May 03

After the 2013 OGS Conference: A New To-Do List

Last week’s OGS Conference in Cincinnati was in my opinion one of their very best. There was a good variety of topics and lectures presented by excellent speakers. I came home armed with new ideas and information, re-energized and ready to try out some new research plans and techniques. I started a Things-To-Do-When-I-Get-Home list  and added to it as I sat in lectures and talked with other genealogists. That’s right. Not all research ideas and information come from lectures. Many come from networking with other genealogists.

Below are half a dozen things I want to investigate and try out:

1. Search on-line for ortsfamilienbüchers. These are wonderful compiled books that consist of vital and genealogical information for a certain time period in a specific area or town in Germany. I have already used one of these books in my German Müller research and know how helpful they can be. My great-grandfather Jacob Müller/Miller was from Bierbach and I copied the book Einwohner von Bierbach bis 1830 by Hans Cappel from a Family History Library microfilm. This compilation gives genealogical information about the families in the town of Bierbach from 1304-1974. That’s a pretty good span of years and books like these could be great sources of information for my other lines.

I learned from Ernest Thode that there are many of these books out there. I think my best chance at research in the ortsfamilienbücher will be through the Family History Library. Maybe they have microfilmed and digitized the ortsfamilienbücher for the specific town I am researching. If one has been microfilmed I can always order the film. I found it helpful to do a search for familienbuch on FamilySearch.org or to search by the town name. Another good website for ortsfamilienbücher is http://www.online-ofb.de/ . For this type of research you really need to know the name of your German ancestor’s home town.

2. Try my hand at on-line German newspaper research. I am hooked on American newspaper research but I did not realize that many German and German-language newspapers are also on-line.

Using my Ernest Thode lecture handouts as a guide, I spent several hours this week checking out German newspaper websites. I found quite a few German newspapers but the language is a problem. I know very little German but I can read just enough Gothic German script to recognize names in church records and what event was going on in the church. Basically I can read the vital information–birth/baptisms, marriages and death/burials. I have problems with the translation if the minister elaborated on the event.

3. Map my German ancestors’ towns on maps of various years. Germany is a complicated place to research because before 1871 it consisted of separate kingdoms whose boundaries changed a lot. That means that your ancestor’s town may have been in several governing districts over the years. To research your German ancestor it is vital to know what governing district and parish the records were kept in.

Warren Bittner pointed out that by determining what governing districts your ancestor’s town was in over the years and knowing the boundary changes can lead you to the correct places to research. I have collected a few copies of old German maps and marking the exact locations of towns on them should help determine what governing districts they were in various years. Warren has gathered an amazing amount of information about his German ancestors, although he said it took him seven trips to Germany to gather the information. What is amazing is that his ancestors were almost neighbors to my Müllers in Bavaria.

I do believe that with a little work I will be able to figure this German research out.

4. Add information to the Mercer County page on the Family Search Wiki. Yes there is a Mercer County page on FamilySearch.org and they are asking volunteers to add information to it. These county pages are to be research guides and I plan to add some research information as well as information about Mercer County churches.

5. Create timelines for my brick walls. One of my friends created a great timeline for his problem ancestor, with hopes of solving some research problems. It looks like a good way to organize information and view the details at a glance. He created his timeline in Word. I work with Word a lot but I must say that I have been missing their table feature. Some of my genealogy software may also be able to create a timeline.

6. Look into publishing my family history on Roots Magic.com, MyHeritage.com or the new FamilySearch’s Family Tree. But first I need to upgrade to Roots Magic 6.

Genealogical conferences are worthwhile and fun and I am excited that I get to attend two conferences this year. The second conference is the 2013 FGS Conference to be held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, 21-24 August. The Federation of Genealogical Societies sponsors a national conference annually and this year’s theme is Journey Through Generations. The 2013 FGS conference is also within driving distance, actually close enough that I can drive back and forth each day. Fortunately both conferences fit into my work schedule.

There is always something new to learn at a genealogy conference–new methodology, new resources, new technology or maybe a new and different way to look at an old problem. I know there will be knowledgeable speakers, a wide variety of session topics, workshops, and a large exhibit area at FGS 2013. Plus there are many opportunities to ask questions of other researchers and sometimes the speakers. People from all over the country will be in Fort Wayne for the conference, giving attendees the opportunity to ask research questions about other areas of the country. Maybe I’ll see you there!

