Recap: Hedwig (Hattie) and William Hackenberger

Known:

• Hedwig was born in Germany in the month of March in 1868 (1910, 1930 census), 1869 (1920 census) or 1879 (1900 census)
• She immigrated to the US about 1888 (1900, 1910 census), 1889 (1930 census) or 1890 (1920 census)
• She had 6 children of whom 5 survived
• William was born in Germany in the month of July in 1863 (1900 census) or 1865 (1910, 1920, 1930 census)
• He immigrated to the US about 1869 (1900, 1920, 1930 census) or 1870 (1910 census)
• They married about 1889
• They both died after 1930
• William worked in the feed business between 1900-1910

Unknown:

• Their marriage date/place
• Their death dates/places
• William's parents names

Next: Recap: Ida Kolbe

Recap: William & Pauline Kolbe

OK, so all the available censuses have been "mined" for information. I analyzed this information and developed a recap of known and unknown which I will post for each family member:

Known:

• William Kolbe was born in Germany about February 1835
• Pauline was born in Germany (or Sielisea or Slazen) about 1837-1838 in the month of December
• They married about 1864
• William worked as a baker from 1900 to 1910
• Pauline may have had 9 children, with either 7 or 9 of them surviving to adulthood. The 1900 census indicates 7 of 9 have survived and the 1910 census indicates 9 of 9 have survived
• William died sometime between 1910 and 1920
• Pauline died after 1920

Unknown:

• Their birth dates/places
• Their death dates/places
• Their marriage date/place (it was probably in Germany)
• Sielisea/Slazen and its connection to Germany
• If Pauline did have 9 children, what happened to the 2 children not listed in the censuses?
• When and where William filed his naturalization declaration of intent (also known as first papers). The 1900 census indicates he had already filed them, so it was sometime prior to that.

Next: Recap: Hedwig (Hattie) and William Hackenberger

Brief Census Recap

OK, so now I've reviewed the censuses that apply to the Kolbe Family: 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. The 1940 census won't be available until 2012 because census information is held confidential for 72 years. The 1890 census was destroyed by fire in 1921 (except for very few fragments).

I could research earlier censuses on the Hackenberger Family, but am choosing not to at this time as my focus is the Kolbe Family. I will, however, research those other census returns in the future.

My next series of blog posts will analyze what I have and haven't learned from the censuses.

Next: Recap - William and Pauline Kolbe

1930 Census - Joseph Hackenberger

Joseph Hackenberger has gotten married and is living with his wife, Lea, at 3499 Beniteau. They are living with Lea's parents, Frederick and Lysem Beauchamp. So Lea's maiden name was Beauchamp. Good-more information to work with. Joseph works as a clerk in a county building.

Three roomers also live in the house, Leo L. Waldhier, Victor Schaffer, and William Conway. I'm not sure if they are family members or not, so more research will be needed.

Next: Recap - What Have I Learned From The Censuses?

1930 Census - Frank Hackenberger

Frank Hackenberger has gotten married and is living with his wife, Hazel, at 3709 Buckingham Rd. Also living with them is their son, William, and a sister-in-law, Grace Mason. Grace is probably Hazel's sister. So Hazel's maiden name might be Mason, unless Mason is Grace's married name. Another clue. Frank is working for a stove company as an auditor. He was born in Michigan as was his wife and son.

Next: 1930 Census - Joseph Hackenberger

1930 Census - Hattie Hackenberger

Hattie Hackenberger has gotten married and is living with her husband, W. Walter Heathfield at 3466 Algonquin Avenue. They were both born in Michigan and Walter is a salesman for an automobile company. No children are listed living with them.

Next: 1930 Census - Frank Hackenberger

1930 Census - Emil Hackenberger

Emil Hackenberger has gotten married and is living with his wife, Irene, at 1388 Drexel Ave. They have 2 daughters, Mary C. and Margaret N. Emil is an electrician. He was born in Germany, immigrated in 1890, and is naturalized.

Next: 1930 Census - Hattie Hackenberger

1930 Census - Berthold and Margaret Kolbe

Berthold and Margaret have moved and are now living at 12224 Flanders Ave. with Margaret's father, James Wilson.

