Amanuensis Monday: How Claus Schlichtmann Came to America

Amanuensis Monday is a blogging prompt used by many fellow genealogy bloggers. An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared a newly-discovered (by me, anyway) photo of my third great Claus Schlichtmann and Anna Sophia von der Lieth. Claus and Anna Sophia were early pioneers of my hometown, Tracy, California, but I didn't know very much about them until I stopped in for a visit at the Tracy Genealogical Society office about six weeks ago. Among the photos and records that documented the lives of my Schlichtmann and Bruhns families in Tracy, I found a hand-written account of how Claus and Sophia came from Germany to make a life for them and their children in California. The story was written by one of Claus and Sophia's granddaughters, and she notes that her information came from interviewing "a lot of people who might know or remember" and "it may not be totally correct." In any case, it's a compelling story, and it has motivated me to continue my research into the Schlichtmann family in Holstein, Germany.

Here are images of the hand-written story, and I've transcribed the text below.

 Here's the story of Claus and Anna Sophia Schlichtmann, as written by their granddaughter:

My great grandmother, Maria Katt, was born Maria von Holte in Hanover, Germany. She married Christopher Schlichtmann and had 2 sons, Christopher and Claus. Her husband died leaving her with 2 young boys. She married Dietrich Katt. He was a good step father, the boys liked him. The boys married sisters named von der Lieth and moved their families to the States, eventually to California. In those days, all young men went into the army at 18. Claus, my grandfather, had been in 12 years, 4 each in infantry, cavalry and artillery. He deserted, went through Holland pushing a wheel barrow with his belongings on it. He went to the port of embarkation, signed on as a crew member and worked his passage out. He went to Pennsylvania, took out first citizenship papers, then sent for his wife and 2 little girls, Annie and Christina. They lived in Pennsylvania long enough to add Sophia and Claus to the family, then came to California by boat. They sailed down the Atlantic Coast across the Gulf of Mexico then across Panama by boat and mule train, boarded ship again on the Pacific Coast and sailed to San Francisco. Grandmother was seasick and couldn't take care of her baby. There was a young woman on board who took care of him. Later in San Francisco she married and had a daughter who grew up to marry that boy. Willie and  August were added to the family in San Francisco. It turned out to be too damp and cold there for Grandfather, so they moved to a piece of homestead land west of Tracy. All a man needed to homestead land in those days was 2 horses and a wagon load of lumber -- enough for one room. When they arrived at their chosen piece of land a neighbor who already had a ranch wanted that piece, too, so he told them they were on the wrong piece and directed... (writing is illegible here). While he went for his load of lumber, they were told that the first location was right, so Grandmother and the children carried the lumber back. It was not dry country then. There was good vegetation and plenty of game including deer and antelope. The only money they had at first was what Grandmother earned washing for the section men. She walked to Midway, about 3 miles, and carried the laundry on her back, dipped water from their spring and washed it by hand, then carried it back to Midway -- for 50¢ a week. It's my guess that she got more for 50¢ than we get for a dollar now. The older girls went to work in families, often as mothers helpers for their keep. From this small beginning they became well off as worth was measured in those days. They moved to a better farm where they built a comfortable house with running water, a rarity in those days. Grandfather built a water tank on a slope above the house from rocks he gathered himself, probably on his own land. It was smooth inside like porcelain. May still be in use.

After Dietrich Katt died Great Grandmother followed her boys to California. It was she who brought the story about our connection with the House of Hanover. We had a romantic ancestor who eloped with an army officer and was dropped from the family. Old country folks told us we had good blood, came from good stock which seemed to be worth something to them but not to young folks raised in California. Great Grandmother lived to be 88. She was a big woman, had red hair. She is buried in the Tracy cemetery along with her son and his wife and 2 of their children in the family plot. 

In gathering this information we questioned a lot of people who might know or remember. It may not be totally correct. 

(Note: The writer's great grandmother, Anna Maria von Holte Schlichtmann Katt, actually lived to 98, and not 88, per the inscription on her gravestone.)

So, I think that the granddaughter who wrote this may have been Annette Genzen Kniveton, who was the daughter of Claus and Anna Sophia's daughter, Anna Maria Schlichtmann Genzen. I'm not completely sure if this is the case, and Annette passed away in 1990. In any case, this little bit of history now has me excited to delve further into our family story before Claus came to the States. I want to know more about Claus' father who died so young, and I'm dying to find out about our alleged connection to the House of Hanover (royalty!).

