Lebkuchen

Great Grandma Borchers' Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen is a traditional German Christmas treat that reminds many of gingerbread.  This recipe is more of a cake version of Lebkuchen with basic ingredients ground very fine as to almost hide the nuts and citron that blends all of the flavors to create a taste true to this variety of treat.   The flavor is a combination of brown sugar, allspice, citron, and walnuts.  

German bakers have been and continue to be rather industrious and talented with sweets.  Rather than simply making sweet treats out of sugar, vanilla, or chocolate (which is all great), they incorporate various spices and flavors that may seem rather unconventional in the U.S. but test and delight the palate of adults and children alike. 

This particular recipe is likely over 100 years old and was brought from Germany in the late 1800s and probably modified based on available ingredients from Missouri to Nebraska to Napa, California.  Enjoy my German family's traditional treat.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays!

Preheat Oven - 350 degrees

Cooking time - 30-35 minutes

Ingredients:

-1-1/2 c. flour

-2 tsp. cinnamon

-1/4 tsp. allspice

-4 eggs

-1 lb. of brown sugar

-2 oz. finely ground citron

-1/2 c. finely ground walnuts

Cream together eggs and brown sugar.  Grind citron and walnut and mix them together.  Dash some flour on the citron to separate it and make it easier to mix in with the walnuts.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Pour into a lightly greased 17"x 11"x1" pan.

Frosting: 

-1 c. powdered sugar

-2 T. hot water

Spread the frosting on while the Lebkuchen is hot out of the oven.  This is more of a runny glaze that will dry on the treat as it cools.  Cut into squares right away.

Irish Heritage and Paul T. McLaughlin

Paul T. McLaughlin is a McLaughlin/Maxwell cousin of mine and he, like me, is definitely not shy about his willingness to share his information.  Again, I disclose that for living people, my privacy policy follows that of Ancestry.com except when someone approves that they want to be revealed.

Below is a recent message that I received from Paul indicating where his collection is now located.

Thank you Paul for sharing this!

-------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,

As I was researching one of my other interests, I came across the American Heritage Center which is part of the University of Wyoming in Laramie. WY.  It is one of the most respected archival centers in the states.  What caught my attention was that they have an Irish-American center so I thought of you.

I have been working with them most of this year and contributed my collection of sixty nine years to them this summer.  I've longed for and finally found a place where my collection will be available for posterity, if anyone is interested.  What took so long was that I could never find a place to dedicate it until I surfed across a posting they had about Martin Jensen, with whom I worked back in 1942, had  donated his papers to them 2 years before he died.  That was all I needed.  I contacted them and they were as anxious to get my collection as I was to get it to them.

Anyway, you might want to check into their Irish-American Center.

Cheers

Cuz

(Paul T. McLaughlin)

Wordless Wednesday - Mystery Person in The Photo Album

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Update - Is this a Strehlow???

My Great Grandparents Home

On Wednesday, I posted a photo of 1134 Willow Avenue, Napa, California.  I started really thinking about that house.  It was my great grandparents home in which I spent many a day hanging out at with family for Easter, Christmas Eve, summertime visits, and more.

When my great grandma sold it in the 1980s, the new owner redid the house and put a second story on it.   The second story is a little odd ball looking on what you an tell was a single story craftsman style ranch from the 1920s.  I guess the original house was not big enough.  While it was a bungalow type home, it did have 3 bedrooms and some rather large rooms including a big dining room and a large kitchen with laundry room connected.

To each his own in modifying a home to meet their needs.  The picket fence out front is a little much though in my opinion.

I do wonder what my great grandma's brother would say about the modifications to the home.  Afterall, he built it.  John Henry Vienop, Jr., or rather, Uncle Henry was a general contractor in Napa, California after WWI.  He built several homes in Napa.  He also built more than one house on Willow Avenue in Alta Heights.

When I look up 1134 Willow Ave. on Zillow.com, it indicates that it was built in 1926.  Well, my photo and family have indicated that was 1925.  I guess the proof is in the picture.  I suppose my grandma is not wrong....nor my great grandma....or my aunt.  They all lived in this home.  My aunt even has a beautifully painted water color of this house.  By the time I was around, the house was completely painted white.

I rather miss visiting this home around the holidays.

Wordless Wednesday - 1134 Willow Avenue, Napa, CA - 1925

1134 Willow Avenue, Napa, CA - Builder:  John Henry Vienop, Jr.

MYOG Scanfest 2011

There comes a time when you've got to make copies of the information that you've acquired and return the originals to the current owner.  I am referring to all of the photos that I've borrowed from my mother.  In particular is my grandma's photo album.  It contains over 300 photos within the dimensions of an 7" X 11" book.  I am scanning each page right now.

