Canadian Ancestors

Happy Canada Day!  A few of my branches stopped in Canada on their way to Buffalo.  Below are the generation that came to Canada through the generation that left.
1-Nicholas Eichhorn b. Cal 16 Jan 1799, , , , Germany, d. 28 Jul 1878, Welland,
  Niagara, Ontario, Canada
+Dorothea Schneider b. , , , , Germany
|--1.1-Charles Herman Eichhorn b. 25 Dec 1848, , , Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt,
|    Germany, d. 25 Feb 1907, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
    +Katherine WEIß b. 19 Apr 1849, Hohenstaufen, Donaukreis, Wûrttemberg,
     Germany, d. 9 Aug 1936, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
   |--1.1.1-William Fred Eichhorn b. 22 Jun 1874, Chippewa, Welland, Ontario,
   |    Canada, d. 9 Mar 1931, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
   |--1.1.2-Frederick William Eichhorn b. 14 Jul 1875, , , Ontario, Canada, d.
   |    9 Apr 1932, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
   |--1.1.3-George Eichhorn b. 30 Aug 1878, Niagara, Niagara, New York, USA, d.
   |    1928, (Cheektowaga, Erie, New York, USA)
   |--1.1.4-Eichhorn b. After 1878, d. Bef 1884
   |--1.1.5-Eichhorn b. After 1878, d. Bef 1884
   |--1.1.6-Clara Eichhorn b. 9 Aug 1884, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA, d. Aug
   |    1967, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
   |--1.1.7-Charles Eichhorn b. Abt 1888, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA, d. Btw
   |    1892 - 1900, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
   |--1.1.8-Marie Eichhorn b. 21 Dec 1891, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
--------------------------------
1-Charles Whitehead Jr. b. 10 Oct 1840, Halstead, Sevenoaks, Kent, England, d.
  12 Oct 1902, Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada
+Mary Ann Hayman b. 11 Mar 1845, Halstead, Sevenoaks, Kent, England, d. 16 May
  1877, Barton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada
|--1.1-Benjamin Thomas Whitehead b. 31 Oct 1866, Halstead, Sevenoaks, Kent,
|    England, d. 11 Apr 1906, Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada
|--1.2-Joseph Whitehead b. 2 Nov 1869, Halstead, Sevenoaks, Kent, England, d. 4
|    Apr 1936, Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada
|--1.3-Charles William Whitehead b. 12 Jun 1872, Burlington, , Ontario, Canada,
|    d. 27 Dec 1927, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
|--1.4-Rosanna Whitehead b. 5 Jan 1875, Barton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada, d.
|    2 Dec 1924, Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada
------------------------------------
1-John William Sanderson b. Abt 1830, , , , England, d. 25 Feb 1905,
  Burlington, Halton, Ontario, Canada
+Mary Alwood b. Abt 1833, d. 30 Sep 1903, Galt, Halton, Ontario, Canada
|--1.1-Gertrude Sanderson
|--1.2-Mary Jane Sanderson b. Abt 1864, Trafalgar, , Ontario, Canada
|--1.3-William H. Sanderson b. 1869, , , , Canada, d. 1946, (Hamilton,
|    Wentworth, Ontario, Canada)
|--1.4-Anna May SANDERSON b. 17 Jun 1871, Burlington, , Ontario, Canada, d. 29
|    Apr 1928, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
-------------------------------------

Fearless Females: Marriage Records

In honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogistblog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.

As both of my grandmothers are still living and probably wouldn't want this information on my blog, I will focus on my great grandparents for this post.

Alfred Marco Casell and Lillian L. Eichhorn married 11 July 1928 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.  Al was 22, Lillian, 19.  Witnesses were Al's father Marco and Frank J. Condon.