Meanwhile, here's how I'm descended through this line:

4th great grandparents:
Christopher Schlichtmann (??-1838)
Anna Maria von Holte (1802-1901)

Children:
Christopher Schlichtmann
Claus Schlichtmann (1831-1899)

3rd great grandparents:
Claus Schlichtmann (1831-1899)
Anna Sophia von der Lieth (1830-1901)

Children:
Boy Schlichtmann (1857-??)
Girl Schlichtmann (1858-??)
Anna Maria Schlichtmann (1860-1896)
Christina Marguerita Schlichtmann (1862-1952)
Johanna Sophia Schlichtmann (1864-1952)
Claus Schlichtmann (1866-1943)
William Frederick Schlichtmann (1868-1910)
August Schlichtmann (1872-1931)

2nd great grandparents:
Johann Bruhns (1848-1934)
Christina Marguerita Schlichtmann (1862-1952)

Children:
Matilda M. Bruhns (1883-1932)
Christina Anna Bruhns (1885-1965)
Johanna Bruhns (1886-1965)
Bertha Bruhns (1888-1949)
John Bruhns (1890-1976)

Great grandparents:
Lars Hansen Madsen (1893-1971)
Johanna Bruhns (1886-1965)

Children:
Lloyd Harold Madsen (1918-2012)
Donna Marie Madsen (1919-1966)
Rae Harriett Madsen (1921-2010)

Grandparents:
John Bartram (1911-1987)
Donna Marie Madsen (1919-1966)

Children:
Clinton James Bartram (1938-2001)
Brenda Rae Bartram (living)
Rebecca Elizabeth Bartram (living)
Clay John Bartram (living)

Parents:
William Lee Brittain (1942-2003)
Rebecca Elizabeth Bartram (living)

Children:
Wendy Lee Brittain (that's me!)
Cynthia Lynn Brittain (living)

Not So Wordless Wednesday: GGG Grandparents, Claus Schlichtmann and Anna Sophia von der Lieth

When I was home in Tracy, California, a few weeks ago, I stopped by the Tracy Area Genealogical Society (TAGS) to do a little research on my Bruhns and Schlichtmann family. I had known that my Germans came to California in the 1860s and 1870s, and were successful farmers in the Tracy area, but I really didn't know an awful lot more about them prior to their arrival in the States. I was surprised to find that the TAGS group had a LOT of information about my Tracy pioneers, including some fantastic photos.

My favorite picture that I unearthed that day is this one. It's of my GGG grandparents, Claus Schlichtmann (1831-1899) and Anna Sophia von der Lieth (1830-1901). 

I had never seen a photo of either of them before, and it somehow really touched me to look upon the faces of these brave maternal ancestors who risked a lot to bring their family to a whole new world of opportunities. In addition to the photos I found at the TAGS office, there are more documents that tell the story of how the Schlichtmanns came to the US, and to Tracy, California. There's even a bit of romantic mystery that needs some more research (perhaps, we're related to German royalty!). More to come on all of that in the weeks ahead. 

Meanwhile, please say hello to Claus and Anna!

Treasure Chest Thursday: Great Grandma & Grandpa Madsen's Drop-Leaf Table

When I was growing up, one the pieces of furniture that was always around the house was this cute, little drop-leaf table that my mom was very fond of. I knew that it had been a wedding present for my great grandparents, Lars Hansen Madsen (Grandpa Louie) and his wife, Johanna Bruhns, but I didn't know its whole story until fairly recently.

Louie (1893-1971) and Hannah (1886-1965) married on April 4, 1917, in San Francisco, California. I don't know who gifted them this wonderful drop-leaf table, but it has remained in the family, mostly, ever since. A little over a year ago, when I moved into my current apartment, my mom told me that she remembered the table being in her family when she was a young girl. This means that Grandpa and Grandma Madsen must have given the table to their oldest daughter and my maternal grandmother, Donna Madsen Bartram (1919-1966). Mom said that the table, by that time, was pretty scratched up and not in the best of shape, likely due to the family moving around. However, she always loved the little table and had hoped to have it for her own, someday, when she got married herself.

Lars Hansen Madsen and Johanna Bruhns

At some point, after my Grandpa John and Grandma Donna were in a horrible car accident in 1959, and Grandma was in poor heath due to her head injury and other ailments, Grandma Donna's best friend, Marie, came to the house and took the little table away. Mom was understandably disappointed: it seemed that this piece of her childhood would no longer be hers. However, when my mom and dad got married in 1964, Mom got an amazing gift that she wasn't expecting: Marie had taken the table, but not to keep for herself. She'd had the piece refinished to its original glory and gave it to Mom and Dad for their wedding!

As I mentioned above, the table always had a special place in our various family homes when I was growing up, and I think I loved it just as much as my mom did. I was always careful not to scratch it when dusting the furniture, and I hoped that someday Mom and Dad would pass it down to me, perhaps as a wedding gift.

