#17 At Worship. Ancestor's Church in Germany 52 Ancestors in a Year

#17   At Worship   Ancestor’s Church in Germany    52 Ancestors in a Year

One of the items I inherited in the family genealogy collection, was the history of my 2nd great grandfather, Peter Paul Deewall, written by his daughter, Mary Etta Deewall Kurtz.  (my great grandmother).

The history was written only about Peter’s life in Pennsylvania, how he left Germany but nothing of his parents or life in Germany.   Peter has always intrigued me as there was no information before he arrived in Pennsylvania.  Researching, I found census records and as well as his declaration of intent and naturalization information through the Lycoming County Genealogical Society.  He was naturalized in 2 October 1852, stating that he had arrived in 1842 from the Kingdom of Brist.  I could never find the Kingdom of Brist nor could I find his name on a passenger list.  A tip from a  familysearch.org search led me to further research, but using different ideas and names.  Finding him on a passenger list in 1842, was a huge triumph!  The name was Peter Paul Duval and he and his traveling group left from LeHavre in May of 1842, arriving in New York on May 23rd, 1842.  The group he was traveling with were mentioned in his life history.  The tip which led me to continue research was the confirmation of his “best friend” at church in Ludweiler,  which led me to find Peter Paul’s birth, baptism and confirmation.  In Ludweiler, Saarland, Germany!  (current name is Ludweiler-Warndt).  Information on films from the Family History Library led me to learn the names of his parents.  As well as when the group left for Amerika.

Ludweiler is near the French border and in a forest and mining area.  The Hugenots began immigrating to the area in 1604.  The landmark is the Hugenottenkirche, built in 1785.  The current church had some new construction in the 1960’s.  

On our next trip to Germany in 2015 to visit our son and his wife  & grandson, came with a request from Mom—can we please go to Ludweiler???  It was quite a distance from where he lived, and we stayed overnight in Saarbücken.  

The next morning driving into Ludweiler-Warndt was mind blowing. I couldn't imagine I was actually going to ancestor's village and church in Germany.   When we saw the church where Peter Paul had worshipped it was intimidating and exciting to think I was on the same ground as my 2nd great grandfather walked in 1842!  

My husband & I walked to the door of the church, which was slightly ajar.  

We were not sure of protocol, but peeked inside.  Inside were several women working, probably preparing for the next day’s Sunday service.  The lady that came to meet us could not speak English, and we could not speak German.  But I had my research material and showed her the confirmation information, as well as baptism and birth; she understood Konfirmation!  

She was elated that a “relative” had come and quickly ushered us into the archives.  Although we couldn’t touch a thing, I could take pictures.  None of the original records were there though.  She was not sure where they have been taken.  (or we couldn’t understand each other)  

She insisted that she would give us a tour and lovingly showed off the organ that had recently been refurbished.  It was 150 years old!  She inquired if we would be in church the next day, but we couldn’t stay.  I was disappointed too.  I never considered that we would be welcomed for church.  

The Pipe Organ

Driving home through the area that my ancestors had lived truly a humbling experience.  And a highlight of our trip to Germany.  

Side steps leading to the front door

Stonework and insignia

Sanctuary

Hugenot Cross on right side.

Pulpit lecturn was different

Stained Glass above the entrance door

#16. Out of Place. 52 Ancestors in a Year

#16   Out of Place

Washington farm girl marries Montana veterinarian!

Mom with her brother, George.  Probably about 1943-44.

Waitsburg, Washington

The music Green Acres is playing in my ears when I think of the courtship and marriage of my mother, Helen Lloyd and my father Don Shaffner.

Sweetheart Ball

Helen was from eastern Washington, Waitsburg.  Her father had a meat market and a farm.   She was from a pioneer family who settled in Waitsburg in 1859.  As she went through school, Helen learned to play the piano and organ.  In college she was in the orchestra, and marching band, playing the kettle drum or tympani.  Her love of music was predominant in her life.  

Don came from a ranching family in Beaverhead County, Montana where his father had married in 1913 and homesteaded in 1915.  Montana was in his blood.

