"A family tree can wither if nobody tends its roots."

Dec21st2014

Digging Into My Father’s Lineage

by  Phyllis Zeck

In May 2014 I received the results of my DNA test through Ancestry.com.  I was surprised to find that I am 33% Scandinavian.  I wondered how much of this percentage was due to my paternal ancestors.  My paternal great grandparents were Edward Norder born Sep 1880 in Monroe Wisconsin and Matilda (Tillie) Frey born Jul 1880 in Monroe Wisconsin.  It was time to ask Kathy from GenTracer to work her magic with some research on my father’s ancestors.  Thank you Kathy for your hard work!

Grace Norder and her sisters

Grace Norder and her sisters

The first few paragraphs of Kathy’s research gave me many new clues to help in my investigation.  I thought my great grandfather’s first name was Edwin, but it was Edward.  I didn’t know my great grandmother Tillie’s maiden name which I now have.  It is Frey.

My great grandmother Tillie’s parents were Charles Frey born Jan 1842 in Germany (died 17 May 1901) and Anna Rinehart born Jun 1848 in New York. They were married in 1866.  Charles and Anna had five children: Edward, Albert, George, Matilda, and Magdalena.

My great grandfather Edward’s parents were Richard Norder born Mar 1848 in New York and Fannie Blum aka Blumer born Dec 1854 in Wisconsin. They were married in 1874.   Fannie’s father was Rudolph Blum born in Switzerland in Apr 1809.  Richard and Fannie had six children: Ida, Edward, John, George, Alice, and Harry.

The photo below is Grace with her three sisters. From left to right:  my grandmother Grace (far left) born 1908, Irene (in the white hat) born 1902, and Grace’s husband Joseph Rachor.  Gladys (Frannie) born 1905, and Agnes born 1913 are also in the picture but I’m not sure which woman is in the light coat and which one is in the dark coat.

Joe and Grace Rachor 1

I had hoped to uncover some information about my grandfather but Kathy hit a brick wall.  Dad’s mother was Grace Norder and she married Frank Winike. My father’s death certificate has his parents names.  In an effort to find out more about my grandfather I have written to both the state of Illinois and the state of Wisconsin for dad’s birth certificate.  No record of birth was found in either state.  Recently I applied for dad’s social security application in the hopes there will be information on the form about my grandfather.  We were told that Frank abandoned Grace and my father when dad was 2 years old.  Soon after Grace moved to Chicago to be near her sisters Irene, Gladys (Frannie), and Agnes thus setting the stage for mom and dad to meet, fall in love, and marry.  Click this link to view my father’s Ancestor Report.

Click this link to view Pedigree Charts and Family Group Records. Below are some excerpts from Kathy’s research project. Wishing you all a joyous Christmas!

Christmas 4

RESEARCH REPORT #6

The research goal was to extend ancestral lines in Chicago for parents of Robert Thomas Winike (1928-1970).

The search began with the Wisconsin births and Christenings 1826-1926 (FHL #1302876 and found at www.familysearch.org). They included the birth of a female Norder on 8 October 1905 in Monroe, Green, Wisconsin. She was born to Edward Norder (born in Monroe) and to Tillie Frey (born in Monroe).

The Wisconsin births and Christenings 1826-1926 (FHL #1305129 and found at www.familysearch.org) included the birth of Ralph Norder on 3 May 1904 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was born to Edward Norder (born in Wisconsin) and Tillie Frey (born in Wisconsin).

The Wisconsin marriages 1836-1930 (FHL #1266671 and found at www.familyserch.org) included:

a) The marriage of Edward Norder to Matilda Frey on 1 January 1902 in Monroe, Green, Wisconsin. The groom was born in Monroe to Richard Norder and Fannie Blumer. The bride was born in Monroe to Charles Frey and Anna Rinehart.

b) The marriage of Albert Frey to Ida Norder on 15 December 1897 in Monroe. The groom was born in Monroe to Charles Frey and Anna Reynhart. The bride was born in Monroe to Richard Norder and Fanny Bloom.

c) The marriage of Geo (George) Frey to Rosa Ruegger in June 1902 in Monroe. The groom was born in Monroe to Charles Frey and Anna Rhinehardt. The bride was born in New Glarus, Wisconsin to Martin Disch and Katharine Zeutner.