Well, the years have passed, I'm a middle-aged woman and I'm still not married (it's ok -- I'm quite happy as a single girl!). So, when I moved into my darling 1920s apartment -- complete with built-ins, original hardwood floors and brimming with character -- I knew that Great Grandma and Grandpa Madsen's drop-leaf table would be a perfect addition to my new home. One day, I gathered the courage to make my case to Mom: I may or may not ever get married, but I'd really love to have that table someday, and would she mind offering it to me as a house-warming gift? As luck would have it, she and her husband, Rodney, were already looking for a bigger piece of storage furniture, and the drop-leaf was taking up space where that new piece would go. So, they loaded it up in their pickup truck and brought it to me that very weekend!!

I see our family treasure every morning when I walk out of my bedroom and head down the hall to get ready for my day. It holds Grandpa John and Grandma Donna's wedding photo and a Christmas picture of my Mom, Aunt Brenda and Uncle Jimmy when they were very little (even before Uncle Clay was born). I need to have Great Grandma and Grandpa Madsen's photo framed and included on the table, in a place of honor among their family. But I think of them both often, and I think they would be happy that their great grand daughter still cherishes this lovely piece of furniture that was given to them as they started their own lives together nearly 100 years ago.

Sentimental Sunday: John Bruhns' 1903 Solo Card Club

This clipping is taken from a more recent issue of my hometown newspaper, the Tracy Press, in Tracy, California. I love that the Tracy Press does a regular "Remember When" series, when they re-tell stories that were local news ten, 25, 50, 75 and even 100 years ago. I don't have the date of this particular issue (drat whoever neglected to make note of that on the clipping), but I'm guessing it's from 2003 since it refers to a photo that was taken in 1903.

See the distinguished looking man seated on the right? That's my great great grandfather, John Bruhns (1848-1934).

I'd never heard of Solo, the card game to which the story refers. However, a quick Google search, and knowing that most of these men hailed from Germany, lead me to believe that they played a game known as German Solo that looks like it might be fun.

This photo, and the story that goes along with it, also makes me wonder if this was strictly a men's game, or if women were ever invited to join in the fun. There's one woman in the photo (Mrs. Prusser, seen peeking over the shoulders of a couple of tall men), but since it was taken at her home, I'm guessing she was being a gracious hostess while the men played their game. I wonder what the other wives were doing while their men were out playing cards. I sure hope they had a fun club of their own that I can tell you about in a future post!

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun: My 16 Great Great Grandparents

Randy Seaver at Genea-Musings offers this mission for some Saturday Night Genealogy Fun:

1)  List your 16 great-great-grandparents with their birth, death and marriage data (dates and places).  [Hint - you might use an Ancestral Name List from your software for this.]

2)  Determine the countries (or states) that these ancestors lived in at their birth and at their death.

3)  For extra credit, go make a "Heritage Pie" chart for the country of origin (birth place) for these 16 ancestors. [Hint: you could use the  chart generator from Kid Zone for this.] [Note: Thank you to Sheri Fenley for the "Heritage Pie" chart idea.]

Since my sweetie is away for the weekend, and I'm on my own this Saturday night, I thought it would be fun to play along! I went one step further and, where available, added photos for each set of great-greats.

My 16 great-great grandparents are:

1. Frederick Harmon Brittain, son of Milton Price Brittain and Nancy Garriott, was born on 20 January 1859 in Keokuk County, Iowa, USA. He died on 6 February 1921 in Van Buren County, Arkansas, USA. He married Mary Jane Rooks on 14 September 1879 in Lowery City, St. Clair County, Missouri, USA.

2. Mary Jane Rooks, daughter of Thomas J. Rooks and Serena Jane Ishmael, was born on 3 March 1862, in Grundy County Missouri, USA. She died on 28 March 1904 in Lincoln County, Oklahoma, USA.

Frederick and Mary Jane Brittain

3. William Leroy Halstead, Jr., son of William Leroy Halstead and Ann Dobson, was born on 6 March 1859 in Pocahontas, Pocahontas County, Iowa, USA. He died on 27 November 1944 in Avery, Lincoln County, Oklahoma, USA. He married Nancy Catherine Campbell in 1880 in Missouri, USA.

4. Nancy Catherine Campbell, daughter of George Thomas Campbell and Mary Jane Carter, was born on 13 November 1856 in Palo Alto County, Iowa, USA. She died on 14 March 1940 in Avery, Lincoln County, Oklahoma, USA.

William and Nancy Halstead

5. William Calhoun Hunt, son of James Sanders Hunt and, possibly, Arnetta Sellers, was born on 9 September 1870 in Prentiss County, Mississippi, USA. He died on 26 March 1915 in Jackson, Coal County, Oklahoma, USA. He married Georgia Frances Ann Purser on 4 March 1891 in Lee County, Texas, USA.

