FHL FINDS ~ The marriage of Johann Talarowski & Bertha Keller - 1884 in Germany

Time to begin my posts about the finds I made during Rootstech 2023, at the Family History Library.

It is Wedding Wednesday so let's begin with the marriage record for my husband’s maternal great grandparents, Johann Talarwoski and Bertha Keller. 

This record was on my long list of “To-dos” for this trip. I had prepared for it by looking on the Family Search website and locating the microfilm number.  This film is not available online, but only in person at the library in Salt Lake City. 

When you are on the Family Search website you can search the catalog by microfilm number, which I did. This is an International Film numbered 245767 and image group number 7946025.  On the website I viewed the film notes.  The little camera icon that has a small key above it, means I cannot view these images from home.

The first day that Pam and I arrived and went over to the FHL, we set up our work stations and went to work.  We always “park” on the 3^rd floor, where the books are.  With the upgrades to the workstations at the library, it’s extremely comfortable and offers us multiple monitors. 

Just getting set up here

Very shortly after we got there I went to B1, the International Research/Microfilm Floor at the Library.  I went to the microfilm rows, found the film and set it up on the wonderful digital viewers the library now has.  This allows us to view the films on a computer monitor instead of the huge film viewers we used to use.

One of my favorite views - row after row of microfilm

I have been viewing microfilm for over 20 years.  I know that the key is to find some sort of index or other indicator to determine how the film is organized. Is it organized by date, place, name etc.?  In this case there was an index at the beginning, listed by year.

I believed the marriage had taken place in 1884, based on the 1900 census and the birth of the first child.  These are starting points and we proceed from there.

I scrolled to the place in the film that listed the names, the year and the page in the document that this information might be located.

You can see the year – 1884 and the names Talarowski & Keller and the page number is 4.

I located page number 4 in the image records and 

FOUND THE RECORD!

I realize this record, like so many others, is not necessarily easy to read.  BUT, you can usually spot a name or something that looks like the name you are seeking.  In this case the 3^rd record on the page easily reads Johann Talarowski under der Ehemannes (the husband) and Bertha Keller under der Ehefrau (the wife).

If you have questions about words in a language other than the one you speak, it’s easy to go to Google translate and try to figure things out.  In this case, I was somewhat familiar with the words, having viewed German records before.  And, I have been teaching myself German, online for over 2 years.

I certainly cannot read every word on this record, not even good enough to try and translate it.  But, the basic information is there.  The marriage took place on 7 Sept 1884 (Tag der Trauung).  The date in column 5 may be the civil date of the marriage, but I’m having trouble translating the words other than Jahr u Tag (year and day).

If any of you read German script well and can translate the column headings for column 5 and 6, I’d be grateful.

Next, I took photos of the screen and downloaded the image to a flash drive.

Fairly shortly after that I sent a copy of this image to my husband’s first cousin once removed, as she is also researching their family.

This was a successful first day.  I did research other items, but this was one that I absolutely wanted to locate and I did.

One thing I almost forgot....here is a photo of Johann & Bertha, with their daughter Freada, who became my husband's grandmother.

Johann Talarowski & his wife Bertha Keller with their daughter Freada - circa 1900, Buffalo, New York

More posts to come on my Rootstech/FHL findings.  Stay tuned.

If you are related to or connected to anyone in this blog post, please get in touch.  Let’s exchange information.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2022   Diane Gould Hall
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

 

SEMINARS ~ A Day with Warren Bittner at the San Diego Genealogical Society

Warren Bittner, C.G.

There are many reasons to join a genealogy society.  Attending seminars and classes ranks high on that list.  To read more about why I believe it is important to belong to and support our genealogical societies read this post SEMINARS, WEBINARS, SOCIETIES–WILL THEY HELP YOUR RESEARCH?

Yesterday I attended our annual January seminar.  The San Diego Genealogical Society has been putting on twice a year seminars for, at least, the 10 years I’ve been a member.

 

Here’s the thing about classes or seminars.  Even though you may think the subject matter is not of interest, or not pertinent to your own research, you will ALWAYS learn something of value.

