Johann Georg Schömbs of Brooklyn

Johann Georg Schömbs

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The Story of Johann Georg (*1799 Hahnheim, +1860 Brooklyn NY)

Much of the story of Johann Georg Schömbs (*17.12.1799 Hahnheim, +15.09.1860 Brooklyn NY) has now been discovered and written. Johann Georg was born 17 December 1799 in Hahnheim, one of eleven children and the second son of Martin (*1777 Wahlheim) and Regina Böhm Schömbs. The documentation of Johann Georg's birth merits attention. He was born during the period of the French occupation of the Rhineland. The original document is, in my opinion, extremely difficult to read. My complements to Reinhold Schembs for transcribing it. From Reinhold's transcription we are then able to translate it into English.

His Marriage

Johann Georg and Maria Theresia Horn (*2.09.1809 Undenheim, +11 Feb 1880 Brooklyn) were married on 2.05.1830 in Undenheim.

Their Children

Johann Georg and Theresia had nine children, the first seven of whom were born in Germany. They are all discussed in the Descendants section below.

Their Emigration

Early in the 1840s Johann Georg and Theresia began to consider emigrating. There is documentation of their intention to go to Algeria early in 1844 but apparently they did not. For in 1846 they disembarked on the ship John Cadmus from Antwerp, Belgium destined for New York City. They arrived in Amerika on 13 October 1946. The passenger list above is a little hard to read. Here is a more clear image. While the middle initial is wrong as is the spelling of the family name -- "Schorms", the record is clearly Johann Georg Schömbs (*1799). Theresia's name as well as the children's names and birth years all agree with the German church records. The family settled in Brooklyn, New York, one of the Burroughs of New York City. When Johann Georg emigrated to the United States in 1846, his younger brother Heinrich Schömbs (*1810 Hahnheim, +~1890 Carmi, IL) had been in Amerika for six years. Heinrich initially settled in Evansville, Indiana, later moving to Carmi, Illinois. Another brother Johannes Schömbs (*1817 Hahnheim, +~1885 Milwaukee, WI) departed in about the same year as Johann Georg. Johannes (*1817) also went to Amerika, settling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Click on the respective Links to Heinrich and Johannes above to learn more about Johann Georg's emigrant brothers.

Their Appearance in the 1850 Census

1850 U.S. Census
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Often Census records must be interpreted and understood that they might include error. The 1850 Census of Johann Georg and his family is a good example. The family name appears to be "Shambs". But on closer inspection perhaps the writer slipped a "c" in between the "S" and the "h". When the record was digitized the "c" was overlooked. Their second child is shown as a 17 year old female -- Martha. We believe this to be 9.2 Martin Schömbs (*1833 Hahnheim). Their third child in the Census is recorded as Rosena. This is 9.3 Regina (*1836 Hahnheim). And so forth. Finally the last child enumerated is a 2 year old son Charles. This is actually 9.8 Philip (*1848 Brooklyn). The next documentation of Johann and his family is the 1855 New York State Census. In this case the family name was spelled "Schoembs":

1855 New York State Census
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From the Census we can see that Johann Georg owned their home, a frame house with an estimated value of $1200. He is shown as having no profession (job) but so are all the other heads of household on the page. Apparently the Census taker failed to inquire about this information for some reason.

The Various Spellings (and Changes) of the Family Name

One expects when doing genealogy research to find variations in the spelling of names. But the family of Joh. Georg Schömbs deserves highlighting. The table below shows the variations we have discovered to date. Undoubtedly there are still more of which we are not aware.

Year Event Family Name Comment

1850 U.S. Census Schambs See above

1855 New York State Census Schoembs See above

1860 U.S. Census
p. 1, p. 2 James One of the early uses of the family name "James" by any Schömbs emigrant. Georg's name is on the last line of page 1, the family on page 2.

1869 Marriage of Franziska Sohoempo The father of the bride is entered as George Sohoempo

1870 U.S. Census James Ten years following the death of Joh Georg, Theresa is living with her daughter and son-in-law Otto Christensen

1880 Theresa's Probate Schoembs Written by Philipp, the executor. See below.

1880 U.S. Census James The family name in the Census for Philipp and his family

1884 Birth of Johann Sorensen Schomp Maiden name of the mother

1892 New York State Census Schombs The family name in the Census for Philipp and his family

In 2016 we discovered the use of the family name "James" by Johann Georg Schömbs. As seen above, Johann Georg seems to have adopted the name by 1860 or perhaps a couple of years sooner. But Jacob Schembs (*1830 Laubenheim, +Albany NY) had changed his surname to James by at least 1855. And perhaps we will find others even earlier. Johann Georg's emigrant brother Heinrich (*1810) mentioned above changed their family names to "James". And did not revert back.

But then in the 1880s Philipp, the son of Johann Georg, discards the James surname and reverts back to Schombs.

The Probate Document for Theresa Schömbs

Seldom have we discovered documentation of the estates of the deceased in Amerika. Fortunately in the case of Joh. Georg's wife Theresia, we have such a document from 1880. It initially was very helpful in confirming the family relationships. The Probate Document of Theresa confirming her son Philipp as executor and her descendants is very interesting to read. Page 6 of the .pdf lays out the family. Or one can use LiveLinks at the bottom of this page to visit the Document on Familysearch.com.

Where They Lived

Year	Event	Family Name	Comment
1850	U.S. Census	Schambs	See above
1855	New York State Census	Schoembs	See above
1860	U.S. Census p. 1, p. 2	James	One of the early uses of the family name "James" by any Schömbs emigrant. Georg's name is on the last line of page 1, the family on page 2.
1869	Marriage of Franziska	Sohoempo	The father of the bride is entered as George Sohoempo
1870	U.S. Census	James	Ten years following the death of Joh Georg, Theresa is living with her daughter and son-in-law Otto Christensen
1880	Theresa's Probate	Schoembs	Written by Philipp, the executor. See below.
1880	U.S. Census	James	The family name in the Census for Philipp and his family
1884	Birth of Johann Sorensen	Schomp	Maiden name of the mother
1892	New York State Census	Schombs	The family name in the Census for Philipp and his family

Map of their neighborhood in 1880
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One of the findings in Theresa's probate document is the addresses of their children. They all lived very close to each other in 1880, just to the north of Green-Wood Cemetery where they are all buried. Actually the website for the Cemetery suggests the residents "permanently" reside there. In 1880 six of Johann Georg and Theresa's children were still living. Of the six, Theresa, Franziska and Philipp lived on the same block of Third Avenue between 22nd and 23rd Streets. Regina lived two blocks south on Third Avenue. Anna Maria lived at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 22nd Street. Margaretha lived on 22nd Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues. And Theresa's grandchildren from one of her deceased sons lived on 18th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues. All within about eight blocks of one another. Click on the map to enlarge it. Unfortunately an Interstate Highway (#278) now goes down Third Avenue. And what were row houses are mostly warehouses on Third Avenue.

The Green-Wood Cemetery

The Green-Wood Cemetery must be one of the larger cemeteries in the country. Altogether roughly half a million former Brooklynites still reside there. With few exceptions, most of the Johann Georg Schömbs descendants do as well.

Click here to go to a database of the family members buried in Green-Wood. This page is still under construction. By clicking on the Heading at the top of each column you can sort the table by that parameter, e.g. birth year, grave number, etc. This allows one to easily find a person of interest and see where and with whom they are buried, as an example. Clicking on the Link in the right-most column will show the gravestones of those for whom we have pictures.

Descendants of Johann Georg Schömbs

It should be mentioned that Undenheim and Hahnheim might be used somewhat interchangeably in the section below. The family lived in Hahnheim. Yet many of the events are documented in the LDS transcriptions as Undenheim (only a few kilometers away). The Church was in Undenheim. The reader should consider them the same for this purpose.

Children: (9)

9.1.....Anna Maria Schömbs (*11.01.1831 Laubenheim, +10.01.1883 Brooklyn)

Anna Maria "Mary" was married to John Roth (*Jan 1830 Germany, +19.02.1906 Brooklyn) on 15 August 1853. John was the son of John and Elisabeth Roth. According to the marriage document the ceremony was in Manhattan. There was tradition in the descendants of Johann Georg that they would have their ceremony in Manhattan (New York City), rather than Brooklyn. It was more "upscale". [1]

In 1860 they had been married 7 years. They had 5 children and there were no multiple births. But this was just the beginning of their family. John was a grocer by trade. His real estate was valued at $300 and his personal property at $500. Five years later they had three more children.

By 1875 their last four children had been born, making a total of 12 in twenty years. Surprisingly, Mary lived another eight years, passing away at the age of 52. John lived 23 years after the death of Mary. In 1880 they were living at 5th Avenue at 22nd Street in Brooklyn. We know this from the Probate papers of Theresia, Mary's mother. But also from the 1880 Census.

In 1900 John was 70 years old and had been a widower for 17 years. He was living in the home of his son Albert. He emigrated from Germany in 1845. In 1905 John was living with his daughter 12.10 Frances and grandson Walter at 5707 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. They were boarding. John continued to work as a janitor. To follow the story, see the information below about his grandson Walter Van Brunt (*1892).

Children: (13)

13.1.....George Roth (*1852 Brooklyn, +Mar 1885 Brooklyn)

George and Delia Adeline Thompson (*1852 New York City), the daughter of Joseph and Bridget Parsons Thompson, were married 20 May 1870 in Brooklyn. Per the marriage record George was born in 1849. Hopefully other documents will clarify his birth date. The marriage record also gives his mother as Mary James. In a later record of the death of their son Morris, Delia's name is given as Adeline.

The 1880 Census shows George and Delia as the parents of three children, ages 8, 3 and one. George, the father, is enumerated as a "peddler". They were living at 127 29th Street in Brooklyn.

Children: (3)

3.1.....George Roth (*21.11.1871 Brooklyn)

3.2.....Elizabeth Roth (*1877)

3.3.....Charles Roth (*1879)

?.?.....Morris Roth (*4.11.1879, +22.05.1924 Queens NY)

The death record of Morris Roth gives his birth year as 1879. Most likely Morris and Charles (*1879) as enumerated in the 1880 Census are the same person. Morris's wife was named Mary. Their address in Queens was 2514 Woodbine Street.

13.2.....Theresa Roth (*1854 Brooklyn, +4.09.1934 Brooklyn)

Theresa married twice. Her first husband was Albert Bosch (*1853), a German immigrant from Baden. The death record of their son Albert (*1886) says Albert (*1843) was born in Alsace Lorraine. They married in the town of Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey on 2 October 1871. The marriage record has little information such as parents names. And they were not married in Brooklyn or even New York City.

In 1880 they were living in Bloomfield with their first four children, ages 7 and under. Albert was a "cigar maker" by trade.

Children: (5)

5.1.....Mary T. Bosch (*26.10.1873 Bloomfield NJ)

5.2.....Frances E. Bosch (*1876 New Jersey)

5.3.....Minnie Bosch (*13.03.1877 Bloomfield NJ, +12.04.1926 Washington DC)

Minnie married Clarence D. Quaid. At the time of her death they were living at 1922 Lawrence Street, Washington. She is buried at the Rock Creek Cemetery.

5.4.....Elizabeth Bosch (*11.10.1879 Bloomfield NJ)

5.5.....Albert F. Bosch (*18.07.1883 Bloomfield NJ, +19.01.1948 Brooklyn NY)

Per his death record, Albert was a carpenter by profession. His wife was named Madge. they lived at 1670 W. 2nd Street in Brooklyn. Like the rest of the family, Albert is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.

By 1905 Theresa has remarried. It is assumed that Theresa was a widow, but we have no documentation of that. Her second husband is Charles B. Cochrane (*1863 New York, +17.02.1914 Brooklyn). Charles was the son of George and Jane Wallace Cochrane. Per the 1905 Census Charles is 8 years younger than Theresa. We know this is Theresa Roth Bosch because her son, Albert F. Bosch (*1883) is living with Theresa and Charles Cochrane. In the 1910 Census, however, Charles' birth year is given as 1860. Albert, age 25, is still living with them. And from Census records before Theresa and Charles were married, it appears Charles was born in about 1861. Charles too was a carpenter.