6. Georgia Frances Ann Purser, daughter of James Monroe Purser and Nancy Susan Hodge, was born on 7 October 1871 in Searcy, White County, Arkansas, USA. She died on 14 July 1956 in Henderson, Rusk County, Texas, USA. 

William and Georgia Hunt and their family

7. Riley Harrison Martindale, believed to be son of James Jancey Martindale and Sarah ____, was born in 1876 in Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA. He died on 17 April 1899 in Canadian, Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, USA. He married Nancy Dezina Jaggers on 19 February 1896 in Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, USA.

8. Nancy Dezina Jaggers, daughter of Jessie James Jaggers and Louiza Jane Turman, was born on 1 September 1877 in Sulligent, Lamar County, Alabama, USA. She died on 14 September 1944 in Vinita, Craig County, Oklahoma, USA.  

Nancy Dezina Jaggers Martindale with her daughter, Ethel

9. John Bartrem, son of Samuel Bartram and Harriet Boste, was born in 1815 in Kelsale, Suffolk County, England. He died about 1882 at sea (en route from England to USA). He married Esther Meredith on 12 July 1846 in Welsh Newton, Herefordshire, England.  

10. Esther Meredith, daughter of Joseph Meredith and Sarah ___, was born in 1814 in Welsh Newton, Herefordshire County, England. She died in March 1888 in Monmouthshire County, Wales.

James and Esther Meridith and their family

11. George Elmer Veale, son of Andrew Jackson Veale and Elizabeth Miller, was born on 5 August 1850 in Pike County, Indiana, USA. He died on 20 September 1928 in Emporia, Lyon County, Kansas, USA. He married Margaret Harriman on 7 February 1872 in Daviess County, Indiana, USA.

12. Margaret Harriman, daughter of Jacob Harryman and Catherine LeFevre, was born on 12 November 1850 in Indiana, USA. She died on 23 January 1932 in Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA (while visiting family). 

Margaret Harriman Veale in 1931

13. Laurits Hansen Madsen, sone of Hans Madsen and Sidsel Marie Christensen, was born on 21 May 1839 in Risemark, Ærø, Denmark. He died on 1 October 1934 in Risemark, Ærø, Denmark. He married Kristen Kristen Terkelsen on 1 April 1869 in Risemark, Ærø, Denmark. 

14. Kristen Terkelsen, daughter of Hans Terkelsen and Kirsten Christensen, was born in 1850 in Graasten, Denmark. She died in 1925 in Risemark, Ærø, Denmark.

Laurits and Kristen Madsen and their family in Denmark

15. Johann Bruhns, son of Frederich Bruhns and Marguerite ____, was born on 20 July 1848 in Holstein, Germany. He died on 24 July 1934 in Tracy, San Joaquin County, California, USA. He married Christina Marguerita Schlichtmann, on 3 November 1881 in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA.

16. Christina Marguerita Schlichtmann, daughter of Claus Schlichtmann and Anna Sophie Vanderleith, was born on 20 March 1862 in Hannover, Stadt Hannover, Niedersachsen, Germany.  1 December 1952 in Tracy, San Joaquin County, California, USA.

Wedding photo of John and Christina Bruhns

 
The birthplaces of my 16 great-great-grandparents are:

*  USA - 10 (3 in IA, 2 in AR, 2 in IN, 1 in AL, 1 in MO, 1 in MS)

*  England - 2

*  Denmark - 2

*  Germany - 2

Here is my "Heritage Pie" chart:

 Well, that WAS fun! Thanks, Randy, for the inspiration!!

Sunday Obituary: Great, Great Grandpa John Bruhns (1848-1934)

Here's the 1934 obituary of my great great grandfather, Johann (John) Bruhns. He was born July 20, 1848, in Holstein, Germany, and immigrated to Tracy, San Joaquin County, California, in 1872. You can still see the barn on his old land out on Corral Hollow Road in Tracy, and I still love driving by it when I visit my old hometown. He passed away outside of Tracy on July 24, 1934.

Here's the text from the obituary that ran in the Tracy Press newspaper just after John Bruhns' death:

TRACY PIONEER DIES 

AT RANCH HOME 

NEAR HERE TUESDAY MORNING
John Bruhns, for Fifty Years a Leader in Local

Farming Activities Passed Away

After Long Illness

With sorrowing friends and relatives from far and near in attendance Thursday afternoon, John Bruhns, pioneer resident of this territory for 50 years, was laid in his last resting place at Tracy cemetery, after a solemn and impressive ceremony at the DeMark Funeral Chapel, conducted by Rev. H. D. Soyer.