Where I lack photos of my father's parents, I do have photos of my mother's parents.  In fact, I have 80 pages worth of photos of my grandma, Dorothy Marie Borchers Flanagan.  Included on those pages are my great grandparents (Mary and Herbert Borchers), one of my great great grandmothers (Anna Borchers), and several photos of my grandpa (Richard J. Flanagan).  There are some other relatives within the photo album including aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Many of the photos in this book are not labeled but credit goes to my great grandfather for even starting this album.  According to one of his daughter's, Herbert Borchers, Sr. was the person who created this album.  He may not have placed all of the photos in the book later on in his life but it is clear that my grandma did continue on with the placement of photos that include my mother.

Leave it to a Borchers to want to save and preserve these precious memories.  That side of my family is big into our family genealogy.  It is rather ironic because my grandma (Dorothy) never kept much of anything.  She was more of a minimalist who kept everything clean and organized.  I recall cleaning out my grandparents house and the bulk of the items were in the kitchen (pots, pans, etc.), fine china, linens, and garage tools plus the furniture.  There were also a couple of small boxes of memories including albums.  Can I just say that there was no clutter or hoarding going on in that house.  My grandparents did live a rather simple, modest life and were very happy for that.  I think getting back to that would work well in my life.

Anyway, I have embarked on my scanning project since my mother would like most of her photos back.  She misses being able to pull out the album when a name or memory comes up.  I respect that for sure.  There are also some random unmounted photos that she would like to frame including her grandparents and parents.

Currently, I am on page 15 of the photo album working away at scanning it, saving the original scanned page to my removable hard drive, cropping the page in Photoshop, and uploading the pages to Shutterfly.  My intent is to make a book of these photos.   I'd also like to know who the people are in many of the photos.  I will be asking my aunts when I see them.

Here's a sample page from the book.

Dorothy Marie Borchers and her mother, Mary Borchers circa 1922

So "Mine, Yours', and the Other Guy's" Scanfest 2011 is on!

Wordless Wednesday - Mary (Vienop) Borchers - Circa 1900

Happy Thanksgiving!

Given that it is the start of Thanksgiving week and my children are off from school, my blog will take a break.  I'll be back next week with some new posts.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

Hickey/Coughlin Research - Part 1

My father's side of the family has limited information about our Hickey and Coughlin family line until now.  One of my father's cousin's actually sought the information from the Clare Heritage Centre a number of years ago.  Below, I begin my summary of research followed by the extent and details of my Hickey/Coughlin line research.  My thought here is that if you wish and wait, you will find.  It doesn't hurt to rundown every lead and post on a message board here and there.

Patrick and Johanna (Coughlin) Hickey immigrated to the United States between the years of 1903 and1906.   Based on information in U.S. Census, it would appear that Johanna immigrated in 1904 and Patrick in 1905.  They were married on November 26, 1911, at the Church of the Resurrection in Rye, New York.

Patrick Hickey was born on November 20, 1884, in Derrycon, County Clare, Ireland.  His parents were William Hickey and Bridget Minogue.  Patrick was the second oldest child of at least 14 children.  He was baptized in Whitegate, County Clare, Ireland.  Prior to 1869, Derrycon, Mountshannon, and this area of northeast County Clare along the County Galway border were, in fact, part of County Galway.   The Griffith's Valuation altered the border slightly.   Previous generations of this Hickey and Minogue family were likely considered as geographically living in County Galway.

William Hickey's parents were Patrick Hickey and Eleanora Hayes.  Bridget Minogue's parents were Thady (Thaddeus or Timothy) Minogue and Mary Browne.

Johanna Coughlin was born and/or baptized on February 7, 1885.  Her church was the Bodyke Roman Catholic Chapel in the area of Ballyvannan, County Clare, Ireland in the Parish of Taumgraney.  Johanna Coughlin's family residence is indicated as Revail/Reveal, Caherhurly, Ballyvannan, County Clare, Ireland.  This location is in and around the northeast corner of County Clare.

Johanna was the third youngest of 16 children.  Her parents were Daniel Coughlin and Anna Mary McMahon.  The McMahon property was apparently designated as Revail, Ballyvannan, County Clare, Ireland.  Anna Mary McMahon's parents were Patrick McMahon and Mary McNamara.   Daniel Coughlin's parents were James Coughlin and Anne Gooney.

Now it should be noted here that the rumor was always stated that the family name was McManus rather than McMahon.  Church records indicate the family name as McMahon, however, and there is more distinct evidence that this is the correct family.  It is highly likely that Patrick McMahon's father was Daniel McMahon and that there were other McNamara's living in the area.

It is interesting to note that the Caherhurly area of Ballyvannan was a place to find some Minogue families around the early 1900s.  Were these Minogue's related to the Hickey/Minogue Family just about 30 miles north in Derrycon?

To be continued................................