13.3.....Martin Roth (*24.05.1855 Brooklyn, +16.10.1920 Brooklyn)

Martin was the third child of Mary and John Roth. He was a furniture dealer by trade. On 28 July 1878 Martin married Matilda Challer (*22.05.1858 Brooklyn, +13.11.1927 Brooklyn), age 20. Matilda was the daughter of Matias and Lena Oelrichs Challer. The correct spelling of the family name is not known. Various documents use different spellings, e.g. Challer, Schaler and Schaller.

Martin and Matilda appear in numerous Censuses: 1880, 1892, 1900, 1905 and 1910. There are discrepancies between the records but we are able to construct their family with a high degree of confidence. In 1880 they were living at 40th Street and 8th Avenue in Brooklyn. Living with them was Matilda's mother Lena, age 45, and her younger sister Carie, age 8. Martin's vocation is listed as "peddler" and Mathilda's as "hotel boarding house". Lena was listed as "housekeeper". Carie was in school. It is not clear if they too were living in the boarding house.

Benson Avenue home, 1900
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In 1892 they were enumerated in the village of New Utrecht, later incorporated into Brooklyn. It has an interesting history going back to the settlement of the area in the middle-17th Century. The village of New Utrecht is now a part of the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. The 1892 State Census does not give specific addresses so it is not possible to see where they lived in New Utrecht. But then in 1900 they appear to have moved again. They own their home on Benson Avenue. The Census taker appears to have been going back and forth between the streets. They owned their home on Benson Avenue at about 18th Avenue. Click for the map location. Martin is a produce dealer, perhaps the same as the grocer in 1892. Use the LiveLinks at the bottom to visit the full Census page.

In the next few years Martin made a career change. He left the produce business and went into business with a livery stable. This can be seen in the 1905 Census and again in 1910. WHAT WAS THEIR ADDRESS IN 1910??? Martin died on 16 October 1920 at the age of 63. The death record lists his occupation as "dealer in furniture".

When son Albert registered for the draft in 1917 he put the address for the family home and business at 8702 18th Avenue in Brooklyn, the same address where the family was living in 1910.

Martin and Matilda are buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn as are almost all of their relatives.

Children: (8)

8.1.....Caroline Roth (*1880 Brooklyn, +11.10.1884 Brooklyn)

8.2.....Frances Roth (*1882 Brooklyn, +23.10.1884 Brooklyn)

We know of 8.1 Caroline Roth and 8.2 Frances Roth through the New York City Municipal Deaths records. From these records we also know of their birth years. Given that they died within twelve days of each other, it is possible they both died of cholera. In 1883 a major epidemic of cholera broke out in several countries on the Mediterranean. By 1884 the disease had arrived in New York.

Then, nine years later in 1893 Martin and Matilda again lost two young children, sons 8.6 Williamm and 8.7 Frank.

8.3.....John Roth (*27.09.1884, +31.07.1934 Brooklyn)

In 1905 John was not living in the family home. But then in 1910 John, 26 years old and single, was working in the family business and living back at home. From the 1920 Census we know John married a woman by the name of Marie. Further research was able to identify Marie as Marie Riekel (*02.25.1882 New York, +03.15.1968 The Bronx), the daughter of Henry and Laura Riekel. The links that tie everything together are the sister-in-law Emma Riekel living with John and Marie in 1920. And again in 1940 the two sisters are living together after the death of John Roth.

The 1930 Census shows John and Marie living at 8102 10th Avenue. They had been married 14 years or in 1916. John's occupation was "private rental automobiles" which perhaps means a chauffeur service. They had no children.

8.4.....Martin Roth (*14.07.1887, +15.12.1911 Brooklyn)

Martin Jr. died at the age of 25. He was single and working as a clerk for his father.

8.5.....Albert E. Roth (*24.08.1889 Brooklyn)

A son was born to Martin and Mathilda in August 1889. A given name is not provided in the record. This is undoubtedly Albert who is enumerated in the Census years of 1892, 1900, 1905 and 1910. In 1910 he was 20 years old and living with his parents.

Seven years later World War I had begun and Albert registered for the military. He continued to be living with is parents and working for his father with duties for "delivery". He was described as tall and stout, with brown hair and eyes. But in 1941 when he registered for the draft again, he was married to Catherine. They lived at 1001 E. 47th Street in Brooklyn. He worked for Bell Auto Service at 208 St. Mary's Avenue.

8.6.....William Roth (*03.09.1891, +22.02.1893 New Utrecht, Kings)

William died at the age of 18 months.

8.7.....Frank A. Roth (*22.11.1892, +08.08.1893 New Utrecht/Kings NY)

Frank died at the age of 9 months, six months after his brother William.

8.8.....Walter V.B. Roth (*25.11.1893 Brooklyn, +)

Walter was born three months after his brother Frank died and nine months after his brother William. 1893 was quite a year for the family.

Per his 1917 registration for the draft for World War I, Walter was 5 foot 8 inches tall with blue eyes and brown hair. He was single, living at home and working for his father's business as a "chauffeur".

13.4.....John Roth (*1858 Brooklyn)

13.5.....Mary Roth (*1860 Brooklyn)

13.6.....Rosa "Rosy" Roth (*18.11.1861 NY, +11.06.1914 Brooklyn)

Rosy Roth and William Gray (*1860 Ireland, +30.09.1928 Brooklyn) were married in about 1880. William was a laborer and an Irish immigrant. He died 14 years after his wife Rosy. In the 1900 Census they are renting a home on Benson Avenue in Brooklyn. William's occupation is brick layer. At the time of Rosy's death in 1914 their address is given as 33 Bay 14th Street, Brooklyn. It is from the death record of Rosa Gray as well as the birth record of their daughter Theresia that we see she is the child of John and Mary Schombs Roth. Unlike her siblings and parents, however, Rosy and William are buried in Evergreen Cemetery. At the time of William's death he was living at 230 49th Street in Brooklyn.

The 1900 Census indicates that Rosa was the mother of seven children, four of whom were living at the time of the Census. Unlike most of the other Brooklyn family, we know little about the children of Rosy and William. We have only a record of one, Theresa. By 1900 none of the children (four who were supposedly alive) were living with their parents. Since the oldest would only have been about 20, this is ununusual. It casts doubt on the Census data of seven, four of whom were living.

Children: (7)

7.1.....Theresa Gray (*24.05.1903 Brooklyn)

13.7.....Morris Roth (*Jan 1863 Brooklyn, +07.02.1943)

Morris was a Brooklyn policeman by profession. He married Katherine "Katie" Stumpf (*1865 Brooklyn, +about 8.10.1944 Brooklyn). In 1900 they were renting a home on Bay 10th Street in Brooklyn. The 1900 Census is interesting in that it says there were 6 children, 5 of whom were living. Yet as can be seen below, Florence was their seventh child. She was not enumerated in either the 1900 or 1905 Census. She would have been seven years old in 1900. Perhaps she was living with a relative?

By 1905 they were living at 8648 Bay 23rd Street. Most of their neighbors were born in the United States. Then in the 1910 Census their address is given as 56 Bay 23rd Street. In 1930 and 1940 Morris and Katie were living on Lincoln Street in a home which they owned. It was valued in the 1930 Census at $6,000, similar to the values of their neighbors' homes. In 1930 Morris had retired from the police force. He was not a veteran of World War I. The Census asked the highest level of education of those enumerated. Morris is shown as 5th grade and Katie as 8th grade.

To visit the full Census pages, go to the LiveLinks section at the bottom of this page.

Children: (7)

7.1.....Anna C. "Annie" Roth (*11.09.1885 Brooklyn, +11.04.1912 Brooklyn)

Annie married Charles Stephen Doherty on 16 July 1905 in Brooklyn. At the time of her death she was a 26 year old widow. She is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in the same plot as her sisters Mary and Katie.

7.2.....Mary T. Roth (*22.08.1887 Brooklyn, +21.09.1908 Brooklyn)

Mary was 21 years old and single when she died.

7.3.....Katherine "Katie" Roth (*1890, +25.08.1893 New Utrecht, Kings)

7.4.....Elizabeth F. "Lizzie" Roth (*05.11.1892)

In 1910 Lizzie was 17 years old. She was working as a cashier in a store.

7.5.....Florence Roth (*1893, +14.01.1919 Brooklyn)

At the time of her death Florence was living at 156 Bay 23rd Street, Bath Beach. She was single.

7.6.....Cora Ethel Roth (*12.09.1895 Brooklyn)

7.7.....Frances M. Roth (*04.12.1897 Brooklyn)

13.8.....Elizabeth Roth (*07.12.1864 Brooklyn, +25.01.1946 Brooklyn)

Elizabeth and Frank H. Pouch (*Oct 1867, +Nov 1949) were married in about 1891. From the 1900 Census we see their three children: Frances, Milton and Hazel. Living with the family at 305 Adams Street was Frank's uncle Francis Pouch (*1844 New York). In fact it might have been the nephew and his family living with the Uncle. To see the entire family use the LiveLinks section below. Elizabeth and the children are at the top of the next page. Uncle Francis and Frank were undertakers by profession.

In 1920 Uncle Francis was retired but still living with the family on Adams Street. But he is no longer shown as the Head of the household. He was 75 years old. Frank was shown as the owner of the undertaking business. The three children were all living at home, ages 25, 23 and 19 years. The original Census page is hard to read and best done in the LiveLinks below. The 1925 Census indicates the family is still at 305 Adams. In 1940 they now lived at 95 Sixth Avenue in Brooklyn. Frank was 72 years old and still working. Per the Census the highest level of schooling for Frank was 4th grade and for Elizabeth 7th.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Frances E. Pouch (*23.02.1894 Brooklyn, +22.05.1970 Springfield, Chester VT)

Frances did not marry. In 1920 she was a public school teacher in Brooklyn. In 1940 Frances, age 46 and single, was still teaching school and living with Frank and Elizabeth. At the time of her death from breast cancer Frances was living with her sister Hazel on Love Lane Road, Chester, Vermont. Frances was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

3.2.....Milton Henry Pouch (*21.07.1896 Brooklyn, +03.01.1968 Bellows Falls VT)

Milton registered for the Draft for World War I. At the time he was 21 years old, living at home and working at the Nassau National Bank at 50 Pearl Street in Brooklyn. In 1920 he was a helper in a Brooklyn store. Five years later he was working for his father in the funeral home. In 1942 as the United States was in World War II his Draft registration shows him still working for his father. His wife is named Helen (*1908 New York, +before 1968).

We can see from the 1930 Census that he was still single, age 33 and living at home. Sometime in the 1930's Milton married Helen, for they are together in the 1940 Census. Helen was 32 years old. They had no children in 1940. Milton was a widower at the time of his death. He died of congestive heart failure complicated by colon cancer.

3.3.....Hazel May Pouch (*04.05.1900 Brooklyn, +27.04.1990 Springfield VT)

In 1920 Hazel was a typist by profession. Hazel married Henry C. Semken (*17.06.1897 Brooklyn, +May 1964 NY), the son of Henry and Maggie Cunbell Semken. The wedding took place in about 1922. Two years prior Henry was living at home with his parents at 504 Clinton Avenue, Brooklyn. In 1930 Henry and Hazel lived in Queens. They were renting at 9431 118th Street. They were ages 33 and 30 respectively with no children. Ten years later they continued living in Queens with no children.

Henry passed away at age 67. Hazel lived on for another 25 years, dying in a convalescent home. Like her sister Frances, Hazel died of breast cancer.

It is not known which of the children first moved to Vermont. But eventually the others followed. Elizabeth, Frank and their three children are all buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

13.9.....Philip Roth (*1865 Brooklyn)

13.10.....Frances Roth (*May 1868 Brooklyn, +after 1930)

Frances married Walter Van Brunt (*1867, +~01.01.1899 Brooklyn). In 1892 they were living in the 8th Ward of the 22nd Election District. Walter is listed on the last line of one page and Frances on the first line of the next. Walter was employed as a bookkeeper. He died at age 32 leaving Frances with a son. Walter Sr. is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.