This seminar was the perfect example.  The subject was all about researching in German records.  I only have ONE line that is German.  At least so far.  That would be my 7th great grandparents Johannes WUNDERLICH and Anna Barbara DENSLER.  Read more about my Wunderlich family Family History Library Trip - Day 2 - A Red Letter Day! or Surname Saturday - Wunderlich - Johannes (1700-1760) my 7th great grandfather 

Here’s what I learned and why it’s of value and can be applied to other regions of the world.

Session 1 – Meyer’s Gazetteer:  Gateway to Germany 1871-1918

• This Gazetteer lists all towns in Germany as they existed in 1910
• You can find population data, political jurisdictions, transportations and communication information and whether the towns included “dependent” villages.

Mr. Bittner explained in excellent detail how to use this information and helped us to understand the various German words.  Decipher the colons and semi colons and break down all the great information included in this resource.

Here’s a new website that can help you get started.  And…the good news, all the levels of jurisdiction are given in English https://www.meyersgaz.com

WHY WOULD THIS INFORMATION BE OF VALUE IF I DON’T HAVE GERMAN ANCESTORS?

• Because Gazetteers can be found in many countries, including the United States – we learn the value of one, we are learning the value of all of them.  Certainly an underused resource in my genealogy journey.

Session 2 – German Maps and Territories (You can’t do research without them)

• An overview of German boundary changes – And let me tell you there have been plenty.  How do they affect your research?
• Techniques to find where any village would be on a map, even the very small villages.
• How to find a Nobility Region of a town
• And, Mr. Bittner gave us a list of 10 sources for locating Maps & Territorial Histories.

Session 3 – German Marriage Laws and Customs

This was the after lunch session.  You know, that time when all of us are full and perhaps a little sleepy.  Let me tell you.  There was no sleeping during any of the sessions as Mr. Bittner kept us all intrigued and interested.I’ll condense this session as follows: 

• There were so many forces that had input into whether a couple was allowed to marry, it was incredible!  I never suspected there could be so many outside sources that would influence a couple’s right to marry.

Here are examples of some of them:

Noblemen, Parents, Church, Town or Village, Courts, Craft Guilds and Territorial States 

And a big influence was your “place” in the particular town or village.  A couple was supposed to marry within their own social class.  Weddings went on for as long as 3 days, with engagements, posting of banns, exchange of vows, feasts, a procession of the bride’s dowry, the “bedding” event (not something that was the actual consummation of the marriage), the feasts and various other traditions.

The control and restrictions of marriages went on until 1918 with the end of the second empire.  Just think.  Until just over 100 years ago, a couple could not decide for themselves to get married.

• We also learned that there are dozens of places you can find marriage records.  Not always in churches or courts. 

Another subject that was discussed was the many illegitimate births that were common place.  Is it any wonder that many of us are discovering that our DNA tests are leading us to unexpected turns in our family trees?

Session 4 – The Fisherman Who Wanted to Marry the Executioner’s Daughter

This was a true story.  The Fisherman was in a class above the Executioner’s daughter and everyone from parents to the Fisherman’s Guild, the courts and the Town Council objected to this union.  They were finally allowed to marry, but only after both attempted suicide.

Warren Bittner, our SDGS President Diane Lott and me

In closing.  If you get a chance to hear Warren Bittner, C.G. speak, I would highly recommend you attend.  Whatever subject he may be speaking about, you will find him very knowledgeable, affable and entertaining.

I have an entirely new outlook now on what may have influenced my ancestors in their journey through life.  Whether or not they were in Germany or another part of Europe, Canada or even here in the U.S. I know I can be a better researcher with this information.

I’d love to hear about the classes, seminars, conferences or webinars you’ve attended or watched that have changed or influenced your research strategies.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

HAPPY 4th–I’ve discovered some new Revolutionary War ancestors! Meet Johannes & Daniel WUNDERLICH

I had touched on these two 6th great granduncle’s in a previous post about the Wunderlich family.  You can read that post here SURNAME SATURDAY ~ WUNDERLICH–Johannes (1700-1760) my 7th great grandfather

In the past couple of days, I’ve learned a bit more about Johannes & Daniel Wunderlich.  My research is no where near complete, but I’ll share what I have so far.

