Catharina Müller

One of the first rules of family history research is to start with what you know and work back in time. What do I know about Katherine Miller who married Albert Blees? When I looked in my genealogy database yesterday, I was shocked to discover that I had only one source of information about her early life: a handmade family tree supplied by her niece’s husband back in 1987.¹Schmitt, Albert (Temmels, Germany). Letter and genealogical data sent to Karrie Blees, February 20, 1987.

That’s just not enough. With genealogical research, I am always looking for new information and also sources to confirm what I think that I know.

Old Info

In 2007, my son and I compiled a volume of family stories and histories.²Blees, Karrie, compiler. A Wonderful Life Stories and History of Kitty Fleischhacker and Ed Blees. (North St. Paul MN: Sewing for the Harvest, 2007). Here’s what I knew about Catharina at that time:

Katherine Blees (nee Müller) was the fifth child born to Nikolaus Müller and Margarethe Beck of Temmels, Germany. Her father, Nikolaus, was a weaver, her grandfather, Adam Müller, was a weaver and her great grandfather, Peter Müller was a weaver. None of Katherine’s brothers took up the weaving trade.

This information is mostly correct.

Baptism of Catharina Müller

Catharina Müller was indeed born to Nikolaus and Margaretha in Temmels, Germany March 20, 1889 and was baptized the same day.³Katholische Kirche Temmels (Kr. Saarburg). Kirchenbuch, 1656-1935. Baptism of Catharina Müller March 20, 1889, www.familysearch.org film 007946973, image 68. She was the 7th  of 12 children born to this couple. Two older children died in 1885; only seven of the children reached adulthood.

Catholic parish record Diocese of Trier (in Latin):

• [1889] March 20th at 3 a.m. born and on the same day baptized.
• Catharina: legitimate daughter of Nikolaus Muller, linen weaver, and Margarethe Beck, spouses, residing in Temblet [Temmels].
• Baptismal Sponsors: Joannes Greif and Catharina Muller, both of Temblet [Temmels]. [Johannes Greif was married to Nicholaus’s older sister Anna Maria. The exact identity/relationship of Catharina Müller, the sponsor, is unknown at this time.]
• Faithfully – H. Kiesgen, pastor
• Müller, Catharina

This baptism record matches the information given to me 35+ years ago. The names and dates are identical. Even the father’s occupation matches the old family tree!

Childhood

Catharina grew up in this house in Temmels.⁴Photo of the house where Katherine Müller grew up. Temmels, Germany. Photo taken by Patrick Blees, 1987.

She attended school, likely a Grundschule. As an adult, Catharina stated that she completed the 8th grade.⁵1840 U.S. Census. St. Paul, Ward 7, Block 15, Ramsey County Minnesota. SD 4, ED 90-146A, Sheet 10 A. April 16, 1940. Albert Blees Household. Line 21. 401 Ashland Avenue. When she was young, school attendance was mandated from age 5 to 13 only. Girls were not admitted to the Gymnasium (like American High School) until after sweeping educational reforms in 1908-1909.

Catharina, a Young Woman

Catharina Müller⁶Portrait of Catharina Müller. Labeled by daughter-in-law Katherine Fleischhacker Blees. Owned by Patrick Blees, February 2023.

Next Week

How did Catharina immigrate to America?
What did she do before she married?

SOURCES

• 1
  Schmitt, Albert (Temmels, Germany). Letter and genealogical data sent to Karrie Blees, February 20, 1987.
• 2
  Blees, Karrie, compiler. A Wonderful Life Stories and History of Kitty Fleischhacker and Ed Blees. (North St. Paul MN: Sewing for the Harvest, 2007).
• 3
  Katholische Kirche Temmels (Kr. Saarburg). Kirchenbuch, 1656-1935. Baptism of Catharina Müller March 20, 1889, www.familysearch.org film 007946973, image 68.
• 4
  Photo of the house where Katherine Müller grew up. Temmels, Germany. Photo taken by Patrick Blees, 1987.
• 5
  1840 U.S. Census. St. Paul, Ward 7, Block 15, Ramsey County Minnesota. SD 4, ED 90-146A, Sheet 10 A. April 16, 1940. Albert Blees Household. Line 21. 401 Ashland Avenue.
• 6
  Portrait of Catharina Müller. Labeled by daughter-in-law Katherine Fleischhacker Blees. Owned by Patrick Blees, February 2023.