Baltimore Immigration Memorial

Are you familiar with the Baltimore Immigration Memorial (BIM)? If not, check out their website at http://www.immigrationbaltimore.org.

The project was founded in 1992 to "explore, document and preserve Baltimore's immigration-rich heritage, and to make it available to the public through a range of community and educational initiatives."

The project has several initiatives, which include:

• walking tours,
• traveling exhibitions,
• audio and video tours,
• research, and 
• an immigration museum.

The immigration museum in the "Immigration House" is set to open at the end of this year.

Additionally, the BIM is seeking assistance with:

• fundraising,
• historical research,
• themed walking tours, and 
• administrative support.

They are also seeking document and artifact donations.

You can send comments and/or questions to 2014@immigrationbaltimore.org.

Debra A. Hoffman, "Baltimore Immigration Memorial," Ancestral Leaves, posted 30 June 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy's Course "Finding Immigrant Origins" Offered in January 2015

     The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is offering two great courses to help researchers find their immigrant ancestors. Last week, I highlighted the "Advanced German Research" course. This week I showcase "Finding Immigrant Origins."

     The following is the post I wrote for UGA's blog found at http://ugagenealogy.blogspot.com/2014/06/are-you-in-search-of-your-ancestorss.html:

"SLIG's is offering "Finding Immigrant Origins" in January 2015. This course covers the key historical sources and research methodologies for family historians tracing immigrant origins. Students begin by envisioning the immigrant within the context of his family, community, and culture. Historical documents created by the pushes and pulls that motivated his journey abroad are examined. Methodologies are reviewed for analyzing and correlating information found in U.S. record sources and immigration records to discover the immigrant’s old-world origins. Principles and practices are illustrated for tracing immigrants back to many specific countries and for effective online research of immigrant ancestors. Additional topics include chain migration, ethnic migration paths, surname localization, DNA evidence, cluster genealogy, and other tools to help find an immigrant’s ancestral village.

The expert instructors are:
· David Ouimette, CG
· Trish Tolley, AG
· John Colletta, PhD
· Suzanne Adams, AG
· Jeff Svare, AG
· Lynn Turner, AG

Below are the specific topics that will be covered during the week-long course:
o Identifying the Immigrant within the Family and Community
o The Ebb and Flow of Immigrants to America: Colonial Times to WW II
o Ethnic Migration Paths (and the Pushes and Pulls of Immigration)
o Family and Local Records: Histories, Biographies, and Newspapers
o Vital Records, Parish Registers, Probate, and Cemeteries
o U.S. Customs and Immigration Lists, 1820-1957
o Censuses, City Directories, and Name Lists
o Naturalization Records, Colonial Times to Early 20th Century
o Immigration to Colonial America
o UK and Irish Immigration
o Localizing the Surname: Dictionaries and Heat Maps
o Online Immigration Research: Computer Lab
o Eastern European Immigration
o Scandinavian Immigration
o German Immigration
o Italian Immigration
o Hispanic Immigration
o Chain Migration: Polish Case Study
o Interpreting the Place Name: Linguistics, Maps and Gazetteers
o DNA Evidence of Ancestral Origins

Spots still remain in this course, so register today to save yourself a seat for this informative track. It promises to provide the knowledge to help you determine your ancestor's immigrant origins! You can register at http://www.infouga.org/aem.php?lv=p&epg=68."

     I hope that you will take a look at SLIG's courses for next year. Early-bird registration ends October 31st. Don't wait to register as some of the courses only have a few seats left!

Debra A. Hoffman, "The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy's Course 'Finding Immigrant Origins,'" Ancestral Leaves, posted 22 June 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

Advanced German Research Course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy in 2015

     The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy opened registration for their 2015 institute this past Saturday. Currently, there are only 3 slots available in this course. I took the course two years ago and found it to be a fantastic educational opportunity to gain advanced skills in conducting German research.