In a second marriage Frances and James H. Vail (*1876 Canada, +before 1930) wed. In 1915 Frances and Jim were living in The Bronx, assuming this is the correct Frances Vail. They are enumerated in the 1920 Census (see LiveLinks at the page bottom) living at 254 85th Street in Brooklyn in a home which they owned with a mortgage. Jim is shown has not working (occupation "none"). Apparently Jim had immigrated into the United States in 1891. The full 1920 Census page can be accessed by the LiveLinks at the bottom of this page.

In 1930 Frances is enumerated in the Census as a widow, living with her son Walter and his family in New Jersey.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Walter John Van Brunt (*22.04.1892 Brooklyn, +11.04.1971 Dover OH)

The 1905 Brooklyn Census showing a Walter Van Brunt is very interesting. If one would like to do a deep dive, they are directed to the LiveLinks at the very bottom of this page for Walter Van Brunt to see the entire Census page. The address is 5707 4th Avenue. John Roth, age 76, is Walter's grandfather. He is shown as a boarder. But a boarder in whose home? Shown above John Roth on the page are six "Head"s of household all with the address of 5707. Presumably John was boarding with one of those families. But then under John are listed Frank Van Brunt, age 32, and Walter Van Brunt, age 13. And both are shown as "Brother". But brother to whom? They could not have even been brothers to each other, as Walter's mother Frances was five years old when she supposedly had this son Frank. Unlikely. Most likely is that Frank, age 32 and therefore born about 1873 was actually Frances, Walter's mother born in 1868 and living with her father John and son Walter. Brother Frank was actually mother Frances. For Frances's husband had passed away six years prior. Since there is a John Roth and Walter Van Brunt living together in Brooklyn in 1905 they must be our family. Sometimes Census data is really flawed!

We know of Walter's early life as an actor and singer from a number of sources. First there is an article in Mainspring Press about American recording pioneers. He also has a Wikipedia page. Walter was a colorful person. His first success, albeit limited, was as a lead actor in Broadway musicals. After a few years, however, he focused on a singing career and gave up acting. Numerous of his recordings are available on YouTube and in the iTunes Library. For the moment we will assume the Mainspring Press article is generally accurate and proceed accordingly.

"The Irish Tenor"

Walter John Van Brunt (Scanlan)

A Few Songs by Walter

When You Wore a Tulip ...

Who Are You With Tonight?

Where Did You Get That Girl?

Smiling Irish Eyes

Sally Of My Dreams

For More Songs Go To

YouTube for Walter Van Brunt

YouTube for Walter Scanlan

or Search on iTunes

but be sure to search for both Van Brunt and Scanlan separately, as he performed under both names.

Walter's first marriage was with a woman with the given name Lillian (*1895). They married before 1915 for in the 1915 New York State Census Walter and Lillian are living with his mother Frances and step-father Jim Vail at 254 85th Street in Brooklyn. Two years later when he filled out his Registration for the World War I draft they continued to live in the home with Frances and Jim. In both 1915 and 1917 his occupation was given as "actor". The name of his employer is difficult to read but something like "Erin Isle Entertainment Company" at 39th Street and Broadway. He was described as tall with a medium build, gray eyes and dark brown hair.

Sometime prior to 1920 Walter began an affair with a Ruth Young (*1899, +1948). They may have lived as Walter and Ruth Scanlan, Walter's stage name. Their first child was born in May, 1920. But as seen in the Mainstream Press article, his marriage with Lillian was not terminated until 1925. Presumably his marriage to Ruth Young followed that. By 1930 Walter and Ruth were living in the town of Riverside in Bergen County, New Jersey. But they are enumerated in the Census as Walter and Ruth Van Brunt. They rented their home. Living with Walter, Ruth and their three daughters was Walter's mother Frances.

In the 1940 Census Walter Scanlan and his family are living in Queens at 3215 93rd Street. They are now enumerated as the Scanlans (actually the Census taker misspelled it as Scanlon), no longer the Van Brunts! They and all their neighbors were renting. His Registration two years later for the draft for World War II shows an address of 87 15 Britton Avenue in the Elmhurst section of Queens. And his name is Walter J. Scanlan. Walter was 50 years old at the time. He was working for the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) at Radio City, Manhattan NY. It is not hard to believe someone would have not have given their legal name to a Census taker, if they went by another name. It is more of a challenge to expect they would register for the Draft under an alias. Perhaps Walter had legally changed his name from Van Brunt to Scanlan. However, read on.

Walter and Ruth are buried in the Magnolia Cemetery in the town of Magnolia, five miles south of Canton OH. The official (State of Ohio) death record for Walter, as seen above, is for Walter Van Brunt. The Cemetery records for both Walter and Ruth are apparently Van Brunt. So perhaps Walter did not legally change his name. Talking with his descendants should solve this riddle.

The information regarding their children and grandchildren comes from the obituaries of Carl Calcara, Sr., the second husband of Patricia Van Brunt (*1928); Frank S. Kerekes, the husband of Ruth S. Van Brunt (*1924), and Ruth Van Brunt (*1924).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Mary J. Van Brunt (*22.05.1920 California, +30.12.1948 Queens NY)

Mary J. and Robert C. Rowley married. At the time of her death at the age of 28 years they were living at 71-47 Austin Street in Queens. In Mary's death record her father is given as Walter Scanlan and her mother as Ruth Young.

3.2.....Ruth S. Van Brunt (*28.04.1924, +07.10.2006 Massillon OH)

Married Frank S. Kerekes (*1923 Magnolia OH, +13.08.2014 Massillon OH) on 29 December 1945. Frank was the son of Frank and Elizabeth Kerekes, Hungarian emigrants, as seen in the 1940 Census. Frank Sr. worked as a blacksmith for a coal company.

Frank and Ruth met in a dance club in New York City just before he shipped out to England during World War II. They lived most of their married life in Magnolia, five miles south of Canton OH. Ruth sang with at least two groups, the Sweet Adalines and the Carrolltones. Frank retired as a City employee running the Water Department. Her parents surnames are shown as Scanlan and Young in her death record.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Carolyn Kerekes (*)

Married Bill Smith, llving in North Lawrence OH in 2014.

3.2.....William Kerekes (*)

Bill married Theresa, living in North Canton OH in 2014.

3.3..... Jeffrey Kerekes (*)

Jeff married Kathie, living in Massillon OH in 2014.

3.3.....Patricia Van Brunt (*1928)

Married Johnson.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Debra Johnson (*)

Married Mark Dean. Living in Sunbury OH in 2008.

4.2.....Steve Johnson (*)

Married Sylvia. Living in Sunbury OH in 2008.

4.3.....Robert Johnson (*)

Living in Westerville OH in 2008.

4.4.....Richard Johnson (*)

Married Debbie. Living in Prospect OH in 2008.

In a second marriage Patricia and Carl Calcara Sr. (*25.03.1930 Sunbury OH, +21.08.2008 Sunbury OH) were wed. From the obituary of Carl Calcara we learn more of the families of Patricia and Carl Sr. Carl was a homebuilder by profession, owning his own business -- Carl Calcara Custom Homes in Sunbury, a town about twenty miles north of Columbus OH. He was a veteran of the Korean War, having served in the Army Air Corps. His first wife was deceased.

13.11.....Julia Roth (*1869 Brooklyn, +05.12.1871 Brooklyn

13.12.....Albert Frank Roth (*07.02.1872 Brooklyn, +17.11.1941 Brooklyn)

The 1875 Census enumerates a Frank Roth, age 3 (and therefore born in about 1872). But then the 1880 Census has a son Albert, age 8, but no Frank. They have been combined, as we believe they were the same person.

In 1900 Albert was 28 years old, single and a policeman by profession. His father John and sister Frances were living with Albert in a home at 185 Fifty-First Street which Albert owned. Also living in the house was an Irish emigrant couple, Patrick and Jane McGreen and their six year old son Joseph. McGreen was also a policeman. But then in a year or so Albert married Mary Josephine Barton (*about 1878 NY, after 1941). Mary's father was an Irish emigrant. Her mother was born in New York. By 1905 Albert and Mary had moved to 4518 6th Avenue in Brooklyn. The first two of their five children were born. Living with them was Anna Kisskauer, a 13 year old "servant" and "children's nurse".

By 1910 they had moved again, this time to 335 78th Street in Brooklyn, another home they owned with a mortgage. They had had four children, all of whom were living at home. Also living with them was Albert's sister-in-law, a Theresa Manix, age 22. This must have been a sister of his wife Mary. Their final move occurred prior to 1920, for in the Census their address is 1841 West 7th Street, a home again owned with a mortgage. All five children are living at home, the oldest being Raymond at 18 years.

In 1930 the home was valued at $8,000. Another question in the Census was whether the household had a "radio set". The Roths did. By 1930 Albert Sr. had retired from the Police Department. At the time of his death in 1941 Albert and Mary were still at 1841 West 7th Street. In the Census the prior year they had declared a value of $6,000 for the home. Albert was buried at St. Johns Cemetery, not Green-Wood like so many others in the family. His son Robert had been buried at St. John's ten years earlier.

We have found very little information about the children of Albert (*1872) and Mary. We know two of them died without marrying (Raymond and Robert). But we have no records of the other three after they left the family home. We do not know if any married and if there were any grandchidren.

Children: (5)

5.1.....John Raymond Roth (*1902, +after 1940)

The 1910 Census names their first child John R. Later Census information calls him Raymond. Presumably his name was John Raymond. In 1920 he lived at home. His occupation looks like "clerk, marine insurance". In 1940 Raymond was 38 years old and living with his parents. The Census taker first put "M" for married, then drew a line through it. He worked as a bartender and declared his earnings in the prior year of $1,700.

5.2.....Anna Marie Roth (*20.03.1904 Brooklyn)

In the 1920 Census Anna was sixteen years old, living at home and working as a stenographer in a factory. By 1930 she is no longer living with her parents and perhaps has married. We have no record of Anna after 1920.

5.3.....Albert J. Roth (*21.03.1907 Brooklyn)

In 1930 Albert Jr. was a "manager, bird store". He was 21 years of age and living at home. By 1940 he is not living in the family home.

5.4.....William V. Roth (*Apr 1910)

In the 1910 Census William's age is given as 0/12, meaning he was less than a month old. The date of the Census was 24 April 1910. In 1930 William is 20 years old, living at home and working as a "stock boy".

5.5.....Robert Roth (*1912, +27.08.1931)

Robert died at the age of 19. He was single and living at home. He was a cooper by profession. He is buried in St. John's Cemetery in the Middle Village area of Queens.

13.13.....Mary Roth (*1872 Brooklyn)

The 1880 Census identifies a daughter Mary, age 8. However, she was not enumerated in the 1875 New York State Census. It is possible that Mary, born in about 1872, was erroneously enumerated and that she is really 12.11 Albert Frank. Albert Frank was enumerated in the Censuses of 1875 and 1900, but not 1880.

9.2.....Martin Schömbs (*22.07.1833 Hahnheim)

Hahnheim records contain the information of Martin's birth as the son of Johann Georg and Theresia. He is enumerated in the 1850 U.S. Census, although with the given name "Martha, 17 year old female". Undoubtedly the Census taker misunderstood the name and entered it as female. Martin is not enumerated with the family in the 1855 Census. This is reasonable, however, as he might well have moved out of the family home and been living elsewhere in Brooklyn. This assumes he was still living.

But his mother Theresia passed away in 1880. In her Probate document are listed all the living children as well as 9.6 Mathias (*1842, +before 1875) who died leaving a wife and children. There is no mention of Martin. There are two possible explanations. He was intentially excluded in her will. Or he had died before 1880 without a wife or children. This is the most likely scenario. And perhaps he died between 1850 and 1855. There is actually a third possibility. Martin was actually a female named Martha and the Hahnheim birth record is in error. Regardless, their 9.2 second child probably died in the early 1850s. Perhaps someday we will find a document which will clear up this mystery.

9.3.....Regina Schömbs (*01.10.1836 Hahnheim, +5.01.1901 Brooklyn)

Regina Schömbs is also not enumerated with her parents in the 1855 NY Census. She would have been 19 years old. In her mother's will she is named Regina Krombach. She and her husband Louis Krombach (*1825 Prussia, +1879 Brooklyn) lived at 755 Third Avenue in Brooklyn. Louis was a tavern keeper, perhaps at the same location. The value of the real estate owned by Louis was $5000 and his personal property at $2000. Louis had been naturalized by 1870.