 

 

 

Apr 30

Tombstone Tuesday–Theo. M. and Carrie L. Leininger

Carrie L. & Theo M. Leininger, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Carrie L. & Theo M. Leininger, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Theo. M. and Carrie L. Leininger, located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

LEININGER
Carrie L.
1898-1988

 Theo. M.
1895-1992

According to Zion Chatt’s records Carrie Louise Becher was born 23 February 1898 to Henry and Rosina (Schlenker) Becher. She was baptized on 28 February with William Becher and Lulu Kessler as sponsors and she was confirmed in 1911 by Rev. George Haas. Carrie married Theodore Leininger of Muncie, Indiana, on 26 November 1919 by Rev. J.E. Albrecht. Carrie and Ted had two daughters, Catherine Mildred and Dorothy Jean.

Carrie Becher

Carrie Becher

Obituary:
Carrie Leininger
Carrie L. Leininger, 90, 911 Kingswood Dr., died at 4:35 p.m. Friday at Shane Hill Nursing Home, Rockford.

Mrs. Leinigner was born Feb. 23, 1898 near Chattanooga, the daughter of Henry and Rosa (Schlenker) Becher. On Nov 26, 1919, she was married to Ted Leininger, who survives with two daughters, Mrs. Glenn (Catherine) Miller, Chattanooga, and Mrs. Dillon (Dorothy) Hellwarth, Celina; a sister, Mrs. Martha Woodruff, Celina, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. One sister, Freda Byers preceded her in death.

A homemaker, Mrs. Leininger was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, the Women of the Church, and Chatt Valley Senior Citizens. She had lived on a famr near Chattanooga for many years, moving to Celina in 1976.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Zion Lutheran Church, the Rev. Gary Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call 2-9 p.m. Sunday at W.H. Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina, and at the church from one hour prior to the services. Memorials may be given to the church. [1]

Carrie Leininger (Rites)
Services were held Monday afternoon at Zion Lutheran Church, Rockford, for Carrie Leininger. The Rev. Gary Anderson officiated and Mrs. Roy Thompson served as organist. Mrs. Gary Anderson sang the hymns. Pallbearers to the church cemetery were Ned Goins, Tom Kuhn, Jerry Miller, Kenneth Brodbeck, Walter Piper and William Bollenbacher. W.H. Dick & Sons Funeral Home, Celina, had charge of arrangements. [2]

Carrie (Becher) & Ted Leininger, 1943.

Carrie (Becher) & Ted Leininger, 1943.

Obituary:
Theodore Leininger
Theodore “Ted” Leininger, 96, Celina, died at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Shane Hill Nursing Home, Rockford. He moved from his Chattanooga farm to Celina in 1976.

Born in Chattanooga Sept. 26, 1895, he was the son of John and Minnie (Zeilinger) Leininger. He was married Nov. 26, 1919, to Carrie L. Becker [sic], who died Dec. 2, 1988.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Glenn (Catherine) Miller, Chattanooga, and mrs. Dillon (Dorothy Jean) Hellwarth, Celina; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Inez Nichols, Indianapolis, and Erma Reed, Albuquerque, N.M.

He was preceded in death by a brother, six sisters and a great-grandchild.

Mr. Leininger was a retired farmer and a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga. He also was a Liberty Township Trustee from 1941 to 1957.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in the church, the Rev. Gery Anderson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Friends may call 2-9 p.m. Thursday at W.H. Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina, and an hour prior to services at the church. Memorial contributions may be directed to the church. [3] 

Ted Leininger confirmation.

Ted Leininger confirmation, 13 years old.

Theodore Leininger (Rites)
Services for Theodore “Ted” Leininger were held at 11 a.m. Friday in Zion Lutheran Church, Rockford. The Rev. Gary W. Anderson officiated, with Mona Thompson at the organ and Mary Lou Anderson singing the solos. Pallbearers to the church cemetery were Ken Brodbeck, Tom Kuhn, Ned Goins, Jerry Miller, Tom Stephenson and Gene Behm. W.H. Dick and Sons Funeral Home, Celina, was in charge of arrangements. [4] 

Ted Leininger on his motorcycle.

Ted Leininger

I remember when Ted and Carrie attended church at Zion. From family members I learned that Ted had seven sisters, but no brothers. Ted was born in Chattanooga and his family moved to Muncie, Indiana, after their father died when Ted was young.