William Herbert Whitehead married Vera Julia Gress 28 March 1921, also in Buffalo.  He was 24, she was 21.  Witnesses were Bill's brother Hobson and Alberta Suess.  Their wedding announcement was:

Whitehead-Gress.  The marriage of Miss Vera [piece ripped off] daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. [also ripped; Gress] of Forest avenue, to Mr. William H. Whitehead , took place Easter Monday night at 8:30 o'clock at the home of the bride's parents, the Rev. J. Ward officiating.  The attendents were Miss Alberta Suess and Mr. Hobson Whitehead.  Mr. and Mrs. W. Whitehead will be home at 173 Forest avenue after a trip to New York, Washington and Baltimore.

Florian Dana Acquard and Stanislawa Frances Karpinski married 28 December 1932 in Bennington Center, Wyoming County, NY.  Florian was 33, Stella was 16.

Albert Emil Nuwer married Edna Agnes Roll 22 June 1932 in Alden, Erie County, NY at St. John's Roman Catholic Church.  He was 26, she was 21.

[caption id="attachment_814" align="aligncenter" width="235" caption="Al and Edna's Wedding"][/caption]

This is the only wedding picture I have for my great grandparents.  I love the "Just Married" sign on the car.  I had calla lilies as my wedding flowers,just  like they did.

Sources

Erie County marriage certificate (short form), 4024 (1921), Whitehead-Gress; Erie County Clerk's Office, Buffalo.

New York State Department of Health, marriage certificate 2251 (1928), Casell-Eichhorn; WNYGS Erie Co. Clerk's Office Marruage Licenses microfilm 132.

"Whitehead-Gress," (Buffalo) Unknown Newspaper; Article owned by Barbara Mueller.  Copied from her home by Amanda E. Perrine 23 May 2009.

 

 

Fearless Females: Favorite Female Ancestor

In honor of National Women’s History Month, Lisa Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist blog presents Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month.

March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.

I don't know that I have a favorite female ancestor, but I do have those female ancestors that I always seem to go back to when writing posts or thinking about my family tree.

The top 2 would be Lillian Eichhorn Casell, my great-grandmother, who I wrote about here.  The other would be my great-great grandmother, Anna May Sanderson Whitehead.

Anna May is the catalyst to my becoming a genealogist.  Long story short, she was probably born Elizabeth Ann Sanderson, married, left her husband and family to marry my great-great grandfather, moved to Buffalo and never returned to her family in Canada.  Many years ago my grandmother was contacted by a possibly-very-distant relative about this mystery and I thought it was fascinating.  After this, I started researching, on and off, through my teenage years and college, the story of my family.  Anna May will probably always be the biggest mystery to my search, though I am planning my proof argument for ProGen to be about her.  I will post that when the assignment is due in a few months.

Amanuensis Monday - Will of Katherine V. Tobin

"LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

I, KATHERINE V. TOBIN, residing at 404 Huxley Drive, Town of Cheektowaga, County of Erie and Stateof [sic] New York, being of sound mind and memory and aware of the uncertainty of human life, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, in mannor following:

FIRST: I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon as practicable after my demise.

SECOND: All the rest, residue and remainder of my property, both real and personal, of every nature and wherever situate, whether owned by me now or here-after aquired, I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved brother and sisters, as follows:

CLARA E. BUSCH ["CH" written over "H" of original spelling of "BUSH"]

MARIE A. JUHRE

EDNA L. HEINZ

WILLIAM T. EICHORN

to be divided equally between them, share and share alike, survivor take all.

THIRD:  I nominate and appoint my beloved sister and brother, CLARA E. BUSCH ["CH" written over "H" of original spelling of "BUSH"] and WILLIAM T. EICHORN, as Co-executors of the my Last Will and Testament.  I give to my Co-executors the fullest power and authority in all matters and questions, and to do all acts which I might or could do if living, including, without limitation, complete power and authority to sell (at public or private sale, for cash or credit, with or without security), mortgage, lease and dispose of and distribution in kind, all property, real and personal, at such times and upon such terms and conditions as they may deem advisable.  I direct that they serve without being required to give bond or other security for the faithful performance of their duties as such.

FOURTH: I hereby revoke all Wills and Codicile made by me at any time heretofore.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I sign, seal, publish and declare this as my Last Will and Testament in the presence of the persons witnessing it at my request this 6th day of April, 1963.