John Bruhns, known by old and young alike for many years, passed away at his ranch home four miles southwest of Tracy at 7:30 Tuesday morning after a lingering illness. He was 86 years of age and had just celebrated his birthday last Friday, July 20.

Deceased came to the Tracy section in 1872, two years after he had left his native land of Germany. He was born July 20, 1848, and in 1870 went from Hamburg, Germany, to Liverpool, England, where he took passage for New York. After spending two years in that city he came to California and in 1881 began farming in the Lammersville district near Bethany. In 1884, he moved to the ranch near here, where he spent his remaining days.

In 1881, deceased was married to Christina M. Schlichtman at the ranch home near Bethany. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary November 3, 1931, at the present home where they entertained a host of friends and relatives for the day.

There were five children from the union, Mrs. C. A. Christiansen of Livermore, Mrs. L. H. Madsen of Altamont, Mrs. Fred Von Sosten and John Bruhns of Tracy, and Mrs. J. H. Bargeman, deceased. There are 11 grandchildren, John, Carl, Irma and Thelma Von Sosten, Mildred, Doris, Lois and Elmer Christiansen, and Lloyd, Dona and Rae Madsen.

John Bruhns was one of the first members of the West Side Lodge, #118, Knights of Pythias, and has always been an active member. He has for many years been one of the leading farmers in this section and took an active part in all civic interests up until the time illness made it impossible for him to do so to any great extent.

It was indeed a sad blow to the countryside when the news of his death was heard. The entire community is in mourning for one of the oldest settlers in the valley and one who was known and loved by all.

The pallbearers were: Adolph Linne, Ben Canale, Dan Canale, S. S. McLean, Fred Goetjen and Thomas P. Ohm.

SIDEBAR WITH PHOTO:

PASSES ON
John Bruhns, pioneer of Tracy, who passed away at his ranch home four miles southwest of here Tuesday morning after a lingering illness. Bruhns celebrated his 86th birthday July 20

It's nice to read that my great great grandfather was so loved by his family and those in the community. I have quite a few photos of him, and he seemed like a person who truly loved life and his family. 

John Bruhns, surrounded by his large family

The Faces of Genealogy - The Bruhns Family

In response to Thomas McEntee's call-to-action regarding an event article from the LAWeekly website that included an offensive photo, many genealogy bloggers are banding together to show the true faces of genealogy. Here's a photo that I recently found in my mom's files. It's of her great grandparents, John Bruhns and Christina Schlichtmann Bruhns, and their children: Matilda, Christina, Johanna, Bertha and John, Jr.

Wednesday's Child: Great Grandma Johanna Bruhns

Here's a photo I found in my mom's treasure chest of pictures and documents over the weekend. It's of her maternal grandma, Johanna Bruhns Madsen. Grandma Hannah was born on November 9, 1886, in Tracy, California, and it looks like she's maybe about two years old here.

She looks so sweet with her chubby legs dangling off the chair. And, don't you love those boots? I love that I can see similarities between Hannah's baby photos and my mom's own childhood pictures.

Those Places Thursday: John Bruhns' Barn in Tracy, CA

Johann Bruhns (1848-1934)

For the most part, I grew up in Tracy, California. We moved there in 1974 from Livermore (via a very short stint in Wadsworth, Nevada, that I prefer to forget), just before I turned nine years old. It wasn't until I was a sophomore or junior in high school that I learned that some of my maternal ancestors were early pioneers in Tracy. My mom overhead my friend, Sean, and me talking about some other high school friends and casually mentioned that one of them, Andrea, was my cousin. Huh?? Silly me: I thought I knew who all my cousins were.  Well, it turned out that Andrea and I are third cousins: our great grandmothers were sisters and we share the same Great Great Grandfather, John (Johann) Bruhns. We thought that was pretty cool!

Over the last 10 years or so, I've delved deeper into my maternal family history and had the good fortune to learn more about Andrea's and my Great Great Grandpa Bruhns. I've already written quite a bit about him in this blog. He was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1848, and arrived in the United States in 1870. He married Christina Marguerita Schlichtmann in 1881, and they raised five children on their Tracy farm: Matilda, Christina (Andrea's great grandmother), Johanna (my great grandmother), Bertha and John.

John Bruhns and his family farmed in what was then known as the Bethany area of Tracy, which was a few miles south of the main part of town. Johanna went to grammar school at Jefferson Elementary (the "rival" country to school to my alma mater, New Jerusalem Elementary, which was the other country school on the rural south side of Tracy).

