We had hoped to join our son’s family on vacation this summer, but the airline software mess gave us a staycation instead. We look forward to a slower time in their company. Our daughter and son-in-law are nearby for the blessings of impromptu time together.

We did make it to the North Carolina mountains in the aftermath of Helene. Folks there are grateful for desperately needed help. We learn even more to appreciate what and who we have.

As another year draws to a close and a new one emerges, we hope you are well. We wish you a rewarding holiday season and blessings in the new year.

How Dad came to be in Sheridan

Dad’s father Aden grew to adulthood in and near DeWitt. By 1918 he had befriended his barber John Case, a native of Mecosta County. Aden met John’s sister Verda on a visit to John’s family at Titus, Michigan, near Remus. The rest, as they say, is history. Aden and Verda married on her 19^th birthday in 1918.

John and Aden bought farms on the south edge of Sheridan in Montcalm County and Aden moved his family there at the end of 1929. Dad recalled the excitement when Aden’s brakes failed as they were hurtling downhill toward the narrow bridge over the Grand River in Ionia. Dad’s destiny awaited him in Sheridan. Mom was born there January 1, 1929.

Dad was recorded with his family at their Sheridan farm in the 1930 census.^[1] John and Vida Case lived across the state road in Bushnell Township. Most of the village is in Evergreen and Sidney Townships.

The only picture I have seen of Aden and Verda’s family was taken in their home between Loretta’s birth in March 1931 and Johnny’s death in August 1934.

John and Edwin were known as Johnny and Eddie. Donovan styled himself as Mickey (Mick). Mick called Madge Badger, which she hated, and called Dad the Lumbago Kid (Lum). Harold became Hud when Madge or Loretta (Ret) had trouble saying his name.

I have previously posted a picture of Dad with his cousin Joyce and their grandmother Agnes Springsteen.

I have also posted a newspaper clipping of Dad and siblings earning money from harvesting potatoes.

Dad made a small purse for his mother in 1932. She wrote a related note.

Here is Dad’s note for his mother on Mother’s Day, 1935.

Aden and Verda’s family was recorded again on their Sheridan farm in 1940.^[2]

As already mentioned, Dad’s brother Johnny died in 1934 after a farm accident. Further loss struck the family in 1941 when Aden Springsteen died after a car in which he was a passenger was struck by a train in Stanton.

When Dad registered for the draft in 1942, he was still a student. John Case was listed as his next of kin.^[3] He graduated from Sheridan High School in 1943. Here are his senior picture and a newspaper clipping of the Class of 1943.

Anchors aweigh

Dad enlisted in the Navy after graduation from high school. His Navy separation record indicates that he had worked at the Gibson Refrigerator factory in Greenville before graduation. Gibson’s retooled during the war to produce gliders used in the Normandy invasion.

Dad received training at the Great Lakes Naval station in Illinois. One or both of the following photos were taken there.

After training, Dad crossed the country by train to California. He wrote a letter to his mother describing the trip and his wait for permanent assignment. He served the remainder of the war on the USS Essex, the first of a new class of aircraft carriers.

Here is a letter from Dad to his mother in 1944.

Dad almost didn’t make it to his 20^th birthday, in which case my family and I wouldn’t be here. On November 25, 1944, Dad was on deck with a fellow sailor from DeWitt, Durward (Dude) Pontius, when the alarm sounded for an incoming kamikaze. They were scurrying down the ladder when the plane struck the Essex, severely burning or immediately killing men behind them in line.

Dad did, of course, make it through the war. So did Dude, who married Dad’s sister Madge.

Back to school

After the war, Dad used GI Bill benefits to train in refrigeration at Ferris Institute in Big Rapids, Michigan.

When Dad was home with his mother and her new husband Fred Olsen, he took an interest in Lois Kidder. They were married May 10, 1947, at The People’s Church in East Lansing.

Uncle Mick and Aunt Helen, who had been married at The People’s Church, were their witnesses.

A family of his own

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage.

Dad worked in refrigeration repair in Big Rapids while attending school and for some time after. Our family was listed in the 1950 census of Big Rapids.^[4] My oldest brother and I were born while we lived in Big Rapids.

Dad and Mom bought a house west of Sheridan in 1951. This was the first home I remember. My youngest brother was born after we moved there.

Dad worked in refrigeration for Orel Bush, owner of Bush Hardware, but did some carpentry work and found his niche. He worked for Frank Wyckoff, initially in partnership with Lloyd Pitcher, for over thirty years. He had an incredible eye for carpentry and became a finish carpenter whose work is still appreciated in Montcalm County and beyond. Mom used to say that Dad made a lot of women happy (with his finely-built cabinets).

This 2003 photo shows Dad with some of the men he worked with over the years. Frank is seated in front.

My brothers and I learned early in life that we wouldn’t be sleeping in if we were vacationing for a day or a weekend. While it was still o-dark-thirty in the morning, our bedroom door would open to the booming sound of “daylight in the swamp!” Perhaps Dad learned that in his childhood.

Dad and Mom were close friends with brothers Don and Lee Lund and their wives. Dad graduated high school with Lee. The sand dunes along Lake Michigan were among their favorite places to vacation. The following picture from the 1950s shows Dad with Elaine, Don, and a passel of us kids.

Dad built a camper on a flat-bed trailer. That house trailer got a lot of use over the years. I think Mom and Aunt Dorothy (Dot), Hud’s wife, are in the following picture.

Dad and Mom purchased land on the south side of Pearl Lake in Sheridan in the early 1960s. Dad contracted with Wyckoff Construction to frame the house. Dad then spent the better part pf a year finishing it. In the meantime, Frank Wyckoff built a house next door on the east. I think we moved in before Easter in 1963. Uncle Hud and Aunt Dorothy subsequently had a house built on the west side of our home. Our families were close. My sister was born after we moved to South Shore Drive, a new street built by and for the residents.

Dad was a real trooper for us kids. He helped Little League coaches and Scoutmasters for my brothers and me. He turned the rear wheels by hand on a wagon that my sister pulled him in and sat for hair styling.

Dad’s family celebrated Grandma and Grandpa Olsen’s 25^th anniversary in 1970. I like this family picture at the Congregational Church in Sheridan.

In the early 1970s Dad, Hud, and Lund brothers Don and Lee bought an acre in the northwoods of Michigan near Fife Lake. They built a cabin on that parcel and dubbed it HELL’s Acre, loosely derived from their initials. The cabin was used by all four families and was their base for deer hunting every November.

Don Lund and Dad were walking near the cabin in the following picture.

Dad stayed in touch with a few of his old Essex shipmates. The following picture shows a gathering at Dad and Mom’s house on the lake. Dude and Dad’s sister Madge Pontius are on the left.

For several years, family reunions were held between our house and Hud’s. The following picture was probably from the 1981 reunion. Uncle Joe and Uncle Harold were Aden Springsteen’s brothers.

Retirement

Dad and Mom retired in 1986, Dad from Wyckoff Construction and Mom from Montcalm Community College.

Not surprisingly, Dad continued working with wood in retirement.

I talked with Dad about his relief carving of Bill, Babe and Abe: https://www.ourheritage.info/2015/03/22/bill-babe-and-abe/

Dad had previously salvaged a slab of timber from the bed of Pearl Lake to create a coffee table. The timber was left from mills on Pearl Lake in the 1800s.

In 1989 Dad and Mom sold their house on South Shore Drive to my youngest brother and sister-in-law. Dad and Mom became snowbirds, with a mobile home in Florida near my grandparents and another in Stoney Lake Park north of Sheridan.

Dad and Mom sometimes stopped in Raleigh on their way between seasonal homes. In 1992 they were in town for their oldest grandchild’s high school graduation.

1997 was an eventful year in our family. Dad and Mom celebrated their 50th anniversary in May. Then after one part of our family endured and recovered from a traumatic car accident in July, we lost my brother Eddie to another accident in December.

The following pictures from the summer of 1999 show Dad and Mom with some of their family.

By 2002 Dad and Mom decided it was time to settle in one place again. They had a modular home built on lots purchased from Frank Wyckoff. They moved into their last house in 2003. Dee and I followed suit the following year. We had a good construction supervisor while we were still in Raleigh.

Mom must have been thinking that this time a new house needed a new cat. Dad was a fan of Jean Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear series, so Mom named the cat Ayla.

Dad might have been wondering at this point why he had moved back north year-around.

Dad never missed a reunion of the Springsteen, Case and Olsen families. Here is representation from his tribe in 2005.

Dad and Mom celebrated their 60^th anniversary at their old house in 2007.

One feature of our annual Christmas Eve celebrations involved a bundle of inexpensive items, duct tape, and a pair of dice. The first person in a circle could keep anything that they removed from the taped ball before the next person rolled a pair with the dice. When the next person rolled a pair, they got their turn at the ball. Dad really got into this.

Dad’s cousin Burgess Case had passed before his house burned to the ground in 2011. It had been the home of their grandparents Edwin and Loretta Case. Dad was among a small group of relatives who made a last pilgrimage to the old Case homestead.

For several years Mom hosted an Octoberfest with food, beer and wine, family and friends. The women gathered in the house and the men got the garage to themselves, seen here in 2011 and 2012.

Here are holiday pictures from 2013.

As Dad aged, he experienced increasing limitations from Parkinson’s disease. He came to need more care than Mom could physically sustain. Mom used her IRA to pay for Dad’s care in residential living. She almost never missed a day with him and brought him home for holidays. We celebrated Dad’s 90^th birthday at Green Acres in Greenville where Dee’s mother had previously resided.

Here are pictures from Dad’s last Christmas in 2015.