Katherine V. Tobin [Signed] L.S.

The forgoing instrument, consisting of two (2) pages, was at said date, signed, sealed, published and declared by KATHERINE V. TOBIN, the testatrix, above named, to be her Last Will and Testament in our presence, and we, at her request, and in her presence, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses this 6th day of April, 1963.

Hazel F. Levy [Signed] residing at 8155 Sheridan Dr. Williamsville, New York

Robert Schaur [Signed] residing at 232 Wellington Buffalo 16 New York"

Tombstone Tuesday: Eichhorn

Frederick W. Eichhorn, 1875 - 1932

Mary C. Eichhorn, 1886 - 1966

Anne N. Eichhorn, 1913 - 1990

Edward Eichhorn, 1909 - 1993

Located at Acacia Park, Niagara, NY

A Tribute to Lillian Eichhorn Casell

The only known photo of my great-grandmother, Lillian L. Eichhorn

The Chronology of her life is available here

The first record of Lillian L. Eichhorn's life is a birth certificate in Buffalo, NY for F. Eichhorn.  No first name name, just an "F" for female, indicating that a new child had come into the world on 22 December 1908, an early Christmas present.  Lillian was the fifth child and fifth daughter born to William Fred Eichhorn and Augusta Tross.  If the weather was anything like it is today, 22 December was cold and snowy, but in the excitement of a new baby, I imagine no one minded.

Six years later, the Eichhorn's would welcome their sixth and final child, a boy, William Tross Eichhorn into the family.  Life must have been fun for this young family.  William worked for the railroad, while Augusta took care of the home which they were able to buy while Lillian was still young.  There were aunts, uncles, cousins and grandmothers around to be with.

While in high school Lillian would meet Alfred Marco Casell, three years her senior and son of Italian immigrants.  It is hard to say what her German parents thought of him, but they married when she was just 16.  Like her father, Alfred too worked for the railroad and with the money he made they rented a house on Sherman Street in Buffalo.

Between 1928 and 1935 they had four children, first a girl, followed by three boys.  I always imagine the promise that life had for them.  Then, at 2:45 pm, 19 December 1938, just three days before her 30th birthday, Lillian died of lobar pneumonia at their home on Division Street.  Suddenly, everything changed for Lillian's young family.  Lillian was buried on her 30th birthday in Acadia Park Cemetery, North Tonawanda, NY.  Her young widow could not afford a plot, so her brother-in-law let them have a space in the grave site he had purchased.

Life was not easy for the family she left.  Her mother, Augusta, was so overcome with grief, she died of a broken heart a mere 13 days later, on New Year's day 1939.  Alfred, unable to take care of four young children and work, put them into an orphanage in October of 1939, where they stayed for nearly 8 years.
Alfred died in 1981, never remarrying.  His eldest son, Robert and his wife had purchased four plots in Acadia Cemetery some years earlier, and placed Alfred in one of them.  Until that time, when a cemetery worker happened to mention it, neither Robert, nor any of his siblings knew that that was also where their mother had been buried.  In fact, standing on Alfred's grave, one can see to where Lillian is buried and it is just a short walk.  Using part of their inheritance, the four siblings placed a marker on their mother's grave site, marking her place and short life for those visit there.

Written for the Carnival of Genealogy: A Tribute to Women

Timeline: Lillian Eichhorn Casell

The chronology of my great-grandmother Lillian Eichhorn Casell's life:

22 Dec 1908: Lillian is born in Buffalo, Erie, NY to William Eichhorn and Augusta Tross
10 Apr 1914: Lillian's brother William Tross Eichhorn in Buffalo, NY
18 Feb 1921: Lillian's grandmother Maria Strassheim Tross dies in Buffalo, NY
11 Jul 1925: Lillian marries Alfred Marco Casell in Buffalo, NY
1928 - 1935: Lillian and Alfred have 4 children, 1 girl and 3 boys, in Buffalo, NY (2 are still living, hence no names and dates)
9 Mar 1931: Lillian's father William Eichhorn dies in Buffalo, NY
2 Oct 1934: Alfred's mother Caroline Izzo dies in Buffalo, NY
9 Aug 1936: Lillian's grandmother Katherine Weiss Eichhorn Gorndt dies in Buffalo, NY
26 Nov 1937: Alfred's father Marcantonio Casillo dies in Colden, Erie, NY
19 Dec 1938: Lillian dies of Lobar Pneumonia in Buffalo, NY
22 Dec 1938: Lillian is buried at Acacia Park Cemetery, North Tonawanda, Niagara, NY

Hohenstaufen, Germany

According to the marriage record of Charles Herman Thorn and Catherine Wise in Chippewa, Ontario, Canada, Cathrine was born in Hohahstrefen, Wurtemburg Kingdom, Germany.  The correct spelling for this town is Hohenstaufen and it is located in the Baden-Württemberg part of present day Germany.

In 1206, Hohenstaufen was "mentioned"1.  A small village, its current population being 1300 residents2, it is most well-known for the large mountain of the same name, for which the city sits at its southern base.  Additionally, the ruin of Hohenstaufen Castle, sits atop the mountain.  Hohenstaufen Castle was build in approximately 10703.  The castle was destroyed in 1525 in the Peasants War4.  Currently, it is a German national monument.  "The year 1971 marked a turning point, when it was incorporated as part of the overall administrative location, with the exception of the farms in Ottenbacher valley in the "city of Göppingen Hohenstaufen""5.

If you are interested in researching Hohenstaufen, the FHC hastheir church records microfilmed from 1558 to 1897.  Also, Kathy Brandt Bonnell has created a website that features much information from town records.

This was written for the March Edition of the Carnival of Central and Eastern European Genealogy.

Image used with Creative Commons rights as follows: (((Information | Description = ((en | The village of Hohenstaufen (Göppingen) and the same mountain, seen from Aasrücken)) | Source = own work | Date = 2006-06-11 | Author = M. Rust | Permission = own work | other_versions =)))

Tombstone Tuesday - Augusta Tross Eichhorn

Augusta Tross Eichhorn, 1877 - 1939

Surname Saturday: Eichhorn/Eichorn

Each Saturday this year I am posting one of my surnames, going in alphabetical order.  This weeks surname is Eichhorn/Eichorn.  The names in red are my direct line ancestors.


1-Nicholas EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "Germany " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->b: calculated 16 January 1799, , , , Germany
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "Canada:Ontario:Niagara:Welland " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->d: 28 July 1878, Welland, Niagara, Ontario, Canada
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "SCHNEIDER:Dorothea " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->+Dorothea SCHNEIDER
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "Germany " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->b: , , , Germany
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Charles Herman (b. 1848) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . 2-Charles Herman EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "Germany " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->        b: 25 December 1848, , , , Germany
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->        d: 25 February 1907, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "WEISS:Katherine (b. 1849) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . +Katherine WEISS
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "Germany " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->        b: April 1849, , , , Germany
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "Canada:Ontario:Welland:Chippewa " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->        m: 3 September 1871, Chippewa, Welland, Ontario, Canada
        d: 1936
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:William Fred (b. 1874) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . 3-William Fred EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "Canada:Ontario:Welland:Chippewa " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                b: 22 June 1874, Chippewa, Welland, Ontario, Canada
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                d: 9 March 1931, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "TROSS:Augusta M. (b. 1877) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . +Augusta M. TROSS
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "Germany " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                b: 6 September 1877, , , , Germany
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                m: 14 June 1899, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                d: 1 January 1939, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Kathryn V. (b. 1901) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Kathryn V. EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                        b: about 1901, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
                        d: before 16 June 1966
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Clara Evelyn (b. 1902) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Clara Evelyn EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                        b: 3 February 1902, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Marie A. (b. 1905) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Marie A. EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                        b: about 1905, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Edna L. (b. 1907) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Edna L. EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                        b: about 1907, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
                        d: 2 November 1985
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Lillian L. (b. 1908) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Lillian L. EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                        b: 22 December 1908, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                        d: 19 December 1938, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:William Tross (b. 1914) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-William Tross EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                        b: 10 April 1914, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Frederick William (b. 1875) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . 3-Frederick William EICHHORN
                b: 14 July 1875
<!--[if supportFields]>xe ":Mary C. " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . +Mary C.
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Edward M. " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Edward M. EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Dorothy " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Dorothy EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:George (b. 1878) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . 3-George EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                b: about 1878, , , New York, USA
                d: 1928
<!--[if supportFields]>xe ":Lauretta Flynn " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . +Lauretta Flynn
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                m: 21 November 1900, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN: (b. 1884) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . 3-EICHHORN
                b: before 1884
                d: before 1884
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN: (b. 1884) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . 3-EICHHORN
                b: before 1884
                d: before 1884
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN: (b. 1884) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . 3-EICHHORN
                b: before 1884
                d: before 1884
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Clara C. (b. 1884) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . 3-Clara C. EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                b: 9 August 1884, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
                d: 1967
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EHRIG:Ernest (b. 1884) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . +Ernest EHRIG
                b: 1884
                m:
                d: 1951
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "EICHHORN:Marie (b. 1891) " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . 3-Marie EICHHORN
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "USA:New York:Erie:Buffalo " \f B<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->                b: 21 December 1891, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
<!--[if supportFields]>xe "GRAFF:William " \f A<![endif]--><!--[if supportFields]><![endif]-->. . . . . . . . +William GRAFF
                m:

Tombstone Tuesday - Katherine Weiss Eichhorn Gorndt

Goals for the New Year

In 2010, I hope to accomplish the following:

• Interview my grandmothers, parents and great aunts, uncles and cousins on video ASAP!
• Goal is to do this by the end of February for my grandmothers
• Update each of my lines sideways and forward.
• I usually do well with my information about my ancestors siblings, but I have not done so well finding cousins in more recent generations.
• Focus my search for my German lines so that I can visit their hometowns while I am in Germany for 4 1/2 months
• I will therefore focus on the Eichhorn, Gresz, Fink, Weiss and Tross lines for the next two months
• Stay in touch with my relatives searching my fathers side of the family.
• I research my mothers side as I have great aunts and uncles who research my fathers.  I will be helping my Aunt Dottie with her search in Poland for the Karpinski's (my great-grandmother's line)
• Complete Dear Myrtle's finally get organization checklist from 2009
• Start researching my fiancé's line (at the very least, get the information he knows into my file)
• Blog: Participate in Surname Saturday each week in order to get my surnames out there and find new cousins!  I plan on going alphabetically though all my surnames.

SNGF - My 16 great-great-grandparents

From Randy over at Genea-Musings: Here is your SNGF assignment for the evening (if you choose to accept it - this is not stump the genealogist or even Mission Impossible):

1) List your 16 great-grandparents in pedigree chart order. List their birth and death years and places.

2) Figure out the dominant ethnicity or nationality of each of them.

3) Calculate your ancestral ethnicity or nationality by adding them up for the 16 - 6.25% for each (obviously, this is approximate).

4) If you don't know all 16 of your great-grandparents, then do it for the last full generation you have.

5) Write your own blog post, or make a comment on Facebook or in this post.

