This is a needle in the haystack story.
It provides another insight into the life of Fritz Wanzenried, our grandfather.
As I was shutting down the Ancestry.com part of my daily research one
day last year, I notice the following notation:
Because Voegeli is the name of Rosa Voegeli
(1853-1925), the wife of our great grandfather, Christian Wanzenried
(1846-1919), I decided to take a look.
I am glad I did.
It turns out that Ida Voegeli is the daughter
of Johann Voegeli (1837-1908) and niece of Rosa Voegeli, who was Johann's older
sister.
The upshot is that Ida is a cousin of our
grandfather, Fritz Wanzenried's cousin.
After marrying Ernest J Reuning in 1895, Ida
came to the United States, first settling in Pennsylvania and then in
Wellsville, New York (circa 1900).
When I looked more closely at the tree, I was
stunned to see the inclusion of what the owner of the tree, Virginia Bergis,
identifies as the 'Wansenried' family. The given names, however, and their
dates of birth and death are a spot on match. Fritz Wansenried is called
"Freddy."
It has been very unusual when any
tree includes our relatives. But, this tree also includes what the owner terms
an autobiography, which is really more of an extended diary compete with dates
and locations in both Switzerland and the United States.
Based on my reading of the entries, it very
evident that during her youth, Ida spent a lot of time in Oberdiessbach and in
the company of Rosa (Rosina)Wanzenried, Fritz Wanzenried's older Sister (and
very probably with Fritz, as well).
Here is where the story becomes more
intriguing.
When Fritz, who has from Oberdiessbach,
entered the United States in October 1911, he listed his destination as
Wellsville, New York. I always wondered why and just assumed that in was
relatives on the Wanzenried family side. There are, after all, Wanzenrieds in
central New York state, although I have found no connections with our family.
Now, I am nearly certain that Wellsville was his destination to stay with
relatives on the Voegeli (Vogeli) side.
1. Ida Vogeli (1873-1967), returned to Switzerland in October 1909 for a visit.
I have to wonder if she and Fritz crossed paths while she was there.
2. Ida was back in Wellsville in time for the 1910 US Census, most likely in May or June of that year.
3. Fritz arrived in October 1911. The record of his entry with the Wellsville destination is attached to the document that neither of you can open (New York Passenger Lists (1820-1957)).
2. Ida was back in Wellsville in time for the 1910 US Census, most likely in May or June of that year.
3. Fritz arrived in October 1911. The record of his entry with the Wellsville destination is attached to the document that neither of you can open (New York Passenger Lists (1820-1957)).
Further, Ida's younger sister, Sophie (1876-1971) emigrated to the United States in 1897 (or 1899), married Carl Graf (1861- ) in 1902 and was living in Wellsville in 1910.
Finally, in another document, Ida's younger Brother, Emil (1885- ), sailed from Bremen and arrived in the United States April 1914. (Swiss Overseas Emigration (1910-1953). He shows up in the Reuning household in the 1915 New York State Census.
From the Census (both New York and US) information alone, it is obvious the home of Ida and Ernest served as a receiving household for newly-arrived Swiss.
Finally, in another document, Ida's younger Brother, Emil (1885- ), sailed from Bremen and arrived in the United States April 1914. (Swiss Overseas Emigration (1910-1953). He shows up in the Reuning household in the 1915 New York State Census.
From the Census (both New York and US) information alone, it is obvious the home of Ida and Ernest served as a receiving household for newly-arrived Swiss.
After what I believe was a layover in
Wellsville, Fritz settled in Los Angeles, California in 1911 or 1912. As
you know, he was a butcher. His first job in Los Angeles was a
dishwasher.
By 1914, Fritz had returned to Switzerland, married our grandmother, Lina Althaus (1893-1981), and returned to Santa Monica, California.
The first documentation of his (and Lina's) residency in southern California is his registration for the draft for World War I on 12 September 1918.
This is important for a second reason.
By 1914, Fritz had returned to Switzerland, married our grandmother, Lina Althaus (1893-1981), and returned to Santa Monica, California.
The first documentation of his (and Lina's) residency in southern California is his registration for the draft for World War I on 12 September 1918.
This is important for a second reason.
An individual named Emil Vogely (sic), whose
biographical information matches Emil Voegeli's almost exactly, registered for
the draft on 18 September 1918 in Los Angeles.
I am nearly certain, this Vogely is Ida's
Brother.
Further, he listed his closest relative as
"Mrs. Julia Bellinger" of "Wallace, Idaho." The form does
not indicate it, but "Julia" is most likely his older
Sister, Juli Voegeli (1880- ). Juli's presence in northern Idaho is chronicled
in Ida's journal.
When he registered for the draft, Emil listed his address in Los Angeles as 452 South Main Street. At the same time, Fritz and Lina lived at 9123 South Figueroa Street, about 8 miles away.
When he registered for the draft, Emil listed his address in Los Angeles as 452 South Main Street. At the same time, Fritz and Lina lived at 9123 South Figueroa Street, about 8 miles away.
Coincidence?
Don't think so.
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