The 1930 US Census that shows John & Christina Bruhns living with their son, John Jr. on what was then
known as Carnegie Road. I can see that they are living next to another relative, Johannes Krohn.
(Click on the image for a larger view)

For years, our family have driven past the old Bruhns farm at the corner of Corral Hollow and Valpico roads, but I never paid much attention. Now, whenever I'm in the area, I try to do a drive-by to make sure the big barn is still standing and in good shape. It's now partially hidden between two of the large churches that have sprung up in the area, and I'm always afraid that someone is going to make an offer that the current owner can't refuse and then tear down a piece of Tracy history, and my own family history. This past weekend, I cajoled my boyfriend into driving up the little dirt road between the two churches and take a picture of the barn. The man working there was a bit perplexed by us, and had no idea who John Bruhns was, but allowed me to get out of the car and snap a few shots.  Here's what I saw!

John Bruhns' barn at the corner of Corral Hollow & Valpico Roads in Tracy, CA

Here's a satellite shot (thanks to Google Maps!) of the barn nestled between the two big churches:

John Jr., with his dogs and his ride, along the side of the barn

Given the increase in real estate development in the area, I wonder if the current owners are having to fight off developers wanting to purchase the land for more lucrative purposes. I hope they are able to keep the land, and the barn, for a good, long time. I really do enjoy driving past it and remembering my ancestors' roles as pioneers in my home town of Tracy, California.

(Not so) Wordless Wednesday: Bruhns Family Photo

One of the daily blogging prompts that we genealogy bloggers sometimes use is "Wordless Wednesday," where we can show off a photo that might tell a story all on it's own. Yeah, I have a hard time being "wordless." So, this is a (Not so) Wordless Wednesday!

This is such a cool picture! It's of my great great grandparents, John and Christina (Schlichtmann) Bruhns, and their large, extended family. According to my cousin, Vikki, our Great Aunt Rae said that it was taken Easter 1922. We think it was taken at the Bruhns family farm outside of Tracy, California.

John and Christina Bruhns in the center of their large family

 One of the things I love about this photo is that it reminds me of the big Easter picnics we used to have when I was a kid: first out on Alden Lane in Livermore, California, then at the Koster ranch south of Tracy and finally a few miles from the Koster place, out at the end of Bird Road. Our Easter picnics were legendary. We generally had anywhere between 50-80 people -- family and friends -- in attendance. We played games, flew kites and ate lots of great food. And, of course, we hunted Easter Eggs. At some point, we even started hiding and hunting Easter Beers (for the adults, of course)!

It looks like the Bruhns family were all having fun together that Easter!

UPDATE: My cousin, Vikki, shared with me the list of all the people in the photo. Our Great Aunt Rae remembered it like this:  Tillie Bruhns, Mrs. Fred Harns, Mrs. Linne, John Krohn, G.Ma von Sosten, A. Sophie Krohn, Emma von Sosten, John von Sosten, Mamma (Johanna Madsen), Olive Baily, G. Pa Bruhns, Tina Arada, G. Ma Bruhns, Anna Krohn, Amanda Coglin, Uncle Johnny, Lily Schlichtmann, Fred von Sosten, Fred Spiekerman, Cy Arada, Tina Bruhns von Sosten, ??? , Irma von Sosten, Helen Hansen, Donna Madsen, Thelma von Sosten, Lloyd Madsen, Dorothy Arada, Charlotte and Mark Coglin, Lars Hansen Madsen w/ Rae Madsen on lap, Carl von Sosten.

Tombstone Tuesday: Louis and Johanna Madsen

Here is the lovely tombstone of my maternal great grandparents, Lars Hansen (Louis) and Johanna Bruhns Madsen. I've already written quite a bit about them in earlier posts. They are buried at the Memory Gardens Odd Fellows cemetery in Livermore, California.

Johanna Bruhns Madsen (1886-1965) and Lars (Louis) Hansen Madsen (1893-1971)

I visit the cemetery often to pay respects to my Grandma and Grandpa Bartram and Aunt Rae and Uncle Rob, but have really neglected old Louie and Hannah. I'm making it my belated resolution to walk over and say "Hi" to them and my cousin, Maryann (who died way too soon), whenever I'm at the cemetery. I look forward to "seeing" them all this Saturday when I stop by on my way to Mom's house for Easter weekend!

Seated: Johanna Bruhns Madsen (with Brenda Bartram on lap) and Lars Hansen Madsen
Standing: Lloyd Madsen, Rae Madsen Christensen and Donna Madsen Bartram (with Jim Bartram in front of her)

Treasure Chest Thursday: Great Grandma and Grandpa Madsen's Wedding Bowl

This beautiful porcelain bowl and silver serving spoon were given as wedding gifts to my great grandparents, Lars Hansen Madsen and Johanna Bruhns Madsen, on their wedding day: April 4, 1917. Lars (also known as Grandpa Louie) immigrated in 1908 from Risemark, Ærø, Denmark. Johanna was born and raised in Tracy, California. They were married in San Francisco, California, and made their home in and around the Livermore Valley, including the little towns of Murray and Altamont, which no longer exist. There, they raised three children: Lloyd Harold (b. 1918), my maternal grandmother, Donna Marie (1919-1966), and Rae Harriett (1921-2010).