     Below is additional information from UGA's blog:

     "Do you have German ancestors? Would you like to find out how to effectively research your German heritage? This advanced methods course is designed for genealogists with basic church book experience who are ready to develop advanced skills. In addition, students have the opportunity to put their new found knowledge and skills to work researching in the German resources at the Family History Library

     F. Warren Bittner, CG is the coordinator for this in-depth German course. He is joined by well-known instructors Baerbel Johnson, Michael Lacopo, Fritz Juengling, and Daniel Jones. They will provide their expertise covering the following topics over the course of the week:

• Historical Overview of Germany 
• German Territories, Maps and Jurisdictions 
• Meyers Gazetteer: Bible of German Research 
• Research in the 19 Century German States 
• Difficult Immigrant Examples 
• German Research in Eastern Areas 
• Methods for Identifying the German Origins of American Immigrants
• Proving Immigrant Identities: The Case of Dora Lühr 
• Social Levels and Occupations 
• German Marriage Laws and Customs 
• Reading for Historical Context 
• German Social History and Genealogical Research 
• Online Church Resources and Village Family Books 
• What’s New in German Internet Research 
• Guilds and Their Records 
• German Research and the Law 
• Complex Evidence: The Case of Balthasar Weber 
• Complex Evidence: The Gard family of Hesse 
• Beyond the Church Books 
• Onsite Research in German Archives 

     Find additional information on SLIG at http://www.infouga.org/cpage.php?pt=42."

     If you want to go beyond using German church records, consider registering for this course. An added bonus is being able to conduct research on your German ancestors at the Family History Library!

Debra A. Hoffman, "Advanced German Research Course at the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy in 2015," Ancestral Leaves, posted 15 June 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

Resources for Finding Church Records in the City of Baltimore - Part 2

     In addition to those two books, the Maryland Genealogical Society added another invaluable guide when they published “A Geographical Guide to Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Baltimore Houses of Worship” by Francis P. O’Neill in four installments in the Maryland Genealogical Society Journal from 2008-2010. This resource provides a means for researchers to determine what churches existed in a specific geographical area of the city. To illustrate, if your ancestor was a Lutheran and lived in the southeast part of the city, by reviewing the guide for that quadrant, you could locate the relevant churches in that area. Combining that information with Kanely’s church record book allows you to determine the existence and location of potentially applicable records.

     O’Neill’s guide became interactive in 2013 when Stephen A. Conner developed a website (http://connergenealogy.com/BaltimoreChurchLocator.html)

based on the articles. Before using the website, it is advisable to read Mr. Conner’s guide “Baltimore City, Maryland – Historical Houses of Worship Locator.” The link is found at the top of the website.

     Another helpful feature of the guide is the section on frequently asked questions.

     These resources have made locating your ancestor’s church in the City of Baltimore an interactive and easier experience. Good luck with your search!

Bibliography

Conner, Stephen A. “Baltimore City Houses of Worship Locator.” Connergenealogy.com.
     http://connergenealogy.com/BaltimoreChurchLocator.html : accessed 2013.

Kanely, Edna A. Directory of Maryland Church Records. Silver Spring, Md.: Family Line
     Publications, 1987.

Kanely, Edna A. Directory of Ministers and Maryland Churches They Served, 1634-1990.
     Westminster, Md.: Family Line Publications, 1991.

O’Neill, Francis P. “A Geographical Guide to Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Baltimore
     Houses of Worship, Quadrant I: Southeast.” Maryland Genealogical Society Journal 49,
     no. 3 (2008): 7-15.

O’Neill, Francis P. “A Geographical Guide to Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Baltimore
     Houses of Worship, Quadrant II: Northeast.” Maryland Genealogical Society Journal 50,
     no. 1 (2009): 25-40.

O’Neill, Francis P. “A Geographical Guide to Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Baltimore
     Houses of Worship, Quadrant III: Northwest.” Maryland Genealogical Society Journal 50,
     no. 2 (2009): 237-251.

O’Neill, Francis P. “A Geographical Guide to Eighteenth- and Nineteenth-Century Baltimore
     Houses of Worship, Quadrant I: Southeast.” Maryland Genealogical Society Journal 51
     (2010), no. 1: 33-40.


Debra A. Hoffman, "Resources for Finding Church Records in the City of Baltimore - Part 2," Ancestral Leaves, posted 1 June 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

Resources for Finding Church Records in the City of Baltimore

For Baltimore births and deaths prior to 1875, research in church records is necessary. There are several wonderful resources that can guide your search for relevant church records.

Two books by author Edna A. Kanely have been assisting researchers for years in locating Maryland church records. A Directory of Maryland Church Records, sponsored by the Genealogical Council of Maryland and published in 1987, provides a “comprehensive summary of the location and availability of Maryland church records.”[1] This book covers about 2,600 Maryland churches.

Ms. Kanely’s other book, entitled Directory of Ministers and Maryland Churches They Served, 1634-1990, can help you determine the associated church of a particular minister. As an example, a newspaper marriage announcement or a civil marriage record may provide the name of the minister that married your ancestral couple.[2] By consulting Kanely’s Directory, you can determine what church or churches the minister may have served and the associated time period(s). With that information, you can determine the availability of the records in A Directory of Maryland Church Records.

