1. I guess the most interesting and fun assignment/websites was tracing my father's family tree. I did find out a lot of new information, but still have unanswered questions. I will always wonder what happened to that family tree branch in Germany that was cut off. Perhaps I should just let it be.
2. The most useful site for me was Mango Languages. I will use this as ELL students enroll in the Job Corp program. I will also use it to give me basic communication skills when my wife and I travel.
Thank you for an informative and fun learning experience. Have a great rest of the year!
Mike
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
The Challenge - Final blog for week 9
Ancestry Library.
1. I looked up my own name under Sioux Falls, my hometown. I did not find anything. Maybe I didn't look deep enough or follow enough links. I went to Deadwood as my residence and there I was. I found me in voting records and census. I also found my wife, Stacey. I would dig deeper for myself, but am on a time at RC Library. Probably tomorrow during the snow storm.
2. On to my real quest. My grandfather and family secrets/questions. I put in my great grandfather's name, Alexander Asmussen, for Schlesdwid-Holstein Germany/Denmark. Nothing. I searched for my great uncles, Peter and Lawrence, in Minneapolis. I searched under Asmussen and Sanders. I found an address and phone number for a Peter that could have fit, but could not be exact. Then I searched my grandfather, August, Here's the new stuff that I found: His middle initial was F., he was born in 1894, and he immigrated in 1914 at the age of 20. I did find anything on the oldest brother who stayed in Germany.
The mystery. My grandfather was born in Schleswid-Holstein Germany/Denmark to Alexander Asmussen in 1894. He was the youngest of 4 sons. He and his two brothers, Peter and Lawrence, immigrated to the United States. They were all supposed to report back to Germany to fight in WWI. The oldest brother who stayed was Kaiser Wilhelm's personal guard. My grandfather kept the Asmussen last name, but changed it to Sanders sometime after the 1920 census and 1924 when my father was born. According to my father, the two uncles also changed their names Sanders at about the same time. Neither my father or my aunt Jean "claim" to have known the name of their uncle in Germany. These are my questions:
What caused my grandfather to go through the hassle of changing his, his wife's, and his two children, Marie and Roy's, names to Sanders. Not even Alexandersen like tradition. The war was over in 1920 when they were still Asmussen.
Why did Peter and Lawrence change their names? And then disappear from records.
What was the oldest uncle's name and what happened to him? I find it very odd that my grandfather's family would never even discuss him at some point. Not even a mention of his name. Did he immigrate to the US after 1920 and his brothers did not want him to find them (they were draft dodgers, and he was an officer). Did follow Kaiser Wilhelm into exile in 1918 to Holland? Did he stay in the German military. 1920 - 1924 was before any of the holocaust, so the Sanders name change wouldn't be because of that. Did he return home to Holstein? If he had died in the war, I think it would have been mentioned in my father's family and my father would at least have known his name.
Maybe his descendents will try tracking us down. But then they would be looking for an Alexandersen or Asmussen, not Sanders.
3. South Dakota - Pictures. I did not find any pictures of me, but I did find my sister Becky. It was in the year book from Augustana College from 1972. She was Becky Sanders then, but now she is Becky Ekeland from Brookings. I also searched for more old friends. I'll probably come back here tomorrow to do my week 10 wrap up blog and spend the afternoon doing more searches. During the nasty weather.
1. I looked up my own name under Sioux Falls, my hometown. I did not find anything. Maybe I didn't look deep enough or follow enough links. I went to Deadwood as my residence and there I was. I found me in voting records and census. I also found my wife, Stacey. I would dig deeper for myself, but am on a time at RC Library. Probably tomorrow during the snow storm.
2. On to my real quest. My grandfather and family secrets/questions. I put in my great grandfather's name, Alexander Asmussen, for Schlesdwid-Holstein Germany/Denmark. Nothing. I searched for my great uncles, Peter and Lawrence, in Minneapolis. I searched under Asmussen and Sanders. I found an address and phone number for a Peter that could have fit, but could not be exact. Then I searched my grandfather, August, Here's the new stuff that I found: His middle initial was F., he was born in 1894, and he immigrated in 1914 at the age of 20. I did find anything on the oldest brother who stayed in Germany.