Regina passed away on 5 Jan 1901 at home. Her obituary is attached.

From the 1880 U.S. Census and a Mundia.com posting we know about their family.

Children: (9)

9.1.....Louis Krombach (*1855 Brooklyn, +01.09.1857 Brooklyn)

9.2.....Charles "Carl" Krombach (*23.02.1857 Brooklyn, +18.08.1913 Brooklyn)

In 1880 Charles was 24 years old, a florist and living at home. On 19 March 1884 Charles and Elizabeth Riechers (*08.10.1863, +11.09.1926 Long Island College Hospital) were married. Elizabeth was the daughter of J. Herman and Anna Brandt Riechers, both born in the United States. Elizabeth's mother Anna died in 1870 when Elizabeth was seven years old. His father re-married. His second wife was Metta (or perhaps Martha) C. Seebeck (*1837, +1897).

Carl Krombach

In 1900 they were living at 161 1/2 23rd Street in Brooklyn. They owned their home. Charles followed in the footsteps on his Uncle Martin Lampus in his involvement in the Harmonia Singing Society of South Brooklyn. He was the Festival President in 1908 commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Society. There is an interesting article in the Brooklyn Eagle in column one.

In 1910 the Census lists Charles as a florist, owning his own business. They are enumerated as renting their home. Charles passed away in 1913 at the age of 56 from a heart attack. The obituary for Charles is easily read by zooming in. Regina and son Theodore continued the business after the death of Charles.

In 1920 Elizabeth is living with their daughter Regina and her husband John. She died six years later after an operation for ovarian cancer.

Children: (5)

5.1.....Meta Regina Krombach (*09.02.1885 Brooklyn, +10.07.1885 Brooklyn)

5.2.....Regina Krombach (*Dec 1888 Brooklyn, +1982 Beachwood NJ)

Regina married John Donahue (*1877 New York) before 1920. John was the son of an Irish father and English mother. From the 1925 State Census it appears that John was a jeweler by profession. Elizabeth was still living with them but passed away the following year. In 1930 John was a chauffeur for an oil company. They had no children. The various Census have John's birthyear ranging from 1877 to 1889. We don't know when he was born.

5.3.....Adeline Krombach (*May 1891, +1918)

5.4.....Charles Louis Krombach (*1895 Brooklyn, +1896 Brooklyn)

5.5.....Frank H. Krombach (*Jun 1896 New York, +1988 Fort Lauderdale FL)

Frank married Mary A. (*1898). In 1930 Frank was a salesman in a jewelry store. Mary was a "housewife". By 1940 they owned their home, the value of which was entered at $12,000. Their son Charles was 11. Living with the family was a servant. Frank was listed as a salesman of precious metals. Mary was a public school teacher.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Charles A. Krombach (*1928 New York, +1996 Jensen Beach FL)

9.3.....Theodore Krombach (*24.01.1860 Brooklyn, +2.10.1918 Brooklyn)

In 1880 Theodore was living at home and a bartender, probably in his father's tavern. Anna Rade (*1862, +1939) and Theodore were married 18 November 1883 in Brooklyn. Theodore was a liquor and wine merchant in Brooklyn. Anna was the daughter of Ernst and Margaretha Horst Rade.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Theodore Krombach (*1886 Brooklyn, +1904 Brooklyn)

2.2.....Francis M. Krombach (*1889 Brooklyn, +1890 Brooklyn)

9.4.....Francisca Krombach (*1864 Brooklyn, +1939 New York)

In 1880 Franciska was living in the home of her Aunt Theresia and Uncle Martin Lampus. Franciska was 15 years old.

In 1886 Francis and James D. Ouchterlonely (*1860 Brooklyn, +1888 Brooklyn) were wed. James died two years later. Francis was married again in 1992 to Charles J. Zimmerman (*1859 Brooklyn, +1898 Brooklyn) in Brooklyn. With Charles she had three daughters. After the death of Charles she then married for the third time in 1906. Her husband was Benson Charles Martin (*Nova Scotia, +1949).

Benson "Charles" Martin was a Canadian, immigrating into the U.S. in 1884. He became a U.S. citizen in 1909. He was five years younger than Francis. They owned their home in Brooklyn.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Helen Zimmerman (*1893, +1934)

Helen and Thomas Austin (*1886 New York) were married in 1915. Thomas was the son of emigrants from Southern Ireland. We only know of one child at this time. In 1920 Helen was living with her mother Francis and step-father Charles. It is not clear where Thomas Austin was at the time. However, Thomas was a veteran of World War I. Perhaps he had not yet returned from Europe in 1920.

By 1930 Helen and Thomas owned their home in Brooklyn. It was valued at $25,000 in the Census. Thomas was an insurance broker. Helen died four years later at age 41.

Chlldren: (1)

1.1.....Benson Austin (*1916 New York, +1997 Somerset NJ)

In 1940 Benson, age 24 and single, was living with two of his aunts, sisters of his father Thomas. Benson was seeking work. His aunt Mary Stanett was a public school teacher and the only person in the home working.

3.2.....Anita Zimmerman (*1895 New York, +27.05.1900 Brooklyn)

3.3.....Alexandria Zimmerman (*1897 Brooklyn, +1903 Brooklyn)

9.5.....Theresia Krombach (*1864 Brooklyn, +22.12.1874 Brooklyn)

9.6.....Regina Dorothea Krombach (*20.07.1866 Brooklyn, +12.10.1954)

In 1888 married Charles E. Bailey (*1856 Groton CT, +about 28.01.1902 at sea). If one reads the article about their marriage, you see that most of the family members are mentioned. In 1900 Charles and Regina Dorothea were living in Brooklyn. The transcription of the Census form also shows the family.

Charles was a sea captain by profession. He died from pneumonia on a trip from Brooklyn to the West Indies. His body was taken ashore in Savannah GA and shipped back to Brooklyn. They lived at Bay 22nd Street, near 18th Street Bath Beach. His obituary in the Brooklyn Eagle tells more about Captain Bailey. Regina is enumerated in the 1905 and 1910 Census records with her children.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Charles Morgan Bailey (*04.08.1890 New York, +09.03.1924)

Charles married Hazel M. Franklin (*1893 New York, +1985 Long Beach/Nassau NY). In 1917 at the time Charles registered for the draft for World War I he was working as a paymaster for the Erv Bliss Company in Brooklyn. From the Draft Form Bliss was a munitions company. He indicates he is married with a child under the age of 12 years and living at 1834 65th Street in Brooklyn. They then had another child the next year.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Hazel Bailey (*1917)

2.2.....Charles Bailey (*1918)

Following Charles (*1890)'s death in 1924 Hazel then married Harold Harpell (*1888). They had at least two children who are not in the Schömbs line.

3.2.....Frankon Marion Bailey (*12.07.1894 New York, +29.11.1969 Madrid Spain)

Frankon we assume to be her given name based upon the findagrave.com website. Other information, however is somewhat contradictory, e.g. perhaps Franklin. She married Frank L. Meyers (*1894, +07.01.1930 Brooklyn). Frankon apparently died in Madrid. She is buried in the Madrid British Cemetery per the FindaGrave site. Frank is buried with Frankon's parents in Green-Wood.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Elliott Lewis Meyers (*14.01.1921 Brooklyn, +08.02.1993 Bilbao Spain)

3.3.....Percy W. Bailey (*1895 Brooklyn, +1964)

Percy married a woman by the name of Lily (*1900 Brooklyn). Percy was a house painter in 1930 and a World War I veteran. They lived on Park Avenue in Brooklyn. By 1940 they had purchased their home on Meade Street in Brooklyn and had an eight year old daughter.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Lila Bailey (*1932 New York)

9.7.....Louis Krombach (*1869 Brooklyn, +28.02.1900 Brooklyn NY)

Louis and Mary Swayze (*1870) were married. We are aware of one son who died as an infant.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Louis Swayze Krombach (*1891 Brooklyn, +1891 Brooklyn)

9.8.....Rose Theresa Krombach (*06.1870 Brooklyn, +17.04.1943 North Stonington CT)

In 1889 married Frank Butler Longenecker (*17.11.1865 MA, +05.01.1931 Brooklyn). In 1900 Rose and Frank and their daughter Anna were living with Frank's brother Bertram and his wife Anna, Rose's sister. Frank and his brother were both dentists. In 1935 Rose was living in North Stonington, CT either next door to or with her sister Anna and brother-in-law George Holzinger as seen in the 1940 Census.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Anna B. Longenecker (*23.03.1890 Brooklyn, +02.06.1975 New London Cty CT)

Anna and George Russell Holzinger (*11.23.1888 Newport RI, +11.05.1961 Mystic CT) married. The wedding was after 1917 for when George registered for the World War I draft he was single and living at 528 Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. He worked as a salesman for the Burroughs Adding Machine Company.

By 1935 they had moved to North Stonington, Connecticut, for in the 1940 Census they said they had lived in the same house for at least five years. George was an executive with a distillery company.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Marion Fraim Holzinger (*1929, +1945)

Marion died at the age of 16 years.

9.9.....Marguerite Anna Krombach (*Jan 1873 Brooklyn, +05.12.1939 North Stonington CT)

In 1894 married Bertram Leslie Longenecker (*04.07.1868, +30.04.1916 North Stonington CT), a dentist. They lived in Brooklyn but had no children of whom we are aware. In their later life they appear to have moved to Connecticut.

9.4.....Theresia Josefina Schömbs (*22.01.1839 Hahnheim, +04.01.1923 Brooklyn)

Theresia married a Jacob "Martin" Lampus (*16.06.1832 Giessen, +9.07.1880 Brooklyn NY) according to the 1880 will of her mother Theresia (*1809). Martin was the son of Adolph and Dorothea Ramspeck Lampus. He was born two days short of nine months after his parents were married. In the FindAGrave documentation for Martin it says he was born in 1831. Yet if you zoom in on his gravestone it is clearly 1832. Martin was naturalized in 1858.

They lived at 708 Third Avenue in Brooklyn. Martin and Theresa appear in the Censuses of 1860, 1865 New York and 1870. In all three Census years Martin's mother Dorothea was living with them. Dorothea died in 1873 and was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery.

Martin and Theresia appear next in the 1880 Census. Also living in the home is their niece Franziska Krombach and three apparent boarders.

In an issue of the 1908 Brooklyn Eagle is an interesting article about the Harmonia Singing Society (or Deutscher Gesang Verein) of South Brooklyn. Martin Lampus was one of the founders of the Society in 1858. But a few years later the Civil War began and the Society almost went extinct. The article is in column one of the paper and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Society. Charles Krombach (*1857) was the Festival President.

A closer look at the 1920 Census (see Vail_James 1920 Census in LiveLinks below) shows Theresia Sorenson as a lodger in the home of Jim and Frances Roth Vail. Frances Roth Vail was the niece of Theresia Schömbs Lampus Sorenson. The Census taker even put in "Mainz, Germany" as the birth place for Theresia and her parents. Normally the census taker would only put in the country but in this case they put in the city. And actually it was the large city near Hahnheim).

Theresia passed away in 1923 as Theresia Sorensen. It is clear from the death record that this is the same Theresia, e.g. the daughter of John and Maria Theresia Horn Schömbs. While we have no record of Theresia's second marriage, she must have wed John Sorensen/Sorenson (*1841, +1906), the widower of Theresia's sister 9.7 Franziska. Franziska passed away in 1901. Theresa Sorenson is buried with Martin Lampus in Green-Wood Cemetery.

In October 1922, two months before she passed away, Theresia executed a Last Will and Testament. She owned assets totaling about $3000. From this she paid for her cemetery plot at Green-Wood and future maintenance of same. Most of the balance was bequeathed to Louisa Schombs Muller, her niece and the daughter of her brother 9.8 Philipp Schombs. The remainder went to Frances Vail, another niece and the daughter of her sister 9.1 Anna Maria Schömbs. Frances's husband James H. Vail was executor of the Will. Theresia had been living with Frances and James at 254 85th Street in Brooklyn.