As stated in the blog post referenced above, Johannes & Daniel did, in fact, come to Colonial America in the mid 1750’s and they did marry sisters.

Johannes married Maria Elizabetha Siechele on 11 Jan 1757 in Derry, Pennsylvania.  This is referenced in Pennsylvania, Lutheran Baptisms and Marriages, 1730-1799.

Name:    Johannes Wunderlich
Gender:    Male
Marriage Date:    11 Jan 1757
Marriage Place:    Derry, Pennsylvania, USA
Spouse:    Maria Elizabetha Siechelin [surname spelled many different ways, commonly as SIECHELE]
Source:    Early Lutheran Baptisms and Marriages in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Daniel married Eva Barbara Siechele on 22 Feb 1763 in Paxtang, Pennsylvania.  Also referenced in Pennsylvania, Lutheran Baptisms and Marriages, 1730-1799

Name:    Daniel Wunderlich
Gender:    Male
Marriage Date:    22 Feb 1763
Marriage Place:    Paxtang, Pennsylvania, USA
Spouse: Eva Barbara Siechlin
Source:    Early Lutheran Baptisms and Marriages in Southeastern Pennsylvania

Now, on to the Revolutionary War service of these two German immigrants.
 
Both Johannes & Daniel Wunderlich are listed in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Index of the Rolls of Honor books as verified patriots.
 
Along with that there is the Pennsylvania, Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012

Here’s the card for Daniel, showing he served in 1st Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Class of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, as a Private.

I have not located the Veterans Burial card for Johannes, although I expect that one does exist.

You may visit the FindAGrave memorials for Johannes #25971599 and Daniel #20463721

I’m very proud of these two 6th great granduncles.  They came to a new country, as young men, married and began a new life.  Then when their new country (not even a country yet) began the war for independence, they signed up to serve.

Daniel was 61 years old when he died in 1799 and Johannes (the older brother of the two), lived to be 85.  Wouldn’t I love to sit down and talk to these two men?
 
What would I ask them?

• What was your life like in Germany?
• How long was your trip over to America and how difficult was the trip?
• How hard was it to learn a new language and culture?
• Did your wives speak any German?  Did you teach your children German?
• What would you say to the young Johannes & Daniel if you could talk to them today?
• Are you proud of yourself, your family and your accomplishments?
• Did you ever think that over 200 years after your deaths, one of your descendants would be writing about you?    

Happy 4th and happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

SURNAME SATURDAY ~ WUNDERLICH–Johannes (1700-1760) my 7th great grandfather

The Wunderlich family are one of two known families that give me some German heritage.  According to DNA ethnicity results from various sites (which we all know are a work in progress), I do have German ancestry.
 

Here’s a screenshot from my Ancestry DNA.

How am I related to this Wunderlich family?
 
This is a maternal line for me.  I only recently revisited this line and have added many more people to the tree because my 7th great grandparents, Johannes Wunderlich and Anna Barbara Densler had 13 children.¹  I descend from their second child, Jacobina Elizabeth, born 3 Jul 1723.  She married Johann Eberhard Martin (my other German line) on 16 Feb 1745 in Notzingen, Teck Donau, Wurttemberg, Germany.

Here’s the record of the marriage of my 6th great grandparents in 1745.  I originally located this at the Family History Library in 2015. You can also view the record on Ancestry Württemberg, Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages, and Burials, 1500-1985

This book Genealogical Record of the Wunderlich Family in America –Seventeen Branches compiled by Charles Albert Cornman, assisted by Daniel Wunderlich Nead, M.D., copyright 1911, is a good starting point for research on the Wunderlich family.  There is a name index as well as a place index in the back of the book.

According to the forward in the book, much of the information was obtained via correspondence with descendants.
 
My ancestor Johannes Wunderlich was said to have had a home in Ludwigsburg in the Kingdom of Wurttemberg. He was the Overseer and General Foreman in the King’s work yard.   Two of the sons of Johannes emigrated to America, Daniel in 1751 and John (Johan) at age 18 in 1753.  They settled in Pennsylvania, marrying sisters and engaging in farming.

