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Monday, March 25, 2024

Louis Peter Vitek

 About one couple whose marriage certificate is on display at the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange, TX. 



Louis (Alois) Peter Vitek, the son of Joe Vitek and Antonia Novak, was born on 8 July 1914 in Texas (0). 

 Louis' grandparents, Martin Vitek and Anna Slansky were born in Moravia.
 
🏠 Census 1920 - Louis lived with his parents (age 33 and 30) and siblings, Bohumil (age 7) and Emil (age 5), in Justice Precinct #3, Austin, TX. Mr. Joe Vitek was a farmer (1).

On 24 November 1936, the young man married Miss Edith Rita Bohac. It happened in Austin, TX (2). Edith, born on 31 July 1918 in Granger, Williamson, TX, was the daughter of Vinc E Bohac and Antonia Marek (3).


👉 1940 Census, on April 6, Louis Vitek worked as a truck driver for road construction and lived at the home of Mr. Albert G Kulhanek in the town of Bedias, Justice Precinct #7, Grimes County (4).

👉 April 22 - The young couple, Louis and Edith, was registered in Justice Precinct #2, Williamson County (5).

Louis passed on ♦ 3 November 1986 in Williamson, Texas (6). Edith lived much longer, until ♦ 23 August 2007.

According to my finds, the couple had one son.

 Sources:

0. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VDVW-6PB : 1 January 2015), Alois Vitek, 08 Jul 1914; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.

1. "United States Census, 1920", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHY2-RYG : Sun Mar 10 08:34:47 UTC 2024), Entry for Joe Vitek and Tonie Vitek, 1920.

2. "Texas, County Marriage Index, 1837-1977", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XLZN-FZK : Sat Mar 09 07:23:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Louis P Vitek and Edith Bohac, 24 Nov 1936.

3. "Texas Births and Christenings, 1840-1981", , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4LJ6-42MM : 14 February 2020), Edith Rita Bohac, 1918.

4. "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWV1-994 : Sun Mar 10 21:09:14 UTC 2024), Entry for Albert G Kulhanek and Ruby A Kulhanek, 1940.

5. "United States Census, 1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K4QV-P36 : Sun Mar 10 07:56:28 UTC 2024), Entry for Louis P Vitek and Edith Vitek, 1940.

6. "Texas Death Index, 1964-1998," , FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JVT6-JJF : 5 December 2014), Louis Peter Vitek, Williamson, Texas, United States; citing Department of State Health Services, Austin.

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Rev. Gustav William Sager

 Gustav William Sager was born in Arneckeville, Texas, on 31 July 1898. His parents were Heinrich Christof Sager and Alma Emilie Stahl. In 1900, little Gustav lived with his parents and siblings in Justice Precinct #8, DeWitt, TX. Mr. Heinrich C Sager was a farmer (1). When Gus was growing up, he helped his father with farming (2).

👉 The 1918 Military Registration Draft found Gustav Sager in Seguin, TX, where he was a student at Texas Lutheran College (3). Later, the man continued his studies at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.


Gustav William Sager was 🕆 ordained on 26 July 1925. He started his ministerial service at ⛪ St. John's Lutheran Church in Southton, Texas (he worked there until 1932).

On  23 July 1926, Rev. Sager married Miss Estell Ida Szillat (born on February 26, 1905, in Brenham, Washington, TX). She was the daughter of Rev. Gustav Ferdinand Szillat and Ms. Ida Schmidt. 
 
 
Clipping source:  Sunday American-Statesman (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 52, Ed. 1 Sunday, August 1, 1926, newspaper, August 1, 1926; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1445319/: accessed March 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .
 

Clipping source:  Robertson, Ruby. Brenham Banner-Press (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 106, Ed. 1 Monday, August 2, 1926, newspaper, August 2, 1926; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1173949/: accessed March 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Nancy Carol Roberts Memorial Library.

Rev. Gus Sager and his wife Estella had 3 children.

Before Pastor Sager came to Fredericksburg, he worked at  St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus, Texas, then at St. John's Lutheran Church in Boerne, Texas (from 1929 to 1939), and at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bartlett, Texas (from 1939 to 1951).
 
WW2 Military Draft Registration found Rev. Sager in Bartlet, Bell, TX (4). 
 

👉 November 1951 was the month when the parson started his ministry at Zion Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg.

👉 7 September 1952 - Zion's centennial celebrations started (lasted for a month).
 
👉 26 September - a special pageant "Steadfast in Faith", written by Alfred Crenwelge, was presented at the Fair Grounds.
 
