My Trails into the Past

Some of my unexpected discoveries are learning that other siblings of our ancestors also came to the United States. We get so busy focusing on our direct lines, that we do not realize other family members immigrated, too. Sometimes they came to the same area, and sometimes they settled in other parts of the country, especially if they came years later. Unexpected discoveries can also be pleasant surprises. Finding more kin is always great, as their records can aid in taking the family back further generations. My Husband’s Family A good example is the Voehringer family. His great-grandmother, Matilda “Tillie” Wollenweber’s parents were Ludwig Wilhelm Wollenweber and Philappina Margaretha Voehringer. [1] Census records hinted that Ludwig was from Bavaria and Philappina was from Württemberg. [2] There was no obituary for Philappina, only death notices, one in English, [3] and one in German. [4] Neither gave information about next of kin. Her death certificate gave no information ...