John is said to have served as a private in the Pennsylvania Militia during the Revolutionary War.  I need to verify this with proper records.

HERE IS HOW I DESCEND FROM THIS FAMILY

Johannes Wunderlich & Anna Barbara Densler – 7th great grandparents

Jacobina Elizabeth Wunderlich & Johann Eberhard Martin – 6th great grandparents

Anna Barbara Martin & John Frampton, Jr. – 5th great grandparents

Rachel Frampton & William Gillen – 4th great grandparents

Emily Gillen & Rev. Isaac C. Hunter – 3rd great grandparents

James Gillen Hunter & Susan Caroline Boggs – 2nd great grandparents

Florence Hunter & Robert Lee Bowden – great grandparents

Florence Bowden & Joseph Albert Milne – grandparents

Patricia Anne Milne & Harry Norman Gould – parents

Surnames listed above are: Boggs, Bowden, Densler, Frampton, Gillen, Gould, Hunter, Martin, Milne, Wunderlich.  I’d love to hear from you, if you are also connected to these families.

Source Information

1. Ancestry.com. Genealogical record of the Wunderlich family in America [database on-line]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
Original data: Cornman, Charles Albert,. Genealogical record of the Wunderlich family in America : seventeen branches. Carlisle, Pa.: Cornman Print. Co., 1988.

I have a lot more work to do on this family and I’ll be sure to write about what I find.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY TRIP - DAY 2 - A RED LETTER DAY!

WEDDING WEDNESDAY - Martin & Wunderlich - Married 1745 in Germany

Happy hunting.
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY ~ Anna Barbara Martin–1748-1822–My 5th great grandmother

In Memory of

Anny B. Frampton

who died August 9

1822

aged 66 years

Anna Barbara Martin was born 18 Mar 1749 in Germany.  I have her baptismal record of 21 Mar 1749 in Ludwigsburg, Wurttembeg, Deutschland.  She was the daughter of Johann Eberhard Martin and Jacobina Elizabeth Wunderlich, both born in Germany.

She married John Frampton, Jr. about 1780 in Derry Township, Pennsylvania.

I have 8 children born to them, 2 girls and 6 boys.  I descend from their daughter, Rachel Frampton (1781-1855).

I know very little about Anna’s life.  I do know she ended up in Burlington, Lawrence, Ohio and died there on 9 Aug 1822.  I was able to visit the Burlington Green Lawn Cemetery and found her headstone. You may visit her findagrave memorial here # 70712927.

Her husband, John died in 1808.  I suspect she went to Burlington because her sons, Martin & Isaac were there, as well as her daughter, Rachel.

There is much more research to be done on Anna & her family.

Some of the sources used so far are:

• Mifflin County, Pennsylvania Families & Records before 1800 Supplement by Raymond Martin Bell, Page 36
• Mifflin County, Pennsylvania Families & Records before 1800 by Raymond Martin Bell, page 16a
• Germany, Lutheran Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1519-1969, digital images on Ancestry.com, pages 18 & 19
• Sons of the American Revolution Applications

I have plans to travel, for the first time, to Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, later this year.  I hope to find much more information on the Martin & Frampton families while I’m there.  Wish me luck.

Thoughts and questions that came up while I wrote this post...

• Why the discrepancy on her age on the tombstone? By her date of birth, she would have been 73 years old at the time of her death, not 66.
• Did she and/or her husband John, have prior marriages?  The both seemed a little old for a first marriage in 1780 (both in their 30's).
• Where is John buried? 

Please contact me if you are related to or have any information on this family.  I’d love to hear from you.

If you have any corrections or additions to what I’ve mentioned here, please let me know.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY OF OF INTEREST

FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY - Day 2 - A Red Letter Day! - Finding German Records

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2017   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

GERMAN RECORDS–I’m learning and having fun too

As you may know from my previous posts, I was recently able to go to the Family History Library for 4 days.

