Theme: At the Courthouse - week 9

This week’s theme for the 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks challenge by Amy Johnson Crow is: At the Courthouse


I have not had the opportunity to go to a Courthouse to research any of my ancestors yet but my niece and husband did so I will chat a bit about their experience and show the pictures they shared with me.

This was in Winnemucca Nevada, a town in the northern part of Nevada along Interstate 80 where it meets U.S. Route 95.  About 3 hours west of Reno.   My sister's husband and family is from this area so I know once we start digging, we should find some great treasures.

Colleen and Sam had a fun day looking through all the old records that day.  It was an experience that they would like to do again.  Maybe the Genealogy Bug has bit them?  Let's hope so!

Colleen showing how big the books are.

An inviting place to sit looking through the old records

This is an old bank building with the records kept in the vault

Look how old!

A lot of information in these old books

Neatly organized

Such BIG books!

Sam browsing through the documents

Since Colleen's parents were married in Winnemucca, she went looking -- and found the document showing their married date.  Oh she was sooooo excited!

When I go visit my sister, I plan to go hunting and see what I can find out about her husband's family.

Thanks Colleen for sharing your photos with me!

Theme: Family Photo - John Herman Schoenewald - Week 8

This week’s theme for the 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks challenge by Amy Johnson Crow is: Family Photo

I was really excited to find this photo of my maternal Grandfather before he was married in 1928.  My mother did not have many pictures of her father's side of the family so I am hoping I will connect with some relatives that can share some.  

Based on the information I know, it looks like this could be his mother and father along with his siblings when they were living in Sandpoint, Idaho.  

John's father (Adam) and mother (Otillie)  came to America in the late 1800's.   Their stories have been told separately in earlier posts.

My Grandfather, John H. Schoenewald (with bowtie)  and family.

As I continue to do my research, I will also look into his sibling's life to see if I can find out any additional details and cousins.

Theme: Love - John H. and Emmeline (Hollingsworth) Schoenewald - Week 7

This week’s theme for the 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks challenge by Amy Johnson Crow is: Love

For this post I thought I would share a little about John and Emmeline Schoenewald.  They were married October 2, 1928 in Sandpoint, Idaho and celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 1978.  

John was born on September 13, 1900 in Minnesota.  After his Grandfather, John Kujawski, died in 1913 while living in Sandpoint, John's parent moved to Sandpoint to be close to his Grandmother.  His birth name is Johann Herman Schoenewald.

Emmeline, was born on October 2, 1910 in Bridgeport, Nebraska.  Her parents moved around several time before settling in Sandpoint, Idaho sometime in the mid 1920's.  Her birth name is Claudia Emmeline Hollingsworth.

I really wish I knew the story on how they met and how long they dated since John was 11 years older than Emmeline.  Maybe it will become clearer as I continue to research their history.  I am hoping there is a relative out there that can share the story.  Whatever the story is - they were married on October 2, 1928 when Emmeline turned 18 years old in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Emmeline Hollingsworth

John Schoenewald

These pictures were taken around the time frame they got married.  Such a nice looking couple.

After living an adventurous life in the logging camps in Northern Idaho and Montana, they moved to Ashland, Oregon to be near Emmeline's parents when their first daughter, Patricia, was 5 years old.  For a few years they lived in Vale, Oregon where Patricia graduated High School, then moved back to Ashland, Oregon where Darlene, their 2nd daughter, graduated High School.  They both were very involved in the Church of Christ.

50 years later --- 1978

John and Emmeline Schoenewald toasting to their special day

John and Emmeline with their two daughters, Darlene and Patricia

Emmeline died December 31, 1980 and John died March 16, 1988.  Both are buried at the Memory Gardens Memorial Park in Medford, Oregon.