Thomas Newman McLaughlin Inquiry

The following research is by George Capes.  I am making an exception here to identify him since he is the author of this research.  He is a McLaughlin descendant and has completed extensive research on this line.  Below is part of his research in his words.

Generation No. 1

THOMAS McLAUGHLIN, was born and died in Ireland.  No Further Info.

     

      Children of THOMAS McLAUGHLIN are:

      i.    MICHAEL  McLAUGHLIN, b. abt. 1785, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE;  d. 15 May 1858,  Newport, Herkimer Co., NY.

      ii.   PATRICK  McLAUGHLIN, b. 1792, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE;  d. 06 Jul 1882, Newport, NY.

      iii.  ( Strong Possibility ) BRIDGET McLAUGHLIN, b. abt. 1802, Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE; d. 30 Jul 1890, Norway, Herkimer Co. NY. Her surname is listed on son Michael’s Death Certificate dated 1907, Herkimer Co. NY. She m. by 1823, probably in Co. Longford, IRE to MICHAEL MAHARDY / MAHADA.  They appear on a New York City Passenger List Index, dated 30 Sep 1822, having departed from Liverpool, ENG on 19 Jul 1822.  No children were listed.  MICHAEL, b. c. 1799, prob. in Co. Longford, IRE;  d. 17 Apr 1851 in Newport.  His Will is dated 15 Apr 1851, probated 16 Jun 1851 in Herkimer, NY. They are both buried in Old St. Patrick’s Ceme. located at the Irish Settlement, Town of Newport, NY.  (Commentary by this blogger:  My brief research indicates that Bridget may have actually been married to Michael and Patrick's brother who died and then she married Michael Mahardy/Mahady).

Generation No. 2

1.    MICHAEL McLAUGHLIN (THOMAS1) was born abt. 1785 in or near Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE, and died 15 May 1858 in Newport, Herkimer Co., NY.  He married MARCELLA - in Ireland. She was born abt. 1792 in Ire-land, and died 20 Aug 1883 in Newport, NY. There is much speculation as to the surname of Marcella. As yet there is no definitive answer.  They are both buried in Old St. Patrick’s Ceme., Irish Settlement, Newport, NY.

      More about MICHAEL  McLAUGHLIN:

      Immigration: abt. 1823, through Quebec, CANADA

      Naturalization: 08 Feb 1832, Herkimer, NY, per Naturalization papers

      Known children of MICHAEL  McLAUGHLIN and MARCELLA - are:

      i.    THOMAS  Newman McLAUGHLIN, b. 25 Dec 1814, in or near Edgeworthstown or Ringowney, Co., Longford, IRE; d. 29 Jun 1900, Montello, Marquette Co., WI.

      ii.   JAMES  Michael McLAUGHLIN, b. 25 Oct 1816, in or near Edgeworthstown or Ringowney, Co. Longford, IRE; d. 15 Apr 1905, Newport, Herkimer Co., NY.

      iii.  Female (MARY ?)  McLAUGHLIN,  b. bet. 1810 - 1820, in IRE.  (female child per 1840 census). She was prob. married by 1845, as she does not appear with Michael & Marcella in the 1845 N.Y.S Census.  No Further Info.

2.    PATRICK McLAUGHLIN (THOMAS1) was born 1792 in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE, and died 06 Jul 1882 in Newport, NY. He married  BRIDGET MURTAUGH on 12 May 1828 in Old St. John's Church, Utica, NY.  She was born 1799 probably in Co. Cork, IRE, and died 10 Feb 1886 in Town of Norway, Herkimer County, NY. They are both buried in St. John’s Ceme., Newport, NY.

     

      Children of PATRICK and BRIDGET (MURTAUGH) McLAUGHLIN are:

      i.    ELIZABETH  McLAUGHLIN, b. 24 Feb 1829, Newport, NY.;  d. 27 Jan 1899, Montello, Marquette Co., WI.;  m. PATRICK  DUFFY, 22 Feb 1852, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Newport, NY.

      ii.   ROSE  ANN  McLAUGHLIN, b. 17 Mar 1830, Newport, NY.;  bp. 11 Jul 1830 as recorded at Old St. John’s R.C. Ch., Utica, NY., Spon: Owen McLaughlin & Maria Murtaugh; d. 06 Oct 1912, Montello, Marq. Co., WI.;  m. PATRICK  RIORDAN, 24 Sep 1848, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Newport, NY.

     iii.   JOHN  McLAUGHLIN, b. 13 Apr 1832, Newport, NY.;  d. bet. 1835 – 1840 as he appears in 1835 NYS Cen-

            sus, but not in the 1840 Fed. Census.

      iv.   MARY  ANN  McLAUGHLIN, b. 23 Apr 1834, Newport, NY.;  d. 29 Oct 1917, at Buffalo, Erie Co., NY.;  m. HUGH  JOSEPH  GARTLAND, 28 Nov 1850, at St. Patrick's Church, Newport, NY.

      v.    FRANCES (Fanny)  McLAUGHLIN, b. 28 Aug 1837, Newport, NY.;  d. bef. 1840 Fed. Census.

      vi.   JAMES  PATRICK  McLAUGHLIN, b. 12 May 1839, Newport, NY.;  d. 03 Nov 1929, Little Falls, NY.

      vii.  THOMAS  McLAUGHLIN, b. 17 May 1841, Newport, NY.; bp. 03 Jul 1841 at Old St. John’s Ch. Utica, NY.; d. young. 