The 1910 census was also searched for these families at www.ancestry.com, but we could only positively identify the Norder family in Monroe in ED 12, sheet 2A. Richard Norder was 63 years old, married once for 36 years, born in the United States to parents born in Switzerland (someone wrote a descriptor on all the Swiss entries on this page, but I can’t equate it with known sections of Switzerland. The implication is that there’s a large Swiss population in this area of Monroe). He worked as a laborer for a teamster and could read and write. His wife, Fannie, was 55 years old, married once for 36 years. She had borne 9 children, 7 still living. She was born in Wisconsin to parents born in Switzerland. Their daughter, Alice B., was 20 years old, single, born in Wisconsin in and a typesetter in a printing office. Their son, Harry, was 15 years old, single, and born in Wisconsin. He worked as a laborer in a butcher shop. Note that there’s another Frey family on the second page. Source #15

The 1905 state census of Wisconsin at www.ancestry.com included your Norder family in Monroe. Richard was 57 years old, married, born in New York to parents born in Germany. He was a teamster. His wife, Fanny, was 50 years old and married. She was born in Wisconsin to parents born in Germany. Their daughter, Alice, was 15 years old and single, born in Wisconsin. Their son, Harry, was 9 years old and born in Wisconsin. Source #16

In 1905, we also located the Frey family in Monroe. Anna was head of household, 51 years old, widowed, born in New York to parents born in Germany. Her son, Edward C., is 37 years old, married, born in Wisconsin and a carpenter. Edward’s wife, Anna M., is 33 years old, married, born in Illinois to parents born in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Edward’s son, Ralph G., was 5/12 year old, born in Wisconsin. Anna’s daughter, Lena F., was 17 years old and born in Wisconsin. Source #10

The 1900 census of Monroe, Green, Wisconsin at www.familysearch.org, contained your Norder family in ED 125, sheet 5B. Richard was born in March 1848, married 28 years, born in New York to parents born in Switzerland and a teamster. His wife, Fannie, was born December 1854 in Wisconsin to parents born in Switzerland. Their son, Edward, was born September 1880 in Wisconsin, He was single, and a printer. Their son, John, was born September 1882 in Wisconsin. He was single and a day laborer. Their son, George, was born in January or June 1885 in Wisconsin. He was single and a day laborer. Their daughter, Alice, was born in April 1890 in Wisconsin. She was single and attended school. Their son, Harry, was born November 1895 in Wisconsin. He was single and at school. His father-in-law, Rudolph Blum, was born April 1809 in Switzerland to parents born in Switzerland. He arrived in 1850 and was a retired farmer. Source #14

In the process of locating the above documents on your Norder family, we located a possible cousin who posted a tree on Ancestry called the Jones Family Tree. His sources were the 1900, 1910 and 1905 census records. Source #13

We also located two family trees for your Frey family on Ancestry. The first shows Charles Frey and Anna unknown and is called T Treuthardt Reynolds Tree. Source #17

The other Fry family on Ancestry was called Bruce Sexton-Sexton/DeFouw. It shows Charles Frey married to Ellen Reinman, but the Edward born in 1866 matches Matilda’s brother. Their sources were the 1900, 1920, and 1870 census. Source #18

The 1900 census of Monroe, Green, Wisconsin, ED 125, sheet 5B at www.familysearch.org included the family of Charles Frey. He was born January 1842 in Germany to German parents, married 34 years, arrived 1854, naturalized, was a carpenter. His wife, Anna, was born June 1848 in Wisconsin to German parents. Their son, Edward, was born November 1866 in Wisconsin and worked as a carpenter. Their son, George, was born November 1872 in Wisconsin and worked as a carpenter. Their daughter, Matilda M., was born July 1880 in Wisconsin. Their daughter, Magdalena F., was born May 1887 in Wisconsin and attending school. Source #4

The 1890 veterans census of Monroe at www.familysearch.org included Charles Frey. He was a corporal and served from 14 October 1861 to 10 July 1865. The note at the bottom states that he was kicked by a horse in his left side. Source #5

The Military Pension files for 1861-1934 at www.familysearch.org included Charles Frey. It shows his wife as Anna Frey. He was in the 2nd … Battery, Wisconsin, light artillery. It was filed 24 February 1890 in Wisconsin as an invalid. He died on 17 May 1901 and his widow received the benefits. Source #6

The Military Pension Index for 1861-1917 at www.familysearch.org included Charles Frey. It shows company 2, Wisconsin Light Artillery Pension dated 24 February 1890. Source #7

 

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Dec9th2011

Janice Christine Winike 1958 – 2011

by  Rob Winike

“You’re in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here.” – Sarah McLachlan

Janice’s grade school picture from Villa Middle

Janice Christine Winike, (May 6, 1958 – November 21, 2011) was the fifth child of Robert and Corinne Winike. She is survived by seven siblings: Robert, Steven, Thomas, Phyllis, Holly, Anthony, and Lori; as well as nephews Robin, Dominick, Jared and Robert, nieces Lindsay and Ashley; grand nieces Gracie and Ava, and grand nephew, Tyler.

