Surname Saturday: Gress

Each Saturday this year I am posting one of my surnames, going in alphabetical order.  This weeks surname is Gress.  The names in red are my direct line ancestors.

1-Joseph GRESS
b: about 1806, , , , Germany
d: 1860, Eden, Erie, New York, USA
+Caroline
b: about 1810, , , Baden, Germany
d: 1870, Eden, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . 2-Margaretha GRESS
        b: about 1834, , , , Germany
. . . . 2-Georg GRESS
        b: about 1837, , , , Germany
. . . . 2-Michael GRESS
        b: about 1841, , , , Germany
. . . . 2-Joseph GRESS
        b: calculated 9 August 1841, , , , Germany
        d: 18 February 1899, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . +Sophia PASSEL
        b: January 1846, , , Mecklenburg, Germany
        d: 27 May 1928, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . . . . . 3-Louisa GRESS
                b: February 1867, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . . . . . +Theodore SCHOULTZ
                b: December 1863, , , New York, USA
. . . . . . . . 3-Jacob J. GRESS
                b: 26 January 1869, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
                d: 11 August 1932, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . . . . . +Elizabeth L. FINK
                b: 6 July 1867, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
                m: Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
                d: 24 April 1957, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Chester E. GRESS
                        b: June 1888
. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-May GRESS
                        b: 19 September 1890
                        d: 11 June 1970, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Walter L. GRESS
                        b: 6 December 1891, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Elsie GRESS
                        b: 13 May 1894
. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Howard J. GRESS
                        b: 18 March 1896, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Beulah GRESS
                        b: 27 January 1898, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
                        d: 7 May 1968, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Vera Julia GRESS
                        b: 11 January 1900, Buffalo, Erie, New York, USA
                        d: 2 February 1976, Cheektowaga, Erie, New York, USA
. . . . . . . . 3-Carolyn M. GRESS
                b: about 1871
. . . . . . . . +Ralph WILLIAMS
. . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Ethelyn WILLIAMS
. . . . . . . . 3-John GRESS
                b: about 1873
. . . . . . . . 3-Eli GRESS
                b: about 1875
. . . . 2-Jacob GRESS
        b: about 1845, , , , Germany
. . . . 2-Barbara GRESS
        b: about 1848, , , , Germany
. . . . 2-Johann GRESS
        b: about 1850, , , , Germany
. . . . 2-George GRESS
        b: about February 1852, , , , Germany

Smile for the Camera - Give Their Face a Place

For the women's history month Smile for the Camera, "Give Their Face a Place," I wanted to show the family resemblance of the Passel line.  I would love to know how far this goes back, as it is amazing to see yourself in photos of your ancestors.  Beginning at the top is my great-great-great grandmother Sophia Passel Gress, her daughter Carolyn Gress Williams (my gg aunt), her niece Vera Gress Whitehead (my g grandmother), her daughter Marlyn (my grandmother), her daughter Holly (my aunt) and me.  Can you see it?

SNGF - The Best 2009 Genealogy Moment

For this weeks SNGF (which I'm actually going on Saturday this week!) Randy asks:
1) "What was your best Genealogy Moment during 2009?" This could be a research find, a fabulous trip, a found family treasure, etc. Your choice!



My best genealogy moment was, beyond a doubt, going to Florida with my grandmother to visit two of my great aunts and their families.  I had an amazing time hearing stories, viewing and scanning photos and documents and getting to know my extended family (whose blogs I now follow!).  My favorite find, while there, was a tin-type of my ggg-grandmother Sophia and seeing the strong genes she had, which we passed to her granddaughter and all of her daughters, my Aunt Holly and myself.  It is amazing to see a photo of an ancestor, born almost a hundred and forty years before you, who you can see yourself in.

Wordless Wednesday - Jacob Gress

Photograph in possession of my great aunt Lois (It would be her grandfather, my great-great grandfather).  I scanned during my trip to Florida last spring.

