Family history + Temple work is a core part of who we, Marnie and David Kuhns, are. After we wrote about our family history research, which led to our October 2024 Germanic family history trip and subsequent Arizona temple experiences, I realized our blogs, experiences, lessons learn, and data were somewhat disconnected and scattered.
This family history summary with links to the appropriate blog posts puts into chronological order all our experiences, including the genealogy research that made it possible to make the connections in Europe, Wisconsin, and elsewhere, that we did. These links also lead to lessons learned in traveling and in family history research.
Going Backwards in Family History: From Wisconsin Back to Bavaria
Visiting What We’d Known Through Letters: Starke / Dausel / Dehmel Family History From WIsconsin to Kreis Bunzlau, Schlesien, Germany (Now Boleslawiec, Poland)
Once we finished in Falkenberg, Bavaria, we headed north, through Dresden, into western Poland. My father’s maternal grandmother, Bertha Starke (Geerdts), left Kreis Bunzlau, Schlesien, as a teenager in the late 1800s, imigrating to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she met and married Gustav Geerdts. Part of this trip was to return to the land of her nativity, which is now in western Poland.
Fortunately, “Granny Geerdts” wrote a lot of letters to her mother and relatives in Germany, and to her husband as they were apart. In the late 1990s, I translated and posted these letters, including:
The home page of the letters, leading to all the different types of letters she wrote. This also includes photos and maps of the “old country”
Once we arrived in Krasnik Dolny, Boleslaweic, Poland, we were able to meet some folks who could potentially be relatives. These are summaries of our meeting:
Marnie’s October 2024 day-to-day blog postings about our time in Nieder Schönfeld, Ober Schönfeld, Altöls, and other “Dorfs” in Kreis Bunzlau, now Boleslawiec, Poland; and then going to Freiberg, Germany; and Prague, including:
Mi Vorvater, Di war Schaffhüse und Zuri Lüt: Marnie’s Family History In Switzerland
An unexpected bonus of this trip was discovering new and deeper information about Marnie’s Swiss family history. In planning the trip, I’d simply wanted to take her across the border into Stein am Rhein, a wonderful town near where I’d served my mission in 1977-78 for the LDS Church. So it was truly a miracle to discover Marnie’s ancestors came from Stein am Rhein.
Further genealogy digging led us from Stein am Rhein to the Grossmunster in Zurich; the Reformed Church in Lustdorf (Kanton Thurgau); Schloss Kyburg in Kanton Zurich; Schoss Von Sulz in Tiengen near Schaffhausen; and more! Marnie’s day-to-day blog posts tracked her family history discoveries, including:
Day 11: From Salzburg Austria, through Germany, to Stein am Rhein, Switzerland. One of the best family history moments: Marnie connects and feels her ancestors: The first night in Stein am Rhein
We hope these links will help you discover some of the joy we felt doing a family history tour, as well as the spiritual fulfillment we felt in connecting with our ancestors and doing their Temple work. If you have questions, please contact us at SpiritTreeFarms.com
Special thanks to FamilySearch.org, Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com, the Hartford (Wisconsin) Historical Society, the Freiberg, Tucson, Mesa, and Gilbert temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, my father Gene L. Kuhns, the Gerhard and Doris Rasp family, Helmut Köstler, Monika Fisher und Agnes Kunz, the Kreis Bunzlau Facebook Family History Page, Alfred Kunz (RIP), and Marnie Kuhns, aka CreationGirl, each of whom played a part in this amazing family history discovery trip!
Arizona Temple And Bavarian Family History: An Overview
Family History plays a vital role in understanding who I am. As I learn more about my roots, I begin to see my place in Heavenly Father and Jesus’s eternal plan of happiness. More importantly, I believe I call down the blessings of heaven as I serve those ancestors who have gone before me. During my January-February 2025 trip to Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, to visit family and take care of my aging Dad, I had the opportunity to serve my ancestors and understand my family history in a much deeper way. This blog post will discuss in depth what I experienced and learned.
Summary of my Arizona Temple and Family History Experiences
In mid-February I wrote this brief Facebook summary of my trip: “During the last several weeks that I’ve been in Arizona, I’ve had the opportunity to go to the #HouseOfTheLord at the Tucson, Mesa, and Gilbert LDS Temples. Because of where my dad is staying in Tucson, and where my sisters and son and grandchildren live, and where my cousin’s house is in Tucson (where I stayed from January 11 to February 15,) I was able to visit a Temple probably on an average of a little bit over once a day every day during the 30 plus days I was in Arizona. That’s significantly different than driving 2 1/2 hours to go to the Atlanta Temple or almost 3 hours to go to the Nashville Temple from our home in Chattanooga, Tennessee!
During that time I was able to do (at least) 94 temple ordinances for my direct line ancestors, nearly all of whom came from the Falkenburg area of Bavaria, Germany.
I’d discovered them on our European family history research trip in October, 2024, thanks to the guidance of my father Gene L. Kuhns, and the help of so many others. There are tons of miracles that happened and an amazing number of experiences, and I will write more about them all later, but I wanted to do a placeholder and at least express my gratitude and amazement for all the help received. #familyhistory#FamilySearch#templework“.
Understanding Heavenly Father’s Plan Of Happiness
Central to understanding WHY I do family history and temple work for my ancestors is an understanding of the nature of who we are as humans. Revealed truths teach us that we are each eternal children of our Heavenly Father, and brothers and sisters with each other and with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We existed before we came to this world. God and Jesus created this world for us to live on and to show we could be obedient to commandments, so we could return and live with Them and our families for forever. And we continue to exist and can continue to progress after we die.
Heavenly Father set up rules, acts, and covenants – such as baptism and marriage – that we each must agree to and do. But what of those people who never get the chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, get baptized, married, etc.? Revealed truths teach us that those who die without an understanding of the Gospel will get the chance to be taught Christ’s doctrines of salvation and exaltation.
Connecting Through Temple Work
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, such as myself, family history research is connected to temple ordinance work. In sacred temples throughout the world, we are able to do proxy work – such as the baptisms for the dead mentioned by the Apostle Paul in the Bible’s New Testament, — individual sacred Priesthood ordinances, and binding couples and families together for forever, in sacred marriage ceremonies. In this way, those who accept Christ’s Gospel – even those who have passed on — can have the saving ordinances done for them. Then, they have the CHOICE to accept Christ, His Gospel and saving ordinances, even though they are on “the other side of the veil.”
(More about Heavenly Father’s Plan of Happiness can be learned from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Since each of these are done by proxy, individually, family history temple work requires that each individual ancestor be researched, and as much data collected as possible, so the person is as unique in ancestral data records and temple work as they were in real life. Then, temple work and ordinances are done for that individual.
Important Dates And Family History Timelines: Wisconsin, Bavaria, and Arizona
Here’s a chronological overview of Wisconsin, Bavaria, and Arizona family history research and temple experience:
1500s-1840s: Kunz, Mark, Vollath, Härtl, Schneider, Kraft, and other ancestors lived in and near Markt Falkenberg, Kreis Tirschenreuth, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany
1840 Johan Kunz, his wife Viktoria Mark, and their children, including my grandfather’s great-grandfather Eugene, immigrated from Falkenberg, Kreis Tirschenreuth, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, finally settling in Hartford, Washington County, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our last name was changed to KUHNS or KUNTZ. The Kunz and Mark parents and siblings stayed in Bavaria
1860s-late 1900s. As time passed, connection between the immigrants and their Vaterland was lost
1970 in Milwaukee, I started family history research, trying to figure out where in Germany the KUHNS/KUNZ line came from. I searched in vain for decades
2015-2019: Through a series of miracles (which I’ll discuss elsewhere), I “found” that the KUNZ line came from Falkenberg, Tirschenreuth, Bayern. I even discovered the KUNZ family home!
2019: I learned of MARK and VOLLATH family relatives from Falkenberg, and got in touch with them. When my 90-year-old Dad learned that I’d made these family connections, he encouraged me to go to Bavaria. Then Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine hit, and my wife Marnie and I put our travel plans on hold
October, 2024: We finally made the trip to Falkenberg, where we not only met relatives we’d connected with before and visited the home Johan Kunz and Viktoria Mark Kunz and their kids had left from, but we also visited several other family farm homes – including the ancestral property (and newly-discovered relatives!) of the KUNZ family
December, 2024: My Dad leaves his home in Wisconsin for his annual snowbird visit to my sister in Phoenix. My wife and I plan on picking him up in late February, as we visit my son nearby, then take him in March to Seattle to stay with my brother
Early January 2025: Dad gets weaker and sicker, finally going into the hospital, where he is diagnosed with sepsis, UTI, and other problems. From this Phoenix hospital, he goes into rehab
Mid-January: I change my plans to go to Phoenix alone on January 13th, then change them again and fly out after a major Georgia snowstorm on January 11th to help with (maybe) final arrangements for Dad
Mid-January: My sister and I do a “jail break” with Dad to get him out of the rehab center he hated, and down to an assisted living group home owned and managed by my niece and her family. Dad is surrounded by family and starts getting better
I stay at my cousin’s home in Tucson, 20 minutes away from where Dad is, and 10 minutes away from the Tucson LDS Temple!
Dad sleeps and recovers a lot. During that time, I take the opportunity to “hang out”, get my mind and spirit clear, and do proxy work for my ancestors, at the Tucson temple
I also get to visit my grandkids and other family in the Phoenix area, where I get the chance to attend the Gilbert and Mesa temples
February 7: Marnie flies to Phoenix. We spend our anniversary and Valentines Day in Phoenix and Tucson, doing a LOT more temple work
February 15: After a hectic day hectic Valentine’s Day and a nice morning in the Tucson temple wrapping up a lot of family ordinances, especially eternal family sealings, Marnie and I say goodbye to Dad and head back home to Georgia
Hopefully this helps put into context what happened during my Tucson trip!
The Underlying Bavarian Inspirational Story About My Family History
As I went to the Temple(s), the story I told over and over again was how the KUNZ family history records came into my hands in the first place. In telling the story, I realized what a miracle it was. I’ve told it elsewhere, but I’ll summarize, because it became such a driving force in why I felt compelled to do the KUNZ family history temple work in the first place.
The first long stop on the trip was at the small village of Falkenberg, Kreis Tirschenreuth, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany, about two hours north of Munich and two hours west of Prague. There, we met my fourth cousin, Gerhard Rasp, who has done A LOT of research on the Familie Mark and Vollath lines, through which we are connected.
With Gerhard and his wife and son, we met the village historian, Helmut Köstler, who researched with us the Falkenberg Catholic Church records and other on-line records. In addition, he’d prepared a LOT of information for me not only on the MARK and VOLLATH lines, but also on the KUNZ line. In fact, there was SO MUCH information that I felt like I was drinking from a fire hose. I just could not comprehend it all. I decided I would look at the information in depth when I returned home to Georgia. (Fortunately for me, Marnie documented each day as it happened. One of my favorite days was when we met “the Keeper of the Scrolls“.)
When Ancestors and Heavenly Father Are Your Alarm Clock
After a couple of days driving around looking at ancestral sights, including where the KUNZ family immigrated from and the farm where Viktoria Mark was probably born, it was finally time to continue our trip. We settled in for our last night in Falkenberg, determined to get an early start northwards to western Poland, birthplace of my Dad’s “Grannie Geerdts”.
This is where the miracle really gets interesting. At about 4 a.m., I was awakened with the strong impression: “You must look at the information Herr Köstler prepared for you, NOW!” I tried to ignore it and go back to sleep. “You can NOT wait! Get up and look!” Finally, realizing there would be no rest, I got up, went into the living room, got out the pile of paperwork, and sleepily started looking through it.
I was stunned. There, right in front of my face, was the KUNZ line, including my ancestors who’d immigrated to Wisconsin in 1840. More importantly, the line of their relatives who’d stayed in Falkenberg carried forward. Unbelievable! Sleep fled from me as I realized that he’d put down the names of LIVING RELATIVES! We’d passed by the “old KUNZ farm” earlier, but it was just a plot of land and a barn. Now I realized that, next door, was a LIVING relative!
Meeting Living Relatives and Getting More Information
The story of meeting Monika Fischer and Agnes Kunz (indeed, the entire Falkenberg part of the trip) is shown and told elsewhere; I’m grateful that Marnie captured the video(s) and wrote about each day as it happened in her blog. Meeting the Kunz relatives, in and of itself, was a miracle. But here’s where the miracle connects to Family History.
As we met with them, they showed me “something (I) might be interested in”: A Stammbaum (pedigree chart) made in the early 1940s by the village priest (revealed at 1:46 in this video). To my amazement, it showed the “Stammbaum der Familie Kunz (Schneiderhansgirg), von Falkenberg: Kunz, Wolfgang, Schneidermeister, Falkenberg *1623 +29.09.1701 Married 26.11.1657 to Kraft, Katarina (from Falkenberg) +28.12.1681. My KUNZ name line back into the early 1600s!
To remind you of the context of this: As a young teenager, I used to take the bus for nearly an hour to do research at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, searching through records, trying to find where my KUHNS family came from. All I ever found were the records of my grandfather’s grandfather, and his birthplace: “Germany”. Now, over a half century later, I not only was on my ancestral property, but I was looking at a hand-written chart that took my line back to my 7th great-grandparents!
Had I not been awakened at 4 a.m., I would have never met my relatives, and this entire line of Kunz family would have stayed on a bookshelf somewhere. (As you’ll see, this plays an important role later in my Arizona temple trip).
Ancestral Discoveries in the Freiberg, Germany, LDS Temple
As another spiritual precursor to what happened later in Arizona, I need to explain what I learned as I did temple work (specifically, the Endowment, explained here at the LDS Church’s website) for a German ancestor in the Freiberg, Germany Temple. It struck me, as I was attending that Temple, that it was a miracle I was doing Temple work, by proxy, for an ancestor who had lived – in the 17th Century — less than two hours’ auto drive away from the Temple!
In Freiberg, I decided to go through the Endowment session in German, his native language. I was glad I did. It focused my attention much more, and made me feel as though I was really going through as a proxy for him. In the Temple, we make promises with God, offer prayers, and learn. One of the most important feelings I had, as proxy, was the understanding that any plea offered for his posterity was, in fact, a prayer for me! As a descendant, I was the focus of his desire that I be blessed! As I learned that truth, I wept. (As you’ll see, that will happen a lot!) I’d never thought of those promises and prayers before, and it changed the way I approached being a proxy and doing temple work for my ancestors.
Tucson Temple Family History Miracles
All these Wisconsin and German experiences researching and generating family history, meeting family members, and doing sacred proxy work in the Temple(s) led to what I experienced in January and February in Arizona. During the time I was attending the Tucson (and other) Temples, I had numerous insightful and spiritual experiences that taught me truths, gave me insights about myself and my family, and have changed me for forever. Here are a few. (Please note that I tend to be a very joyful and emotional man. In relating any of these experiences, I do not want to diminish or make light of the sacredness of the Temple, or the connection I feel to my immediate or distant family. In fact, my desire is just the opposite: I believe our connection with Heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus Christ, and our ancestors – no matter how “far back” they go, can and should be sacred, personal experiences unique to each one of them, and each one of us.)
Ancestral Agency: The Freedom of Choice
Learning about the Temple doesn’t always mean learning AT the Temple. In fact, my cousin Jon helped me understand a concept of agency and freedom of choice in a way I’d never understood before.
Staying at my cousin Jon and his wife Linda’s place near Skyline Drive in Tucson meant the Tucson Temple was less than ten minutes away, and a third of the way to where my father was staying. This meant that every morning and every evening, as I went to Dad’s or came “home”, I would pass the Temple. Because my father was weak, he didn’t wake up very early. Then he often would talk to me or eat with me, and then tell me he wanted to sleep for awhile. And curfew at his place was fairly early as well. This gave me A LOT of opportunities to attend the Temple. In fact, sometimes my schedule was: Get up, go to the Temple, eat breakfast with Dad, write while he slept, eat lunch with or talk with Dad, go to the Temple while he slept, eat dinner or talk with Dad, then go back to the Temple on the way home for the evening. (Usually I went twice a day).
One evening I was talking with Jon and Linda about how the day went. Jon asked what I did when Dad was resting. I replied, somewhat glibly, “Oh, you know, I write, or go hang out at the Temple.” (I’d never said it quite that way before, and as soon as I said it, I didn’t like it.) He smiled and asked: “So, what does it mean to “hang out?” Then he laughed and added: “Is that where you all go to drink and smoke and do all the other things you don’t do otherwise?” (He was kidding).
I laughed and explained that we perform sacred ordinances, by proxy, for our ancestors. I pointed out that the Apostle Paul, in the New Testament, mentions this when he talks about baptisms for the dead. Then I said: “They, of course, have a choice to accept the work we do for them.” This seemed like a new concept to him, so he repeated it: “So, if you do work for an ancestor, they still can choose to accept it or not?”
Startled, I replied: “Yes! One of Heavenly Father and Jesus’s core values is that everyone has their agency, the freedom to choose.” At that moment I realized, that is nowhere truer than in the Temple. As much as we HOPE our ancestors will choose to accept the gift we give them, the proxy work we do for them, the offering we make so they can have the choice, it is STILL THEIR CHOICE!
Jon and Linda nodded and said “That’s good.” Then I said: “Plus, being in the Temple, you know, is a time of meditation, reflection, a time of connecting and recentering me. Because watching Dad go through rehab and hospice and everything else is tough and draining. And I need that time.”
Having just dealt with the same thing with Jon’s mother, my saintly Aunt Kate, they totally understood that part of Temple worship as well.
Recentering, reconnecting, and freedom of choice. Valuable Temple lessons learned in an unexpected place.
Endowment of Power By Proxy: A Deeper Understanding
Early on in my Arizona Temple experience, I gained a deeper understanding of what the blessings of the Temple mean for our ancestors and relatives who have passed on. As we are baptized, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, become Endowed, and do other sacred ordinances for them, by proxy, THEY (if they choose) get those blessings, just as much as if they were still alive here on the earth.
Growing up in the Church, there seemed to be much more of a distinction and separation between those of us still alive on the Earth, and those who have passed on (in LDS jargon, gone “on the other side of the veil.”) President Russell M. Nelson, Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has repeatedly called for us to refocus our efforts, to “Gather Israel on BOTH sides of the veil.” Clearly, to him (and to the Lord), there is not a lot of difference where someone learns and accepts the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and has the sacred ordinances and covenants of salvation done.
This was taught to me strongly by my wife Marnie. Her beloved uncle recently passed away, leaving no offspring. As a result, Marnie, her siblings, and her cousins, were his heirs. He was a good man, kind, funny, clever, and interesting, and he and I had a lot of fun chatting together. We never brought up the Church, though.
After he passed away last December, Marnie had the distinct impression that he wanted and needed his Temple work done for him. As part of the protocol for the Church, the next nearest living relative has to be contacted and give permission for the Temple work to be done. Marnie’s father is his next of kin; he gave permission. When Marnie called me and told me that, I pushed back and said “Why don’t we wait until we can do the work in the Nashville Temple, since he lived in Tennessee his whole life?” She very forcefully responded: “No, he needs to be endowed with power NOW. There [are things] he needs to do, and wants to do, and his work needs to be done.”
That was really the first time I’d thought of those who have passed on as being anxious to have their temple work done, so they would have more power and strength to do their angelic ministry. But it makes sense. I’ve come to understand that our ancestors WANT to help us. They are WILLING to help us. They can request to help us (I mean, who more logical to be our “guardian angels” than our ancestors?). If you were an angel, wouldn’t you want as much of God and Jesus’s power as you could get? We learn that the Endowment is a GIFT from our Heavenly Father, giving us (endowing us) with sacred and righteous power and strength. If that’s true here on earth, why wouldn’t it be true for those on the other side of the veil? This was a new concept for me, but “feels really true!”
Interestingly, a friend of mine posted on Facebook a few days later about the thoughts he had on the same subject, and things he’s learning being a Temple worker. I quote him here with permission: “Recently, I was called to work in the temple. As I pondered about the thousands of disembodied people who are having their work done every week, I can’t help feeling that the armies of heaven are growing exponentially. Think on this: Previously these people were in spirit prison or paradise and had limited influence on the work. But as their work is being done in the House of the Lord, they are now endowed with priesthood power. Think of the influence they now have upon the work on both sides of the veil. I think one of the reasons we are going to see growth in the Church and miracles increase all around is because there are increasing armies of angels at the waiting to do the Lord’s will and influence current events.”
I responded: “This is so interesting that you articulated this thought. I have been down in Tucson for the last three weeks and have been able to attend the temple one to three times, either in Tucson, Gilbert, or Mesa, every day. All of the work I’ve been doing has been for my ancestors, most of whom I discovered on a family history trip this last October to Bavaria. And Marnie and I have had the exact same thought, especially about our ancestors: As we do their work, they are surrounding us more and more, protecting us more and more, and they’re now endowed with priesthood power, as a gift from our Savior. And I feel it more and more, directly, because I am their posterity! I can’t tell you how many times recently I’ve been moved to tears because of this realization.”
I will say that I felt (and heard in my mind) “Uncle Donald” as I did his work for him. He was and is a very curious person, and I could feel him wanting to know more and more about how things are done, and why.
And then there’s Marnie’s story about how he “got the best part of this deal!”
Ride of The Kunz Ancestors as My Dad Faces His Mortality
As I connected the concept of these angelic powerhouses, I realized that the Kunz, Mark, Vollath, Kraft, and Härtl families – and others – that I was doing the temple work for, are keenly aware of my father’s role in getting us to Germany, his enthusiasm for our family history trip, his tremendous desire to discover his roots, and his excitement and joy as we not only discovered their old homes, but also met living relatives. In fact, each time I would go to the Temple and do work for one of those ancestors, I would return and report to him what I’d done. Then I’d say, in all sincerity and honesty, “Dad, know that they are GRATEFUL for what you did. YOU did that! You helped discover them.” And he would smile and say, “Well, good, I’m glad.” But I believe he felt their gratitude and was moved.
Not only is the Kunz / Mark familes grateful for what Dad did, I got the sense that they are keenly aware of his situation, how tired and in pain he is. I’ve long known that Dad, when he passed away, would be met by his sweetheart Anny Baby; by his parents; by his sister, my sweet Aunt Kate; and by other relatives and friends he knew growing up.
At the temples, as I did this work for our ancestors, I got the very real sense that the hearts of the fathers have turned to the children, especially to my Dad. Not only are they anxious to meet him, and express their gratitude, when the time comes, but I got the feeling they would be almost like shield bearers. Wagnerian visions played out in my mind, (and my eyes welled with tears) as I saw in my mind these ancestors soon coming to greet my Dad, thank him for his work, and escort him home. Honor guards of ancestors.
Guardian Angels Will Guard Us Because They Know Us!
This concept of giving our ancestors additional Priesthood power, I believe, could have more far-reaching impacts than we might realize. As I thought about my ancestors, I could feel how grateful they are to have that deeper, broader angelic power. Just like my friend said in his post, I realized that these relatives had been somewhat limited, before, in what they could do for us.
I have another friend who joined me at the temple. The day before we went together to do some sealings, he told me “You know, I think the reason I’m even in the Church is because I need to do Temple work for my family.” I wonder if he, too, is feeling the desire to have angels protect him and his family. (Interestingly, as we were doing sealings the next day, the person who was officiating was an old friend of his. He was so excited to see him; I had to laugh as they recalled how they’d worked together to fix a car back in the day!)
As I pondered even more about the influence of those who have gone before us, I felt and saw in my heart and mind that these angelic relatives now have God and Jesus’s power, priesthood power, to protect our family, our kids and grandkids.
As my wife has often said of her angelic mother, a stalwart and faithful endowed member of the Church who passed away a few months before I met Marnie: “I kept getting the impression: ‘Your life is about to get amazing with this new and powerful angel on your side!’”
In thinking about my ancestors, I also thought of the prayer and protective bubble we’ve felt is over our property. We try to live worthy of Heavenly Father and Jesus’s protection of Spirit Tree Farms, where we live. As I thought of how those ancestors would protect my Dad’s family, my family, including my children, grandchildren, and siblings, a new concept and vision came into my mind. They will not only protect their decedents, but also, they will protect the land, and all who are on it.
In my mind, I saw them standing as guardians and sentinels on the ramparts of our property. No matter how many hoards of ill-doers would come toward us, I saw them standing, almost as the statues of the great kings in Lord of the Rings (or the Black Knight in Monty Python / Holy Grail). I imagined them standing firm as, in the winding up scenes, some might try to come and do us harm. Those bad guys get to our property, and my ancestors are there.
“None shall pass.”
and
“Pity the fool!”
It gives me great comfort to have that connection with my ancestors, and to feel: “They who are (now, because of this Temple work) with us are greater than those who are against us.”
God Takes Care Of Those Who Take Care Of Us
One of the most important and significant activities in the House of the Lord is the sealing of spouses to each other and sealing children to their parents. In fact, if families are forever, and children are a blessing from the Lord, one could say that the acts of creating eternal families, and tying those families together in a chain, is one of Heavenly Father’s greatest activities and joys.
These sealings are done in sacred rooms in the Temple, where people representing those who have gone before act as proxies for parents and children. One morning, I met my sister Mary at the Mesa temple, where we did an endowment session. Later, we did a sealing session that included a favorite relative of my mother’s, known simply to her as “Cousin Emil”.
Cousin Emil was small, had a deformed body (bad back?), and never married. He lived with his brother and sister-in-law in Menominee, Michigan, just over the bridge from Marinette, Wisconsin, where my mother grew up. For years, she’s told me about how she would ride her bike up to their house, where Cousin Emil taught her to play pinochle, talked to her, and was a good friend to her.
As I was doing Cousin Emil’s work, I heard promises about families and posterity. My mind went to him, his deformity, and how he’d never married. Suddenly, a vision of him appeared in my mind: He was a strong, healthy, active and attractive man, someone who would have a wonderful companion, one who was a sweet and kind as he was. As I thought about him, these words came to my mind: “He took care of your mother. I’ll take care of him.” At that moment, tears filled my eyes and joy filled my heart, and I knew it was true.
Later, as my sister and I knelt across the altar from each other, acting as proxies for Cousin Emil’s parents, and as he was sealed to them as their son for forever, I felt those same feelings. I could not wait to get out of the Temple, meet up with my sister by her truck, call our mother, and tell her of the experience(s) we’d had in doing Cousin Emil’s temple work, including doing his endowment, and sealing him to his parents. We all cried again, and we knew Cousin Emil was going to be alright.