Information about Thomas Newman McLaughlin and his family:

THOMAS  N.³ McLAUGHLIN (MICHAEL², THOMAS¹) was born 25 Dec 1814 in or near Ringowney, Parish of Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford, IRE, and died 29 Jun 1900 in Montello, Marquette Co., WI.  He married (1) HELEN DALEY, 06 Feb 1840 in St. Patrick's, Newport, NY.  She was born 1818 in MA, and died 14 Jul 1860 in Montello, Marquette Co., WI.  He married (2) MARY MARGARET COWLEY in 1863, also in Montello, WI.

He and his wife, Helen, migrated about 1850 to Montello, Marquette Co. WI., with 4 children. Their eldest child, John had died by 1850 in Newport, NY. Thomas and his 2nd. wife, Margaret, deeded their claim to the estate of his late father, Michael McLaughlin at Newport, to his brother James McLaughlin on 27 Feb 1864 for the sum of $ 233., as recorded in Herk.Co. Deed Book 86, pages 363 & 364, being his interest in a lot identified as a part of Lot # 2, in the Sub-division of Lot # 4 of Hasenclevers Patent, containing approx. 30 ac.

Both Thomas and Helen Daley McLaughlin are buried in St. John’s Ceme., Montello, WI.

More about THOMAS N. McLAUGHLIN:

Burial: 01 Jul 1900, St. John's Ceme., Montello, WI. He died a widower, of kidney trouble and a fractured hip. Aged 87 Yrs. 5 Mos. 4 Days old.

Emigration: abt. 1823 through Quebec, CANADA

Residence: Co. Longford, IRE, - Herkimer Co., NY, - Marquette Co., WI.

Thomas left a ‘surveyor’s notebook’, which still survives, containing an unknown persons

handwritten notes on his migration, as follows :

Thursday April 17th. 1873.

Thos. McLaughlin Born Dec 25 1814 in Ringowney, Parish of Edgeworthstown, Co.

Longford, Ireland. Emigrated to America 1829. Settled at Newport, Herkimer Co.

State of New York.

In 1855 came to Wisconsin. Settled in Montello, Marquette Co.

Died at Montello City, Marquette Co. June 29 – 1900 at = 1:10 a.m.

Also found in the ‘notebook’ are the following notations on births and deaths of his children as follows:

Thomas McLaughlin and Ellen Daly married at Utica, Feb 6, 1840

Maurice McLaughlin born March 8, 1844

Margaret McLaughlin Kelly born March 13, 1846 – Feb 9, 1915

Marcella McLaughlin Collins born Nov 13, 1853

Elizebeth McLaughlin McNamee born Nov 8, 1847

Thomas Newman McLaughlin born Nov 24, 1847 (should read 1849)

Mary McLaughlin Quantius born Nov 18th. 1851, died 1908

Michael McLaughlin born Nov 8, 1855, died Feb 4, 1940

John Thos. McLaughlin born March 16, 1858, Died Dec 9, 1936

       

                Ellen McLaughlin died June 14 at 15 minutes to three in the afternoon, 1860

                Thomas McLaughlin died June 29 at ten minutes after one in the morning, 1900

Thomas McLaughlin’s obituary appeared as follows :

“OBITUARY. – Thomas McLaughlin, who departed this life on June 29, 1900, was born Dec. 25, 1812, in Edgeworth, Longford Co., Ireland. In 1829 he came to America and settled in Newport, N.Y. His occupation after coming to Newport was captain of a boat on Erie canal, which position he held until 1840, when he was married to Miss Ellen Daly. He then bought a farm and went to farming and he also taught school for a number of years. In 1855 he came to Wisconsin, where he remained up to the time of his death. After settling on his farm east of Montello, he had a hard struggle to get along and when he was on the road to success, his wife died, and leaving him with seven children to care for.

In 1862 he was elected to the office of county surveyor of Marquette Co., which position he held for twenty-eight years and was well known throughout the county.

In 1863 he married Mrs. Margaret Cowley. To this union were born two children, one of which died in infancy and the other is now Mrs. Chas. White, of Oshkosh.

