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From: "Iris Kisch" <>
Subject: Not another dead end I hope
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 22:29:55 -0700
References: <200409132039.i8DKdxRc027505@mail.rootsweb.com>


Hi everyone -

I seem to have run out of clues on how to obtain names of the parents of one
of my ancestors. I have tried to obtain this information through Death
Certificates, through obituaries, through church records, and through
marriage licence applications, all with no success! The ancestor's will did
not mention any parents (presumably they were dead at the time he died),
surviving relatives do not recall the mention of any parents or siblings,
therefore that resource is a dead end.

The ancestor in question is:

Friedrich (Fred) Gehrls
Born: 15 - October - 1862
Location: 1900 & 1910 & 1930 US Census data indicates Germany; 1920 US
Census data indicates Alsace/ElsaB, Lorraine/Lothringen
Arrival in US: 1900 & 1910 & 1930 US Census data indicates 1880; 1920 US
Census data indicates 1886.
Married: 09 - January - 1887, St. John's Evangelical Church in Rodenburg,
Illinois to Mary Gellermann
Moved to Minnesota in 1890 - Watonwan County, St. James.

The intriguing part is: in Sept of 1887, at the baptism of their first
child, Martha, a Frau Gehrls (son) is listed as the witness (the listing is
exactly as I have entered it. The church records do show a Johan (John)
Gehrls and a Hans Gehrls - but at present I cannot make any connection as to
relationship without proof.

I have checked the church records to 1900 - there is no further mention of
Frau Gehrls!

I have checked the Illinois death records (on line resource) - again, while
there is a Johan Gehrls, a Hans Gehrls and a Wilhelmine Gehrls (wife of
Johan), I cannot prove any family relationship at this time.

There are numerous references to the Gehrls surname in Iowa, but again,
without proof, I cannot make any family connections. Outside of direct
descendents in Minnesota, there are no other Gehrls listed.

Could someone please advise of a resource that I have not checked, or
suggest an avenue of research that I have overlooked, that would perhaps
lead to the names of the parents of this ancestor?

Thank you for any assistance provided.

Iris Kisch




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