A Place At The Table: Ich Darf — Und SOLL — Am Tisch Sein
One of the most significant events of my entire trip happened when I was doing the work for one of my Härtl ancestors. To put this family history experience in context: When we were in Bavaria, we went to the Härtl farm between Falkenberg and Tirschenreuth. It was a large complex with several newer houses, as well as older, well-maintained barns. I knocked on the door and explained who I was. Unlike many other meetings I’d had, this gentleman was abrupt, said simply “I don’t know anything about that, and don’t want to know!”, and closed the door.
Naja.
It didn’t surprise me, as I’d earlier heard about the Härtl family. It seems they had a reputation of, well, knowing their place in the community. When I first heard about them, I was told they had a special place, a table, at a local restaurant. If you were invited to sit with them for the evening, to be “am Tisch” with them, well, that was really something!
Later, it was told to me this way:
“Zu dem Tisch in den Gasthäusern kann ich folgendes sagen. Im Gasthaus hatten die Bauern und bessergestellten Bürger von Falkenberg und den umliegenden Dörfern einen Stammtich. Arbeiter und andere Leute konnten nur auf Einladung an den Tisch kommen. Auch die Härtl gehörten zu den Stammtischlern.
In unserer Kirche in den alten Kirchenstühlen waren Schilder mit den Namen der Besitzer angebracht. Man mußte den Platz kaufen oder eine Spende machen. Das ist aber schon lange her; nur die Schilder sind an den Plätzen geblieben.”
Roughly translated: “I can tell you this about the tables in the restaurants. In the local restaurant, the farmers — land owners — and the better off citizens of Falkenberg and the surrounding towns, a “Stammtisch”. Workers and other people could only sit at the table by invitation. The Härtl’s were part of the Stammtisch group.
In our church, on the old church pews, there were shields, signs, showing the name of the people who sat there. You either had to buy the pew, or make a significant donation. But that was long ago; only the signs stayed on the pews.”
As I was doing a Härtl man’s Temple work, the thought came to me about their importance in Falkenberg. Almost immediately, my own self doubt arose, and I thought “Oh, he/they will think this is foolish and silly. They’ll probably say “We don’t want to know anything about that,” and this is a waste of time.”
Almost as immediately as I thought that, the VERY STRONG answer came: “NO! We are listening. We are aware, and accepting. And YOU, because of what you are doing for us, YOU belong “am Tisch.” YOU have a place here.”
As I thought more about it, I realized that the Härtls were not proud or stuck up. They simply knew their place in the community, and lived accordingly. Then, just as quickly, while I was thinking about them all, meditating in the Celestial Room of the Temple, the thought came: “We have been watching you. You’ve always doubted yourself. You’ve always felt that you were “less than.” But you are not. You need to know who you are. Because of who you are, not just because of the work you’ve done for us, but because of your lineage, you belong at the table!”
I was sobbing. I sat there, basking in the knowledge that my ancestors were telling me that I BELONGED AM TISCH! That I was worthy of having a seat at the table, that because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and with His help, I needed to change how I felt about myself. *(Funny that the next day, I saw this sign).
It was as shocking of a moment as when I, a couple of decades ago, saw a photo of myself taken in my sister’s back yard in Phoenix. As I looked at the photo, I wondered: “Who is that good-looking guy?!?” Then, shockingly, I realized: “That’s ME!” For the first time in my life, I’d seen myself as good looking.
This was the same type of experience, maybe even more profound. Although I knew I was loved and cared for and appreciated, and worthy because of Jesus Christ, I’d never felt or understood that I was a good and strong and powerful person who deserved to be “am Tisch”.
As I wondered about that, I also thought: “What happens if I start to act stuck up, if I get all full of myself? That would not be what a follower of Jesus Christ would do. How do I avoid that?” Immediately the thought came: “Tell Marnie about this experience. Then, give her permission to call you out, to let you know if you are getting a little too full of yourself.”
Later, when I called her and told her about the experience, and that she could police me, she said: “One of your weaknesses is your lack of self confidence. I will let you know if you’re getting too full of yourself, but right now I’m excited about seeing this new, confident Dave.”
After I left the Temple (still crying), I sat in my car and dictated the experience into a voice recording. I’ll transcribe it and put it here when I can.
Individual Responses To Family History and Temple Work
One thing I’m learning by doing Temple work by proxy for my ancestors is that, even though the Temple verbiage, covenants, and ordinances are exactly the same for each of them, the way they are, how they respond, and what they (and I) learn is as individual now as they must have been in life.
One example is the Härtl man I just described. Every time I took a Härtl man’s name through (or, more accurately, did his work by proxy), I felt satisfied, proud, organized, “this is the way it should be.” Not to say there wasn’t satisfaction, but there was a noticeable lack of gleeful joy (something I am full of, normally). They are just grateful, and “Now, let’s get on with it.” (Tsach, tsach! An die Arbeit!)
How Appropriate Is Dancing In The Celestial Room?
In contrast, I had two experiences with other ancestors which were more of what I would expect from me or someone related to me. For example, I did the proxy work for one of my Vollath ancestors (Viktoria (Mark) Kunz immigrated to Wisconsin. Her mother was a Vollath, and Marnie and I visited the Vollath family farm). As I imagined him hearing and accepting the Gospel and the Temple ordinances and covenants, I “saw” him in my mind, specifically in the pasture on his farm.
He was dancing. Literally, he was hopping, spinning around, laughing, and dancing. THAT is much more in line with what I would expect a relative of mine to do!
Even more pronounced was the response from an ancestor I hadn’t had much of a “connection” with. In other words, I don’t know exactly where he is from, I hadn’t visited his home or family farm, and I’ll have to look to see how we are connected. In fact, I spilled food on his ordinance card as it was sitting in my rental car cup holder, so I’m not even certain I can remember his name!
What I do remember, though, is his ecstatic and absolute JOY as he/I came through the veil into the Temple room. If I’d been able to, I would have danced right there. The feeling of satisfaction and absolute glee was almost overwhelming. I will forever remember the sunlight streaming through the saguaro-flower stained glass window, me looking at it and the white carpet and furniture in the celestial room, and hearing the words: “I wanted it. I got it! I wanted it. I got it! Just bust a move! (Just bust a move!)”
(Ja, I might get to be am Tisch, but I have a feeling I’ll be hanging out with the pasture dance Volks, too!)
[For the record, I’m pretty certain this happened on January 31st or February 1st, with either *Johann Schmid, my 8th great-grandfather and the great-grandfather to Simon Vollath, Viktoria Mark’s grandfather; OR Johann Kellner, the grandfather of Viktoria’s grandmother.]
Current Miracles Happen When Doing Temple Work For Our Ancestors
Obviously, each experience I had doing work for my ancestors impacted them (and me) for the eternities. Sometimes, though, the blessings we get in doing temple work reach out and impact us here, today. They happen so often (*at least, that’s what it seems in talking to temple workers) that people who work in the temple(s) call them “temple miracles.”
An example might be the day I was talking (as I do) to the folks in the office, as I was getting some names printed out. I learned that two brothers who were there happened to be from Duchesne, where I’d spent fourth grade. Later, the “coincidence” extended, and I talked in-depth with their parents.
Suddenly, in the parking lot, a couple of names of childhood friends came to me. One was the son of a sheep rancher who I hadn’t been in contact with since I wrote him on my mission. I’d forgotten his name, but in the Tucson temple parking lot, I remembered it. When I told the family who my friend was, they immediately said they knew him, and would let him know we’d been in touch. What will happen out of that? I don’t know, but it will be interesting to find out.
That’s a small example. But one of the most significant events of forgiveness in my life happened as the result of a “temple miracle” a few days later.
The back story is this: A dear, close friend of mine from my Seattle days had hired me. He’d stood up for me for several years as I struggled to do what the company wanted me to. Although there were a lot of good times, and we did a lot of fun things together, the work situation became more and more strained. Finally, it was evident it wasn’t working out, and he’d had to let me go.
After that, I rarely spoke to him. I felt terrible that I’d let him down, but I didn’t know how to approach him and apologize.
Enter the “temple miracle.” The day after Marnie arrived in Tucson, I’d scheduled to do an endowment session. As I woke up, I realized she was exhausted, so I cancelled it, and rescheduled it for an hour later. I later described it to a friend this way: “They (our ancestors) and the Savior are keenly aware of the smallest needs that we might have. We were going to go to the 9:00 a.m. session this morning and something told me as I got up at 7:00 that it was better to go to the 10:00 session. I thought it was just me being lazy, but when I walked in and got dressed in my temple whites a young man looked across the locker room and said “You look familiar.” I looked back at him and recognized that he was the son of a good friend of mine (and actually someone who you know!) Much healing was done. The Lord is aware.”
The young man was the son of the guy who’d hired me, and someone who I’d taught in Scouts and Church when he was growing up with my son. I reached out to shake his hand and he said “No way!” and gave me a huge hug. He was the escort for his son, my friend’s grandson. Then he said: “My parents are waiting for us in the chapel.”
With some trepidation, I went upstairs and found them. I cautiously shook their hands, and we talked a bit. During the session, I made certain to stay out of their way; I could tell there were still some feelings, and I didn’t want to ruin their day with their son.
In the Celestial Room, I saw them again. As I met my wife there, they came up to us to be introduced. I still was somewhat nervous, but they were kind and gracious. (I should say, too, that my first wife and my friend’s wife were very good friends in Seattle, so I felt somewhat nervous about introducing Marnie to them.)
Still, all this time, in my mind I’m thinking and feeling: “There is a reason you’re seeing them here, in this place, today.”
Afterwards we took pictures with his son, grandson, and their family. Although they (and we) had several friends in Arizona, I thought it was interesting that I, by accident, was the only one there with them on that day.
As his son and their family loaded up their van to leave, I grabbed my former friend and his wife and pulled them aside. “I don’t know quite how to do this,” I stammered, “but I feel I need to. I’ve felt for years that I let you down, disappointed you, and even betrayed you. I know you took a big risk hiring me, and … well, I failed.” Then I turned to his wife and said, “I know you and my first wife were very close, and I know I hurt you as well.”
Then I got emotional and cried as I told them – and especially him – “I just have been trying to figure out, for years, how to apologize, and how to say how very sorry I am for betraying your faith and trust in me. I’m sorry.”
I won’t forget what happened next. He turned to me and said something like: “Yes, I’ve felt resentment for years because of what happened. I’ve talked to [our mutual friend] a number of times about it. But this, being here” (and he pointed to the Temple), “seeing you here, this is right. This has made it alright. This is the way it should be.” (Something like that).
And his wife responded similarly. I knew, because of the power of the Atonement, and His forgiveness, that they were also able to forgive me. We hugged, and went our separate ways, hoping to stay in contact.
Talking with Marnie later, I expressed amazement (and yet, not, because I’m getting used to it!) at the small “temple miracles” that show how much our Heavenly Father and our Savior love us and are aware of us. I did not realize the pain, angst, and burden I was carrying from that situation. More importantly, I had no idea about the pain and resentment my friend was carrying. But God knew. And in the right time, and at the right place, He took care of it in a unique and sacred and healing way. He lifted those burdens and, as tears of joy and gratitude were shed, healed us.
“Friends at first, are now friends again at last.”
Getting Awakened At 4 A.M. Drove Me To Do Family History And Temple Work
A significant, overarching moment of this entire Tucson and Arizona temple(s) trip came early on, when I was just getting settled in to doing temple work there. One evening I was talking to Marnie about my temple experiences. I mentioned that I thought I’d like to maybe not do as much, go sight-seeing, explore Tucson. I was verbally processing, and wondered out loud why I felt such a need to go to the Temple.
Marnie quickly responded: “Those Kunz ancestors woke you up at 4 in the morning in Falkenberg. They made sure their records were gathered. Don’t you think they’re excited and anxious that you do their work for them?!?”
That was all it took! From then on, they didn’t let me rest! Every chance I had, I was at the temple. I remember the first day I did three ordinances in one day. I was exhausted, but it was an amazing experience, and I felt supported, sustained, and uplifted not only spiritually, but in a very real way, physically. In fact, visualizing their names on the Kunz Stammbaum not only put them in context, but also made them very real and alive to me. And it was clear: They wanted their work done!
One of the sweetest moments of the entire trip was when Marnie was able to finally join me. She did the preliminary work for Katarina Kraft Kunz, the matriarch of the family. I’d done the work for her husband, Wolfgang Kunz, earlier. As Marnie did the work for Great-great … Grandma Kunz, especially at the end, I felt her gratitude. And I felt the power of her blessing me, her posterity. I’d often felt that when I’d done the men’s proxy work, but when Marnie did the work for Katrina Kraft Kunz, even though I was just sitting there, I felt her blessing me. I knew she appreciated and was grateful for what we’d done.
Then, we were able to seal them, with us as proxy, as husband and wife, legally and lawfully wedded for time and all eternity. As that sealing happened, and as we were sealed as proxies for other couples, and sealing the children to their parents, I often sobbed with joy. In fact, it became so common that, as we were called to kneel at the temple altar, I would grab a couple of tissues. I knew I was going to bawl my eyes out!
Everyone Has A Choice. We Simply Give Our Ancestors The Opportunity
As mentioned before, most of the people I’ve done work for, I feel their presence and gratitude immediately. I can tell they are being gathered in to the fold of Christ, and they are thankful.
But not always. Folks – whether alive here or passed on to another realm — always have a choice. One of the Kunz men was this way. As I was doing an endowment session for him, I could sense that he was not that impressed. In fact, at one point he seemed to think it was silly, and the thought came to my mind: “Why are you wasting your time doing this?” That made me very uncomfortable.
The feeling continued on for awhile. I began to wonder “Was this man just a bad man here on earth, and that’s why he’s not accepting it?” The thought came: “No, he’s a good man. He’s just always busy, and doesn’t want to do anything he doesn’t have to.”
The feeling continued for quite a long time. I thought about his parents, his posterity, his relatives. I wondered how he could just “not get it,” when it was plain that they were excited about the Gospel. It was then I realized how individual we all are, and that – just like when I was a missionary – I can only bring the message and bear testimony. The rest is up to them.
Almost at the instant I let go of the feeling that I had to control him and make him see and feel the significance of the Gospel, when I simply said in my heart: “I know it’s true. The rest is up to you,” I got the feeling of him saying: “You know, I know you think this is important. I know some of my ancestors and relatives think this is important. Maybe I should really listen to the message and think about it and pray about it. If nothing else, thank you for the opportunity.” At that moment, I knew that he no longer felt like what I was doing was silly or foolish, but that it had merit he couldn’t see yet, but he was willing to learn about. I knew he knew that I knew that it is true.
Gratitude Goes Both Ways: Connecting the Reformation to the Restoration
Interesting side note about what follows: Marnie’s ancestor Leo Jud was a friend of the Swiss reformer Ulrich Zwingli, and was instrumental in helping translate the Zurich Bibel and move forward the Swiss Reformation. Of course, the Reformation laid the foundation for the Restoration of the Gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ. As I was doing his work, and proxy work for others of his family, I felt extreme gratitude from him, AND I was able to express my gratitude for his work which had made the Restoration of the Gospel – including the Priesthood and Temple ordinances we were participating in together – possible!
The Anxious Woman In The Mirror
Once Marnie arrived in Arizona, I did a lot fewer individual ordinances, but we were able to do a lot more couple and family sealings. It was good to have her there, to “wrap up” all the sealings and other loose ends on my line caused by the fact that I’m a male, and can only do work for males. We were also able to join my sister Mary at the Mesa temple, and do family sealings with her as well. (It just seems better when you gather your family together on both sides of the veil!)
I can’t remember who the woman was we were doing the work for. In fact, it might have been one of her family members, someone who was “burning a hole in (Marnie’s) pocket.” As I think about it, it probably was one of the relatives of the Jud and Wohnlich families. (Marnie writes about the folks from Stein am Rhein, too, in her blog). It could have been the daughter of the pastor of the Lustdorf Church. As we did their work, I could hear the bells peal out with joy (just like Marnie had heard the bell in the church belfry!)
In any case, as we were getting sealed by proxy for this woman and her husband, Marnie answered a question too soon. It was almost as if the woman was anxious to have her work done, and jumped the gun! We laughed, and I said softly “She’s just really anxious to have her work done!”
At the same moment, I looked over Marnie’s shoulder into one of the eternal mirrors that are in almost every sealing room in every temple in the Church. It shimmered, as though something were moving past it. I couldn’t quite make it out, but suddenly I knew: She’d been there. She was there. But then she had to leave. I told Marnie about it later, and said: “I think she had to go, because she has work to do. And now she’s endowed with this power, and sealed to her family? She has A LOT of work to do!”
Family History Shrinks the Vastness of Eternity and Centuries Gone By
I’ve long believed that there is something amazing that happens when you do family history work for your own relatives. The vastness of the Church and its members means that there are plenty of names you can be handed in the Temple, so you can do proxy work for others. But using FamilySearch.org, printing out your ancestors’ names, doing work for your own family? It’s strong and powerful.
During the weeks I was doing my own family history temple work, I got to “know” and understand my ancestors in ways and to depths I hadn’t expected. They became living, real people to me, not just names and dates on a page. I felt their love for me, and I developed a love for them. We joyfully cried, laughed, discussed, pondered, worshipped, and even danced (a little) together. These folks were not merely old Bavarian and German farmers. They became almost as real to me – and certainly as connected – as Marnie’s uncle Donald. And they taught me – in that fabulous Germanic style of elders teaching the youth – about who I was and am. And they did it in a firm yet kind way that so reminded me of my Grandma Bertha.
Family History + Temple Work Conclusion
Self-understanding. Connection with relatives on both sides of the veil. Healing. Testimony sharing. Testimony building. Sanctification. And releasing additional priesthood power – Heavenly Father’s and the Savior’s power – onto the Earth, in the form of guardian angels, relatives and friends who are now clothed with that eternal power. These are all things I experienced. These are all things I know. I’ll never be the same, thanks to that winter in Arizona.
Special Thanks To the Tucson Temple Workers
I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a special shout out to the Tucson Temple workers. Although the workers in Gilbert and Mesa were wonderful, I wasn’t at those temples as often. The Tucson temple workers – especially those at the recorder’s office, where I printed and picked up my family names – began to recognize me. Soon, it felt as though almost everyone in the Temple recognized me.
Most of all, they were not only helpful in directing me where to go, but they seemed appreciative of the work I was doing. If I’d stop them to tell them of an experience that I’d had, or a “temple miracle,” they not only listened, but they genuinely were interested. Often times, the mere re-telling of the experience I’d had brought tears, testimony, and the Spirit to both of us. I truly grew to love not only the building – smaller than many, it was much easier to navigate and not get lost in – but the people who served there.
The last day I was there, Saturday morning, I picked up some of my ancestors’ name cards, as I usually did once I’d completed their temple work, and the actions had been recorded. A brother and a sister who’d helped me several times before said, “Well, we’ll see you next week again!” Emotions were extremely poignant – as they are now – and tears welled up as I responded: “No, I’m sorry. We’re heading back home tonight. You won’t see us for … a while.”
I will miss them and the Spirit of the Tucson Temple, so I leave with a heartfelt “Thank you! and Adiós compañeros y gracias por todo! Auf Wiedersehen, meine Mittarbeitern im Herrn. Und vielen Dank für Ihre Beispiel!
Family History Trip Part 2: Nieder Schönfeld, Altöls, Kreis Bunzlau in Nieder Schlesien — Starke, Dausel, and Dehmel Families
This is the 2nd part of our family history trip, to present-day Poland (Formerly Nieder Schlesien, Germany). We’re researching where the Starke / Dausel / Dehmel families lived in and around Nieder Schönfeld, Ober Schönfeld, Altöls, and other towns in Kreis Bunzlau, Nieder Schlesien, former Germany. These villages are now Krasnik Dolny, Krasnik Gorny, Stara Oleswia, in the Boleslawiec District, Poland.
The genealogy focus starts with my father Gene Kuhns’ “Granny Geerdts”, Bertha STARKE (Geerdts), and her mother Johanna Anna DAUSEL (Dehmel, then Starke). Bertha STARKE left Nieder Schönfeld / Kreis Bunzlau and came to Milwaukee as a teenager in the early 1890s. It was there she met and married my father’s maternal grandfather, Gustav Martin Carl GEERDTS.
This part of the research tour will also include a Czech DNA relative of my father from about 100 km east of Prague.
Family History Tour in Nieder Schönfeld, Kreis Bunzlau, Nieder Schlesien, Germany (Krasnik Dolny, Boleslaweic, Poland)
After a lot of research about the Starke / Dausel / Dehmel family in one-time Nieder Schlesien, Germany (now in Boleslaweic district in SW Poland), we finally made it there. My father’s maternal grandmother, “Granny” Geerdts (aka Bertha STARKE Geerdts) was born in and lived in and around Nieder Schönfeld, Kreis Bunzlau, Nieder Schlesien, Germany. Today it’s known as Kraznik Dolny, Boleslawiec District, Poland. Towns she was connected with include Nieder Schönfeld, Neu Schönfeld, Ober Schönfeld (Krasnik Gorny), Alt Öls (Stara Oleszna), and others in that area.
Backstory and Historical Context of STARKE, DAUSEL, and DEHMEL Families in the Nieder Schönfeld and Altöls Areas of Kreis Bunzlau, Nieder Schlesien
When Bertha STARKE left Bunzlau for Wisconsin, USA in the early 1890s, she may have gone with other half-siblings or siblings, including members of the STARKE and DEHMEL families. After she left, her mother Johanna DAUSEL (Dehmel, then Starke) stayed in the area before traveling to Milwaukee to visit. She then lived in Kiel with her son Ernst Starke until she passed away and was buried in Kiel in 1911.
From the letters Johanna wrote, it appears her DAUSEL brothers stayed in the area, including in Altöls. This trip was an attempt to find their graves and more information about them.
Although there is evidence of Starke, Dausel, and Dehmel families in the Kreis Bunzlau area up to and including WW2, no specific connection has been made, nor have other relatives been found.
At the end of WW2, many people from this area of Germany fled because of the advancing Russians. Those who didn’t leave were eventually forced out in the late 1940s as part of the post-war turning over the land to the Poles. As a result, there are no native Germans left in this area. The border city of Görlitz, Germany (former DDR / East Germany) is about 40 km. west of Bunzlau / Boleslaweic. Most of the German cemetaries were destroyed or fell into disrepair. Many of the old buildings were abandoned or fell into disrepair during the Cold War era.
Family History Research in Nieder Schönfeld (Krasnik Dolny) and Altöls, Kreis Bunzlau
Because there are still German-speaking people whose parents and grandparents fled Kreis Bunzlau, we were fortunate to have some Family History research help about that area. In particular, the Facebook Group Ahnenforschung Kreis Bunzlau + Umgebung was very helpful. During our trip, group member Sascha Simon, his neighbor (and potential relative — no DNA connection yet) Bert Dausel, and others met us in Krasnik Dolny cemetary, helping us find potential Dausel ancestor places and graveyards.
Fortunately for us, they had been in the area before, which made it very easy to find and get to different sites.
Marnie’s blog about our Family History tour discusses our first full day in Krasnik Dolny (Nieder Schönfeld), especially meeting “cousin” Bert Dausel and Nieder Schlesien researcher Sascha Simon at the Lutheran Cemetary. Bert and Sascha then read the Marie Rothkirch DAUSEL (married to Gottfried DAUSEL) headstone at an old cemetary in Altöls / Stara Oleszna (the blog includes a YouTube video).
Day 7 of our family history / genealogy research trip continues with more extensive cemetary research in Altöls (Stara Oleszna, Boleslaweic District, Poland), including uncovering and taking more photos and videos of headstones from the 1700s and 1800s. Check out that blog here.
Kreis Bunzlau Ahnenforschung Auf Deutsch
Falls Sie Deutsch sprechen, und interessieren Sich für Starke, Dausel, Dehmel Familien in Kreis Bunzlau, können Sie auch bei mir anmelden: da.kuhns at gmail dot com.
I’ve been doing family history research on the Kuhns and Geerdts/Starke since the early 1970s. I recently discovered where in the Kuhns/Kunz and Starke Geerdts families came from in Falkenburg Oberpfalz Bayern and Kreis Bunzlau in what is now SW Poland.
Marnie also discovered that her mother’s ancestors came from Kanton Zurich and Thurgau in Switzerland. This blog will chronicle our trip.
Post Trip: I’ve decided to split this blog into at least three parts plus an overview (this page) :
The Kuhns / Kunz / Mark / Härtl / Vollath families in and around Falkenberg, Kreis Tirschenreuth, Oberpfalz, Bayern, Germany (related to my Kuhns / Kunz line that came first to Milwaukee, then settling in Hartford, Wisconsin, USA, ca. 1845) (See farther down this page, below).
The Starke / Dausel / Dehmel families in and around Nieder Schönfeld, Ober Schönfeld, Altöls, Kreis Bunzlau, Nieder Schlesien, former Germany, now Krasnik Dolny, Krasnik Gorny, Stara Oleswia, Boleslawiec, Poland (related to my father Gene Kuhns’ “Granny Geerdts”, Bertha STARKE (Geerdts), and her mother Johanna Anna DAUSEL (Dehmel, then Starke). Bertha STARKE came to Milwaukee as a teenager in the early 1890s. This will also include a Czech DNA relative of my father from about 100 km east of Prague
Marnie’s distant Swiss and German relatives, including Wollrath’s from Stein am Rhein and Lustdorf; von Sulz from Reinau Switzerland and Tiengen, Kreis Waldshut, Baden-Würtenberg, Germany; Lavater from Zürich City and Castle Kyborg in Kanton Zürich, Stampfer from Castle Kyborg; and other information from St. Gallen and Lichtenstein.
There will also be other photos of random site-seeing trips we took, but mostly this blog will focus on Family History / Ahnenforschung.
Nerves about a German trip wie Nie!
The most surprising part of this trip is the incredible amount of nerves I have. Through a series of miracles, I’ve connected with family in Poland and Bavaria, and they have helped me take my family line back farther than ever before. Literally hundreds of years in the last 5 years. This is so important to me, to us, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But I find myself being incredibly nervous. What if I mess up? What if I miss something? What if I spend time looking at a castle when I should be in the catacombs of a church researching Church record books? What if I go somewhere and miss going somewhere else?