He had been failing in health for some time and his death was hastened by a fall. He bore his sufferings patiently, being reconciled to the will of God. He leaves six children, twenty-two grand children, seven great-grand children, one brother in N.Y., and other relatives to mourn his loss. He was an obliging neighbor and a kind father.

He was buried from St. John’s Catholic Church, of which he was member and a strong believer of the Catholic religion.”

        More about ELLEN / HELEN (DALEY)  McLAUGHLIN:

        Burial: Jul 1860 in St. John's Ceme., Montello, WI.  Died in childbirth.

        

 * (Much of the following information on these children comes from Thomas’s Notebook and various obituaries.)

Children of THOMAS N. and ELLEN / HELEN (DALEY) McLAUGHLIN are:

i. JOHN McLAUGHLIN, b. 08 Aug 1842, Newport, NY.; d. young, by 1850.

ii. MAURICE McLAUGHLIN, b. 08 Mar 1844, Newport, NY.; m. probably to HELEN HANCEL. No Further Info.

iii. MARGARET McLAUGHLIN, b. 13 Mar 1846, Newport, NY.; d. 09 Feb 1915; m. GEORGE KELLY.

iv. ELIZABETH McLAUGHLIN, b. 08 Nov 1847, Newport, NY.; d. 1920, Montello. Marquette Co., WI.; m. 14 Oct 1871 at St. John’s Ch. Montello, WI., to PATRICK McNAMEE; b. 13Aug 1843, IRE; d. 15 Jun 1930 at Montello, WI. In the 1900 Fed. Census, Elizabeth is noted as the mother of 5 children, all living.

Patrick McNamee’s obituary appeared as follows :

“OBITUARY – Patrick McNamee. - Patrick McNamee was born in Ireland, August 13, 1843, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wm. Campion, June 15, 1930, after an illness of several months duration.

When at the age of 18 years, Mr. McNamee came to America, settling first at Utica, N.Y., and a few years later he came to Montello and had resided here continuously, with the exception of three years which he spent with his daughter, Mrs. Harry Valentine, in Milwaukee.

Sixty years ago he was married to Elizabeth McLaughlin, and to this union five children were born, Ellen (Mrs. Jas. Collins), James McNamee, Margaret (Mrs. Wm. Campion), Mary (Mrs. Harry Valentine), of West Allis; Elizabeth (Mrs. R. J. Ennis), of Waukegan, Ill.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. McNamee resided on a farm south of the village, and continued to live there until fifteen years ago, when they purchased a home in the village and came here to reside. Mrs. McNamee passed away ten years ago.

Mr. McNamee was highly respected in the community in which he had lived for so many years; he was ever ready to assist anyone in need, and his kindly, cheery greeting to young and old will be greatly missed by his many friends.

Deceased is survived by his five children; eighteen grand-children and twelve great grand-children. The funeral was held from St. John’s Catholic church, Tuesday morning, Rev. H. A. Velte officiating. Burial took place in the parish cemetery.”

Known children of PATRICK and ELIZABETH (McLAUGHLIN) McNAMEE are as follows:

• a. ELLEN McNAMEE, b. 1871 in Montello; m. 11 Nov 1891 in Montello to JAMES COLLINS. No Further Info.
• b. JAMES M. McNAMEE, b. 22 Nov 1872 in Montello; m. date & place unk. to IDA GRIFFITH. No
• Further Info.
• c. MARGARET E. McNAMEE, b. 06 Feb 1876 in Montello; d. 1957 in Montello; m. 12 Aug 1896 in St. John’s Ch., Montello, to WILLIAM CAMPION. No Further Info.
•  d. MARY E. McNAMEE, b. Jan 1879 in Montello; m. 17 Oct 1897 in Packwaukee, WI. to HARRY VALENTINE.
•  e. ELIZABETH McNAMEE, b. 10 Apr 1891 in Montello; d. 09 Aug 1982, poss. in Waukegan, IL., or in Janesville, Rock Co., WI.; m. 26 Nov 1914 to RONALD J. ENNIS. No Further Info.

v. THOMAS NEWMAN McLAUGHLIN, b. 24 Nov 1849, Newport, NY.; poss. d. 06 Jan 1923 in NY State; m. ANN - . No Further Info.

vi. MARY ELLEN McLAUGHLIN, b. 18 Nov 1851, Newport, NY.; d. 29 Feb 1908, Mellen, WI.; m. 1883 at Montello. WI., to JOHN QUANTIUS. He was b. 28 Dec 1854 and d. 29 Oct 1931. Both are buried in St. John’s Ceme., Montello, WI.

                    

                        Mary Ellen McLaughlin Quantius’ obituary appeared as follows :

  “OBITUARY. – Mary Ellen McLaughlin was born in Newport, Herkimer County, New York,  November

18, 1851 and died in Mellen, Wis., February 29, 1908. About 1854 her parents moved to Wisconsin, settling on a farm in Marquette County. When about fifteen years of age she went to Milwaukee and resided there with her sister until the time of her marriage. In 1883 deceased was married to John Quantius of Montello, Wis. One child was born of this union, Mrs. Wm. Baumbach, who resided in this city.

