Be sure to follow the Colored Marriages of Saline County, MO., 1865 - 1870 website (blog) for more tips, hints and data.
Kathleen Brandt
a3genealogy.com
a3genealogy@gmail.com
a3Genealogy - Accurate, Accessible Answers - blog is for the purpose of Education Only! This blog specializes in genealogy and historical research education. No revenue or funding is generated from this blog.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
5 Research Tips to Missouri Bohemian Resources
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| Map of Bohemia / Czech Republic, Geographicus |
Bohemian Settlements
Few researchers learn of their Bohemian ancestors’ colorful
history. Actually our informal poll
revealed that most researchers did not know Bohemia was part of the Austrian
Hungarian Empire that could boast of its independent “kingdom” from the 1400’s to the end
of WWI. Even fewer noted knowledge
of Missouri Bohemians colonies outside the popular south St. Louis settlements. But, Bohemian settlements scattered across America as far south as Louisiana to New York
City. Czech-Bohemian settlements populated midwest towns from Kansas and Minnesota
to the Dakotas. And, there
were colonies in Texas, Cleveland and Iowa. But the Missouri settlements are usually only
mentioned in St.Louis; yet, there were Bohemian settlements that lined the Missouri
River Valley. Even the Cuivre River Valley in Mo. had a small Bohemian settlement as early as 1840 (reference Lincoln County, Hawk Point, Mo. and historical Mashek, Mo.).
Bohemians were generally noted as those who originated from
western Czechoslovakia. Bohemian Jews, from southern Bohemia began populating Missouri
as early as 1816 (first noted in St. Louis). Czech Bohemians originating from
the Austrian Empire began migrating to Missouri about 1847 speaking Czech and
German. Whereas, many settled in south St. Louis, others settled in the following Missouri townships:
- Bolivar and Karlin
- Cainsville
- Fenton
- High Rdge
- Kansas City
- Mashek
- Rock Creek
- St. Charles
- St. Joseph
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| Civil War Provost Marshal Record |
Census records may give you a hint on your Bohemian ancestor’s
origin, but their birthplace may be noted as Bohemia,
Czechoslovakia, Austria, Austro-Hungary, or Germany. But, by corroborating census records with a few other useful documents, you may find answers to your Bohemian family research questions.
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| Provost Marshal Correspondence on Bohemians Form RG110, NARA - KC, Civil War |
- Civil War Records. Missouri Provost Marshal records found at the Kansas
City - NARA, gives us tips/hints to the residences and social life of the
Bohemians in Mo. (See RG110). In
Missouri more than 60 Bohemians served with the 2nd Regiment, US
Reserve Corps, Mo. Volunteers; and 80 Bohemians served in the 4th
Regiment Infantry, Missouri Volunteers.
- Naturalization Records. There
are 1143 indexed naturalization cards/records on the Missouri Digital Heritage site noting birth place as Bohemia. It is also possible however, that your ancestor recorded his place of origin as Czechoslovakia.
- Passenger List. Be
sure to review the Czech Immigration Passenger lists, Vol. I – IX compiled
by Leo Baca. We have found that many of the early Missouri Bohemians came
through New Orleans from Bremen Germany, but this passenger list
compilation includes most of the popular ports.
- Cemetery. When researching
your Bohemian ancestor, don’t forget to check the local Jewish cemetery. In St. Louis begin your cemetery research with the New Mount Sinai Cemetery. Although
many Bohemians were Jewish, others were practicing Catholics or FreeThinkers. For ancestors of Jefferson County, MO, review the Cemeteries in Jefferson County, MO. Czech-Slavonic Benevolent Association: C.S.P.S. (Bohemian) Cemetery
- Orphanage. Be sure
to learn about the Hessoun Bohemian Catholic orphanage in Fenton, St Louis
County, MO., 1908-1954. Bohemians and other Czech Slovak orphans from
across America were admitted into the St. John Nepomuk Church orphanage.
For More Information
- Cesko-Slovansky Podporujici Spolek, or C.S.P.S. (Czech-Slavonic Benevolent Association)
- Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
- St. Louis Genealogical Society
- Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International
- National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy.com
a3Genealogy@gmail.com
Monday, April 7, 2014
7 Research Resources for U. S. Occupation in Latin America, 1915-1933
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| A U.S. Marine inspecting a troop of Haitian soldiers, 1920. |
Soldiers Serving in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Nicaragua
Rarely do researchers dig through the National Archives to
uncover veteran ancestors and learn of their experiences in occupied Latin
American countries during and shortly after WWI. Yet, our Army, Navy, and Marine Corps veterans
occupied the Dominican Republic (1916-1924), Nicaragua (1926-1933), and Haiti
(1915-1934). These stories have been overshadowed by the larger wars and
conflicts.
Background
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| Fold3.com, Medal of Honor Recipients |
To provide the complex history and politics that play the
strategic role of occupying these counties would be impossible here. However we
recommend the researcher to have at least a cursory understanding of the
politics which help lead to a successful research project. Topics from the
beginning of President Woodrow Wilson’s term to the 1934 term of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt should be reviewed.
Where to Research?
1) Fold3.
A search on Fold3.com may solidify
your ancestors’ Latin American service. A
quick search revealed the service of U. S. Marine Corps, First Lt Earnest
Calvin Williams.
2) NARA,
Record Group 80. Secret and Confidential Correspondence of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Office of the Secretary of the Navy,1919-1927. For the publication of the 117 rolls of microfilm visit .
3) NARA,
Textural Records, RG 127.8. For Records of the US Marines in Haiti and
Nicaragua and Records of Expeditionary Forces and Detachments, review the RG
127.
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| Served in Haiti, 1914 |
4) NARA, Maps and Cartographic Records. RG 127. Maps are a key tool when researching our
military ancestors. Record Group 127.10 has an extensive collection of maps and
plans of Haiti, Dominican Republic and Nicaragua and of the U. S. installations
in these counties.
5) NARA,
Department of State, Central Decimal Files, RG 59, General Records of the Dept.
of State to include organizational unites, special subjects and events. Individuals
are also periodically named. Central Decimal Files are located at Archives II.
6) Navy
Dept. Listing. For a listing of Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Nicaragua
military Marine vessels visit the List of Expeditions, 1901-1929.
Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy.com
Accurate, accessible answers