Jake and Mina

Wilhelmina Marie Christine Hellwege was born 163 years ago. Her birthday was July 1, 1858. This girl would most often be called Mina or something similar on future documents. Mina’s parents were Heinrich and Friedericke (Winter) Hellwege. A previous post was written about Mina’s father and his four wives titled, The Fourth Marriage. Mina was … More Jake and Mina

Lena Starzinger Joins the Neighborhood

A few days ago, in a post titled, Ed and Julie Koenig, it was pointed out that a passenger list included the surnames Koenig, Koch, and Haertling, and several folks with those surnames ended up forming a “neighborhood” of farms in the Shawnee Township. That neighborhood remained intact over at least 3 census records…30 years. Today, … More Lena Starzinger Joins the Neighborhood

Ed and Julie Koenig

Before I get to today’s characters, I have this urge to show you a portion of a passenger list for the ship, Ella, that arrived in New Orleans on November 7, 1853. Take a look at this group of immigrants. I find this list fascinating. At the top and bottom are 3 names whose destination … More Ed and Julie Koenig

The Danz Instructors

A while back a post was written titled, Rudolph and His Danz Partner. It told the story of Rudolph and Lena Reisenbichler. Lena’s maiden name was Danz, and thus the title. I figure if Lena was a “Danz partner”, then her parents would be her “Danz instructors”. Today, you will be told the story of Lena’s … More The Danz Instructors

Martin and Martha

It seems like I am drawn to Shawnee Township in northern Cape Girardeau County to locate stories for this blog lately. That is the case once again today in which we find records in the books of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. Yesterday’s post, Martin and Phoebe, turned out to be a case in … More Martin and Martha