All these questions have been keeping me up at night. Then Marnie reminded me yesterday: “You can’t screw this up. We have angels on our side. No matter what happens, we will do good work.”
And we’ve already seen those miracles happening. Connecting with people. Connecting with places such as Castle Kyborg (Schloß Kyborg, Kanton Zürich, Switzerland) that Marnie’s ancestor used to live in. Finding places next to tourist places we were going to visit that happened to be part of her family history, the churches are ancestors preached at in the early years of the reformation, just down the street from the Swiss chocolate factory I had scheduled to visit.
The miracles just keep showing up. So why should I be nervous? Great question. Monday morning, 7 Okt. 2024 at about noon, we’re in the Chattanooga airport, getting ready to fly to Charlotte then on to Munich.
Regrets and Second Guessing Ahnenforschung
The first day/night find us recovering in Regenburg. Should I have kept going on to Falkenburg? I don’t know but it’s too late now so we’re going to enjoy that time and find some bakeries and sausage restaurants
No Regrets Prepping for Ahnenforschung
Oct. 9, 2024, Regensburg, Bavaria — About an hour south of where my KUNZ MARK HÄRTL and other ancestors came from in Falkenberg bei Tirschenreuth, all questions of “should we have gotten closer” were erased. We walked about 5 miles in Munich. By the time we were driving to Regensburg, I was falling asleep on the Autobahn. Not good. So at about 3 p.m. we got into our hotel room, took showers (LONG flights do that!), took a good 2.5 hour “nap”, and then went out into the Regensburg evening.
One of my favorite “meals” as a missionary in Germany and Switzerland was to buy some Kaiser rolls, cheese and meat coldcuts, and some soft cheese, and make a sandwich. OH, of course you HAVE to have some berry/cherry fruit juice mit Sprüdel (seltzer). AND some zwetschenkuchen (plum cake pastry), so we saw a supermarket near our hotel, bought all that, and then went into Regensburg.
I was planning on taking Marnie to the Historisches Wursthaus, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world (500+ years?) but it was too late, so we sat at the Cathedral in a light rain and enjoyed the Brötchen and pastries. Marnie looked VERY European (in fact, her black and white checked hat matched the coat of someone staying at our hotel. Fashionista!!!)
The pain and tiredness of the jet lag hit at about 9 p.m. But a melatonin and aspirin put me right — a GOOD night’s sleep!
What does all of this have to do with family history? A LOT! I could have gone on to Falkenberg, pushed ourselves to our limits. And we would have been grumpy, sore, and probably made a BAD first impression on the people we’re meeting. This way, we feel like we’re “in synch” with what’s going on.
OH, just a word to the wise: Get a couple hundred Euros IN THE USA. Don’t do it at the airport, and don’t expect to do it at a bank. I’ve got a ton of cash in my pocket, and can’t exchange it anywhere because the bank I was going to use (DB has an agreement with BA) is … CLOSED TODAY (Wednesday). So we still haven’t exchanged our money! AND the credit cards aren’t working like they should. Sort of weird… but we’ll work through it.
WHY THIS FAMILY HISTORY TRIP TO GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND?
The thought keeps hitting me (as I’ve said before) — “What if I don’t do “enough”?” Not going to happen. Not only will I connect (I already have), but I’m also getting a BIG feeling that I’m “preparing the way”. I’m certain that the connections I make here will help others of my family (on both sides of the Atlantic) to connect with each other. It’s like what happened in Norway, when I went there. Relatives in Norway now are connected and have visited with other relatives in Canada and the USA.
So that’s part of my “job” here. AND the connections I’ve made on Facebook, with the Ahnenforschung groups from Schlesien and Oberpfalz, are already proving to be EXTREMELY valuable!
Was Ich Über Bayrische Familiesuche Schon Vergessen Habe
Oberpfalz Bavaria Family History Names: Kuhns /Kunz, Fahrnbauer, Fischer, Kaufman, Schneider, Mark, Vollath, Peiml, Bogner, Fränkl, Tremmler / Treml, Menzl, Konz / Cuntz / Cunz, Müller, Hönig, Weiß, Härtl, Döberl, Klinger, Ziegler, Lindner, Schmid, Kellner, Ockl / Ockhel, Zintl, Buchner, Zeidler, Kern, Scharnagl, Busl, Höfler families in and around Falkenberg, Kreis Tirschenreuth, Stiftland, Oberpfalz, Bayern, Germany
Section 1: The Kuhns / Kunz / Mark / Härtl / Vollath families in and around Falkenberg, Kreis Tirschenreuth, Oberpfalz, Bayern, Germany (related to my Kuhns / Kunz line that came first to Milwaukee, then settling in Hartford, Wisconsin, USA, ca. 1845)
Day 2: Arrival in Falkenberg, meeting the Rasp Familie, Finding the Kunz and Mark Family Homes
Als wir in Falkenberg oops as we arrived at Falkenberg, I was not prepared to have to drink from a maily history fire hose! So many miracles happened, so much good happened, it was amazing. I felt soooo blessed. (although I was really REALLY happy we’d taken the first day to recover.
Following the Family History Spirit and Inspiration
As we were driving to Falkenberg, I realized I was about an hour early, so we (I) decided to drive through the town, (here is the YouTube video of our first drive into Markt Falkenberg) then look for Bodenreuth, a small “Dorf” where my father’s father’s great-grandmother Viktoria MARK was born. Earlier, I was told that there was still a “Mark” family Hof (barn, house, land) in Bodenreuth. So we went out to look. We drove through the town. There were probably 6-8 farmhouses there. We didn’t know which one it was, so we filmed the entire town, turned around, then left.
As we were leaving, we passed two Bavarian farmers standing by a big green tractor (not that type). We drove away, but as we did, I had the distinct impression “You need to go back and talk to them.” I argued with myself,. gave me all sorts of reasons why I shouldn’t, then told Marnie. She said “Turn around. Listen to me. Turn around.” So I did.
I could tell they weren’t too certain about why I was asking them which house was the Mark Hof, but after I expeained who I was, they loostened up and said “It’s the Hof right next to where we are standing.” Big pink house, (Wästl?), easy to find. Nobody was home, but we were able to take some photos. First example of MANY examples of “listening”.
Later on, I made another video of the photos and videos we took around the MARK Haus in Bodenreuth:
Familie MARK Haus in Bodenreuth, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany
Meeting German Relatives For The First Time and Looking At Falkenberg Church Books
After we checked into our GREAT room (Unter der Burg in Falkenberg), we met with “Cousin” Gerhard RASP, born in Falkenberg but living in Kreisstadt Tirschenreuth, and his wife Doris and son Leopold, to serve as a translator for Marnie. We also went to the Catholic church in Falkenberg, and there met Herr Helmut Köstler, the local family history expert (more about him and his work later!)
He took us over to the parish offices, where he produced church books, and showed us the Mark, Vollath, Kunz, and other lines. He also handed me a bunch of other papers that had my family history that had gone to the USA (which I had most of) as well as other KUNZ lines that I didn’t know about. I was overwhemed. It was like drinking from a fire house, so I figured I’d look at those papers when I got home. There was A LOT!
Here is the video of our time with Gerhard Rasp and Herr Helmut Köstler in the Catholic Church offices, looking at the Church records:
(Post Note: Something kept nudging me to look at the papers BEFORE I left Falkenberg. Am I glad I did! Turned out that I have LIVING relatives at the Kunz ancestral home in Falkenberg. We were able to meet them and have a wonderful time together, on the last day of our stay in Falkenberg. Imagine if I hadn’t “listened” to that simple nudge to look at the papers Herr Köstler wrote up for me!)
Then, we took a walk through the town to the cemetary. As we walked up to the cemetary, Herr Köstler showed me a mound of dirt in front of a newer house and barn. “That,” he said, “is where the KUNZ Erb home (ancestral home) used to be for years”. What I didn’t hear (and what I found out later, thanks to the “nudge”) is that there was still a (born) KUNZ woman who lived near / on the property. More about THAT later!
In order to “find” these relatives, as you’ll see in the video, we wandered through the farm, then went through a barn, then knocked on a downstairs door, and met her husband, then went upstairs where she lived … but she wasn’t there. I told the man we would come back later in the afternoon (after spending one more morning with the Rasp family).
We almost didn’t. I wanted to get “on the road”, but something kept telling me “you need to keep your word that you would go back later today.” I’m VERY glad we did, not only for the additional information we received, but also for the connections we made meeting these wonderful women. (and getting to eat AMAZING German baking, including a fresh-out-of-the-oven Apfelkuchen.
Here is the video about not only seeing the KUNZ ancestral Haus, but meeting relatives who still own the property and live next to it! (Most of the video was shot on the last day in Falkenberg). It was truly a “Kuhns Family Reunion” — ok, KUNZ family reunion.
Monika KUNZ (Fischer), her daughter Waltraut Fischer-Strigl, me, and Agnes KUNZ
Falkenberg Cemetary Family History, Followed By Traditional German Dinner
We took some photos of graves (nothing really old; the old cemetary had been built over when they rebuilt the Church down in the village, and changed the angle of how it “sat”. But, I was able to take some fotos of the graves of Otto KUNZ, Vollath, and others related to me.
I think the most notable part of all of this is when a cherubic/angelich woman came up to us. She had heard about (as everyone had) “The visitors from America”, and wanted to meet us. As I was telling her about everything we were doing, and how we had found Gerhard Rasp and other relatives, and learned about the Kuhns ancestoral home(s), she said, her angelic face beaming: “Viellicht had den Heiligen Geist etwas damit zu tun.” (Maybe the Holy Spirit had something to do with it.)
I looked at her, and I knew she understood the Spirit of Elijah. The Spirit was so strong as I felt the truthfulness of her words, and what I said next: “‘Something’ to do with it?!? The Holy Ghost, Heavely Father and Jesus have EVERYTHING to do with it!”
She beamed and shook her head enthusiastically in agreement. It was exactly what I needed today, a day when I was wonder if I was doing enough.
Afterwards, we went out to dinner with the Rasp family. We were in a small Bavarian Gast Haus, and it was great. It was also the first time that I felt like there were people in the village who knew that we were there, without us telling them. Several people at a table in the restaurant waved and said hello to us, and said “You’re the Americans, right?”
Turns out Herr Kóstler not only knows everything, but every body! Examples kept happening throughout our stay in Falkenberg. I was needing to get some Euros, and happened to meet Herr Köstler on the street. We walked over to the bank together, where he introduced me to the manager, who was just opening up. I introduced myself and started to explain who I was. He stopped me and said: “Oh, I know who you are! My brother told me. He lives in the Haus your ancestors left so many years ago.”
Another time: On the last day, we went to a small bakery near our place, to get (of course) some more delicious baked goods. As I was leaving, I noticed two older women sitting at a table, just finishing their morning bakery and Kaffee. I felt really strongly I should say (to the bakery owner): “Oh, by the way, my ancestors used to live in that house right over there.” and I pointed to Markplatz 4. One of the older women said “Ach, SIE sind die Jenigen! Wir haben schon gehört! Wilkommen!” [Oh, YOU are the ones! We’ve already heard! Welcome!]
After dinner, in front of the Gasthof, we took our leave for the evening from the Rasp family. In Germany, it is customary to shake hands when leaving a group of people (or even another person). But this felt different, so I asked “How should we take our leave?” Gerhard threw his arms out wide and said “We are relatives!” and gave me a big hug!
Does Connection Depend on What You Wear?
Sidebar note: As Gerhard, Herr Köstler, and I were working through the Church books, Marnie and Doris were on the other side of the table, just chatting away. They seemed to really hit it off, and for that I was very grateful. Marnie has been a trouper on all this family history work, but I know sometimes she gets bored. So it was great to have someone to be bored with!
One of the most humorous moments was when Doris stood up to go into the other room. I stopped her and said, “Ok, this is really amazing. Marnie, please stand up. ” They looked at me like “What are you talking about”, but eventually I convinced them to stand together.
There, side by side, were two women from half a planet away, who’d never met each other, and they were both wearing black sweaters/tops and grey-checked slacks.
It was just hysterical.
Family History Day 3: Pleisdorf, Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab, Meeting the Vollath Family Historian
In doing family history, it’s been my experience that, in every family, in every generation, there is usually at least one person who takes it upon themselves to not only research their family tree, but also to preserve the records. This was certainly the case as Gerhard Rasp and I went to Pleisdorf, a small farming “Dorf” not far from Falkenberg.
While there, we followed information we’d received about where the VOLLATH family farm was (Viktoria MARK Kunz’ mother, Anna Marie Vollath, was probably born there). As we walked through the main yard, past the tractor, a woman answered our “Hallo!”. She was the wife of Herr Vollath, who lived on the same farm that the family had lived on since the 1600s or earlier.
We briefly saw Herr Vollath (he was busy doing farm things), but we thought we’d take photos with him later (unfortunately, we didn’t). But Frau Vollath invited us up to their newer home, still on the property. We sat down in her kitchen; she gave us something to drink, and then produced a bag of SCROLLS of family history.
It was like walking into a giant family history library! As she unrolled each hand-written scroll, she told us how she had done the research at the Archives, and then written down the connections. Each red circle on the scroll showed the people who were the heirs to the property.
Again, feeling “pushed” to do more than just take photos of the Haus got us even more information that we probably wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.
Here is a video of our trip, discussing what meeting and researching with Frau Vollath meant to Gerhard and I.
Catching Up On Family History Trips
My objective to keep a daily journal of our family history trip through Europe slipped through my fingers. Fortunately, Marnie was able to keep a daily journal and record of what we did, so I’ll use that as a basis to catch up.
The day after our return to Chattanooga / Northwest Georgia (home), I felt like I should write the people / relatives / friends we met on the trip and thank them for their help. The first person we met in Falkenberg was Herr H. Köestler, sort of the town’s historian. Here is the copy in German of the letter I wrote; it summarizes (in short outline form) everything we did on the trip:
Sehr geehrter Herr Köstler: Wir sind Gestern spät in Chattanooga angekommen. American Airlines hat unser Gepäck verloren, und wir warten zu Hause immer noch darauf. So geht’s manchmal. Ich / Wir (Marnie und Ich) wollen Sie wiedermals herzlichen Dank sagen, fúr alle Bemühungen, was Sie für uns gemacht haben. Sie sind ein echt Engel (oder Wunder) Gottes.
Fast alles, was wir in Falkenberg gesehen und von meine Vorfahren gelernt haben, UND noch die Verwandten KUNZ, die ich getroffen habe, ist wegen Ihrer Arbeit. Als ich mit meine Geschwister und Vater und anderen KUNZ / MARK Verwandten darüber erzählte, konnten wir alle nicht glauben, was auf dieser Reise passiert ist. Es ist wirklich ein Wunder, und das Wunder ist wegen Ihrer Arbeit und Untersuchung. So, danke wieder vielmals!
Ich werde über unsere Reise in den nächsten Tagen eine Blogpost schreiben. Als wir Falkenberg hinter uns verliessen, sind wir nach Polen (ehemaliger Kreis Bunzlau). Dort hatten wir auch Erfolg; eine möglicherweise weit entfernte Verwandte von mir hat uns dort getroffen, und wir haben zwei alte Friedhöfer besucht und geputzt, und Dörfer besucht, wo die Großmutter meiner Vater zu Hause war.
Nach zwei Tagen in Polen sind wir nach Freiberg gefahren, um unseren Tempel (die Kirche Jesu Christi der Heiligen der Letzten Tage) zu besuchen.
Dann sind wir nach Prag gegangen und haben dort zwei DNA Verwandte kennengelernt (Vater und Tochter).
Dann sind wir nach Salzburg gefahren, um den Orten zu sehen, wo die Mutter meiner Frau 1953 besucht hat (Mozarts Geburtsort, u.a.).
Am nachsten Tag sind wir nach Stein am Rhein (Schweiz) gefahren, um zu sehen, wo einige Vorfahren meiner Frau geboren wurden.
Am Sonntag sind wir zuerst in Schaffhausen, Schweiz, zur Kirche gegangen. Weiter sind wir nach Tiengen (Kreis Waldshut), wo wir eine private Durchführung zum Schloß der Familie von Sulz bekommen haben. Durch Ahnenforschung meint meine Frau, sie sei von den von Sulz Familie abgestammt.
Dann weiter nach Reinau und den Grossmünster in Zürich, wo Marnies Vorfahren gepredigt haben, und wo ein Hans Rudolf LAVATER, Marnies ca. 12-Urgrossvater, Bürgermeister von Zürich war.
Am Montag sind wir nach Lustdorf (Kanton Thurgau) und Schloß Kyburg (Kanton Zürich wieder), wo Herr Lavater Landvogt war. Da haben wir auch eine private Durchführung bekommen, und Marnie hat alte gemalte “Bilder” von zwei ihrer Vorfahren (Herrn Stampfen/Stampen) von 1495 und mitten in den 1500s) gesehen, und auch viel historisches über ihre Familie gelernt.
Am Dienstag sind wir nach Lichtenstein gefahren, um zu lernen, ob es noch Sulz Information dort gab. Nichts gefunden. Dann nach St. Gallen (Schweiz), wo Marnie’s Urgroßeltern (14. Generation zurück) gelebt haben.
Spät am Dienstag und den ganzen Mittwoch, den letzten zwei Tage unserer Reise, sind wir zum Schloß Neuschwanstein, Oberammergau und Garmisch-Partenkirchen gefahren, wo Marnies Mutter für die Hochzeitsfeier besucht hat.
WOW! Ich bin schon müde, an alles zu erinnern! Und so ist es gegangen. Wiedermals, VIELEN DANK!, und wir werden sicherlich in Kontakt bleiben.
Summary of the Germany / Poland / Czech / Swiss Family History Trip
This is the (loose) English translation of my letter to Herr Köstler summarizing what we did after we left Falkenberg and Tirschenreuth, Bavaria:
Dear Mr. Köstler: We arrived late in Chattanooga yesterday. American Airlines lost our luggage and we are still waiting for it at home. That’s how it goes sometimes. I/we (Marnie and I) want to thank you again for all the efforts you made for us. You are a real angel (or miracle) of God.
Almost everything we saw in Falkenberg and learned from my ancestors, AND the KUNZ relatives I met, is because of your work. When I told my siblings and father and other KUNZ / MARK relatives about it, none of us could believe what happened on this trip. It really is a miracle, and the miracle is because of your work and research. So, thank you very much again!
I will write a blog post about our trip in the next few days. As we left Falkenberg behind us, we went to Poland (former Bunzlau district). We were successful there too; a possible distant relative of mine met us there; we visited and cleaned two old cemeteries and visited villages where my father’s grandmother lived. (Here is the Family History tour blog about that part of the trip.)
After two days in Poland we went to Freiberg to visit our temple (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints).
Then we went to Prague and met two DNA relatives there (father and daughter).
Then we went to Salzburg to see the places my wife’s mother visited in 1953 (Mozart’s birthplace, among others).
The next day we went to Stein am Rhein (Switzerland) to see where some of my wife’s ancestors were born and lived.
On Sunday we first went to church in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Then we went to Tiengen (Waldshut District) where we got a private tour of the von Sulz family castle. Through genealogical research my wife believes she is descended from the von Sulz family.
Then we traveled on to Reinau and the Grossmünster in Zurich, where Marnie’s ancestors preached, and where a Hans Rudolf LAVATER, Marnie’s ca. 12-great-grandfather, was mayor of Zurich.
On Monday we went to Lustdorf (Canton Thurgau) and Kyburg Castle (Canton Zurich again), where Mr. Lavater was governor. There we also got a private tour, and Marnie saw old painted “pictures” of two of her ancestors (Mr. Stampfen/Stampen) from 1495 and the mid-1500s, and also learned a lot of history about her family.
On Tuesday we went to Lichtenstein to see if there was any Sulz information there. Nothing found. Then to St. Gallen (Switzerland), where Marnie’s great-grandparents (14 generations back) lived.
Late Tuesday and all day Wednesday, the last two days of our trip, we went to Neuschwanstein Castle, Oberammergau, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where Marnie’s mother visited in the early 1950s for her honeymoon.
WOW! I’m already tired of remembering everything! And so it went. Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH! and we will certainly keep in touch.
Family History Thank You Nach Bayrischen Art / Bavarian Style
Family history trip catchup is hard to do! I keep getting the impression to create “thank you” videos and notes, so that’s what I did today (Nov. 4, a week after our return). The importance of Gerhard and Doris Rasp of Tirschenreuth, on this family history trip, can’t be underestimated. I met Gerhard (my cousin 4x removed) a few years ago, and have planned this genealogy trip with him, because of him, and through him, ever since. He was a HUGE impact on my part of the trip.
Even more important was the role his wife Doris played in making certain Marnie was connected to the experience and didn’t feel left out. Doris’ English is great, so Marnie was able to do cultural exploration not only with Doris, but with their University-student son Leopold. Marnie asked a lot of questions, and got a lot of new insights and perspectives. And the food they gave us, and the Gemütlichkeit! We didn’t have to buy food for the entire time we were in Falkenberg!
Here’s the YouTube video thank you I created with lots of photos of them, as they gave us tours of Falkenberg, Tirschenreuth, Bodenreuth, and elsewhere:
Wow. That’s a lot to unpack! Stay tuned!
Freiberg Germany Temple Experience With KUNZ Ancestor
As I bore my testimony in church today, I realized I hadn’t relayed one of the most significant events about our trip: The Freiberg Temple veil experience.
First, let’s admit that the entire trip was amazing; truly a miracle. The people we met, the records we found, the people who helped us, the records that people created without knowing we were coming — all were miracles. It’s clear that the gathering of Israel is happening at a “drinking from a firehouse” pace on both sides of the veil.
But I was reminded again of what happened at the Temple. I was privileged to take Sebastian KUNZ, the father of Johan Kuhns, (my ancestor who immigrated to Wisconsin,) through the temple. Marnie had mentioned before the trip how cool it was (amazing) that he would be able to hear the endowment in his native language of German. Even more, for me, was the miracle of the Freiberg temple, built in East Germany, less than 2 hours away from where Sebastian KUNZ, Johan’s father, was born, raised his family, and died in Falkenberg, Tirschenreuth, Bavaria, Germany.
During the Temple ceremony, I think I was focusing so much on UNDERSTANDING the German, that I really failed to FEEL my ancestor’s presence. In fact, I remember at one point being disappointed, because usually I can feel their presence, their love, their acceptance of what is going on, and how grateful they are for me doing their work. There was a little bit of that, but not like what I expected.
Then the end of the Endowment session happened. Although I’d done the ceremony hundreds of times before, it was always in English. So I had to have a prompt card.
The ceremony is too sacred to repeat , and I am very cautious about what I want to say. But let’s say this: As I spoke the words, I could barely speak. I felt like Sebastian was there, approving of what was going on. The emotion was so strong, at one point the assistant asked if I wanted to do it in English. I said, “Ich kann das auf Deutsch” (I can do it in German). because I felt very strongly that I needed to continue in English.
Easily the most powerful part was when Priesthood blessings are involved, and we think about our posterity. I’ve always gone through that part of the Temple thinking about my descendants, and the blessings for them. But this time, as I was going through, for my ancestor, I realized that he was invoking those blessings on ME, his posterity! I’d never heard or felt it like that before, and I cried so hard I could barely breathe.
Amazing, amazing experience. — Dave KUHNS, great great x5 or 6 grandson of Sebastian KUNZ.
Family History and Temple Work Update
A few months after our trip to Bavaria, Poland, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe, Marnie and I had the opportunity to do temple work in the LDS Temples in Arizona, especially Tucson. You can read about those amazing spiritual experiences here.
(From Gustav Geerdts, at home in Milwaukee, to his wife Bertha Starke Geerdts, who was staying with his parents at their home in Sheboygan)(written in English–spelling is as in the letter)
(For a fun picture of Bertha Starke Geerdts doing the wash on wash day at the Fratney Street house, click here(someday)!)
Milwaukee, August 5, 1901
My Dear Bertha,–
I have had a very pleasant Sunday here, the wether was nice and cool and sunshine all day, just right for a sick man like me. At about 1/4 after 11 o’clock Berthold came here and asked me to go to the picknic in National park, he had a ticket for me. We did not enjoy the picnic very much it was to dusty in the park. I had to eat dinner and supper at Bert’s there was no way out of it at all. In the evening Bert. and I had a few glasses of bitters in a saloon, they tasted very good and I think that cured my sickness. The pain in my side is nearly all gone. I slept very good all night. I feel better today than any day since the strick.
Write soon and tell me how you go to Sheboygan and how Alice liked the boat-ride did she laugh did she cry did she sleep or did she do all three or what? What do pa and ma think of our little girl? How do you and Mutter and Alice enjoy in Sheboygan? I hope you are making a pleasant time of it down there enjoy yourself Mamma, that’s what you went down there for.
Next Sunday there is an excursion down there another boat which leaves here at 8,45 or 1/4 to 9 and leaves Sheboygan at 11 o’clock in the evening, its the Saloon-keepers excursion to Born’s park. Wright me a letter soon Bertha. My regards to Pa. and Ma. and Mutter. Give our little daughter a great big kiss for me. Here is one for you to.
Your loving husband.
Gustav
8 August, 1901
Liebes Weibchen!
Dein Lieben Brief habe ich am Mitwoch Abend erhalten. Ich habe mich noch nie so uber einen Brief gefreut wie uber diesen. Es ist ja auch von mein liebes Weibchen! Es freut mich sehr, daB Ihr Euch so gut amusiert. Ich kann wie Alice sich uber alles so wundert und freut. Sie ist voll sehr unartig (disobiedient) und zerreist alles, aber das wird ihr woll nicht zur Bose genommen! Ihr seid ja auf die Sommererhollung! Amusiert Euch nur recht gut, das ist mein Wunsch. Liebes Weibchen! Du machst mir den Mund ganz Weslich, wenn du schreibst, was Ihr da alles schones zum essen kriegt, uberhaupt die rote Grutze! (a tapioca type pudding, usually mixed with fruit flavoring, berries, covered with a vanilla sauce). Aber ich troste mich schon damit, daB ich auch welche bekomme, wenn ihr wieder kommt, nicht wahr, liebes Weibchen!??