1. Joseph Francis Eugene Acquard, Jr.: born 17 Jan 1855 in Cheektowaga, Erie, NY; married 15 Oct 1878 in Bennington Ctr., Wyoming, NY; died 10 Sept 1943 in Bennington Ctr., Wyoming, NY. FRENCH
2. Mary Ann Kollin: born 15 Oct 1878 in Bennington Ctr., Wyoming, NY; died 5 Feb 1938 in Bennington Ctr., Wyoming, NY. 1/2 GERMAN and 1/2 BELGIAN
3. Franciszek Karpinski: born 16 Sep 1880 in Poland; died 22 May 1943 in Erie or Wyoming, NY. POLISH
4. Jozefa Szydlik: born 26 Sep 1886 in Poland; died 4 Apr 1973 in Warsaw, Wyoming, NY. POLISH
5. John George Nuwer: born 21 Mar 1869 in Lancaster, Erie, NY; married 19 Apr 1893 in Lancaster, Erie, NY; died 1 Feb 1948 in Alden, Erie, NY. FRENCH
6. Anna M. Zaepfel: born 28 Sep 1874 in Elma, Erie, NY; died 7 Aug 1943 in Alden, Erie, NY. 1/2 GERMAN & 1/2 FRENCH
7. Edward Roll: born about 1888 in Alden, Erie, NY; married 22 Jun 1910 in Alden, Erie, NY; died 12 May 1941 in Alden, Erie, NY. FRENCH
8. Lidwina Agnes Pautler: born 16 Jan 1888 in Alden, Erie, NY; died 11 Oct 1975 in Batavia, Genesee, NY. FRENCH
9. Marcantonio Casillo: born 11 Jan 1868 in Italy; married 5 Sept 1901 in Buffalo, Erie, NY; died 26 Nov 1937 in Colden, Erie, NY. ITALIAN
10. Carolina Izzo: born 3 May 1876 in Italy; died 2 Oct 1934 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. ITALIAN
11. William Fred Eichhorn: born 22 Jun 1874 in Chippewa, Ontario, Canada; married 14 Jun 1899 in Buffalo, Erie, NY; died 9 Mar 1931 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. GERMAN
12. Augusta M. Tross: born 6 Sept 1877 in Germany; died 1 Jan 1939 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. GERMAN
13. Charles William Whitehead: born 12 Jun 1872 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada; married prior to 1896; died 27 Dec 1927 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. ENGLISH
14. Anna May Sanderson: born 17 Jun 1871 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Apr 1928 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. ENGLISH
15. Jacob J. Gress: born 26 Jan 1869 in Buffalo, Erie, NY; married prior to 1888; died 11 Aug 1932 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. GERMAN
16. Elizabeth Fink: born 6 Jul 1867 in Buffalo, Erie, NY; died 24 Apr 1957 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. GERMAN

That gives me 31.25% German; 28.125% French; 12.5% Polish; 12.5% Italian; 12.5% English ; and 3.125% Belgian. The French and German parts are hard to tell as most of my fathers family came from the Alsace-Lorraine region which kept changing hands. The fact that my 3rd great-grandmother was born in Belgium (like the waffle) has always been cool to me. Oddly, I most identify with the Italian part of my heritage, even though it is way down on the list.

They arrived!

Yesterday my two other microfilms arrived at the FHC. I went through the Halstead marriage records, still none for my ancestors, but a few for their siblings. The roll also happened to have marriage banns from Knockholt, Kent, where I have relatives from! Again, none for direct ancestors, but some for siblings, including one of the siblings from Halstead, who married a man in Knockholt. That was a nice surprise:-) The records from Roccaromana, Caserta, Italy also came in and I can't read them. Now, obviously I realize I can not read the Italian, but it is so tiny (it's one of those small microfilms) that I cannot make out any of the words/letters. I am going to buy a magnifying glass, but I'm not sure that will help enough. Any recommendations are more than welcome!

Today my birth/death/marriage certificates came in from Buffalo. It took just a week and a day from ordering them, which is really decent time. Unfortunately, the marriage record couldn't be found, but the index was fuzzy, so I think I must have guessed the wrong year. Next time I'm there I'll check the library microfilm, which might have the record.

I received death certificates for:

• Charles Herman Eichhorn, which has his parents names, Nicholas Eichhorn and Dora Schneider, and shows I had the right family in Canada! Now I have to continue my search there and eventually back to Germany. He was buried at Buffalo Cemetery and hopefully his wife is next to him, as I have no idea when she died.
• Elizabeth Whitehead, my great aunt, who died at 9 days old. The death cause is different than the one listed in the church records; this one makes more sense (cerebral hemorrhage).
• Maria Tross, which has her maiden name as Strassheim (on a marriage record of her child it looked like Crossheim or Crosshein). It also says she was buried in Buffalo Cemetery, so hopefully I can find some info on her husband (Wenzel/Wesley Tross) there and in her obituary.
• Mrs. A. [Barbara] Fleeman. She died in 1870, so there is pretty much no information, other than she was born in France about 1824, but no maiden name. Also no cemetery, but based on her probate file, they might not have been able to afford burying her.
• Adam L. Fleeman. Not my ancestor as hoped, but rather his grandson, who died at 3 months, 24 days. He is buried in Forest Lawn, so I will go visit next time I am in Buffalo.

I received birth certificates for some of the siblings of my ancestors as follows:

• William Tross Eichhorn, son of William F. and Augusta (Tross) Eichhorn.
• Clara Evelyn Eichhorn, daughter of the same.
• Adeline Whitehead, daughter of Charles and Anna M. (Sanderson) Whitehead.
• Amelia Angela Maria Casilla [sic] daughter of Marcantonio and Carolina (Izzo) Casillo.

Time to go update the Legacy file:-)

Wordless Wednesday - Lillian Eichhorn Casell

The only picture I have of my great-grandmother Lillian L. Eichhorn Casell

Family History Center

On Thursday I make my second trip to a Family History Center. The first, many months ago, did not go well, as the volunteers weren't very friendly and I felt like a nuisence. As such, I put off going back, but my experience Thursday was FANTASTIC!

The volunteers were very friendly and helped me with everything I needed. In a few weeks I should receive the following items:

Parish Registers of Halstead (Kent, England) 1561-1900

Bishop's transcripts of Halstead 1813-1898

Abstract Index of books of Chippawa 1796-1955

Registri dello slato civile di Roccaromana 1866-1886

Hopefully, I'll be able to push my Whitehead line back another generation or two with the Halstead items and find Charles Whitehead and Mary Ann Hayman's marriage.

My Eichhorn line should make an appearance in the Chippawa index.

The Roccaromana, Italy records are rather scary for me, as this will really be testing my reading skills. I have my Italian words to know ready, now if only the Casillo's I need are listed:-)

Family Lines: Maternal Branches

Thank you to Becky for this wonderful idea!

I mostly research my mother's family, as my father has an aunt and uncle who have traced a lot of his line. Here is where I am at currently. As you can see, I am currently trying to find many of my immigrant ancestors' parents. I am hopeful that next week when I go to Buffalo, I will find obituaries that assist in this. Please leave a message if you would like further information:-)

THE LINEAGE OF MY MATERNAL GRANDFATHER (Mom's Father)

Casillo/Casell

Alfredo Marco Casillo (Alfred Marco Casell) [1906-1981] and Lillian L. Eichhorn [1908-1938] ~ Buffalo, Erie, New York

Marcantonio Casillo (Marco Antonio Casell) [1868-1937] and Carolina Izzo [1876-1934] ~ Italy > Buffalo, Erie, New York

John or Peter Casillo [Unknown] and Angelina Unknown [Unknown] ~ Italy

Both Alfred and Marco legally changed their name to Casell. I am not entirely sure who Marco's parents are, these are the names I have found so far. According to my grandfather's family tree, Marco was from RocRoma, Caserta, Italy. No one in my family has been able to find this place, however, familysearch.org has many Casillo's listed under Roccaromana, Caserta, Italy, so this is a possible search option.

Eichhorn/Eichorn

Lillian L. Eichhorn [1908-1938] and Alfred Marco Casell [1906-1981] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

William Fred Eichhorn [1874-1931] and Augusta M. Tross [1877-1939] ~ Ontario > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Charles Herman Eichhorn [1848 - ~1905] and Katharine Weiss/Wise [1869 - ~1905] ~ Germany > Chippewa, Welland, Ontario > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Nicholas Eckorn/Eickhan/Thorn [~1799-1878] and Dorothea Unknown [Unknown] ~ Germany > Ontario

Nicholas and Dorothea are still under investigation, but evidence keeps accumulating.

Izzo

Carolina Izzo [1876-1934] and Marco Antonio Casell [1868-1937] ~ Italy > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Peter Izzo [Unknown] and Catherine Donufrio(sp?) [Unknown] ~ Italy > NY

Tross

Augusta Tross [1877-1939] and William Fred Eichhorn [1874-1931] ~ Germany > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Wenzel/Wesley Tross [Unknown] and Marie/Mary Crosshein(sp?) [~1843-~1913]~ Germany > Buffalo, Erie, NY

THE LINEAGE OF MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER (Mom's Mother)

Bond

Emma Bond [~1812-1877] and Charles Whitehead [~1811-1887] ~ Knockholdt, Kent, England > Halstead, Kent, England

Richard Bond [Unknown - Bef. 1841] and Mary Unknown [~1798-1862]

Fink/Finck

Elizabeth L. Fink [1867-1957] and Jacob J. Gress [1869-1932] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Gottlieb Fink [1838-1910] and Barbara Fleeman [1846-1929] ~ Württemberg, Germany > Buffalo, Erie, NY

John Finck [Unknown] and Barbara Killster [Unknown] ~ Württemberg, Germany

Fleeman

Barbara Fleeman [1846-1929] and Gottlieb Fink [1838-1910] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Adam Fleeman [~1820-1889] and Barbara Gris [~1824-1870] ~ Hesse, Germany > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Gress/Gresz

Vera Louise Julie Gress [1900-1976] and William Herbert Whitehead [1896-1965] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Jacob J. Gress [1869-1932] and Elizabeth L. Fink [1867-1957] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Joseph Gresz [~1841-1899] and Sophia Persales/Possehl [1846-1929] ~ Germany > Eden, Erie, NY > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Joseph Gresz [~1806-~1865] and Catherine Unknown [~1810-~1875] ~ Germany > Eden, Erie, NY

Hayman

Mary Ann Hayman [1845-1877] and Charles Whitehead [1840-1902] ~ Halstead, Kent, England > Ontario

Thomas Hayman [~1799-1867] and Susan Whitehead [~1802-1867] ~ Halstead, Kent, England

Whitehead

William Herbert Whitehead [1896-1965] and Vera Louise Julie Gress [1900-1976] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Charles William Whitehead [1872-1927] and Anna May Sanderson [1871-1928] ~ Ontario > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Charles Whitehead [1840-1902] and Mary Ann Hayman [1845-1877] ~ Halstead, Kent, England > Ontario

Charles Whitehead [~1811-1887] and Emma Bond [~1812-1877] ~ Halstead, Kent, England

Tombstone Tuesday

William Fred Eichhorn

1874 - 1931

Mason

Acacia Park and Resthaven Cemetery, Tonawanda, Niagara, New York

Tombstone Tuesday - Lillian Eichhorn Casell

This is my the tombstone of great-grandmother Lillian L. Eichhorn Casell, located in Acacia Park and Resthaven Cemetery, North Tonawanda, Niagara, New York.  She was born the 22 Dec 1908, died 19 Dec 1938 and was buried on what would have been her 30th birthday.

UPS delivery:-)

I had a note from UPS Friday that I had missed a package from Buffalo and they would re-deliver it on Monday.  I knew it was some death certificates (vitalchek.com is quick!) and I just to wait patiently, which is not one of the things I do well...  Monday has arrived however and I now have two more death certificates!

The first is for William F. Eichhorn, my great-great grandfather, whose parents I have been researching for recently.  According to his son (the informant) they were Charles Eichhorn born in Canada and Dorothy Weis born in Germany.

The second was for on of my great-great grandmothers, Caroline (Izzo) Casell.  I do not have much information on her yet, but this gives two new names to look into: John Izzo and Catherine Donufrio(the first "o" looks like 3 vowel's typed on top of each other, so it might be spelled differently).  I am unsure of how the informant, Ruth Muller, was related and over the "the above is true..." is typed [?] Buffalo [?] Hospital, so she may have been a nurse.

I am on vacation for the next six days, so hopefully I will be able to further my search!