---

[1] Edna A. Kanely, Directory of Maryland Church Records (Silver Spring, Md.: Family Line Publications, 1987), v.

[2] The City of Baltimore has civil marriage records starting in 1851 when Baltimore became an independent city. Prior to 1851, the marriage records would be found in Baltimore County.

Debra A. Hoffman, "Resources for Finding Church Records in the City of Baltimore," Ancestral Leaves, posted 24 May 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

New German Genealogy Guide

Author James Beidler has published a new German genealogy guide. From The Family Tree site, http://www.shopfamilytree.com/the-family-tree-german-genealogy-guide-group :

"In this book, you’ll learn how to:
Retrace your German immigrant ancestors’ voyage from Europe to America
Pinpoint the precise place in Europe your ancestors came from
Uncover birth, marriage, death, church, census, court, military, and other records documenting your ancestors’ lives
Access German records of your family from your own hometown
Decipher German-language records, including unfamiliar German script
Understand German names and naming patterns that offer research clues

You’ll also find maps, timelines, sample records and resource lists throughout the book for quick and easy reference. Whether you’re just beginning your family tree or a longtime genealogy researcher, the Family Tree German Genealogy Guide will help you conquer the unique challenges of German research and uncover your ancestors’ stories."

If you are starting to research your German ancestors, this beginning guide will help get you off on the right track!

Debra A. Hoffman, "New German Genealogy Guide," Ancestral Leaves, posted 17 May 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

Mortality for 3 June 1897 in Baltimore, Maryland

My last post illustrated how some newspapers would also post a listing of deaths that had occurred over several days. This one provides that information again for a different day.

The first step is to decipher the Fraktur print and then translate it from German to English as shown below. I enlarged the image, so that I could determine each letter and then used Google Translate to translate it from German to English.

“Todesfälle,” Der Deutsche Correspondent (Baltimore, Maryland), 3 June 1897, p. 2, col. 3; microfilm NP 2267, Central Library, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland.

Todesfälle

Am 1. Juni August Beder, 71 Jahre alt.

Am 1. Juni Bernard Schaffeld, 42 Jahre

alt.

Am 31. Mai Herbert Abrams.

Am 31. Mai Gertie Hunger.

Am 30. Mai Christian Fischer in Orange-

ville, Baltimore-County, 19 Jahre alt.

Am 30. Mai Samuel Lürz.

Mortality

On June 1, August Beder, 71 years old.

On June 1, Bernard Schaffeld, 42 years

old.

On May 31, Herbert Abrams.

On May 31, Gertie Hunger.

On May 30, Christian Fischer in Orange-

ville, Baltimore-County, 19 years old.

On May 30, Samuel Lürz.

Debra A. Hoffman, "Mortality for 3 June 1897," Ancestral Leaves, posted 14 May 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

Mortality for 1 June 1897 in Baltimore, Maryland

My last post demonstrated the value in German-language newspapers by showing a death notice. This week illustrates how some newspapers would also post a listing of deaths that had occurred over several days. 

It is important to first decipher the Fraktur print and then translate it from German to English as shown below. I enlarged the image, so that I could determine each letter and then used Google Translate to translate it from German to English.

 “Todesfälle,” Der Deutsche Correspondent (Baltimore, Maryland), 1 June 1897, p. 2, col. 3; microfilm NP 2267, Central Library, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland.

Todesfälle

Am 30. Mai Minnie Edlinger, 66 Jahre

alt.

Am 30. Mai Latimer Hoffmann.

Am 29. Mai William Lewis Eckhardt.

Am 29. Mai Joseph [Elinoft?], 84 Jahre alt.

Am 29. Mai Joseph [Kess?].

Am 29. Mai Edward [L?]insenmeyer, 70

Jahre alt.

Am 29. Mai Dr. Samuel Wolf, 48 Jahre

Alt.

Am 27. Mai Elisabeth Wolf, 52 Jahre alt.

Mortality

On May 30, Minnie Edlinger, 66 years

old.

On May 30, Latimer Hoffmann.

On May 29, William Lewis Eckhardt.

On May 29, Joseph [Elinoft?], 84 years old.

On May 29, Joseph [Kess?].

On May 29 Edward [L?]insenmeyer, 70

years old.