The mystery. My grandfather was born in Schleswid-Holstein Germany/Denmark to Alexander Asmussen in 1894. He was the youngest of 4 sons. He and his two brothers, Peter and Lawrence, immigrated to the United States. They were all supposed to report back to Germany to fight in WWI. The oldest brother who stayed was Kaiser Wilhelm's personal guard. My grandfather kept the Asmussen last name, but changed it to Sanders sometime after the 1920 census and 1924 when my father was born. According to my father, the two uncles also changed their names Sanders at about the same time. Neither my father or my aunt Jean "claim" to have known the name of their uncle in Germany. These are my questions:
What caused my grandfather to go through the hassle of changing his, his wife's, and his two children, Marie and Roy's, names to Sanders. Not even Alexandersen like tradition. The war was over in 1920 when they were still Asmussen.
Why did Peter and Lawrence change their names? And then disappear from records.
What was the oldest uncle's name and what happened to him? I find it very odd that my grandfather's family would never even discuss him at some point. Not even a mention of his name. Did he immigrate to the US after 1920 and his brothers did not want him to find them (they were draft dodgers, and he was an officer). Did follow Kaiser Wilhelm into exile in 1918 to Holland? Did he stay in the German military. 1920 - 1924 was before any of the holocaust, so the Sanders name change wouldn't be because of that. Did he return home to Holstein? If he had died in the war, I think it would have been mentioned in my father's family and my father would at least have known his name.
Maybe his descendents will try tracking us down. But then they would be looking for an Alexandersen or Asmussen, not Sanders.
3. South Dakota - Pictures. I did not find any pictures of me, but I did find my sister Becky. It was in the year book from Augustana College from 1972. She was Becky Sanders then, but now she is Becky Ekeland from Brookings. I also searched for more old friends. I'll probably come back here tomorrow to do my week 10 wrap up blog and spend the afternoon doing more searches. During the nasty weather.
Friday, March 14, 2014
The Challenge week 9. Update to heritage quest
I learned from my father that his grandfather's name was Alexander Asmussen. I changed my search to August Asmussen and found him in the 1920 census along with my grandmother, Christine, my aunt Marie (age 3), and my uncle Roy (age 8 months). They all had the last name of Asmussen. Why did they go through the hassle of changing their names to Sanders? My father and aunt Jean weren't born yet. They were born as Sanders's and showed up in the 1940 census.
I searched for the two missing uncles, Peter and Lawrence, under Asmussen and still nothing. Did they change their name to something else? Did they report back to Germany before the 1920 census? Were they both dead before 1920?
When I have access to Ancestry Library next week I hope to find out more. I really want to find out more about the oldest brother that stayed in Germany and was the personal guard of Kaiser Wilhelm.
I searched for the two missing uncles, Peter and Lawrence, under Asmussen and still nothing. Did they change their name to something else? Did they report back to Germany before the 1920 census? Were they both dead before 1920?
When I have access to Ancestry Library next week I hope to find out more. I really want to find out more about the oldest brother that stayed in Germany and was the personal guard of Kaiser Wilhelm.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Week 9 of the Challenge, Part 2
4. Heritage Quest Online.
I searched for my grandfather, August, and his two brothers that also immigrated, Lawrence and Peter. I searched under both Alexanderson, and Sanders.
August Alexanderson. One hit on Alexanderson in the 1920 Census, not him. Too old and Swedish.
August Sanders. 1920 census - nothing. 1930 census - nothing, 1940 census - GOT HIM
Found him living in Balaton, Minnesota. Birthplace - Germany. It also listed my grandmother Christine and aunt Jean, and my father Paul.
Then I went looking for the lost brothers/my dad's uncles, Lawrence and Peter. I searched under both Alexanderson and Sanders. I started in 1910 - nothing, 1920 - nothing, 1940 - nothing. Both of my great uncles simply disappeared after immigrating to the US and settling (supposedly) in Minneapolis. Guess I'll have to leave that closet door shut. For now.
5. Sanborn Maps. Deadwood - 1897
Not much of a problem finding old buildings in this town. But because the town burned down so many times the structures changed alot. I looked for the original Number 10 saloon where Wild Bill Hikock was shot. I hope you do know that the current #10 is not the original location. It was on the other side of the street and down about a block. No sign of it on the map, but the map was from 1897 and Bill was shot 21 years earlier in 1876. Probably burned down.