Dad made it to his last reunion in 2016.

Dad slowed down considerably in his last years, but his mind was still sharp. He declined quite a bit in his final months, but he enjoyed a serving of Wendy’s chili on his 92^nd birthday. Dad passed from this life just eight days later. His memorial service brought us together again. Thank you, Dad for more than I can say.

Spring dawned again on Dad and Mom’s last ranch, but Mom followed too soon. I can’t really express how blessed I have been to be their son and how much I value Dad as a man of integrity.

Here is a family tribute to Dad and Mom.

Notes

^[1] 1930 United States Census, Aden L. Springsteen household; Michigan, Montcalm County, Fairplain Township, Village of Sheridan (part), sheet 1A, lines 6-13; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XQ1D-PTC, accessed November 22, 2024.

^[2] 1940 United States Census, Aden Springsteen household; Michigan, Montcalm County, Fairplain Township, Village of Sheridan (part), sheet 1A, lines 7-14; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4GV-J1X, accessed November 22, 2024.

^[3]  Draft registration, Edwin Frank Springsteen; Michigan, Montcalm County, Draft Registration Board, Greenville, serial number W85, order number 12135; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPTS-NKZD, accessed November 22, 2024.

^[4] 1950 United States Census, Edwin Springsteen household; Michigan, Mecosta County, Big Rapids, sheet 11, lines 14-17; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6FS2-DLBS, accessed November 24, 2024.

In the beginning

Agnes, as she came to be known, was born in Dewitt Township, Clinton County, Michigan to German immigrant parents George and Kate Keck.^[1] She was known in her family as Aggie. Her date of birth was recorded as February 5, 1872, but Aggie was mightily annoyed by this. She insisted that she was born February 4 and observed her birthday on the fourth. She corrected the birth certificate issued by the Clinton County Clerk’s office about a month after her husbands’ death.

I came by this birth certificate after a visit to Dad’s Uncle Joe Springsteen and his wife Aunt Mary. This letter conveys a bit of context:

Aggie was born on the Keck family farm a mile south of Gunnisonville. She was raised there with older siblings Jacob, George, Eva, Henry and Charles, and younger sister Anna.^[2]

Aggie married L.D. (Loyal Davis) Springsteen in her family home March 2, 1892.^[3] Her father gave a family Bible to L.D. and Aggie that was used to record special events. My Uncle Hud (Harold A. Springsteen), Dad’s brother, was in possession of this Bible before his passing.

L.D. And Aggie’s family

In the Bible birth records, note the German spelling of Aggie’s middle name, Kathrein, which was actually her first name. German naming tradition often gave children a first name which was honorific and a rufname (call name) by which they were generally known. Aggie’s first name was apparently in recognition of her mother Ann Kathrein (Kurtz) Keck, who was known as Kate. Uncle Joe recalled Aggie’s father addressing her as Agat’ in his gruff German voice.

L.D. and Aggie took up residence in Springfield Township, Oakland County where L.D. was working on his uncle Jerome Howe’s farm. L.D. and Aggie lived in the tenant house on the farm with their two oldest sons Aden and Clinton (Joe).^[4] L.D.’s mother Mary Springsteen was living next door caring for her aging mother Susan Howe. Jerome Howe, Mary’s brother, lived across the road in Groveland Township.

Aggie’s brother-in-law Ed Heeb sent a one-cent post card to Aggie in 1900 explaining that Anna would not be able to come for a planned visit:

L.D. and Aggie had returned to Clinton County by 1904 when their youngest son Harold was born. After the death of L.D.’s sister Emma Allen he and Aggie took in Emma’s daughter Lucy. I met Lucy Davis in the early 1980s living as a very independent widow in her nineties. Her neighbor had seen her recently cleaning the gutters on her roof. L.D. and Aggie were recorded in DeWitt Township in the 1910 census. L.D.’s brother Marvin, his wife Eliza, and Emma’s son Ray Allen lived next door.^[5]

The 1920 census found L.D., Aggie and Harold in Watertown Township, Clinton County. I think they were renting the Brink farm on what is today known as Airport Road, the west boundary of DeWitt Township. Dad’s family was living on the Brink farm when he was born there in 1924.^[6]

In 1930 L.D. and Aggie were living at 418 West Maple Street in Lansing, just south of Clinton County. L.D. was working in the garbage department of the City of Lansing.^[7] They were at the same residence in 1940.^[8]

L.D. died October 12, 1943, at their home on Maple Street. He was laid to rest in the Gunnisonville Cemetery.^[9]

In 1950 Aggie was living with her granddaughter Lorna Raczkowski’s family in Lansing.^[10]

Aggie died April 13, 1963, and was laid to rest with her husband.

Family photos

Note that L.D. had lost part of his right index finger, perhaps in a farm accident.

Scrapbook news

Aggie kept cards, newspaper clippings and ephemera in scrapbooks. I left two scrapbooks with cousins in Michigan. This first item might have been in her family Bible, but the rest were from Aggie’s scrapbooks.

Following are a few of the many newspaper clippings that Aggie collected in her scrapbooks.

Yes, potato vacation was a thing in Montcalm County, Michigan. School was suspended for potato harvest.

According to Dad, his sister Lorna was embarrassed by their grandmother at one of these birthday celebrations. When someone asked Aggie if she had ever been bedridden, she responded “Oh, my, yes, hundreds of times, and twice in a buggy.”

Dad also reported that when Grandma Springsteen was visiting, she would sneak out to the porch to smoke. As a good German daughter, she certainly enjoyed her beer. When the family was playing cards, they could tell when Aggie had been cheating because she would chuckle quietly to herself.

Here is a birthday card note to Dad from his Grandma Springsteen, probably around 1950.

Fred and Verda were my grandparents. Aden Springsteen, my grandfather, died after a traffic accident in 1941. My grandmother, Verda, married Fred Olsen in 1945. Hud and Dot were Dad’s brother and his wife. The twins were Grandpa Olsen’s daughters Marian and Marie. Madge and Dude were Dad’s sister and her husband. Dude (Durward) Pontius had been dad’s shipmate on the U.S.S. Essex during World War II. Lorna was Dad’s older sister. Ed would have been Ed Heeb, Anna’s husband. Lois and the boys were my family.

My great grandmother was a bit of a character. In retrospect, I wish I had shared more time with her, but I was too young to fully appreciate how much I could have learned. I think some of my cousins might have a few more stories to tell.

Notes

^[1] Birth registration, Catherine Agatha Keck; Michigan, Clinton County, birth returns, 1872, page 410, record 2957; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQN2-94C, accessed August 14, 2024.

^[2] 1880 United States Census, George Keck household; Michigan, Clinton County, DeWitt Township, sheet 342C, lines 30-37; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MWS9-JQ6, accessed August 19, 2024.

^[3] Marriage registration, Loyal D. Springsteen and Aggie K. Keck; Michigan, Clinton County, marriage registration, 1892, page 70, record 1020; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FCNC-4TY, image 79 of 359, accessed August 21, 2024.

^[4] 1900 United States Census, Loyal D. Springsteen household; Michigan, Oakland County, Springfield Township, sheet 2B, lines 63-66; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS92-BQM, accessed August 16, 2024.

^[5] 1910 United States Census, Loyal D. Springsteen household; Michigan, Clinton County, DeWitt Township, sheet 9B, lines 78-83; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLPY-NSX, accessed August 19, 2024.

^[6] 1920 United States Census, Loyal D. Springsteen household; Michigan, Clinton County, Watertown Township, sheet 1B, lines 90-92; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZS2-LP8, accessed August 19, 2024.

^[7] 1930 United States Census, Loyal D. Springsteen household; Michigan, Ingham County, Lansing Ward 4, sheet 3A, lines 3-5; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XQY1-LD4, accessed August 19, 2024.

^[8] 1940 United States Census, Loyal D. Springsteen household; Michigan, Ingham County, Lansing Ward 4, sheet 14A, lines 26-28; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4LD-G2G, accessed August 20, 2024.

^[9] Certificate of death, L.D. Springsteen; Michigan State Archives, Lansing, Michigan; online at https://michigan.access.preservica.com/uncategorized/IO_5e5e4490-9032-4803-a8c0-19f261effc12/, accessed August 20, 2024.

^[10] 1950 United States Census, Alexander R. Raczkowski household; Michigan, Ingham County, Lansing, sheet 03871; online at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6JJ4-DMN2, accessed August 19, 2024.

European records are a challenge. I was wrong about this one.

Understanding European records

I have investigated my deep American ancestry for decades and still have much to share from my findings. Several years ago, I finally took the dive into my wife Dee’s European ancestry. I have posted articles previously about a few of my discoveries.

It helps to have some awareness of history and geography. This is certainly true in America, and more important in European research.

One of Dee’s grandfathers was an immigrant from Flanders in Belgium, where his family appears to have been resident for centuries. Flemish Belgian records are in Flemish Dutch, French and Latin.

Dee’s other three grandparents were children of immigrants from the Bohemian region of the Austrian Empire. Czechoslovakia, which did not yet exist, was one of the nations created when the empire was dissolved at the end of the Great War (World War I) in 1918. The term Bohemia is the English rendering of Germanic Böhmen, which in Czech is Čechy. Bohemian records are in Czech, German and Latin. Reading these records is further complicated by the old German handwriting and typeset that was unlike our familiar rendering of the alphabet.

We have much to learn from European records. I can assure you that this entails a lot of work.

Help is available

The FamilySearch Research Wiki is a good place to start. The wiki offers research information about European countries as well as links to many online records. Wikipedia is a helpful source of information about European nations and history. I have listed several links to European resources on my Research links page. While I have mixed feelings about Facebook, I have found focus groups there to be helpful.