👉 28 September - a special church service took place (with guest speaker Dean A. C. Streng of Texas Lutheran College, assisting speakers: Rev. F A Bracher, Rev. L G Hannemann, Rev. Raymond W Durst, Rev. R J Weber, Rev. Kurt Hartmann, Rev. O Lindenberg; Robert Klingelhoefer - Congregation president, and Herman Ochs - Grace Lutheran Sanitorium Superintendent).
 
👉 For Zion's centennial celebrations, Pastor Sager translated into English the booklet written earlier in German by Pastor Bracher. Besides that, he also updated the history notes on Zion LC.
 
During Rev. Sager's years in Zion:

- the educational annex was completed and dedicated on 20 December 1953,
- additional Bible classes and a youth choir were organized,
- Christian kindergarten worked in the Annex for 2 years,
- the educational courses for church workers were promoted.
- Rev. Gus Sager officiated 105 baptisms, 80 confirmations, 44 weddings, and 74 funerals.

👉 The parson finished his service at Zion in April 1959, when he accepted an appointment for the position of the Superintendent of the Round Rock Trinity Lutheran Homes.

Following that, the man worked as a Visitation Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Austin and also supplied Faith Lutheran Church in McDade, TX, and St. John Lutheran Church in Jourdanton, TX.

Rev. Gustav William Sager passed on ♦ 28 January 1984, in Tarrant, TX (5). His wife Estella preceded him in death. She died on ♦ 2 August 1984. They were both buried in Bartlett, Bell County, TX.
 

Clipping source: Tribune-Progress (Bartlett, Tex.), Vol. 97, No. 1, Ed. 1, Thursday, August 12, 1982, newspaper, August 12, 1982; Taylor, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth81550/: accessed March 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Bartlett Activities Center and the Historical Society of Bartlett.

---
👉 Quite a few family members of Pastor Sager's became ministers as well. Including (among others) his two sons Allan and Wilfred, brother Felix, and his great-uncle Michael.

As for other family members who passed when Rev. G. W. Sager was still alive

♦ 18 Jun 1953  - his father, Henry C. Sager, died in Arneckeville,

♦ 10 Oct 1963 - his mother, Alma Emilie Stahl Sager, passed away, 

♦ 5 January 1968 - his sister, Alma L. Sager (born on 15 December 1901), left this world,

Clipping source: The Cuero Record (Cuero, Tex.), Vol. 74, No. 5, Ed. 1 Sunday, January 7, 1968, newspaper, January 7, 1968; Cuero, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth703401/: accessed March 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Cuero Public Library.

 ♦ 23 March 1974 - another sister, Frieda Charlotte (born on 20 May 1891), died,

♦ 29 October 1977 - Otto Henry Sager (born on 25 August 1892), Gus's brother passed,

♦ 24 December 1977 - sister, Olga Christine Dorothea (Sager) Nagel (born on 6 November 1894), departed,

♦ 12 May 1978 - brother, Reuben Otto (born on 18 July 1912), passed away.

Sources:
  • https://swtsynod.pastperfectonline.com,
  • "150 Years of God's Grace 1852-2002", Zion Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, TX,
  • findagrave.com.
1. "United States Census, 1900", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3L5-S7T : Wed Mar 06 15:34:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Henry Sager and Alma Sager, 1900.
 
2. "United States Census, 1910", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2MQ-QVH : Sun Mar 10 13:42:36 UTC 2024), Entry for H C Sager and Alma Sager, 1910.
 
3. "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:78D3-DYZM : 25 December 2021), Gus William Sager, 1917-1918.
 
4. "Texas, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL3D-RX8T : Sat Mar 16 03:58:49 UTC 2024), Entry for Gustav William Sager and Gus W Sager, 16 February 1942.

  5. "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JYTT-G3Y : 10 January 2021), Gus Sager, Jan 1984; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).


Friday, March 15, 2024

50 Miejsc - Konin

 

W Koninie nigdy nie byłam. Bywało, że przejeżdżałam przez Konin pociągiem. Nie miałam jednak powodu, by wysiąść na przystanku Konin.

Jakie miejsca w Koninie poleca w swojej serii slajdów Pani Alina? Zobaczcie sami (kliknij na pierwszy slajd, by powiększyć obraz).

 

I jeszcze wiadomosć od Pani Aliny.


 Cd nastąpi...

Więcej o Autorce możesz dowiedzieć się w jednym z poprzednich postów - czytaj tutaj.

 --

Bibliografia będzie podana na zakończenie serii.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

I for (Texas) Independence Day

 

Texas Declaration of Independence was signed on March 02, 1836.

