Memorial Day - Honoring the Fallen

Decoration Day was officially proclaimed in May of 1868 to honor the soldiers who died in the American Civil War. On the first Decoration Day 5,000 people gathered to decorate the graves of 20,000 Union and Confederate Soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Today we know Decoration Day as Memorial Day. In 1971 Memorial Day was declared a National Holiday.

“Today is the day we put aside to remember fallen heroes and to pray that no heroes will ever have to die for us again. It's a day of thanks for the valor of others, a day to remember the splendor of America and those of her children who rest in this cemetery and others. It's a day to be with the family and remember. 

I was thinking this morning that across the country children and their parents will be going to the town parade and the young ones will sit on the sidewalks and wave their flags as the band goes by. Later, maybe, they'll have a cookout or a day at the beach. And that's good, because today is a day to be with the family and to remember."

-Ronald Reagan, 1986 Memorial Day Speech at Arlington National Cemetery.

As you enjoy your time with family and friends - please take a moment to honor the members of our family who died in service to our country:

American Civil War

Private Andrew Haggerty, my 4h great uncle, was the son of Robert Haggerty and Rebecca Easly. He was born in 1839 and served in the Civil War. He died at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.To learn more about Andrew Haggerty view Private Andrew J. Haggerty - Civil War, Pennsylvania Infantry, 148th Regiment, Company I.

John Loll, my 4h great uncle, was born in Marcholsheim, Alsace, France on 08 Oct 1843. He is the son of Antoine Loll and Mary Ann Jehl, my 4th great grandparents. He arrived in the United States on 07 Oct 1852 at the Port of New York when he was 9 years old with his family. At the age of 18 he would serve in the Union Army. In February of 1862 he would be wounded in battle and would die as a casualty of war on June 10, 1862 in a hospital in Washington, D.C.

Private John McDonald, my 4th great uncle and brother of James McDonald, also served in the civil war. He enlisted as a private on February 25, 1864 at approximately age 28 with Company F, 63rd Regiment.  He was transferred to Company H, the 105th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. He died October 16, 1864 in Beverly, New Jersey. He is buried in Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, Burlington County, New Jersey. His grave marker references Company H, 105 PA. Inf. To view his  his grave marker visit this link. To learn more about John McDonald view The Mystery of Pvt John McDonald - Civil War Solider.

World War II

Memorial Wall, Honolulu, HI

Second Lieutenant Raymond Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, was born in 1922 the son of Francis G. Loll, my 2nd cousin 3x removed, and Elizabeth Hartle. On February 20, 1943, at age 21, Raymond enlisted with the Air Corps in Miami Beach, Florida. Raymond was trained as a B-29 pilot and assigned to the 43rd Bomber Squadron and the 29th Bomber Group designated 'Very Heavy'. On April 14, 1945 Raymond's plane was lost and the crew perished on a Mission to Tokyo. Raymond was recorded as Missing in Action or Buried at Sea. Raymond was 23 years old at the time of his death. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal for his service. He is also honored in the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. To learn more about Raymond Loll view Raymond C. Loll - B29 Bomber Pilot.

Private First Class Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr., my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born 02 Oct 1919 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, my 2nd great grand uncle and Gertrude Anna O'Neill, my 2nd great grand aunt. Ambrose Aloysius was also the brother of Virginia McDonald Geary and is a double cousin to me as we are related by the McDonald and O'Neill lines. Ambrose volunteered for military service and joined the Marine Corps. He was killed by enemy fire in Tarawa in November of 1943, at age 24, upon landing on the beach. He earned a Purple Heart for his service. In addition to being remembered at the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii he also has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. He now has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery,  thanks to his sister Virginia McDonald Geary. Ambrose is featured in the blog post A Letter from Tarawa.

Ambrose Aloysius McDonald, Jr.

The gravemarker for Ambrose in Arlington National Cemetery

Staff Sergeant Christopher D. O'Neill, my 1st cousin 3x removed, was born in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in 1919. He was the son of Owen James O'Neill and Nellie Boyles. Christopher was was a member of the 579th Bomber Squadron, 392nd Bomber Group, Heavy. He served as s a Right Waist Gunner/Assistant Engineer on the B-24 aircraft. He died on November 6, 1943 in a German Hospital in Middelburg, the Netherland after suffering injuries from jumping out his aircraft the day before. He was buried in the Ardennes American War Cemetery in Belgium. He was awarded a Purple Heart and an Air Medal for his service. To view his  his grave marker visit this link.

References:

1. Memorial Day - http://www.usmemorialday.org/&nbsp

GeneaBloggers: May I Introduce To You . . . Michelle Murosky

If you are not familiar with Geneabloggers I would encourage you to check it out! GeneaBloggers encourages family history blogging. The site is a great source with a lot of helpful information.
The site hosts the Genealogy Blog Roll.

Last summer I submitted Our Ancestors - The Murosky & McDonald Ancestral Lines to Geneabloggers for their consideration to be added to the Genealogy Blog Roll. On August 17, 2016 Geneabloggers accepted my submission and incorporated Our Ancestors - The Murosky & McDonald Ancestral Lines!

I was very humbled when Wendy Mathias with GeneaBloggers reached out and asked if I would participate in the "May I Introduce To You . . ." series. Family history is my passion - so I was thrilled to participate. My interview was published today. You can read my interview at May I Introduce To You . . . Michelle Murosky.

Thank you Geneabloggers so much for this fantastic opportunity!

-Michelle

Guth Research Update: F.X. & Leopold Guth

This is the first post in The Guth Research Update Series. The series will be focused on the ancestors of two German born brothers – Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth who settled in Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the mid 1800's. Over the last two years the family has been extensively researched with the assistance of Ute Brandenburg the owner of German Script Experts. I am thrilled to finally share the validation of the original research completed by Jr. Janet Staab many years ago. The Guth Research Update Series will also feature previously unknown Guth family members.

Many years ago Sr. Janet Staab, my cousin and a fellow descendant of Leopold Guth, completed the original research on the Guth family. Her records indicated that two brothers, Francis Xavier and his younger brother Leopold Guth were born in Untersimonswald, Baden, Germany. Based on the evidence available to date Francis Xavier Guth departed Germany in the 1840's.  It appears that Leopold followed in his older brother's footsteps departing Germany in the early 1850's. The brothers settled in Clarion County, Pennsylvania. They were well known in Clarion as business owners - for their trade as jewelers and watchmakers. In the late 1870's the brothers owned several tracks of land in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

The 1877 Illustrated Atlas of Clarion County shows the two brothers owning property in the center of Clarion on Wood Street. Each brother is shown with a double lot. Francis Xavier Guth listed with property number 176 and 177 at the intersection of Wood Street & Fourth Avenue. Leopold Guth listed with property 180 and 181 at the intersection of Wood Street & Fifth Avenue.

1877 Illustrated Atlas of Clarion County
Land Owned by Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth shaded in blue.

The 1877 Illustrated Atlas of Clarion County also identifies tracks of land to the south of town owned by the brothers. In two instances the brothers owned tracks of land located adjacent to each other.

1877 Illustrated Atlas of Clarion County
Land Owned by Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth shaded in blue.

The older of the two brothers, Francis Xavier Guth, married a fellow German immigrant - Fortunata Kemmerer.  The couple married prior to 1850 as they were enumerated in the 1850 United States Federal Census living in Elk, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Sometime between 1850 and 1860 the couple relocated to Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania where they were enumerated in the 1860 United States Federal Census with their children. Francis Xavier Guth would live in Clarion for the rest of his life. Francis Xavier Guth was 59 years old when he passed away on 15 April 1885. He is buried at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Leopold Guth
Formal Portrait most likely taken between 1894 and 1900

Leopold Guth was five years younger his brother Francis Xavier Guth. He departed Germany in the 1850’s. Leopold Guth married Theresa Loll on 20 January 1853 at the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion, Clarion County Pennsylvania. Theresa, also an immigrant, was born in Marcholsheim, Alsace, France. She was the daughter of Antoine Loll and Mary Ann Jehl. The 1860 United States Federal Census records Leopold and Theresa living in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania with their children. The couple would reside in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania for the rest of their lives. In time Leopold would become a well-known member of the community which is noted in his Obituary. Leopold Guth was 74 years old when he passed away on 13 June 1905. He is buried at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania.

Sr. Janet's Original Research 

Sr. Janet’s research included two generations of ancestors for Francis Xavier Guth and Leopold Guth as shown in the copy of the original hand typed chart below.

Original Hand Typed Record for Anton Guth & Theresia Rosch Family Group
Copy obtained from Sr. Janet Staab

Sr. Janet’s well-kept records included names, dates and locations. Some of the her records did list sources. Unfortunately not all the records shared with me listed the original sources used to complete the research. It also was not clear if Sr. Janet did all of the original research or if some of the research was completed by others.

Validating the Research

As mentioned in my post Remembering Sr. Janet Staab, OSB Sr. Janet's research served as the foundation for what we know about the Guth and the Selker families. One of my research goals was to validate her original research through sources. Over time I have been able to validate events that occurred in the United States through birth, marriage, death, census and other records. The one major gap was validating the German ancestors of Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth.

To accomplish that goal I engaged Ute Brandenburg the owner of German Script Experts to validate the initial research on the German families.  Over the last two years Ute has been able to both validate and expand the original Guth research using German Catholic Parish Registers. Records from 1810-1869 were accessed online at Landesarchiv Baden-Württemberg. Records prior to 1810 were obtained from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ute makes regular visits to Salt Lake City to complete research for clients. While onsite she went through the microfilm to locate Guth family members. After locating the records she documented the original German and provided an English translation.

The original Guth pedigree based on Sr. Janet Staab's records is shown below. This would serve as the basis to validating the research.

Untersimonswald Catholic Parish Records

The starting point for the project was to research the Untersimonswald Catholic Parish Register. The original family records from Sr. Janet indicated the brothers were born in Untersimonswald. Various other sources also pointed to Untersimonswald. Leopold Guth was married in a Catholic Church and his children were also baptized Catholic.

Baptism records for Francis Xavier Guth and Leopold Guth were located in the Untersimonswald Catholic Parish Register. The brothers were born in 1825 and 1830. At this time of their birth Untersimonswald was in German territory known as the Grand Duchy of Baden. Today Untersimonswald would be associated with the German State of Baden-Württemberg which was established after World War II.

Map of Confederation of the Rhine 1812

Untersimonswald would be approximately where the "o" is in Großherzogtun Baden

The birth and baptism recorded for Francis Xavier Guth in the original German:

In U. Simonswald wurde im Jahre Tausend Achthundert Fünf u zwanzig am dreissigsten

October Nachmittags zwey Uhr geboren und Abends fünf Uhr getauft: Franz Xaver ehler des Anton Guth, Uhrenmacher, und der Theresia Rösch von da.

Zeugen sind: Joseph Beck Lehrer dahier, und Joseph Rösch lediger Bauernsohn in Haslach, als

Pathe mit Maria Karstinger.

Simonswald d. 30ten Octob 1825

Pfr Duffner

The birth and baptism recorded for Francis Xavier Guth translated to English:

Born at 2 o’clock in the afternoon on 30 October 1825 in Untersimonswald, and baptized that evening at 5 o’clock: Franz Xaver, legitimate [son] of Anton Guth, clock maker, and Theresia Rösch, from there.

Witnesses: Joseph Beck, teacher here, and Joseph Rösch, unmarried farmer’s son from Haslach, who was a sponsor along with Maria Karstinger.

Simonswald, 30 October 1825

Pastor Duffner

Untersimonswald Parish Register Duplicate

[Translated by Ute Brandenburg, Iowa City, IA with German Script Experts]

The birth and baptism recorded for Leopold Guth in the original German:  

Im Jahre tausend achthundert dreysig am vierzehnten November Mittags zwölf Uhr wurde in U. Simonswald geboren, und denselben Tag Abends fünf Uhr dahier getauft Leopold ehler Sohn des Anton Gut, Uhrenmacher, und der Theresia Rösch von da.