I did find the Bullock Hotel (You know it's haunted). It's in the same location. I'll check this weekend when I'm down there for St. Pat's day to see if it is the same one from 1897. They usually have the construction dates on the top of the buildings.
I found the public school. It's in the same place. I do know it has burned down at least once because I was there in 1984. I have seen old photographs of it and the only thing remaining today of the earliest structures is the retaining wall along the front.
I found the Methodist church. This was Preacher Smith's church before he was killed between here and Spearfish. Probably robbers, but blamed on Indians at the time. The church was torn down a few years ago because it needed repairs too expensive for the church to pay. Rumor has it that no gaming money could be used for restoration because it was a church, yet the whole basis behind Deadwood gaming was for historical preservation. Hmmmm
I searched for my grandfather, August, and his two brothers that also immigrated, Lawrence and Peter. I searched under both Alexanderson, and Sanders.
August Alexanderson. One hit on Alexanderson in the 1920 Census, not him. Too old and Swedish.
August Sanders. 1920 census - nothing. 1930 census - nothing, 1940 census - GOT HIM
Found him living in Balaton, Minnesota. Birthplace - Germany. It also listed my grandmother Christine and aunt Jean, and my father Paul.
Then I went looking for the lost brothers/my dad's uncles, Lawrence and Peter. I searched under both Alexanderson and Sanders. I started in 1910 - nothing, 1920 - nothing, 1940 - nothing. Both of my great uncles simply disappeared after immigrating to the US and settling (supposedly) in Minneapolis. Guess I'll have to leave that closet door shut. For now.
5. Sanborn Maps. Deadwood - 1897
Not much of a problem finding old buildings in this town. But because the town burned down so many times the structures changed alot. I looked for the original Number 10 saloon where Wild Bill Hikock was shot. I hope you do know that the current #10 is not the original location. It was on the other side of the street and down about a block. No sign of it on the map, but the map was from 1897 and Bill was shot 21 years earlier in 1876. Probably burned down.
I did find the Bullock Hotel (You know it's haunted). It's in the same location. I'll check this weekend when I'm down there for St. Pat's day to see if it is the same one from 1897. They usually have the construction dates on the top of the buildings.
I found the public school. It's in the same place. I do know it has burned down at least once because I was there in 1984. I have seen old photographs of it and the only thing remaining today of the earliest structures is the retaining wall along the front.
I found the Methodist church. This was Preacher Smith's church before he was killed between here and Spearfish. Probably robbers, but blamed on Indians at the time. The church was torn down a few years ago because it needed repairs too expensive for the church to pay. Rumor has it that no gaming money could be used for restoration because it was a church, yet the whole basis behind Deadwood gaming was for historical preservation. Hmmmm
Week 9 of the Challenge Part 1
1. AncestaryLibray - This post will be late because I will not have access to a Libray until next Monday or Tuesday. Here's what I hope to find: Who was my great uncle? Here's what I know:
I emailed my father and this is part of his response.
"My Dad was the youngest of 4 brothers, born in a small community just 2 miles from the Denmark border (Schlesdwid-Holstein) before WWI a part of Germany. After the war it was given back to Denmark. ..... Three of the brothers immigrated to America. Lawrence and Peter settled in Minneapolis. I don't know anything about their families. My Dad, August, settled in Brookings, SD where he worked in a blacksmith shop ......."
That's it. He's not talking about anything else. I've emailed him twice and asked for the name of the oldest brother who stayed in Germany/Denmark, but he's not responding. Hmmmmmm.
Here's what I do know from my sister who got her information from our aunt.
1. The oldest brother was one of Chancellor Wilhelm's royal guard.
2. My grandfather, August, was drafted into WWI by the Germans. He did not report.
3. All three brothers that immigrated changed their last name from Alxanderson to Sanders when they arrived in the US.
Me thinks there may be a skeleton in our closet. Stay tuned.
I emailed my father and this is part of his response.
"My Dad was the youngest of 4 brothers, born in a small community just 2 miles from the Denmark border (Schlesdwid-Holstein) before WWI a part of Germany. After the war it was given back to Denmark. ..... Three of the brothers immigrated to America. Lawrence and Peter settled in Minneapolis. I don't know anything about their families. My Dad, August, settled in Brookings, SD where he worked in a blacksmith shop ......."
That's it. He's not talking about anything else. I've emailed him twice and asked for the name of the oldest brother who stayed in Germany/Denmark, but he's not responding. Hmmmmmm.