The Will is interesting for two reasons: First, it provides a list of all of her nieces and nephews and their addresses; Second, Theresia declares that she has no children. Obviously the breach in the relationship between Theresia and her adopted son Henry "Martin" Lampus Jr. was never resolved (see below). Martin Jr., his daughter Viola Lampus Baker (*1892) and his grand-daughter Muriel Baker (*1917) were all living when Theresia died but are not mentioned in her Will.

The Probate papers of her Will are available on FamilySearch.org by clicking here. Be sure to Click on the "View the original document". But we have an Index of the Probate papers, helpful in locating specific information. And the List of all 47 of her next of kin (pages 4-6 of the Probate documents), with their addresses in 1923.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Henry "Martin" Lampus, Jr. (*1867 Brooklyn, +01.03.1923 Brooklyn NY)


The February Marriage Click to enlarge	The March Theft Click to enlarge

Henry "Martin" was adopted by Theresia and Martin. We know this from the Brooklyn Eagle in March 1885 when Martin Jr. made the news. The article reports that Junior had "stolen" $200 from his mother Theresia and disappeared. She reported him to the police, who were hot in pursuit attempting to locate him.

The interesting (and fun) part of the story, however, is not the $200 but rather that Junior apparently had already married his girlfriend Anna Louise Walsh (*Apr 1868 Brooklyn, +Jun 1908 Brooklyn) three weeks earlier. The New York City archives believe they were married on 24 February 1885 in Manhattan. Who knows how old the couple were at the time of their true elopement. The newspaper article reporting the theft says 18 years old for Martin. They apparently filled out the marriage paperwork saying 21 years for Martin and 19 years for Annie. It is possible they were both 16 years old at the time. But the 1870 Census has Martin as 3 years old at the time. While Census data is often unreliable for adults' ages, a one year old child is perhaps not likely to be entered as three. The burial monument is probably wrong in saying 1869. Oh well.

It also should be stated that a man and woman, both from Brooklyn in the 19th Century, would not consider marrying in Manhattan. Unless they were eloping. They needed to get out of their town where their parents might would have been known by the public officials.

Martin and Anna appear in the 1905 New York Census and the 1910 and 1920 Federal Censuses. In 1905 they were living at 1461 70th Street. Martin was a "diamond setter" by trade. In 1910 Martin was a widower. He and their daughter Viola had moved and now lived at 6944 Third Avenue in Brooklyn which he owned. Martin owned his own jewelry business.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Viola Elsie Lampus (*29.01.1892 Brooklyn, +17.04.1942 Brooklyn NY)

Viola and George S. Baker Jr (*, +after 1940) were married in 1910 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Brooklyn. George was the son of George S. Baker Sr and his wife, the former Bertha Mittnight. George Jr. was a policeman for the New York Police Department starting in 1917. Viola's father-in-law worked for the Brooklyn Eagle as an engineer.

George and Viola celebrated their 25th Anniversary on the Marine Roof of the Hotel Bossert in 1935, as reported by the Brooklyn Eagle.

Viola and George appear in the 1920, 1930 and 1940 Censuses. They lived at 520 68th Street in Brooklyn where they owned their home. In 1940 the home was valued at $7500, as were the neighbors homes. Both George and Viola were enumerated as having completed their eighth grade of schooling. George was still a policeman in 1940.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Muriel Baker (*Feb 1917 Brooklyn)

Martin's wife Anna passed away in 1908 when their daughter Viola was sixteen years old. Martin married for the second time ten years later. His new wife was Margaret M. Dohery (*1880 New York), the daughter of Irish emigrants. Margaret brought a son George Doherty (*1902 NY) into the marriage. George, age 18, is living with them in 1920 at the home on Third Avenue. George was a shipfitter at the Brooklyn Naval Yard.

Martin Jr. died three years later at the age of 54 years. At the time of death they were living at 556 84th Street in Brooklyn. He with all the other family members is buried at Green-Wood Cemetery.

9.5.....Magdalena Schömbs (*21.06.1841 Hahnheim, +13.01.1842 Undenheim)

Magdalena died as an infant before emigration.

9.6.....Mathias Schömbs (*23.11.1842 Hahnheim, +14.11.1872 Brooklyn)

For years we had no information about Mathias Schömbs (*1842). We knew of his birth. Then eight years later he was enumerated in the 1850 Census, although under the name Martha (female). But no records were found after 1850 which included Mathias. In the Probate papers of his mother Theresia, there was reference to a deceased son but the name was perhaps "Morris". Was this Mathias?

Finally we know. As mentioned previously the family "experimented" with changing their surname to "James" from Schömbs. This was first seen for Johan Georg in the 1860 Census. It turns out that Mathias had "doubled down" in Las Vegas terms. Not only did he change his family name to James but also his given name to "Morris". Thus Morris James is our person of interest after 1850. Good research then uncovered the story.

Morris married Jane "Jennie" Webb (*~1845 New York), the daughter of Irish emigrants. Morris and Jennie appear in the 1865 New York Census with their infant daughter Elizabeth. Cross referencing future documents makes it clear that Morris James in the 1865 Census is 9.6 Maurice Schömbs (*1842). Morris is a Clerk working in New York (Manhattan). One can see this from visiting the full Census page. The Column to the right of "clerk" is the location of work. Most of his neighbors work in New York (meaning Manhattan), some in Brooklyn. He is enumerated as having been Naturalized.

In 1870 they have a second child. In 1871 Morris is the father of a male child who was apparently stillborn. There is no given name. This is the last document including Morris, except the record of his death in 1872 at age 29. We do not know the cause of death. In the 1875 Census Jennie appears as a widow and head of household with their children. They are living at 384 18th Street, of which Jennie appears to be the owner.

By 1880 Jennie has re-married. Although her husband, with the family name Johnson, is not enumerated in the Census. She is enumerated as married, not as widowed. The page is difficult to read. The compiled page is here. Or use "Live Links" at the bottom of this page to view the original 1880 Census. But she and Johnson have had one child together, John R. Johnson (*1878), who is not listed below as he is not a descendant of Zacharias, either by blood or adoption. Jennie continues to live at 384 18th Street. Interestingly a few doors away at 372 18th Street live Henry (*1820 Ireland) and Elizabeth (*1825 Ireland) Webb, undoubtedly Jennie's parents. Scroll down to the bottom of the Census page starting on Line 33 to see them.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Elizabeth Theresa James (*Oct 1865 Brooklyn, +07.09.1917 Brooklyn).

From the birth records of her children, we know Elizabeth married Thomas Jefferson Connell (*Jun 1861 Kentucky). In 1900 they were living at 637 6th Avenue in Brooklyn. Then by 1910 they had moved to 531 East 51st Street. The year of birth for Thomas Connell is not certain. The 1900 Census gives it as June, 1861. Most Censuses only give the age at the time of the Census. The 1910 Census says Thomas was 52 years old and therefore born in 1857 or 1858. Another source gives it as 1859. The birth month and year in the 1900 Census for their children Thomas (*Dec 1892) and Ethel (*Aug 1898) do agree with the record of their births. So we have used the information from the 1900 Census for Thomas Sr.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Jane Eleanora Connell (*19.01.1889 Brooklyn)

Jane Eleanora is curious. According the the 1900 Census and also the 1910 Census the first oldest daughter of Elizabeth and Thomas Connell was named Elizabeth and born in April 1890 or 1892. Is it possible that Jane Eleanora died as an infant and there was a second child named Elizabeth born in April of 1990. Perhaps more research will find the documents to learn about this.

4.2.....Thomas Jefferson Connell (*20.12.1892 Brooklyn)

On 5 June 1917 when Tom registered for the military during World War I, he shown as single. He was a chauffer working for George Byrne at 1493 Broadway in Manhattan. Tom apparently served in the War, for in the 1930 Census he is shown as a veteran.

Tom Junior married Aletha Cudney (*1896 New York) in 1926. This we can see in the 1930 Census. In 1930 living with Tom and Aletha are Aletha's mother Emma and brothers Roy and Harold. Their home was at 2029 East 41st Street in Brooklyn. Their home was valued at $10,500. They owned a "Radio Set", one of the questions in the Census. Tom was an electrician by profession.

In about 1942 when he was required to register again for the military, he lists his employer as the Board of Transportation at 250 Hudson Street, Manhattan. Their phone number in Brooklyn was Cloverdale 8-1515. They were still living at 2029 E. 41st Street in Brooklyn.

4.3.....Ethel Connell (*02.08.1898 Brooklyn)

4.4.....James C. Connell (*13.12.1900 Brooklyn)

3.2.....George Henry James (*1866 Brooklyn)

3.3.....son James (*31.03.1871 Brooklyn)

9.7.....Franziska Schömbs (*05.08.1845 Hahnheim, +27.02.1901 New York)

We also have the original birth record for Franziska from the Church. Franziska is enumerated in the 1855 NY Census as being a ten year old daughter. In the probate papers of Theresia, Franziska is married. Her husband is John Sorenson (*1841 Ribe Denmark, +1906 Brooklyn), a Danish emigrant and the son of Jens and Karen Holm Sorensen. They were married 22 June 1869 in Brooklyn. It is from this marriage record that we know Franziska had been previously married to a Mr. Wittmann. She was a 23 year old widow when she married Sorenson.

The 1880 Census lists four children. Franziska and John apparently had five children. However that does not account for the birth record of Johann in 1884. Either 5.2 Baby Sorenson was really born in 1884 or perhaps there was a sixth child. And then there is the second child in the 1880 Census, a 4 year old son. The given name of the son is unclear as is how he fits into the family.

The 1892 Census shows the family with four living children. There is a Probate document filed in Brooklyn for Franziska, although we do not have a copy of it.

Following the death of Franziska in 1901 her husband John Sorenson then married Franziska's older sister 9.4 Theresia Schömbs Lampus (*1839, +1923), herself a widow for over twenty years. They were married until John died in 1906.

Children (5):

5.1.....Emily Frances "Emma" Sorenson (*19.03.1873 Brooklyn NY, +abt 13.04.1950 Brooklyn)

Based upon her Social Security record, Emily married Edward A.C. Brown (*1868, +1911) in about 1893. In the 1910 Census, they were living on 749 Third Avenue at about 25th Street, Brooklyn in Ward 27 with their two sons. Ed was a clerk in a hotel. They, as everyone else in their neighborhood were renting, undoubtedly in boarding houses. Their neighbors were mostly emigrants, from Polland, Norway, Italy and Ireland.

Children (2):

2.1.....John Edward Joseph Brown (*25.09.1894 Brooklyn, +16.01.1956 Los Angeles)

John Edward and Alma Caroline Patelski (*12.08.1890 Illinois, +24.06.1983 Los Angeles) were married 29 July 1925 in The Bronx. She was 35 at the time, he 36. They are buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale CA. We are aware of no children.

2.2.....Edward S.F. Brown (*10.07.1896 Brooklyn, +4.04.1914 Brooklyn)

Edward died at 18 years of age.

5.2.....Leonard Joseph Sorenson (*11.08.1875 Brooklyn NY, +30.03.1950 South Hempstead NY)

Leonard and Eva "Maud" Margaret Van Wart (*1879, +1979) were married 11 April 1899. The ceremony was at the home of Pastor Snowdon.

In 1900 Leonard was working as a plumber and a policeman in New York City (probably Brooklyn). By 1925 he ws a foreman of mechanics for the Brooklyn Manhattan Transit RR. Leonard and Maud lived at 744 (or 749?) 3rd Avenue in 1900 in Brooklyn. By 1915 they were at 5210 5th Avenue, then in 1918 at 526 53rd Street. By 1930 they had moved to 216 57th Street and finally 610 Ovington Street. All addresses in Brooklyn.

Children (3):

3.1.....Leonard Sorenson (*28.02.1900 Brooklyn NY, +28.02.1900 Brooklyn NY)

There is a note in Eva Van Wart's mother's family bible that Leonard died on the day of his birth, 24 February 1900.

