#34 Tragedy. Who is Anna? And what happened to her?
Researching the Gabel family is challenging. They were Germans from Russia, Volga Germans, or German-Russians. The history of the Germans from Russia is laced with tragedy. Leaving their homeland of Germany, at the invitation of Catherine the Great, in 1766-1767, they arrived in a new land full of promises. Unfortunately the promises made to entice the Germans were never fulfilled. The newcomers in a hostile land overcame many problems and issues to thrive. Again, promises were not kept, such as not having to serve in the military. Many began emigrating to various countries, leaving behind family as well as their culture. Arriving in new countries, adaption to the new culture & society was difficult but events at the time made it difficult to trust others. Were they Germans or were they Russians? During World I and World II, neither nationalities were favored by other people. So the Germans from Russia, who spoke German, adapted. Often that meant keeping "quiet" about their previous life, learning a new language and "forgetting" their previous life. Favorite foods may be the only link to their history. Their history is definitely a tragedy.
One of the goals of family research is to locate passenger records to determine the date of arrival. Since no family history stories existed in the Gabel family (my husband's family) of their arrival, the only clue was census records. In three census records, 1910, 1920 & 1930, the year of arrival was listed as 1907. A starting point. The next problem encountered was names. Germans seem to be famous for using a two or three names as first names and regularly changing which first name they use! In addition, just how is Gabel spelled? Various family members have used Gable, but then the German way might be Goebel, Gebel, Gobel, or Gibel. See the problem?
After various research struggles, I believe I have found the passenger record (Ancestry.com) of my husband's great grandparents, Philip & Katharina Gabel.
I found a record in the database of Ancestry and Ellis Island which I believe to be the great grandparents, Philip and Katharina Gabel. Heinrich Gebel & his wife Mary and children Mary & Philip. The ages are correct for the family, although the names appear to be mixed up. They arrived on 10 June 1907 aboard the ship Arconia from Libau, Latvia after leaving on May 20th. But there is a name crossed out, Anna, 11 months old. The family was going to Henry Gabel’s at 925 I. W. In Lincoln, Nebraska. What happened to Anna?
Following all leads in research, led me to an August Gebel who arrived in 1907, a few weeks before Philip. How are they related? They are both going to their brother's in Lincoln, Nebraska.
August & Catherina Gebel arrived 31 May 1907 in the port of New York from Libau, Latvia. There is a child listed with them, Anna, 11 months old, but her name is crossed out. The family was going to his brother Heinrich Gebel, 925 I. W. In Lincoln, Nebraska. They left 13 May 1907 from Libau, arriving the 31 May 1907. What happened to Anna
August left Libau, Lativa 7 days before Philip & Katharina and arrived at Ellis Island 10 days before Philip & Katharina arrived.
A question on both passenger records is "who is Anna"?
And what happened to Anna?
Since Anna is on the first passenger list, was she, August & Catherine’s daughter? Why was her name crossed off in the first passenger list in May?
Why was Anna in the passenger list of Philip & Katherina in June? Why is her name crossed off?
Was Anna sick when her parents left in May? Was she left behind with other family, hoping hopes she would be well enough to travel? Did she die in Libau, Latvia?
A friend, Trudie, visiting Ellis Island continued my research there.
From an Ellis Island researcher in an email, 26 April 2017:
After studying the two entries into the US and reading both detained alien list- it is clear that the infant Anna was not on board. I explained in my earlier email, that the parents were detained because the didn't have enough money and had to telephone August's brother in NE for money. The same reason is listed for the 2nd journey with Henry.
Furthermore, if you look at both passenger manifests, you will find a number on the bottom of the page. The number is 28. That "28" means only 28 out of the 30 passengers boarded the ship. On both manifests, you will see 2 lines crossed out. One of them on each sail, was Anna's line.
What we can confirm for you... is that she never did board the ship with her family.
So we are left with the question of "who is Anna"?
Genealogy research in Libau or Lativa is difficult. Few records and the records are in German or Russian.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a family story?
What a tragedy that no one knows anything about Anna.
A life remembered only in census records. A tragedy.
Arconia, the ship that brought Philip & Katharina to the United States in 1907