As you can see from the tape on the bottom of the bowl, my Great Aunt Rae gave this bowl to my mom at some point (I'm not sure when because it had been proudly displayed for years in our home).

The other piece of tape illustrates a funny little family tradition my immediate family has: my sister, Cindy, and I somehow started putting our names on masking tape and "marking" the family heirlooms that we eventually wanted to nab. Now, we aren't at all the type of family who fights over the family loot. It's become a bit of a joke, really. For example, I've been known to "tag" an item that I know my sister covets, just get her hackles up (all in fun!). Or, she'll put my name on something she knows I detest. Mom once even put rolls of masking tape and markers in our Christmas stockings. That year, about 10 years ago, when my mom and dad's new Border Collie puppy came to live with them, I half-jokingly wrote my name on a big piece of tape and stuck it to cute little Blaise. I'll still claim her if Mom ever wants to give her up!



Of course, I was thrilled when Mom noticed how much I loved Great Grandma and Grandpa Madsen's wedding bowl and decided to bequeath it to me. I'm enjoying it now, and hopefully someday I'll notice that one of my nephews has discovered it and taped their own name to the bottom...

Wednesday's Child: Who is This Little Cutie-Pie?

I've been lucky to scan some photos from a very old album that I believe once belonged to my great grandmother, Johanna Bruhns. Grandma Hannah is in several of the pictures as a young girl. I also see photos of her parents, brother and sisters as well as her sisters' spouses and some other children. I've always liked this picture of a rather adorable little one, but I'm not exactly sure who it is.

At first glance, it looks like a little girl in a dress. However, after looking at Victorian child fashions, I'm now wondering if it's a boy. It's possible that it could be the son of Grandma Hannah's sister Matilda (Tillie) Bruhns and her husband, John von Sosten. John Jr. was born in 1905, and I think the fashion fits that time.

Who is this cutie-patootie from the Bruhns side of the family?

Maybe someone in my family will recognize the photo and let me know (Mom and Aunt Brenda, I'm lookin' at you!).

(Not so) Wordless Wednesday: The Bruhns Men

This old photo is part of an old photo album/scrapbook that, I believe, once belonged to my great grandma, Johanna Bruhns Madsen. The album contains a bunch of photos of Grandma Hannah's family, including her parents, sisters, brothers and in-laws. I think they were a very fun family. 

I LOVE this picture, in particular. The older gentleman on the left is my great great grandfather, John Bruhns. I think that the young man sitting next to him is his son, Johnny, and the other man may be one of his sons in law (although, I'm not sure which one).

The Bruhns Men, enjoying a little party!

Treasure Chest Thursday: Great Grandma Madsen's Knitting Basket

By now, I'm sure you've figured out that I'm more than a little obsessed with my family's history. My other mad obsession is knitting. I try to do it a little bit each day because it relaxes me (or, as I tell my co-workers, it keeps me from killing people...) and I've always enjoyed crafty endeavors. I didn't learn to knit from a family member. I ended up teaching myself because, as far as I knew, my mom and none of my older female relatives were knitters. Grandma Edith was a crocheter, but I'm just now teaching myself how to do that.

So, imagine my surprise a couple of years ago, when my Great Aunt Rae presented this wonderful gift to me:

Johanna Bruhns Madsen, 1886-1965

It was her mom's, my Great Grandma Johanna Bruhns Madsen, very own knitting basket! I DO have an ancestor who knitted. I never got to know Grandma Hannah because she passed away the year I was born, but I feel so much closer to her knowing that we share this skill. Aunt Rae said she was a pretty good knitter and seamstress but, sadly, we don't have any of the items that she had made in her lifetime. I like to think that some of her knitting prowess may have rubbed off on me. I hope she enjoyed knitting as much as I do!

Church Record Sunday: Hannah Bruhns' 1888 Baptismal Certificate

Hannah as a young girl

My cousin, Vikki, sent a few scans of our family documents to me awhile back. Below is the baptismal record for our great grandmother, Johanna Bruhns (Madsen). She was our moms' maternal grandmother, and was married to our great grandfather, Lars Hansen Madsen.

The certificate is a little hard to read -- partly because the writing is a bit faded with age, but also because it's written in German (the type is too small for me to make out, so Google Translate isn't helping me much with this one...).