The following discussion pertains to Czech research but could be helpful for working with records in other countries.

Searching for a birth record

Dee’s five-times-great grandmother Alžběta [Elizabeth in English], wife of Bartoloměj Prochaska, died September 28, 1792, in house 2 of Běštín in the Beroun district of Bohemia, at that time part of the Holy Roman Empire. Alžběta was reported to be 64 years old at her death.^[1] Her death registration is provided online by the State Regional Archives in Prague.

I set out to find a record of Alžběta’s birth, which would have occurred around 1728. Birth records for her children appeared to identify her as Alžběta Rodizuw or something like that. I couldn’t find an entry close to this name in the Bezdědice birth record index for 1664-1733. Because these indexes are subject to omissions and mistakes, I browsed Bezdědice church records for 1721-1733 looking for an Alžběta Rodizuw. After a few iterative page views, I found a potential record in September 1727, containing Alžběta and something like Rodizuw. but I was not able to understand much of its content. I decided to look for help in the Czech Genealogy group on Facebook.

We shouldn’t expect volunteers to do extensive work, so I asked for very specific information. With permission of other participants, I am sharing edited bits of the ensuing discussion as I think it is instructive.

• Ron: I’m having a heck of a time today with this penmanship. What is Alžběta’s second name and family name and her father’s given name in this birth record in the second entry on the right page?: https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/3968/184
• Mary: A snip to help us out [she provided the image]. I see the first line (repeated in all the records) as saying something like “I, XXX, baptized”. I could be wrong, but it’s a stock phrase, so it doesn’t matter. Then the word in front of Alžbeta looks sort of like “jmeno” in Czech, which is name. Ok, then her surname is on the second line. I really wanted to see “Mazour”, because that’s a known name where I’m from, but it’s not. It could be Mazera. Or maybe it’s Marya… The word after that sort of looks like the word that means family, born of, etc. and Vrba follows it. Or maybe that’s the father’s given name, and it’s Vit, and it’s genitive case. AH! the word that follows IS genitive for Vesely! And he’s a kovář. So this record IS in Czech, not Latin. Sorry for the long analysis, but this is an example of how us non-experts have to think things through.
• Ron: I was reading some semblance of Mayrna as her second name and couldn’t make anything of her father’s given name. It looks to me like her mother was Kateryn. Was their family name Rodyizur?
• Virginia: I think the second name is Marzena, not a surname, then a standard word meaning born of (?Rodjczur?), then Wyta (?Vit?) Weselyho kovarz…unless Kovarz is the surname…and materze (mother) Katerzyna.
• Ron: Is there no family name given in this record?
• Virginia: I’m not sure if it’s the Vesely word or the Kovař. Both are Czech surnames in my home county. Kovař could be an occupation. I’d lean toward Vesely being the surname. You’ll need to check indexes to see if it occurs in this area. Maybe some Czechs will look before they head to bed, unless they’re all asleep now.

There was, however, a little problem with my request for clarity in this birth record.

• Michaela: it’s not a birth/baptism record…

Oops!

• Michaela: Dne 17ho Zaržy Pohrzbeno ditie Gmenem Alžbieta Maržena Rodycžuw Wyta Weßelyho Kowarže a Materže Kateržyny gßa Zywo na Swietie 2 leta Umrželo na auplawiczy
• Michaela: so, on 17th September was buried a child named Alžběta Mařena of parents Vít Veselý, a blacksmith, and of mother Kateřina, being alive in this world for 2 years. She died of dysentery.

This record was, in fact, a death record for a two-year-old girl!^[2] Thinking this was a birth and baptism record, I unintentionally misled volunteers trying to help me.

Note that Michaela first transcribed the record, interpreting the characters, and thus the written words, in Czech. Then, with a typed transcription in hand, she translated the record to English. This is good methodology.

Note also how much richer the record is when we can read the whole thing.

What can we learn?

It certainly would have helped if I had recognized the capitalized term after Alžběta Prochaska’s name in her children’s birth registrations. I’m familiar with the term rozená (nee) in more recent records but I didn’t recognize the old term used here. Syn (son of) and dcera (daughter of) were also used in later centuries. Here is a guide to common terms used in Czech records: Czech-English parish books dictionary.

I should have been more careful in looking for records around 1728. Some church books contain only birth, marriage or death records, which must have been what I had in mind here. Other books, including this one, include all three events in separate sections, with births at the beginning of the book. In gauging my starting point for browsing records I failed to account for marriage and death records in the parish register. I must have initially landed in early death records and moved forward in time by increments from there.

Now what can I do?

I have found Bartoloměj’s birth record in 1728.^[3] I have identified four sons and a daughter born to Alžběta and Bartoloměj but I have not located their marriage record. Birth records of four of their children mention her maiden name, which I now understand to be the word after the term I thought to be her maiden name.^{[4] [5] [6] [7]} My best guess after reexamination is that Alžběta’s maiden name might have been Podánzik. The birth record of their youngest son doesn’t give Alžběta’s maiden name but identifies the estate (Wohsoviensi?) to which Bartoloměj and Alžběta were subject.^[8] Alžběta might have been born in another town belonging to the same estate and they might have been married there. I think my next step might be trying to identify the estate and looking further afield for their marriage record.

Final thoughts

It is important to spend time with European records to become familiar with common terms, handwriting, families and occupations. With patience and translation tools like Google Translate, it is possible to plumb records in unfamiliar languages, places and times. It is very much worth the effort.

Addendum

Further communication with Michaela revealed that the birth records of Bartoloměj‘s and Alžběta’s older children also indicated the estate (Osov) to which they were subject as serfs, not her maiden name. These were in Czech whereas the reference in their youngest child’s record was in Latin. An 1848 compendium of Bohemian estates confirms that Běštín was in the Osov estate.^[9] I found the marriage record for Bartoloměj and Alžběta^[10] and then her birth record^[11] in the Osov parish.

Notes

^[1] Death registration, Alžběta Prochaska; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Bezdědice Deaths, 1784-1806, page 110, house 2; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/4051/112,accessed August 3, 2024.

^[2] Death registration, Alžběta Mařena Veselý; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Bezdědice Deaths, 1721-1733, September 17, 1727, Radausse; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/3968/184, accessed August 5, 2024.

^[3] Birth registration, Bartoloměj Prochaska; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Bezdědice Births, 1721-1733, page 141, August 28, Biechczyna; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/3968/76, accessed August 6, 2024.

^[4] Birth registration, Josef Martin Prochaska; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Bezdědice Births, 1734-1757, page 301, October 29, Biechczina; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/3969/154, accessed August 6, 2024.

^[5] Birth registration, Jan Krtitel Prochaska [Dee’s direct ancestor]; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Bezdědice Births, 1734-1757, page 346, May 31/June 1, Biechczina; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/3969/177, accessed August 6, 2024.

^[6] Birth registration, Ondrej Prochaska; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Bezdědice Births, 1734-1757, page 394, November 19, Biechczina; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/3969/201, accessed August 6, 2024.

^[7] Birth registration, Anna Dorota Prochaska; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Bezdědice Births, 1758-1784, page 41, December 10, Biechczyna; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/3970/24, accessed August 6, 2024.

^[8] Birth registration, Jakub Prochaska; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Bezdědice Births, 1758-1784, page 117, April 29, Biechczin; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/3970/62, accessed August 6, 2024.

^[9] Popis Králowstwí Českého Čili Podrobné Poznamenání V Jazyku Českém I Německém, pages 269-270; online at Google Books: https://books.google.cz/books?id=C94BAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover, accessed August 10, 2024.

^[10] Marriage registration, Bartoloměj Prochaska and Alžběta Havelik; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Osov Marriages, 1747-1771, page 238, November 25, Biechczin and Lazovitz; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/10731/123, accessed August 10, 2024.

^[11] Birth registration, Alžběta Kateřina Havelik; Czech Republic, Beroun District, Roman Catholic Church, Osov Births, 1727-1746, page 6, November 16, Chlumetz; online at https://ebadatelna.soapraha.cz/d/10729/7, accessed August 10, 2024.

As a frame of reference, Belgium consists primarily of Dutch Flemish provinces in the north and French Walloon provinces in the south. Brussels, the capital city, lies between the two regions. French and Flemish are both used in official Belgian records. Civil registration records, which are helpful in family research, were instituted by the French First Republic at the turn of the nineteenth century.

Who were the children’s parents?