3.2.....Eva May Sorenson (*20.05.1902 Brooklyn NY, +04.05.1994 Lynbrook NY)

Eva and Charles George Ashfolk (*1902, +04.05.1995 Lynbrook NY) were married 24 September 1927 in Brooklyn. Eva May died in her home in Lynbrook (Brooklyn backwards).

Children (3):

3.1.....Marilyn Gladys Ashfolk (*1930 Malverne NY)

Marilyn married Frederick Henry Wendel (*1929 Brooklyn, +2004 Port Orange FL). The wedding was in 1950.

Children (2):

2.1.....Douglas Edward Wendel (*1962 New York, +2003 Virginia)

Doug married Anne Elizabeth Sulzbach (*1964 New York) in New York in 1985. Anne lives in Virginia with her three children.

Children (3):

3.1.....Erich Joseph Wendel (*1991 New York)

3.2.....Brigitte Emily Wendel (*1994 New York)

3.3.....Charles Ernst Wendel (*1998 Virginia)

2.2.....? Wendel (*)

3.2.....Delores Ashfolk (*1936 Brooklyn NY, +1936 Brooklyn NY)

3.3.....Arlene Margaret Ashfolk (*1936 Brooklyn NY, +2006)

Arlene did not marry.

3.3.....Gladys Margaret Sorenson (*1908 Brooklyn NY, +11.01.1994 Smithtown NY)

In 1930 Gladys was working as a clerk at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (Met Life). She and Charles "Charlie" Thompson Kay (*1898 Brooklyn NY, +1955 Brooklyn NY) were married 09.09.1941. They had no children.

Gladys and Charlie are buried in the family plot in Green-Wood Cemetery with Francis and John, Emma and family, Matilda, Jacob Birch, Leonard and Maud, Louis and Charlie and Eva Ashfolk.

5.3.....Matilda "Tillie" Josephine Elizabeth Sorenson (*29.09.1877 Brooklyn NY, +30.07.1951 Wallingford CT)

Tillie married twice. Her first husband was Jacob M. Birch (*1870 MD, +20.02.1906 Brooklyn NY). They were wed on 27 September 1898 in Brooklyn. Jacob died ten years later. Matilda's second husband was, we believe, Louis Davis (+1951). Tillie had no children. She is buried with her parents in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

5.4.....Louis James Sorenson (*06.10.1879 Brooklyn NY, +abt 15.01.1957 Brooklyn NY)

Louis was a plumber by profession. He married Mary F. "Mae", but we are aware of no children. They lived in Brooklyn and are buried in Green-Wood Cemetery with the parents and siblings of Louis.

5.5.....John Sorenson (*12.09.1884 Brooklyn NY)

John is buried in Green-Wood but not with his wife.[4] They had no children.

9.8.....Philipp Schombs (*17.12.1848 Brooklyn, NY, +27.11.1897 Brooklyn)

Philipp married Louisa Reck (*24.09.1854 Brooklyn NY, +15.08.1937 Brooklyn NY) on 24 Nov 1873 in Brooklyn.

Philipp was a barber by profession. The family gave Philipp the nickname "The American". This was to recognize he was the first to be born in their new homeland.

In 1880 the family was living at 706 Third Avenue in Brooklyn. Otille, age one month, was enumerated as Matilda in the Census, but this was likely a misunderstanding on the part of the Census taker. It is also worth pointing out (lines 17-21) that the family name was "James", not Schombs. Another example of the family experimenting with a new surname. The 1892 New York State Census shows the family living in the eighth Ward of Brooklyn and once again using the family name Schombs.

Occasionally we stumble across interesting stories about our ancestors in the newspaper. Such is the case with Philipp Schombs. An article in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle in 1885 reports an incident that occurred around the holidays. The article is in parts one and two. But as the next article suggests, perhaps there were two sides to the story. At the time Philipp was married with six children, perhaps with the seventh on the way.

In 1900, three years after the passing of Philipp, Louisa was a widow, living at 106 22nd Street in Brooklyn. Four of their children (Ottilla, Martha, Mary and Edna) were living with Louisa. Ten years later in 1910 there was more family living with Louisa. It is worth pointing out how sometimes (often) genealogy research is a challenge. Notice the transciption of the family name as "Sch*Ls" and Otilla's married name as "Hushage". Searches often do not find the desired records. But from the original Census sheet we can glean more information as discussed below.

Children: (7)

7.1.....Theresia Louisa "Lulu" Schombs (*1875 Brooklyn NY, +15.08.1956)

Louisa married Frederick C. Muller (*~1869 Germany, +15.05.1924) on 7 Sep 1898 in Brooklyn. Frederick was born in Germany and emigrated. They probably had only one child or at least one child that lived to become an adult. In the 1910 Census, the only child enumerated is Charles, age 6. Louisa was 35 years old. In the 1920 Census Charles is 16 years old and the only child listed.

In 1920 Frederick worked as a railroad conductor. Charles was a clerk in a varnish factory. Louisa worked in the home.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Charles H. Muller (*2.07.1904 Brooklyn)

The name Charles H. might not be correct. It is possible it should be A. Charles Muller. Regardless, Charles married Celina Gingras (*26.04.1907).

Children: (1)

1.1.....Robert Charles Muller (*14.12.1928)

Robert Charles and Phyllis West (*04.06.1933) were married.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Jennifer Muller (*13.12.1960)

4.2.....Wayne Muller (*05.01.1962)

4.3.....Richard Muller (*23.02.1973)

4.4.....Stephen Muller (*16.09.1973)

7.2.....Lillian Rose Schombs (*Nov 1878 Brooklyn NY, Jul 1937 Brooklyn NY)

As a young woman Lillian Rose worked in a hat shop in Manhattan. She loved the design aspects of the business. In Manhattan she met William Decker. William worked in his father's butcher shop. The family lived on the second floor above the butcher shop. After meeting Lillian Rose, William moved to Brooklyn and entered the real estate business. Lillian married William George Decker (*May 1876, +Jul 1950) on 21 Feb 1899 in Brooklyn.

William did well in the real estate business. Brooklyn was growing and prosperous. The family lived in a two family home, renting out the second floor. But often the renters were Schombs relatives who needed help and were not as fortunate as William and Lillian Rose. He was a strict disciplinarian and played solitaire in his spare time.

In 1937 a taxicab jumped the curb on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn, seriously injuring Lillian Rose who was walking down the sidewalk. She passed away a few days later.

Children: (2)

2.1.....George Edward Decker (*18.04.1903 Brooklyn NY, +08.04.1976)

George and Emma "Babe" Van Aken (*06.11.1898, +01.07.1943 Brooklyn) were married on 8 January 1926. They lived in Brooklyn where George was in the insurance business. He hated high heeled shoes because of the damage they caused to floors and resulting insurance claims.[1] George loved boating and swimming.

Mimi Decker Mortensen, George's niece, has written a touching memory of her Uncle. Click to read it.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Albert Louis Decker (*01.10.1926 Brooklyn NY, +~2005 Myrtle Beach SC)

Albert married Ruth Marie Rappel (*12.08.1928 Brooklyn, +2015 Midlothian VA) on 13 September 1952. Al spent his career working with Westinghouse Electric where he became an executive. For a number of years they lived in Connecticut. After retirement they moved to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.

Children: (3)

3.1.....William Decker(*1952 Brooklyn NY, +~2008 VA)

Playing high school football, Bill sustained a head injury which resulted in his having periodic seizures throughout his life. He did not marry.

3.2.....Linda Jean Decker(*1955)

Linda married John Maduras (*1945). She worked for Philipp Morris, the tobacco company. They live in Midlothian VA.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Lindsey Decker Maduras (*1987)

Lindsey is married and is a pharmacist.

3.3.....Cynthia Joyce Decker(*1958)

Samuel Joseph Blair (*1957) and Cynthia were wed on 24 April 1982. Like her older sister Linda, Cynthia also worked for Philipp Morris.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Heather Marie Blair (*1985)

Heather and her husband live in Richmond VA. She works for Capital One Bank.

2.2.....Samuel Decker Blair (*1990)

Sam and Grace Hackett Blair (or was her maiden name Grace Hackett?) were married. They had their first child in 2016.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Samuel "Decker" Blair (*2016)

2.2.....Albert Theodore Decker (*04.10.1905 Brooklyn NY, +08.07.1989 Liberty NY)

Wedding of Albert Theodore Decker
and Lillian Katherine Rittershausen
Top Row: William Rittershausen, father of the bride; Theodore Rittershausen, brother; Lillian Rittershausen, bride; Albert Decker, groom; Muriel Erskine, cousin of groom; William Decker, father of the groom
Front Row: Katherine Rittershausen, mother of bride; Ronald Vogel, ring bearer; Shirley Elmauer, niece of bride; Lillian Rose Schombs Decker, mother of groom; Rev Straub, minister
Click to enlarge

Analytical, philosophical and known for his keen intellect, sense of humor and generosity, Al, son of William and Lillian, moved from Brooklyn, NY where his family had lived for 3 generations to the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. As a young man, he loved boating and became a long distance swimmer. Enjoying summers in the small town atmosphere, where his dad and Grandfather owned vacation homes, he chose this area at the age of 23 to begin his law career. Marrying a local girl, Lillian Rittershausen, an elementary school teacher, with the same 1st name as his mom, was never a problem. Within family, his wife used her family nickname, "La," given to her by her 1-yr-old niece.

Al was devoted to his family, including the dog and loved challenging his family to think and learn. Dinner topics included world occurrences, modern & ancient; the likes of Shakespeare or Robert Burns and family history. He also played piano for everyone to sing. On family road trips when we became impatient he would suggest we look at the scenery then direct our view to see the "scenery." Or, he would stop the car to let us out where he challenged us to run faster than the car. Teasing us, he then drove ahead a little, so we could catch-up where happily we climbed aboard. He also was "the one dad" who took all of us horseback riding or to an amusement park and we still remember the time he gave us each 14-consecutive rides on the Bumper-Cars! His dad, William, taught his sons woodworking; so when it came to broken toys, his grandchild Kathy said, "Grandpa Al was the Best! He could fix any toy I broke!"

Al and his brother, George, loved playing banjo, so with a friend they formed a string trio. In 1922 their trio performed several times on New York City radio stations. Family members claimed their ability was inherited from their paternal grandmother's musical family, the Müllers, who emigrated from Burg Lichtenburg, Prussia to NYC when she was 9. Her childhood home is listed on her Greenwood Cemetery, Youngsville, NY Grave Marker. The Burg Lichtenburg Museum in Germany has photographs of the Burg musicians who performed at many castles in winter months.

According to Al, due to his walking disability, he recognized at a young age he could not win arguments physically, so he needed to use words, not punches. Crippled by polio at 1½ and given no therapy, he taught himself to walk at 4-years, so he could join the other kids outside playing ball. At age 19 another health set-back occurred with the diagnoses of TB while attending CCNY. Forced to leave home for a year for convalescence, he healed with fresh mountain air, mental strength and faith. The next autumn he returned to college, but this time he chose Albany, NY to study law. He used his first car, a Model "A" Ford, to drive home to Brooklyn on his holiday breaks.

In his first job working for the DA, he had the opportunity to meet & work with NY Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt. He served as Mayor of his town, joined local civic organizations, volunteered in the Hose & Fire Company; donated legal services to the School Board, Church and promoted cohesiveness as President of the Council of Christians & Jews. Remembering the less fortunate, he often said, "We have to look out for the 'little Guy." Waiting for eye surgery when Al was frail and in a wheel chair, a juror from years earlier recognized him. Positively remembering him she said 3-times, "He is an attorney!"

Albert and Lillian Katherine Rittershausen (*06.08.1908 Youngsville NY, +28.06.1999 La Jolla CA) were married 17 June 1933 in Youngsville NY. Lillian was the daughter of William George and Katherine Spielman Rittershausen. Al and Lillian bought their home in Liberty NY in 1935, in the middle of the Depression. The home was sold in 2000 following the death of Lillian.

Lillian's mother-in-law was also named Lillian (Rose). To attempt to reduce the confusion in the home, Lillian Katherine was given the nickname "La Decker".[2] Lillian originally wanted to pursue a career in nutrition. But she then decided to pursue a teaching career. She taught in grade school, teaching 3rd and 4th graders. She was loved by both her students and their parents.