Goals for the New Year

In 2010, I hope to accomplish the following:

• Interview my grandmothers, parents and great aunts, uncles and cousins on video ASAP!
• Goal is to do this by the end of February for my grandmothers
• Update each of my lines sideways and forward.
• I usually do well with my information about my ancestors siblings, but I have not done so well finding cousins in more recent generations.
• Focus my search for my German lines so that I can visit their hometowns while I am in Germany for 4 1/2 months
• I will therefore focus on the Eichhorn, Gresz, Fink, Weiss and Tross lines for the next two months
• Stay in touch with my relatives searching my fathers side of the family.
• I research my mothers side as I have great aunts and uncles who research my fathers.  I will be helping my Aunt Dottie with her search in Poland for the Karpinski's (my great-grandmother's line)
• Complete Dear Myrtle's finally get organization checklist from 2009
• Start researching my fiancé's line (at the very least, get the information he knows into my file)
• Blog: Participate in Surname Saturday each week in order to get my surnames out there and find new cousins!  I plan on going alphabetically though all my surnames.

SNGF - My 16 great-great-grandparents

From Randy over at Genea-Musings: Here is your SNGF assignment for the evening (if you choose to accept it - this is not stump the genealogist or even Mission Impossible):

1) List your 16 great-grandparents in pedigree chart order. List their birth and death years and places.

2) Figure out the dominant ethnicity or nationality of each of them.

3) Calculate your ancestral ethnicity or nationality by adding them up for the 16 - 6.25% for each (obviously, this is approximate).

4) If you don't know all 16 of your great-grandparents, then do it for the last full generation you have.

5) Write your own blog post, or make a comment on Facebook or in this post.

1. Joseph Francis Eugene Acquard, Jr.: born 17 Jan 1855 in Cheektowaga, Erie, NY; married 15 Oct 1878 in Bennington Ctr., Wyoming, NY; died 10 Sept 1943 in Bennington Ctr., Wyoming, NY. FRENCH
2. Mary Ann Kollin: born 15 Oct 1878 in Bennington Ctr., Wyoming, NY; died 5 Feb 1938 in Bennington Ctr., Wyoming, NY. 1/2 GERMAN and 1/2 BELGIAN
3. Franciszek Karpinski: born 16 Sep 1880 in Poland; died 22 May 1943 in Erie or Wyoming, NY. POLISH
4. Jozefa Szydlik: born 26 Sep 1886 in Poland; died 4 Apr 1973 in Warsaw, Wyoming, NY. POLISH
5. John George Nuwer: born 21 Mar 1869 in Lancaster, Erie, NY; married 19 Apr 1893 in Lancaster, Erie, NY; died 1 Feb 1948 in Alden, Erie, NY. FRENCH
6. Anna M. Zaepfel: born 28 Sep 1874 in Elma, Erie, NY; died 7 Aug 1943 in Alden, Erie, NY. 1/2 GERMAN & 1/2 FRENCH
7. Edward Roll: born about 1888 in Alden, Erie, NY; married 22 Jun 1910 in Alden, Erie, NY; died 12 May 1941 in Alden, Erie, NY. FRENCH
8. Lidwina Agnes Pautler: born 16 Jan 1888 in Alden, Erie, NY; died 11 Oct 1975 in Batavia, Genesee, NY. FRENCH
9. Marcantonio Casillo: born 11 Jan 1868 in Italy; married 5 Sept 1901 in Buffalo, Erie, NY; died 26 Nov 1937 in Colden, Erie, NY. ITALIAN
10. Carolina Izzo: born 3 May 1876 in Italy; died 2 Oct 1934 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. ITALIAN
11. William Fred Eichhorn: born 22 Jun 1874 in Chippewa, Ontario, Canada; married 14 Jun 1899 in Buffalo, Erie, NY; died 9 Mar 1931 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. GERMAN
12. Augusta M. Tross: born 6 Sept 1877 in Germany; died 1 Jan 1939 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. GERMAN
13. Charles William Whitehead: born 12 Jun 1872 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada; married prior to 1896; died 27 Dec 1927 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. ENGLISH
14. Anna May Sanderson: born 17 Jun 1871 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada; died 29 Apr 1928 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. ENGLISH
15. Jacob J. Gress: born 26 Jan 1869 in Buffalo, Erie, NY; married prior to 1888; died 11 Aug 1932 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. GERMAN
16. Elizabeth Fink: born 6 Jul 1867 in Buffalo, Erie, NY; died 24 Apr 1957 in Buffalo, Erie, NY. GERMAN