• Frans Lodewyk [think Low-duh-vike] Van Sande [think Fon Zon-duh] was born February 6, 1851, in Buggenhout, East Flanders, Belgium. He was the son of Joseph Van Sande and Maria Josepha Van Riet.^[1] The Van Sande family had lived around Buggenhout for generations. Joseph was the son of Jan Baptist Van Sande,^[2] the son of Jean Van Sande,^[3] the son of Henri Van Sande.^[4] Jean and Henri were likely known by Flemish names. Lodewyk married Francisca Annaert November 25, 1874, in Buggenhout.^[5] After her death, he married Monica Meert January 14, 1888, in Steenhuffel, Brabant, Belgium.^[6] Lodewyk’s French name in Belgium was Louis, a name easily portable to the United States. As Louis Van Zandt, he died February 3, 1892, in Cook County, Illinois at just under 41 years of age.^[7] He died at the Cook County Hospital and was buried in the Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Cook County.^[8]
• Francisca Annaert was born July 13, 1853, in Buggenhout.^[9] She was the daughter of Jan Frans Annaert and Maria Ludovica Hofmans. She died December 8, 1886, in Buggenhout.^[10]
• Monica Meert [think Mairt] was born April 13, 1852, in Steenhuffel.^[11] She was the daughter of Judocus Franciscus Meert and Joanna Francisca Verbelen. As already noted, she married Lodewyk in 1888. After his death, she married Bruno Van Hecka or Van Hacke April 16, 1893, in Chicago.^[12] Monica died in Chicago January 14, 1901, at 48 years of age.^[13] She was also buried in the Calvary Cemetery.^[14]
• Bruno Van Hacke was born October 13, 1863, according to his death record. Census records report that he was born in Belgium. He appears to have had three children from a previous marriage, including a son named Charles, mentioned later. Bruno died October 11, 1931, in Illinois, apparently in Cook County.^[15] He was buried in the Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, Cook County.^[16]

Lodewyk and Francisca’s children

• Joseph Van Sande was born May 11, 1876, in Buggenhout.^[17] He died there July 10, 1876.^[18]
• Jan Baptist Van Sande was born October 14, 1877, in Buggenhout.^[19] He was later known as Louis Van Zandt.
• Petrus Josephus Van Sande was born July 16, 1879, in Buggenhout.^[20] He died there December 3, 1879.^[21]
• Karel Van Sande was born June 23, 1881, in Buggenhout.^[22] He was later Charles Van Zandt.
• Irma Francisca Van Sande was born August 6, 1883, in Buggenhout.^[23] She married as Emma Van Zandt.
• Maria Van Sande was born August 8, 1885, in Buggenhout.^[24] She died there January 16, 1886.^[25]

Monica’s Belgian daughters

• Jeanette Elizabeth Meert was reportedly born in March 1880 in Belgium. I have not yet found her birth registration, but the 1900 census (see below) reported her month and year of birth.
• Maria Josephina Meert was born August 8, 1883, in Mechelen, Antwerpen, Belgium.^[26]

Lodewyk and Monica’s children

• Richard Joseph Coleta Van Sande was born October 14, 1888, in Buggenhout.^[27]
• Joanna Helena Van Sande was born February 7, 1890, in Grembergen, East Flanders. Her father was reported away in Chicago.^[28] She died June 4, 1890, in Cook County, Illinois.^[29]
• Willie Van Zandt was born July 19, 1892, after his father’s death, in Cook County, Illinois.^[30] He died there September 9, 1892.^[31] Willie was the only child born with the Van Zandt surname.

Bruno and Monica’s children

• Marie Louise Van Hacke was born January 24, 1894, in Chicago. Her birth was registered in Chicago in 1944.^[32]
• Frank Van Hacke was born in June 1896, probably in Chicago. His birth month and year were reported for the 1900 census (see below). Given that his sister Marie’s birth wasn’t recorded until decades later, Frank’s birth might never have been recorded.

Coming to America

Lodewyk and his former brother-in-law Joseph Annaert arrived at the Port of New York August 16, 1889, aboard the Belgenland, sailing from Antwerp. Both were listed as farmers bound for Chicago.^[33]

Monica Van Zande [sic] arrived at the Port of Philadelphia April 16, 1890, aboard the Belgenland, sailing from Antwerp. Several related families sailed with Monica, all bound for Illinois. Monica’s family was recorded on the manifest as follows:^[34]

• Monica Van Zande, adult
• Jeanette Meert, age 10
• Karell Van Zande, age 8
• Anna [apparently Irma] Van Zande, age 5
• Josepha Van Zande [Josephine Meert], age 4
• Richard Van Zande, age 1 ½
• Helene Van Zande, infant
• Johannes [Jan Baptist?] Van Zande, age 10.

Returning to America

Monica arrived with her family at the Port of New York March 8, 1899, aboard the Westernland, sailing from Antwerp. They had been residing in Hombeck [spelling?], which might be Hombeek, on the outskirts of Mechelen. Monica’s brother Ludovicus lived in Hombeek in the 1880s and perhaps beyond. Monica was returning to her husband Bruno at 606 14^th Street in Chicago. Her family was recorded on the manifest as follows:^[35]

• Monica Van Hecke, age 46
• Josefine Van Heck [Meert], age 11
• Karl Van Heck [apparently Richard Van Zandt, but could this have been Bruno’s son Charles?], age 8
• Marie Van Heck, age 4
• Frank Van Heck, age 2.

Bruno and Monica’s family, 1900

Monica and Bruno’s family was enumerated in 1900 on East Sixth Street in St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois. They were listed with the surname Van Nack, apparently a misunderstanding of Van Hacke or Van Acke. They were recorded as follows.^[36]

• Bruno Van Nack, head of household, born March 1852 in Belgium, naturalized citizen^[37]
• Monica Van Nack, wife, born April 1852 in Belgium, mother of seven children, two [not] still living
• Jennie Van Nack [Meert], stepdaughter, born March 1880 in Belgium
• Josephine Van Nack [Meert], stepdaughter, born August 1884 in Belgium
• Charles Van Nack [clearly Richard Van Zandt], stepson, born October 1888 in Belgium
• Mary Van Nack, daughter, born January 1894 in Illinois
• Frank Van Nack, son, born June 1896 in Illinois.

Lodewyk and Francisca’s children, 1900

The household of Alfred [Alfons] Verest was enumerated at 606 West 14^th Street in Chicago. This is apparently the home Monica returned to in 1899. The Verest household is of interest because Mary Verest was Monica Meert’s younger sister. Furthermore, and of particular interest, the Verests had taken in Louis Van Zandt’s children from his first marriage sometime after their father’s death. As I have previously discussed, there were other connections between the Verest and Van Sande families. The Verest household was recorded as follows:^[38]

• Alfred Verest, head of household, born January 1862 in Belgium, provisions dealer
• Mary Verest, wife, born March 1862 in Belgium, mother of four children, three still living
• Lillian Verest, daughter, born January 1890 in Illinois
• Raymond Verest, son, born July 1894 in Illinois
• Jennie Verest, daughter, born May 1896 in Illinois
• Emma Van Zandt [Irma Van Sande], boarder, born August 1883 in Belgium, grocery clerk
• Louis Van Zandt [Jan Baptist Van Sande], boarder, born October 1877 in Belgium, printer
• Charles Van Zandt [Karel Van Sande], boarder, born June 1881 in Belgium, printer
• Charles Millman, boarder, born January 1858 in Belgium, porter.

What became of the children as adults?

As we have seen, several of Louis’s and Monica’s children died in infancy. Frank Van Hacke, Monica’s last child, died April 22, 1913, in Chicago at the age of sixteen.^[39] I know of seven children who lived into adulthood. Six of them were born in Belgium and immigrated with Monica in 1890. The Van Sande surname became Van Zandt in America.

Jan Baptist Van Sande (Louis Van Zandt)

• Jan Baptist was not the first of that name in his family. His paternal grandfather and an uncle were also Jan Baptist Van Sande. Sometime after immigrating to the United States, he adopted the name Louis, perhaps after the death of his father.
• As Louis Van Zandt, he served as a volunteer in the Spanish-American War.^[40] He was granted a partial invalid pension in 1904.^[41] Louis had been reported as a naturalized citizen of the United States in the 1900 census, perhaps in connection with his military service.
• Louis married Carolina Catharina Van Staey September 29, 1906, in Chicago.^[42] Louis and Lena raised Richard Van Zandt’s daughter Evelyn and sons Richard and Louis. They were the grandparents Dee knew in her childhood.
• In 1910 Louis and Lena were recorded at 1928 West Huron Street in Chicago. Louis was working as a press feeder in a printing house.^[43]
• In 1920 Louis and Lena were living on Second Street in Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois with Lena’s stepfather and her mother Alfons and Marie Quirrynan. Louis was working as a printer in a printing company.^[44]
• In 1930 Louis and Lena were living at 408 Second Street in Elmhurst. Louis was working as a press feeder in a printing company.^[45]
• In 1940 Louis and Lena still lived at 408 West Second Street. Their nephews Louis and Richard Van Zandt were living with them. Louis the elder was working as a printer and his nephews were working in nickel plating.^[46]
• In 1950, the year of the most recent published census, Louis and Lena were again recorded at 408 West Second Street.^[47]
• Louis died July 14, 1972, at age 94 and was buried in the Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Elmhurst.^[48], [49]
• Lena died at age 104 on January 20, 1991, in DuPage County.^[50] She was presumably buried with Louis.

