52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #13 - Mapping Relationships

This is #13 in a Genealogy Blog Challenge issued by Amy Johnson Crow over on her blog "No Story Too Small." The challenge is to write 52 blog posts on 52 ancestors throughout 2014.

*NOTE: I am actually out of the country right now. This post was written in advanced and pre-scheduled which is why it isn't about a specific ancestor.

I am in the process of trying to verify a certain familial relationship between my 3rd great-grandmother Anna Slezinska (Wife of Anton Rossman) and a man named August Slezinska in the hopes that it will lead me back to Prussia and to Anna's parents. August and Anna both lived in Chicago and at one point attended the same church.

I was able to go through the church records for St. Joseph's Parish on Familysearch.org as they have the records available online. As they are not indexed, what I did was go through the records one by one from a few years before Anton and Anna moved to the US through the time of Anton's death in 1934. I looked at baptismal records specifically and examined both the parents' names as well as the names of the god parents.  I then drew a chart and drew lines to show me relationships through the church. 

Relationship Chart.  Red lines = godparents / god-children
dotted lines = descendents not verified

It really looks like a mess of spaghetti. While it still doesn't prove that August and Anna Slezinska were siblings, it shows me that there was SOME relationship there. Anna was the godmother to August's daughter, while August was godparent to one of Anna's grandsons.  It also shows just how tightly knit the whole extended family was. 

This exercise is also more proof that you can't stick with your direct lines, you sometimes HAVE to investigate siblings, cousins, and even farther out along the branches if you want to get any farther back.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #12 - Anton Rossman

This is #12 in a Genealogy Blog Challenge issued by Amy Johnson Crow over on her blog "No Story Too Small." The challenge is to write 52 blog posts on 52 ancestors throughout 2014

Anton Rossman was born on the 25th of September, 1850 in Putzig, Prussia - known now as Puck, Poland.  As with many of my ancestors who emigrated to the United States, I do not know much about Anton's life in Prussia.

The Circassia

Sometime prior to 1880, Anton Rossman met  Anna Slezinska. They were married in 1878- 1879. Their first child, Julianna Maria Rossman was born on the 14th of May, 1879 in or around Putzig.

At that time, Anton and Anna made a decision to move  their new family to the United States. They boarded the Cumberland, in Hamburg, Germany and headed for Leith (now just outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. From Leith, they traveled to Glasgow, Scotland where they boarded the Circassia for New York.  They left Hamburg, Germany on the 19th of March, 1880, and arrived in New York on the 12 of April, 1880.

Shortly after arriving in New York, the Rossman family moved to Chicago. Six more children followed Juliana very quickly.  Marciana (Maggie), born 1882; Rose Josephine, born 1885; Frank, born 1887;  Apollonia (Polly), born 1889; Sarafine, born 1892; and possibly Elzbieta and Hedwigis, both born in 1894, though I have not been able to verify the last two.

While the 1890 census was destroyed by a fire in the 1920s, and I cannot rely on that for information about the family, it is evident that Anton Rossman was active in his community, and in particular, his church. 

Anton and family attended the Catholic parish of St. Joseph's in Chicago. In 1895 a very strongly worded letter was published in the Dziennik Chicagoski - a Polish Language Newspaper.  The Newberry Library has a translation of the article available in their Foreign Language Press Survey collection. There was apparently a horrible scandal surrounding the priest of St. Joseph's at the time, the Reverand M. Pyplatz, and Anton was part of a group of men who were made "an addition to the board of trustees" to take inventory of the parish's financial status and investigate the charges that were brought up against the priest. They found nothing untoward. It is well worth reading the entirety of the letter, but I'm only going to include the first and last paragraphs here:

 Dear Editor: Perhaps hell itself has poured out its ire during the past few days so that the respectable name of our pastor and all peace-loving parishioners have been defiled by the surreptitious stories that have been conveyed to the reading public through the medium of the local American press. This campaign of lies has been going on for some time....

...The more dastardly lies have been exposed and presented for the general public to judge. Let the opinion of the honest sons of Poland pass its judgement. The sowers of these lies have brought infamy to our parish, rent many brotherly hearts, and they should be despised by every Pole and adjudged by the justice of God.

Other Polish papers are requested to reprint this article.

[Signed]:
Andrew Ciudaj, Anthony Rus, Andrew Skonieczaj, Joseph
Jankowski, Joseph Rusch, John Wiza, Michael Andrzejewski,
Anthony Rossman and Stanislaus Goniakowski.

In 1900, Anton and family were living at 4812 Marshfield Avenue in Chicago's notorious Back-of-the-Yards neighborhood. Still at home were Maggie (age 18), Rose (age 15), Frank (age 13), Polly (age 11) and Sarafina (age 8). Anna was staying at home with the two youngest, but Anton, Maggie, Rose and Frank were all working in the Stockyards.  Anton as a general laborer, Maggie and Rose as Meat Trimmers, and Frank as a Butcher. If you want to know a little more about their work at the yards check out this link from the Chicago History Museum. Their daughter, Juliana had married and moved out in 1897 and was living a few blocks away.

By 1910, Anton and Anna and family had moved to 4814 Marshfield Ave in Chicago. Anton would remain at this address for the rest of his life as they owned their home instead of simply renting. All the residents of the home, from Rose down to Sarafina were working at the Stockyards or in packing houses. Rose was a Trimmer, Frank a Laborer, Polly was a "can-wrapper" and Sarah was a "sausage packer."

Anton Rossman
ca. 1915

In 1913, tragedy struck the Rossman family. Shortly prior, Anton's daughter Maggie, her husband, Anthony, and their 4 children moved back in with Anton. Maggie then died on the 29 of April, 1913 of Tuberculosis. Maggie's husband, Anthony Krause died on the 9th of September, 1913 (cause of death unknown), and Anton's grandson Henry Krause died in November that same year of Pneumonia. These three deaths left Maggie's infant son, John, and two older children (Joseph, age 8, and Rose, age 6) orphans.

Six years later, on the 24th of October, 1919, Anton's beloved wife, Ana, died at age 66.

Anton wasn't lonely though. The 1920 census showed that Anton had a full house. His daughter Polly's family (husband John Miotke, and children, Gertrude and Floryan) were living with him. Also in residence was his daughter Rose, her husband Frank Paluch, and their daughter Evalyn. Anton was also caring for Joseph and John Krause. (I am not sure where Rose Krause went at this time.) His son Frank was living a few doors down. Juliana and her family were a block away.

Anton's Obituary
Published in a Polish
Language Newspaper

At the age of 69, Anton was still working at the stock yards, though other members of his family appeared to have found employment in other sectors, with box-makers, woodworkers, and general laborers listed on the Census.

In 1929, Anton's daughter, Juliana passed away. 

In 1930, it appears that Anton transferred ownership of 4814 Marshfield to his daughter Rose and her husband as they are listed as the owners of the property and Anton, at age 78, is a "Lodger." The Miotke's and Joseph Krause had moved out, though John was still living with Anton.

At the age of 83, Anton passed away on the 28th of April, 1934. He died in his home, 4814 So. Marshfield Ave. He was buried in Resurrection Cemetery, in Justice, IL. 

As evidenced by the census records, Anton Rossman was a dedicated family man. He was a man of faith and active in his church.

Anton Rossman is my 3rd Great-grandfather on my father's side.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #11 - Edward Donnelly

or: How many tries does it take for an Irish Bartender to get his American Citizenship?

In Chicago, we celebrate St. Patrick's Day by dying
a river green. Since Chicago was where Edward chose
to move, I thought it a fitting picture.

 This is #11 in a Genealogy Blog Challenge issued by Amy Johnson Crow over on her blog "No Story Too Small." The challenge is to write 52 blog posts on 52 ancestors throughout 2014.

The timing couldn't be better. My family is preparing to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and our Irish heritage this week. Why not spend some time with an Irish ancestor?

Edward Michael Donnelly was born on the 27th of April, 1882 just outside the town of Pomeroy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. His birth certificate specifically says Sluggan, which isn't a town, but a road. (Click here for a street-view) His mother was Ann O'Neill (profiled here) and his father was Daniel Donnelly.

The Cymric

In 1903, at the age of 21, Edward immigrated from Ireland to the United States. He traveled on the ship Cymric and landed in New York on August 24, 1903. On the ship's passenger list, Edward's occupation is listed as "Student."  He is also supposedly traveling to Chicago to visit his "Cousin Michael Montague: 360 S. Clarke St., Chicago."  Who is Michael Montague? 

Fast forward 7 years, and Edward is living as a lodger at the
home of a family named Schneider at 729 E. 40th street, in Chicago. At the time of the 1910 census, Edward was listed as being a bartender. Unfortunately, he had been "out of work" for 8 weeks. What does an out of work bartender do?

Edward and Mae's Marriage License

In 1914, Edward married Mae Hazel Follett (profiled here). They were married on the 31st of January, 1914 at the Church of the Holy Angels in Chicago, just a block from where Edward was living. For those interested, the church is still at 615 E. Oakwood Blvd, Chicago, IL. (Google Streetview here - though the building looks decidedly newer.) 

Edward and Mae quickly started building their family with their sons Edward, Gordon and Francis being born before the 1920 census.  By 1920, Edward and family were living at 7843 Constance Avenue on the city's south side.  Edward was the proprietor of a "Buffet." However family stories say that Edward was still practicing the craft of Bar-tending, just with a more Prohibition friendly job description.

Edward made his first attempt at Naturalization, filing petition # 43255 on October 14, 1920 in the Circuit Court of Illinois. In with some old family papers we found a transcript of the proceedings. His occupation in October of 1920 was listed as "Shoe Dealer."  His petition was denied.

ORDER OF COURT DENYING PETITION

 Upon consideration of the petition of Edward Michael Donnelly and the motion of Mackay for the United States in Open Court January 21, 1921 it appearing that he violated the law as to selling liquors.

 -H. Sterling Pomeroy

Judge

Edward took his petition to the Illinois Superior Court of Cook County. It was denied for the same reason: He could not "prove good moral character."

In 1925, Edward and Mae had a daughter, Dorothy, and by 1930 were living at 7948 Oglesby Avenue in Chicago.  According to the census, Edward had apparently given up the trade of Buffet Proprietor / Bartender and had moved on to a much more respectable job as a Real Estate Broker - a job which apparently didn't last very long.

Edward Michael Donnelly
October 1937
Picture from his Certificate of Citizenship

In 1936, Edward's wife, Mae, filed for citizenship. According to her documentation, the family was living at 7822 Constance Ave. Though a natural born citizen, by a quirk in the law, she lost her U.S. Citizenship upon marrying Edward. Her petition was granted. 

The next year, Edward tried again for his citizenship. His petition, dated February 3, 1937, states that he's Irish and a bartender. It lists his wife and four children, indicates when he immigrated, and also details his previous applications and failures. "I was unable to prove good moral character."


On October 6, 1937, the Irish Bartender, who had previously been denied citizenship because he was plying the trade that came naturally to him, was finally granted citizenship. His citizenship certificate remained in the family's possession, obviously a very important piece of paper to him. 

In 1937, the family was living at 7924 S. Escanaba Ave, in Chicago, but by the 1940 census, they had moved to 8035 Bennett Ave, Chicago. Edward was working as a Bartender in a Tavern. By this time, are we surprised?

Edward died on the 31st of October, 1951 of a sudden Coronary Occlusion. At the time of his death, he was still working as a bartender. Edward was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Worth, IL.  .

Edward Michael Donnelly was my great-grandfather on my mother's side.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #10 - Nora Sullivan

This is #10 in a Genealogy Blog Challenge issued by Amy Johnson Crow over on her blog "No Story Too Small." The challenge is to write 52 blog posts on 52 ancestors throughout 2014.

Nora Sullivan (or O'Sullivan depending on the documents) was born around 1867 in Ireland somewhere.  Her father's name was Daniel Sullivan and her mother's name was Julia Connor, according to the information provided by her daughter on Nora's death certificate.

At some point in her life, Nora traveled to the United States, eventually landing in Chicago, IL before marrying Charles Follett (profiled here).  They were married on the 13th of November, 1890 at St. Malachy's church in Chicago. Theirs was a mixed marriage. One was Catholic, the other wasn't. As of this time, I don't know who was which though I can harbor a guess. The paperwork and information that we currently have hints that Charles was from England where most likely he was Anglican / Church of England.  Nora, from Ireland, has a much stronger chance of being Catholic.

Charles and Nora lived at 2301 Prairie Ave, in Chicago for many years. Their two oldest daughters, Sarah Ellen and Mae Hazel were born there in 1891 and 1893 respectively.

UK Incoming Passenger List

UK Outgoing Passenger List

Interestingly, their third daughter, Catherine (Kitty) was born in Ireland in October of 1897. For a long time, I was unable to reconcile that. However, I think I may have found some evidence for this. Nora and two children are listed on a UK Incoming passenger list arriving in Southampton, England on the 27th of May, 1897. Later, there is a Nora Follett with three children (two children, one infant) on a UK Outward Passenger list leaving Queenstown, Ireland for New York on the 27th of March 1898.  The only hesitation is that both times, one of the children is listed as either being "John" or "Jacob."  However, the other names, and ages, match up.

I wish that I had birth information other than a Census record for Catherine. Knowing where she was born would help me locate Nora's family in Ireland. 

8 months after Nora and the children returned from Ireland, Charles Follett died, leaving Nora to raise three girls alone. As far as I have been able to tell, Nora and Charles had no family in Chicago.  I am unable to tell how Nora provided for her family until some of the later census records.

In 1910, Nora is not working. Her daughter Sarah is a stenographer in a law-office, and Mae is a hair-dresser.  They are living at 3100 E. 31st street in the South Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago. A 1913 Chicago directory has Nora and family living at 3732 Cottage Grove Ave in the Bronzeville neighborhood.  By 1920, Nora is living as a servant in the home of a man named James Esson in Wilmette, IL.

Nora died on the 18th of August, 1921 at the home of her daughter, Catherine.  Her job with the Esson's having not apparently lasted very long as Nora's occupation is listed as being a "housewife."  She was buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

My husband and I made a trip there to find her grave. Her gravestone had sunk below the level of the ground and we had to pull away a thick mat of grass in order to find it.


Nora is a 2nd great grandmother on my mother's side.

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: #9 - Click to Add

This is #9 in a Genealogy Blog Challenge issued by Amy Johnson Crow over on her blog "No Story Too Small." The challenge is to write 52 blog posts on 52 ancestors throughout 2014.

This post is a week late due to the fact that I was down and sick with the flu and sinus infection.  It is not dedicated to any particular person.  More towards that desire to "fill in all the blanks."

 Click to Add

You sit there

at the end of all my branches,

taunting me,

teasing me 

with my ignorance.

How many years now?

You're a good researcher,

you should know,

you should be able to click

and get rid of me.

That's the thing though,

No matter how much I click,

my triumph is short lived,

you aren't gone,

simply moved back a generation.

Taunting me yet again.