Die Blumen bluhen schon, die Garten besorgt die Mrs. Binning. Immer sie gibt ihm Saladkartoffeln, und ich weiB nicht noch sonnst was alles. Den Pete kriegt jeden morgen einen Kleines Lecherbissen, und der WauWau, einen Topf kriegt jeden morgen, seine Fliegen. Ach, wie wir kommen schon gar nicht um, aber lange halten wir es diesen Weg nicht aus! Wir werden uns alle wieder freuen, wenn ihr wieder daheim seid! Liebes Weibchen, du schreibst, du warest so banger um mich, das hast du auch nicht notig, denn ich habe noch nie besser gefuhlt, wie jetzt. Die Schmerzen in meiner Seite, bald ganz fort, alles tut mir gar nicht mehr weh, wenn ich Atem hole, bloB noch ein wennig wenn ich den Arm sehr hoch aufschtreche. Das Strohwitwe leben, wie die Nachtbaren es nennen, ist gar nicht schon. Es ist doch viel schoner, wenn Mann sein Weibchen und seine Familie bei sich hat!
Ich lebe hier sonnst ganz gemutlich! Das Morgens hole ich mir ein Pint Milch, ein paar Sammel, und fur 5 cents wird zum Oatmeal gegessen, und die andern nehme ich mit in Schlacht (lunch container). Mittags gehe ich in ein Boarding Haus, da kostet das Mittagessen 15 cent. Am Monntag Abend habe ich mich Kartoffeln gekocht, und das Fleisch dazu gebraten (fried). Am Dienstag habe ich die ubrigen Kartoffeln gebraten, und Leberwurst dazu gegessen. Am Mittwoch Abend habe ich gebraten Eier, und Grahambrot, Honig gibt es bei jeder Mahlzeit. Gestern Abend war ich bei Berthold, um da Euren GruB zu bestellen. Sie lassen auch schon GruBen. Mrs. Binning hat mir dein Brief uberreicht. Sie sagt ich soll Euch alle von ihr gruBen. Sie sagt, sie fuhlt sich einsam, das die Alice nicht da ist. GruBt Papa, Mama, und Mutter von mir, auch ein GruB von Hans. Es kuBt und gruBt dich dein liebes Mannigen. Gibt auch unserem Tochterchen ein Paar KuBe!
Gustav
(From Gustav Geerdts in Milwaukee to his wife Bertha Starke Geerdts, who was staying with his parents in Sheboygan)
8 August, 1901
Dearest little wife (or “wifey”)
I received your loving letter on Wednesday evening. I have not ever rejoiced over a letter, like I did over this one. It is, yes, from my dear little wifey! It gives me so much joy, that you are amusing yourselves so well! I can imagine how Alice wonders and rejoices over everything. She is certainly very disobedient and rips everything apart, but that won’t be thought evil of her! You both are, yes, on summer vacation! Amuse yourselves only really well, that is my wish. Dearest little wife! You make my mouth water, when you write, what all beautiful you have received to eat, and especially the red Grutze (a tapioca type pudding, usually mixed with fruit flavoring, berries, and covered with a vanilla sauce.) But I comfort myself already with this, that I will also get some, when you return again, isn’t that right, dearest little wifey!?!
The flowers are blooming already beautifully. Mrs. Binning is taking care of the garden. She always gives it salad potatoes (peels), and I don’t know what all else. Pete (probably a pet?) gets a little bite of something every morning, and the WauWau (another pet? Maybe a turtle?) a pot he gets every morning, his flies. Ach, we’re not going to perish yet, but we won’t last long living like this! We will all rejoice again, when you all are home again! Dearest little wifey, you write, you were so worried about me, but it’s not necessary to do that, because I have never felt better than I do now. The pain in my side will soon be completely gone, everything doesn’t hurt any more, when I breathe, only a little when I lift my arm up very high. The “straw widow” life, as the neighbors name it, is not at all pretty. It is a lot nicer, when one has his little wife and his family at his side!
Otherwise I live here very comfortably! Mornings I get myself a pint of milk, a couple of rolls, and for five cents can eat oatmeal, and the other I take with me in the lunch container. Noons I go in a boarding house, there lunch costs 15 cents. On Monday evening I have cooked myself potatoes, and meat fried along with it. On Tuesday I fried the rest of the potatoes, and ate liverwurst along with it. On Wednesday evening I had fried eggs, and graham bread, and there is honey with every meal. Yesterday evening I was with Berthold, to give your greeting there. They beautifully greet you themselves. Mrs. Binning handed me your letter. She said I should greet all of you from her. She said, she feels so alone, because Alice is not there. Greet Papa, Mama, and Mother from me, also a greeting from Hans. It kisses and greets you your loving little man. Give also our little daughter a pair of kisses!
Gustav
Milwaukee, August 13, 1901.
Liebes Weibchen!
Gestern Abend war ich zu mude, zum schreiben. Ich hab nicht geschlafen, auf dem Boat. Die Menschen waren beinah alle betrunken, und haben ein Larm gemacht, da konnte Keiner schlafen. Auf die Lake was es ganz schon. Wir sind hier erst um 5 Uhr angelandet. Da hatte ich gerade noch Zeit zu Haus zu gehen, mich umzukleiden, Fruhstuck kochen, und zu essen, Vogeln und die Schildkrauter zu futtern, und nach der Arbeit zu gehen. Gestern Abend habe ich noch die Mellons Food Company geschreiben, wegen den Sample fur Mrs. Albricht. Hans war Gestern Abend hier gewesen, wegen ein Paar Hosen, die ich ihm mitbringen sollte, auB Sheboygan. Das hatte ich aber ganz vergessen. Dafur habe ich ihm dem ein Paar von Meinen gegeben, die ich zuletzt gekauft habe.
Sonnst ist es hier noch alles beim Alten. Ich weiB nichts neues. GruBe deine Eltern und Mutter auch herzlich von mir, und ich danke die Eltern noch herzlich fur die Eier und die Kirschen. Dies ist Dienstag Abend. Morgen nachmittag oder Donnerstag vormittag wirst du den Brief woll kriegen, da schreibst du mir Donnerstag wieder, da krieg ich den Brief am Freitag. Folgentlich ist das der leste Brief, den ich dir dies Mal schreiben kann. So lebe wohl bis auf nachsten Sonntag Abend. Dann werde ich Euch von Boat abholen. Die Mrs. Binning laBt sich gruBen. Sie sagt die Alice soll bald wieder kommen. Sie sagt es ist hier jetzt so still und Einsam! Es fuhlt sich aber keiner so Einsam wie ich! Ein herzlichen KuB und GruB von dein leiben Mannichen. Gib auch mein Tochterchen ein KuB und sagt ihr, es ist von ihrem Papa!
Gustav
(From Gustav Geerdts in Milwaukee to his wife Bertha Starke Geerdts, who was staying with his parents in Sheboygan)
Milwaukee, August 13, 1901
Dearest little wifey!
Yesterday evening I was to tired to write. I didn’t sleep at all on the Boat. Almost everyone was drunk, and made such a noise, that no one could sleep. On the lake (Michigan) it was completely beautiful. We landed only at 5 o’clock (a.m.) So I had just enough time yet, to go home, change my clothes, cook breakfast, eat, feed the birds and the turtle, and to go to work. Yesterday evening I wrote the Mellon’s Food Company, about the sample for Mrs. Albricht. Hans was here yesterday evening, because of a pair of pants, that I was supposed to bring him with me, from Sheboygan. That I forgot completely. For that I gave him a pair of mine, those that I bought most recently.
Otherwise, here is all the same as before. I know nothing new. Greet your parents and mother also heartily from me, and I thank the parents again heartily for the eggs and the cherries. This is Tuesday evening. Tomorrow afternoon or Thursday morning you’ll receive, most likely, this letter, then write me Thursday again, then I’ll receive the letter on Friday. As a result, that is the last letter, that I can write you this time. So live well until next Sunday evening. Then I will pick you all up from the boat. The Mrs. Binning sends greetings. She says that Alice should come again soon. She says it is here now so quiet and lonely! But no one feels as lonely as I do! A kiss and greeting from my heart, from your loving little man. Give also my little daughter a kiss and tell her, it is from her Papa! Gustav
Sheboygan, 15 August, 1901
Mein Liebes Mannichen!
Dein lieben Brief habe ich heut als Donnerstag erhalten. Es freut mich, daB du gut daheim angekommen bist. Das glaube ich, daB du nicht hast schlaffen konnen. Wir haben es auch gehort, wie es dazu ging! Unsere Tochterchen hats Monntag und Dienstag Nacht nicht gut geschlafen. Sie konnte nicht zur Ruhe kommen, aber letze Nacht hat sie wieder umsobesser geschlafen. Ich gehe jeden Morgen Hinbeeren pflichen, und Alice iBt sie so sehr gern, und stopft auch einmal eine ganze Handvoll in den Mund! Wenn sie damit vertig ist, dann sieht aber ihre Gesichtchen schon aus! Wir haben heut uber sie so lachen muBen!
Die letzten Tage bleiben wir Heim bei Mama, und Dienstag waren wir alle bei Emma’s mutter. Da haben wir auch Kirschen und Stuckelberren in Garten gepflicht. Liebe Gustav! Nun noch drei voller Tage, dann sind wir wieder daheim! Ich sehne mich schon nach den Sonntag, wo wir uns wieder sehen. Papa und Mama sind herzlich gut zu uns, wir sind alle recht munter, und unterhalten uns so gut, wie konnen. Ich habe Mama’s Blummengarten schon in Ordnung gemacht, daB macht mir alles spaB. Wir werden uns rechtzeitig auf dem Weg machen, zum Boat, damit wir es nicht verpassen. Ich werde nun schlieBen, in der Hoffnung auf ein frohes wieder sehen. Von unsere Alice ein groBen KuB an ihren lieben Papa. Auch herzliche GruBe von allen, auch von Mrs. Binning. Sei du, liebes Mannichen, herzlich GegruBt und gekuBt, Von deine Weibchen,
Bertha
Sage Berthold und Bertha, unser besten Dank, fur ihren Brief. wir haben ihm am Dienstag erhalten, und uns schon daruber gefreut, hatten ihnen auch einmal geschrieben, aber wuBten die Addresse nicht! Sie muBten uns deshalb Entschuligen und herzlichen GruB an Sie und Erna.
(written from Marie)
Auch von mir Tausend GruBe an Berthold und die kleines Tochter, mit GruB, eurer Mutter!
(From Bertha Starke Geerdts in Sheboygan to her husband Gustav Geerdts in Milwaukee)
Sheboygan, 15 August, 1901
My Dearest little man!
I received your loving letter today (Thursday). It makes me rejoice, that you got home well. I believe it, that you couldn’t sleep! We also heard it, how it went! Our little daughter didn’t sleep well Monday and Tuesday night. She couldn’t quiet down, but last night she slept so much better, again. I go raspberry picking every morning, and Alice eats them so gladly, and jams also at one time an entire handful in her mouth! When she is finished with all that, then her little face looks so beautiful! We had to laugh over her so much today!
The last days we have stayed home with Mama, and Tuesday we were all by Emma’s mother. Then we also picked cherries and Stuckelberrys (Raspberries or blackberries; something with thorns?) from the garden. Dear Gustav! Now only three full days, then we are at home again! I long already for the Sunday, where we will see each other again. Papa and Mama are really good to us, we are all really well, and get along (talk) as well as anyone can. I have put Mama’s flower garden already in order, that gives me much joy. We will promptly get underway, to the boat, so that we don’t miss it. I will now close, with the hope for a joyous seeing again. From our Alice a huge kiss on her dear Papa. Also heartfelt greetings from all, also from Mrs. Binning. Be you, dearest little man, heartily greeted and kissed, from your little wifey, Bertha
Tell Berthold and Bertha, our best thanks, for their letter. We received it on Tuesday, and rejoiced over it, and would have written them once also, but didn’t know the address! They must forgive us for that reason, and heart-felt greetings on them and Erna.
(written from Marie Geerdts, Gustav’s mother): Also from me thousand greetings on Berthold and the little daughter, with greetings, your mother!
(From Gustav Geerdts in Milwaukee to his wife Bertha Starke Geerdts, who was staying with his parents in Sheboygan, in English, with spelling as in the letter. Written on Milwaukee County stationary)
“Board of Supervisors of Milwaukee County
Gustav Geerdts, Supervisor 21st Ward.
1419 Fratney Street”
My dear Wife: —
Owing to some verry unfortutent business I have at the county hospital Sunday I cannot come to Sheboygan.
I shal tell you of the business I have have had there when you come back.
I hope you all are enjoying well out there, you must forget all toil and care, just have a good rest, rest both brain and muscles, think of nothing else just have a good rest and a good time.
I hope to see a good healthy looking little Wife and children when you return home.
Give my best regards to all and a kiss to Alice and Bertram.
Your loving husband
Gustav
P.S. Best regards from John and Susie, and also from Bert and Bertha.
10 minutes to 10 Oclock
Again from Gustav to his wife Bertha in Sheboygan
“Board of Supervisors of Milwaukee County
Gustav Geerdts, Supervisor 21st Ward.
1419 Fratney Street”
Milwaukee, August 3, 1904
My Dear little Wife,
When I came home this evening I found your letter waiting for me. I am sorry you did not get my letter before Sunday, now Pa had to go down to the dock fore nothing. I could have written a day sooner to. I am glad there are only three days more before I will see you all again, yes I will be in Sheboygan Sunday to take you home if nothing comes in the way.
These two weeks seemed like six to me, I miss you here Bertha thinking of you half the time, I said I was glad that you would be gong for two weeks then I would have time for study but that is not the case, I have less time now than when you are here Pet. May those three days go quickly so that I can soon see you and our dear little ones again.
Last Saturday I wanted to go to here the Singers sing at the Exposition but I did’nt go in because I knew I would not enjoy it without you by my side. I then went to the Academy of Music to see a play (I went there with a friend of mine from the Shop). but I felt so lonesome, there was something or someone missing and that was you darling. Well I didn’t enjoy that play at all, but wish for next Sunday. May you all live well an happy till then.
With love and kisses for you my darling. Kiss our two little ones for me. and best regards for Pa. and Ma. and Mutter.
Your fond Husband
Gustav
(From Gustav Geerdts in Milwaukee to his wife Bertha Starke Geerdts, who was staying with his parents in Sheboygan)
(In English on Board of Supervisors stationary)
“Board of Supervisors of Milwaukee County
Gustav Geerdts, Supervisor 21st Ward.
1419 Fratney Street”
Milwaukee, August 15, 1905
Dear Wifey.
Please let me know why you do not write me a letter. Are the children, or any one sick? I am waiting impatiently for a letter from you.
Gustav.
P.S. Write as soon as you get this, so that I will get a letter from you before Saturday noon.
Wausau 17 Jan., 1903
Liebe Schwester und Lieber Schwager!
Euren Brief haben wir erhalten, und darauB ersehen, daB ihr von meinem Freund Otto Gundham (Gundlach?) ein Brief erhalten habt, worin er Euch uber meine Lage hat wissen lassen. Nun, meine Lieben, ich nehmen gern das Anerbeiten an, mir zu helfen, daB ich wieder nach Milwaukee ziehen kann. Es ist ja doch auf jedemfal besser, daB ich nach Milwaukee komme. Ich habe mir von meinen Krankengeld nicht viel sparen konnen, weil es zu viel an den Doktor bezahlt werden muB. Milwaukee habe ich den Doktor frei. Also, meine lieben, wenn es Euch moglich ist, mir $20 zu borgen, sollte es mich freuen! Alles andere mundlich! Es gruBt euch vielmals,
Gustav und Marie
(From Gustav and Marie, possibly Starke, in Wausau, Wisconsin, possibly to their half-sister Bertha Starke Geerdts in Milwaukee. Although Marie was Gustav’s mother’s name, it makes no sense as it is written to think it would be from Gustav Geerdts and his mother Marie Geerdts) In two previous letters, from Ernst Starke and from Otto Starke, in 1890’s, a “Gustav” is mentioned as a brother.)
Wausau, 17 January, 1903
Dear Sister and dear brother in law!
Your letter we have received, and therein saw, that you received a letter from my friend Otto Gundham (Gundlach?), wherein he let you know about my condition. Now, my dears, I gladly accept the offer you made, to help me, that I again can go (move) to Milwaukee. It is after all in any case better, that I come to Milwaukee. I haven’t been able to save much of my sick money, because too much must be paid to the doctor. In Milwaukee I have the doctor for free. So, my dears, when it is possible for you all to lend me $20, that would make me happy! Everything else is well! It greets you many times! Gustav and Marie
Immigrant Letters from Germany to Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Dehmel Starke to Starke Geerdts
These translated latters were on another website which doesn’t exist anymore, so I’m transfering them over to my CyranoWriter site. Some of the links probably won’t work, but I will try to fix them as time permits. This is the last in a series of letters; the end letters describe the passing of Johanna Dausel Dehmel Starke, born in Alt Öls or Altöls, Kreis Bunzlau, Schlesien, Deutschland.
AUß MUETTERLICHE LIEBE: Letters between Johanna Dausel Dehmel Starke and her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts, ca. 1909, 1910 and 1911
Die Verwanten waren schon etliche Male auf dem Bahnhof gewesen. Nun kam der Zug an. Mein Herz hat nur so geschlagen! Ob ich mein Sohn noch kennte, weil wir nicht in Kiel ankammen! Diese Spannung! Aus dem Wagen daraus da sah ich mein Sohn, und ein kleines Madchen. Ich habe ihm nicht erkannt, aber kam gleich auf mich zu, er hatte mich gleich erkannt.
(She writes that she hasn’t always lived in Kiel.)
Liebe Bertha und lieber Gustav:
Ernst laBt bitten, wenn ihr wieder schreibt, wahrscheinlich daB ihr Briefmarken gebraucht, das er Spezielebriefmarken gebraucht, er will eine Sammlung anlegen.
(This is part of a letter; no date, from Johanne Starke to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts, probably written in Kiel around early 1909, after she’d been to Milwaukee: She was in Milwaukee in 1898, 1901, 1904 (although she may have stayed that entire time), and probably was again in 1908 or 1909 or so.)
… The relatives were already at the train station several times. Finally, the train came. My heart had beat so hard! If I would still recognize my son, because we didn’t arrive in Kiel! This anxiety! From the wagon I saw my son, and a little girl. I didn’t recognize him, but he came right up to me, he recognized me right away. (From what she writes, it is clear Kiel is new and foreign to her) Dear Bertha and dear Gustav: Ernst asks, please, when you write again, that you use postage stamps, maybe special postage stamps, because he wants to start a collection.
26 Juli, 1909
(sounds like she just got to Kiel) … gute liebe Tochter und mein Sohn, Ernst. Und was macht die kleine Bertl? Wir haben auch zwei hubsche Madchen: Elise und Gertrude. Die eine gehts aufs fruhjahr schon in die Schule, die sind Gesund und Munter, aber viel Fleisch und Wurst essen sie nicht! Wer es hat, der mag nicht! Die sind auch sehr klug und verstandlich. Liebe Bertha! Seid so gut und schreib nocheinmal. Was werden sie bloB bei Burghardt sagen, und die Bunzlauer? Und meine Bruder, Gottlieb. Gottlieb ist vor vier Jahren gestorben. Der hat bloB ein Sohn ein schnidigen Kerl, er hat Ernst geschrieben, und das Bild geschickt. Er hoffte da, da wie ein Hauptman seine Mutter wohnt, auf der GnadenbergenstraBe. Das Herz wird mir weich werden wenn ich wieder bei unseren lieben Vater’s Grab steh, und zu Langs gehe ich auch mit. Die lassen alle herzlich gruBen. Der eine Bruder liegt schon drei Jahre im Bett, der ist 85. Der andere ist zwei Jahre Junger wie ich (than I am). Er ist auch schon lange Witwe. Er wohnt bei der Tochter. Die sind alle gut ab (well off). Der in Buchwald, der Bauunternehmer (contractor), der hat auch schon viel durchgemacht.
26 July, 1909
(This is part of a letter, from Johanne Starke to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts, probably written in Kiel. It sounds like she just arrived in Kiel from Wisconsin, but has settled in a little. The first part is missing) … good, loving daughter, and my son, Ernst. And what is the little Bertl (Bertha) doing? We also have two beautiful girls, Elise and Gertrude. The one goes already in the early part of the year into school, they are healthy and happy, but they don’t eat a lot of meat or sausage. The people who have it, don’t like it! They are also very smart and understanding. Dear Bertha, be so good and write again. What will they say by Burghardt’s, and the people from Bunzlau? And my brother, Gottlieb. Gottlieb died four years ago. He has only one son, a smart lad, he wrote Ernst, and sent his picture. He hoped to become a master, like the one that lives by his mother on the GnadenbergenstraBe. My heart went weak, as I stood by our loving father’s (Johanne’s husband) grave, and to the Lang’s I also went along. They let themselves greet you from their hearts. The one brother lies already three years in his bed, he is 85. The other is two years younger than I am. He is already a widower for a long time. He lives by his daughter. They are all well off. The one in Buchwald, the contractor, has already gone through a lot.
No date:
Liebe Kinder. Ich bin sehr geschpant, ob ihr Brief und Karte erhalten habt. Die Bertha schrieb auch, die hatten schon zweimal geschrieben, und Richard schrieb auch, ob ich den Brief erhalten hatte. Ich habe nichts gehort. Das glaube ich, das ihr Kummer gehabt hat! Ich kann es niederschreiben, diese…Leute… aber in Bunzlau, die haben mich gleich erkannt. Ist dort alles groBartig geworden. Ich bin ganz erstaunt! Und in Neu Schoenfeld, da hat er sich viel verandert. Burchardt war weg, bei Pole, bei Schtamitz, bei Renschen, bei Kobbalde, alle Bruder, alles ist groBartig geworden! Alle haben Pferde und feine Spatzerwagen, und alles fahrt auf Radern, aber solch feine Rade! Dieser Stadt! Die besten GruBe von den paar Bekannten, bei mein Brudern da war eine Freude, das ist nicht zum niederschreiben. Der Arme Bruder, ich sollte gar nicht mehr fort, hat der geweint! Ich muBte es ihm versprechen, daB ich bald wiederkame. Unter allen schreiben kam ein Hell aus Milwaukee, der die Zeitung gemacht hat. Der sagte, das es jetzt wieder besser ist, das ist auch zu wunschen. Er will noch einmal wieder kommen. Der sagte er, ich sollte es mitschreiben. Die bei eeuch wohnen, er ware in Garten gewesen, die waren nicht mehr da, er kann sie nicht finden. Er wollte nochmals sehen, ob er sie finden konnte.
Heute ist Ernst wieder fort beim Kaufen. Der geht vieles nach Hamburg und Berlin. Das Fleisch ist auch teuerer, aber das Pfund ist GroBer. Ich trinke alle Tage Buttermilch von warmen weg. Die schmeckt so gut. Ich werde gerarde bedient, wie eine Grafin. Sonnst mag ich Fruhstuck, Kaffee, butterbrot und Semmel, zwei Buttermilch oder Kaffee, vielerlei Wurst und Schenken. Zum Mittag gibt’s den feinsten Braten. Gestern, als Sonntag, haben wir Kalbsbratten. Der kamm zehn Mark! Aber der hat gut heute noch gereicht. Und Abends wieder alles gute Wurst und Schenken, und das schmeckt alles so gut! Ich darf gar nichts machen, wie Zeitung lesen. Ich soll mich erst ganz erholen, so eine Reise ist auch nicht von ungefahr. Mann wird ganz abgeschpannt. Oh, die Kinder sind so gut, die Ernst, und sein Frau, ich soll immer Essen, es weint ihr ja, das ich nichts viel essen kann. Da wennigstens habe ich meine guten Kinder noch einmal gesehen! Nun kann es werden, wie es will.
Nun ihr Lieben, was machen den die lieben Kinder? Fragen sie auch, ob ich bald wieder komme? Was macht Gladys und die Andere und die kleine? Ich denke so oft an euch alle! Aber ich hab’ so eine gute Tochter, und der Ernst ist auch so Herzensgut. Ach, wie haben die sich gefreut, das ich noch so Gesund bin! Liebe Kinder, ich werde euch das nachste Mal alles ausfullig schreiben. Ich habe noch lange nicht alles angesehen im Haus, da schreibe ich das zweite Mal. Da habe ich auch schon eine Goldene Uhr bekommen! Mit eine groBen Kette. Und heute habe ich auch die ersten Soldaten gesehen. Ach, diese himmlische Musik, und die StraBen! Car(?) geht auch vorbei! Nun, ihr lieben, vielen tausend GruBe von Ernst und Frau, und Kinder, und ihr sollt es nicht ubel nehmen, das sie Euch nicht schreiben. So bald wie moglich bekommt ihr ein Brief, und lassen herzlich Danken fur die Geschenke. Die haben sich alle herzlich gefreut! Mit Tausend GruB’ und KuB, verbliebe ich eure Mutter, Johanne Starke.
(From Johanne Starke to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts in Milwaukee, probably written in Kiel around late 1909, after she’d been to Milwaukee.
Loved children: I am anxious to find out if you have received letters and cards. Bertha wrote also, she has written twice already, and Richard wrote also, asking if I had received the letters! I didn’t hear anything. So I believe, that you were worried! I can write it down, these (illegible)… people… but in Bunzlau, they recognized me right away. Everything has gotten developed there! I was completely amazed! And in Neu Schoenfeld, there a lot has changed. Burchart was gone, by Pole, by Schtamitz, by Renschen, by Kobbalde, all the brothers, everything has grown! Everyone has horses and fine coaches, and everything travels on wheels, but such fine wheels! This city! The best greetings from the couple of acquaintances. By my brother there was a joy, that can’t be written down. The poor brother, I shouldn’t leave him at all, he cried so much! I had to promise him, that I would soon come again. And, after all the letters, came the blessing out of Milwaukee, in the newspaper. He said, that it is now better again, what I also hope. He wants to come again. He said, that I should write it to him. The ones that lived by you, they were in the Garden, they weren’t there any more, he couldn’t find them. He wanted to see again, if he could find them. (some kind of plant, perhaps?)