Karel Van Sande (Charles Van Zandt)

• Charles’s life somewhat paralleled that of his brother Louis. He adopted the middle name Louis in America, perhaps in memory of their father. Charles and his brother Louis both worked as printers and lived most of their adult lives in close proximity to each other.
• Charles became a naturalized citizen October 3, 1902, in Illinois.^[51]
• Charles married Josephine Dorothy Baxa June 5, 1906, in Chicago.^[52]
• In 1910 Charles and Josephine were living at 1635 South 40^th Court in Chicago. Charles was working as a printer.^[53]
• In 1920 Charles and Josephine were recorded at 405 Second Street in Elmhurst with daughter Bernice and son Harvey. Charles was working as a printer.^[54]
• In 1930 Charles and Josephine were recorded again at 405 Second Street with Bernice and Harvey. Charles was still working as a printer.^[55]
• In 1940 Charles and Josephine were living at 405 West Second Street with Bernice and Harvey. Louis was working as a printer and Bernice was a clerk in a real estate company. Harvey was unable to work.^[56]
• In 1950 Charles and Josephine continued to live at 405 West Second Street. Herman and Bernice Wendland lived upstairs. Charles was working as a printer for a daily newspaper [The Chicago Tribune].^[57] Harvey had moved to the State Hospital in Elgin.^[58]
• Charles died in January 1963 and was buried in Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.^[59]
• Josephine died in September 1977 and was buried with her husband.^[60]

Irma Van Sande (Emma Wille)

• Emma Van Zandt married Fred Wille August 1, 1906, in Chicago.^[61]
• In 1910 Fred and Emma were recorded at 1130 Francisco Street in Chicago. Fred was working as a turner at a plumbing company and Emma as a waitress in a restaurant.^[62]
• In 1920 they lived at 3910 Wilcox Avenue with Fred’s mother, brother, and nephew. Fred was driving a milk wagon and Emma was a waitress.^[63]
• Emma died in Chicago November 18, 1922, and was buried in Oakridge Cemetery.^[64]
• Fred died in Chicago as a widower June 14, 1960, and was also buried in Oakridge Cemetery.^[65]

Jeanette Meert (Jeanette Barrett)

• As Jennie Van Zandt, Jeanette married George Lake Barrett October 14, 1903, in Chicago.^[66]
• In 1910 George and Jeanette were recorded at 421 Drake Avenue in Chicago with children Lillian, Walter, and Trudie Barrett. George was working as a building contractor.^[67]
• In 1920 they were living at 405 Drake Avenue with children Lillian, Walter, Gertrude, and Laurence. Bruno Van Hecke was also living with them. George was working as a carpenter.^[68]
• In 1930 George and Jeanette lived at 9112 Washington Street in Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois. Gertrude and Laurence were living in their household. George was working as a carpenter.^[69]
• In 1940 they were recorded in the same home with Lawrence [sic] in residence. George was a carpenter and Lawrence was a printer.^[70]
• George died December 11, 1943, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, Cook County.^[71]
• In 1950 Jeanette was recorded as a widow in the household of her son Lawrence at 9112 Washington Street. Lawrence was working as a freight clerk in the railroad industry.^[72]
• Jeanette died in 1964 and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.^[73]

Josephine Meert (Josephine Kent)

• In 1920 Josephine Meert was recorded as Josephine Joos, divorced, with her daughter Bernice Joos at 6242 South Park Avenue [apparently now South Martin Luther King Drive] in Chicago. Philip Kent (Theophile Kint), a janitor born in Belgium, was living with Josephine as a lodger.^[74]
• In 1930 Josephine was living at 6238 South Park Way [again, South MLK Drive] with Phillip, listed as his wife. Bruno Vanack lived with them.^[75]
• Phillip was naturalized in Chicago June 29, 1939.^[76]
• In 1950 Phillip and Josephine lived at 1333 South Kimbark Avenue in Chicago. Phillip was working as an apartment building janitor.^[77] I have not found Josephine or Phillip in the 1910 and 1940 censuses.
• Phillip and Josephine were married November 20, 1950, in Chicago.^[78]
• Josephine became a naturalized citizen June 26, 1951.^[79]
• Josephine’s left leg was amputated and buried in 1961.^[80]
• Phillip died April 8, 1964,^[81] and was buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, River Grove, Cook County.^[82]
• Josephine died about November 1965 and was buried December 2 in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.^[83] I suspect that she died outside of Cook County because I haven’t found her in Cook County death records. Might she have been living with her daughter?

Richard Van Sande (Richard Van Zandt)

• Richard Van Zandt married Emma Hrobar (aka Robash) September 23, 1916, in Chicago.^[84] Richard and Emma were Dee’s actual grandparents. I posted an article recently about Emma.
• In 1920 Richard and Emma were recorded at 1750 West 14^th Place in Chicago with their daughter Evelyn. Richard was working as a teamster in the coal industry.^[85]
• In 1930 Richard and Emma were living at 1319 14^th Place with six children: Evelyn, Richard, Louis, Janett [sic], Anna, and Elizabeth. Richard was reported as a truck chauffeur for the city but was unemployed in 1930.^[86] Louis was Dee’s father.
• Richard left their home, probably in the early 1930s, resulting in the dissolution of his family. I have found no further record of Richard. 
• Emma died in Chicago in April 1972.^[87]

Marie Van Hacke (Marie Pedersen)

• In 1910 Marie Van Hacke was listed at 1310 Hasting Street in Chicago with her father Bruno and brother Frank.^[88]
• Marie married Roy Wesley Pederson June 5, 1915, in Chicago.^[89]
• In 1920 Roy and Marie were recorded at 168 Cortland Street in Chicago with son Roy Jr. and Josephine’s twice-counted daughter Bernice Joos. Roy was working as a milk driver.^[90]
• In 1930 Roy and Marie were living at 4427 North Melvina Avenue with sons Roy Jr. and Robert, as well as their niece Bernice Joos. Roy was working as a brokerage clerk.^[91]
• in 1940 Roy and Marie were recorded at the same address with Roy Jr., Robert, and Richard Van Zandt’s daughter Elizabeth, who was listed as their daughter Betty Lou. Betty later assumed the name Elizabeth Marie, perhaps in appreciation of Marie Pedersen. Roy was working as a salesman in the freight trucking industry.^[92]
• In 1950, Roy and Marie were living in their son Robert’s household at 1426 Austin Boulevard in Cicero, Cook County.^[93] Marie was working as a coil winder in electrical appliance manufacturing.
• Roy died June 6, 1951, in Chicago and was buried in Irving Park Cemetery.^[94]
• Marie died in December 1978 and was buried with her husband.^[95]

Further thoughts

Shifting family structures complicated reporting of children. Limited knowledge of stepchildren was sometimes an impediment in providing information for public records. As noted in the 1900 census enumeration, Monica was further limited by illiteracy and not being conversant in English. Sorting out Monica’s children poses additional challenges due in part to changing surnames. Her children were subject to acquiring surnames from stepfathers after Monica married and remarried. Jeanette, for example, sailed from Antwerp to Philadelphia as Jeanette Meert but married as Jennie Van Zandt. Josephine and Karl [Richard] were called Van Hacke in the Westernland manifest of 1899. Jennie, Josephine, and Charles [Richard] were all listed as Van Nack in the 1900 census.

Lodewyk’s and Monica’s grand family still poses puzzles to be discovered and understood. There’s always more to investigate and learn.

This picture from Christmas, 1952, shows Louis Van Zandt, Lodewyk’s oldest child, seated in the armchair with Lena at his side. Might Louis’s brother Charles have been the man on the couch at left? Louis and Lena’s nephew Richard was on the right in back with his wife Rosalie. Dee’s mother Dorothy was to the left of Rosalie. Louis and Lena’s niece Evelyn was on the left in back and her husband Melvin Radenz was the younger man on the couch. Who was the woman next to Lena? If you know any of the people in this picture, please identify or confirm them in comments.

Notes

^[1] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1842-1859, FamilySearch, image 355 of 638, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-MGS6-9S, accessed March 14, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1851, record 14.

^[2] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1801-1822, FamilySearch, image 299 of 648, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-MJ7Q-T, accessed April 16, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1812, page 15.

^[3] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Deaths, 1843-1862, FamilySearch, image 294 of 559, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-688Q-L8F, accessed April 16, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Deaths, 1853, record 18.

^[4] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Deaths, 1802-1822, FamilySearch, image 338 of 588, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-63N3-138, accessed April 16, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Deaths, 1814, page 3.

^[5] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Marriages, 1872-1878, FamilySearch, image 438 of 593, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GGVR-97X2, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Marriages, 1874, record 35.

^[6] Belgium, Brabant, Civil Registration, Brabant, Marriages, 1885-1889, FamilySearch, image 613 0f 759, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-WB9D-D4, accessed March 16, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, Brabant, Steenhuffel Register of Marriages, record 1.

^[7] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Louis Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7VJ-Y38, accessed March 18, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[8] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1989, FamilySearch, record of Louis Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HN-CDQ7, accessed April 8, 2024; from burial card, Louis Van Zandt.

^[9] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1842-1859, FamilySearch, image 449 of 638, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-MGSZ-1F, accessed March 26, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1853, record 71.

^[10] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Deaths, 1879-1888, FamilySearch, image 772 of 852, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9PD3-SBT, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Deaths, 1886, record 100.

^[11] Belgium, Brabant, Civil Registration, Steenhuffel, Births, 1852-1857, FamilySearch, image 8 of 648, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68T9-F5L, accessed March 14, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, Brabant, Steenhuffel Register of Births, 1852, record 12.

^[12] Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968, FamilySearch, record of Monica Van Zands, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N76L-W6K, accessed March 19, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[13] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Monica Van Hacke, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MQ-48B7, accessed March 19, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[14] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1889, FamilySearch, record of Monica VanAcke, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HN-C8ZP, accessed March 19, 2024; from burial card, Monica VanAcke.

^[15] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Bruno Van Hacke, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2M8-99JT, accessed March 26, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[16] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1989, FamilySearch, record of Bruno Van Acke, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HN-S735, accessed April 8, 2024; from Interment Register, Mount Carmel Cemetery, page 139.

^[17] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1873-1881, FamilySearch, image 118 of 593, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9GVR-9SSP, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1876, record 85.

^[18] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Deaths, 1873-1877, FamilySearch, image 81 of 1001, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GGVT-RQB, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Deaths, 1876, record 58.

^[19] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1873-1881, FamilySearch, image 168 of 593, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9GVR-99LG, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1877, record 121.

^[20] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1873-1881, FamilySearch, image 253 of 593, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9GVR-99RS, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1879, record 93.

^[21] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Deaths, 1879-1888, FamilySearch, image 527 of 852, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPD3-3R3, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Deaths, 1879, record 94.

