAbt 1843
    BirthplaceKentucky
    Home in 1880Waveland, Pottawattamie, Iowa, USA
    Dwelling Number192
    RaceWhite
    GenderMale
    Relation to Head of HouseSelf (Head)
    Marital StatusMarried
    Spouse’s NameRachel L. Berges
    Father’s BirthplaceVirginia
    Mother’s BirthplaceTennessee
    OccupationFarmer
    Cannot ReadY
    Cannot WriteY
    NameAge
    Charles M. Berges37
    Rachel L. Berges28
    Roseta Berges12
    Stephan H. Berges8
    Ida F. Berges5
    Rachel R. Berges4
    Anna Berges2
    Florence M. Berges4/12

    In 1884 Charles and his family settled in Roseburg. A year later, in 1885, my husband’s Great Grandmother, Edith was born.

    A photo of Edith Martha Burgess Hickman, taken a day after her wedding in 1906 in Washington.

    In 1890, Charles and his family settled in Gifford, Stevens County, Washington. The last child, Pearl, was born in that county in 1894.

    Charles died 26 February 1928 in Stevens County, Washington.

    Source: The Spokesman-Review

    Spokane, Washington • Sun, Feb 26, 1928Page 20

    His widow Rachel received his Civil War Pension.

    Source: Ancestry.com

    Charles’s death certificate poses more questions than answers.

    According to the informant on Charles’s death certificate, his parents Stephen Burgess and Elisabeth Bently were from Ireland. In the 1880 census Charles gave the locations as Virginia and Tennesee. The informant was one of his children. There is a lot of unknowns about Charles’s parents. There is more than one couple with the names Stephen Burgess and Elisabeth Bently who lived in the same vicinity in Kentucky. That makes it even more confusing. Looking at the facts I have gathered for them, I even made mistakes and will have to correct them.

    Charles is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Hunters, Steven County, Washington. You can find him on Find A Grave!

    I always like to include a map. Charles lived many places, from Tompkinsville, Kentucky to Kansas City, Kansas, to Waveland, Iowa, to Springfield, Oregon to Gifford and Hunters, Washington.

    If you liked this article, please leave a comment and/or subscribe! Thank you!

  • Joseph Henry Hickman 1852-1933

    Henry Hickman was the son of Richard Hickman and Elizabeth Jane Canutt. He was born 25 September 1852 in Warren County, Indiana and died 15 July 1933 in Colfax, Washington. Henry came from a rather large family, as his father was married four times. Seventeen children altogether, two of whom died in infancy. When Henry was eight years old in 1860, the family lived on a farm in Ash Grove, Iroquois County, Illinois.

    NameJoseph H Hickman
    Age8
    Birth Yearabt 1852
    GenderMale
    RaceWhite
    Birth PlaceIndiana
    Home in 1860Ash Grove, Iroquois, Illinois
    Post OfficeAsh Grove
    Dwelling Number2170
    Family Number2001
    Attended SchoolY
    NameAge
    Richard Hickman
    Elizabeth J Hickman35
    Sylvester Hickman19
    John W Hickman
    Franklin Hickman14
    Mary C Hickman12
    Joseph A Hickman8
    Alexander Hickman6
    Thomas Hickman
    Richard Hickman2/12

    In 1870 the family still lived in Iroquois County. Henry’s mother, Elizabeth Jane Canutt had died in 1867 and his father was married to Mariah Sanders.

    NameJoseph H Hickman
    Age in 187019
    Birth Dateabt 1851
    BirthplaceIndiana
    Dwelling Number115
    Home in 1870Stockland, Iroquois, Illinois
    RaceWhite
    GenderMale
    Post OfficeMilford
    Attended SchoolYes
    Inferred FatherRichard Hickman
    Inferred MotherMaria Hickman
    NameAge
    Richard Hickman52
    Maria Hickman37
    Joseph H Hickman19
    Alxander Hickman17
    Sarah F Hickman8
    Liza J Hickman6
    Elmer C Hickman3

    In August of 1874 Henry got married to Mary E Davis who was the daughter of Henry Davis and Mary Elizabeth Collins, in Prairie Greens, Iroquois County, Illinois. Mary was only sixteen years old and needed the permission from her father to get married.

    The couple had seven children:

    • Charles born 1876 in Illinois, died 1903 in Mockonema, Washington
    • Nellie born and died 1878 in Illinois
    • Edward born 1880 in Whitman County, Washington, died 1946 in Redding, California. He was married to Edith Martha Burgess. They had two children
    • Maude born 1883 in Almota, Whitman County, Washington, died 1961 in Lewiston, Idaho. She was married to George Thomas Smith and they had four children.
    • Anna born 1885 and died 1913 in Washington
    • James Chester born 1887 in Washington, died 1953 in Sandpoint, Idaho. He was married to Lillian Blanche and they had five children.
    • Will Hickman born 1890 in Whitman County, died 1977 in Walla Walla, Washington. He was married to Geneva and they had four children.

    On April 2nd, 1879 according to a newspaper article, the Hickman family left Illinois on a train and headed west to San Francisco. From there they a took a boat to Portland, Oregon and then another one up the Columbia and Snake River to Almota, Washington where they settled. Henry’s uncle Abe Ensley had arrived in the area a few years before him and planted the first wheat in Whitman County. The region also known as Palouse Country is world famous for wheat growing. Many of Henry’s descendants, including my husband’s uncles, still farm in that area today.

    Henry became a very successful and wealthy farmer. Besides wheat farming, he also had an orchard full of apple, pear and nut trees. He had flocks of chickens, geese and ducks. He had lots of horses, goats and sheep. During the school year, Henry moved his family to Pullman, so that his children had a chance at a good education. He was one of the first farmers to have a telephone installed. He also owned automobiles and trucks for his business. An example of a GMC truck Henry owned to transport wheat. He is not in this picture.

    Henry loved his family. In 1903 tragedy struck! His oldest son, Charles Hickman, was killed by a accidental discharge from a rifle.

    Charles was only 27 years old and engaged to be married. On a happier note, the younger brother Ed got married three years later in 1906 and received a house as a wedding gift from his father.

    Henry retired in a house he had bought in Colfax.

    In 1920 his beloved Mary died in their home.

    In 1932 Henry celebrated his 80th birthday with 100 friends. He was well liked in the community.

    Less than a year later, Henry died of cancer.

    Henry was my husband’s second Great Grandfather. I have found so many articles about him in old newspapers and books. It would take months or even years to read them all. His life has been well documented. Below is a map of Henry’s journey from Indiana via San Francisco and Portland to Almota and Colfax where he died.

    If you liked this article, please leave a comment and/or subscribe! Thank you!

  • Mable Harriet Scholz Carty 1903-1958

    Mable was the daughter of Adolph Scholz and Rosina Muecke. She was the 8th child, born 14 February 1903 in Inskip, Knoxville, Tennessee. A year later Mabel was baptized in the First Lutheran Church.

    NameMabel Harriet Scholz
    Baptism Age1
    Record TypeBaptism
    Birth Date19 Feb 1903
    Birth PlaceKnox County, Tennessee
    Baptism Date7 Aug 1904
    Baptism PlaceKnoxville, Tennessee
    FatherAdolph Scholz
    MotherRosa Mücke

    Her godparents were her uncle and aunt, Julius and Julia Schwenke. Julia was the sister of her mother, Rosa Mücke. The same year her younger brother Walter was born.

    In 1905, she and her family moved across country to a farm in Dusty, Whitman County, Washington. Her younger brother, Robert was born a year later, in 1906. The first census Mabel appeared on was the one in 1910.