Berthold is a baker at a retail bakery. He was born in Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1893 and is naturalized.

Next:1930 Census - Emil Hackenberger

1930 Census - Emil and Lillian Kolbe

Emil and Lillian have moved to 1740 Campbell Avenue. They now have 5 sons: William A., Carl L., George E. (my father-in-law), Joseph R., and Victor F. Emil still owns a drugstore. He was born in Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1890 and is naturalized.

Living in the same house is Mathilda Randall and her 4 sons: Louis R., James K., Eugene and Roger. Mathilda is divorced. These people are probably relatives of Emil or Lillian. I'll have to research them later.

Next: 1930 Census-Berthold and Margaret Kolbe

1930 Census-Herman and Anna Kolbe

Herman and Anna are living at 3501 Kantner Ave. Perhaps they have moved or the city has changed the house numbering system. No other families are living at that address.

Herman owns a grocery store. His immigration year is listed as 1890. He is naturalized and his place of birth is Germany.

Next: 1930 Census-Emil and Lillian Kolbe

1930 Census-Hedwig (Hattie) anad William Hackenberger

Hedwig (Hattie) and William Hackenberger are living at 3215 Canton Ave. They have moved or the city has changed the house numbering system. They are living with Meta and Harry Maher, their daughter and grandson. Meta is a widow.

Hattie's year of immigration is listed as 1889, William's as 1869. Their birthplace is Germany and both are naturalized. Their other children: Emil, Hattie, Frank, and Joseph must be listed elsewhere.

Next: 1930 Census-Herman and Anna Kolbe

1930 Census-Ida Kolbe and Emma Kolbe Maloney

The 1930 census shows Ida (now listed with a middle initial of A.) and Emma living at 2045 Wabash Avenue. I wonder if they have moved or perhaps the City of Detroit has renumbered the houses? They are the only ones living in the house now. Emma is listed as Emma Maloney and she is widowed. So sometime between 1920 and 1930 Emma got married and then her husband, Mr. Maloney died. I do recall my mother-in-law saying, "One of them married a Hackenberger and one married a Maloney." That confirms her story. Hedwig (Hattie) married Hackenberger and Emma married Maloney. More information to research:

• When did Emma get married?
• What was Mr. Maloney's first name?
• When did Mr. Maloney die?

Ida is working as a checker in a restaurant, and Emma is working as a salesman (sic) in a drug store. I am thinking perhaps her brother, Emil's, dugstore. 1895 is listed as their year of immigration to the U.S. The census indicates that they both became naturalized in 1895. More inconsistencies regarding their immigration year and naturalization years.

The place of birth for Ida and Emma is recorded as Slazen (or Slasaj) Germany. Yet another mystery!

• Is Slazen Germany another name for Sielesia (from the 1920 census)?
• Is Slazen Germany different from Sielesia?

Next: 1930 Census-Hedwig (Hattie) and William Hackenberger

1920 Census-Berthold Kolbe

Berthold has gotten married and is living at 973 Meldrum Ave. with his wife, Margaret. They are living with Margaret's father, James Wilson, and two of Margaret's siblings, Hazel and William.

Living next door at 975 Meldrum is Mary Kolbe and her daughter, Janice. I wonder who they might be? I had not heard of a Mary Kolbe from any of my husband's family. Since families tend to travel together, perhaps she is related to "our" Kolbe Family somehow. I'll have to keep these people in mind when researching.

Berthold is a baker at a bread company and Margaret is a saleslady for a bread company. He was born in Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1880 and became naturalized in 1899.

Next: 1930 Census Ida Kolbe and Emma Kolbe Maloney

1920 Census-Emil and Lillian Kolbe

Emil has gotten married and is living at 681 Dix Avenue with his wife, Lillian. They have 4 sons: William A., Carl L., George E. (my father-in-law), and Joseph R.

Emil is a druggist with his own store. He was born in Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1890 and became naturalized in 1896.

Next: 1920 Census-Berthold Kolbe

1920 Census-Herman and Anna Kolbe

Herman (now with a middle initial of A.) and Anna are still living at 121 Kantner Ave. There are several families at this address, so it must be some type of multi-family unit. The other people living there don't appear to be related family members, but I'll keep them in mind because people tend to stay close to family and/or friends.

