A Smörgåsbord of Stories
In American Gentzkow family history, we divide ourselves into three clusters: The George Group: descendants of George Gentzkow (1854-1939) and his wife Christina Kohler (1856-1918) The Julius Group: descendants of J.C. Gentzkow (1856-1932) and his wife Matilda Dittrich (186x-1908) The William Group: descendants of Bill … read more
Magdalena Sophia Christina Schultz was my great, great, great grandmother. Why am I drawn to her story? What is it about this woman that makes we want to know more? Rostock, 2017 In June of 2017, Patrick and I vacationed across Germany as guests … read more
For 35 years, I sought to discover Gentzkow family history. Because it is a very unusual name, it is simple to lookup. I used to say that every Gentzkow in any phone book was one of my cousins. With Internet searching, cousins were found in … read more
All Gentzkow cousins in America trace their lineage to a couple that lived in Minneiska, Minnesota from 1865 until the end of their lives. That couple was George Edward Gentzkow (182?-1904) and his wife Magdalena Sophia Schultz (1830-1897). The 1826 baptism of Julius August Emil, … read more
Cornelia “Conny” Schneider Diederichs is an avid family researcher in Germany. She loves the hobby so much that she hunts for clues for our Gentzkow family even though it is part of her husband’s lineage. On a cold, rainy day in March of 2016, Conny … read more
Every journey needs a first step. In family history, start by talking to all living ancestors and writing down what they say. Travel back in time through their old photos and listen to the stories that spill out. Tour cemeteries and former neighborhoods where memories … read more
Franklin Hesse (1861-1935) lost his parents at an early age. Seeking opportunity, he filed a homestead claim for land in Dakota Territory (D.T.) under the provisions of the 1862 Homestead Act. The Act granted surveyed public land to adult heads of families for a minimal … read more
In 1857, August Dittrich, his wife Anna and their three children left Schlesien [Silesia or Śląsk]. First they traveled to the port city of Bremen. Then they boarded the Republik and sailed to America. Arriving at Kesselgarten [Castle Garden] New York on April 21, 1857, … read more
Back in the days before the Internet, genealogy research was slow. I kept my data in a 3-ring binder and worked in pencil. For queries, I wrote letters and included stamped, return envelopes. I conducted interviews with a cassette tape recorder. Everything was slower. Newspaper … read more
Florence Gertrude “Gert” Rector has no birth certificate and no baptism record. Let me back up. To date, I have not discovered any document that was produced at the time of Gert’s birth that provides her birthdate and birth location. Birthdate Theory: Florence … read more