Margaret!

Today was a great day in my research! I was able to connect with a family member. She is in her 80's and is so knowledgeable about family information.

I had learned about her a few years ago through a distant relative, Elaine who said, "You must talk to Margaret. She has a lot of information." I tried for two years to reach Margaret who lives 2000 miles and 3 time zones away. Knowing that older people are best in the morning, I tried again this morning and she answered the phone! I was in my glory!

We talked for an hour (I was late to work), but she was a walking encyclopedia about the family history. I jotted notes as fast as I could while she answered questions and recounted the family memories. To be honest, I really couldn't keep up with her. I was most amazed how she recalled names, dates, hospitals, cemeteries, street names just off the top of her head. All without the aid of a computer.

What an inspirational woman! Not only is she in her 80's, but she is facing some serious health issues and still manages to volunteer at a local hospital and do quilting.

I now have lots of leads to follow up on. She said she would be glad to talk to me again. All I can say is I was so fortunate I was able to talk to her today.

Talking to the oldest members of our family is really more important than any other type of research we do. Today I got more information from her that I could have in several years of other types of research!

Next: Family Collaboration and Brick Walls

My Son's Family History Interest

Recently, my son and I were flying home from attending a memorial service for a family member who unexpectedly passed away at a fairly young age. Midway home, he asked me a question that somewhat surprised me, "Mom, do you know when other people in our family died and what they died from?"

The reason this surprised me is because I've researched and recorded our family history nearly all of my son's life. This taught me that while we assume other people know we are family historians, they probably don't know we are.

I also realized at that moment that our children are generally not interested in family history until they are adults and/or close family members die.

Next: Family Collaboration

Recap: Emma Kolbe Maloney

Known:

• Emma was born in Germany (or Sielisea or Slazen) in the month of July in 1881 (1910 census), 1882 (1900, 1920 census), or 1890 (1930 census)
• She immigrated to the US about 1890 (1910, 1920 census) or 1895 (1930 census)
• She married Mr. Maloney sometime between 1920 and 1930
• She worked as a bakery saleslady in 1900, bakery clerk in 1910, tea shop saleswoman in 1920, and a saleswoman in a drugstore in 1930. Perhaps her brother, Emil's, drugstore?
• She became naturalized in 1900 (per the 1920 census)
• She died after 1930
• Mr. Maloney died sometime between 1920 and 1930

Unknown:

• Their marriage date/place
• Their death dates/places
• Mr. Maloney's first name and his family information

Next: My son's family history interest

Recap: Berthold and Margaret Kolbe

Known:

• Berthold was born in Germany in the month of November in 1877 (1910 census) or 1878 (1900, 1920, 1930 census)
• Margaret was born in Canada about 1891 (1920 census) or 1892 (1930 census)
• They married about 1913
• Margaret's father was James Wilson and her siblings were William and Hazel
• Berthold immigrated to the US about 1880 (1920 census) or 1890
• Berthold was naturalized in 1899 according to the 1920 census
• Berthold worked as a baker
• They both died after 1930

Unknown:

• Their marriage date/place
• Their death dates/places
• Margaret's complete family information

Next: Recap: Emma Kolbe Maloney

Recap: Emil and Lillian Kolbe

Known:

• Emil was born in Germany in the month of February in 1874 (1910 census), 1875 (1930 census) or 1876 (1900, 1920 census)
• Lillian was born in Michigan about 1888
• They married about 1914
• They had 5 children: William, Carl, George, Joseph, and Victor
• Emil immigrated to the US about 1890
• Emil was naturalized in 1896 according to the 1920 census
• Emil worked as a pharmacist (druggist)
• They both died after 1930

Unknown:

• Their marriage date/place
• Their death dates/places
• Lillian's family information

Next: Recap: Berthold and Margaret Kolbe

Recap: Paul Kolbe

Known:

• He was born in Germany (or Sielisea or Slazen) in the month of April in 1872 (1910 census), 1873 (1920 census) or 1875 (1900 census)
• He probably died between 1920-1930 (he was listed in the 1920 census, but not the 1930 census)
• He immigrated to the US about 1890
• He was naturalized before 1900 (according to the 1900 census)
• He was employed in the bakery business

Unknown:

• His death date/place
• Whether or not he was ever married

Next: Recap: Emil and Lillian Kolbe

Recap: Herman & Anna Kolbe

Known:

• Herman was born in Germany in the month of November in 1870 (1910 census), 1871 (1920, 1930 censuses) or 1872 (1900 census)
• Anna was born in Germany about 1866 (1930 census), 1868 (1910 census) or 1870 (1920 census)
• They married about 1897
• Anna may have had 4 children, with 1 of them alive in 1910
• Herman immigrated to the US about 1884 (1910 census) or 1890 (1920 census)
• Anna immigrated to the US in 1886 (1930 census) or 1888 (1910 census)
• They were both naturalized in 1900 (Anna would have been naturalized with Herman's naturalization)
• Herman initially worked in the bakery business and beginning in 1910 was the proprietor of a grocery store
• They both died after 1930

Unknown:

• Their marriage date/place
• Their death dates/places
• Anna's maiden name and her parental information

Next: Recap: Paul Kolbe

Recap: Ida Kolbe

Known:

• She was born in Germany (or Sielisea or Slazen) in the month of August in 1870 (1900, 1910, 1920 census) or 1885 (1930 census)
• She died after 1930
• She immigrated to the US about 1890 (1910, 1920 census) or 1895 (1930 census)
• She was naturalized in 1900 according to the 1910 census
• She was employed in the bakery and restaurant business

Unknown:

• Her death date/place
• Whether or not she was ever married

Next: Recap-Herman and Anna Kolbe