LAESSIG-L Archives

From: anaquea <>
Subject: Civil War Pension Records
Date: Sat, 19 May 2001 09:42:29 -0500

Hi List Members,

Just a note to update those cousins out there on the latest...

This week I sent for Civil War Pension records on the three Laessig/Lassig
men that I believe to be related to one another: Robert Laessig of
Missouri, William Ernest Laessig of Kansas, and Edward Laessig of Chicago,
Illinois and Wisconsin--my great grandfather.

>From what others have said, the pension records often show detailed
information on a person's family background, sometimes even photographs. If
this is the case, perhaps once and for all, it will reveal Edward's
background.

I had no idea that he might have served in the Civil War until surfing the
internet one day a few months ago. I got into the Illinois Sate Archives,
though it was a rabbit trail and I didn't know exactly where I was or how I
got there. Argh! Then Edward Lassig came up as a Civil War Veteran! There
was an email address link to write for further information, so I wrote
requesting the information to be sent. Later when I tried to access the
same site, I couldn't find my way back! Luckily they received my message
and about 6 weeks later I received a snail-mail letter complete with the
muster roll of Edward Lassig.

Then it was a matter of getting the forms to order the Civil War Pension
records, and finally I filled them all out, and sent them in.

William Ernest Laessig lived in Wisconsin at one time, but relocated to
Salina, Kansas. I have been in contact with his great grandson, Gene
Laessig for years. Gene and I met when I was in Missouri some years back,
and we could have passed for brother and sister! We compared notes on our
families, but could never find a link. Now we should find--once and for
all--if there is one or not through these civil war records of his great
grandfather.

Then there is Robert Laessig... someone new to the search since I've been
on the internet. I found that there was a Robert Laessig (Lessig) on the
ship's manifest, that accompanied Edward to America in 1855. So I have
been searching for Robert ever since, and have found a Robert in St. Louis,
Missouri who may indeed be Edward's travel companion.

All attempts to reconstruct his family have been frustrating and futal, so
I hope his records from the Civil War will fill in the gaps about his life
as well. Ironically all three were Veterans of the Civil War!!!

Then recently I found an Anna Laessig--Robert's wife's name was Anna, by
the way--who died in New York State, but she was originally from Missouri.
She could have been a descendant of Robert... her name came up in the
Social Security records, so I sent for her Social Security information this
week too, in hopes that it will connect her to one of these families.

Years ago, I corresponded with an Anna Laessig from Pennsylvania, but we
were unable to find a connection to our families. I don't believe this
could be the same person, as the birthdate is too long ago for her to have
been alive when this other Anna was....

And so goes the search!!!

The highlight of my Mother's Day--aside from the beautiful cards from my
children--was a call from my internet pen-pal Tino Laessig from Dresden
Germany, who opted to try a telephone conversation instead of our usual
email correspondence. Tino is one of the folks who received one of my
mailings to "Saxony" in search of relatives. We don't know if we're
related or not, but we've been enjoying corresponding! One of the "perks"
of being a genealogist is meeting some of the greatest people in the
world--all over the world!!

You folks on the Laessig List will be the first to learn whatever I find
out from the Civil War Pension records! Perhaps we'll find connections we
didn't know of between some of the Laessig families on the list that we
didn't know of!! We shall see!!!

Best wishes to all!
Your Laessig Listmaster,
Patti Laessig

PS: Also found Julius Lassig in the Civil War ... don't know if it was the
same Julius Lassig that settled in Rhinelander, Wisconsin or not. If I
would have had another form handy, I would have sent for his records too.
Maybe I will yet. I've been in contact with his descendants, and would
really love to know if they are connected!

This thread:

• Civil War Pension Records by anaquea <>