On May 29, Dr. Samuel Wolf, 48 years

old.

On May 27, Elisabeth Wolf, 52 years old.

Debra A. Hoffman, "Mortality for 1 June 1897," Ancestral Leaves, posted 4 May 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

Death Notice of Joseph Casper Miller

German-language newspapers can provide valuable genealogical information, such as this death notice for Joseph Casper Miller:

“Es starb [Joseph Casper Miller],” Der Deutsche Correspondent (Baltimore, Maryland), 3 June 1897, p. 2, col. 3; microfilm NP 2267, Central Library, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland.

Es starb

Plötzlich am 1. Juni 1897 am Schlagfluss Joseph

Casper Miller im 25. Jahre seines Lebens.

Die Beerdigung findet heute, den 3. Juni,

Morgens [19?] Uhr, von seiner letzten Wohnung, Kr.

19, Süd-Arlington-Avenue, aus und dann nach der

vierzehn heiligen Rothhelfer-Kirche statt, wo ein

Todtenamt für das Heil seiner Seele celebrirt wird.

It died

Suddenly, on June 1st, 1897 of apoplexy Joseph

Casper Miller in the 25th year of his life.

The funeral will be held today, June 3rd,

in the morning 9 o’ clock, from his last residence, No.

19 South Arlington Avenue, and then to the

Fourteen Holy Martyrs Church, where a

requiem mass will be celebrated for the health of his soul.

[Thanks to Susannah Brooks for her assistance in this translation.]


Debra A. Hoffman, "Death Notice of Joseph Casper Miller," Ancestral Leaves, posted 26 April 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

53rd Annual OGS Conference in Sandusky, Ohio

If you are a German researcher looking for an educational opportunity, consider attending the 53rd Annual OGS Conference. It will be held this year from Wednesday, April 30th through Saturday, May 3rd.

On Thursday, Warren Bittner is conducting a workshop entitled "Introduction to German Church Books." Warren will cover the basics of German church books providing examples, including the common vocabulary terms.

On Friday and Saturday, there are Ethnic tracks that contain lectures that cover a variety of topics, such as Polish records, Czech roots and Jewish genealogy.

With its African-themed venue, it looks like an exciting and educational adventure. For more details, see www.genex2014.org.


Debra A. Hoffman, "53rd Annual OGS Conference in Sandusky, Ohio," Ancestral Leaves, posted 4 April 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

Have you experienced genealogy serendipity?

Do you have those "close encounters" with your ancestors. Every once in a while I feel the nudge and have an experience that convinces me they are pushing me to continue researching their lives and telling their stories!

This week as I was volunteering at the Columbia Family History Center, a man came in looking to talk with me about his German ancestors. We quickly realized that we descend from the same couple...my 6th great-grandparents, Jacob Demaree and Magdalene Terras.

I had a breakthrough on this family in January 2013 when I was attending the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. I conducted research at the Family History Library in their microfilmed German church records and found records for my Braun family back to about 1750. What a great week!

I can see after this week's encounter; however, I need to get to work again. They are not satisfied with my slow progress and want me to continue where I left off!

Sophia Braun (my 4th great-grandmother and a descendant of Jacob and Magdalene Demaree) is shown in the colorized photo above. I shared it with Maureen Taylor today, who indicated it was probably made from two daguerrotypes. So, if anyone out there sees this and has those in their possession, please contact me. I would love to see the originals.


Debra A. Hoffman, "Have You Experienced Genealogy Serendipity," Ancestral Leaves, posted14March 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

Digitization of "Der Deutsche Correspondent"

Newspapers are important for providing genealogical information and historical context for family research. Marylanders with German heritage will soon have access to an invaluable resource with the digitization of the German-language newspaper, Der Deutsche Correspondent.

The Maryland Historical Society (MdHS) holds a significant collection of the paper, which contains approximately 84,000 pages contained in 98 bound volumes. It is almost complete from 1880 through 1918.

In partnership with the Charles Edward Hilgenberg Archives, the MdHS has currently digitized approximately 40,000 pages of the newspaper with the intent to create a digital archive.  While the images are not yet available, Dr. Gary B. Ruppert has published two volumes of translations and transcriptions covering five years of the newspaper; from 1879-1883. The first volume is entitled The German Correspondent, Baltimore, Maryland: Translation and Transcription of Death Notices & Obituaries, 1879-1883 and the second volume is entitled The German Correspondent, Baltimore, Maryland: Translation and Transcription of Marriages, Deaths and Selected Articles of Genealogical Interest, 1879-1883. These two volumes demonstrate the wealth of information to be found in this newspaper.