^[22] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1873-1881, FamilySearch, image 349 of 593, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GGVR-9728, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1881, record 93.

^[23] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1882-1884, FamilySearch, image 80 of 155, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPDW-NFV, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1883, record 104.

^[24] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1885-1888, FamilySearch, image 29 of 852, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9PD3-9QR, accessed March 15, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1885, record 93.

^[25] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Deaths, 1879-1888, FamilySearch, image 747 of 852, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPD3-S15, accessed March 15,2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Deaths, 1886, record 2.

^[26] Belgium, Antwerpen, Civil Registration, Mechelen, Births, 1881-1883, FamilySearch, image 1236 of 1456, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-95QT-9LRS, accessed March 16, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, Antwerpen, Mechelen Register of Births, 1883, record 51 (stamped 1051).

^[27] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1885-1888, FamilySearch, image 202 of 852, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPD3-Q5B, accessed March 17, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1888, record 154.

^[28] Belgium, East Flanders, Civil Registration, Buggenhout, Births, 1889-1903, FamilySearch, image 58 of 639, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9P67-9MJC, accessed March 18, 2024; from Belgium State Archives, East Flanders, Buggenhout Register of Births, 1890, record 20.

^[29] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Helene Van Sante, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7K2-22C, accessed March 18, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[30] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, FamilySearch, record of Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NQR5-QYV, accessed March 18, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[31] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Willie Vanzandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2M3-RKDS, accessed March 18, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[32] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, FamilySearch, record of Marie Louise Van Acke, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q239-8T5T, accessed March 19, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[33] New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957, Ancestry, record of L Van Sande, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/7263147:7488, accessed March 17, 2024; from List of Passengers, Port of New York, Belgenland arrival August 16, 1889, Steerage passenger 7.

^[34] Pennsylvania, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1798-1962, record of Monica Van Zande and family, Ancestry, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/99973:8769, accessed March 18, 2024; from List of Passengers, Port of Philadelphia, Belgenland arrival April 16, 1890, Steerage passengers 233-240.

^[35] New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1820-1957, Ancestry, record of Monica Van Hecka, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/4041730512:7488, accessed March 19, 2024; from List or Manifest of Alien Immigrants for the Commissioner of Immigration, Port of New York, Westernland sailing from Antwerp, February 25, 1899, page 61, passengers 11-15.

^[36] United States Census, 1900, FamilySearch, household of Bruno Van Nack, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSW2-24L, accessed March 19, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1900 United States Census, Saint Charles, Kane County, Illinois, Enumeration District 114, Population Schedule, sheet 3A (stamped 322A).

^[37] Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950, FamilySearch, record of Bruno Van Hecka, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XKP7-272, accessed April 7, 2024; from U.S. District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois.

^[38] United States Census, 1900, FamilySearch, household of Alfred Verest, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS33-N4R, accessed March 23, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1900 United States Census, Chicago Ward 9, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 230, Population Schedule, sheet 9A (stamped 224A)

^[39] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Frank Van Hacke, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2M7-YDBN, accessed March 19, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[40] United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934, FamilySearch, record of Louis Van Zandt,  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDP-YG5F, accessed April 6, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

^[41] United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933, FamilySearch, record of Louis Van Zandt,  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD3-DYD5, accessed April 6, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

^[42] Illinois, Chicago, Catholic Church Records, 1833-1925, FamilySearch, record of Ludovicus Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2YM-2H4T, accessed March 25, 2024; from St. John Berchmans Chicago Marriage Records.

^[43] United States Census, 1910, FamilySearch, household of Louis Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKC5-KDB, accessed March 25, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1910 United States Census, Enumeration District 684, Chicago Ward 14, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 230, Population Schedule, sheet 12B.

^[44] United States Census, 1920, FamilySearch, household of Louis Vanzandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJWL-ZM5, accessed March 25, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Census, Elmhurst Ward 2, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Enumeration District 30, Population Schedule, sheet 20B.

^[45] United States Census, 1930, FamilySearch, household of Louis Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSY9-LHN, accessed March 25, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Census, Elmhurst Ward 2, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Enumeration District 22-3, Population Schedule, sheet 19B.

^[46] United States Census, 1940, FamilySearch, household of Louis Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW42-VZ9, accessed March 25, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Census, Elmhurst Ward 2, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Enumeration District 22-4, Population Schedule, sheet 29A.

^[47] United States Census, 1950, FamilySearch, household of Louis Vanzandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6J4H-6G3Y, accessed March 25,2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1950 United States Census, Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois, Enumeration District 22-11, Population Schedule, sheet 15.

^[48] Find a Grave Index, FamilySearch, record of Louis Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q23Y-DMSQ, accessed March 25, 2024.

^[49] Illinois Soldier Burial Places, 1774-1974, FamilySearch, record of Louis Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVYM-TF99, accessed March 25,2024.

^[50] United States Social Security Death Index, FamilySearch, record of Lena Vanzandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J2T3-PTY, accessed March 25, 2024; from U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, Alexandria, Virginia.

^[51] Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950, FamilySearch, record of Chas L Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XKP7-G44, accessed April 7, 2024; from U.S. District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois.

^[52] Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968, FamilySearch, record of Charles L. Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N74B-TXV, accessed March 28, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[53] United States Census, 1910, FamilySearch, household of Charles Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK8V-JHM, accessed March 28, 2024; from U.S, National Archives and Records Administration, 1910 United States Census, Chicago Ward 34, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 1478, Population Schedule, sheet 12A.

^[54] United States Census, 1920, FamilySearch, household of Charles Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJWL-ZMJ, accessed March 29, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Census, Elmhurst Ward 2, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Enumeration District 30, Population Schedule, sheet 20A.

^[55] United States Census, 1930, FamilySearch, household of Charles Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSY9-L4N, accessed March 29, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Census, Elmhurst Ward 2, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Enumeration District 22-3, Population Schedule, sheet 19A.

^[56] United State Census, 1940, FamilySearch, household of Charles Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW42-FLQ, accessed March 29, 2024; from U.S.  National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Census, Elmhurst Ward 2, York Township, DuPage County, Illinois, Enumeration District 22-4, Population Schedule, sheet 28A.

^[57] United States Census, 1950, FamilySearch, household of Charles L Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6J4H-KKYS, accessed March 29, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1950 United States Census, Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois, Enumeration District 22-11, Population Schedule, sheet 72.

^[58] United States Census, 1950, FamilySearch, record of Harvey Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6X16-MND9, accessed April 8, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1950 United States Census, Elgin State Hospital, Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, Enumeration District 45-150, Population Schedule, sheet 20.

^[59] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1989, FamilySearch, record of Charles Vanzandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HF-6MH6, accessed March 29, 2024; from burial card, Charles Vanzandt.

^[60] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1989, FamilySearch, record of Josephine Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HF-6MC4, accessed March 29, 2024; from burial card, Josephine Van Zandt.

^[61] Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968, FamilySearch, record of Emma Vanzandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7HM-JB9, accessed April 6, 2024; from Cook County Clerk.

^[62] United States Census, 1910, FamilySearch, household of Fred Willie, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKC5-FQZ, accessed March 29, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1910 United States Census, Chicago Ward 13, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 668, Population Schedule, sheet 7B.

^[63] United States Census, 1920, FamilySearch, household of Fred W Wille, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ32-6G8, accessed March 29, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Census, Chicago Ward 13, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 769, Population Schedule, sheet 5B.

^[64] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Emma Wille, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MD-4HT9, accessed March 29, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[65] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Fred Wille, FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9N-GCJY, accessed March 29, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[66] Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968, FamilySearch, record of Jennie Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7HK-J84, accessed March 27, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[67] United States Census, 1910, FamilySearch, household of George L Barrett, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK8G-QH8, accessed March 27, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1910 United states Census, Chicago Ward 35, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 1526, Population Schedule, sheet 8A.

^[68] United States Census, 1920, FamilySearch, household of George Barrett, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ3P-57X, accessed March 27, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Census, Chicago Ward 14, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 868, Population Schedule, sheets 8B and 9A.

^[69] United States Census, 1930, FamilySearch, household of George L Barrett, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSTF-Z3D, accessed March 27, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Census, Brookfield, Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 16-2167, Population Schedule, sheet 1A.

^[70] United States Census, 1940, FamilySearch, household of George L Barrett, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW4H-KBQ, accessed March 28, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Census, Brookfield, Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 16-254, Population Schedule, sheet 19A.

^[71] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of George L Barrett, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MH-4YV2, accessed March 28, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[72] United States Census, 1950, FamilySearch, household of Lawrence F Barrett, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6X1L-VBNB, accessed March 28, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1950 United States Census, Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 16-364, Population Schedule, sheet 74.

^[73] Find a Grave Index, FamilySearch, record of Jeanette E Barrett, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6LX4-PNSF, accessed March 25, 2024.

^[74] United States Census, 1920, FamilySearch, household of Josephine Joos, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJSR-LBH, accessed March 25, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Census, Chicago Ward 6, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 872, Population Schedule, sheet 11A.

^[75] United States Census, 1930, FamilySearch, household of Philipp Kent, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSL2-K7T, accessed March 30, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Census, Chicago Ward 17, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 16-629, Population Schedule, sheet 13B.

^[76] Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950, FamilySearch, record of Phillip Kent, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XKGH-FJT, accessed April 7, 2024; from U.S. District and Circuit Courts, Northern District of Illinois.

^[77] United States Census, 1950, FamilySearch, household of Phillip Kent, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6X1F-4K9L, accessed March 30, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 103690, Population Schedule, sheet 2.