Don went to Montana State College for a couple of years before joining the National Guard and serving in the South Pacific in World War II.  When he came home, he applied and was accepted to veterinary college in 1945 at Washington State College in Pullman, Washington.  College on the G. I. Bill was a way to obtain an education and becoming a veterinarian was a huge accomplishment.  Because of his knowledge from the ranch, he told stories of teaching professors how to lay an animal safely on the ground, such as for a horse surgery or a c-section on a cow. 

Washington State College is where Helen and Don met.  I have not yet learned how they met or where, but I think Dad  stayed at a boarding house run by Ethel Thorton, Mom’s godmother.  Her scrapbooks are full of notations….”decided to make this a partnership”, “went to Spokane for a ring”, “will get a ring on my finger”.  They were married in 1946, moving to Dillon, Montana after Don graduated from Veterinary School in 1949.  

Graduation 1946

Helen didn’t like horses as her father had race horses and she fell off once and hurt her back.  She was allergic to all animals; cats, dogs, horses, cows. A ranching family in Beaverhead County, Montana was totally different than her family in eastern Washington.  One of her first trips to Dillon was for Labor Day which is a big rodeo weekend.  She was shocked at the bars, liquor and poker games.   She was totally “out of place”! 

First time to Dillon, Montana

Labor Day 1949

Yet, the marriage survived for 55 years.  Music was Helen’s vice and gift.   I think she played for her first wedding in 1944 in Waitsburg for her friends Pat & Roy.  In Dillon she gave piano lessons, played the organ at the Presbyterian church nearly every Sunday,  played in a community band and played for untold weddings and funerals.  For approximately 50 years she gifted others with her music.  

Her piano

I remember when she bought it; she was thrilled.

Playing for a wedding in August 1978

So how did this farm girl from Washington survive with a veterinarian?  When they bought the hospital, she did the bookwork.  She learned to wash dirty clothes, blankets and answer phone calls when a rancher said he needed a vet because his bull was “hurt”.  (translate: broken penis). She tried not to do anything else in the veterinary hospital.  A story of a taxi cab driver bringing a cat to the clinic for a client and the cat racing through the clinic after the clinic cat, racing through Venetian blinds and Mom chasing the cat’s is a favorite story. 

When they bought the ranch, she supported her husband in another venture.  When her husband needed someone to take their daughters to the ranch, she drove them (before they had drivers licenses).   But she couldn’t hold the reins of their horses if they handed them to her.  Yet she bravely waved to my sister and I as we took off to gather cattle or ride in 10,000 acres.  She knew the dangers, but she never let on.  Well maybe once or twice.  I remember her in tears when I rode a stallion in the Dillon parade when I was 6 years old.  

When we were trailing cattle, a memory for many is the lunches that she packed.  Saddlebag lunches consisted of 1-2 sandwiches, a can of fruit with a spoon, a hard boiled egg (that was peeled), candy, homemade cookies and whatever else she might add.  Now there might be 5-8 of us, but the lunches were ready when we left the house before dawn!  

When we were trailing down the road, Mom would show up with lunch packed in coolers in the truck of her car, after driving 40 miles to get to us.  

Helen was a giver.  Whether it was for food for a family who lost a loved one, or the birth of new baby, Helen had a dish ready for them.  She gave her talents to organizations, the local hospital auxiliary, the National Women’s Auxiliary to the Veterinary Medical Association (national treasurer), Girl Scouts, 4-H; Helen never said no.  

She began married life “out of place” but ended up creating a home for her husband and daughters, while remembering kindness and giving, she found “her place”.

The only picture of her on a horse at our ranch

I am not sure why that day, she decided to ride.

It was a huge milestone for her.

Gail, Mom and Dad

#15 DNA. 52 Ancestors in a Year

#15  DNA.  52 Ancestors in a Year

I embraced the DNA concept when it began and quickly submitted my husband’s DNA as well as mine.  Surely DNA would someday help in breaking through the brick walls of Shaffner, Kurtz and Gabel ancestors.  Since my husband had ancestors that immigrated from Russia, originally Germans that immigrated to the Volga region, and that ancestry is particularly hard to research, I just knew DNA would help.   And those Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors in Pennsylvania would surely leave DNA that would link me to ancestors.  I certainly didn’t think about non-paternal events!  My thoughts were on DNA from a long time ago. 