The certificate does show that Johanna was born in Tracy, San Joaquin County, California, on November 9, 1886, to Johann Bruhns and Christina Margaretha Schlichtmann. She was baptized in Tracy on August 26, 1888.

Wedding Wednesday: John Bruhns & Christina Schlichtmann

Mr. and Mrs. John & Christina Bruhns
on their wedding day

Yesterday, I posted the gravestone and story of my great great grandfather, John Bruhns. For Wedding Wednesday, here's John and his wife, Christina, in happier times.

John Bruhns (b. July 20, 1848) was married on November 3, 1881, in San Francisco, California, to Christina Marguerita Schlichtmann (b. March 20, 1862). Both were born in Germany and immigrated to California. John arrived as a young man in 1870, while Christina and her mother followed her father, Claus, to America as a baby in 1863. Both the Bruhns and Schlichtmann families were early pioneers in my own hometown of Tracy, California.

John and Christina Bruhns were successful farmers and respected citizens in Tracy, California, and they raised a happy family, including four girls and a boy: Matilda, Christina, Johanna (my great grandma), Bertha and John Jr.

My cousin, Vikki, shared with me these wonderful wedding pictures of our great great grandparents. They were taken in San Francisco on November 3, 1881.

Tombstone Tuesday: John Bruhns (1848-1934)

Here is the tombstone for my maternal GG grandfather, John Bruhns. He was born on July 20, 1848, in Holstein, Germany, and died in Tracy, California, on July 24, 1934. He is buried at the Tracy Public Cemetery.

John was one of the early pioneers of my hometown: Tracy, California. He was a successful farmer and respected citizen of the area. His biography was published in a 1905 book called "History of New California: Its Resources and People," which includes information on several other of my Bruhns and Schlichtmann ancestors. A barn from his farm near the Jefferson School District (where my great grandma, Johanna Bruhns, attended elementary school) still stands. I believe the property is now owned by a church.

John Bruhns in 1881

From a History of the New California Its Resources and People, Volume II, 1905

John Bruhns, living near Tracy, has made his home in California since 1872, and two years prior to that time he came to America from Germany. He was born in the fatherland July 20, 1848, a son of Frederick and Maguerite Bruhns, both of whom were natives of Holstein, Germany. The son spent the days of his minority in that country and acquired a good education in his native language, but his knowledge of English has been obtained in the new world. He determined to seek a home and fortune in the new world, and in 1870 made his way from Hamburg to Liverpool, where he took passage on a steamer bound for New York. He spent about two years in that city and then came to California, where he has since made his home. He worked for others for some time, and in 1881 began farming on his own account on rented land in what is known as the Lammersville district, near Bethany, San Joaquin county. In 1884 he removed to his present farm, near Tracy, and has here resided continuously since. He now owns a ranch of three hundred and twenty acres, well cultivated and improved with good buildings. The fields are well tilled, and indeed he has practically made the ranch what it is to-day--a valuable farm property. All this indicates that his life has been a busy and useful one, and that his labor has been rewarded in the success which ever crowns honorable and earnest toil.

On the 3d of November, 1881, Mr. Bruhns was united in marriage to Miss Christena M. Schlichtmann, who was born in Hanover, Germany, March 20, 1862, and is a daughter of Claus and Anna S. Schlichtmann. Her father was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to America early in the '60s. Not long afterward he sent for his family, who joined him in the new world, and finally they came to California, living for a short time in San Francisco before they took up their residence in San Joaquin county. Casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of this part of the state Claus Schlichtmann pre-empted a quarter section of land several miles from Bethany and took up his abode there. He afterward left that place, however, and established the family homestead which is now occupied by his son August. This place was near Bethany, and with characteristic energy he began its development and in course of time transformed it into a fine farm with modern improvements. His life was always devoted to agricultural pursuits, and he was one of the honored pioneer farmers of San Joaquin county. In his business relations with his fellow men he was always found trustworthy, and in matters of citizenship he was loyal and progressive, favoring all measures which he believed would contribute to the general good. He died July 5, 1899, respected by all who knew him, and his name is now enrolled among the honored dead of the county. He was a member of the Order of Druids, at San Francisco, and he gave his political allegiance to the Republican party. His widow still survives him and is one of the venerable pioneer women of her section of the state. She now makes her home in Alameda, California, but is well remembered by many residents of San Joaquin county.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bruhns five children have been born: Matilda M., who is now the wife of John H. Von Sosten; Anna C., Johanna, Bertha and John, all at home. The parents, having long lived in San Joaquin county, have a wide acquaintance, which is also a favorable one, for they possess many excellent traits of character. Mr. Bruhns votes with the Republican party, and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Tracy.

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine