Ramminger Research

I’m on the trail to tie up some “loose ends” of one of my maternal lines. I have quite a few documents and sources, but I’m missing some key elements.

1852 Passenger list

My direct line immigrant ancestor was Andreas Ramminger. He was from a village in Germany, Hesse-Darmstadt. In 1852, Andreas, his wife Gertrudis (Gertrude) and their six boys boarded a ship in Rotterdam, Netherlands to come to America. The sons were, Conradus (Conrad), Joannes (John), Henricus (Henry), Jacobus (Jacob), Philippus (Philip), and Adamus (Adam).

They made their home in Sheboygan County Wisconsin by farming. In 1854, Gertrude died. 

1854 marriage record

Andreas married Wihelmine Bergner. In December 1854, he bought 40 acres of land from John M. Watson, who received the Bounty Land as a solider in War of 1812.

I’d like to research the land deed.

Learn exactly when Gertrude died and where she’s buried.

Name all of Andreas and Wihelmine’s children. The list I have is: Frederick, Maria, Herman, William Mary, and George.

George is my great-grandfather. He was born in 1866 in Rhine, Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.

Married Susanna Steinhauser in 1894. Their homestead was in Clark County, Wisconsin.

I’m going to the Wisconsin Historical Society to research all of the above, and hopefully, more!

Copyright 2017, Gayle Ficarra Wolcott

FGS Conference 2016 - Day 2

What a great day I've had! I was expecting dry, hot, and humid weather while in Springfield but it has been so beautiful. I think it was in the mid-70s all day with a nice breeze.

Here's the sessions I attended today, all were excellent!

Elizabeth Shown Mills:
Elusive Ancestors? No, They're Never "Too Poor to Trace"!

FamilySearch Luncheon:
FamilySearch: Past, Present and Future

Mary M. Tedesco:
Italian Genealogy Research in Italy and from Home

Michael D.Lacopo:
The German Immigrant Experience in the 18th Century

After lunch I decided to explore the Exhibit hall, so glad I did. I was able to go around to multiple vendors and get my Exhibit Hall Passport stamped. I'll need to get both sides of the passport filled with stamps to be eligible for the FGS Grand Prize Package of a 2017 FGS Conference Package. That is a grand prize worth working I wouldn't mind having. It was nice to have an almost empty hall. No crowds or lines to maneuver, perfect!

After the last session I went to the  President Abraham Lincoln Hotel ballroom dinner at the "Meet & Greet" sponsored by Ancestry.

Tomorrow will be more great choices that I can't wait to explore.

Illinois State Capitol

Copyright, 2016 Gayle Ficarra Wolcott

FGS Conference 2016 - Day 1

I'm in Springfield, IL listening to Curt Witcher during the morning Plenary session. He's such a versatile speaker!
"How To Survive and Thrive: Successfully Embracing Change".

Wednesday is Focus On Societies day.

Have a full day of classes. Here they are:
Archiving a Society's History
Micro-Volunteering: Get Your Members Involved a Little Bit at a Time
Finessing Facebook
Video Marketing: Killer YouTube Strategies for Societies

There are so many choices, some I can't get to but whatever I choose, I'll soak up all the speakers have to give. I'm going to enjoy my time here this week.

Copyright 2016, Gayle Ficarra Wolcott all rights reserved

Genealogy Do-Over, Cycle 3, Week 1: Self-Imposed Guidlines

While reading blogs and posts on the Genealogy Do-Over Facebook Group page I have set up my own self-imposed guidelines to work from.  I've borrowed from Thomas MacEntee (thanks Thomas!) items I thought would work for me.

1.  Research with an open mind.
Take off the blinders. I won't just keep family stories utmost in my mind and think what was shared through the family is the only truth.

2. Track my work and cite my sources.
When I first started with genealogy I was always conscious of citing sources. I would use a research log/journal/calendar (never could figure which was the correct word) sporadically to track my work. I will now use a research log, track all work, even dead ends, cite my sources, and analyze data before it is entered into any software or online tree program.

3.  Ask for Help.
I've learned there are no stupid questions. There is no right way to ask. I'll post a query on Facebook or ask a question during a webinar or email my favorite genealogy rock star.

4.  Make sure I have a Plan.
Write down the steps I'll take before researching. I would always skip this step. I kind of kept an idea of what I wanted to accomplish in my head. With a real written plan I'll be more focused.

5.  Give and be abundant.
Exchange information freely with other researchers. I won't hold data "close" to myself or exchange it in lieu of something else. When I first began on this path, I read stories of people helping others, giving their hard researched data to strangers but never getting anything in return or hearing from those people again. I was very careful not to fall into that trap. I felt "what will I get in return?"  I have since put data I've gathered onto shareable CDs and given them out to family members with and without computers. It's been a pleasure to give the gift of our mutual families.

Genealogy Do-Over Cycle 3, Week 1: 3-9 July 2015

 

I'm joining Thomas MacEntee's Genealogy Do-Over, Cycle 3. http://www.geneabloggers.com/tag/genealogy-do-over/

 

I didn’t follow Cycle 1, I was a “lurker” during Cycle 2. I found the steps everyone was taking to get their files and research organized intriguing. Organized, what a concept! The Do-Over will last 13 weeks, ending on October 1.

Week one will consist of:

1) Setting Previous Research Aside
2) Preparing to Research
3) Establishing Base Practices and Guidelines

Number one above, might be a tough one for me. I open my genealogy software several times during the week. My sister and brother both live in different states from me. When any question comes up regarding our childhood or need verification on something, they each say, “Call Gayle, she’ll know the answer!”

Number two is something I’ll need to embrace. My usual practice is sit down at my laptop, fire-up the Internet and away I go. I usually have to scramble for a pen/pencil, notebook or opening up a blank Word document to take notes.

Number three I’m actually looking forward to. I do use research journals and keep track of any correspondence I’m writing. I know I need a real Research Plan I can follow and keep me focused.

Okay, I’m rolling up my sleeves, here I go…!