A Smörgåsbord of Stories
For my very first blog post, I wrote about the Russian documents that propelled me into my interest (obsession) with family history. One of these papers was the marriage certificate for Gottfried Arndt and Paulina Kot. Petrowski Region For the conscription (to the army) … read more
In 1910, Bertha Arndt immigrated to America with her mother Pauline Koth Arndt (1859-1930). They were part of the last group to join father/husband Gottfried “Fred” Arndt (1858-1920) in Cass Lake, Minnesota. What do we know of Bertha’s birth? May 1964, Bertha (Arndt) … read more
Twenty-seven years ago, I visited my Great-Uncle Don, my grandfather’s youngest brother. Besides reminiscing, I wanted to view his collection of family photos. Using a tripod, I made photographic copies of his photos. There was one that was very difficult photograph because it was encased … read more
Last week, we looked at the 1859 baptism of Pauline Koth [pow-LEEN-a COTE] (daughter of Daniel Koth and Anna Krystina Semmler) in Turek, Kalisz Province. What other family members lived in Turek? Will knowledge of other family members confirm that this Paulina is the same … read more
My search for Pauline [pronounced Paulina, auf Deutsch], who married Gottfried Arndt continues. Was she born in Turek, Kalisz province? She arrived in Cass Lake, Minnesota in 1910 and lived for another 21 years. Pauline Arndt grave marker, Pine Grove Cemetery, Cass Lake MN … read more
In 1986, I began my family history journey with a set of Russian documents. I took those documents to my first genealogy society meeting where a kind volunteer translated them into English. With these translations, I launched my love of genealogy and began my search … read more
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cass Lake, Minnesota retains all of their original record books. The first volume/register provides a history of the church by listing members, baptisms, confirmands, marriages, communicants, deaths and pastoral sermon topics. Lutherans believe that there are two sacraments, rites that are … read more
Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cass Lake, Minnesota was formally organized in 1902 as part of Die [Deutsche] Evang.-Lutherische Synode von Minnesota und anderen Staaten – the [German] Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Minnesota and Other States. This synod would eventually become part of the Lutheran Church-Missouri … read more
Julius Neils was a successful Minnesota lumberman. With westward extension of the railroad, he set up an additional sawmill operation in Cass Lake. In 1899, Mr. Neils purchased town lots for a church, school and parsonage. The house of worship Mr. Neils built was Immanuel … read more
My great grandmother, Bertha Arndt Norenberg (1893-1970) came to America in 1910 and married Konstantin “Charlie” Nörenberg seven months later. At Christmastime, great grandma always made cabbage rolls. These wonderful-smelling packets of wintertime warmth are a Norenberg tradition. My family calls them galishkys [gah-LISH-keys]. … read more