Today Ernst is gone again, buying. He goes frequently to Hamburg and Berlin. The meat is more expensive, but you get more for your money (literally, “the pound is bigger”). All day long I drink buttermilk the warm way. That tastes so good! I am being served right now, like a Countess. Other than that I like breakfast, coffee, buttered bread and rolls, two buttermilks or coffee, many types of sausage and fried chops. For lunch there are the finest roasts. Yesterday, for Sunday, we had calves roast. That came to ten Marks! But it lasted until today. And evenings again all types of good sausage and Schenken (chops), and that tastes all soooo good! I can’t do anything (to help), other than read the newspaper. I should make myself completely better, so that traveling won’t be too difficult. They are all worried about me. Oh, the children are so good, Ernst, and his wife, I should always eat, yes, she whines, that I can’t eat a lot. But at least I have seen my good children once again. Now it can be, as it must.
Now, you dears, what are the dear children doing? Do they also ask, if I will come again soon? What is Gladys doing, and the others, and the little one? I think so often about all of you. But I have a good daughter-in-law, and Ernst is good in his heart. Ach, how they rejoiced, that I was so healthy again! Dear children, I will write you next time and completely tell you all about it. I haven’t by a long shot seen everything in the house, so I’ll write the second time. I have also already received a golden watch, with a great chain! And today I have also seen the first soldiers. Ach, this heavenly music, and the streets! Cars (written in English) also go by. Now, you dears, many thousand greetings from Ernst and wife, and children, and you should not take it badly, that they don’t write you. As soon as possible you’ll receive a letter, and they let themselves thank you many times for the gifts. They all heartily rejoiced! With thousand greetings and kisses, I remain, your mother, Johanne Starke.
Kiel, den 6 December, 1909
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Ihr werdet schon lange gehofft habe, an ein Schreiben. Die Karte an Ernst haben wir erhalten. Er hat sich erfreut, und laBt bestens danken! Und meine Karte habe ich auch erhalten, und hab mich sehr gefreut. Ernst: sein Geburtstag war auch sehr schon. Er hat viele Geschenken bekommen, und so viele Blummen! Und von seinen Lieben Frau hat er groBes Bild bekommen, wo die Tochter und die zwei Madchen darauf sind. Ein wunderschones Bild, und noch viel Kleinigkeiten. Das war ein schoner Tag! Das war ein reines Blummenmeer! Neun oder zehn Frauen waren hier; jeder brachte einen Blummentopf! und BlummenstrauB, und von Ernst, Zwanzig Mark, und von der Tochter, ein schoenes Morgenkleid, und eine gestickte Schurze, und den Madchen ein schones Bild, und einen groBen Geburtstagskuchen. Dieser Freude, nun auf die Reise zu konnen!
Ich bin zehn/elf Wochen in der schonen alten Heimatsstadt gewesen. Burghardt ist nicht mehr da, bei Poles [Pohl’s?] auch nicht, bei Stammels auch nicht, die Frauen sind gestorben, der Stammels ist auf der Bahn…war auch wo anders, bei Poles [Pohl’s], da war es abgebrannt, unser Haus ist weg, der Brunnen und Scheune steht noch, der Art noch wie neu, der sagte, der jetzt darinnen ist. So was wird jetzt nicht mehr gebaut. Lauter Kuhe wahre es, und in der Haus auch, was da fur schonen Strins (?) gewesen ware! Dir hatte Burghardt alle verkauft, als ich so dar stand, da habe ich so geweint. So eine schoene Gegend, es hatte so viel Obst, mehr Birnen wie Blatter! Und so viel Birnen und Wein; die Garten waren nicht mehr so schon, aber alles solch Gemutliche Leute!
Die Langs, Pauline, und Starks lassen viemals gruBen. Die Pauline hat zwei Jungen, es geht allen gut, und die Frau Starke lieB mich nicht fort. Ich muBte ein paar Tage dort bleiben. Jungs, wenn ich bin in Bunzlau zwei Tage geblieben, bei meine Schwegerin, dann bin ich zu Herman gefahren. Dort blieb ich wieder ein Paar Tage, der lieB mich zum Bruder fahren. Dort bin ich 4 wochen gewesen. Der arme, arme Mensch! Der liegt schon 3 Jahre ins Bett! Es ist Altesschwache. Die kanten mich nicht mehr. Ich sagte, bin ich hier nicht beim Herrn Dousal (Dausel)? aber diese Freude hat er geschrien, und er wollte sich gar nicht zu guttes geben.
Von dort hat mich der andere Bruder geholt, nach Buchwald, da bin ich 3 Tage gewesen, dann hat er mich wieder zum Bruder gefahren, und dann sollte ich denn Sonntag auf Strams(?), zur Chermus (Carnival)? kommen. Da komm wieder einen Wagen von Strundorf, bei Hubner, dann muBte wieder ein Paar Tage bleiben, und das ging immer von einem zum anderem, dann war ich bei Hermann abscheid nehmen. Sie sollten Sonntag auf Chermus fahren, da sollte ich durchaus da blieben, aber ich muBte wieder zum Bruder, der Winter immer fort. Er hat auch so eine schone Villa (NOTE: Dies ist von eine Ober Schönfeld Post Karte, und könnte die genamte Villa sein… oder nicht), und vorn ein groBes Glas Haus, da sind sie denn ganzen Sonntag, aber der arme Herman der ist so krank. Er hat die Suckerkrankheit. Die ist sehr schlimm. Er sieht ganz weiB aus, aber er hat eine sehr gutte Frau.
Bei Hans (Dering?) bin ich auch gewesen. Der laBt vielmals gruBen, der fahrt oft zu Hermann. Der Hermann hat mich wieder nach Bunzlau gefahren, da bin ich bei Ernst, seine mutter gewesen, hat der sich gefreut. Der hat auch so eine schone Villa, wunderschon, die haben gerade die Silberhochzeit gefeiert. Er ist Stadtrad. Er hat so eine groBe Uhr zum geschenk bekommen. Er hatte noch viel von der Hochzeit. Ich konnte nichts essen, ich war so aufgeregt. Ich war beim Heinz, beim Kaufman, beim Harko, beim Sturm, und bei Pole. Bin ich bald 8 tagen gewesen, sie legten mich nicht fort. Er geht in die Fabrik. Er ist immer fort krank. Die arme Frau.
Gib jedem Kind ein KuBe von mir.! Von Gladys habe ich getraumt. Sie hat sich so gefreut, als sie mich sah. Ich habe sie so gedruckt, im Traum. Und von Mutter Stueckle habe ich auch getraumt. Die hatte umgang mit groBartiges Soldaten. Die hatten einen ganz groBartiges Soldaten Anzug an, als Offizier, aber gesprochen haben wir nicht, und den Fleischer leBt sich auch vielmals gruBen, und du sollst dich den ??? gut schmecken lassen. Viele gruBe an Muuter Stuekle, und viele GruBe an Ruths familie, und gratulier zum kleinen Tochter, und an Frau Beuer, die bekommt auch einmal eine Karte. Viele GruBe an M., ganze familie. Ich werde ihr auch einmal schreiben. Viele GruBe auch an eine Frau, und die Tochter frau, und somit mir bitte vielmals schreiben, GruB alles herzlich von mir, GruB alle Bekannte, Hans und seine liebe Frau laBt sich auch herzlich GruBen, und den schonen Ernst, den Fleisher, und seine liebe Frau, Frau Lutz, Herr und Tochter, und die Eltern, und an die Cigarenmacher, die Beste gruBe an familie Gardner, und dir, liebe Kinder.
Wie ist bei euch das Wetter? Hier ist immer noch nicht schon. Die Ernte verspatet sich, auch um 4 Wochen, Alles is auf ein halbes , aber es ist doch alles nicht so verfalscht, soche gute Butter, und aller Tage frische Buttermilch. Ich bin gar noch nicht mit aufs ganze gegangen, aber jetzt gehts bald los. Wir haben solche gutte und Verwandte, sie kommt zu uns, aber nun lassen sie mir keine Ruh! Jetzt gehts Besuchen los! Wir haben viel spaB, Ernst und ich. Wir sprechen viel von der Heimat, ach wie wir schon??? Ich fragte sie gar mal, ach herzlos! Der Kaufer
(From Johanne Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
Kiel, December 6, 1909
Loved from the heart children!
You’ve already hoped a long time for a letter. We received the card to Ernst. He rejoiced, and says best thanks! And I received also my cards, and was very glad about that. Ernst: his birthday was very wonderful. He got many presents, and so many flowers! And from his loving wife he received a large picture, one where the daughter and the 2 girls are on it. A wonderfully beautiful picture, and also many little gifts. That was a beautiful day! That was a pure sea of flowers! Nine or ten ladies were here; each brought a pot of flowers! And flower bouquets! And from Ernst I got 20 Marks, and from the daughter, a beautiful morning robe, and an embroidered apron, and from the girls a beautiful picture, and a big birthday cake! This joy … if only we could take it with us (as we travel).
I was for ten-eleven weeks to the beautiful old hometown. Berghardt isn’t there anymore, at the Poles [Pohl’s] also not, also not at the Stammel’s. The women have died, Mr. Stammel’s is (working) on the train … and was also somewhere else. At the Poles [Pohl’s?], that had burned down; our house is gone, the fountain (well) and barn are still standing, still as though they were new, says the man, who is now in there. Something like that won’t be built nowadays.
Pure cows it was, also in the house, what beautiful Pastures (Strins?) there were! Berghardt sold it all, right while I stood there, and I cried so hard. Such a beautiful area! It had so many fruits, more pears than leaves! And so many pears and winegrapes; the gardens weren’t not as beautiful anymore, but everyone was so “gemutlich” (friendly).
The Langs, Pauline, and Starke’s let themselves greet you many times. Pauline has two boys, it goes all well, and the Frau Starke wouldn’t let me leave. I must stay there a couple of days. Children, when I had stayed in Bunzlau for two days, by my sister-in-law, then I traveled to Herman. There I stayed again for two days, then he let me travel to my brother. There I stayed for four weeks. The poor, poor man! He lays already three years in bed! It is old person’s weakness. He didn’t know me any more. I said, “Am I here not by Mr. Dousal (Dausel)?” But this joy! He cried, and he wouldn’t give me up for anything.
From there the other brother picked me up, to Buchwald, there I was for three days, then he took me back again to my (other) brother, and then I was supposed to come on Sunday on Strams (?), to the Carnival (or a city named “Chermus”). There came again a wagon from Strundorf, from Hubner’s, then I must again stay a couple of days, and that went always from the one to the other, then I was going to leave from Herman’s. They were supposed to travel on Sunday to the Carnival (“Chermus”), so I absolutely must stay there, but I had to go again to my brother, because the winter was coming again. He had also such a beautiful villa (NOTE: This is from a post card from Ober Schoenfeld. It COULD be the villa mentioned by Johanna … or not), and in front, a great glass house, there they stayed the entire Sunday, but the poor Herman, he is so sick. He has the diabetes. That is really bad. He looks completely white, but he has a very good wife.
I was also by Hans (Dering). He lets you be greeting many times, he travels often to Herman. Herman took me again to Bunzlau, there I was with Ernst, by his mother, he had rejoiced. They have also such a beautiful villa, wonderfully beautiful, they had just celebrated the silver anniversary. He is a legislator. He received such a great clock/watch as a gift. He also got a lot from the anniversary. I couldn’t eat anything, I was so excited! I was at Heinz’, at Kaufman’s, by Harko, by Sturm, and by Pole. Soon I was there 8 days, they didn’t let me leave. He goes to the factory. He is continually sick. The poor wife.
Give every child a kiss from me! I dreamed about Gladys. She rejoiced so much, as she saw me. I hugged her so hard, in my dream. And from Mother Stueckle I have also dreamed. She had contact with important soldiers. They had a totally important soldier’s uniform on, as an officer, but we didn’t speak to each other. And the butcher lets himself give many greetings, and you should let the ??? (sausage?) taste good to you. Many greetings on Mother Stueckle, and many greetings on Ruth’s family, and congratulations for their little daughter, and on Frau Beuer, she receives also once a card. Many greetings on M., the entire family. I will write her also once. Many greetings also on a Frau, and the daughter of the Frau (probably meaning Bertha Starke Geerdts and Gladys and Alice), and therewith please write me many times. Greet all heartily from me, greet all acquaintances, and Hans and his loving wife let themselves also greet you, and the beautiful Ernst, the Butcher, and his dear wife, Frau Lutz, Mr. and the daughter, and the parents, and on the cigar-maker, the best greetings on Familie Gardner, and you, dear children.
How is the weather by you? Here is it still not yet nice. The harvest is late, by about four weeks, everything is half (as much as it should be), but everything is nevertheless not so rotten, such good butter, and every day fresh buttermilk. I am not yet completely gone with on everything, but now soon it will start to go. We have such good relatives, they come to us, but now they let me have no quiet! Now will all the visits happen! We have a lot of fun, Ernst and I. We talk a lot about the homeland, ach, how we always … I ask them once again, ach without a heart! The buyer …. (the rest can’t be read)
Kiel 5 Juni, 1910
Herzlich geliebte Kinder. Euren lieben Brief habe ich erhalten, und mich sehr gefreut, wieder etwas zu horen. Was machen meine kleinen, meine Gladys? Die war mir ja so gut! Ich hoffe das alles wieder zum besten geht. Und was macht meine lieber Ellis (Alice)? Ich danke dir auch herzlich fur die schone Karte. Ich freue mich immer etwas von euch zu horen, denn hier gehe ich nicht aus. Es ist mir alles noch zu Fremd. Aber jetzt werde ich mir Kiel ansehen, den groBen Kanal…. Die Verwandten kommen ofters, den die haben keine Zeit wegen dem Geschaft und die vielen Ratsleute. Da hat es immer was. Wenn sie nur Gesund sind … da geht es ja. Liebe Kinder, fur der Mutter werde ich auch bald schreiben. Ich bekomme so viel Briefe von der Heimat, und so viel Karten. Wenn es der liebe Gott will, dann reise ich im September wieder hin. Ich soll noch einmal meiner Bruder besuchen. Dann schreib ich euch von dort, und schreib ihr mir gleich wieder. Der Ernst, der ist sehr gut, und die Tochter will es auch, da muB ich ihnen schon folgen.
Ich habe es ganz gut. Ich bessere bloB die Wasche (the clothing & laundry) aus. Was sollte ich auch machen? Zwei Madchen und eine Frau, da gibt es immer was zu argern. Dort hatte es viel zu essen, aber ich kann ja so wenig essen. Ich bekomme immer Briefe aus Neu Schoenfeld, ich sollte sie bald wieder Besuchen, aber ich sollte mir ja einen besseren Appettit mitbringen. Ich hatte ja gar nichts gegessen. Die haben Aufgetisched, wie auf einer Hochzeit. Lieber Kinder, wie geht es jetzt mit der Arbeit. Hier Striken sie auch. Die ganze welt is eins. Hier ist auch alles so teuer. Es ist unerhort (outrageious); die Armen Arbeiter mussen zu teuer bezahlen. Wenn ich noch einmal zu meinem Bruder komme, dann will ich mir es aber Gemutlich machen. Da gehe ich noch einmal zu unserem gutten Vaters Grabe, und zu allen Schulfreunden. Ich war von Jahr in Strans und Baudendorf. Na,da hat noch herzlich gegruBt, und viele GruBe von Ruth an Frau Breier. Ich schicke wieder bald eine Karte, ich schicke liebe Tochter, schreib mir mit auch ob die Frau Jenrich den Brief erhalten hat. Pauline hab’ ich auch geschrieben, und August laB auch nichts horen. Die habt ein Haus gekauft. Richard habe ich auch geschrieben. Bitte, liebe Kinder, schick mir ein Paar Zeitungen. Die lass ich doch so gerne. Bitte schreib mir bald wieder!
Ich danke fur Antwort, schick mir wieder was!
(From Johanne Starke to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
Kiel, 5th of June, 1910
Heartily loved children:
I have received your loving letter, and have rejoiced, to hear something again. What are my little ones doing, my Gladys? She was so good to me! I hope that everything again is going for the best. And what is my dear Alice doing? I thank you also heartily for the beautiful cards. I am always so happy to hear something from you, because here I never go out. It is all too foreign to me. But now I want to go see Kiel, the great Canal … the relatives come often, but they don’t have any time because of the business and the many counselors. So there is always something going on. As long as they are healthy … then it goes okay. Dear children, I’ll also write soon again for the mother (perhaps to Mother Geerdts). I receive so many letters from the homeland, and so many cards. When God wishes, then I’ll travel there in September again. I should see my brother once again. Then I’ll write you from there, and you write me back again. Ernst, he is very good, and the daughter (in-law) also wants it, so I must follow them.
I have it really good. I only have to do the clothing and the laundry. What else should I do? Two girls and a woman, there is always something to have strife about. I receive letters all the time from Neu Schoenfeld, that I should visit again soon, but I should bring a better appetite along with me! I didn’t eat anything at all! They laid out a table, like at a wedding! Dear children, how is it going now with work? Here they are also striking. The entire world is one. Here is it also so expensive. It is outrageous; the poor worker must pay too much. When I come one more time to my brother, then I will make it very comfortable for myself. Then I’ll go once again to our good father’s grave, and to all school friends. I was during the year in Strans and Baudendorf. So, there they greeted still heartily, and many greetings from Ruth to Frau Brier. I’ll send again soon a card, I’ll send, dear daughter, and write me with that also if the Frau Jenrich received the letter. Pauline I have also written, and August lets also nothing be heard from him. They bought a house. Richard I have also written. Please, dear children, send me a couple of newspapers. I read them so gladly. Please write me again soon! I thank for your answers; send me again something!
Alt Oels, 9 August, 1910
Herzlich geliebte Kinder! Liebe Kinder, groB und klein. Zuerst, liebe Bertha, ich habe die Karte von Alice bekommen. Ich habe freudetrannen geweint, weil ich meine liebe Alice und Gladys(?), ja liebe Bertha, ich habe mir die Augen bald ausgekwetshed, dachte Bertram und Gustav waren mit darauf, aber ich kann keinem finden. Ich habe eins mitgenommen in meiner Heimat, die haben sich so gefreut. Der Bruder weinte fur Freude! Ich wollte erst September hin, aber der Schwagerin schrieb mir, ich sollte doch so gut sein, und sollte August kommen. Sie wollte so gerne in die Preiselbeeren gehen. Da sagte die guten Kinder, da sollte ich gleich gehen. Da bin ich den Zweiten August weg gemacht. Aber diese Freude, daB ist nicht zu beschreiben! Der weint alle Tage fur Freude. Es ist auch schon mit unter Alteschweche. Da bin ich den ganzen Tag mit ihm allein. Die arme Frau, die hat was auszustehen! Der bettet alle Tage das ihn der liebe Gott soll ihm aussparen (let die), aber das Essen scheint ihm noch zu gut! Er ist dich und Fett. Er hat sich so erkaltet auf die Beine kann er nicht fort. Ist das ein Leiden!
Ja, da kann mann wieder einmal sehen, was wir Menschen sind. Das Leben ist nicht wert, daB der Mensch lebt. Somit, ihr lieben Kinder, mach’ Euch die paar Tagen recht Gemutlich, und flegt ein ander recht gut, und seid recht gut zusammen. Ihr wuBt nicht, die Scheidungsstunde, die kommt schnell! Wie war es bei unserem Guten Vater. Er wollten erst aufleben, da kamm die Ewige Trennung. Das ist ein harter Schlag, und habe ich schon durchgemacht. Ich bin das Lebens mude. Auf das Alte darf sich kein Mensch was aufheben. Da kommt alle Gebrechen, weil manche Junge Mensch hat schon Krankheit gemerkt, jetzt sehe ich ihres wieder, was das bischen Leben ist. Darum tut recht miteinsammen; ihr wuBt es nicht, wenn die Scheidestunde schlagt! Was denkt mancher Mensch zu sein, und ist gar nichts! Na, lieben Kinder, laB es Euch recht gut gehen. Gesundheit ist der groBte Reichtum.
Was macht die kleine Bertl (Bertha), und meine alle liebste Gladys? Jetzt bekommt Alice meine Karte. Bertram und der kleine Gustav, die Gladys und Bertl bekommen auch eine zum ewigen Andenken. Ich muB ja so viel Briefe schreiben. Ich mochte einen Kreigegtal????? haben. Ich bekomme aus Bunzlau so viel Briefe, und aus Neu Schoenfeld. Mir ist manchmal reine Angst. Liebe Bertha, ich hatte doch der Tischler’s Frau zwei dollar geborgt. Die hatte ich vergessen, es ging zu schnell fort. Wenn sie dir sie gibt, da schick ich euch so viel Karten, und sie bekommt auch eine. Der gute Ernst hat mir ja Geld genug mitgegeben, aber was dafur Geld in der Fremde paBt. So viele Verwandte und Kinder, daB kostet was! Ich will auch Frau Beier, Frau Ruet, und vielen noch eine Karten schicken. Den Alten Herrn Beier laB ich auch GruBen. Wenn Sie dir sie gibt, dann schick es mir nach Alt Oels, da bekommen sie lauter Heimatskarten! Was macht dein guter Mann, Gustav? Ist er auch immer munter? Da sei so gut, und schreibe bald wieder, liebe Bertha. Du wolltest auch Zeitungen schicken. Ich freue mich schon darauf. Die sind viel schoner wie hier bei uns, und so groB!
Liebe Bertha, diesmal, wenn ich zum unseren gutten Vater’s Grab geh’, da soll ich es aufschreiben, wie es auf dem Linsenstein(?) steht, vom Jahr, ware ich umgefallen. Und die Bertha, die Herman ist auch Krank. Ich kann jetzt noch nicht zu ihr gehen, bis die Beerenzeit wird voruber sein. Vor Weihnachten noch mache ich nicht fort. Ich feier den Geburtstag in Alt Oels. Ich werde noch vieles vergossen haben; da schreibe ich das nachste Mal. Da seid noch herzlich gegruBt von Eure Lieben Mutter, J. Starke. Gib jeden ein sussen KuB von mir, und bitte schreib recht bald, und gruBe die Mutter! Ihr werde ihr nochmals schreiben. Noch seid nochmals herzlich GegruBt und bleibt immer recht Gesund. Die Addresse: von F. J. Starke bei Herrn Gottfried Dousal (Dausel), in Alt Öls, Kreis Bunzlau, in Schlesien. (sidenote:) Ich denke vieles an die Sprechmachine.
(From Johanne Starke, as she was on vacation in Schlesien, Alt Öls, near Bunzlau, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
Alt Oels, 9 August, 1910
Heartily loved children! Dear children, great and small. First, dear Bertha, I have received the cards from Alice. I have cried tears of joy, because of my dear Alice and Gladys, yes, dear Bertha, I had almost cried my eyes out! I thought that Bertram and Gustav were also on it (a photo, maybe?), but I could not find them. I took one with me to my old homeland, and they rejoiced so much! The brother cried for joy. I didn’t want to go until September, but my sister-in-law wrote me that I should be so good and come in August. She wanted so much to go picking blueberries. Then the good children said, I should go right away. So I left on the second of August. But this joy, it is indescribable! They cried all day long for joy! He is already weak from old age. So I was with him the entire day, alone. The poor wife, she has a lot to go through! He prays every day that the dear God should let him die, but the eating seems to agree with him too well! He is thick and fat. He had caught such a terrible cold, and he can’t go anywhere by walking. That is suffering!
Yes, therein can we once again see, what we are as mankind. Life isn’t worth much, that man even lives. With that, you dear children, make your few days (on Earth) very comfortable, and take care of each other, and be good to each other. You don’t know the hour of separation … it comes quickly! Just like it was by our dear father (probably her husband). He wanted to survive everything, and then came the eternal separation. That was a hard hit to take, and I’ve already gone through it. I am tired of life. Getting old…no one can look forward to that. With it comes all the breaking (literally, “your body falls apart”); although some young people already notice sicknesses, now I see them again, and see how little life is. Therefore, do right by one another; you don’t know, when the hour of separation strikes! What some people think to be, yet they are nothing! Well, dear children, let it go well with you. Good health is the greatest wealth.
What is the little Bertl (Bertha Geerdts Kuhns, the youngest Geerdts child) doing, and my dearly beloved Gladys? Now will Alice receive my cards. Bertram and the little Gustav, Gladys and Bertl will also receive a card, for eternal remembrance. I must write sooo many letters! I would like to have a “Kreigegtal”(??) I get so many letters out of Bunzlau, and also from Neu Schönfeld. Sometimes I get pure anxiety! Dear Bertha, I also lent two dollars to Frau Tischler (or, “the table maker’s wife”). I forgot it, because we had to leave so quickly. When she gives it to you, then I’ll send you all so many cards, and she’ll get one, too. The good man Ernst gave me enough money (for the trip), but you never know how money goes in foreign lands. So many relatives and children, that costs something! I also want to send cards to Frau Beier, Frau Reut, and yet many others. The old Mr. Beier will I also greet. When she gives you (the money), then send it to me in Alt Öls, then you’ll receive only cards from the homeland! What is your good man, Gustav doing? Is he also still in good spirits? Please be so good, and write again soon, dear Bertha. You also wanted to send newspapers. I rejoice over that already. They are much nicer than the ones here by us, and so large!
Dear Bertha, this time, when I go to our good father’s grave, then I should write down, what stands written on the gravestone, from the year, just in case I should pass away. And, dear Bertha, Herman (Johanne’s brother) is also sick. I can now not yet go to them, until the berry-time is gone. And before Christmas I won’t go out. I’ll celebrate my birthday in Alt Oels. I have again forgotten much; I’ll write more the next time. So, be heartfelt greeted from your dear mother, J. Starke. Give each one a sweet kiss from me, and please write real soon, and greet the Mother (Gustav’s mother, Mrs. Heinrich Geerdts). I will write her once again. Again, be once more heartily greeted, and stay always really healthy. The address: from F. J. Starke, by Mr. Gottfried Dousal (Dausel?), in Alt Öls, Kreis Bunzlau, in Schlesien. (sidenote): I think much about the speaking machine (telephone or recorder)
(From Johanne Starke, from Kiel after her vacation in Schlesien, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
20 November, (no year listed–probably 1910)
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Eure liebe Brief haben wir am 29 (Oktober) erhalten. Wir hatten schon lange auf Antwort gewartet. Liebe Kinder, aus meine Reise wird wohl noch nichts werden! Das letzte Mal, wie ich Euch schrieb, da hatte ich noch kein bosen FuB, weil das erste Bein geheilt war. In ein paar Wochen bekam ich Rheumatismus und fliegenden Rheumatismus. Liebe Bertha, du weiBt es ja auf den Knochel (ankle)und die groBe Zehe. Die Zehe ist schon ganz schwarz, als wenn sie wollte abbrechen. Der Doktor sagte, es ware Blutstockung. Das sollte sehr langsam gehen. Wer hatte das gedacht? Also, liebe Kinder, wenn es nicht schnell Heilt, dann wird es woll den Herbst nichts mehr werden. Wenn Gott will, da kann ich mit der Heibaume(?) (Mitwife) das wird es doch Heil sein! Da muBte mir noch ein Paar Monate warten. Vielleicht wird alles noch gut. Liebe Sohn, Gustav! Die Papiere, die kannst du ja besorgen, wenn es wirklich einmal schnell geht, dann sind sie da. Liebe Kinder! Mir wollen alle das Beste hoffen, das wir uns noch einmal wieder sehen! Und neben mein Guten Otto kommt, daB ist mein Wunsch. Da wollen wir sehen, wie es noch werden wird.