^[78] Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968, FamilySearch, record of Josephine Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7WG9-63N2, accessed March 25, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[79] Illinois, Northern District (Eastern Division) Naturalization Index, 1926-1979, FamilySearch, record of Josephine Kent, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2H5P-QG8, accessed March 30, 2024; from District Court for the Chicago Division of the Northern District of Illinois, Petitions for Naturalization, compiled 1906-1991.

^[80] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1989, FamilySearch, record of Josephine Kent, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HN-WJ9Q, accessed March 30, 2024; from burial card, Josephine Kent.

^[81] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Phillip Kent, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2M6-1LV9, accessed March 30, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[82] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1889, FamilySearch, record of Phillip Kent, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HN-WJ3M, accessed March 30, 2024; from burial card, Phillip Kent.

^[83] Illinois, Archdiocese of Chicago, Cemetery Records, 1864-1989, FamilySearch, record of Josephine Kent, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2HN-WJ9P, accessed March 24, 2024; from burial card, Josephine Kent.

^[84] Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968, FamilySearch, record of Richard Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7ZK-5XT, accessed March 24, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[85] United States Census, 1920, FamilySearch, household of Richard Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ3X-XQ8, accessed April 1, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Census, Chicago Ward 10, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 10, Population Schedule, sheet 7B.

^[86] United States Census, 1930, FamilySearch, household of Richard Vangandt or Vanzandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSG6-JBV, accessed April 1, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1930 United States Census, Chicago Ward 26, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 16-925, Population Schedule, sheet 4B.

^[87] United States Social Security Death Index, FamilySearch, record of Emma Vanzandt, Cook County, Illinois, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J21P-4ZS, accessed April 1, 2024; from U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File.

^[88] United States Census, 1910, FamilySearch, household of Branno Wenleck, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKC6-NKN, accessed April 2, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1910 United States Census, Chicago Ward 10, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 523, Population Schedule, sheet 12B. 

^[89] Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968, FamilySearch, record of Roy Pedersen, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7ZZ-TJD, accessed April 1, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[90] United States Census, 1920, FamilySearch, household of Roy Pedersen, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ7G-QZY, accessed April 1, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1920 United States Census, Chicago Ward 33, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 2082, Population Schedule, sheet 8A.

^[91] United States Census, 1930, FamilySearch, household of Roy Pedersen, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSP1-5TL, accessed April 1, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1830 United States Census, Chicago Ward 41, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 16-1527, Population Schedule, sheet 6A.

^[92] United States Census, 1940, FamilySearch, household of Roy W Pedersen, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4M8-5X3, accessed April 1, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1940 United States Census, Chicago Ward 41, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 103-2618, Population Schedule, sheet 1B.

^[93] United States Census, 1950, FamilySearch, household of Robert Pedersen, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6X1F-KSJK, accessed April 1, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 1950 United States Census, Cicero, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 105-16, Population Schedule, sheets 4-5.

^[94] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch, record of Roy Weseley Pedersen, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2M4-2CC8, accessed April 1, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[95] Find a Grave Index, FamilySearch, record of Marie L Vanacke Pedersen, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6PX6-82XF, accessed April 1, 2024.

When I married my wife Dee, she came with a small family. Raised as the only child of an only child, Dee had lost contact with her father’s family after her parents divorced in her childhood. Dee remembers her Grandpa and Grandma Van, but they weren’t her biological grandparents.

Dee’s father Louis was the son of Richard and Emma Van Zandt. Dee never knew them and might never have known that they existed until I asked her mother Dorothy about family history. I took a few notes from my conversation with Dorothy about her knowledge of the Van Zandt family. The grandparents Dee knew were Louis and Lena Van Zandt. They took in some of Emma’s children after Richard left her with six children and limited means of support. The elder Louis (Grandpa Van) was Richard’s older half-brother.

Richard had experienced considerable family instability as a child. He was a year and a half old when he arrived in the United States with his mother to rejoin his father in Chicago. An infant sister survived the voyage but died within a few months after arrival. Richard’s father died less than two years later, followed by Richard’s infant brother born after their father’s death. Richard’s mother remarried and had additional children, but she too died when Richard was twelve.

Emma’s family background

I learned that Emma’s last name before marriage was Robash. This later proved to be phonetically close but incorrectly spelled. Nevertheless, Robash was frequently used in records. Emma’s parents, Rudolf and Alžběta Hrobař, had immigrated to Chicago from Bohemia, at that time part of Austria-Hungary. Google Translate reveals that their family name sounded a bit like Robash. When asked about their name, people were likely to record what they heard unless they asked for spelling. In Czech, a hrobař was apparently a gravedigger. Emma’s parents’ names were rendered as Rudolf Hrobar and Alzbeta Strakova when their marriage was recorded by the Cook County Clerk on January 22, 1889.^[1], [2]

The 1900 United States Federal Census recorded their family at 2248 51^st Place in Chicago.^[3] They were listed as follows:

• Rudolph Robash, age 30, was born in December 1869 in Bohemia. He was reported as a naturalized citizen, having immigrated in 1885. He was a metal polisher by trade and had worked six months in the previous year. He owned his home free and clear. He could read and write and spoke English.
• Lizzie Robash, age 30, was born in October 1869 in Bohemia. [Elizabeth corresponded to the Czech name Alžběta.] She had reportedly immigrated in 1887. She had been married ten years and was the mother of three children, all still living. She could read and write but did not speak English.
• Annie Robash, age 10, was born in August 1889 in Illinois. She was a student, and could read, write, and speak English.
• Rudolph Robash, age 5, was born in July 1894 in Illinois.
• Emilie Robash, age 3, was born in March 1897 in Illinois.

When the next census was taken in 1910, Emma’s family was living at 2148 W. 51^st Place.^[4] Upon examination of the neighborhood in multiple censuses, this appears to have been their 1900 residence, which might have been misnumbered by the 1900 census enumerator. Emma’s father was renting part of the house in 1910 to recent immigrants from Germany. Emma’s family was recorded as follows:

• Rudolph Robash, age 42, was reported as born in Bohemian Austria. He was working as a machinist in the cutlery manufacturing industry.
• Lizzie Robash, age 42, was born in Bohemian Austria. She had reportedly immigrated in 1884. She could read and write but spoke Bohemian. Rudolph and Lizzie had reportedly been married for 24 years. She was the mother of four children, all living.
• Anna Robash, age 20, was born in Illinois. She worked as a moulder in pottery manufacturing.
• Rudolph Robash, age 16, was born in Illinois. He worked as an action maker in piano manufacturing.
• Emma Robash, age 13, was born in Illinois and attended school.
• Bessie Robash, age 10, was born in Illinois and attended school.

Building her own family

Emma married Richard Van Zandt on September 23, 1916, in Chicago.^[5] Their first child, Richard or Robert, was born two days later^[6] and died four days after birth.^[7] Both father and son were apparently recorded as Richard in his birth record and as Robert in his death record. I have not yet seen the original records. I wonder whether Richard and Emma would have married and created a family if not for this first child.

Emma’s and Richard’s second child, Evelyn, was born October 17, 1917, in Chicago.^[8]

The 1920 census found their family renting a home at 1750 West 14^th Place in Chicago.^[9] They were recorded as follows:

• Richard Van Zandt, age 30, was identified as an alien (not naturalized), born in Belgium, who had immigrated in 1890. He worked as a teamster in the coal business. He could read, write, and speak English.
• Emma Van Zandt, wife, age 22, was born in Illinois. She could read, write, and speak English.
• Evelyn Van Zandt, daughter, age 2 3/12, was born in Illinois.

Emma’s and Richard’s third child, Richard, was born June 15, 1920, in Chicago.^[10]

Their fourth child, unnamed at birth, was Dee’s father Louis. He was born October 24, 1921, in the Cook County Hospital, Chicago.^[11] Louis filed a supplemental report of birth in 1945 to add his name to his certificate of birth.^[12] At the time of Louis’s birth, his father Richard was living at 2816 Arthington Street in Chicago and was working as a teamster. Emma was recorded as living at 2248 W. 51^st Place, apparently her parents’ home. She was working as a feeder in a printing shop. Emma was reported as the mother of three children, including this child, all still living.

Emma’s and Richard’s fifth child, Jeanette, was born December 29, 1923, in Chicago.^[13]

Their sixth child, Dorothy Ann, was born November 21, 1926, in Chicago.^[14] She was initially named Isabelle, but Emma changed her name on December 3, 1926. Note Emma’s signature authorizing this change.^[15]

Their seventh child, Elizabeth, was born December 3, 1929, in Chicago.^[16]

In 1930 Emma and Richard’s family was recorded at 1319 14^th Place in Chicago:^[17]

• Richard Vanzandt, 44 years old, rented their family home, valued at $15. He was reported as naturalized, having been born in Belgium where his native language was said to be German [actually, it was Flemish]. His occupation was chauffeur of a city truck, but he was currently unemployed. I have not seen naturalization records for Richard.
• Emma Vanzandt, 34 years old, was born in Illinois but recorded as naturalized.
• Evelyn Vanzandt, age 12, attended school.
• Richard Vanzandt, age 10, attended school.
• Louis Vanzandt, age 9, attended school.
• Janett Vanzandt, age 6, attended school.
• Anna Vanzandt, age 4, did not attend school.
• Elizabeth Vanzandt was age 0.

Emma’s scattered family

Richard left the family home sometime in the 1930s. Dee’s mother Dorothy thought Betty [Elizabeth] was an infant at the time. Dorothy didn’t meet Dee’s father until around 1943.