  For several months past Mrs. Quantius has been in ill health suffering from a complication of diseases fol-lowed by dropsy of the heart. She was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital at Ashland but there being no hope for her recovery, she wished to be brought home after remaining in the hospital for one week. She was taken to her new home in Mellen where she lingered for several weeks.

  All the care and love that physicians, family and friends could devise and apply for her comfort and assist-

ance was given but despite the prayers and entreaties of all who knew and loved her their appeals were over-ruled and the sufferer’s spirit took its flight to that home of the Christian which is the fulfillment of  the life

everlasting.

  Mrs. Quantius was a true and loving wife and a devoted mother. She was of a kind and gentle disposition doing good to all who came to her in time of need. She lived a life of usefulness and she will long be remem-bered by all who knew her.

  The funeral was held in Montello, Wis., Tuesday, March 3, from the Catholic church, of which the deceased

was a faithful and devoted member, and the remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery. The funeral was one of the largest held in the city, which showed in what esteem the deceased was regarded by her friends and neighbors.”

                        

                         Known child of  JOHN & MARY ELLEN (McLAUGHLIN) QUANTIUS is:

a.       HARRIET  ELVANE  QUANTIUS, b. 23 Jan 1885 in Mellen, Ashland Co. WI.; d. 15 Jul 1964 in an auto accident in N. Mexico. She m. WILLIAM  H. BAUMBACH..  No Further Info.

                    

            

vii. MARCELLA McLAUGHLIN, b. 13 Nov 1853, Newport, NY.; d. 08 Oct 1895, aged 41 Yrs. in Montello, Marquette Co., WI.; m. 15 Sep 1886 to JOHN HENRY COLLINS. No Further Info.

viii. MICHAEL McLAUGHLIN, b. 08 Nov 1855, Montello, WI.; d. 04 Feb 1940 in Ashland Co. WI.; m. 17 Jul 1881 in Montello to SOPHIA QUANTIUS. She was b. c. 1861 in Montello, sister of JOHN QUANTIUS (vi. above).

The known children of MICHAEL & SOPHIA QUANTIUS McLAUGHLIN are as follows:

• a. MARGARET McLAUGHLIN, b. 20 Mar 1887 in Montello, WI. No Further Info.
• b. EUGENE McLAUGHLIN, B. 22 Aug 1888 in Montello, WI. No Further Info.

ix. JOHN THOMAS McLAUGHLIN, b. 16 Mar 1858, Montello, WI.; d. 09 Dec 1936 at Montello, WI.; m. 14 Apr 1884 at St. John’s, Montello, to MARY E. VAUGHN. She was b. 22 Apr 1859 and d. 25 Sep 1936 at Montello. Both are buried at St. John’s Ceme. Montello, WI. The children of JOHN & MARY (VAUGHN) McLAUGHLIN are as follows:

• a. ELLEN HARRIET McLAUGHLIN, b. 25 Jan 1885 in Montello; d. 19 Jul 1942; m. 09 Sep 1907 at St. John’s, Montello to JAMES F. COTTER. He was b. 10 Mar 1880 in Montello and d. 1938 in Markesan, WI. Both are buried at St. John’s Ceme. Montello, WI. They had no children.
• b. JOHN EDWARD McLAUGHLIN, b. 19 Jun 1887 in Montello; d. 16 Jul 1970 in Montello; m. 07 Jan 1913 at St. John’s, Montello, to ELLA SOPHIA JOHN. She was b. 03 Oct 1885 in Montello and d. 05 Oct 1970 in Montello. Both JOHN & ELLA are buried at St. John’s Ceme., Montello. They had three daughters as follows:

x. (Unnamed) McLAUGHLIN, b. July 1860, Montello, WI.; d. at childbirth, July 1860, Montello, WI.

Enter the Jackel Wrench

In communication with my uncle, I have found out that Anna Marie Jackel Borchers was adopted.  Friedrich Jackel and Barbara Rausch were apparently not Anna's biological parents.  This does present a giant wrench in researching this line.

I know that Anna Marie was born in Baltimore, Maryland.  Her adoptive parents lived there too.  This fact would explain that while Anna was born in 1859, she does not show up on the 1860 U.S. Census with Fred and Barbara.

Knowing that they were all Lutheran makes me question if Lutheran Church records in Baltimore, Maryland might have the identities of her biological parents.  The "older" Borchers Family members,  mainly Henry and Anna Borchers' children, knew that she was adopted.  They also knew that her birth name was Kern or a variation of Kearne, Kerns, or Kern.