Swimming, travel and Thomas Jefferson were a few of Al's many interests. After a trip to Monticello VA to the former home of Thomas Jefferson, Al oversaw some of the renovations to their home incorporating a few ideas from Monticello. Lillian loved volunteering. They traveled widely in the United States and eastern Canada.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Barbara Lillian Decker (*1936)

On 21 June 1959 Barbara and William Chester Russell (*1933) were married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Katherine Ann Russell (*1961)

Katherine married Dennis Glaze (*1959) on 3 August 1990.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Amanda "Mandy" Katherine Glaze (*1991 Jacksonville FL)

Mandy lives in Orlando.

2.2.....William Kirk Russell (*1963)

William and Loretta Ann Acosta (*1966) married.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Zachary Andrew Acosta-Berrios (*1992 Kingston NY)

Zach and his partner Kristen Auchmoody have a son. They live in New Paltz NY.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Jacob Acosta-Berrios (*2019 New Paltz NY)

3.2.....Alexa "Lex" Frances Russell (*1996 Kingston NY)

Lex is living in Rochester NY.

3.3.....Matthew Albert Russell (*2000 Kingston NY)


Al and Lillian Decker, Diana Decker in the hat and Rose DiFranco, a family friend Click to enlarge	Barbara, Mimi and Diana Decker Click to enlarge

3.2.....Muriel "Mimi" Antoinette Decker (*1939)

Mimi and Ernest J. Mortensen (*1940) married in 1966 on April 2nd.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Craig Ernest Mortensen (*1970)

Craig and Portia Melanie Stocker Mortensen (*1970) live in Pennsylvania.

3.3.....Diana Lee Decker (*1945)

7.3.....Otille "Olie" Elizabeth Schombs (*Jun 1880 Brooklyn NY)

In 1900 Otilie was living at home with her mother and three of her siblings. Soon after the 1900 Census was taken Otille married Henry Hashage. They had a child three years later but the marriage did not last long. For in 1910 Otilie was divorced and, with her seven year old son, living again in her mother's home. She worked in a department store as a sales lady. In 1915 she has moved to 225 55th Street with her son William. It should be noted that the spelling of the name of Otilie is unclear. Various documents spell it differently.

Children: (1)

1.1.....William Schombs Hashage II (*01.04.1903 Brooklyn, +30.01.1973)

William and Eunice Patterson (*06.04.1909) were married 29 May 1948.

7.4.....Martha Francisca Schombs (*02 Nov 1881 Brooklyn NY, +15 Sep 1933)

In 1900 Martha, age 18, was living at home with her mother and three siblings. William McCall (*06.11.1876, +09.06.1967) and Martha later married.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Janet Louisa McCall (*30.04.1906, +10.08.1970)

Janet married Albert Humphrey Roberts (*29.04.1907, +18.01.1976)

7.5.....Mary Schombs (*Jun 1885 Brooklyn NY, +30.10.1967)

On 6 June 1906 in Brooklyn Mary and Albert Theodore Weigold (*1884, +14.01.1961) were wed. This information comes to us from the book of Brooklyn marriages, Certificate #4390. There was also an announcement in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. In 1910, according to the Census, they were renting a home at #49 Sixth Avenue in Brooklyn. They had been married three years. Albert's work had to do with cleaning supplies. I could not find them in the 1920 Census. But in 1930 they are still renting at the same address on Sixth Avenue. Albert is a traveling salesman for an electric company. No occupation is shown for Mae. There are no children identified in the Census.

Mary and Albert are buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. With them are also buried Albert's parents (George and Mamie Vollgraff Weigold) and his sister (Lillian Weigold).

7.6.....Edna Schombs (*Nov 1886 Brooklyn NY)

On 3 Jun 1908 in Brooklyn Edna married Arthur Erskine (*~1886 Maine). In 1910 they lived with her mother Louisa. Arthur was an engineer on a steamship, or in the ship yards. In 1930 they lived on 68th Street. They had a single child, aged 17. Edna's mother Louisa was living with them.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Muriel Erskine (*31.12.1912 Brooklyn, +14.01.1968)

Muriel and Theodore George Rittershausen (*05.06.1910, +15.01.1997) were married in 1934. Ted Rittershausen was the brother of Lillian Katherine Rittershausen above who married 2.2 Albert Theodore Decker in 1933. Ted Rittershausen was a pharmacist, a profession which goes back to the 13th Century in the Rittershausen family in Herborn, Germany! Ted did not know that when he chose his career. [3]

Children: (2)

2.1.....Arthur Erskine Rittershausen (*1937, 2018)

Arthur and Joan Henderson (*1962) were wed 19 May 1962. Obviously Joan was born before 1962.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Theodore Albert Rittershausen (*1963)

2.2.....Robert William Rittershausen (*1965)

2.2.....William Rittershausen (*1943)

7.7.....John Schombs (*~1886 Brooklyn NY, +about 1965 Philadelphia PA)

John was single in 1910 and living at home with his mother, two sisters, a brother-in-law and a nephew. John is buried in Greenwoood Cemetery in Brooklyn, next to his parents. He married a woman whose nickname was Peggy but they had no children.

9.9.....Margaretha Catherine "Katie" Schombs (*1852 Brooklyn NY, +31.03.1897 Brooklyn NY)

Margaretha was eight years old when her father died. She was married to Otto Christensen (*24.12.1841 Denmark, +14.05.1913). Otto was born in Upper Simmelkaer, Ringkjobing, Jutland, Denmark. He was the son of Christen Nielsen & Kirstin Christensdatter. [5] Otto was a carpenter by profession.

The transcription of their marriage certificate on 30 May 1869 is an example of the challenges of genealogy research. Anne Wendel solved this one by intially focusing on the Bride's mother's name, Therese Horn. Later documents proved her correct. The original marriage certificate was also located. It added further conflicting information. The bride's name was entered as Margaretha Thiemsen. But the bride signed as Margaretha James. The year was 1869. As we saw in the story of Johann Georg at the top of the page, this was a period when the family seemed to be experimenting with changing their family name from Schömbs or Schoembs to James before they apparently settled on Schombs. A Theresa Roth, witnessed the signing of the certificate. This was probably a sister of John Roth, her brother-in-law and husband of Anna Maria Schömbs (*1831).

In 1870 Theresa Horn (Schoembs) James, age 60, is living with her daughter Margaretha and son-in-law Otto at 147 22nd Street in Brooklyn. In 1880 Otto and Catherine were living at 127 22nd Street per the Census. It is likely the house number is in error, as the address in Theresa's Probate papers (perhaps most reliable) from also 1880 is #147 (or #146 in the case of the 1900 Census.

Margaret "Katie" and Otto had seven children. Katie died in 1897 at age 45, leaving Otto with the children, ages 12 to 27. Otto remarried soon thereafter, as shown in the 1900 Census. Four of Margaretha and Otto's children were still living in the home in 1900. His second wife's name was Mathilda Mattern, a widow with two children: Theodore (*1885) and Henrietta M (*1887). Otto and Mathilda had one child together: Julia Christensen (*1906). By 1910 all of Margaretha's children were out of the home.

Children: (8)

8.1.....George John Christensen (*Jan 1870 Brooklyn, +31.01.1934 Newark NJ)

George worked for one of the local electric commuter railroads. He was a superintendant. He married Catherine Connell (*1869 Newark NJ, +18.09.1909 Newark NJ). They are both buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange NJ.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Arthur Sylvester Christensen (*19.02.1892 Newark NJ, +14.01.1948 Pittsburgh PA)

Arthur is buried in Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

3.2.....George Joseph Christensen (*20.09.1895 Newark NJ, +29.06.1958 Point Pleasant NJ)

George and Grace Catherine Smith (*28.08.1903 Newark NJ, +22.12.1954) married. George had a career in law enforcement, serving for 32 years in the Newark Police Department. George and Grace are interred in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange.


George (1895) and Grace Christensen Click to enlarge	Grace(1923) Christensen Click to enlarge	Marcy Chriatensen Click to enlarge

Children: (3)

3.1.....Grace Loretta Christensen (*31.10.1923 NJ, +21.01.1984 Irvington NJ)

Grace had five children with three different men. Her first husband was George M. Murn Sr. (*06.10.1919 Newark NJ, +05/06/1955 Newark NJ). They married in 1948. They had one son and two daughters.

Next was Harry L. Fisher with whom she had a son. And last was James F. King, Jr. with whom she had her daughter Marcy.

Children: (5)

5.5.....Marcy Christensen (*1963 Newark NJ)

Marcy has lived many years in Virginia Beach VA. Her husband's family name is Pravetz.

3.2.....Doris Christensen (*1928 NJ, +Feb 1956 Orange NJ)

Doris and Gerald A. Duffy (*29.08.1924, +01.02.1986 West Orange NJ) were married in June 1951. They had two daughters.

3.3.....George Joseph Christensen (*17.04.1929 Newark NJ, +20.03.1999 Clark NJ)

George married Ruch C. Korn (*04.11.1926 Elizabeth NJ, ++17.10.2005 Clark NJ). They had two sons and two daughters.

3.3.....Loretta Christensen (*18.11.1898 Newark NJ, +29.04.1922)

Loretta is buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in East Orange.

8.2.....John Christensen (*1872, +19.08.1872 Brooklyn)

8.3.....Theresa Anna Marie Christensen (*1873 Brooklyn, +23.05.1903 Brooklyn)

The middle names of Theresa are from the birth record of her son Charles. They are probably correct. Theresa married William Herbst (*1859 Germany). Theresa died at the age of 30 and is buried in Green-Wood Cemetery. We are aware of two children.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Charles Wilson Bertrain Herbst (*08.04.1897 Brooklyn)

2.2.....Anna Eveline Theresa Herbst (*17.04.1900 Brooklyn)

8.4.....Francis Christensen (*1875 Brooklyn)

8.5.....Louis Christensen (*11.05.1877 Brooklyn, +18.05.1915 Brooklyn)

Initially it was unclear whether Louis/Louisa was a son or daughter. The 1880 Census enumerates a 3 year old daughter. However the 1900 Census then had a 23 year old son. It becomes very clear with the 1905 Census and next the death of Louis in 1915 that he was a son. The death record firmly ties Louis into the Schömbs Tree, identifying his mother as Catherine Schombs. The death record is for "Ronis Christensen". Undoubtedly a transcription error probably due to the record not being legible. The father, mother and birthdate confirm this is our Louis.

Louis married Henrietta Bertha Haakonsen (*1884 Norway, +after 1930), who emigrated from Norway at age 2 with her parents in 1886. The marriage was on 23 June 1901. He was 24 years old, she 18. As seen in the 1905 Census, Louis was a plumber as was his brother Otto, age 21 and single, who was living with them at 1332 58th Street in Brooklyn.

While Louis did not die until 1915, we can see in the 1920 Census there were only two children. Another child would have been born after 1905 and therefor still been in the home at 1264 57th Street. In 1920 Henrietta's mother Anna was living with her and her son Louis, age 16. Harold was out of the home.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Harold Paul Christensen (*18.04.1902 Brooklyn, +19.11.1937 Kings, NY)

Harold Paul and Florence Ethel Hammers (*16.05.1902 PA, +28.11.1971 Morristown NJ) were married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Harold Paul Christensen II (*01.01.1931 Brooklyn)

Harold Paul II married Virginia Thjeresa "Jennie" Weir (*30.05.1931, +06.07.2013).

Children: (3)

3.1.....Harold Paul Christensen III (*11.12.1956)

3.2.....Mark Weir Christensen (*28.03.1960)

Mark and Gail Schmaelzle were married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Luke Christensen

2.2.....Anja Marie Christensen

3.3.....Anna Karen Christensen (*25.03.1965, +28.06.1983 Dover DE)

2.2.....Joan Ethel Christensen (* Brooklyn)

2.2.....Louis Martin Christensen (*06.04.1904 Brooklyn, +16.01.1969 NY)

In 1930 Louis was 26 years old, single and living with his mother Henrietta in Brooklyn. In October 1931 Louis and Juliette Louise Thiele (*16.09.1909 Brooklyn, +03.12.1993 Harlingen TX) married in Brooklyn.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Louis Christensen (*17.10.1934 NY, +14.03.2008 Harlingen TX)

On 23 June 1956 Louis and Barbara Lee Browning (*06.01.1935 Robertson KY, +28.02.2012 San Marcos TX) were married.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Debi Christensen (*1959 Kassel Germany)

Debi Christensen married Bill Marcus on 1 June 1985.

