My Third Great Grandmother - Wilhelmine Ziese Maas

My 3rd GGrandmother Wilhelmine Ziese Maas was buried in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Watertown, Wisconsin or was it the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Lebanon, Wisconsin 6 miles away. The only mention I had of her was in an email about 10 years ago from a shirttail cousin. One email he mentioned Lebanon, and the next he mentioned Watertown. He did mention the stone was deteriorating as could be expected since she died so long ago. The hunt was on as we took a whirlwind genealogy tour the summer of 2016. I knew nothing about her other than her birthdate (1825) again from that early email.

Digging in my records, I found her listed as the mother of Bertha Maas Albrecht on Bertha's marriage record to Carl Ewald. Wilhelmine's spouse was listed as Johannes Maas. So now I had names of both GGG grandparents but little else. The Email from Bob also stated that Wilhelmine's full name was Ernestine Wilhelmine Ziese (asa Ziehse) and her husband's full name was Johannes David Maas. He died in a logging accident in Pomerania although no date was given. They both were from Trechel, Pomerania. Their daughter Bertha Emilie Maas was born December 15, 1846 in Basenthin, Pomerania. Still not much to go on about Wilhelmine and Johannes.

Before our trip, I took to the internet to see if I could find more. I used a Facebook Group called Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness and within minutes someone responded with the following.

The first image is the marriage of Johannes David Maas to Ernestine Wilhelmine Ziese in July of 1843.  The second 2 images are the complete baptism record of Wilhelmine Ziese which shows her full name of Ernestine Wilhelmine Henriette Ziese baptized in 1826. Her parents are Johann Ziese and Maria Duwen. My German is lacking so I will need to find a translator to read the rest of the record.

As we came to Lebanon first from Milwaukee, we stopped at the cemetery there. While we found many stones with the name Maas, we were unable to find Wilhelmine born in 1825. On to Watertown where we stopped at the store my GG grandfather Charles Goette had built. Talking to the current proprietor we were able to locate the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Watertown so headed out there. It didn't take long and we found her!

She was born July 15, 1825 and Died June 5, 1919. Not knowing when she came over, I elected to search for some census records. Working backwards I hoped to find her in at least the 1910 and the 1900 Federal census. Possibly also the Wisconsin 1905 and 1895.

The 1900 Federal Census shows her living with her son Albert and family. She is 74 years old, widowed, had 8 children but only 3 are living in 1900. She arrived in the United States in 1888.  I have not found her in the 1910 census yet. So many questions. What were the names of all of her children, how many of them came to America, where did they settle? What port did she arrive? My guess on some of these are they are hidden because of spelling interpretations. I will keep searching.

The Fabric of my Life

The Fabric of my Life

             This quilt has pretty much seen its better days as it has been much used and loved. My grandmother Tillie Albrecht made it in the late 1950’s using scraps of fabric from other projects. Though not displayed on a bed anymore, every time I look at it I can fondly remember the clothing my siblings and I wore from  these fabrics.

           

My Grandmother was a farmer’s wife and having come of age during the Great Depression was resourceful enough to make sure that nothing was wasted. The “batting” for this quilt and others she made were old flannel sheets which added an extra layer of warmth. This quilt is tied with yarn and  was pieced together on her treadle machine. As my grandmother died when I was in second grade, this  quilt brings back memories of a grandmother who left too soon.

Grandma's House

Grandma’s House

I have many fond memories of going to Grandma Swanson’s house in Morse and have shared the floor plan as best as I can recall.  Grandma’s bedroom (or as she called it the front bedroom) was a good sized room with a large opening that had a curtain rather than a door. The closet also had a curtain covering so I really have no idea how large it was.  There may have been a nightstand next to the bed but I don’t recall. The dresser was a large dark mahogany colored piece with a large mirror and several drawers.  It matched the headboard and foot board of the bed. The cedar chest was lighter in color. Next to the cedar chest was this ornately carved wood box that was always a mystery.  The walls were covered with wallpaper though I don’t remember anything of the design.  Grandma’s house always smelled faintly of mothballs.