Did something happen to Anna's biological parents?   I'd love to know the story and be able to trace her family line.   It is clear that she did have a family even if adopted.

Wordless Wednesday - Soscol House - Napa, CA

Jackel

Once again, I have written a lot of information in an email and need to it include here in my blog.  This time, the post is about my German side of the family.  Hans Heinrich "Henry" Conrad Borchers and Anna Marie Jackel (pronounced Yackel) were my great great grandparents.  They lived in Napa with my great grandparents including my grandma when they were elderly.  They are buried at Tulocay Cemetery.

In researching my Borchers, you can't help but run across the Jackel's with more than one connection.  Anyway, I recently provided my Jackel research to a relative.  Here's what I wrote......

Here's what I found......It is not complete info. I possibly found Friedrich and Barbara in the 1860 U.S. Census in Baltimore, Maryland but am not sure. Also, I might have found Frederick Jackel with his parents and siblings living in Baltimore during the 1850 U.S. Census. I did not fill in all of the information for the spouses below.  We already have all of the Borchers information.

Friedrich Wilhelm Jackel b. 2 June 1833 in Prussia (Germany), d. 14 Jun 1914, North Dakota but I found him buried in Minnesota
(Sources: U.S. Census - 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

  A-Married Barbara Rausch about 1858 in Baltimore, Maryland; Barbara was born on 29 Jan 1832 in Bavaria, Prussia (Germany), d. 13 Jul 1882, Havana Township, Steele, MN
(Sources: U.S. Census - 1870, 1880, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875, Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

i. Anna Marie Jackel - b. 22 May 1859, Baltimore, MD, d. 14 May 1931, Napa, CA (Spouse: Henry Borchers)
(Sources: U.S. Census 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875, 1885, 1895, Church Record of Marriage provided by a Borchers' researcher)

ii. Elizabeth Jackel - b. abt. 1861, Maryland
(Sources: U.S. Census 1870, 1880, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875)

iii. William C. Jackel - b. 12 Sep 1866, Maryland, d. 4 Mar 1958, Steele County, MN (Spouse: Magdalena Hockemeyer)
(Sources: U.S. Census - 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

iv. Baby Jackel - b. 1870, Steele County, MN, d. 24 Dec 1870, Steele County, MN
(Source: Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

v. Katharina Jackel - b. 1872, Steele County, MN, d. 18 Oct 1872, Steele County, MN
(Source: Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below)

vi. Heinrich Jackel - b. 1874, Havana, Steele, MN, d. 19 Nov 1875, Havana, Steele, MN
(Source: Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index - See Below; MN Territorial Census - 1875)

  B-Married Henrietta Fett (Fett by her first marriage to Conrad Fett)

vii. Augusta Margrite H Jackel (Spouse: William Borchers - Son of Anna Marie Jackel)
(Sources: U.S. Census - 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, CA Death Index, Minnesota Territorial Census - 1885, 1895)

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Friedrich Jackel

Township: Havana County: Steele Name: Friedrich Jackel Birth Date: 2 Jun 1833 Death Date: 14 Jun 1914 Cemetery: St. John's Luth. Comments: SP. BARBARA Section: N 13 C

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Barbara Jackel

Township: Havana County: Steele Name: Barbara Jackel Birth Date: 29 Jan 1832 Death Date: 13 Jul 1882 Cemetery: St. John's Luth. Comments: SP. FRIEDRICH Section: N 13 C

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about William C. Jackel

Township: Havana County: Steele Name: William C. Jackel Birth Date: 12 Sep 1866 Death Date: 4 Mar 1958 Cemetery: St. John's Luth. Comments: SP. MAGDALENA HOCKEMEYER. Section: N 13 A

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Baby Jackel

Township: Havana County: Steele Name: Baby Jackel Death Date: 24 Dec 1870 Cemetery: St. John's Luth. Comments: WITH FRIEDRICH & BARBARA Section: N 13 C

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Katharina Jackel

Township: Havana County: Steele Name: Katharina Jackel Birth Date: 1872 Death Date: 18 Oct 1872 Cemetery: St. John's Luth. Comments: WITH FRIEDRICH & BARBARA Section: N 13 C

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Heinrich Jackel

Township: Havana County: Steele Name: Heinrich Jackel Birth Date: 1874 Death Date: 19 Nov 1875 Cemetery: St. John's Luth. Comments: WITH FRIEDRICH & BARBARA Section: N 13 C

Also,  Emilie Borchers (Daughter of Anna Marie Jackel) is buried with the Jackel's:

Minnesota Cemetery Inscription Index, Select Counties about Emilie Regina Barbar Borchert

Township: Havana County: Steele Name: Emilie Regina Barbar Borchert Birth Date: 28 Nov 1878 Death Date: 28 Jan 1879 Cemetery: St. John's Luth. Comments: PAR. HANS HEINRICH CONRAD & ANNA MARIA JACKEL BORCHERT. Section: N 13 C

Past Present Future

There are many people in the world who find the past something to forget.  Many people may think that exploring their genealogy is just that, something in the past.  Others find it fascinating and a way to find out more about themselves.  For example, why am I tall and my sister is pretty short?  Who did the phrase "wait a while" originate with in my family?  How and why did my family line end up in the United States and in California, specifically Northern California?