He is a salesman at a grocery. He was born in Germany, immigrated to the U.S. in 1890 and became naturalized in 1900.

Next: 1920 Census-Emil Kolbe

Uncle Carl/Cousin Joe/German Restaurant

I'm sneaking in a post to report on current genealogy activities. Yesterday I called and spoke with the oldest Kolbe in my husband's tree, Uncle Carl. He is 92 years old and has a wonderful recollection of family information. My hand could barely keep up with his information as I feverishly took notes during our conversation!

Then I called and spoke to a Kolbe cousin, Joe, in Colorado. That was fun!

Later that evening, my husband and I went to a local German restaurant, Haus Murphy's, to embrace some of the food and drink his ancestors enjoyed. There were two fellows playing German songs on the tuba and accordion. It was delicious food, drink and great fun!

1920 Census-Hedwig (Hattie) and William Hackenberger

Hedwig (Hattie) and William Hackenberger have moved to 793 Canton Ave. All 5 children still live with them. William's occupation is listed as none. Hattie's year of immigration to the U.S. is listed as 1890, William's as 1869. They have both filed their first naturalization papers. Hattie probably didn't actually file any paperwork for naturalization. That is because foreign-born females automatically became naturalized when their husbands did.

Their son, Emil, works as an electrician and the census now lists his birthplace as Germany with an immigration year of 1890. He has also filed his first naturalization papers. The 1900 and 1910 census listed his birthplace as Michigan. This raises some interesting questions:

• Was Emil born in Germany or in Michigan?
• If he was born in Germany, did he immigrate with the Kolbe Family in 1890?
• A review of the 1900 census indicated he was born in September 1889. If the 1889 year is accurate, he was probably born in Germany and immigrated with the Kolbe Family in 1890. This raises questions of when and where Hattie and William were married. More questions to research...

Next: 1920 Census-Herman and Anna Kolbe

1920 Census-Pauline, Ida, Emma and Paul Kolbe

The 1920 census shows Pauline, Ida, Emma and Paul still living at 251 Wabash Avenue. Pauline is now widowed, meaning that William passed away sometime between 1910 and 1920. Ida and Emma are both working as saleswomen in a tea shop and Paul is a baker in a bakery. 1890 is still listed as their year of immigration to the U.S. The census indicates that these 4 became naturalized in 1900.

The place of birth for Pauline, Ida, Emma and Paul is recorded as Sielisea.

Now that threw me for a loop! Several questions about Sielisea popped into my mind:

• Is it another name for Germany?
• Did the census taker spell it correctly?
• Is it perhaps a city or area in Germany?
• Is it connected somehow to Schoenwalde (Emil's birthplace?)

I'm afraid that now I'll have to begin some of that German genealogy learning curve I've been afraid of.

Next: 1920 Census-Hedwig (Hattie) and William Hackenberger

1910 Census

The 1910 census shows the family still living at 251 Wabash Avenue. William is retired, Emil is a pharmacist and Paul owns his own bakery. Ida, Berthold and Emma are all bakery clerks, perhaps in Paul's bakery? Everyone, including Pauline, can speak English. The entire family arrived in the U.S. in 1890. Paul, Emil and Berthold have become naturalized. The record indicates that Pauline has had 9 children and 9 are living. So the 2 children that were not living in the 1900 census are now living. Hmmm...probably an inaccuracy, which is very common in the censuses.

Herman has gotten married and is living at 121 Kantner Ave. with his wife Anna. The record indicates they got married about 1903 and that Anna has had 4 children, 1 is living, but no child was listed as living with them. The record also indicates neither Herman nor Anna had a previous spouse. He is the proprietor of a retail grocery store. His immigration year is listed as 1884 (or perhaps 1887-it is hard to see clearly.)

Hedwig (Hattie) and William Hackenberger have moved to 251 Watson St. and now have 5 children: Emil, Meta (perhaps this is Madie from the 1900 census), Hattie, Frank, and Joseph. The census indicates Hedwig is the mother of 6 children of whom 5 are living. William is a feed driver. Hattie's year of immigration to the U.S. is still listed as 1888, William's as 1870.

Next: 1920 Census