Zeugen sind: Hr. Joseph Rösch, Bauer in Haslach, Pathe mit Maria Karstinger, Kieferin dahier, und Joseph Bek, hiesiger Schullehrer.

U/Simonswald d 14ten November 1830

Duffner Pfarrer

The birth and baptism recorded for Leopold Guth translated to English:  

Born in Untersimonswald on 14 November 1830 at 12 noon, and baptized the same day at 5 o’clock in the evening: Leopold, legitimate son of the clock maker Anton Gut and Theresia Rösch, from here.

The witnesses were: Mr. Joseph Rösch, farmer in Haslach, who was also a sponsor along with Maria Karstinger, cooper’s wife here, and Joseph Beck, school teacher from here.

Untersimonswald, 14 November 1830

Pastor Duffner

Untersimonswald Parish Register Duplicate

[Translated by Ute Brandenburg, Iowa City, IA at German Script Experts]

It is plausible that Leopold was named after Grand Duke Leopold of Baden. Grand Duke Leopold succeeded Grand Duke Louis I on 30 March 1830. The Grand Duke would serve as the ruler of the Duchy.

Validation of Francis Xavier Guth & Leopold Guth

The baptismal records validate the birth dates and birth location of Untersimonswald for Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth. The baptismal records also validate that the brothers are the children of Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch. The reference to "legitimate son" indicates that Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch were married in the Catholic Church prior to the birth of their children.

An additional observation is that Francis Xavier was recorded with the surname Guth and Leopold was recorded with the surname Gut. We discovered that the surname would vary between Guth and Gut depending on the record.

One difference is the German spelling of Rösch recorded in the records uses the umlaut mark.

Corrections & Additions 

Using the data from the Untersimonswald Catholic Parish Register the following corrections & additions were incorporated into my records:

• Baptismal dates for Francis Xavier & Leopold Guth.
• Birth & Baptismal Location were corrected to Untersimmonswald, Grand Duchy of Baden. My goal is to identify the location of a fact based on the name of the location at the time the fact occurred. (If that can be determined.)
• The surname of Rösch was corrected from Rosch to incorporate the use of the umlaut mark.

This concludes the initial Guth Research Update post. The next post in the series will feature the parents of Francis Xavier and Leopold Guth - Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch.

Leopold Guth is my 3rd great-grandfather. Francis Xavier Guth is my 4th Great Uncle. Anton Guth and Theresia Rösch are my 4th great grandparents. My connection to the Guth line extends through Leopold's daughter Frances Philomena Guth, her daughter Frances Philomena Selker, to my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald.

References:

1. Staatsarchiv Freiburg L 10 Nr. 5581, Untersimonswald, Simonswald EM; Katholische Gemeinde: Pfarrei St. Peter, Standesbuch 1810-1825. 1825 - Baptism Record - Guth, Franz Xaver
2. Staatsarchiv Freiburg L 10 Nr. 5582,  Untersimonswald, Simonswald EM; Katholische Gemeinde: Pfarrei St. Peter, Standesbuch 1826-1844. 1830 - Baptism Record - Gut, Leopold  
3. Map of the Confederation of the Rhine: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rheinbund_1812,_political_map.png 
4. 1850 United States Federal Census. Year: 1850; Census Place: Elk, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M432_767; Page: 247A; Image: 499. Record for F. H. Gut.
5. 1860 United States Federal Census. Year: 1860; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 68; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for Leopold Guth.
6. 1860 United States Federal Census. Year: 1860; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 79; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for Francis X Guth.
7. U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Town: Clarion, Map: 1877. F.X. Guth.
8. U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Town: Clarion, Map: 1877. Leopold Guth.
9. Joseph A. Caldwell, Caldwell's Illustrated historical combination atlas of Clarion County, Pennsylvania / from actual surveys by & under the directions of Henry Cring ; assisted by C.T. Arms ... [et al.]. (Condit, Ohio, J.A. Caldwell, 1877), Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C. 20540-4650 USA