[singlepic id=29 w=480 h=360 float=center]From the Milwaukee Sentinel, March 25, 1878: “Joe Niesl and John Becker got into a street fight and one had drawn a jack knife to make mince meat of the other when Officer Huller and his assistant pounced on them. They were no sooner collared, however, when friends of the belligerants […]
Hey Joe, Where You Goin’ With That Knife In Your Hand? Read More »
[singlepic id=28 w=720 h=540 float=right]Here’s a bit of family memorabilia that’s sure to raise some eyebrows. This hair wreath was given to me by my dad and my step-mother Doris a few months ago. They got it either from my grandmother Alice “Pat” (Waege) Rathkamp, or from my great-aunt Grace (Waege) Larson. My dad and
Paulina on My Wall Read More »
[singlepic id=23 w=320 h=240 float=left]This past Sunday being Valentines Day, my wife and I ventured to Milwaukee where we were fortunate to see a great concert: Dawes opening up for Cory Chisel. Both of us came away feeling the state of American song writing is in good hands with either of these acts. But the other
Of Sound Mind in a Sound Body Read More »
[singlepic id=20 w=800 h=450 float=center] From left to right, starting from the front row (my grandparents): Bill Rathkamp, Alice “Pat” (Waege) Rathkamp, George Niesl, Emma (Walz) Niesl 2nd row (my great grandparents): Wm. Waege, Ida (Brockhaus) Waege, George Niesl, Katherine (Dachs) Niesl, Fred Walz, Sophia (Bischke) Walz 3rd row (my great great grandparents): Wm. Waege,
The Photo Tree and the Missing Branch Read More »
[singlepic id=19 w=320 h=240 float=left]Here’s another picture from the archives. I’m guessing this picture was taken sometime in the ’50s. From left, my grandmother, Alice “Pat” (Waege) Rathkamp, unknown friend, and my grandfather, Bill Rathkamp. The tavern most likely was somewhere on the north or west side of Milwaukee. Seeing a picture of my grandfather
Bill & Pat’s Excellent Adventure Read More »
My blogging software has a feature that shows me search strings people use to find my website. Some of the search terms are pretty entertaining. Like last week when somebody somehow found me by searching “pic of an old German family having a fight”. Other times, I can see Google doing its job by
Mr. Rath, Meet Ms. Kamp…the origins of the Rathkamp Surname Read More »
[singlepic id=17 w=320 h=240 float=left]It’s hard to imagine the conditions our ancestors faced in Europe and even harder to imagine what finally happened in their lives to ultimately get them to commit to leaving their homes and families. I’m sure there had to be the promise of opportunity, but this was a much heavier decision
Did They Come Alone? Read More »
When people visit downtown Milwaukee, a lot of them comment on how many old buildings they see. Actually, what they see is a fraction of what once was. Milwaukee has managed to replace its history with parking structures, sports venues, and bland concrete buildings. I still love my home town, but the remaining buildings only
Fun With Google Maps, Part 1 Read More »
[singlepic id=16 w=320 h=240 float=right]Hearing about the current shortage of the H1N1 flu vaccine, I’m reminded of the fact that this is not by any stretch the first nor the most severe flu epidemic in our country’s history. My great grandfather, Fredrich Walz was one of the many victims of the Spanish Influenza in 1918.
He Left the Horse Out in the Yard Read More »