There is also a plan to digitize the Der Deutsche Correspondent newspaper from the Library of Congress’s microfilm copies. The University of Maryland Library’s spring edition of their Link newsletter indicated it will be a two-year project. The first images will be available on the Library of Congress’s Chronicling America website (www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov). 

Debra A. Hoffman, "Digitization of 'Der Deutsche Correspondent'," Ancestral Leaves, posted 8 March 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

NGS’ 2014 Family History Conference in Richmond, Virginia

If you are a German researcher, there is a great educational opportunity coming up in May 2014. The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is hosting its annual Family History Conference, entitled “Virginia: The First Frontier,” in Richmond, Virginia. The conference runs from Wednesday, May 7^th through Saturday, May 10^th. For detail information about the conference visit http://conference.ngsgenealogy.org/ and click on the “Attend” tab.

The conference offers an abundance of lectures that will hone your genealogical skills. For the German researcher; however, there is a dedicated track offering lectures by well-known genealogists that specialize in German research. The German track is offered on Thursday and Friday with the specific lectures listed below:

Thursday, May 8th

T208 – “Searching for a Pennsylvania German Ancestor,” James M. Beidler

T218 – “300 Years in Virginia: The Germanna Colonies and Their Legacy,” Katherine Lowe Brown, PhD

T228 – “Researching a Hessian Soldier in the American Revolution,” Craig Roberts Scott, CG

T248 – “How to Overcome Brick Wall Problems in Pennsylvania German Research,” Michael D. Lacopo, DVM

T258 – “Contrasting German Migrations: 18^th-Century vs. 19^th-Century Waves,” James M. Beidler

Friday, May 9th

F304 – “How German History Makes a Difference in Your Family History Research,” F. Warren Bittner, CG

F314 – “German Gazetteers and Levels of Jurisdiction,” F. Warren Bittner, CG

F324 – “Using Historic German Newspapers Online,” Ernest Thode

F344 – “German Village Not Yet Found?,” Carolyn Louise Whitton, CG

F354 – “German 301: Going Beyond German Church Records,” James Marion Baker, PhD, CG

If you have German ancestors, don’t miss out on the opportunity to obtain detailed research information from knowledgeable genealogists. Besides the lectures, you can meet other genealogists researching the same areas or perhaps the same family! It is a great way to make new friends! Don’t delay as Early-Bird registration ends on March 24, 2014!

My favorite part of a national conference? It is spending 24/7 for several days on nothing but genealogy! How great is that?

Debra A. Hoffman, "NGS' 2014 Family History Conference in Richmond, Virginia," Ancestral Leaves, posted 25 February 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]

Bavaria Emigration Database on the German Genealogy Group Website

There is a new resource on the German Genealogy Group's (GGG) website. If you think you have ancestors from Bavaria, you should check out this database. It can be accessed from here http://www.germangenealogygroup.com/records-search/bavarian_emigrants.php.

The database was compiled from emigration notices printed in Bavarian newspapers. There notices were required to legally emigrate.The publication requirement was for the purpose of collecting debts from the emigrant prior to their departure from the Kingdom of Bavaria. This project was headed by Tom Risinger.

There are a few records as early as 1823, but the majority date from 1832 to 1873. If you find your ancestor in the database, GGG offers the option to obtain a translated copy of the entire newspaper article for a fee. If you request a copy, an estimate will be sent to you for payment prior to receiving the translation.

When entering surnames in the database, you need to be flexible in the spelling and ensure you search multiple ways.When results are found, you can print them out. The results include the family name, given name, town, area, date, note and pdf page.The notes may include information such as the occupation, birth date, marital status, relationships, etc. Some of the notes are very detailed and provide a wealth of information.

I searched for my Krug and Bayer surnames. I found 22 results when I searched for Krug exactly. For the surname Bayer, I found 66 results. However in my research, I have found many spelling variations for Bayer, so I used the "sounds like" search and then found 465 results.

If your ancestor hails from the Kingdom of Bavaria, this database can provide you with a wealth of information.If you find your ancestor, let GGG know of your success by sending them an email.

Check it out!

Debra A. Hoffman, "Bavaria Emigration Database on the German Genealogy Group Website," Ancestral Leaves, posted 20 February 2014 (http://ancestralleaves.blogspot.com : viewed [date]). [Please feel free to link to the specific post if you prefer.]