The front porch was fully screened in and stood in the shade of the 2 large pine trees so in the evening it was cool and breezy. Many hours were spent visiting with neighbors or playing cards while sitting on the porch. The cot was a nice place to take a mid afternoon nap.

The living room had a large overstuffed green striped rocker, a recliner, and a couch with the slanted arms that made it easy to use them for a pillow. In one corner of the room was the large black and white television encased in its wooden cabinet.  The room was also wallpapered. A large area rug covered the hardwood floor.

The dining room was a place of family gatherings. The dark finished table with its matching chairs and large buffet or credenza took up much of the room. Grandma did have a few small plants near the windows. In the far corner stood the large oil burning furnace which heated the house and in the winter would dry mittens and other wet clothing.  The daybed would open from a couch to provide additional sleeping space. This room was also wallpapered and the floor was hardwood.

The back bedroom was a comfortable room with a  tubular steel headboard and footboard on the double bed. Grandma’s treadle sewing machine stood against a wall waiting for her next project. She sewed many Barbie clothes with that machine for her grandchildren. The dresser and matching vanity stood against the wall. In addition, the closet held toys for us to play with while we were there. A clown doll, a sock monkey, both of which she made, a small red wagon, and a baby doll with a blanket. We knew to put them back when we were done playing. This room also had wallpaper and the closet had a curtain rather than a door. Worn linoleum covered the floor.

The most surprising thing in this room was the door in the floor which led to the cellar. We were not allowed in the cellar, but when Grandma would go down for a jar of canned goods, we could see that the primitive ladder led to basically a hole in the ground. There was a dirt floor, and I couldn’t be sure but the walls probably also were dirt. There was a bare light bulb providing adequate light and a few shelves for the home canned goods. The cellar was not very large.

The kitchen was not very large and the formica topped table and chairs just barely fit.  The white steel cabinets covered one wall. The double sink was placed in the middle and under the window so you could look out while doing the dishes.  Over to the right, Grandma kept her stainless steel canisters filled with the staples of every kitchen. Most important to us kids though was the cookie jar which always had cookies in it. A standalone metal cabinet provided additional storage as there were no upper cabinets. The refrigerator had a rounded top with a small freezer on top until in later years it was replaced.  The stove was a behemoth of a woodstove that Grandma would need to feed small pieces of wood in order to cook or bake. She was an expert at using it and all her meals and baked goods came out to perfection.  Next to the stove, there was a tall metal cabinet which she called her pantry that held her canned goods.

The bathroom was unusual in that it did not have a bathtub or shower. Grandma had a large square galvanized steel tub that she would bring in for baths. The water would need to be heated on the wood stove as the house did not have a hot water heater. An appropriate amount of cold water would be added so you didn’t burn yourself. The tub was small and difficult to fit in and wash yourself.  You would stand in the tub and pour warm water over you to rinse the soap off.  You washed your hair in the sink. The bathroom did have a toilet, and a bare sink which she had skirted with fabric to hide the plumbing. Her vanity table with a small mirror and her makeup also had a matching cloth skirt to hide the cleaning supplies.

The completely enclosed back porch was used primarily for storage but at least once a week, Grandma would roll her wringer washer from the wall to the center of the floor and door her laundry. After agitating the laundry in the tub, Grandma would then feed each piece through the wringer to get the excess water off before hanging the clothes outside to dry.  The back porch was the main entry for family to the house so shoes and coats were also left there.  On the wall hung a curious plastic molded picture of a deer driving a car with 2 hunters on the hood. Later I found out that my dad had purchased that as a gift for his father when he was a child.

The family had lived in that house for many years as my uncle Glen was born in that house in 1929. Dad mentioned that during recess he and his friends would walk home from school because they were sure that his mother would have some fresh cookies on the table for them. They were not disappointed. The furnishings I drew were as I remembered in the early 1960’s. I am sure the living room furnishings were also updated from the earlier years.   As I mentioned, the round top refrigerator was replaced, and in the later 1960’s the old wood stove gave way to a newer propane model which I am sure was an adjustment to Grandma’s baking.