Ted Leininger on road grader 1948.

Ted Leininger on road grader 1948.

Carrie was the oldest of three girls and her father also died young. When she was a young woman she was a housekeeper in Chatt  for the Vinings. During that same time Ted Leininger drove a huckster wagon in the Chatt area. Ted and Carrie met in the grocery in Chatt, which was run by the Vinings. At one time Ted ran a road grater and was a Liberty Township trustee. He was good at drawing pictures of animals and liked to play cards. Euchre was his favorite card game but he also played Canasta, Pinochle and Sheepshead. He also played dart ball at Zion Chatt, helping them win many championships and trophies.

Ted Leininger playing dart ball at Zion Chatt.

Ted Leininger playing dart ball at Zion Chatt.

Carrie enjoyed sewing and gardening. She would preserve and freeze the garden produce and one of her granddaughters recalls that over the years she tried many ways to keep the birds out of her cherry tree.

 

[1] The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 3 December 1988, p.2.

[2] The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 6 December 1988, p. 3.

[3] The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 12 Feb 1992, p. 3.

[4] The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 2 January, 1992, p. 2.

Photos courtesy of daughter and granddaughter of Ted and Carrie Leininger.

Apr 26

2013 OGS Conference in Cincinnati

Greetings from downtown Cincinnati! Cincinnati, the Queen City, Porkopolis, home to the Reds, the Bengals, numerous breweries, and this weekend, the host city of the annual <!–[if gte mso 9]>

This year’s conference is being held at the Millennium Hotel, just a couple blocks from Fountain Square. The Millennium has become our place to stay when we visit Cincinnati. We stayed here last year when we attended the 2012 National Genealogical Society [NGS] Conference and Joe and I stay here when we attend the Reds ballgames.

Downtown Cincinnati.

Downtown Cincinnati.

The theme of this year’s OGS Conference is Expanding Your Ancestry Through Technology. I enjoy learning about technology, apps and gadgets and for me combining technology with family history research is great.

Conference-going has indeed changed over the years because of technology. Attendees no longer automatically receive a print syllabus. You can still get the syllabus in print or on a thumb drive, but at an additional charge. Now most attendees download the PDF syllabus a couple weeks before the conference and save it on their tablet, smart phone, thumb drive or laptop. I saved my syllabus in Dropbox, which made it easy to transfer to my tablet’s SD card, making it available even if I am not on-line.

Even though I have the whole syllabus with me on my tablet I printed out the handouts for the sessions I plan to attend. I still like to make notes the old-fashioned way, by pen, on actual paper.

The OGS conference is longer these days and that means more time to learn about new research techniques. It used to be a two day conference but now it runs over two and a half days.

Kenny Burck, 2013 OGS Conference Chair.

Kenny Burck, 2013 OGS Conference Chair.

During day one of the conference I learned tips to help find those elusive unfindable ancestors, German newspapers, surname searches on Google and research on FamilySearch.org. The next two days I hope to learn more about Ohio newspapers, Roots Magic, Ortsfamilienbücher, forensic genealogy, German territories and maps, and the War of 1812.

For me, one of the highlights of any conference is the exhibit area. I like to browse for books and see what new technology and software is available for family history researchers.

Friends and friendly faces abound at an OGS conference and it is good to see old friends and make new ones. Networking is part of what makes attending a conference enjoyable.

The Ohio Genealogical Society always has quality conferences and this year’s conference is no exception. But this will not be the only conference I get to attend this year. The Federation of Genealogical Societies [FGS] Conference will be in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in August. Since Fort Wayne is within driving distance I won’t have to stay overnight there. That means more money to spend on books and software and tech gadgets…

 

Apr 23

Tombstone Tuesday–Henry C. and Rosa A. Becher

Henry C. & Rosa A. Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

Henry C. & Rosa A. Becher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Henry C. and Rosa A. Becher, located in row 6 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

BECHER
Henry C.
1866-1906
Rosa A.
1871-1964

The records of Zion Chatt give the following vital information about Henry and Rosa:

Heinrich Conrad Becher was born to Johannes and Anna Maria (Becker) Becher on 21 April 1866 in Mercer County. He was baptized 19 May 1866, with Conrad and Margaretha Haffner as witnesses. His father was born in Thuisbrun, District Oberfranken, Bavaria, and his mother was born in Bethleham, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. Heinrich died of a brain tumor on 27 April 1906, at the age of 40 years and 6 days and was buried on the 29th.  Survivors included 4 brothers, 4 sisters, his father and mother and 3 children.

