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

Dec30th2014

A Civil War Soldier

by  Phyllis Zeck

Robert Thomas Winike

Robert Thomas Winike

Today my father Robert Thomas Winike would have been 86 years old.  He died in 1970 when he was 41 from lung cancer. Click on the image to the left to enlarge.  My father is on the far left, third row from the top.  One of my goals this year was to find out more about dad’s father Frank.  I have not been successful in my search for my grandfather’s story but I have uncovered some wonderful research about my father’s great grandfather.  So today we celebrate a Civil War hero.

My second great grandfather, Charles Frey, was born in Germany in Jan 1842. He immigrated to Monroe, Wisconsin in 1854 at the age of 12. I don’t yet know who he traveled to the U.S. with or why he left his homeland.  Scan 1

Charles married Anna Rinehart in 1866 and they had a daughter named Matilda (Tillie) in 1880, my great grandmother.  Tillie married Edward Norder on New Year’s day in 1902.  They had a daughter named Grace in 1908, my grandmother.  Grace married Frank Winike and they had a son named Robert in 1928, my father.

The photo above is Joe Rachor, my mother Corinne, and my father Robert. Dad’s mother Grace is sitting with my brother Bob. The photo below from left to right is my grandmother Grace, her second husband Joseph Rachor, Grace’s sister??, and my father.  I don’t know the name of the child.

Dad 2 Scan

On 14 Oct 1861 at the age of 19 Charles enlisted in the civil war. His service was with the 2nd Battery Wisconsin Light Artillery. He volunteered for 3 years, then he re-enlisted and was discharged 10 Jul 1865. This is the first family member that I am able to document who served in the Civil War. This is a huge discovery for me.  I have visited Fredericksburg and Gettysburg and can’t believe what these brave soldiers went through on the battle field. My 2nd great grandfather served for 3 years, 8 months and 26 days.

Click here (line 9) to read a pdf from the United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War 1890.  This document was found at the FamilySearch website.  The document states Charles was a corporal and served from 14 October 1861 to 10 July 1865.  He was wounded when he was kicked by a horse in his left side (see lower section of document, line 9).

The image below left is the “Military Pension file for 1861-1934” for Charles. It shows his wife as Anna Frey.  It was filed 24 Feb 1890 in Wisconsin and listed Charles as an invalid.  He died on 17 May 1901 and his widow received the benefits.  The first pension law for Union widows, orphans and disabled soldiers was enacted in 1862.  Records indicate that only 12 men died in Charles Battery and the loss was due to disease.  Click to enlarge the photos.

The image above right is a Civil War Military Pension Index for 1861-1917 from Fold3.  It shows Charles served in Company 2, Wisconsin Light Artillery and is dated 24 Feb 1890.    I believe the original documents are found on microfilm M559, Roll 10.  We can obtain copies from NARA in person or by filling out a form online on this page.  The cost is $80.00 for up to 100 pages.  This record is whispering “buy me”.  It’s tempting!

Click this NPS page to view another clue about Charles.  His name was recorded as Carl Frey III.  Now I can search for his father and grandfather under the names of Carl or Charles. This page confirms that he enlisted as a private and was discharged as a corporal. Click this NPS page to read where Charles unit served through out the war.

All Civil War Army pensions application files at NARA are in the “Civil War and Later” series in Record Group 15.  The majority of these files are not microfilmed or digitized but some are at Fold3. A widow’s pension was $8.00 per month.  I went to the section called “United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890” and typed in Charles name.  His record did not come up but you can click here to read a pdf of a Declaration – Widow’s Army Pension that my great grandfather was a witness to.  This document tells us so much.  It’s dated 08 Jul 1864 from the county of Milwaukie, state of Wisconsin.  Henrietta Schroeder Gessner is 37 years old and has two children.  Her husband, Heinrich Gessner was killed in battle 19 Jun 1864.  The document asks Henrietta to swear that the following facts are true: the name of Heinrich’s commander, the name of his company, that Heinrich was a private, and that he “was killed by a musket ball fired by the enemy near Marietta, GA.” She states that she was Heinrich’s wife and gives the date of the marriage, who married them and that she is still a widow and is asked to attach her marriage certificate.  She provides two witnesses to attest that she is Heinrich’s widow and Charles Frey is one of them.  Charles signed the document “Carl Frey”.  Now we have a record of what his signature looked like, plus we have a clue we need for future searches, he went by the name of Charles and Carl.

Civil War Light Artillery Monument

Civil War Light Artillery Monument

In 1866 when he was 24 Charles married Anna Rinehart (born in 1848) and they had five children: Edward born 1866, George born 1872, Albert, Matilda (Tillie) born 1880, and Magdalena born 1887.  The 1900 census lists Charles occupation as a carpenter living at 336 Main St in Monroe, Wisconsin.  He owned his home free of a mortgage.  Charles served almost the entire length of the Civil War.  He passed away in Monroe Wisconsin on 17 May 1901 at the age of 59.

How did this wonderful story get lost in our family?  I’m so grateful for paper trails that help us learn about our ancestors lives and where we came from so we can share their amazing stories with our children.

 

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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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May4th2014

My DNA – Add A Large Splash of Scandinavia

by  Phyllis Zeck

Two weeks ago I received my Ancestry.com DNA results and the breakdown really surprised me.  Click on the photos below to see a larger view of the images.  My approximate lineage is: Scandinavia 33%, Italy/Greece 25% (no surprise here), Great Britain 18%, Iberian Peninsula 9%, Ireland 5%, and West Asia 9%. I am stumped by these results.  If any of my cousins out there know something about my Scandinavian ancestors please send me an email ASAP.

 

DNA Results 2

 

My Great Britain DNA extends to Germany.  My mother’s mother Bertha Marie Christina Reher was born in Hamburg, Germany in 1901.  I believe Bertha’s parents Caroline and August were also born in Germany.  

When I expand on each region I get a closer look at the countries of my ethnicity.  Scandinavia includes mostly Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Hamburg is a 3 1/2 hour drive from Denmark.  Perhaps Bertha’s grandparents were born in Scandinavia. 

The Iberian Peninsula region is mostly Spain and southern France.  West Asia includes Turkey, Iraq, and Iran.   Below is a detailed photo of my Italian ethnicity and how my DNA compares to a typical person native to the Italy/Greece region.

 

DNA Italy

 

I keep saying this, but I’ve got to start digging into my father’s lineage.  After seeing the results of my DNA breakdown I wonder if his ancestors were Scandinavian.  My father’s mother was Grace M. Norder, born in Monroe Wisconsin. Grace’s father Edwin C Norder (born in 1880) and Grace’s mother Tilly (born in 1879) were born in Wisconsin. According to the 1910 census Edwin’s parents were born in the U.S. but Tilly’s father was born in Germany, her mother was born in New York.  My father’s father was Frank Winike.  I know nothing about him or his ancestors.  Maybe they were born in the Scandinavian countries.

Along with my ethnicity chart came a very, very long list of 3rd, 4th, and distant cousin matches.  The research never ends…

 

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