My Grandfather's clock

The clock is a mission oak style and family legend (though unverified) has it that it was won by my grandfather, Edwin Albrecht for selling newspapers in Milwaukee as a 12 year old.  I first became aware of the clock shortly after we moved to Charles St in Hiawatha Heights. It was sitting on top of a box in storage in the basement. As a youngster of about 11, I would tease the clock so I could hear its melodious chime. I was told it had a 7 day windup mechanism with the key long gone, that it would not only keep time but activate the chime on the hour and the half hour. I fell in love with that clock.

Pa's Clock: It leans to the right to keep it running though I have not let it run in years. I love the chimes.

Mom also treasured the clock but it sat in the box for the rest of my childhood and teen years. In 1978 I purchased an older home (built in 1924) in Superior Wi and made my move. I wanted the clock. The conversation went like this. "Mom, don't you think Pa's clock would look better on my living room wall than in the basement in the box."  Next trip the clock came north and I was thrilled! I first gave it a good rubdown in tung oil to get rid of the dust and grime. I didn't do the back because it has a wonderful label on it, telling about the clock. Next stop was Nummi Jeweler's clock repair. After about a month, I was able to pick up my WORKING clock complete with a key to wind it. The chimes were just as I had remembered: Melodious and rich, sounding every half hour and on the hour. Occasionally, I needed to reset the chime by moving the large hand to 2 then back to 10 until the chime sounded the correct time. I enjoyed my grandfather's clock for many years. The chimes became silenced once again when Tony moved in as he was a light sleeper. The clock has made the moves with us, and I hope someone of the next generation will cherish it as I have. It has a place of honor on the wall of our bedroom and is now truly an antique at over 100 years old!

The Family Garden

          Throughout history, the family garden was very important. For many, it meant the difference between eating plentifully during the winter or having meager meals. The size of the garden was always in direct proportion to the number of people it needed to feed and family plots could be found not only in rural areas but also in urban yards. Our ancestors were no different. During the late 1880's when most of them immigrated from their homelands, they would make sure a garden spot was hand tilled and planted so the harvest could be preserved for winter eating. During the depression years, the family garden took on a new meaning and many children were enlisted in the garden's care of hand weeding and watering. Of course harvest time also meant the children were able to pick the produce and help with the canning and preservation. These would be the meals they would be fed in the winter so it was important to make sure the garden produced as much as possible. If you had a growing family, a garden would save the family many dollars on the grocery bill. Money was scarce during the depression.

My family was no different.

My mother always had a large garden. There were rows of beans, carrots, tomatoes, several kinds of squash, and cucumbers. There were radishes, and potatoes and a few rows of corn with their tassels swaying in the breeze. The garden would have to produce enough vegetables to feed a family a five for the coming year. That meant during harvest season, Mom spent days processing the fruits of her summer’s labor. These lessons on canning were also shared with Julie and I as we worked along side Mom, learning how to slip tomato skins, cut carrots and beans, and other skills we would need in our future.

As we got older, we also were expected to help in the garden. We were patiently taught to distinguish between a garden plant and a weed. We were taught that if you pull only the tops of the weeds, you would be battling that same weed tomorrow.  Weeds needed to be dug from the root, carefully making sure you got the whole thing and not just a portion. We would need to be extra careful with the weeds that were close to the vegetable plants.  We were taught the best time to harvest, when the vegetables were at their best. Many times after his retirement from the farm, Pa would also help in the garden.

A good gardener always samples the fruits. A plump cucumber was quickly plucked from its vine. I carefully inspected it and realized it would need cleaning before I popped it into my mouth. As my mother taught me, I gently rubbed it up and down on the leg of my jeans slowly twirling it to make sure all sides were cleaned. It crunched as I took a huge bite. Summer gardens!