Since our sister’s passing my siblings and I have been sharing many memories about our family. In particular, I want to thank Phyllis for helping to edit and compose this blog; without her, publishing the blog would not be possible. Holly, Tony, and Lori all contributed suggestions and ideas through emails and phone calls to me – in addition to helping with funeral arrangements and a service at Janice’s gravesite with Fr. Joseph Mills from Westchester Community Church on Dec 5, 2011. My brother Steve and I spent hours on the phone the past couple of weeks, recalling and verifying details that I incorporated into the blog. It’s a fitting labor of love that I hope will convey our family’s respect and reverence for Janice’s memory. (more…)

 

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Feb8th2011

Home Movies

by  Phyllis Zeck

Corinne with Bobby and Mark

When I was a child Grandpa Gilbert was in charge of the movie camera.  It was expensive to buy the film and have it developed so you had to choose what you were going to record very carefully. Summer Sunday nights were movie nights.  It was always the same routine.  My father insisted we have barbequed hamburgers and hot dogs with corn on the cob and watermelon for desert.  Sunday was his one day off and mom always made sure his day was special.  Daddy would tumble the charcoal brochettes into the grill and pour on lighter fluid.  He’d toss in a match and with a “whoosh” the flames ignited.  Then the lid went on the grill.

 

 

Joseph Rachor (Papa Joe) and Grace M. Norder Winike Rachor

  While he waited for the coals to get hot, Daddy and Papa Joe would play horseshoes.  We’d watch from our swing set as the game commenced.  Daddy at one end of the yard, Papa Joe at the other.  Papa Joe would take his stance, one leg straight, one leg bent.  He’d rock back and forth 3 or 4 times as he brought the horseshoe up to his chin.  He’d take aim, pull his arm back, and let her rip!  The horseshoe slammed into the metal post with a clang and spun around a few times before coming to rest.  The dirt beneath the horseshoe flew up then floated down.  They never got tired of that game. Papa Joe was daddy’s step father.  He and daddy’s mother lived in an apartment on the second floor of our home.  Papa Joe worked for 7-UP.   I will never forget their classic slogan “You Like It – It Likes You”.   Nobody could tell a scary ghost story like our Papa Joe!

Cousins Toni and Gina

Grandpa would send someone out to his garden to pick tomatoes for the hamburgers.  There is nothing in this world like the taste of homegrown tomatoes.  Grandpa used to eat them like an apple.  He’d take a little bite so some of the skin was removed.  Then he’d take the salt shaker and pour on the salt.  Now a large bite, and tomato juice dripped down and around the tomato.  Delicious! After the dinner dishes were done Grandpa would pull the projection screen out of the closet and open the tri pod.  He’d pull the white screen up and latch it over the black hook.  Then he would set up the projector at the kitchen table.  We’d pull down the shades and the kids would clamor for seats on the benches around the table.  Grandpa would order that the lights to be turned off and the movie began. Of course there was no sound in those bulky older movie cameras but Grandpa was giving us instructions as he filmed us.  Run around the tree in the front yard.  Jump up and down.  Girls “brush the hair out of your eyes” and my arms along with my sisters flew up to our face to brush our hair back.

Some of my siblings and me

Then we hear the inevitable “snap”.  The film broke.  We’d all groan with a collective sigh and Grandpa would order that the lights be turned on.  He’d get out his splicing kit and lickety split, he’d have that film spliced and back on the projector.  The lights were turned off and we continued watching the movies. Several years ago my sister Lori and I collected that old film and we took it to a videographer and had the movies put on mini DV tapes.  I’ve added those movies to my iMac and now I can splice the movies to my hearts content. Click below for a 3 minute video of the Winike and Vincent (Auntie Phyllis’ Children) families.

 

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Dec27th2010

Christmas Time by Rob Winike

by  Phyllis Zeck

Christmas is always big at our house,because my parents suffered through Christmases with very little to spare during the Great Depression. Now they are effusive and generous to us kids, as no one in their generation, or even in their parents’ generation could have afforded to be. My grandfather tells us of many Christmases where he only received a stocking with a few candies and an orange, the only orange he would get to eat all year. One year, he says, his brothers were so wicked everyone in the family

Steve, Bob, and Tom Winike

got a lump of coal in their stocking. That was the second worst Christmas of his life. The worst we find out about later, when we’re older.

But Christmas in the Fifties, oh boy! Mama takes us on the “El” to Michigan Avenue, to see all the storefront windows brilliant with garish colors and sparkling shapes. Mechanical fairytale figures dance, skate, and twirl before our eyes, each window a different scene.

I am dreaming of Lionel trains after seeing the elaborate layout my cousin Bubba has. I ask my father if Santa will bring me a train set. He says, “You have to ask Santa that yourself.”  But I see the gleam in his eye; turns out he loves Lionels as much as I.

(more…)

 

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