For over 40 years, I’ve spent my life working with metal; first as a machinist, then through engineering and technical sales. I always found it fascinating that my paternal line, the Rathkamps, were recorded as blacksmiths and Beibauers in the village of Oeftinghausen as far back as the 1600s. I assumed it was a local […]
From the Steppe to the Forge to the Shop: A 20,000-Year Journey in My DNA Read More »
One of the things I love about genealogy is being able to make a big discovery by piecing together tiny discoveries. As mentioned in a previous post, William and Olive Rathkamp are the only great grandparents of mine for which I have no pictures. Not a single picture that I know of has made its
Adding a Face to the Name (Well, Hello There Willie!) Read More »
In October, 2009 I wrote THIS POST about my Great Grandmother, Olive (Hassel) Rathkamp, my dad’s grandmother. Olive died in 1926, 16 years before my dad was born. Until last week she and her Swedish ancestors continued to be a complete mystery. I’ve accumulated some anecdotal evidence, but nothing concrete. Here’s what I suspected: That’s
The Swedes Come Out of the Weeds Read More »
For as long as I can remember, family get-togethers on the Rathkamp side of my family have been gut-busting experiences. Every time we get together, somebody reminds me of the time one of the dogs crapped on my brand new white tennis shoes. My dad, Bill, and my Uncle Dave are both really funny guys
Rathkamp Brothers Take on Samson, the Famous Lowland Gorilla Read More »
I found this gem last night searching through the Google News Archives. The “young lad” is my grandfather, my dad’s dad. The article is from June 15, 1915. While it states my grandfather’s age is 10, he was actually soon to turn 6. “While watching the circus parade at Thirty-second and Clybourn streets, Monday morning,
Circuses and Beer Wagons Read More »
My last post about Esther Rathkamp got me thinking about all the discrepancies and mysteries surrounding her parents William & Olive Rathkamp, my great grandparents. Genealogists are used to dealing with inconsistencies, usually attributed to misspellings of surnames. But Willy & Olive are off the charts. How and why did Olive move from Iron Mountain,
Willy & Olive, What’s Your Story? Read More »
Last week, my cousin Paul asked via FaceBook if I’ve dug up any “Dead Rathkamps” lately. The answer was a simple “no”. I’ve been so busy with other stuff that I haven’t really been working on any genealogy projects lately. One of my favorite nightly rituals is to log on to Google Reader and peruse
Esther Just Before Easter Read More »
March 13 marked the 24th year since the passing of my maternal grandfather, George Joseph Niesl. We’re all very fortunate to have family members who had the foresight to document the lives of our ancestors. My cousin Kari knew I had this recording in my possession and asked to make a copy. I thought it
It’s not an over-exaggeration to say that if ever there was an angel on this earth, it was my Grandma Emma. Emma Nathalia (Walz) Niesl was born to Fredrich and Sophia (Bischke) Walz on May 2, 1913. Both Fred and Sophie, along with their respective families, came to America, settling on the harsh plains of
Since moving to Ripon a few months ago, I’ve been looking for opportunities to volunteer my time. Sometimes opportunity can show up in the most unlikely of places. During the annual Dickens of a Christmas early in December, my family and I visited the Ripon Historical Society where I met its president, Bill Woolley. I
Ripon Historical Society Read More »
Saturday was our last full day in Germany and was supposed to have been pretty laid back and uneventful. It turned out to be far from true. During our trip, we had been communicating via Facebook with Anja Rathkamp from Delmenhorst. Anja found me on Facebook about a year ago, and while we have yet
New Friends, New Family Read More »
I’ve been ridiculously delinquent in writing about our last two days in Germany, but sometimes life throws a couple curve balls and you just have to react. Actually, I can handle the curve balls, it’s those inside pitches that tend to sting a little. I can’t speak for Korey, but I think Friday was the
Chasing Chickens in Oeftinghausen Read More »