Houghton

Emil Muenzel (1866-1939) of Donken, Michigan

Emil Muenzel (1866-1939) of Donken, Michigan

Emil Muenzel (1866-1939), a German immigrant who settled in Donken, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula, was married to my 1st cousin 4x removed, Martha Zenner Muenzel (1868-1960).

Henriette Gundlach "Hen Gun" (1906-1973) of Houghton, Michigan

Henriette Gundlach "Hen Gun" (1906-1973) of Houghton, Michigan

Henriette M. Gundlach (1906-1973) is my 2nd cousin 3x removed. In 1923 she attended Houghton High School in Houghton, Michigan where she was an active well regarded by her peers. Here is just a bit of her story.

Charles Henry Schmidt (d. 1899), My 3rd Great Grandfather - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 28)

Charles Henry Schmidt (d. 1899), My 3rd Great Grandfather - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 28)

This is the original newspaper clipping of Charles Henry Schmidt (d. 1899), my 3rd great grandfather’s obituary. It was affixed to sturdy paper and laminated. He lived and died near Houghton Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula. It appears that it was clipped from The Mining Gazette.

Professor John M. Harrington (1893-1967) of Michigan Technological University - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 26)

Professor John M. Harrington (1893-1967) of Michigan Technological University - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 26)

Professor John M. Harrington (1893-1967) was my first cousin twice removed. As the obituary states, he was a well known professor at the Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan and a former head of the Department of Mathematics there. By some he was described as, “one of the greatest teachers to serve on the Michigan Tech faculty.”

Schmidt Family Land at Elm River Township, Houghton County, Michigan - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 20)

Schmidt Family Land at Elm River Township, Houghton County, Michigan - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 20)

These documents pertain to a parcel of land in Elm River Township, Houghton County, Michigan originally owned by my 3rd great grandmother, Ernestina Zenner Schmidt (died 1922). The process of writing about them has helped me discover some new information and tell my Schmidt family’s story.

1930s and 40s Funeral Costs - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 14)

1930s and 40s Funeral Costs - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 14)

How much did a funeral cost in 1930s and 1940s? These documents from my 2nd great grandparents, Henry Peter Ratz (1867-1934) and Fannie Schmidt Ratz (1870-1944), give us an idea.

Naturalization Record for Henry Peter Ratz (1867-1934) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 12)

Naturalization Record for Henry Peter Ratz (1867-1934) - Family Artifact Challenge (Day 12)

This is the Certificate of Naturalization for my 2nd great grandfather, Heinrich (Henry) Peter Ratz (1867-1934). It was signed on Monday, February 18, 1895 by Robert H. Shields, the County Clerk in Houghton County, Michigan.

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Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979): A Photo Essay

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Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979): A Photo Essay

Alma Ratz Hanley (1894-1979) was one of my paternal great grandmothers. She is also the subject of this 49th installment of my 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks family history blogging challenge. I hope you enjoy this photo essay about her life.

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Albert "Rabbit" Zenner (1886-1964): Woodsman of the Upper Peninsula

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Albert "Rabbit" Zenner (1886-1964): Woodsman of the Upper Peninsula

When you discover a relative in your family tree nicknamed "Rabbit" you obviously have to find and tell his story. Here it is.

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Planes, Shuffleboard, and Hats: The Elegant Lydia Schmidt McNamara (1876-1961)

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Planes, Shuffleboard, and Hats: The Elegant Lydia Schmidt McNamara (1876-1961)

Lydia Schmidt McNamara (1876-1961) was an elegant woman with a fondness for hats, planes, and jewelry. There is photographic evidence that she fancied shuffleboard as well.

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Making Kuchen, Bread, and Wickelklöße With a Smile: Martha Zenner Muenzel (1868-1960)

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Making Kuchen, Bread, and Wickelklöße With a Smile: Martha Zenner Muenzel (1868-1960)

By all accounts Martha Zenner Muenzel (1868-1960) was a wonderful German cook. Some of her specialities were Kucken and Wickelklöße. She was likely my 1st cousin 4x removed. The is her story.   

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