At the edge of the garden stood the rhubarb patch. Rhubarb likes shade so the patch was located in the shade of the garage. Mom used the rhubarb to make jam, sauce, and my favorite; rhubarb pie. As youngsters, a special treat was when Mom would hand us her tin measuring cup with about ¼ cup of sugar in the bottom and tell us to go pick a stalk of rhubarb. Yummm. We knew we didn’t want a very fat stalk as the more flavorful stalks are about ½ in diameter. We kept the leaf on as we pretended it was a plumed pen needing dipping in ink. We sat on the cool concrete steps and dipped our rhubarb stalk in the sugar and giggling as we ate. 

Mom’s Rhubarb Custard Pie

1 frozen unbaked deep dish 9 inch pie crust or homemade pie crust.

Beat 3 large eggs

Add 2 tablespoons of milk.

Mix and stir in 1 ½ cups of sugar, 3 tablespoons flour and ½ tsp. nutmeg.

Stir in 4 cups of sliced rhubarb.

(I also add a packet of unflavored gelatin and refrigerate right from the oven as some years the rhubarb has too much moisture in it and the pie doesn't set up properly)

Pour mixture into piecrust and bake at 400° for 55 minutes. Allow to cool before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

Remembering ... a doll house

Growing up in a time before personal electronics and other gadgets of today's childhoods, we received gifts that sparked the imagination.  I don't remember the year that I received my doll house, but I do remember it vividly, and remember the hours of enjoyment I got from it. A posting on the internet prompted me to do a little research.

My doll house was built by my dad from McCalls pattern No.150W. I can imagine Dad working hard in his workshop to get everything just right so he would have a very happy daughter when it was presented. Frustration would have let the occasional swear word slip but he would have gotten quickly back on track. For the finishing touches he would ask for an expert opinion from Mom before painting or finishing the decorating. McCalls included a photo on the cover of the pattern.

 

 

Dad's version was very true to the pattern. Made from plywood, the house size was 51" long, 11 1/2" deep, 18 1/2" high. Built to 3/4 scale.  A little girl's paradise world.   Of course my furnishings and decorating was quite different. My kitchen/dining area had tan woodgrain contact paper "linoleum". Cabinets were not built in, and no curtains on the windows. Going upstairs to the living room, I remember the steps as well as the floor covered with Terry Cloth forest green "carpeting", The fireplace was painted black while the "brick" was a dull shade of red. I don't remember wall coverings, but I know Mom would have chosen light tans or grays. "Carpeting" in the bedrooms was again terry cloth (probably an older towel from the cabinet) while the bathroom had "linoleum" again. None of the windows had curtains. Of course the outside was painted also. It sat on a long older dark varnished table that seemed perfect in size for this use. 

 

 Ready to move in.  The family I had was several hard plastic dolls with no clothes on and immovable arms and legs. Reminded me of clothespin dolls but in my imagination they could do everything that real people did. The furniture was again heavy colored molded plastic. I remember the beds as being blue with a white coverlet on top.  The dressers even had drawers that opened! The dining room set was brown, a table and 4 chairs whose fragile legs eventually got broken. The kitchen appliances were separate and in the most modern style of the day. There were some cabinets which included the none working kitchen sink.  The living room had an overstuffed easy chair with couch to match and a small oval coffee table. My memory is fuzzy on other chairs for the living room but I seem to remember at least one. I can't remember the color of the bathroom fixtures but I know they were not white. Pink seems to come to mind.  I loved having the storage drawer, as sometimes in my rearranging, the furniture I wasn't using or the family went in there when I was finished playing.  I wish I had a photo of me playing with it. 

 

 

As we moved, my doll house came with us, and was set up in the basement playroom though I was almost getting too old and my sister Julie was beginning to spend more time with it than I.  Years later, it was redecorated and put to use by the next generation but alas it eventually met its demise and a potential family heirloom was discarded.

 

 

Researching on the internet came up with many photos how others had elaborately decorated their dollhouses with self created furniture miniatures, photos for the walls, curtains, and furnishings. Some even gave it a Victorian look though the house design is decidedly a modern 1950's tri-level. Almost makes me want to find a copy of the pattern and build another one.