While I do know the answers to some of those questions above, the connection to our past is important to understanding our present and our future.  I look forward in my quest to find more about my connection to the past through my ancestors.  I wish to use and understand this information in the present.  My hope for the future is to share this with my children when they are older as a gift from the past.

Past - Present - Future

Linked Together By Time

Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Halloween comes from the saying and/or Scottish 16th Century tradition of "All-Hallows-Even".  Yes, I found it as "even" or evening.  All Hallows Day is the next day on November 1st.  Known as All Saints Day in Western Christianity and was once a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church,  All Hallows Day is the solemn day following Halloween.  November 2nd, is also a rather solemn day known as All Soul's Day celebrated in the Catholic Church for those faithfully departed.  Halloween, October 31st, leads off these days as a bit of a celebration.  Is and was Halloween intended to be a big party day?

Now, I am big into understanding history, religion, and people.  Most of my curiosity and understanding of history and theology came from what I learned in Catholic high school.  I provide this disclosure so that you know the source of my learning and experience when I discuss pagan festivals or something more controversial (or perceived to be as such).  My education was as honest and true as it comes which may surprise people where the Catholic Church is concerned.  Facts and history demonstrate the evolution of society, including something as basic as a holiday or celebration such as Halloween.

The Celtic festival of Samuin (sow-an or sow-in) is historically given the credit of where Halloween comes from.  The word is derived from the Old Irish meaning "summer's end".  Celtic people lived mainly in the British Isles and the northern part of France.  They were most certainly pagans that included animal sacrifice as part of their Samuin celebration on October 31st.  Their new year started on November 1st.  Is that a coincidence that it matches some very important days for Christianity?

Now, it should come as no surprise that the Roman Empire had influence over the conversion of pagan believers to Christianity.  Many of the pagan festival days were converted to Christian holidays.  I look at this as a way of making a belief transition easier.  I'm not sure how easy it really was but the Roman Empire and the Church worked to retain and replace some of those pagan holidays with something equally palatable and more "Christian" like.

Many holidays, including Halloween, still pull tradition from those old Celtic Festivals.  Where do you think carving a pumpkin comes from?  Turnips were carved to honor soul's that had passed on.

The story is changed and more elaborate from the Christian stance. There is the legend of "Stingy Jack".  In Ireland, the story goes that Stingy Jack tricked the devil into becoming a coin and also climbing into an apple tree.  With the coin, Jack was able to buy a drink and the story goes on.  Jack tricked the devil again a year later (presumably on Halloween).  The deal that Jack made with the devil was one that prevented him from going to hell.  When Jack died, God did not want Jack in heaven because of his previous unsavory dealings with the devil.  As a result, Jack is stuck roaming the earth forever with a lit coal that God gave him to light his way in the dark. 

Over the years this story evolved to create "Jack O' Lanterns" to light Jack's way on Halloween.  I guess Jack's in purgatory walking the earth and on Halloween his ghostly figure needs light to see his path.

I must admit that the stories of Halloween, and there are many more, are so much more exciting than reality.  The use of our imaginations now and thousands of years ago make this tradition fun and exhilarating for all ages.

My own children look forward to decorating with "Jack" and pumpkins plus dressing up and collecting some candy just as I did as a child as did my own parents.  Imagine that, the children are really enticed by the sweets.

So, share your stories and traditions of "All-Hallows-Even"....Happy Halloween!

What To Write About

Sometimes, I wonder what I might write about next.  I certainly have a plethora of family surnames for which I can rehash my research on each up until this point.  That fills up my blog for most part as it is.  I often wonder if I will run out of things to write about.  Then, I remind myself that I certainly haven't run out of genealogy topics to verbally talk about.  I also haven't finished going through the information that has been handed to me in yet another box of treasures.

While I try very hard to keep living people out of my blog, I find that I would have even more family history to write about if I could.  I will hold off since those living people do want their privacy.   I also find that I must be cautious in writing about those who came before that I personally knew.  I would never want to dishonor them and want to get their story correct.

I could definitely write some historical fiction to fill in the blanks.   That would make things a whole lot easier and quicker.  Of course, that is not genealogy.   I might someday attempt to write some historical fiction for that very reason.  I could fill in all of the blanks!

Some stories do abound within my family history while other lines have produced a basic family tree with dates, locations, and people who happen to be my ancestors.  Again, I search for my ancestors but also their stories.  I can't wait to find more.