Liebe Kinder, essen kann ich so weit, aber es woll wieder anders werden. Da seid so gut, und macht alles Reisen! Wenn ich laB die Heibaumer herzlich GruBen! Und ich freue mich schon auf sie! Da soll sie mir so spat kommen, da wird alles nachgeholt. Das Wiedersehen wird woll was auf sich bringen. Und wenn ich bloB noch ein Monat lebe, jetzt bin ich zu schwach! Jetzt weiB ich mir, es von Ernst. Der ist so Glucklich, aber sie haben ihre Augen auf. Das Geschaft geht gut. Die sind zwei Geschaftsleute, wie es keine Zweiten gibt. Das Madchen wachte auf, wenn sie diese bloB alles Gesund bleiben, und die diesen, um der durfen mir keine Kummer geben. Die geht den ganzen Lebensgeist, der ist schnell dahin, weil wer sich ein paar gute Tage machen kann, aufs Alte, der soll es ausfruhren. Niemand bekommt nichts mit. Liebe Kinder, da muBen wir abwarten, wie alles kommen wird.
Liebe Sohn Gustav! Da habe ich vielmals Dank, fur deine Bemuhungen, daB du auch einmal auch recht viel Freude an dein Lieben Kinder verleben magst? Was machen die lieben Kinder, alle? Seid ihr alle munter? Wenn ich jetzt nicht komme, da wird es erst in Fruhjahr, wenn ich bald nicht bloB wieder auftreten konnte. Schon sieht es nicht aus, ganz schwartz fuhlt es aus. Liebe Kinder, da bleib nun recht Gesund, das ist das Beste, was der Mensch hat. Da wollen wir sehen, wie es noch kommen wird. Gott gebe, das alles zum Besten ausfehlt. Da seid noch herzlich gegruBt von euren lieben Mutter. Die besten GruBe von Familie Starke und von den zwei Frauleinen. Ich laB’ auch alle herzlich GruBen! Die Fleischer’s Frau, was macht die neue Witwe, die Meistern? Ich laB’ alle bestens GruBen, und wunschen, daB alles gut geht. Wie ist das Wetter? In Schlesien ist alles bald verbrannt. Richard schrieb, es ware auch alles so trocken. Da habt ihr auch ein schonen Garten? Da lebt alle herzlich wohl, und gibt die Kinder einen suBen KuB von mir. Hier ist alles so teuer; dadruben ist es ein Bischen wie hier, die Kleidung und alles andere. Da schrieb ich euch gleich, wenn es besser wird. Bertha hat noch nicht geschrieben.
(From Johanne Starke, from Kiel, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
20 November, (probably 1910):
Heartily loved children!
Your dear letter we received on the 29th (October) We had waited already a long time for an answer. Dear children, about my trip will nothing not yet happen! Last time, as I wrote you, I didn’t have a bad foot yet, while the first leg accident was healed. In a couple of weeks I got Rheumatism and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Dear Bertha, you know about the ankle and the big toe. The toe is already completely black, as though it will break off. The doctor says it is blood poisoning (stoppage). That should get better very slowly. Who would’ve thought? So, dear children, when it doesn’t heal soon, then (the trip won’t happen) in autumn. When God wishes, then I can travel with a midwife/traveling nurse, and that would be glorious! So we have to wait a couple of months. Maybe everything will go well. Dear son, Gustav! The papers, those you can take care of, when it really goes very quickly, then they’ll be there. Dear children! We want to all hope for the best, that we can see each other once again! And come next to my good Otto, that is my wish (be buried next to him). So we will see, how it will all be.
Dear children, I can still eat somewhat, but it will probably be different again. So be so good, and make everything ready for the trip. And I’ll greet the nurse heartily! And I rejoice already over that! So she will come so late to get me, but everything (luggage, etc) will be picked up later. Seeing you again will bring something with it! And when I can only live one more month; now I am too weak! Now I understand about Ernst. He is so happy, but they are all watching. Business is going well. They have two business apprentices, like there have never been. The girls are watching, when they only can stay healthy, and these, about them I can’t worry. They are completely lively, but that lifestyle is quickly behind, for those who can make a couple of good days of it, then they’re old, and it should catch up to them. No one gets anything to take with them. Dear children, so we must all wait, what will all come to us.
Dear son Gustav! So I must thank you many times, for your efforts, and hope that you also once get to experience much joy from your dear children? What do the dear children all do? Are they all good? When I don’t come now, then it will be first in early year, when I soon can’t even stand up again! It (the foot) doesn’t look good at all, it looks and feels completely black. Dear children, so stay also really healthy, that is the best, what man has. So we will see, how it will go. God gives, that everything comes out the best. So be again heartily greeted from your dear mother. The best greetings from Family Starke and from the two little ladies. I let also everything be greeted heartily! The butcher’s wife, what is the new widow, doing, the master?? I let all be greeted, and wish, that it’s all going well. How is the weather? In Schlesien it’s so dry, everything will soon burn up. Richard wrote, everything is also dry there. So do you also have a beautiful garden? So live all heartily well, and give the children a sweet kiss from me. Here is everything so expensive; over there is it a little like here, the clothes and everything else. So I’ll write you again right away, when it’s going better. Bertha still hasn’t written yet.
(From Johanne Starke, from Kiel, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
25 Dezember, 1910
Liebe Tochter Bertha, und die Bertl:
Ihr werdet woll schon lange auf ein Schreiben gepaBt haben. Ich war doch bis zum November beim Bruder. Es ist immer noch beim Alten. Er kann nicht auB dem Bett. Da bin ich neun Wochen bei ihn gewesen. Auf der Reise hatte ich mich mit der Reisetasche an das Rechte Bein gestoBen, und da wurde es nach und nach so bose, ich muBte ihm immer rauB und rein halten und da war das Bein so schlimm geworden das ich bald nicht mehr gehen konnte! Ich war den ganze Tag allein mit ihm. Die Schwiegerin ging zu erst in die Preiselbeeren (blueberries), und dann Kartoffel, und dann Kartoffel hacken (hoe), und wurde immer schlimmer. Da schrieb ich nach Kiel, wie es war. Heute hatten sie den Brief bekommen und den anderen Tag Abends um zehn waren sie schon in Alt Oels! Da lag ich schon zu Bett. Da dachten wir es kamm ein Gast; da holte sie holte mich ab! Den anderen Tag wollen wir Bunzlauer, nach braunen Topfergeschir (well known stoneware) dark brown, . Dann ging nach Neu Schoenfeld, dann nach Ober Schoenfeld, dann kamen wir erst Spat nach Hause, und Morgens ginge es gleich nach Kiel.
Da ich noch Hause kam, da war es sehr schlimm. Da holten sie gleich den Doktor. Das war ein loch groBer wie der Handteller! Ich habe viel Woche nicht schlafen konnen. Ich kann auch nichts essen! Ich trinke lauter Buttermilch! Der Doktor, zuerst kam er zu Hause, dann muBten wir selber ein verband umlegen. Jetzt muB ich drei mal hin. Da verbindet der Doktor das Bein. Es fangt schon etwas zu heilen an, aber ich habe solche Schmerzen, daB ich mich von der Welt wunsche. Ich denk’ sehr oft an euch, ihr lieben, was der Mensch ist, wenn er nicht Gesund ist! Ich habe es ja so schon; alles was ich Wunsch, daB wird gleich gemacht.
Zum Geburtstag da waren so viele Verwante hier! Ich bekam drei Nachtjacken, zwei schonen Schurtzen, einen Wollene Unterrock, noch eine ganz teuere Schurtze, und so viele Blumen! Blumen stucke, und Blumen. Zum Weihnachten habe ich bloB Geld bekommen, und Kleinigkeiten. Aber es ist so ein groBes Geschaft, es gibt keine Ruhe, aber es ist doch gut, wenn’s Geschaft geht. Gesund sind bis jetzt alle, und ich denken, ihr Lieben, ein gleiches von euch. Liebe Bertha, gib jeden Kind ein suBem KuB von mir, und ich habe mich gefreut, uber die Karte. Alice soll mir bald einmal schreiben, und Bertha auch! Ich werde spater alles schreiben; ich bin zu schwach. Ich werde vieles vergessen. Die herzlichsten GruBe an dich und Gustav, und die lieben Kinder! Viel gesegnetes Neues Jahr! Wie geht es mit der Arbeit? Das Gehrig verstorben ist, und Milke, das ist mir sehr zu Herzen gegangen. Von Yust(?) Henrick habe ich ihre Karte bekommen.
From Johanne Starke, from Kiel, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee
25 December, 1910
Dear Daughter Bertha, and the Bertl (little Bertha):
You will have waited for a long time for a writing. I was until November by my brother. It is still again as it is with the elderly. He can’t get out of bed. So I was with him for nine weeks. On the trip I smacked myself with the suitcase in the right leg, and after a while it got so bad that I always had to hold it up in the air and then the leg got so bad that I couldn’t walk anymore! I was alone the entire day with him (my brother). The sister-in-law went first picking blueberries, then she had to do potatoes, and then hoeing potatoes, and I got worse and worse. So I wrote to Kiel and told them how it was. One day they got the letter, and the next day, in the evenings at 10 they were already in Alt Oels! I was already lying in bed. We thought that visitors were coming, but they were coming to pick me up! The next day we went to Bunzlau to pick up the brown stoneware (Bunzlauer stoneware is well-known, dark brown). Then we went to Neu Schoenfeld, then through Oberschoenfeld, then we came finally late home, and then the next morning we left right away for Kiel.
As I came home, then it was really bad. So they got the doctor right away. There was a hole there bigger than a small dish! I couldn’t sleep for many weeks. I also can’t eat anything. I only drink buttermilk! The doctor came to see me at home, but later on we had to change the bandage ourselves. Now I have to go in to see him three times. So the doctor is going to dress the leg. It’s already beginning to heal somewhat, but I have such pain, that I wish I could leave the world. I think very often on you, my dears; what man is when he’s not healthy! Yet I have it really nice: everything that I wish for is done right away.
For my birthday there were so many relatives here! I received three nightjackets, three beautiful aprons, a wool slip, yet another very expensive apron, and so many flowers! Cut flowers, and flowers. For Christmas I only got money and little things. But it is such a big business here, it doesn’t give any quiet, but yet it’s good, when the business is busy. Healthy are, up ’til now, everyone, and I think, you dears, the same is true of you. Dear Bertha, give every child a sweet kiss from me, and I rejoiced over the cards. Alice should write me soon, and Bertha also! I will write everyone later; I am too weak. I’ll forget a lot. The most heartfelt greetings on you and Gustav, and the dear children. A much blessed new year! How goes it with work? That Gehrig died, and Milke, that pained my heart. From Yust (?) Henrick I have received your cards.
no date, probably early 1911
Liebe Kinder: die waren ganz bose, sie sagte, daB wurde ich doch nicht machen! Aber ich habe keine Ruhe. Der Ernst sagte, von New York solltet Ihr mich abholen. Er wurde mir das Geld mitgeben. Wenn es alles mundlich, wenn es der liebe Gott schenkt, daB ich Euch wieder seh’, und zum meinem Guten Sohn Otto kam und noch ein paar Ruhige Stunde verleben konnte. Das ist mein Herzenswunsch! Ist das eine Wirtschaft! So lange wie ich da bin, hat sich schon zwolf Madchen gehabt! Diese Cheferei, den ganzen Tag! Da konnt ihr Euch denken, wie mir zu Mute ist! Ich kann gar nicht essen! Ernst wird es euch schon zu wissen tun, aber er will keinem Streit will haben, da muB er vieles verbergen. Ich sagte wieder so, da macht dich bereit, und bring mich daruber. Da kamm ich schoen an! Dort brauchen mich niemand dorten?? Oh, die ist doch so bose! Die schreib bald nicht mehr, den durft ihr nicht. Der hat nichts von seine Frau. Da sei so gut und schreib sobald wieder, wie ihr auch denkt.
Die besten GruBe an Berthold und Berthold’s familie, und er soll mir ein paar Zeilen mitschreiben, wie er auch denkt. Ach, ich sehne mich so nach euch. Mich kann nichts Glucklich machen. Nach einige ruhige Tage, viellicht kommt der Berliner her, und holen mich ab. Jugendliche uber das Wasser ist mir nicht so banger, aber in Chicago,…Das lebt herzlich wohl, und durft kommen und holen mich ab! Das Geld wird ihr …. Liebe Kinder, so seid herzlich gegruBt von eure lieben Mutter, und den Kindern, gibt jeden ein KuB von mir. Denkt auch Gladys noch an mich? Und die Anderen? Was macht die? Die eine Frau, du solltest es doch mit schreiben. Ich laB vielmals gruBen, und die Tischler Frau, und der Vater, ist er immer noch dort. Was machen sie bei Hans? Sind sie noch munter? Und die Verwandten? Alle nebst Gardner, die liebe Frau Meister hat mir auch geschreiben, die arme Frau! Ich laB alle herzlich GruBen.
Die Bruder schreiben mir so viel, der Kranke Bruder, der will, durchaus, das ich nocheinmal hinkomme. Der ist zu schwach, aber ist so fett und stark. Die arme Schwagerin, die muB was durchmachen! Der andere, der hat Asthma. Dann ist die Frau auch schon so lange gestorben. Und zwei Hafftungsvolle Sohne, alle Bruder gestorben. Der einer hat eine groBe Landwirtschaft, und der andere so einen groBen Posten. Die Frau bekommt viel Pension. Es sind groBartige Leute! Ja, ich bekomme auch ein GroBen Trauerbrief. Der Herman ist so schnell gestorben. Der hatte den Himmel auf der Welt, und muB doch fort. Viel Geld und so eine schoene Villa, aber was ist der Mensch. Liebe Kinder, da macht euch das Leben so Angenehm, wie moglich, den aufs Alter ist nichts mehr. So seid herzlich gegruBt von euren lieben Mutter und von Familie Starke. Die haben so wennig Zeit. Der Ernst ist viel geschaftlich aus, da liegt alles auf ihr. Da lebt alle nochmal herzlich wohl, und schreib bitte bald wieder. Die drei Monate werden schnell vergehen. Noch viele GruBe an alle Bekannte.
Ich habe an Euch die Zeit gedacht. Habt ihr auch einmal an mich gedacht? Lieber Alice, da sei immer recht gut und Brav, daB du dein Lieben Eltern recht freude machts! So lebe herzlich wohl, und bis ich euch die Karte werde ich schicken, zum ewigen Andenken, und gib Gladys und Bertram ein suBen KuB! So lebt herzlich wohl und denk bald an mich. Noch ein lebe wohl an meine liebe Alice! Ich habe auch immer von dir auf ein Britchen ? gepaBt. Sei so gut und schreibe mir, wenn die Mama schreibt. Da tust du ihr mit rein! Und der Bertram soll auch ein paar Zeilen mitzuschreiben, und die Gladys sollen ihren Geburtstagnamen mit darauf schreiben. Ich freue mich erst von euch zu horen. Wie lange seid ihr bei den GroBmama gewesen?
Was wird woll meine Gladys und Alice und die Herrn Sohne und die Kleine Bertl? Die gehen ja bald alle in die Schule. Schreib, nichts, das ich geschreiben habe! Von heute, nun sag nicht, den einen Brief hat Ernst gelesen. Aufwiedersehen.
Nun komm doch einer und holl mich ab! Der gibt Ernst schon das Reisegeld. Ihr werden nicht so teuer fahren. Mit der Schnelldampfer geht’s toll. Liebe Bertha, ich werde schon umfallen for schrech! Ernst ist so gut, und die Tochter auch, sonnst habe ich keine Freude mehr! Die haben ihren Kummer auch, und so vielen Leuten, und so ein GroBes Geschaft. Aber es ist doch gut, wenn das Geschaft geht!
(From Johanne Starke, probably from Kiel, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)(Possibly missing part of the letter)
(no date, probably early 1911)
Loved children! She (Probably Anni Starke, Ernst’s wife) was totally mad, she said, “That I wouldn’t ever do!” But I have no peace. Ernst says, from New York you should pick me up. He will give me the money. When it’s at all possible, when the loving God gives it, that I see you again, and come to my good son Otto and still survive a few more quiet hours. That is the wish of my heart! Is that a business! As long as I have been here, they have already had 12 maids! This industry, the entire day! So you can think for yourselves, how it makes me tired! I can’t eat at all! Ernst would have told you it already, but it didn’t want to have any conflict, so he has to bury it all inside. So I say again, make yourselves ready, and bring me over there. So I’ll come already! There no one needs to worry about me! Oh, she is so angry. She soon won’t write any more, because she’s not able. He has nothing from his wife. So be so good and write as soon as possible again, what you think about it.
The best greetings on Berthold and Berthold’s family, and he should write a couple of lines with (your next letter), what he thinks about this. Ach, I yearn so much for you! Nothing can make me happy. After a few quiet days, maybe the person from Berlin will come here, and pick me up. Young ones, over the water isn’t too awful, but in Chicago …. So, live really well, and you can come and pick me up. The money will (be given to) you … Dear children, so be heartily greeting from your loving mother, and the children, give every one a kiss from me. Does Gladys still think about me? And the others? What are they doing? The one woman, you should also write with (the next letter). I let many times be greeted, to the Tischler woman, and the father, is he still always there? What are they doing at Hans’? Are they all well? And the relatives? Also, all, including the Gardner family, the dear Frau Meister wrote me also, the poor woman! I let all be greeted from my heart.
The brother writes me so much, the sick brother, he wishes absolutely that I come there one more time. He is too weak, but is so fat and strong! The poor sister-in-law (his wife), she must suffer through something! The other, he has Asthma. And his wife already died a long time ago. And two ambitious sons, all brothers have died. The one has a great farm, and the other such a great post. The wife gets a lot of pension money. They are high and mighty people! Yes, I also received a big letter of sorrow (death announcement). Herman died so quickly. He had heaven in the world, and nevertheless had to leave. A lot of money and such a beautiful villa, but what is man. Dear children, so make yourselves your life so comfortable, as possible, then, once you get old, there is nothing more. So be heartily greeted from your loving mother and from Family Starke. They have such little time. Ernst is gone a lot on business, so everything lies on her. So live all once again heartily well, and write please again, soon. The three months will go by quickly. Again, many greetings on all acquaintances.
I have thought about you the entire time. Have you also thought about me once? Dear Alice, so always be really good and brave, that you give your parents much joy! So live heartily well, and until I can send you the cards, for eternal memory, and give Gladys and Bertram a sweet kiss. So live heartily well, and think soon about me. Again, a “live well” on my dear Alice. I have also always paid attention to you and your britches. So be so good and write me, when your Mama writes. Then just put it with (the letter!) And the Bertram should also write a couple of lines, and the Gladys should write her birthday name along with it. I rejoice again when I hear from all of you. How long were you all by the grandmama? What are my Gladys and Alice and the boys and the little Bertl doing? They are all going soon to school. Don’t write, that I have written. From today, only don’t say anything, because Ernst read one letter. Aufwiedersehen (until we see each other again).
Now, someone should please come and pick me up! Ernst will give them the trip money. You would travel so expensively. With the steamship it goes pretty well. Dearest Bertha, I will already fall over for shock! Ernst is so good, and the daughters also, otherwise I don’t any joy any more! They have their own worries also, and so many people, and such a big business. But, it is good, when the business is going well!
Kiel, 21 Januar, 1911
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Nun, ihre lieben, kommt mit der herzlichen Gratulation und Gluckwunschen zu dem zwei Gustavs Geburtstagen! Das ihr immer moget recht Gesund und Glucklich und Zufrieden seid. Die Paar Lebenstage sind schnell dahin! Was macht ihr alle noch? Ist alles noch Gesund und Munter? Was ich doch hoffe. Mit mir, liebe Kinder, wird es jetzt etwas besser. Ich kann etwas schlafen, und das Bein heilt jetzt. Wenn es nur bald ganz geheilt werde! Ich habe so viele Wochen nicht konnen schlafen. Ich weiB nicht, das ich noch lebe durfen schmerzen. Diesen Schmerz kann sich neimand denken! Ich habe es ja so gut, aber wenn der Mensch krank ist, da ist alles nichts zum Verzwiffeln, aber der Mensch muB aushalten. Wie mein Bruder: drei Jahre ins Bett; das ist kein SpaB! Er ist jetzt von allen Leiden erlost. Die arme Frau! Er hat noch vier Wochen gelebt, als ich fort war. Er hatte immer gesagt, “Ja, wenn meine gute Schwester hier ware, das sie mir konnte was, und sie helfen”. Er ist ganz still einschlafen. Zwei Atemszuge, dann hatte er ausgelitten. Er sagte immer: “Liebe Schwester, Sterb’ doch bei mir, wir wollen beisammen liegen.” Er hat so ein schones Erb Begrabnes, das kostet viel Geld. Es war so ein GroBartiges Begrabnes gewesen, wie noch nie.
Die Frau ist jetzt auch so krank. Sie kann nichts machen, und die Schoenfelder Herman’s Bertha, die hat mir auch geschreiben. Sie ist auch immerfort krank. Die kann nichts essen und ist so Reich, dieses herrliche Heim! Die geht zu niemandem. Die ist auch ganz fur sich. Die hat so ein groBen Hund, das ist so ein teueres Tier! Ich war doch acht Tage da. Der liegt mit in der Stube. Ein Madchen hat sie. Eine Kochin, aber sie hat so viel Kummer. Die hat drei Sohne da. Einer argert sie Tot, der ist so ein Braucher. Der sagt zu ihr, weil ich da war, “du bist der Nagel zu Vater’s Sarg, und zum meinem wirdst du es auch.” Das sind Kinder! Heute darf sich niemand auf Kinder freuen, auf der ganzen Welt ist es bose. Ich dachte, es ware hier anders, aber es ist alles einer Welt.
So nun ihr Lieben, habe ich euch genug erzahlt. Meine Kinder, die haben es auch nicht immer so gut. So viel Fremde Leute, und so ein groBes Haus, mit so viel Mieter! Das Geschaft geht groBartig! Der Ernst, der ist groBartig. Die machen sich vergnugend. Die konnen es ja haben! In Prate Konzert und so, und so ein groBartigen Stunden, und mir ist manchmal so banger! Es ist gar keine ruhe Morgens! So fruh geht’s schon wieder, und Abends bis in die Nacht herein. Das ist ein Leben! Die kann sich doch nichts mitnehmen, aber das Geschaft bringt mal so mit sich. Die wissen nicht, ob sie Morgen noch leben. So seid herzlich GegruBt, von Euere Lieben Mutter, Johanna Starke! Verlebt die Geburtstage recht Glucklich! Ich werde Euren Liebe gedenken! Habt ihr die Karten erhalten vor Bernise und Ruth und diene Geburtskarten, wenn ich noch lebe, schicke ich immer eine Karte mit. Ich laB alle, alle bestens GruBen, und bitte bald um Antwort, und Zeitung. Viele GruBe von Familie Starke. Viele GruBe an die Fleischer Frau, und Frau Reute(?) wenn es an alle Bekannte, bitte laB bald etwas horen lassen, und Gustav’s Bild. Hat Gustav auch Arbeit? Hier wird auch allenthalben gestreikt.
(From Johanne Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
Kiel, 21 January, 1911
Heartily beloved children!
Well, you dears, I come with heartfelt congratulations and good luck wishes for the two Gustavs’ birthdays! That you always may be very healthy and happy and contented. The few days of life are quickly behind! What are you all doing? Is everything still healthy and well? Which, I hope! With me, dear children, is it now somewhat better. I can sleep somewhat, and the leg is now healing. If only it would soon be completely healed! I couldn’t sleep for so many weeks. I didn’t know if I could live through such pain. This pain can no one imagine for themselves! I have it pretty good, but when one is sick, then is everything not to doubt, but man has to endure. Like my brother: three years in bed, that is no fun! He is now relieved from all suffering. The poor wife! He lived for four more weeks after I left. He always said: “Yes, when my good sister would be here, that should could do something for me, and help.” He died very quietly in his sleep. Two deep breaths, then he was done suffering. He said always: “Dear sister, die please by me, we want to lie together (be buried next to each other)”. He had such a beautiful grave memorial, that cost a lot of money. It was such a magnificent memorial, like never before.
His wife is now also so sick. She can’t do anything, and the Schoenfelder’s Herman’s Bertha, she also wrote me. She is also continuing to be sick. She can’t eat anything and is so rich, this beautiful home. It goes to no one. She is also completely alone, for herself. She has such a big dog, he is a really expensive animal! I was there for eight days. He laid in the study with us. She has a maid, a cook, but she has so much worry. She has three sons there. One makes her mad to death, he is so a (someone who uses up people). He said to her, while I was there, “You were the nail in father’s coffin, and you’ll be the nail in mine also!” So are children! Today no one can be happy about children, over the entire world it is evil. I thought, it would be different here, but it is all one world.