Here's what I do know from my sister who got her information from our aunt.
1. The oldest brother was one of Chancellor Wilhelm's royal guard.
2. My grandfather, August, was drafted into WWI by the Germans. He did not report.
3. All three brothers that immigrated changed their last name from Alxanderson to Sanders when they arrived in the US.
Me thinks there may be a skeleton in our closet. Stay tuned.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Week 8 of the Challenge, Part 2
CAMIO. I went to the Rapid City Public Library (actually I'm there now) to access CAMIO. When I typed in Sioux it came up with 43 items of art and artifacts. When I searched Rapid City flood I hoped to come up with some archived photos of the disaster. It didn't. I'm not sure how my community could use this site. I searched South Dakota and came up with just a few items. I'm going to quit blogging and go back and do some more searches. they've got me on a timer.
Week 8 of the Challenge
1. Using Worldcat.
I went to the Worldcat page and chose the advanced search and decided to try and find the book The Bridge at Andau from last weeks blog. From the dropdown I chose Author and then typed in Michener. Under "All" there were 7176 so I chose the Books tab and found the book. It is in 2144 libraries worldwide. When I searched libraries that own the book, US,SD came right up. I wonder if that is because I was using an Ipad which tracks my location. The closest was Black Hills State Univ. There were nine locations in South Dakota. All were universities or colleges except Roosevelt High School. Nothing in the State Library that I could see.
2. I went back and used the Title Phrase search and limiter Books and typed in the title The Bridge at Andau. The same results came up again with 2144 libraries. When following the libraries link the #1 place that came up was Black Hills State University.
3. The Call Number was LC: DB957; Dewey 943.91
Michner was a popular writer so there were a lot of results for him. The "All" tab had 350 and the Books tab had 186. Writing 186 books! And I'm sure most of you know how thick they can be. I've read quite of few of them, but I think he probably wrote faster than I can read.
Part 2. Using OAIster. I followed the instructions/links and searched South Dakota. The article I chose was Level income payment option with the South Dakota retirement system. I chose this option because that is what I chose and I file for Social Security this year at age 62.
I added this page to my homescreen on my Ipad so I can use it for future reference. I want to make sure that I do all, if any, of the paperwork correctly so I don't lose out on any monthly income.
It is in PDF format. It is the brochure stating what you need before retiring.
I like this link because it has the website for attaining my social security statement. I won't access it here because I'm using a public WIFI so with the link on my Ipad I can access it at home if I need to. It says the social security administration will mail my statement 3 months prior to my retirement and if I haven't received it, I can go to their site.
I went to the Worldcat page and chose the advanced search and decided to try and find the book The Bridge at Andau from last weeks blog. From the dropdown I chose Author and then typed in Michener. Under "All" there were 7176 so I chose the Books tab and found the book. It is in 2144 libraries worldwide. When I searched libraries that own the book, US,SD came right up. I wonder if that is because I was using an Ipad which tracks my location. The closest was Black Hills State Univ. There were nine locations in South Dakota. All were universities or colleges except Roosevelt High School. Nothing in the State Library that I could see.
2. I went back and used the Title Phrase search and limiter Books and typed in the title The Bridge at Andau. The same results came up again with 2144 libraries. When following the libraries link the #1 place that came up was Black Hills State University.
3. The Call Number was LC: DB957; Dewey 943.91
Michner was a popular writer so there were a lot of results for him. The "All" tab had 350 and the Books tab had 186. Writing 186 books! And I'm sure most of you know how thick they can be. I've read quite of few of them, but I think he probably wrote faster than I can read.
Part 2. Using OAIster. I followed the instructions/links and searched South Dakota. The article I chose was Level income payment option with the South Dakota retirement system. I chose this option because that is what I chose and I file for Social Security this year at age 62.
I added this page to my homescreen on my Ipad so I can use it for future reference. I want to make sure that I do all, if any, of the paperwork correctly so I don't lose out on any monthly income.
It is in PDF format. It is the brochure stating what you need before retiring.
I like this link because it has the website for attaining my social security statement. I won't access it here because I'm using a public WIFI so with the link on my Ipad I can access it at home if I need to. It says the social security administration will mail my statement 3 months prior to my retirement and if I haven't received it, I can go to their site.
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