That gives me 31.25% German; 28.125% French; 12.5% Polish; 12.5% Italian; 12.5% English ; and 3.125% Belgian. The French and German parts are hard to tell as most of my fathers family came from the Alsace-Lorraine region which kept changing hands. The fact that my 3rd great-grandmother was born in Belgium (like the waffle) has always been cool to me. Oddly, I most identify with the Italian part of my heritage, even though it is way down on the list.

Tombstone Tuesday - Joseph and Sophia Gresz

Joseph J. and Sophia Gresz buried at Forest Lawn cemetery in Buffalo, Erie Co., New York. They are my great-great-great-grandparents. This is the nicest stone I've found so far for my family. I am amazed it is in such great shape considering its age. If only Sophia had made sure her maiden name was on it...

Amanda's Excellent (Genealogical) Adventure (Day 2)

Last Thursday began in Buffalo, this time I was spending the day with my Grandmother. We headed out to Forest Lawn in between rain storms and hoped for the best. The man at the desk was tremendously helpful and found the location of Gottlieb Finck and Joseph and Sophia Gresz. We walked over to the Gresz stone first, as it was located right behind the office. It is a large, very nice stone. We then drove to the end of the cemetery and found Gottlieb's, which matches his wife Barbara's. We were trying to find Barbara's (we had found it on our last trip, it's in the same area). After a couple minutes of searching I returned to Gottlieb's, as in front of it I had seen a granite Mason symbol. Hoping it belonged to him (maybe there was an arrow...) I started pulling the grass and weeds away... and found another tombstone for him! This one was older and had the same dates, but had his last name as "Fink." Why does he have two stones? This is a mystery for another day...

After our adventure it was time for me to head back to Syracuse, as 3 of my FamilyHistory Center films had come in. I arrived before the volunteers and anxiously waited in my car. Upon the center opening I put in film one of Halstead, Kent, England parish records and hoped to find the baptismal record of Thomas Hayman. Much to my amazement, it was the first one! With that good omen, I kept reading the records, which are filled of my Hayman and Whitehead relatives! The man next to me was impressed by all the writing I was doing and I just said "He was the first one!!!" Small English CoE parish records are my new favorite genealogy records, as I have about 30 pages of written notes from the parish records and two bishop's transcripts for the area. I just finished the second microfilm as they closed. I can't wait to go back Wednesday to check out my Ontario land records and go over the parish films again.

Currently, I am trying to figure out how/if all of these people are related. The earlier records (early and mid 1700's) were really difficult to read, so I skipped over them to the early 1800's, and I have to feeling a lot of the answers I need lie in them. Following the lead of the man next to me on the microfilm reader I will be bringing a magnifying glass... I also have 2 more films that should be arriving soon, another of Halstead records and my Italy records, which will really be testing my skills.

Wordless Wednesday - Ralph, Carrie (Gress) and Ethelyn Williams

Ralph, Carolyn M. (Gress) Williams and their daughter Ethelyn. Carrie was born approximately 1871, so I would guess this picture was taken around 1900. I like the glasses on Carrie (hopefully footnoteMaven will, too:-)) and her dress.

Carrie is my great-great grandfather's younger sister. This photograph is in possession of my Aunt Lois and was scanned during my recent trip to Florida.

Family Lines: Maternal Branches

Thank you to Becky for this wonderful idea!