It’s hard to imagine how Emma could deal with this. She apparently tried to keep her oldest children, Evelyn and Richard, while Louis, Jeanette and Ann were placed in a Catholic orphanage and Betty was taken into foster care. Dee’s Grandpa and Grandma Van, Louis and Lena Van Zandt, took in Evelyn and Richard. Dee’s father reportedly lived with Louis and Lena after Evelyn left their household.

In 1940, Emma was living with her widowed father at 2148 W. 51^st Place in Chicago.^[18] Emma’s sister Bessie Souhrada and her husband Ernest rented part of the house as a separate household. Emma worked as a stuffer in the meat packing industry and had received $588 in wages the previous year. She had lived in the same house in 1935. Emma was recorded as married, but I know not where Richard was.

Emma’s children were recorded in 1940 as follows:

• Evelyn was living with her husband Melvin Radenz at 3123 Augusta Boulevard in Chicago.^[19] She had been living in Elmhurst, DuPage County, in 1935.
• Richard and Louis Van Zandt were living with Louis and Lena Van Zandt at 408 W. Second Street in Elmhurst, DuPage County, Illinois.^[20]
• Jeanette and Anna Van Zandt were lodgers in the household of Ella McEvoy at 2019 Racine Avenue in Chicago.^[21]
• Betty Lou, age 10, was living as a daughter of Roy and Marie Pedersen at 4427 N. Melvina Avenue in Chicago.^[22] Marie was Richard Van Zandt’s younger half-sister and thus Betty’s aunt. Marie’s and Richard’s mother was born Monica Meert.

The last trace of Emma’s husband Richard Van Zandt that I have heard of or seen occurred sometime in the 1940s. Dee’s mother recalled being at a baseball game with Louis when he spotted his father. According to Dorothy, she and Louis abruptly left the ballpark.

In 1950, Emma lived downstairs at 2148 51^st Place in Chicago.^[23] Her sister Bessie Souhrada lived upstairs with three children. Emma was recorded as Emma Banzandt and Bessie as Bessie Douhard. Emma’s marital status was ‘separated.’ She worked as a meatpacker in the wholesale meat industry.

Emma was in the news in April, 1952, when a young man apparently attempted to rape her. Fortunately, a passing police officer witnessed the struggle and put an end to it.^[24]

Emma died January 20, 1972.^[25] Her death notice leaves more questions. It mentions children Jeanette Balter, Ann Heichert, Louis Van Zandt and Evelyn Van Zandt, and a grandchild named Robert McNichols. Jeanette, Robert’s presumed mother, might have provided this information, but her only child living in 1972 that I know of was Michael L. McNichols. Interestingly, Michael had married a McEvoy, born in Ireland. Was she related to Ella McEvoy, Jeanette and Ann’s landlady in 1940? Jeanette might have been estranged from the McNichols family, having acquired a Balter husband and child before 1950. Was Ann the source of this information? Jeanette’s and Ann’s married names were known, but Evelyn’s married name was not given. Whoever provided this information seemed to have no knowledge of what had become of Betty. Louis, on the other hand, had participated in Betty’s wedding.

How many of Emma’s grandchildren ever knew her? That is one of many mysteries. Her family had been scattered and fractured, but Emma should be remembered.

Notes

^[1] Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968, FamilySearch.org, record of Rudolf Hrobar and Alzbeta Strakova, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7D2-6QH, accessed March 4, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[2] U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-current, record of Rudolf Hrobar and Alzbeta Strakova, https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/325877079:62116, accessed February 13, 2024; from Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, January 23, 1889, page 8, column 4.

^[3] 1900 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 30, Enumeration District 924, sheet 24A and B, lines 50-54, household of Rudolph Robash, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6P47-JNL, accessed February 13, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1900 United States Census, Enumeration District 924, Chicago, Ward 30, Cook County, Illinois, Population Schedule, sheet 24A and B (stamped 318).

^[4] 1910 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 29, Enumeration District 1287, sheet 7B, lines 83-88, household of Rudolph Robash, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RV2-NXX, accessed February 13, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1910 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 29, Enumeration District 1287, Population Schedule, sheet 7B.

^[5] Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968, FamilySearch.org, record of Richard Van Zandt and Emma Robash, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7ZK-5XT, accessed February 14, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[6] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, FamilySearch.org, record of Richard Van Zundt [sic], https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N795-HDQ, accessed February 14, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[7] Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1871-1998, FamilySearch.org, record of Robert Vanzendt [sic], https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MQ-BYVG, accessed February 14, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[8] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, FamilySearch.org, record of Evelyn Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N79Q-W4Y, accessed February 16, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[9] 1920 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 10, Enumeration District 633, sheet 7B, lines 57-59, household of Richard Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ3X-XQ8, accessed February 16, 2024; from U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1920 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 10, Enumeration District 633, Population Schedule, sheet 7B.

^[10] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, FamilySearch.org, record of Richard Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7QG-79B, accessed February 16, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[11] Illinois, Cook County, Registration District 3104, Certificate of Birth, Registered Number 47372, unnamed Van Zandt; certified copy from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[12] Illinois, Cook County, Registration District 3104, Supplemental Report of Birth, Registered Number 47372, Louis P. Van Zandt; certified copy from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[13] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, FamilySearch.org, record of Jeanette Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV3G-F7QT, accessed February 19, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[14] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, FamilySearch.org, record of Dorothy Ann Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKMW-DL6X, accessed February 19, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[15] Illinois, Cook County, Registration District 3104, Certificate of Correction, Registered Number 53567, Isabelle Van Zandt; uncertified copy from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[16] Illinois, Cook County, Birth Certificates, 1871-1949, FamilySearch.org, record of Elizabeth Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKDC-L36N, accessed February 19, 2024; from Cook County Clerk, Chicago, Illinois.

^[17] 1930 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 26, Enumeration District 16-925, sheet 4B, lines 69-76, household of Richard Vangandt or Vanzandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XSG6-JBV, accessed February 20, 2024; from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1930 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 26, Enumeration District 16-925, Population Schedule, sheet 4B.

^[18] 1940 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 15, Enumeration District 103-1001, sheet 10B, lines 71-72, household of Rudolph Hrobar, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWYB-FWL, accessed February 20, 2024; from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1940 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 15, Enumeration District 103-1001, Population Schedule, sheet 10B.

^[19] 1940 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 31, Enumeration District 103-1990, sheet 1B, lines 78-79, household of Melvin Radenz, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW1F-C3Q, accessed February 20, 2024; from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1940 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 31, Enumeration District 103-1990, Population Schedule, sheet 1B.

^[20] 1940 United States Census, Illinois, DuPage County, Elmhurst, Ward 2, Enumeration District 22-4, sheet 29A, lines 15-18, household of Louis Van Zandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KW42-VZ9, accessed February 20, 2024; from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1940 United States Census, Illinois, DuPage County, Elmhurst, Ward 2, Enumeration District 22-4, Population Schedule, sheet 29A.

^[21] 1940 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 43, Enumeration District 103-2712, sheet 11A, lines 4-6, household of Ella McEvoy, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4MX-RZR, accessed February 20, 2024; from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1940 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 43, Enumeration District 103-2712, Population Schedule, sheet 11A.

^[22] 1940 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 41, Enumeration District 103-2618, sheet 1B, lines 43-47, household of Roy W Pedersen, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4M8-5X3, accessed February 20, 2024; from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1940 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Ward 41, Enumeration District 103-2618, Population Schedule, sheet 1B.

^[23] 1950 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Enumeration District 103-1533, sheet 12, line 5, Emma Banzandt, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6X12-TCFJ, accessed February 21, 2024; from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 1950 United States Census, Illinois, Cook County, Chicago, Enumeration District 103-1533, Population Schedule, sheet 12.

^[24] Newspaper clipping, Newspapers.com, ‘Held to Jury in Attempted Rape of Widow,’ Chicago Tribune, April 25, 1952, page 38, column 2, https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-attempted-rape-of-widow/132628923/, accessed February 21, 2024; from Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, April 25, 1952.

^[25] Newspaper clipping, Newspapers.com, Death notice, Emma Van Zandt, Chicago Tribune, January 25, 1972, page 25, column 5, https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-death-notice-emma-van-z/132676791/, accessed February 21, 2024; from Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, January 25, 1972.

My aunt Dorothy passed from this life recently, leaving the world with a great family. Some of them were gathered at her home in 2015 to meet her great grandchild.

Hud (Harold) and Dorothy’s family grew up next door to mine in Sheridan, Michigan. Many reunions and informal gatherings took place between our houses, and we almost felt like one family.

Aunt Dorothy, widely known as Dot, was the last of Dad’s siblings and their husbands and wives to leave us. We all knew it was coming, of course, but it is still a challenge to absorb.

Dee and I didn’t make it to Michigan for her life celebration, but a friend shared the experience: 

Just got home from Dot’s celebration; so, so good to see everybody! The service was lovely, not contrived, just people talking about Dottie. [A family friend] was more emotional than any of the family, lots of memories for him too. I wish you could have come. They all stood up and sang the Springsteen Song, which was a riot; haven’t heard that since I was in my twenties! Lots of good memories with your family and I treasure every one.

Remembering Dorothy

Aunt Dorothy was certainly representative of her generation. May she be eternally blessed. Her obituary tells a bit of her impact: https://www.simpsonfamilyfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Dorothy-M-Springsteen?obId=30850424

Postscript

Here for your listening pleasure is a performance of the Springsteen Family song for Aunt Lorna’s 90^th birthday celebration in 2012. My brother Ed and cousin Mike apparently crafted this ditty from the old Dutch Company song, probably with guitars and beer at hand.

We have enjoyed time with our family and friends this year as well as time for quilting and pursuit of family history. We hope you are well, and we wish you blessings in this holiday season and in the new year.