Rosina Anna Schlenker was born 10 December 1871 in Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio, to Johannes and Magdalena (Betzel) Schlenker. She was baptized 8 March 1872, with Friedrich Betzel and wife as sponsors. Rosina’s father was born in Schwenningen, Würtemberg, and her mother in Butler County, Ohio. Rosina was confirmed 18 April 1886 and this record gives her date of birth as 11 December.

Magdalena (Betzel) Schlenker w/daughter Rosina Schlenker, son, Johannes Schlenker & son. c1872. Photo courtesy of Dorothy Jean (Leininger) Hellworth.

Magdalena (Betzel) Schlenker w/daughter Rosina Schlenker, a son seated, Johannes Schlenker holding a son, c1872. This house stood in Chatt until 1992, when it was torn down and the Gilliland horse barn was erected.

Heinrich Becher, age 28, and Rosina Schlenker, age 23, were married at Zion’s rectory on 29 March 1894. Witnesses to their marriage were Friedrich Merkle and Emilie Becker.

They had the following children:

Carrie Louise (23 Feb 1898-2 Dec 1988) married Theodore M. Leininger.
Ida Freda (25 May 1901-4 Jan 1933) married William Byers.
Martha Marie (14 Nov 1905-2 Mar 2001) married Troy Woodruff.

Becher home west of Chatt, 1914. L to R: Rosa (Schlenker) Becher, Martha Becher, Freda Becher, Carrie Becher, Anna Maria (Becker) Becher. Photo courtesy of Dorothy Jean (Leininger) Hellworth.

Becher home west of Chatt, 1914. L to R: Rosina “Rosa” (Schlenker) Becher, Martha Becher, Freda Becher, Carrie Becher, Anna Maria (Becker) Becher [Rosina’s mother-in-law, mother of Henry C. Becher].

Obituary:

Rosa Becher Dies Tuesday
Mrs. Rosa Becher, 92, widow of Henry Becher, R. 1, Rockford, died before noon Tuesday in Gibbons Hospital, where she had been admitted Monday following a stroke and a fall at her home.

The Ketcham and Ripley Funeral Home in Rockford has charge of arrangements and friends may call there after 1 p.m. Thursday until noon Friday when the body will be taken to Zion Lutheran Church in Chattanooga to lie in state until the time of the rites.

Mrs. Becher was born December 11, 1871 near Chattanooga and had spent her entire life in that community. Her parents were the late John and Mary Betzel Schlenker, pioneers of that area.

She was married in 1894 and her husband died in 1906. One daughter, Freda, and 11 brothers and sisters have also preceded her in death.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Theodore Leininger, who resided with her mother for the last 45 years, and Mrs. Troy Woodruff, both of R. 1, Rockford. There are five grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Frank Spriggs of R.R., Celina.

Mrs. Becher was a life member of Zion Lutheran Church where rites will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday. The Rev. Arnold Green will officiate and burial will be made in the church cemetery. [1]

Rosa (Schlenker) Becher, 1945. Photo courtesy of Dorothy Jean (Leininger) Hellworth.

Rosina “Rosa” (Schlenker) Becher, 1945.

[1] The Daily Standard, Celina, Ohio, 1 April 1964, p.1.

Old photos courtesy of Dorothy Jean (Leininger) Hellworth.

Apr 19

The Scrapbook

Scrapbook It is interesting to see how the paths of people’s lives cross, through the generations, particularly in a small community.

I discussed using the FAN concept for family history research at a beginning genealogy workshop a few weeks ago. FAN is an acronym for friends, associates and neighbors. You can often add information and maybe even overcome some of those brick walls by looking into the lives of the friends, associates and neighbors of your ancestors.

I know for a fact that talking to friends, associates and neighbors of relatives can provide information about them and about the area in which they lived.

At Catherine Miller’s funeral a few weeks ago I visited with some of her family that I had not seen for some time. It was nice to see them again, even under the sad circumstance of Catherine’s passing. Catherine’s sister Dorothy Jean, who lives just a couple miles away, called me a few days later. She knew that I was interested in people and information from the Chatt area and she mentioned that she had a scrapbook I might like to look at. Dorothy Jean attended Zion Chatt while growing up and she and my dad were in the same class in school.

