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