4.2.....Louis Martin Christensen III (*16.02.1961 Columbus OH, +12.06.1961)

4.3.....Jon Colvin Christensen (*1964 Columbus OH)

Jon and Judith "Judi" Kay Larson (*1953 Eau Claire WI) were married in 1988 on 11 June in Harlingen TX.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Shayne Michael Christensen (*1991 Harlingen TX)

4.4.....Erik Keith Christensen (*1970 Houston TX)

Kathleen House and Erik were married 20 September 1997 in Cameron TX.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Siobhan Lee Christensen (*1998 Harlingen TX)

8.6.....Charles Christensen (*Mar 1882 Brooklyn)

8.7.....Otto John Christensen (*26.08.1883 Brooklyn, +11.11.1944 Queens NY)

In 1905 Otto was living with his brother Louis and his family in Brooklyn. He was age 21 per the Census and a plumber. Otto John married Winifred Johnston (*1886 New York, +). Winifred's father was from Newfoundland, Canada. Her mother emigrated from Sweden.

In 1920 the family was renting a home at #71 15th Street in Brooklyn. Their neighbors were Italian, German and Polish emigrants. By 1930 they had moved to Queens where they were renting at 146-18 130th Avenue. The home was valued at $5000 in the Census. Otto was a plumber. Also living with the family was Thomas Hanford (*1881 Newfoundland), single, 49 years old and a cousin of Winifred's. Thomas was a salesman in a card store.

Children: (6)

6.1.....Charles Otto Christensen (*26.11.1907 Brooklyn, +10.09.1976 Cedar Falls, IA)

Charles was 22 years old at the time of the 1930 Census. He was living at home and working as a "plumber's helper". This probably meant he was helping his father and learning the trade.


Charles O. Christensen (*1907) Click to enlarge	Mary Hart Christensen (*1910) Click to enlarge

Charles married Mary Madeline Hart (*6.05.1910 New York, +4.06.1962 Iowa Falls IA) on 11 September 1932 at Long Island City NY. Twelve years after the death of Mary he married Betty Serfling (+after .....charlie) in Waterloo, Iowa on 14 December. Otto was a steamfitter by trade and retired soon before his death from cancer. His obituary tells us some about his life. Charles and Mary are buried at St. Mark's Catholic Church Cemetery.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Charles Joseph Christensen (*25.08.1933 Queens NY, +17.10.1994 Cedar Falls IA

Per the obituary of his father (Charles Otto), son Charles Joseph was living at 4114 High Street in Cedar Falls. He is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Cedar Falls. Charles and his wife Carol Lee Frank adopted a son.

Children: (1)

2.1.....Robert Gene Christensen (*14.07.1959 Waterloo IA, +18.06.2011 Waterloo)

Bob was the son of Gene and Carol Frank Redmon, per the Find A Grave record. Yet his gravestone clearly says "son of Kenneth and Carol Showers. Clearly one is not correct. He was adopted and raised by Charles and Carol Christensen.

2.2.....Paul Francis Christensen (*13.07.1937 Queens NY)

On 11 July 1961 Paul and Kathleen Therese Hayden were married in Waterloo IA. Paul was living at 2034 Rainbow Drive in Cedar Falls in 1976. We know of no children.

6.2.....Arthur John Christensen (*01.07.1909 Brooklyn, +25.10.1982 Huntington, Suffolk NY)

Arthur was 20 in 1930. He was too was living at home in Queens and working as a plumber's helper. On 8 May 1936 he and Olive Stott King (*06.05.1913 St. Johns, Newfoundland Canada, +03.01.2008 Huntinton, Suffolk NY) were married in Queens.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Kenneth Arthur Christensen (*31.03.1938 Jamaica, Queens NY)

Ken Christensen and Nancy Louise Kelly (*1939) were married.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Brain Patrick Christensen (*1965)

4.2.....Eric Arthur Christensen (*1966)

Eric married Lisa Ann Alberti (*1973).

Children: (1)

1.1.....Kyle Christensen (*2000)

4.3.....Kerri Ann Christensen (*1968)

Kerri Christensen and Christoper Anthony Chiodo (*1968) married.

Children: (3)

3.1.....Kaitlyn Marie Chiodo (*1997)

3.2.....Alice Kelly Chiodo (*2000)

3.3.....Cameron Chiodo

4.4.....Kelly Lenore Christensen (*1973)

3.2.....Lois Olive Christensen (*12.06.1941 Jamaica, Queens NY)

Lois and Walter Hart (*1939) married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Jason Barret Hart (*1969)

Jason married Michele Berman (*1970).

2.2.....Karen Alexandra Hart (*1970)

3.3.....Karen Mildred Christensen (*05.11.1945 Jamaica, Queens NY)

Karen and Robert Paul Atkins (*1944) were married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Guy Robert Atkins (*1974)

2.2.....Sharyn Lynnel Atkins (*1976)

6.3.....Francis Louis "Frank" Christensen (*16.07.1911 Brooklyn, +08.01.1997 Rhinebeck, Dutchess NY)

By 1930 Frank had found work at the New York Life Insurance Company at the age of 18. On 31 August 1935 Frank married Roselyn Marie Dilgard (*14.081914 Jamaica NY, +01.10.1991 Milan, Dutchess NY). The wedding was in Ozone Park NY.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Francis George Christensen (*13.11.1936 Queens NY)

Frances was married May 1961 in Brooklyn to Patricia Frances Duggan.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Francis Peter Christensen (*1962)

Frank and Andrea Lynn Paquette (*1961) married.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Austin Francis Christensen (*1994)

4.2.....Keith Francis Christensen (*)

Keith married Deborah Jane Kunitz (*1964).

Children: (2)

2.1.....Rylee Jane Christensen (*1995)

2.2.....Skylar Rose Christensen (*1998)

4.3.....Craig Phillip Christensen (*1965)

Sandra Byrne and Craig Christensen married.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Connor Patrick Christensen (*1997)

4.4.....Debra Ann Christensen (*1966)

Debra Ann Christensen and Raymond Patrice married.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Ryan Francis Patrice (*2000)

4.2.....Russell Louis Christensen (*13.11.1939 Queens)

Russell and Florence Mary Burczyk married.

Children: (1)

1.1.....Donna Ann Christensen (*1967)

Donna and Glen M McDonald married.

4.3.....Ronald Francis Christensen (*01.08.1941 Queens, 05.05.2015 NY)

On 12 October 1963 in East Northport, Long Island Ron and Carolyn Sweeney (*14.03.1942, +27.04.2015 NY) were married.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Robin Gail Christensen (*1966)

Robin and Michael Vilani were married.

4.2.....Kimberly J Christensen (*1970)

Kimberly married a man with the name Rosenbaum.

4.3.....Kelly J. Christensen (*1972)

Kelly and a Mr. Dunbar were married.

4.4.....Ericalyn Christensen (*1976)

Ericalyn and a Mr. Glessing married.

4.4.....Gail Joan Christensen (*08.10.1944 Jamaica, Queens)

Gail and Thomas Charles Scheuerman (*1944) were married in East Northport, Long Island on 2 May 1970.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Sandra Marie Scheuerman (*1972)

David Alan Stewart (*1976) married Sandra.

2.2.....Thomas Hampson Scheuerman (*1975)

6.4.....John F. Christensen (*1913, +03.07.1915 Brooklyn)

6.5.....Winifred C. Christensen (*9.02.1916 Brooklyn, +11.09.1992 Charlotte NC)

Winifred Christensen (1916-1992)
Click to enlarge

Winifred lived, at least the latter years of her life in Charlotte, North Carolina. She first married Harry Westley Helgesen (*14.07.1902 Brooklyn, +27.06.1962 Iowa Falls IA). They were married in 1938 in Brooklyn. After Harry's death she then married Charles G. Frommer (*1909, *1974). She was widowed for the second time at the time of her death and is buried in Sharon Memorial Park. No, Frommers (the travel adviser) is not headquartered in Charlotte. And the founder was apparently Arthur Frommer, a different family of Frommers.

Children: (4)

4.1.....Harry Helgesen Jr(*04.08.1942 Valley Stream NC, +09.04.2014 Dallas NC)

To our knowledge Harry Jr. did not marry.

4.2.....Barbara Helgesen (*02.09.1944)

Barbara and Ralph Van Schaick married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Barbara Van Schaick (*1968)

2.2.....Leslie Van Schaick

4.3.....Christopher Helgesen (*)

A woman by the name of Wendy and Christopher married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Kristen Helgesen (*1983)

2.2.....Erik Helgesen (*1984)

4.4.....Carolyn Helgesen (*)

Carolyn and Joseph Napolitano married.

Children: (2)

2.1.....Lisa Renee Napolitano (*1974)

Lisa and Brad Franklin Jordan were married.

2.2.....Thomas Anthony Napolitano (*1979)

6.6.....Katherine Veronica Christensen (*16.07.1918 Brooklyn, +25.08.2004 Laguna Hills CA)

Katherine married Raymond Walter Kohler (*1919, +2007) on 1 June 1941 in South Ozone Park NY. During World War II Ray served in the U.S. Air Force as a technical sergeant. They are buried in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego CA.

We believe Katherine and Raymond had five children. Little is known of them except for Debra, born in 1960. Given that Katherine was 42 years old when Debra was born, it is likely the others were born before Debra.

Children: (5)

5.1.....Debra Malia Kohler (*7.09.1960, +19.05.2012)

Debra is buried with her parents. On the Find A Grave site she is described as "adult dependent daughter of Raymond W. Kohler".

5.2.....Raymond Kohler

5.3.....Gary Kohler

5.4.....Veronica Kohler

5.5.....Patricia Kohler

8.8.....Bertha Christensen (*09.1885 Brooklyn)

Nothing is known of the life of Bertha.

FOOTNOTES:

[1]Mimi Decker Mortensen (*1939)

[2]Mimi Decker Mortensen (*1939)

[3]Mimi Decker Mortensen (*1939)

[4]Anne Sulzbach Wendel (*1964)

[5]Pat O'Hara Giovanni (+2009) RootsWeb website

Other Research Steps

There may be another Krombach descendant: John Krombach (*31.07.1889, +1965). If he is a member of the family we do not know yet whose child he was. But perhaps he was the son of Louis Krombach (*1869).
There are perhaps some errors in the birthyears for some of Philipp's (*1848) children. As an example, Olie is shown as being born 8 months after Lillian Rose. The Month/Year data is from the 1900 Census.
What is the correct birthdate for Philipp Schömbs/Schombs? I have seen 17 Dec 1848 and also 6 Jan 1849. Need documentation.
Research the two children mentioned in 9.2 Martin and 9.6 Mathias above: George Schoembs (*1867) and Elizabeth J. Schoembs (*1865). Whose children were they? Find records of them marrying, having children. What surname did they go by?
Research the probable marriage of Jane Schoembs (?) to Johnson. Again, see the note in 9.2 and 9.6. If can find her re-marriage it might help solve the riddle.

Live Links

Databases:
A database of NYC Vital Statistics has been a great new resource. One use is to find the spouse in the grooms/brides index by using the Link in the right column. More information is being continuously added to the database. Be sure to use the wildcard (*), for example Sch*mbs. If you find new information, please send it back via the Contact Us Link. Thanks.

"The Irish Tenor"
Walter John Van Brunt (Scanlan)

A Few Songs by Walter

	When You Wore a Tulip ...
	Who Are You With Tonight?
	Where Did You Get That Girl?
	Smiling Irish Eyes
	Sally Of My Dreams

For More Songs Go To

	YouTube for Walter Van Brunt
	YouTube for Walter Scanlan

	or Search on iTunes

	but be sure to search for both Van Brunt and Scanlan separately, as he performed under both names.