During that visit I looked at German records on microfilm.  This was my first time ever looking at German records of any kind.
Since I’ve returned home, I’ve begun processing my finds and in the process have found new records online.

Why I’m having so much fun….

• I love learning new things
• I’m adding a whole new list of surnames to my family
• I’ve taken my family back another two-three generations
• Researching in a new country is exciting
• I’m also learning some of the German language

There was one microfilm I looked at that contained a gold mine of records.  Film #1055846.  I know, based on the dates of information contained on that film, that there is more to be found on it.  As a result I have just ordered the film online via Family Search Online Film Ordering, to be sent to our local Family History Center in San Diego.  Once the film arrives I will have three months to view it as I paid for extra time.

In the meantime I will continue to mine the German records available on Ancestry and/or Family Search.
 
New Names Added to Our Family Tree…so far.

• Rummelspacher
• Ernst
• Von Votzing
• Enricher

I’ve found this database useful Germany, Select Marriages, 1558-1929.
 
I located this record for my 8th great grandparents, Jacob Martin & Appolinia Von Votzing.

Name:    Jacob Martin
Gender:    Male
Marriage Date:    2 Aug 1659
Marriage Place:    Evangelisch, Jesingen, Donaukreis, Wuerttemberg
Spouse:  Appolinia Von Votzing
FHL Film Number:1055744

PLEASE contact me if you think you might be related, even remotely, to anyone mentioned in this blog.

So stay tuned and I’ll continue to share my journey.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY TRIP - DAY 2 - A Red Letter Day!
FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY TRIP - After You Return Home - Then What?

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2015   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY TRIP - Day 2 - A RED LETTER DAY!

I'M IN SALT LAKE CITY AT THE

FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY!

Hello again.  This is my story of Day 2 here at the Family History Library.

I decided I would tackle some records that were completely foreign to me. GERMAN records.  I don't have many German roots, but what I've found so far is on my maternal line.  In doing research in Pennsylvania on my FRAMPTON, GILLEN and HUNTER lines, I came across information on the MARTIN family.  

Anna Barbara Martin (1747, Germany to 1822, Ohio) married John Frampton, Jr. in about 1780.  They are my 5th great grandparents.

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900

Name:John Frampton

Gender: Male

Birth Place:or

Birth Year:1744

Spouse Name:Anna Barbara Martin

Spouse

Birth Place:Wu

Spouse Birth Year:1749

Marriage

Year:1780

Marriage State:PA

Number Pages:1

During my research at the Carlsbad Library, in San Diego County, I found a book that referenced the Martin Family and named Johann Everhard Martin as the father of Anna Barbara Martin.  And named his wife as Jacobina Elizabeth.

"Raymond Martin Bell, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania Families & Records before 1800 Supplement (N.p.: n.p., n.d.), 36. Cit. Date: 29 Jun 2010; Martin, Everhard of Derry - wr Jan 13 1784 - pr Feb 20 1784 (German) wife Jacobena Elizabeth: Christopher, Barbara, Mary, Elizabeth, Rachel"

From there I located a record on the Family Search website regarding the marriage record for Johann Eberhard Martin and Jacobina Elisabetha Wunderlich. 

Deutschland, Heiraten 1558-1929 Germany, Select Marriages, 1558-1929

Name:   Johann Eberhard Martin

Gender:   Male

Marriage Date: 16 Feb 1745

Marriage Place: Evangelisch, Notzingen, Donaukreis, Wuerttemberg

Father:  Cunrad Martin

Spouse:Jacobina Elisabetha Wunderlich

FHL Film Number:1055846

Reference ID:   2:1R0GVFP

I go down to the second floor which has the European records here at the library and set up all my stuff.  Then I proceeded to pull that film.  I didn't know what to expect.  I don't speak German and don't really know any German words.  So, I asked for help.

TIP: The consultants are available beginning at 9 a.m.  The library isn't very busy first thing in the morning and it's a good time to avail yourself of the services of the experts.

A very nice man named Daniel helped me to decipher which were the birth, marriage and death records on the microfilm. He gave me a sheet of paper with the basic German words for things I would be looking for.