I mostly research my mother's family, as my father has an aunt and uncle who have traced a lot of his line. Here is where I am at currently. As you can see, I am currently trying to find many of my immigrant ancestors' parents. I am hopeful that next week when I go to Buffalo, I will find obituaries that assist in this. Please leave a message if you would like further information:-)

THE LINEAGE OF MY MATERNAL GRANDFATHER (Mom's Father)

Casillo/Casell

Alfredo Marco Casillo (Alfred Marco Casell) [1906-1981] and Lillian L. Eichhorn [1908-1938] ~ Buffalo, Erie, New York

Marcantonio Casillo (Marco Antonio Casell) [1868-1937] and Carolina Izzo [1876-1934] ~ Italy > Buffalo, Erie, New York

John or Peter Casillo [Unknown] and Angelina Unknown [Unknown] ~ Italy

Both Alfred and Marco legally changed their name to Casell. I am not entirely sure who Marco's parents are, these are the names I have found so far. According to my grandfather's family tree, Marco was from RocRoma, Caserta, Italy. No one in my family has been able to find this place, however, familysearch.org has many Casillo's listed under Roccaromana, Caserta, Italy, so this is a possible search option.

Eichhorn/Eichorn

Lillian L. Eichhorn [1908-1938] and Alfred Marco Casell [1906-1981] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

William Fred Eichhorn [1874-1931] and Augusta M. Tross [1877-1939] ~ Ontario > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Charles Herman Eichhorn [1848 - ~1905] and Katharine Weiss/Wise [1869 - ~1905] ~ Germany > Chippewa, Welland, Ontario > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Nicholas Eckorn/Eickhan/Thorn [~1799-1878] and Dorothea Unknown [Unknown] ~ Germany > Ontario

Nicholas and Dorothea are still under investigation, but evidence keeps accumulating.

Izzo

Carolina Izzo [1876-1934] and Marco Antonio Casell [1868-1937] ~ Italy > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Peter Izzo [Unknown] and Catherine Donufrio(sp?) [Unknown] ~ Italy > NY

Tross

Augusta Tross [1877-1939] and William Fred Eichhorn [1874-1931] ~ Germany > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Wenzel/Wesley Tross [Unknown] and Marie/Mary Crosshein(sp?) [~1843-~1913]~ Germany > Buffalo, Erie, NY

THE LINEAGE OF MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER (Mom's Mother)

Bond

Emma Bond [~1812-1877] and Charles Whitehead [~1811-1887] ~ Knockholdt, Kent, England > Halstead, Kent, England

Richard Bond [Unknown - Bef. 1841] and Mary Unknown [~1798-1862]

Fink/Finck

Elizabeth L. Fink [1867-1957] and Jacob J. Gress [1869-1932] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Gottlieb Fink [1838-1910] and Barbara Fleeman [1846-1929] ~ Württemberg, Germany > Buffalo, Erie, NY

John Finck [Unknown] and Barbara Killster [Unknown] ~ Württemberg, Germany

Fleeman

Barbara Fleeman [1846-1929] and Gottlieb Fink [1838-1910] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Adam Fleeman [~1820-1889] and Barbara Gris [~1824-1870] ~ Hesse, Germany > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Gress/Gresz

Vera Louise Julie Gress [1900-1976] and William Herbert Whitehead [1896-1965] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Jacob J. Gress [1869-1932] and Elizabeth L. Fink [1867-1957] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Joseph Gresz [~1841-1899] and Sophia Persales/Possehl [1846-1929] ~ Germany > Eden, Erie, NY > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Joseph Gresz [~1806-~1865] and Catherine Unknown [~1810-~1875] ~ Germany > Eden, Erie, NY

Hayman

Mary Ann Hayman [1845-1877] and Charles Whitehead [1840-1902] ~ Halstead, Kent, England > Ontario

Thomas Hayman [~1799-1867] and Susan Whitehead [~1802-1867] ~ Halstead, Kent, England

Whitehead

William Herbert Whitehead [1896-1965] and Vera Louise Julie Gress [1900-1976] ~ Buffalo, Erie, NY

Charles William Whitehead [1872-1927] and Anna May Sanderson [1871-1928] ~ Ontario > Buffalo, Erie, NY

Charles Whitehead [1840-1902] and Mary Ann Hayman [1845-1877] ~ Halstead, Kent, England > Ontario

Charles Whitehead [~1811-1887] and Emma Bond [~1812-1877] ~ Halstead, Kent, England

Wordless Wednesday - Sophia Gresz/Gress

This is a tin-type photo of my ggg-grandmother Sophia (unsure of maiden name) Gresz/Gress. Her granddaughter (my great-grandmother), Vera, looks like her, as does Vera's daughter (my grandmother) and me. It was amazing to see this photo to see how far back it goes. I'll do a photo spread here on that soon. Photo courtesy of my great-aunt Lois.

