Part 2 - The Rescue of Mrs Harlow and the Death of Mrs Paige Beckwith House 4 December 1880 from Discover Historic Oshkosh The fire at the Beckwith House was raging as the fire department arrived on the scene on the evening of December 3, 1880. Mrs. C.E. Harlow had just leapt from the fourth … Continue reading The Curious Case of Charles Reif vs SB Paige
Part 1 - Fire at Beckwith House The Beckwith House From the Oshkosh Northwestern, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, page 2 Saturday, 4 December 1880 On December 3, 1880, a kerosene lamp exploded at a grand hotel called the Beckwith House in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The resulting fire spread very quickly through the large building, trapping two female guests … Continue reading The Curious Case of Charles Reif vs SB Paige
Charles J. Reif Charles J. Reif was actually born Johann Friedrich Karl Reif on 25 October 1839 in Markröhlitz, Saxony, Germany. He was the fifth of at least ten children born to Johann Friedrich Reif and Johanna Friederike Leitiger there. The family immigrated to the US in October 1846 and seem to have come directly … Continue reading Portraits
unknown Weigel or Widmann children These children belong to the Weigel or the Widmann family. If you recognize anyone in this picture, please contact me.
Birgit Knudsdatter (AKA Betsey Johnson) Betsey Johnson Betsy Johnson was born Birgit Knudsdatter on 25 March 1847 in the Old Muskego settlement in Racine County, Wisconsin. She was the third child born to her parents Knud Johnson Luraas and Gyri Nelsdatter Rue. Betsy lived in Muskego until about 1849 when her family moved up to … Continue reading Portraits
My Turn The investigation into DNA for ancestry research is fascinating to me. I watch "Finding Your Roots" and see the miracles that happen when the written records run out and the guests are left with just their DNA to break through to new information. I have heard stories both happy and sad as DNA … Continue reading Ready or Not…
They've Got a Secret Geigers, Pupps on TV Tonight When five members of one family marry five members of another family that is news. But it's also a secret and four of the couples left here early this morning for New York City to appear in Garry Moore's "I've Got a Secret" television show tonight. … Continue reading Tuesday Newsday
A Trip to the Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library Genealogy Research Room In working on my family history, sometimes I forget to explore (or re-explore) resources that are available to me right in my home town. The Everett Roehl Marshfield Public Library went through a large building project just a few years ago. The Genealogy … Continue reading Local Resources
To Michigan via New York My husband’s family has roots in Ionia County Michigan via New York. The Stevens, Peck, Gordon, and Sharp families all moved to Ionia County Michigan from Jefferson County, New York between 1855 and 1870. His direct ancestors stayed in Ionia County until about 1883 when they moved to Minnesota. Charles … Continue reading Ionia County Connections
August Dirk and the Fruits of Frozen Bait 75 Year Old Snags Pike on Frozen Bait from The Bismarck Tribune, unknown publication date August Dirk is 75 years old and has been fishing a long time. He also has some angling techniques that run a little different than the ordinary. For instance, minnows that he … Continue reading Tuesday Newsday
WitzEnd Family History 