So now, you loved ones, I have told you enough. My children, (here) they have it also not always so good. So many foreign people, and such a big house, with so many renters! The business goes magnificently! Ernst, he is powerful. They make themselves comfortable. They can have it! In fancy concerts and so, and such an important, great hour, and it’s such a pain to me sometimes! There is completely no quiet in the mornings! So early it starts again, and evenings until well into the night. That is a life! But they can’t take anything with them, but the shop brings that sometimes with it. They don’t know, if they will still be alive tomorrow. So be heartily greeted, from you loving mother, Johanna Starke! Live through the birthdays happily! I will think on you loved ones! Did you receive the cards from Bernise and Ruth and your birthday cards? While I still live, I’ll always send a card with (my letters). I greet all, all, with best greetings, and ask for quick answers, and newspapers. Many greetings from family Starke. Many greetings on the Butcher’s wife, and Frau Reute, and when the greetings go to all the people I know, please let me hear something soon, and send Gustav’s picture. Does Gustav have work also? Here everyone is going on strike.
(no date, probably from Kiel February, 1911 or so)
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Ich habe schon langer gewartet, auf ein Schreiben gehofft, aber vergebens. Habt Ihr unserem Brief zu Gustav’s Geburtstag erhalten? Liebe Kinder, ich paB’ auch schon auf eine Zeitung. Liebe Kindern, nun kann ich euch doch schreiben, daB mein Bein wieder geheilt ist, aber etwas schmerzt es noch. Aber ich danke dem lieben Gott, daB es so weit wieder gut ist! Liebe Kinder, ich hatte etwas auszu(unknown, something to decypher). Wie geht es bei Euch mit der Arbeit? Berthold hat geschrieben, daB er seit Neu Jahr nicht im Shop gearbeitet hat. Das ist trauig. Viellicht ist es jetzt besser. Die ganze Welt ist eins; hier Streiken sie auch uberall! Was soll das noch werden? Es …??? Geht das Geschaft so gut. Das spurt Mann keine schlafezeit. Es ist auch alles so teuer. Das Fleisch ist bei Euch viel billiger wie hier.
Was machen die lieben Kinder? Ist Alice (written: Ellis) munter? Meine sind auch Gott sei dank, alle munter. Das ist das GroBte. Da kann der Mensch noch so viel haben, das ist alles nichts. Das habe ich euch geschrieben, daB mein Bruder gestorben ist. Der hat das Beste. So, liebe Kinder, da bitte ich bald um Anwort, und liebe Alice bitte schreib mir auch ein mal. Ich hab mich gefreut, daB du dein Papa ein schonen Kissen gestick hast. Der wird sich schon gefreut haben. Liebe Bertha und Gustav, sein Bild und die Kinder sehe ich so gerne. Liebe Bertha, ich muB dir schreiben, daB wenn ich Karten schick’, die schick ich immer, daB sie es nicht wissen. Du darfst bloB schreiben “ich habe den Brief erhalten; die Kindern haben sich sehr gefreut”. Ich schrieb die Briefe immer, wenn sie nicht da sind. Der Ernst ist gar nicht fur schreiben. Wenn ich schrieb, schicke ich immer Karten mit, daB sie ein Andenken haben.
Ich kann sie nicht vergessen. Wie habt ihr die Geburtstage gefeiert? In meinem Herzen habe ich auch gefeiert. Ich schrieb dir die Addresse immer selber, oder soll ich sie lieber Latinisch schreiben? Alice hat ja auch Deutsch geschrieben, und haben es bekommen! So bitte bald um Anwort. Hat Gustav noch Arbeit? So seit herzlich GegruBt, von Eure lieben Mutter, und gib jeden ein KuB von mir, und laB alle Bekannten vielmals GruBen. Liebe Bertha, hast du den Brief mit den Karten an ???? und Ruth erhalten? Ich laB alle herzlich gruBen, auf baldige Antwort. Die Beste GruBe von Ernst und Frau und Kinder.
(From Johanne Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee. No date, probably from Kiel in February, 1911 or so)
Dearly loved children:
I have already waited for a long time, hoping for a letter, but it was useless. Did you receive our letter for Gustav’s birthday? Dear children, I also anxiously await a newspaper! Dear children, now I can write you again, that my leg is again healed, but it still pains somewhat. But I thank the loving God, that it is so far better again! Dear children, I had something … (unknown, can’t read). How is it going with you, with work? Berthold wrote, that he hasn’t worked in the shop since new year. That is sad. Maybe it is better now? The entire world is one; here they also strike everywhere! What should become of that? It ….(can’t decipher). The business is going very well. There no one gets any sleep time! Everything is also so expensive. The meat is a lot cheaper by you than it is here. What are the dear children doing? Is Alice (written: Ellis) still well? Mine here are also, God be thanked, all well. That is the most important. So man can have so much, but it is all nothing. I wrote you, that my brother died. He has it the best. So, dear children, there I ask for an answer soon, and dear Alice, please write me also once. I rejoiced, that you stitched/sewed a beautiful pillow for your Papa. He already rejoice over that! Dearest Bertha and Gustav, his and the children’s pictures I see so gladly. Dear Bertha, I must write you, that when I send cards, I send them always, so that they don’t know. You can only write “I received the letter, the children rejoiced a lot.” I write letters always, when they aren’t there. Ernst doesn’t write at all. When I write, I’ll always send cards, so you have a memory. I can’t forget you. How did you celebrate the birthday? In my heart, I also celebrated. I write you the address always myself, or would it be better if I wrote it “Latin-style”. Alice wrote also in German, and I received it! So I beg please for an answer soon. Does Gustav still have work? So be heartily greeted, from your loving mother, and give everyone a kiss from me, and let all acquaintances be greeted many times. Dear Bertha, did you receive the letters with the cards for (????) and Ruth? I let all be heartily greeted, awaiting an answer soon. The best greetings from Ernst and wife and children.
Kiel, den 6 Marz, 1911
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Eure lieben Brief und Bild habe ich erhalten, und habe mich herzlich gefreut, und auch nicht gefreut uber die trauergeschickten! Das ist ja ein Jammer. Solche Junge Menschen! Aber die haben das Beste. Was hat man auf der Welt. Nichts als Jammer! Und dieser Schreck fur solche Ehen. Der Fleischer wird sich schoen Gremen. Die lebten doch so glucklich, und bei Wirt ??? auch ??? bei Witwe Hacke(?) auch. Solche gute Frauen! Was ist der Mensch? Kein Tag vor Totsicher! Lieber Bertha, ich hatte den Brief gerade fertig, ich wollte ihn gerade fortschicken, da komm das Bild und Brief. Oh, ich habe mich so uber Gustav’s Bild gefreut. Er sieht sehr hubsch aus! Er soll mir auch einmal ein paar Zeilen schreiben. Ich wollte euch gern noch einmal wiedersehen, aber am Jehnseits. Bitte, die paar Tage, die ich noch lebe, da schreib recht oft, da bin ich zu Frieden!
Ich hab’ es ja gut, aber keine Ruhe! Die haben auch ihren Arger, mit so vielen Leuten. Was nutzt das alles, zusammenscharen, wenn sie sich so hingeben, aber die machen sich Sonntags lustig, und wochentags auch, aber das ist alles nichts. Gemutlich leben, das ist was schoenes! So lebt rechtherzlich wohl, und gruBt alle bekannten, und Berthold laB ich auch herzlich gruBen. Ich habe mich wieder gefreut, von euch, ihr Lieben, zu horen. Das die Yust so schnell gestorben ist, was macht die Frehming? Ich laB alle herzlich GruBen, und werde auch an alle denken. Die beste GruBe an die Verwandschaft, und liebe Bertha, bitte um die Zeitung, die gehen mir uber alles. Die Dreizehn (13th) werde ich auch von Bertl denken, die ganze Welt ist eins. GruB mir Hans und Frau. So lebe herzlich wohl, ja, du wolltest gerne wissen, welche Sohn es ware, der heiBt Karl, hat Kaufmann gelernt. Kurt ist doch gestorben, der war Muller. Und Paul ist Tierarzt(?) Er hat den Kummer, sie schreibt mir immer schoene Briefe, die arme Bertha, die ist immer krank, die kann nichts esses als Suppen. Das ist auch ein Jammer!
(From Johanne Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
Kiel, the 6th of March, 1911
Heartily loved children!
I have received your loving letter and picture, and have heartily rejoice, and also not rejoiced over the sad news! That is a mess! Such young people! But they have it best. What does one have in the world? Nothing but problems! And this terror for such honorable ones. The butcher will be already grim. They live so happily, and by work and by widow Hacke also. Such good women. What is man? No day safe from death! Dear Bertha, I had just finished the letter, I wanted it to send it write away, then came the picture and letter. Oh, I have rejoiced so much over Gustav’s picture! He looks very nice! He should write me again a few lines. I would like to see you again, gladly, but in the hereafter. Please, the few days, that I still live, please write often, then I’ll be at peace!
I have it very good, but no quiet! They have also their problems, with so many people. What good does it do, to share things together, when they go around like they do? But, they laugh themselves silly on Sunday, and weekdays, too, but that is all worth nothing! Peaceful and comfortable living, that is something beautiful! So live really well, and greet everyone I know, and Berthold I let also heartily greet. I have always rejoiced, my loved ones, to hear from you. That the Yust so quickly died, what is the Frehming (his wife?) going to do. I let all be greeted heartily, and will also think on everyone. The best greetings an the relatives, and dear Bertha, please send a newspaper, I like them above all else! The 13th I will also think about Bertl, (Bertha Geerdts’ birthday, March 13th) the whole world is one. Greet also Hans and his wife from me. So live heartily well. Yes, you wanted gladly to know, which son it was, it was Karl, he learned to be a salesman. Kurt has died, he was a miller. And Paul is a veterinarian. He has a lot of worries, they write me always beautiful letters, the poor Bertha, she is always sick, she can’t eat anything but soup! That is also a mess!
23 April, 1911
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Ich will euch Zeitig schreiben, damit ihr eine Karte bekommt, und das ihr Lieben wieder ein mal hort. So wunsch ich, daB Euch mein schreiben bei der besten Gesundheit antreffen mag. Was mich anbetrifft, bin ich, Gott sei Dank, wieder etwas besser. Das Bein war ganz schoen zu gehalten, und in vier Wochen, brach es wieder auf. Da bin ich drei mal zum Doktor gegangen, da ist es wieder besser. Ich kann auch jetzt etwas essen. Sonnst habe ich gar nichts gegessen, bloB Buttermilch getrunken.
Liebe Kinder, wie ist bei Euch die Witterung? Hier ist ein schrechtes Wetter; immer Regen und Kalte! Das kommt von den Wasser, von der Werft. Wenn man das sieht, dann steht der Verstand still! Liebe Kinder, hier schicke ich Euch Geburtstag Karten. Da schreibt, nur die Kinder hatten sich so gefreut uber die paar Zeilen, den der Ernst liebt der Schreiben gar nicht. Ich schreib’ immer, wenn sie nicht da sind, Sonntags. Schreib mir bitte recht oft; ich bin alle Tage bei Euch. Ich sehe mir die Bilder schnell einmal an, und denke der Gustav hatte keine Bachen (cheeks) mehr! Es ist ein hubsche Bengel (rascal). Er hat sich noch nicht viel geandert! Der verlebt der Tag recht vergnugt. Ich werde ihm auch im Herzen feiern, und an euch, ihr Lieben, denken.
Liebe Kinder, hier wird alles ganz anders. Gekocht, gebachen wird er gar nicht. Ich esse bloB Brot. Wenn ich an die schoene Monstrudle denke, da mochte ich weinen, und zu Haus an den schoenen Struesselkucken. Das war ein Festtag! Die kaufen alles und alles so teuer! Keine Wurst und Fleisch, kann ich gar nicht essen. Wenn es nicht besser ist, na, viellicht dauer es nicht mehr lange. Ich habe die Welt satt. Wenn man alt ist, dann ist die Welt gar nichts. Was habe ich schon durchgemacht fur Schrech! Die machen sich das Leben, dann wissen Sie nicht wohin. Ich gehe nicht aus. Die sind froh, daB ich aufpaB. So viel fremde Leute; die Madle kommen schnell weg; die treiben sich des Nachts herum, mit den alten Soldaten. Das ist eine Wirtschaft! Ich bin manchmal ganz von Sinnen. Die sind ja gut zu mir; die sind zu GroBartig, die Hausschreiner, die was haben, die sind uberspannt, und das weiBt ihr ja auch. Ihr ja nur nicht groBartig. Was sind wir Menschen? Gemutlich ists halbe Leben. Die haben den Tag nicht Zeit zum essen, was haben die fur ihr biBchen Leben? Die mussen sich einmal raus machen, und sieben Einwohner, da kommt manche Arger vor, was die ersparen werden, die Schweigersonne mogen.
Was machen Gladys und Bertl? Aber Liebe Bertha, schreib mir mal schnell wie mir was mit, der Ernst hat auch schon viel mit ihr durchgemacht. Die hat ubers Jahr krank gelegen, beim Jungsten Madchen, die ist etwas …. Aber jetzt gehts ja. Der Ernst ist ja tuchtig. Macht sich das Geschaft. Er hat ja auch zwolf tausand Mark erspart. Er hat sich mir eine Cigare gekauft, aber jetzt der macht reisen mit dafur (?) Der ist so still und so gehoben(?) Der argert sich uber nichts. Der hat eine Ruhe die, eine Ruhigen Character, das ist was wert, und sie ist gleich immer so aufgeregt. Die machen doch die Stadt! Der Ernst geht wie Graf, aber das kann ich nicht vertragen, schimpfen der ganzen Tag uber die Madel (Maids). Sie hat schon neun Madchen gehabt, weil ich da bin, aber da lebst du, liebe Bertha, wie in Himmel, aber er schrieb nichts davon. Ich habe die Zeitung bald ausgelesen. Das ist ein Einziges! Liebe Bertha, schreib bitte bald wieder, ob ihr die Karten erhalten habt. So feiert ihr den Geburtstag recht Gesund, ich werde es sie im Herzen feiern. Liebe Bertha, gruB mir alle Bekannte und lebt alle Herzlich wohl. Noch tausand GruBe an euch, ihr Lieben, von euren lieben Mutter, J. Starke.
Liebe Bertha, ich habe vieles vergessen; ich schreibe gleich wieder.
(From Johanne Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
23 April, 1911
Heartily loved children!
I want to write you right away, so that you receive a card, and that you loved ones again hear from me. So I wish, that my writings will find you in the best of health. As far as I am doing, I am, God be thanked, again somewhat better. The leg was completely beautifully better, and in four weeks, it started swelling again. So then I went to the doctor three times, and now is it better again. I can also now eat a little. Otherwise I wasn’t eating anything, just drinking buttermilk.
Dear children, how is the weather by you? Here it is terrible weather; always rain and cold! That comes from the water (Baltic Sea), from the storms. When one sees that, then stands the understanding still! Dear children, here I send you birthday cards. So write, only the children have so rejoiced over the few lines (they get), because Ernst doesn’t like to write at all. I write always, when they’re not there, on Sundays. Write me please very often; I am every day with you. I look at the pictures quickly now and then, and think that Gustav doesn’t have any cheeks anymore! He is a beautiful rascal! He hasn’t changed much! So live the birthday really comfortably; I will celebrate it also in my heart, and think on you, you loved ones.
Dear children, here it is all different. No one cooks or bakes at all. I only eat bread. When I think on the beautiful Strudel (coffeecake), then I would like to cry, and at home, thinking on the beautiful crumbcake. That was a celebration day! They buy everything, and everything is so expensive! No sausage and meat, I can’t eat them at all. When it doesn’t get any better, well, maybe it won’t take too much longer (until she passes away.) I am fed up with the world. When one is old, then is the world completely worthless. What kind of terrors haven’t I already gone through!?! They make themselves such a life, then they don’t know where they are going. I don’t go out. They are glad, that I stand watch. So many foreign people. The girls go quickly out; they go around nights, with the old soldiers. That is really something! I am sometimes completely crazy about it. They are very good to me; they are too big for their britches, the house owners, that have something, they are overwhelmed, which you also know. Only you aren’t too stuck up. What are we as mankind? Living comfortably and happily is half the life. During the day they don’t even have enough time to eat! What do they have for their little bit of life? They have to go out sometimes, with seven people in the house, there sometimes comes some anger, what they would like to avoid, and what the son-in-laws would like as well.
What are Gladys and Bertl doing? But dear Bertha, write me once quickly how it is, because Ernst has also gone through a lot already. During the year, the youngest daughter laid sick, that was something … but now it is going okay. Ernst is diligent. He does his job. He has saved twelve thousand Marks. He bought a cigar for me, but now he has to travel for his business. He is so quiet and so inward. He doesn’t get mad about anything. He has a quiet like, a quiet character, that is worth something, and she (his wife) is always so quickly upset. They do the town! Ernst goes like a count, but that I can’t tolerate, yelling all day long at the maids. She has already had nine maids, while I’ve been here, but there you live, dear Bertha, like in heaven, but he doesn’t write anything about that. I have almost finished reading the newspaper. That is really something! Dear Bertha, write please soon again, if you have received the cards. So celebrate you the birthday in good health, I will celebrate it with you in my heart. Dear Bertha, greet all the people I know and live all heartily well. Again, a thousand greetings on you, you loved ones, from your loving mother, J. Starke. Dear Bertha, I have forgotten much; I’ll write again right away.
Johanna Starke 7 Mai, 1911
Herzlich geliebte Kinder! Eure lieben Briefe habe ich erhalten, von dir, liebe Ellis, und Bertha. Ich habe mich herzlich gefreut. Ihr ward doch zu schone Kinder! Ich denke alle Tage an euch, und siehe mir eure Bilder an. Bei Ernst ist jetzt auch eine in die hohere Tochterschule gegangen. Das war so was! Die andere, die geht erst zu Jahr; die gehen mit sieben Jahre erst. Gertrude ist immer kranklich. Liebe Bertha, deine Zeitungen habe ich erhalten, und danke herzlich! Dem Brief bekam ich Mittags, das Bild Abends, und die Zeitung am anderen Tag. Ich hatten den Brief schon zugemacht. Der Gustav sieht allerliebst aus. Ich habe das Bild gekuBt.
Liebe Kinder, was macht ihr Lieben? Ist alles munter? was ich doch hoffe. Was mich betrifft, bin ich Gott sei Dank wieder so ziemlich munter, aber ich bin immer noch so schwach. Lieber Kinder, ach ich sehe doch gar nichts …??? auf der StraBe den ganze Tag, so viel unruhe. Da habt ihr des doch Himmlisch! Und die Hohne, das ist was schones, diesen schonen Garten. Hier sieht man nichts. Der Ernst, der spricht, er war lieber Glucklich. Das Geschaft geht gut, und gesund ist er auch immer. Und er kann es ja haben! Monntag und Dienstag geht er auf dem Schlachthof. Dienstag wird Gewurstet, und Mittwoch wird Gekegelt, und ins Theater und Konzert. Das Kiel ist ein Nest, der Schlachter ist groBartiges, Kohn…???, Ich werde krank dabei. Es ist die neue Welt, die Alten sind dumm. Liebe Kinder, wie ist es mit der Arbeit? Hast du immer Arbeit? Das, ich auch wunsche. Die ganze Welt ist ein hin und hier. Auch viele, die keine Arbeit haben. Hier ist alles so groBartig, nicht viel Grundlichkeit. Ach! nicht wie Schlesien. Dort ist die Gemutlichkeit zu Hause. Hier wird jeden dummen Jungen “Sie” gesagt! Das ist fur mich nichts.
Liebe Bertha! Wenn du schriebst, da schreib nicht wegen der Karten, da schreib immer. Die Kinder haben sich sehr gefreut, uber der Parzallen. Der Ernst ist auch gar nicht von schreiben. Sie waren ein paar Tage, einmal weg, da sagte ich, “ich will Anni schreiben”, da sagte er, “ach, daB werde ….???? schreiben”. Seit dem, schrieb ich immer wenn sie nicht da sind. Liebe Bertha, bitte schreib mich immer recht oft. Wenn wollt ihr die Reise antretten? Da kommt nur bald, danach, ich mit. Da komm ich wenigstens in ein Grab. Aber schreib mir was davon. Ernst fragte mich einmal, “Mochtest du wieder nach Amerika?” Ich sagte, “Ehrlich, wenn es nur bis Hamburg ware! Da sagte er nichts. Und ich habe Heimweh nach Euch allen! Was ist das Leben auf diese Erde? Liebe Kinder, da lebt dir ein paar Tagen noch nicht gut, mit Gesundheit. Das wunsche ich euch, liebe Bertha.
Und was macht mein alle liebste Gladys? Spricht sie auch noch manchmal von mir? Ich war doch allen so gut! Hier ist kein Lieber. Die sind zu groBartig. Die Madel denken, wunderschon was sie sind. Ein anderes Mal, mehr. Ich screibe sehr in Eile. Liebe Kinder, da laBt nicht zu lange auf Antwort warten! Ich freue mich immer, so was von Euch zu horen! Da gruBe alle Bekannte, Frau Rent, (Kent??), Dirk, und die Herrn Hans, und alle Verwanten. Was macht der gute Fleischer Ernst? Ich laBe alle herzlich GruBen. Da lebt herzlich wohl, ihr meine lieben alle, und dir, lieben Kinder, alle gib jeden eine KuB von mir, und deinen lieben Papa auch. Da seit noch herzlich gegruBt von eure lieben Mutter, J. Starke. Viele gruBe an Familie Gartner…was macht die Wittschen? Ich lasse euch hertzlich gruBen.
Johanna Starke
(From Johanna Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
Johanne Starke
7 May, 1911
Heartfelt loved children! I received your dear letters, from you, dear Alice (written: Ellis), and Bertha. I felt heartfelt joy. You were such beautiful children! I think about you all day, every day, and look at your pictures. By Ernst is now also one child gone to the higher daughter-school. That was a scene! The other goes first in a year; they first get to go at 7 years old. Gertrude is always sick. Dear Bertha, I received your newspaper, and thank you! The letter I got at noon, the picture in the evening, and the newspaper the next day. I’d already closed the letter. Gustav looks very dear. I kissed the picture.
Dear children, what are you dear ones doing? Is everything going well? I hope so. As far as I’m concerned, I’m still, God be thanked, again doing pretty well, except that I’m still so weak. Dear children, ach, I don’t see at all (…???) on the street the entire day, so much unrest. There you have it so heavenly! And the hens, that is something beautiful, this lovely garden. Here one sees nothing. Ernst, he says, he would rather be happy. His shop (butchershop) is going well, and he is also always healthy. And he can have it! Monday and Tuesday he goes to the slaughteryard. Tuesday they make sausage, Wednesday they bowl, and go to theater and concerts. Kiel is a nest, the butcher is grand, (???,) I’m getting sick with all of it. It is a new world, the elderly are stupid. Dear children, how is it going with work? Do you always have work? That, I also wish for you. The entire world is a here and there. There are also many, that don’t have any work. Here is everything so grand, pompous, not a lot of earthly substance. Ach!, not like Schlesien. There is the “Gemutlichkeit” (comfortable friendliness) at home. Here is every stupid youth called in the “Sie” [proper “you” form, usually reserved for older people or as a form of honor] form. I don’t hold much for that!
Dear Bertha! When you write, don’t just write because of the cards, but write always. The children were very happy about the packages. Ernst isn’t much for writing. They were away for a few days, once, and so I said “I want to write Anni” (Ernst’s wife) and he said “ach, that would be …. to write”. Since then, I always write when they aren’t there. Dear Bertha, please write me always right away and often. When are you going to start your trip (to Germany?) Come quickly, and take me with you. Then I’ll at least get into a grave. But write me something about that. Ernst asked me once, “Would you like to go again to America?” I said “Honestly, if it was only as close as Hamburg…!” Then he said nothing. And I have homesickness toward all of you! What is life on this earth? Dear children, you live a few more days good, and healthily … that’s what I wish for you, dear Bertha!
And what is my dear Gladys doing? Does she sometimes still speak about me? I liked them all so much! Here there are no loved ones. They are too grand. The girls think, it’s wonderful, what they are. More another time. I’m writing in a great hurry. Dear children, don’t let me wait long for an answer! I always am so glad, to hear something from you! Greet everyone I know, Frau Rent (Kent?), Dirk, and the Mr. Hans, and all our relatives. What is the good butcher Ernst doing? I let all be greeted from my heart. Live well, all you my dear ones, and you, dear children, all of you give each other a kiss from me, and your dear father also. Be again heartfelt greeted from your loving mother, J. Starke. Many greetings on family Gartner; what is the Widow doing? I greet you all from my heart.
den 14 Mai, 1911
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Eurem lieben Brief habe ich erhalten, und die Zeitungen auch. Liebe Bertha, ich bin bald vertig mit. Liebe Bertha, jetzt kommt die Reisezeit. Ich wollte dich noch einmal fragen, wie der Bruder’s addresse heiBt, der bei euch wohnt. HeinzestraBe kann sie nicht. Ich wollte ihm gern mal aufsuchen, da sei so gut und schreibe bald wieder, und schreib mal ob die Mutter aus Berlin r’uber kommt. Da hatte ich luBt, mitzukommen. Ich wollte euch noch alle ein mal wiedersehen. Ich habe Heimweh nach euch. Ich bin so fur das Gramen. Wenn ich an die schoenen Garten gedenken, und an die schoene Aussicht, da mochte ich weinen.
Liebe Bertha, ich kann gar nichts essen. Kein Fleisch und keine Wurst mag ich nicht. Ein biBschen Suppe und ein biBschen Brot. Das ganz Jahr nichts gebachen ist. Von den Bakern mag ich nichts. Es wird auch ganz anders gekocht; alles ist anders. Die kann weiter nichts wie Salzkartoffeln kochen. Fleisch gibt es alle Tag, aber ich kann keins essen. Da konnte man erzahlen; ach, die sind zu GroBartig! Das kann ich nicht vertragen. Da konnte ich noch vieles schreiben.
Nun, wie geht es euch, ihr Lieben? Ist noch alles munter? Was ich doch hoffe. Was mich anbetrifft, bin ich wieder so halbwegs munter. Das Bein war so schon geheilt, aber in vier Wochen brach es wieder auf. Aber es ist jetzt wieder gut. Wenn es muBte, so bleiben, so nun da seid so gut und schreib mir bald. Oder kommt uber viellicht und holl mich, oder kommt viellicht ein Bekanntes. Alleine unter Fremden traue ich mich nicht. Ich bin bloB gespant, ob die Mutter aus Berlin kommt.