Whitehead-Gress Wedding Announcement

This is the wedding announcement of my great grandparents, Vera Gress and William Whitehead, from an unknown Buffalo newspaper in late March/early April 1921 (They married 28 March 1921). We found this in a box of family items my great-aunt Barbara had on my recent trip to Florida to visit. I am planning on finding the microfilm of the newspaper to see what Vera's middle name is listed as, as she appears to have changed it at some point in her life.

Family Search Correction?

My great-great grandfather is listed in the FamilySearch International Genealogical Index and a Pedigree Resource File with the incorrect death date.  I cannot seem to find a way to correct this.

He is Jacob Gress, died 11 Aug 1932, Buffalo, NY (married to Elizabeth Fink).  The death date listed, 25 Apr 1957, is actually for a Jacob Gross, of no relation.

Any suggestions?

Cemetery Findings - Forest Lawn

Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY is a huge, beautiful cemetery.  Founded in 1849, according to their website, it is well known for people such as President Millard Fillmore and Red Jacket being buried there.  According to my grandmother, it was where everyone who lived in Buffalo was buried.  Her parents, William Herbert and Vera Julia (Gress) Whitehead are in the Chapel and on Monday we got assurance that three other ancestors are also there.

While home for my cousin's daughter's christening Sunday I was able to add another day to visit Forest Lawn.  According to the pedigree resource file, my ancestors Adam Fleeman and Jacob & Barbara Fleeman Fink were buried there.  My grandmother also found out her grandmother Elizabeth Fink Gress is buried there.  I was hopeful that Adam's wife Barbara, Barbara's husband Gottlieb and Elizabeth's husband Jacob would also be located there.

Adam, Barbara and Elizabeth were indeed there, but where, of where, are their spouses?  Luckily, I will have two of the death certificates soon, so I can find them.  It was rather amazing that they were in three consecutive sections, which made life rather easy.  Also interesting as Barbara is Adam's daughter and Elizabeth is Barbara's daughter.  We will be going back soon, hopefully when it's not raining, as we were unable to find Elizabeth's grave site.  I will save photo's of the other two for future Tombstone Tuesdays.  

Probate File - Joseph Gresz

I received the will and probate file for my great-great-great grandfather, Joseph Gresz (Gress).  He died on 18 February 1899 after writing his will on 8 February 1899.  By the look of the signature he was quite sick.  I knew he died sometime before 1900, so with the death date I can now get a death certificate and hopefully find a tombstone.

He left a widow, Sophia and 5 children: Louisa, Carolyn, Jacob (my ancestor), John and Edward.  I now have married names for Louisa and Carrie.  The Edward was a surprise name, as he is mentioned as Eli on censuses, so I had assumed it was Elijah, but I need to look into this further.

He left $6000 in real property and $500 in personal property, which seems like quite a large amount to me in 1899.  Unfortunately, since the file is so old it does not break down what he owned.  All was left to his wife.

Tombstone Tuesday

This is the tombstone of my great-aunt Elizabeth.  Growing up I always heard the story of her from my maternal grandmother, particularly since my mother's middle name is Elizabeth after her, which is also where I (in part) got my middle name (also Elizabeth, but only partly because of my mother.  Mine is also after my paternal grandmother who's middle name is Elizabeth as well).

My great-grandparents, William Herbert Whitehead and Vera Julia Gress had their first child, Elizabeth, who died at only 9 days old.  Their doctors went on to tell them they would never have any more children, but they went on to have 5 more daughters.  It saddened me that my grandmother and her sisters had never been to Elizabeth's grave, so one of my first forays into family history was to find it for them.  Through a church record we learnt that she was buried at Buffalo Cemetery (Cheektowaga, Erie, New York) and with their help my grandmother and Aunt Judy saw the tombstone of their eldest sister for the first time in November of 1999.