Always eager to learn more about the people and the area in which I grew up, I jumped at the chance to pay her a visit and take a look at her scrapbook.

About a week later I sat with Dorothy Jean at her kitchen table. She pulled out her high school scrapbook and asked if my dad had one of these. No, I don’t think my dad ever had a high school scrapbook. I never saw it if he did.

Dorothy Jean, Willshire High School Commencement, 1943.

Dorothy Jean, Willshire High School Commencement, 1943.

As she showed me her scrapbook, I noticed some dried flowers, her senior prom invitation, her Willshire High School graduation announcement and the tassel she wore at her graduation, plus a lot of photos and newspaper clippings. I think scrap-booking was and is still today more of a “girl” thing. I doubt that my dad ever took the time to save his high school memories in a scrapbook.

But what a treasure Dorothy Jean has kept. By looking at her scrapbook I was able to get a glimpse back in time at my dad’s high school years. I saw a couple photos of my dad that I had never seen before. It makes me wonder how many photos have been taken by others over the years that include my ancestors, my relatives or even me. There are probably many of these photos that I will never see.

The guys, Willshire High School Class of 1943. Front: Dick Cowan, Herb Miller, Junior Linn, Lewis Allmandinger. Back: G.M. Alspaugh, Ivan Wyer, Carl Ripley, Merlin Miller, Dale Caffee.

The guys, Willshire High School Class of 1943. Front: Dick Cowan, Herb Miller, Junior Linn, Lewis Allmandinger. Back: G.M. Alspaugh, Ivan Wyer, Carl Ripley, Merlin Miller, Dale Caffee.

What is most interesting about Dorothy Jean’s scrapbook and photos is that they connect with my family in several ways. Her family lived near Chatt and attended Zion Lutheran, as did my Miller family. Although she attended the Chatt grade school she later attended Willshire High School and was in the same high school class as my dad, the class of 1943. She rode the school bus from Chatt to the Willshire School with my dad and his siblings. She also went to Willshire High School with some of my Schumm relatives.

The gals, Willshire High School Class of 1943. Norma Jean Carr, Twyla Pifer, Helen Schumm, Doris Painter, Mary Daily, Ellen Schumm. (Dorothy Jean Leininger not shown.)

The gals, Willshire High School Class of 1943. Norma Jean Carr, Twyla Pifer, Helen Schumm, Doris Painter, Mary Daily, Ellen Schumm. (Dorothy Jean Leininger not shown.)

So among the photos she loaned me to scan were photos of close relatives, not-so-close relatives, church members and other area people that I knew or whose names were familiar. Her school photos, as well as many other photos that she shared, were not only of her family and friends and classmates, but also contained images of my relatives and their friends.

Dale Caffee on a bike

Dale Caffee riding a bike.

Dorothy Jean was meticulous with her photos. She labeled every single photo. Every person was identified in every photo. In the order they were standing. Even the old school photos. Wow!

Row 1: ?, Robert Bollenbacher, ?, ?, LaVerne Miller, Hamrick, ?, ?, ?, ?. Middle: ?, Catherine Miller, Dorothy Jean Leininger, ?, Dorothy White, Emilene Miller, Marjorie Pfifer, Catherine Leininger, Dorothy Carr, Helen Miller, Herb Miller, Twyla Pfifer. Back: Carl Ripley, Leland Carr, Laverne Stetler, Bob Myers, fern Bollenbacher, Genevieve Baker, Bill Chapman, ?.

1940 Bus from Chatt to Willshire School. Front: ?, Robert Bollenbacher, ?, ?, LaVerne Miller, Hamrick, ?, ?, Trolus Frank, Kenneth Miller. Middle: ?, Catherine Miller, Dorothy Jean Leininger, ?, Dorothy White, Emilene Miller, Marjorie Pifer, Catherine Leininger, Dorothy Carr, Helen Miller, Herb Miller, Twyla Pifer. Back: Carl Ripley, Leland Carr, Laverne Stetler, Bob Myers, Fern Bollenbacher, Genevieve Baker, Bill Chapman, ?.

Today photos are readily visible and easy to share on Facebook and other media, but how many old photos are tucked away in scrapbooks or boxes in attics and closets, never to be seen by those outside the family.

Thank you Dorothy Jean for sharing your scrapbook and photos!