    NameMabel Scholz
    Age in 19107
    Birth Date1903
    BirthplaceTennessee
    Home in 1910Dusty, Whitman, Washington, USA
    Sheet Number7a
    StreetAlkali
    RaceWhite
    GenderFemale
    Relation to Head of HouseDaughter
    Marital StatusSingle
    Father’s BirthplaceAustria
    Mother’s BirthplaceAustria
    Enumeration District Number0267
    Enumerated Year1910
    NeighborsView others on page
    NameAge
    Adolf Scholz45
    Rosie Scholz45
    Albert Scholz19
    Frank Scholz17
    Earnest Scholz15
    Rosa Scholz13
    Agness Scholz12
    John Scholz10
    Mabel Scholz7
    Walter Scholz6
    Robert Scholz4

    Mabel was 7 years old. Her older siblings had already attended school and could read and write. Her parent’s birth place was given as Austria, even though her father’s was from Prussia. In 1920 Mabel was 16 years old and she lived with her parents in Dusty. She still had not attended school, however she was able to read and write.

    NameMabel Scholz
    Age16
    Birth Yearabt 1904
    BirthplaceTennessee
    Home in 1920Dusty, Whitman, Washington
    StreetDusty-Colfax Highway
    Residence Date1920
    RaceWhite
    GenderFemale
    Relation to Head of HouseDaughter
    Marital StatusSingle
    Father’s NameA A Scholz
    Father’s BirthplaceAustria
    Mother’s NameRosa Scholz
    Mother’s BirthplaceAustria
    Able to Speak EnglishYes
    Attended SchoolNo
    Able to readYes
    Able to WriteYes
    NeighborsView others on page
    NameAge
    A A Scholz54
    Rosa Scholz54
    Ernest Scholz25
    John Scholz20
    Mabel Scholz6
    Walter Scholz15
    Robert Scholz13

    All of Mabel’s siblings got married, had children and went onto farming. She was the exception. Mabel decided that farming was not for her, so she moved to Los Angeles, California. I have not been able to find her in the 1930 Census, however I found her in the 1936 California Voter Registration.

    NameMiss Mable H Scholz
    Residence Date1936
    Street Address427 S Westlake av
    Residence PlaceLos Angeles, California, USA
    Party AffiliationDemocrat
    OccupationOperator

    Mabel also had a souvenir from the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

    I did find her in the 1940 Census. She was a machine operator at a clothing manufacturing company.

    NameMabel Sholz
    RespondentYes
    Age37
    Estimated Birth Yearabt 1903
    GenderFemale
    RaceWhite
    BirthplaceTennessee
    Marital StatusSingle
    Relation to Head of HouseLodger
    Home in 1940Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
    Map of Home in 1940Los Angeles,Los Angeles,California
    StreetSo Hobart Avenue
    Inferred Residence in 1935Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
    Residence in 1935Los Angeles
    Resident on farm in 1935No
    Sheet Number18A
    OccupationMachine Operator
    Attended School or CollegeNo
    Highest Grade CompletedHigh School, 2nd year
    Hours Worked Week Prior to Census40
    Class of WorkerWage or salary worker in private work
    Weeks Worked in 193940
    Income750
    Income Other SourcesNo
    NeighborsView others on page

    Mable married the love of her life, Ray Lawrence Carty, 18 January 1940 in Clark County, Nevada.

    In 1950 they still lived happily in Los Angeles.

    NameMabel Carty
    Age47
    Birth Dateabt 1903
    GenderFemale
    RaceWhite
    Birth PlaceTennessee
    Marital StatusMarried
    Relation to Head of HouseWife
    Residence Date1950
    Home in 1950Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
    Street NameW 14th St
    House Number2214
    Dwelling Number314
    FarmNo
    AcresNo
    OccupationPower Machine Operator
    IndustryDress Factory
    Occupation CategoryWorking
    Hours Worked40
    Worker ClassPrivate
    Institution TypeLarge Flat
    Household Members (Name)AgeRelationshipLawerence Carty51HeadMabel Carty47Wife

    In 1955 Mabel travelled back to Washington for a family reunion. In the picture she is the lady with the pretty dress. Her brother Frank was absent and her father Adolph had died in 1939.

    Just three years later Mabel died of cancer at the Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles. According to the death certificate she had lived there since 1925.

    She is buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles County.

    Time Line for Mable

    • 1903 Born in Inskip, Tennessee
    • 1904 Baptized In Knoxville, Tennessee
    • 1904 Birth of Brother Walter
    • 1905 Moved to Dusty, Washington
    • 1906 Birth of Brother Robert
    • 1910 Lived in Dusty
    • 1920 Lived in Dusty
    • 1925 Moved to Los Angeles
    • 1932 Attended the Olympic Games in Los Angeles
    • 1941 Married Ray Lawrence Carty in Nevada
    • 1955 Family Reunion in Washington
    • 1958 Died in Los Angeles

    If you liked this article, please leave a comment an/or subscribe. Thank you!

  • The Paternal Ancestors of Maria Becker 1885-1975

    Last year I wrote about my paternal Grandmother, Maria Johanna Becker.

    Lets see how far I can take back her paternal line. When I first researched Maria’s ancestry I had a tough time finding any information at all. All my ancestors were born in Germany, so I have no way of using census records. My Dad died in 2006 and the only information I had from him was her birth and death dates and locations, which is not bad at all to get started. Oma (Grandma) was born in Hamminkeln outside of Wesel. I ordered her birth certificate from the city archive hoping to find the names of her parents.

    Twenty years ago, I had to send a letter to the archive in Hamminkeln, Germany and request a copy of the birth certificate. I would receive a letter back with the copy and then had to pay the archive. They would not allow cash. We had to instruct our bank here in the USA to pay them via theirs in Germany. It was complicated but it worked. In the end I received the birth certificate and the names of Oma’s parents, the day laborer Johann Heinrich Becker and his wife Johanna Görtzen. There was also a Randvermerk (side note) on the left lower side which gave the information about her death certificate and where to order it.

    After I found Oma’s parents I wanted to find their ancestors. How was I going to do that? There was not much online about Hamminkeln and Wesel. Oma was catholic so I had to look into church records. There was no catholic church in Hamminkeln, however there was one in Wesel. Wesel belongs to the diocese Münster. I emailed the diocese about the parents marriage record. They did not send me a copy however they gave me the wedding date and the birth years. These days the church book is online. I looked up the wedding record for Johann Heinrich Becker and Gertruda Görtzen.

    Johann and Johanna were married 6 May 1884 in Wesel and I found out that both of them were born in the year 1861 in Hamminkeln. This wedding record did not mention the parents names only the witnesses. I wrote back to the dioceses and they gave me their names. Many years later I found the baptism records online. Johannes was baptized 6 December 1861. His parents were Franz Becker and Maria Sickel. Gertruda was baptized 13 October 1861 also in the same church. Her parents were Mathias Görzen and Maria Anna Spelleken.

    1. Johann Heinrich Becker Baptism

    2. Gertruda Görtzen Baptism

    Finding the next generations of the Becker family proved difficult again. Franz Becker was working for the railroad, that’s all I found in the baptism record of his son Johann. No location of where Franz was from. Was he from Hamminkeln or somewhere else? It took another five or six year to find that information.

    In the year 2021, death certificates started coming online for North Rhine-Westphalia. I was lucky as the website My Heritage published some of them on their website. I found Franz’s death certificate.

    New information I found in Franz’s death certificate. He died in 1907, he had another son named Theodor, who was the informant on the certificate. Number two is that Franz was born in Messinghausen. Number three is that the parents of Franz were unknown. He was 80 years old when he died in 1907. That meant that Franz was born about 1827.

    Messinghausen postcard from my personal collection.

    Franz was born in Messinghausen, however he was baptized in the catholic church in Thülen. I found his baptismal record on the website Familysearch.

    NameFranz Joseph Egidius Becker
    GenderMale
    Baptism Age0
    Birth Date30 Aug 1827
    Baptism Date01 Sep 1827 (1 Sep 1827)
    Baptism PlaceSankt Dionysius Katholisch, Thuelen, Westfalen, Prussia
    Residence PlaceThülen, Westfalen, Preußen, Germany
    FatherJohann Becker
    MotherChristine Muenster
    FHL Film Number1056008

    I also found the original record in the church book. This record verified that the parents lived in Messinghausen. I circled the location.