Liebe Kinder, da seid so gut und schreib mich, wie es euch geht. Da kommt und holt mich ab. Aber liebe Bertha, schreib ja nichts davon. Du schreibst “die Mutter kommt” oder “kannst du mitkommen”. Viele GruBe an Frau Witschen….(?) die soll mich wieder holen. Es tut mir sehr Leid um die gute Tochter. Jeder Mensch hat was, aber Glucklich, der Mensch, der von der Bosen Welt weg ist, und es ist halt eine neue Welt, da muB mann nicht zu grunde gehen. Wenn man alt ist, da hat man nichts mehr. Der Tot ist die Rettung, aber ich kann mich in die Welt hier nicht schicken. Hier ist es so ein Nest, mit den vielen Soldaten. Lauter Schlechtigkeit! Heute sind sie wieder weit ausgefahren, zum Sport. Da ist ein Leben! Ich schreib zum Fenster raus. Ich kenn kein Menschen, damit das Leben hat. Ich bedanke mich am Bestens fur Alice und Bertram’s Brief. Hallo, Lieber!
Lieber Bertha, schreibe mit kein Wort, das es mir nicht gefallt. Der Ernst, sehene ich denn Ganzen Tag, das es raus kommt, und ist so kommisch, da sitze ich den ganzen Tag allein. Man hat nichts wie Plaster, nichts Grunes. Die zwei Sommer, weil ich in Schlesien war, da war es schoen, aber von meine Zeit leben auch nicht mehr viel. So nun lebt alle herzlich wohl, und bedankt euch nicht fur die Karte. Schreibe die Kinder hatten sich uber den Brief gefreut. GruB mir alle Bekannten, bei Heinrich, bei Frei, bei Rue, bei Beier Bertha, gruB auch, ich schrieb ihr auch bald. Das lebt alle so herzlich wohl, und seid Tausandmal geGruBt und gekuBt von eure leiben Mutter, Johanne Starke. Bitte, liebe Bertha, schreib nichts, die werden aufreisen.
(From Johanne Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
The 14th of May, 1911
Heartily loved children!
Your loving letter I have received, and the newspapers also. Dear Bertha, I am soon finished with it. Dear Bertha, now comes the travel time. I want to ask you once again, how the brother’s address goes, who lives by you. Heinzestreet it can’t be. I would like to search him out once, so be so good and write again soon, and write once if the mother from Berlin is coming over there. If so, I’d like to come over with her. I would like to see you all once again. I am homesick for you. I am ready for rest. When I think on the beautiful garden, and on the beautiful view, I want to cry.
Dear Bertha, I can’t eat anything at all. No meat and no sausage, I don’t like them. A little soup and a little bread. The entire year, nobody baked anything. From the baker I don’t like anything. Here they also cook completely different; everything is different. They can’t cook anything more than salted potatoes! Meat there is plenty of, all day long, but I can’t eat any. So, one could tell a lot … oh, they are too full of themselves! I can’t tolerate that! But, I could still write a lot more …
Well, how goes it with you, my loved ones? Is everything still well? What I hope. How it goes with me: I am again so halfway well. The leg was so beautifully healed, but in four weeks it broke out again. But now it is better again. When it must stay so, so please be so good and write me quickly. Or, maybe come over and pick me up, or maybe someone I know will come. Alone with foreigners I don’t trust myself. I am very anxious to find out, if the mother from Berlin will come.
Dear children, so be so good and write me how it goes with you. So come and pick me up. But dear Bertha, don’t write anything about that. You write only “the mother comes” or “can you come with”. Many greetings on Frau Witschen. She should pick me up again. I am very sorry about the dear daughters. Everyone has something, but glad is the person, who is away from the evil world, and it is anyway a new world, so must one not go to the ground (literally, “one doesn’t have to fall apart about death”. When one is old, then one has nothing more. The death is the saving, but I can’t send myself here out of the world. Here is it such a nest, with the many soldiers. Pure evil and bad things! Today they are all traveled far away, for sport. That is a life! I write at the window, looking out. I don’t know one soul, such is life here! I am especially thankful for Alice’s and Bertram’s letter. Hallo, loved ones!
Dear Bertha, don’t write a single word with (your next letter), that wouldn’t please me. Ernst, I wish the entire day, that it comes out, and it is so comical, that I just sit here the entire day alone. There is nothing but plaster, nothing green. The two summers, as I was in Schlesien, that was beautiful, but from my generation not many are alive any more. So now live all of you heartily well, and don’t thank for the cards. Write that the children were happy about the letter. Greet all the people I know from me, by Heinrich, by Frei, by Rue, by Beier, Bertha, greet also, I’ll write her also soon. So live all so heartily well, and be thousand times greeted and kissed from your loving mother, Johanne, Starke. Please, dear Bertha, write nothing, they will be upset.
den 27. Mai (?) 1911
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Habt ihr mein Brief erhalten? Mit euren geschriebenen Addresse? Ich muB euch schnell einmals schreiben, fruher als Sonntag. Da sind sie wieder weit aus gefahren. Ernst war acht Tage in Sachsen, mit ein paar Schlachters (Butchers), und auf dem Mitwoch machen so eine groBe Tour, zum Kegelklub tournee. Der ist doch beim Kegelklub. Alle Mitwoch geht’s kegeln. Nun von der Reise. Ernst sagte, er wollte mich nach Hamburg oder nach Bremen bringen, auf einem Schnelldampfer, aber wenn du, liebe Bertha, kannst noch einmal nach hier kommen, das ware zu Himmlisch, auf den Schiff gar muB keine Angst, aber von Neu York, das ist mir Banger! Wenn da eine Gelegenheit ware, wie wurde ich mich freuen! Die liebe Frau Starke ist gar nicht gut zu sprechen. Sie denkt, wer dann soll das alles nahen, und aufpaBen. Ich will kein Tag nicht mehr da sein. Ist das ein Leben! Die sind alle…. Zu Hause ist sie so geitzig, aber sonnst mag es, kostet so viel es will! Sie haben Gestern, wieder ein neues Madchen bekommen, und ist das eine Wirtschaft! Ich kann das groBartige nicht ausstehen, dann mochte ich lieber weg sein. Du hast Geschwister!
Ich hatte Heimweh, das war zu viel, als wenn ich hier was hatte. Das ganze Tag kommt sie nicht einmal ‘rein. Da muB ich mich so versehnen, ich kann gar nicht mehr Reisen, ich bin in Gedanken immer bei Euch. Ach, wenn ich euch, ihr Lieben, bald sehen konnte, dann wollte ich gerne sterben. Hier ist es nichts fur mich. Wenn ich das eher gewuBt hatte, da hatte ich konnen mir daruber machen. Hier aus Kiel macht einer ruber, der ist zwei Jahre in Ohio gewesen. Die Frau hat immerfort geweint. Ich habe mit ihr gesprochen, die fahren schon Monntag im Hamburg weg. Die sagte, so ein Loch wie Kiel, wer geb es mindestens gib es nicht alles so teuer, und das Fleisch, und das Brot teuer. Eltern wohnen beim Ernst, aber jetzt sind sie davon, da wo der war. Der nach Amerika will. Die sagte solche verruckte Menschen hatte sie noch nie gesehen. Er ist immer in GroBen Hotels. Da hat er viel verdient. Die freut sich so sehr! Ich wollt sie einmal besuchen, aber es war weit. Sie ist aus Bremen??, und von dort gleich nach Hamburg. Morgen schwimmen sie schon. So schnell hatte keine gedacht. Der hat auch auf immer schoene Posten gehabt. Die Frau hat so geweint. Wer hier in Kiel was hat, die sind verruckt. Ein Arbeiter ist gar nichts.
Liebe Kinder da wunsche ich euch Gesundheit und Gluck die paar Tage. Liebe Bertha, der wurde dir schon das Reisegeld geben, aber schicken, das weiB doch… Da sei so gut und schreib mal ganz gern wie ihr denkt mit deinen lieben Gustav und Kindern. Diese Freude kann ich mir gar nicht denken. Ernst sagte, wir muBten einen Schnelldampfer nehmen, da waren wir in sechs daruben. Ja, der mochte! Ich nicht. Der macht sich das Leben angenehm. Die zwei Madel versichten fur ganz, da scheint sie so, das Geld immer voraus, das ist ein, das Glaubt niemand, also wenn du, Bertha, was sagst, da schrieb, da konnte ich gleich auf die Eltern mitmachen. Hier ist keine Gemutlichkeit. Viele Tausand GruBe an die lieben Eltern und liebe Bertha, und ihr, was ihr tat, da bekommst du von deine lieben Kindern wieder, das kostet nicht viel. Vierzig Dollar, oder Dreizig, man kann schon ganz billig fahren. Seid tausend mal gegruBt von eure lieben Mutter, und gruBe alle Bekannte. Wenn Gott will, dann sehen wir uns ja wieder. Diese Freude! Da schreib, liebe Bertha, was … ich bin zufrieden. Es ist wie …. Ich freue mich schon. Herzlich GruBen alle Bekannte.
(From Johanne Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
The 27th of May, 1911
Heartily loved children!
Did you receive my letter? With your address written? I must write you quickly again, earlier than Sunday. They have again traveled far away. Ernst was in Sachsen for eight days, with a couple of butchers, and on Wednesday made such a big tour, for a bowling club tournament. He is in a bowling club. There’s bowling every Wednesday. Now, about the trip. Ernst said, he wants to bring me to Hamburg or to Bremen, onto a steamship, but when you, dear Bertha, could come here once more, that would be too heavenly. On the ship I don’t have any worries, but from New York, that is worrisome to me! If there would be an opportunity there, how I would rejoice! The “dear” Frau Starke: she won’t even talk about it. She thinks, “Who is going to sew everything, and pay attention to the house?” I don’t want to be there another day. Is that a life! They are all … the house is so vital to them, but otherwise I like it, costs it so much as it wants. They got another new maid yesterday, and that is a business! I can’t tolerate all that “greatness”, then I would rather be away. Such siblings you have!
I was homesick, it was too much, as though I had anything here. The entire day she doesn’t come to see me once! So I must have such sorrow in my heart, I can’t even travel anymore, I am always thinking about you. Ach, if only I could see you, you loved ones, soon, then I would gladly die. Here there is nothing for me. If only I had known that sooner, I could have gotten myself over there. Here from Kiel a person went over, he was in Ohio for two years. His wife cried all the time. I spoke with her, they are leaving Monday already from Hamburg. She said, such a hole like Kiel, where there is at least a place where not everything is so expensive, like here, and the meat, and the bread are so expensive. The parents lived with Ernst, but now they have left; the parents of the one who wanted to go to America. She said that such crazy people she had never seen. He is always in big hotels, where he earned a lot. She rejoiced so much! I wanted to visit her once, but it was far. She is from Bremen, and then from there she went straight to Hamburg. Tomorrow they are already on the water. So quickly, no one thought! She had also always gotten beautiful mail. The wife cried so much all the time! The ones who have something here in Kiel, they are crazy. A worker is completely nothing.
Dear children, so I wish you good health and happiness these couple of days. Dear Bertha, he would give you already the travel money, but to send it, who can be certain. So be so good and write once gladly how you think about this, with your dear Gustav and children. This joy I can’t imagine myself. Ernst says, we must take a steam ship (luxury liner), then we would be over there in six days! Yes, he wants to. Not me! He makes his life so comfortable. The two girls look out completely for themselves, they look so after money, always. That is a … no one believes it! But when you, Bertha, say something, so only write, then I could come right away with the parents. There is no comfort here. Many thousand greetings on the dear parents and dear Bertha, and you, what you did, so you get from your loving children again, that doesn’t cost much. Forty dollars, or thirty, one can already travel very cheaply! Be greeted a thousand times from your loving mother, and greet all who know me. When God wishes, then we’ll see each other again. This joy! So write, dear Bertha, something… I’ll be at peace. It is like … I rejoice already. Heartfelt greetings on all acquaintances.
den 29 Juni, 1911
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Liebe Bertha! Dein lieben Brief habe ich den 28 erhalten und daraus ersehe ich, daB die Mutter nicht kommt. Aber wenn du der Luxus Gesellschaft schreibst, die konnten mich abholen. Der Ernst dachte, er wollte mich bis Bremen oder Hamburg bringen, und du solltest mich in New York abholen. Die haben keine Zeit zum weitreisen. Liebe Bertha, da wirst du ja sehen, wie das wirt, wenn es wirklich solche Reisebeglittung gebe, da ware ganz schoen, uber das Wasser, da furchte ich mich nicht. Aber vor Neu York, da ist mir Banger, wenn es halbwegs geht, und konntest mich eins abholen. Ich bin zu Angstlich. Da sei so gut und schreib, oder frag beim Herrn Luek. Das ware ja schoen. Da kommt der Lehrer (Principal) wieder, der Principal, das brauchte ja nicht so schnell zu gehen. Eine Gemutliche jetzt Reisen sie ja nicht alle. Die Soldaten aus Amerika sind zur Kieler Woche. Das ist ein Leben! Aus allerhand Landern sind sie hier. Das ist ein Schreiben! Ich sehe mir nichts an, mich interestiert nichts. Da seid herzlich gegruBt von eure lieben Mutter und Ernst, tochter und Kinder, viele GruBe an alle Bekannte. Bitte Schreibe bald wieder. GruB alle Bekannten und die Eltern.
(From Johanne Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
The 29th of June, 1911
Heartily loved children!
Dear Bertha! Your loving letter I received on the 28th and from that I see, that the mother isn’t coming. But when you could write the Luxury Club, they could pick me up. Ernst thinks, he wants to take me as far as Bremen or Hamburg, and you should pick me up in New York. They don’t have any time to travel far. Dear Bertha, so you will soon see, how that is, if there is really such a travel escort service, that would be very beautiful. Over the water, there I don’t fear. But from New York, that is worrisome to me, but it is okay, if someone could pick me up. I am too worried. So be so good and write, or ask Herr Luek. That would be wonderful. There comes a principal again, the principal, so that doesn’t need to go so quickly. A comfortable trip, not everyone travels so. The soldiers from America are here for the Kiel Week (a big ship festival). That is a life! From every land are they here; that is something to write about! I’m not going to see anything; nothing interests me. So be greeted heartily from your loving mother and Ernst, wife and children, many greetings on all my acquaintances. Please write soon again. Greet all acquaintances and the parents.
6 August, 1911
Herzlich geliebte Kinder!
Geliebe Kinder! Euren lieben Brief habe ich Sonnabend erhalten und habe mich sehr gefreut! Liebe Kinder, der Ernst sagte, liebe Bertha, er wollte mich bis Hamburg bringen. Von New York aus selbst solltet ihr so gut sein und mich abholen. Das Reisegeld bekommst du, das bring ich dir mit. Viellicht borgt dir die Frau Yennig (?) die paar Tage, sie bekommt es ja gleich wieder. Ernst wird sich bekummern, mit welchem Schiff ich komme, und wie wurde ich mich freuen, eins von Euch zu sehen! Diese Freude! Es ist schade, das die Berliner schon weg sein. Ich werde so gern mit ihr gekommen, den der lieber Gott helft, das wir Gesund wieder sind. Denen ist es gar nicht recht, aber mir gefallt es keine Stunde mehr. Mann ist wie verlassen, den ganzen Tag so allein. Ich kann gar nichts essen, aber es wird woll wieder besser werden, wenn ich euch werde sehe! Und wenn ich bloB noch ein paar Tage leb’, dann bin ich glucklich! Ich bin noch nicht aus gewesen. Immer habe ich die Gedanken bei euch. Ja, da sei so gut, und schreib noch die paar Zeilen. Es wird noch ein Weilchen dauern, bis alles fertig ist. Der Gustav soll es mit bemerken, daB ich mein Grab und meine Sterbekasse dort hab’. Nun wollt ich wieder zu meine Kindern. Hier ist keine ruhe. Wie alles ein altes Beruhe und Gemutlichkeit haben. Die haben es auch schon manchmal sat. Alles mundlich heute sind sie schon so lange fort. Die Tochter war vierzig Tage verreiBt, aufs Land zu Erholung. Trudel ist funf Wochen auf dem Land gewesen, und Ilse ist auch auf dem Land gewesen. Es wird aber nicht besser; die sind zu verwohnt. Die kriegen allen Millen gemacht. Wie eurer Lieben Kinder sein, das kann sie nicht. Es ist trauig, wenn man sich die Kinder nicht selber erziehen kann.
Liebe Kinder, da seid so gut und schreib gleich. Ich warte so lange bist du schreibst, ob du nach New York kommst. Das Geld schickt er dir mit. Er sagte, viellicht konnt ihr spater, die weiB schon warum. Ich nehe jetzt die ganzen Sachen, die darf kein Stich nehen, aber ich kann nicht mehr. Ich bin manchmal schon ganz schwach, wenn ich an alles denke! Der ERnst nimmt sich das Leben leicht. Der ist so kalt. Der macht sich Geld Vergnugen. Ja, die Leute muBen es geben, so teuer das Linselwurst und Fleisch. Ihr lieben Kinder, ich bet’ bloB, immer, das wir einander bloB noch einmal wieder sehen! Lange wird es nicht mehr dauern! Da seid tausand mal gegruBt, und jedem Kind gibt von mir ein suBen KuB und frohes Wiedersehen! Der gruBt alle Bekannte. Bei Berthold laB ich herzlich gruBen. Ich warte alle Tage auf ein Brief. Was machen die lieben Eltern? Was sagte die liebe Mama? Alles mundlich, liebe Bertha! Da sei so gut und schreib gleich. Ich warte bis du geschrieben hast. Da seid noch tausandmal herzlich gegruBt. Von euren Lieben Mutter, Johanna Starke. Eins an euch alle gelieben Kinder, Gustav und du, liebe Bertha! Ich fahre zweite Klasse. Leb herzlich wohl!
(From Johanne Starke, to her daughter Bertha Starke Geerdts & family in Milwaukee)
6 August, 1911
Heartily loved children!
Loved children! Your loving letter I received Saturday evening, and rejoiced over it! Loved children, Ernst says, dear Bertha, he wants to bring me as far as Hamburg. From New York itself you should be so good, and pick me up. You’ll get the travel money; I’ll bring it to you. Maybe the Frau Yennig will lend it to you for the couple of days. She’ll get it back right away. Ernst is worried about what ship I’ll go on, and how I would rejoice, to see one of you! This joy! It is too bad, that the people from Berlin are already gone. I would have so gladly traveled with her, but the loving God helps, in that I’m healthy again. They don’t like it (that I want to leave), but I don’t like even an hour here any more. I am nearly abandoned, the entire day left so alone. I can’t eat anything at all, but it would again be better, when I could see you! And when I only could live a couple of days more, than I would be happy! I have still not gone out. I always am thinking of you. Yes, so be so good and write again the few lines. It will still take a little time, until everything is finished. Gustav should herewith note, that I have my grave and my coffin over there. Yes, I want to go again to my children. Here there is no peace. Like everything, an old-fashioned peace and contentment is what I want. They have it up to here sometimes, too. Everything imaginable. Today they are already gone out for so long. The daughter was gone traveling in the country for 14 days, to relax and collect herself. Trudel (Gertrude) was in the country for five weeks, and Eilse was also in the country. But it didn’t get any better; they are too used to (the city life). They get everything (clothes) made for themselves. To be like your loving children, they can’t do that. It is sad, when one can’t raise the children by oneself.
Loved children, so be so good and write immediately. I’ll only wait so long until you write, if you’re coming to New York. The money he’ll send to you with me. He says, maybe you could come later, they know already why. I knit/mend all their things, she can’t mend one stitch, but I can’t do any more. I am sometimes already completely weak, when I think about everything. Ernst takes life so easily. He is so cold. He is comfortable and pleased only with money. Yes, the people must give it, so expensive is the Linselsausage and meat. You loved children, I pray only, always, that we can simply see one another one more time. It won’t last much longer! So be greeted a thousand times, and give each child, from me, a sweet kiss and a joyful “till we see you again!” So greet all the acquaintances. At Berthold’s I send greetings. I wait all day for a letter. What are the loved parents doing? What does the dear Mama say? Everything possible, dear Bertha! So be so good and write, right away. I’ll wait, until you have written. So be again a thousand times greeted, from my heart. From your loving mother, Johanna Starke. One to you all, loved children, Gustav, and you, dear Bertha! I’ll travel second class. Live well!
Black trimmed letter, “Kiel, den 12/9.11.” (Sept. 12, 1911) from Ernst Starke (Bertha’s brother)
“Liebe Gustav u. Bertha!
Mache euch hiermit die trauige Mitteilung, daB unseren lieben Mutter gestern Abend sanft und ruhig eingeschlafen ist. Die Beerdigung ist am Freitag Nachmittag um 4 Uhr auf dem Sud Friedhof. Mutter kommt mit in dem Erbbegrabness bei meimen Eltern. Es tut uns unendlich Leid, daB ihr Geschwister nicht noch ein Mal unsere Mutter sehen konnt. Sie sieht wirklich sehr gut aus, sie liegt so friedlich. Mutter hat schon den ganzen Sommer viel geklagt, und wir meinten Anfangs, es sei Rheumutismus. Seit vier Wochen wurden der groBen Zie schwartz, und so ist der halbe FuB so nach und nach auch ganz schwartz geworden. Mann nennt die Krankheit “Altersbrannt”. Folgen Montag hatten wir noch den Professor geholt; er sagte uns aber, sie sei schon zu alt, um das Bein opperieren zu lassen. Sie ist noch jeden Tag auf den Kannopie gewesen. Seit Sonnabend Morgen liegt sie standig zu Bett.
Mutter hat zuletzt Einspritzung bekommen, welche ihren Schmertzen sehr lindeten. Der letze Tag war ohne BewuBtlosigkeit. Bis auf eine Stunde vor dem Tode rief sie mich noch beim Namen. Sie ist wohl daran, denn sie hat die letzen Wochen entsetzlich ausgehalten. Das Mutter weider noch daruber wollte, war schon die Unruhe in ihr. Sie wollte gerne neben ihrem Sohn Otto liegen, und dann meinte Mutter immer, sie wurde uns zur Last werden, in dem Geschaft, nun sollte sie langer Bettleidrig werden. Sie hat ausgelitten und liegt zufriedlich da.
Troste Euch nun ihr Lieben, den Mutter ist wohl bei uns im Graben meinen lieben Eltern aufgehoben. Lieben Bertha, ich mochte dich bitten, alle Geschwistern es mitzuteilen, denn wir wissen leider die Addressen nicht. Ernst und die Kinder lassen herzlich GruBen. Mit innigem GruB an euch alle, Ernst Starke. Schreibe recht Bald wieder.
(Black-trimmed envelope & stationary, from Ernst Starke to his sister Bertha Starke Geerdts in Milwaukee)
Kiel, the 12th of September, 1911
Dear Gustav and Bertha! Make it known to you the sad message, that our dear mother yesterday evening quietly and peacefully passed away. The burial is on Friday afternoon at four in the South Cemetery. Mother will be laid to rest in the family plot (literally, “mother comes in the earth burial by my parents”). It does us unending pain, that you siblings couldn’t see our mother one more time. She looks very good, she’s lying so peacefully. Mother complained a lot all summer long, and at the beginning, we thought it was Rheumatism. Since four weeks ago her big toe turned black, and so half of her foot, after a while, turned completely black. They call the sickness “Old folks burn”. The following Monday we got the Professor; he told us, however, that she was already too old to let the leg be operated on. Afterwards she was on the couch every day. Since Sunday morning she was continually in bed.
Mother had, at last, shots, which relieved her pain a great deal. The last day was without loss of consciousness. Up until one hour before death she still called me by name. It is better for her, because she endured a great deal these last weeks. Because mother wanted to go over there (to America) again agitated her. She would gladly have been buried next to her son Otto, and she was also always worried that she would be a burden to us in the business, if she should have to be bedridden much longer. She has finished suffering, and lies there peacefully.
Comfort yourselves, dear ones, because mother is well by us, taken up in the grave of my dear parents. Dear Bertha, I want to ask you, to tell all of the siblings, because we unfortunately don’t know their addresses. Ernst and the children greet you from the heart. With dearest greetings to you all, Ernst Starke. Write again real soon.
Liebe Gustav und Frau: Habe im Krieg verschendenlich nach Amerika geschrieben, doch nie Antwort bekommen. Im August folgen Jahres bekam ich von Richard ein Brief, wollte den Brief gleich beantworten, kam aber nicht dazu. Wir haben diesen Winter viel Krankheit durchgemacht. Ich wurde im Oktober opperiert, nach Weihnachten wurde mein Ernst krank. Er lag drei Wochen mit Blutvergiftung im FuB. Spater stellte sich, Sch…???? Unser Arzt ist einen beruhmter Professor, stellte Arterienverkalkung und HerzvergroBerung fest. Ernst muB danach leben. Habe groBe Sorgen um ihn. Ich bin hier zur Erholung. Mir geht es auch nicht besonders, aber der Krieg hat uns alle mitgenommen. Die Lebensmitteln waren fur teures Geld nicht zu bekommen. Es fehlte an Butter und Milch. Wie geht es euch? Schreibe uns mal nahres. Mein beiden Kinder geht es gut. Die Elteste ist 17 Jahre, die jungste Tochter ist 15, und geht noch zur Schule. Nun nehmt alle viele GruBe von Ernst und den Kindern. Eure Anni Starke. Liebe Bertha, schreib mal uber alle Geschwister von Ernst. Was hat Gustav gefehlt?
Card from Anni Starke, Ernst’s wife (Johanne’s daughter in law)
Malente (probably a spa just south of Kiel) 7 June, 1921
Dear Gustav and wife: Wrote different times to America during the war, but never got an answer. In August after the war (or “last year”) I got a letter from Richard (probably Dehmel), wanted to answer write away, but never got to it. We suffered through a lot of sickness this winter. I was operated on in October, after Christmas my Ernst got sick. He lay three weeks long with blood poisoning in his foot. Later appeared …??? Our doctor is a famous professor, and diagnosed Arterial Sclerosis and enlargement of the heart. Ernst has to live accordingly. Have great worries about him. I am here to rejuvenate myself. I’m also not doing very well, but the war impacted us all. Food supplies were not to be had even for a lot of money. There wasn’t any butter and milk. How are you doing? Write us more about it. My two children are doing well. The oldest is 17 years old, the youngest is 15, and still attends school. Now, all of you take many greetings from Ernst and the children. Your, Anni Starke. Dear Bertha, write once about all the siblings (relatives) from Ernst. What was wrong with Gustav?