Let's get to the good part of this story.  I didn't turn that film handle more than twice and THERE IT WAS!!  OH MY GOSH!!

The 1745 marriage record of my 6th great grandparents, Johann Everhard Martin and Jacobina Elisabetha Wunderlich.

This record gives the names of both of their parents.  That's right, taking my family back one more generation. 

Here is what the image looked like as I first saw it.  Can you see the record?

(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)

It was the very first record on this page.  Here is close up of the record.

Here is a transcription of this record as read to me from Daniel at the library.

"1745 16 Feb - Johann Eberhard Martin who is the son of the deceased Cunrad Martin, citizen and judge in Notzingen and Jacobina Elisabetha who is the daughter of Johann Wunderlich who is a citizen and carpenter in Ludwigsburg on the Schafhof." 

Now I know Johann's father's name & profession and that he was deceased prior to 1745.  And the same with Jacobina's father, a carpenter in another city and apparently living.

I knew that this microfilm covered years from about 1650 so I decided to look for more records. OH BOY DID I FIND THEM!!

I won't go into all the details but here is a list of what I found and some images.  One record led to another and another and this is the order in which I located them.

• Marriage of Cunrad Martin & his wife Anna on 26 Jul 1717
• Burial of Cunrad's first wife, Margaretha, on 14 Feb 1717
• Marriage of Cunrad & Margaretha on 15 Nov 1698(this record lists the names of Cunrad and Margaretha's father's taking us back another generation)
• Birth of Johann Eberhard Martin on 30 Jan 1718
• Baptism of Michael Martin, son of Jacob Martin & his wife Apollonia on 2 Mar 1669 (this turned out to be a brother of Cunrad)
• Death record of Cunrad Martin on 25 Sep 1720

Can you believe it?  Was this a gold mine of a microfilm or what?  I am so excited to continue my research and fill in the details for all of these family members.

Here are images of some of the records mentioned above.

Death record of Cunrad's first wife Margaretha on 13 Feb 1717

Birth record for Johan Eberhard Martin in 1718

Marriage record of Cunrad Martin & Margaretha in 1697

TIP:  When I go to a library or courthouse I take a camera with me and I photograph any record I am interested in keeping, including the microfilm records. I have a Canon Powershot SX260HS.  It's a little camera, but it takes great pictures. This is the quickest method I have found when saving images.  This way they are already digitized and I will get home and crop and label them. I organize them by date. I've been doing this for many years now and find it works extremely well.  Saves a lot of time over scanning (even with a FlipPal) or copying.

I really enjoyed sharing these finds with you. I'll talk more about my FHL trip once I get home.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2015   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

ANALYZING EVIDENCE - JOHN DOLLER & BERTHA KELLER–WHO WERE THEY?

Bertha & John Doller - 1935, Buffalo, New York

Today I want to write about my husband’s side of the family.  I know quite a bit about the Hall side (his paternal side).  However, on his maternal side, there is less information.  Maybe it’s because the Hall side can be traced back to 1668 in Massachusetts. And, this particular line on his mother’s side only goes back to the late 1800’s when they immigrated from Germany.  I don’t know.  But, I do know that I’d like to learn more about this part of the family.   

My husband’s mother, Dorothy Beatrice Fink and her siblings were all born in Erie County, New York.  Three of them in Buffalo and one in Ebenezer.  

Going back one more generation are Dorothy Fink’s parents Henry August Fink & Freada Emma Meta Doller, both born in Buffalo, Erie, New York.

Let’s concentrate on Freada’s parents.  They are John Doller & Bertha A. Keller.  They are my husband’s great grandparents on his mother’s side.

Bertha Keller Doller with her nieces & nephews and her daughter, Freada (standing far right)

Here is the family view for John & Bertha, from my Legacy database. 


You can clearly see that I have information on them, but nothing on their parents and two children that are unknown.  

What type of sources do I have for this couple?

Here is what I have for Bertha Keller Doller and I can tell you that I have the same sources for John Doller.



1.  How do I rate these sources?  Not very well.
2.  Am I confident in the information?  Sort of.
3.  Do I need more?  Absolutely!

Census records can certainly be wonderful sources for information.  If you get information that matches up (or closely matches) from census to census, then you have a fair idea that the information is correct or close to correct.  HOWEVER, the data on the census is only as good as the person who gave it to the enumerator and only as good as what the enumerator wrote.  Since we don’t know who in the household (or even if someone in the household) gave the information to the enumerator, we have to be cautious.  I consider census data to be a lead for me to gather real evidence of events, such as births, marriages, divorces, deaths etc.

Let’s look at the other source for this couple – “Info taken from hand written document written by Delphine Fink Long.”  While I know it may not be standard practice for citing a Master Source, it’s a method I use when I have something like a handwritten document that gives me names & dates.  At least that way I am noting/sourcing where my information came from, until I can get verifying data.  By the way, Delphine Fink Long is the granddaughter of John & Bertha.

And lastly for the marriage of John Doller & Bertha Keller, I have noted that it is a “guess based on the age of first child and date of immigration to the U.S.”  Again, it’s not a “real” source, but tells me where the information came from and gives me a starting point.  And, now that I am re reading that statement.  I don't really know if Irven Doller, Sr., was a first child or not, since so many of the children died. 

DO I HAVE A LOT MORE RESEARCH WORK TO DO ON THIS COUPLE.  YES!!

Here is a list of the documents I need for this couple.

• Birth records from Germany, possibly from a church parish or government record.
• Immigration records.  How about a passenger record?  I haven’t found one yet, but I’m still looking.  The 1900 census gives an immigration date of 1890 and lists John Doller as “na” meaning naturalized.  Naturalization papers can give parents names, exact places of birth and many other vital facts.  FYI – I have never obtained a naturalization record for any of my ancestors.  Do I want to?  Yes.
• Marriage record.   This couple probably married in Germany, since their son, Irven Doller, Sr. was born there in 1885.  I don’t know where and when the other children were born, except for Freada, who was born in Buffalo, New York.
• Death certificates.  New York is not known for having very many online records and has pretty much been a black hole for me on many ancestors.  However, I have just recently read about thousands more New York records coming online.  I am anxious for that.  The only other way I can obtain records is by getting microfilm from the FHL (Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah) and having it sent to our local FHC (Family History Center), or checking with our local center to see if they might already have the films on file.

Here are the burial records I obtained from the cemetery and pictures of John & Bertha’s headstone.  

Headstone for John & Bertha Doller - courtesy of Sandra Hudson

Burial cards for John & Bertha Doller - courtesy of Buffalo Cemetery, Cheektowaga, Erie, New York

What have I learned today from reviewing this couple?

I always like to ask myself that question.  Here is what I’ve learned today in just a very quick review of this couple, my husband’s great grandparents.

• That I need to go back to sites I have searched before, such as Ancestry.com or Family Search and see if new records have come online.
• That I should go to the FHL catalog and find out which microfilms contain the naturalization and/or death records I need.  Once I know the numbers, I can call or visit our local family history center.
• That in reviewing the 1900 census I had missed the notation that Bertha was the mother of 6 children, and only 2 were living when the census was taken.  If you look at the family view of this couple, I only have 5 children for them. 
• Look again for passenger records for this couple.  I’ll use Ancestry.com and Steve Morse’s site.  His site is a combination of several sites for passenger records.
• Look into obtaining naturalization records for John Doller.  Was Bertha also naturalized?  For this I’ll need to go to the National Archives & Records Administration site (NARA).  I’ll also check with the FHL catalog to see what they have.

I’m sure there are more things to do, and things I’ve missed. I will continue to review once I publish this post.

TIP:  Going over your information for either a couple or just one person, can certainly shed new light on where you are in your research.  It can give you new ideas and take you in directions you may have missed when you last visited.  Making a list of what you need to do is also a useful tool.

ATTENTION ANY DOLLER, KELLER OR FINK DESCENDANTS –  If you read this post and would like to share/exchange with me, I am greatly interested.  

Happy hunting and wish me luck,

Michigan girl,

Copyright ©  2014   Diane Gould Hall