    Finding this location in the baptismal record was important, because there a tons of Becker families in the area. Anytime you have a very common name one has to be careful with finding the right ancestors.

    Two new names, Johann Becker and Christine Münster/Muenster. I found their marriage just a couple of years before Franz was born.

    NameJohann Becker
    GenderMale
    Marriage Date25 Jan 1825
    Marriage PlaceThülen, Westfalen, Preussen, Germany
    SpouseChristine Muenster
    FHL Film Number1056007

    I found the original church record online. Johann was a farmer in Messinghausen and Christine was from Weiberg, however no parents, only the witnesses are mentioned.

    Once again I was stuck for a couple of years until church records from Weiberg came online. It was quite common for catholic couples to get married twice. Johann and Christine also tied the knot in her church in Weiberg.

    The top part is Johann’s and the bottom part is for Christine. Johann was born in Messinghausen, his parents are Johann Michael Becker and Maria Gertrud Schröder. Christina was born in Weiberg and her parents are Joannes Caspar Münster and Anna Catharina Maria Dören.

    Johann Michael Becker and Maria Gertrud Schröder got married in Thülen.

    NameJoannes Michael Becker
    GenderMale
    Marriage Date10 Feb 1779
    Marriage PlaceThülen, Westfalen, Preussen, Germany
    FatherCaspari Becker
    MotherAnnae Elisabethae Wuerminghausen
    SpouseGedrud Schroeder
    FHL Film Number1056007

    I found the original entry in the Thülen church book.

    I also found Johann’s baptismal record.

    NameJoannes Michael Becker
    GenderMale
    Baptism Age0
    Birth Date28 Feb 1750
    Birth PlaceOlsberg
    Baptism Date01 Mär 1750 (1 Mar 1750)
    Baptism PlaceSankt Martin Roemisch-Katholische, Bigge, Westfalen, Prussia
    Residence PlaceBigge, Westfalen, Preussen
    FatherCaspar Henrich Becker
    MotherAnna Elisabetha Wuerminghausen
    FHL Film Number1051950

    Found the original record in the church book in Bigge. Johann was born 28 February and baptized on the first of March, 1750.

    Johann’s parents Caspar Henrich Becker and Anna Elisabetha Würminghausen married 18 November 1747 in the same church in Bigge.

    NameCasparus Henricus Becker
    GenderMale
    Marriage Date18 Nov 1747
    Marriage PlaceSankt Martin Roemisch-Katholische, Bigge, Westfalen, Prussia
    SpouseElisabetha Wuerminghausen
    FHL Film Number1051950

    I found the marriage in the church book.

    The word behind his Mother Elisabetha Würminghausen is vidua, which means, she was already a widow. So at this point I don’t know if Würminghausen is her maiden or married name. Original records are very important. Most likely Johann had half siblings.

    Let’s see if I can take the Becker line back another generation. I need to find Caspar’s parents and baptism.

    NameCasparus Henricus Becker
    GenderMale
    Baptism Date07 Apr 1733 (7 Apr 1733)
    Baptism PlaceThülen, Westfalen, Preussen, Germany
    Residence PlacePreußen, Germany
    FatherJoannes Henricus Becker
    MotherMaria Catharina Wiessen
    FHL Film Number1056007

    Voilà! I found them, thanks to the Family Search website and here is the original entry from the church book.

    It’s possible that I eventually can find a marriage for Joannes Henricus Becker and Maria Catharina Wiessen, but for now this is the end of the Becker line.

    Here is timeline I created for Maria’s paternal Becker line

    Maria’s was born in Hamminkeln, however her direct paternal line came from Messinghausen and surrounding villages.

    Finding your ancestors can be very tricky and difficult at times. It takes a lot of time, patience and money. In the end the reward is priceless. No matter how long you have waited for a record to be published. Finally you can go back one more generations. I found my 6th Becker Great-Grandparents. It will take me some time to go through more of the church books backwards to hopefully find their marriage and may be even their parents.

    If you liked reading this article, please leave a comment and/or subscribe! Thank you!