Imagine my surprise one morning when my husband had a new first cousin that shared matches with his paternal side. As well as shared matches with other known first cousins.   It is a big family and I thought I knew them all or at least their names.  This name was unknown, so I quickly sent a message to the administrator of the account.  She responded with information of an adoption and the name of the birth mother.  Yes, he had an aunt by that name, but the location of the adoption was miles away and states away from where she lived at the time.  It simply couldn’t be true.  But the family is good at secrets.  I questioned a few who might have known but they were shocked too at the discovery.  The typical  responses were expected; such as, no way my sister would have done that, to DNA is wrong. 

Why was the birth mother at this location at the time of birth?  Since all the players are deceased and those who might have known were deceased, it was difficult to unearth.  My mother-in-law remembered one pertinent detail.  The birth mother had lived with her mother’s brother and his wife while she was growing up.  I quickly added that family line to my Ancestry Family Tree.  A shaking leaf appeared for another uncle, her mother’s brother living in the location of the adoption!  Finally an explanation!  “Shaking leaves” can be good!”

The final information came from another person who had heard of my search.  She told me in confidence, that one of the birth mother’s sisters had told her of the child given up for adoption.  I was honored on Mother’s Day of 2018 to inform the adoptee that we had confirmed her birth mother.

I created a collage of pictures of the family, including aunts, uncles and first cousins.  There is a definite family resemblance.  

I have been able to furnish the “new 1st Cousin” with history of her family.  What a joy for her to discover she had family after 71 years of wondering.  

There are still some unanswered questions and hopefully we will find the answers.  

I keep wondering about the birth mother.  Knowing her economic circumstances in 1947 and unmarried, I understand the why.  Knowing the birth mother, I suspect it was a tough decision and one she carried in her heart for life.  I think she “knows” of our discovery and is now at peace.  

We have not met the new “first cousin”, but look forward to her visit in the summer of 2019.  

#14 Brick Wall 52 Ancestors in a Year--Pennsylvania Dutch Shaffner's

#14. Brick Wall. 52 Ancestors in a Year. Pennsylvania Dutch Shaffner's

Researching genealogy often finds one up against a brick wall.  And I have several, oh which one to choose!

I am choosing my Shaffner ancestors!  Grandpa Shaffner said we were “Pennsylvania Dutch” and I simply can’t find any records in Pennsylvania Dutch land!  (April Fool’s as I am writing this one 1 April 2019).

Seriously, I do believe they were Pennsylvania Dutch and came in as aliens!  With 90% certainty, I believe I have confirmed my 3rd great grandfather, Henry Shaffner as well as his wife Catherine.  In Pennsylvania.  But there are more than 1 Henry or Heinrich Shaffner.

In the 1850 census, Catherine is living with her son, Gabriel, who is my 2nd great grandfather. But her maiden name has ever been confirmed.

What happened to Gabriel’s father?  In 1824, Catherine was receiving a payment from Commissioners for poor children in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for Gabriel and his brother Henry.  Catherine is listed as a widow.  Since Gabriel was born in 1817, Henry must have died between 1816 to 1824.  Gabriel is mentioned in an article with his sister, Catherine, who married Jonas White.  Gabriel’s siblings were baptized at the Manheim Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mannheim, Pennsylvania but he was not.   Gabriel’s older brother was baptized on 11 February 1816 and his parents listed were Henry and Catherine.  

The first child of Henry and Catherine was born in 1805, so when did they marry?  And where?

And who were the parents of Henry and Catherine?

My father with the Shaffner Family Bible.  And no mention of my 3rd great grandfather!

Interestingly, my Grandfather, John F. Shaffner, who wrote his life history never mentioned his great grandfather.  And there is no mention of his great grandfather or great grandfather in the Family Bible.  He knew his great grandmother, but his great grandfather died when he was 4.

My next goal is find a will and probate from 1816 to 1824 for Henry Shaffner.  Second goal is to look for a marriage record or church record for Henry and Catherine.  Third goal is to identify Catherine's maiden name.  There are lots of options on internet trees but I need proof!