The Texas Independence Day is observed annually in Luckenbach, TX. The ceremony is Texas Patriotic and quite uplifting.


 It all starts with the Texas song and clapping.

Then comes the hymn.

The first responders, Texas Rangers, the military, Border Patrol, and teachers are appreciated. 

 

 

Next, the history part comes - the Alamo is mentioned of course.



 

Every year, among others, an old Texas flag is taken down and retired in a very solemn mode. It is followed by putting up a new flag. 
 
 
There is also Pistol Packing' Paula, presenting her skills.



More about the Texas Declaration of Independence - History Facts: HERE.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Danish Family Story

 This is a family ancestry story shared by late Ms. Karna Ch., a dear Friend of Denmark.

"Ready for a true (or almost true) story ??????????

Find Vejle on the map. The mansion Tirsbæk is situated near that city. This mansion was once owned by a gentleman named Niels de Linde (1678 - 1746).

Map of Denmark - Vejle marked in red

"Lind" is the Danish word for the tree Linden.

There were many people in the household, of course. One of them was a girl named Maren, who took care of the hens and milked the cows. She was the daughter of a very poor shoemaker.

Maren was very beautiful, which was soon noted by Sir Niels. He promoted her to a position inside the mansion.
(If you now have naughty thoughts – it's YOUR problem!!!!! I never even whispered anything!!!!)
Christen de Linde was the son and heir to wealthy Tirsbæk. He saw Maren's beauty too and fell so much in love that he wanted to marry her.

Tirsbæk Gods manor house, situated in Egnum Parish, Hattum Herdeg, Vejle Municipality. The farm is mentioned in the document written in 1410, however, the main mansion building was built in 1550. Seven years later a park (12 hectares) was created around the house. The entire estate covers 414 hectares.
In the 1770s Niels de Linde modernized and beautified the building structure. He also built a big barn around the mansion and turned the hill around Tirsbæk into an impressive, Italian-style garden.

The entire family and nobility opposed the idea – even hinted that Maren had had an affair with Christen's father – it turned into a major scandal, but they were married in 1752.

 The Church of Our Lady, Copenhagen, DK -Christen and Maren were married there.

The property had a riding bailiff of course. His name was Jørgen Hvas, and he was a handsome guy.
We'll never know the true story about the events that now happened, but:
Somehow a big spike went through Christen's scull.

Somehow Maren and Jørgen were married about a year later.

Jørgen got a new name more fit for nobility and bought new titles. He was ennobled in 1761 and was from then on 'Chancellery Council and Council of Justice Sir Jørgen Hvas de Lindenpalm'.

They donated lots of valuables to the local church and other charities, BUT Maren may – just MAY – be the one who hammered the spike into the skull, and that's why she to this day can be seen at Tirsbæk as a ghost called 'The Grey Lady'.
 
Jørgen turned out to be a poor businessman and managed to lose all his money and properties before he died."
 
Dear Karna, thanks for sharing the story! 
The additional info (in green and below) added by myself to complete the family tale shared by my Friend.

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More about the people mentioned above:

Christen de Linde was the son of Niels de Linde (b. 1678/d. 12 August 1746, Engum, Hatting, Vejle, Denmark), nobleman and his wife Karen Andersdatter Rosenkrantz (b. 1694/d. 6 May 1736 - Tirsbæk Gods, Engum, Hatting, Vejle, Denmark).
 

 Niels de Linde's parents: Christen de Linde (1626/1706) and his wife Dorothea Nielsdatter Solgaard (1639/1685) - the epitaph in Holstebro church, Hjerm, Ringkøbing, Denmark

Church in Engum

Christen de Linde was born  in 1725, in Kærgårdsholm, Håsum, Rødding, Viborg, Denmark. When he was 27, on 5 January 1752, Christen married Maren Jørgensdatter Loss (b. 1721/d. 1778, Horsens Købstad, Nim, Skanderborg, Denmark). The marriage took place in the Church of Our Lady (the cathedral) in Copenhagen (1). Christen was 31 when he died. The man was buried on 10 May 1756 in the Engum church, Hatting, Vejle, Denmark.

Sir Jørgen Hvas de Lindenpalm and Maren had a daughter Christine Linde Hvas de Lindenpalm (born on 9 September 1758). On 23 January 1774, Christine married William Halling, a landowner who was known to be "a peasant tormentor". Halling bought the Tirsbæk and Bryskesborg mansions from Christen's father when the latter was in financial distress. Tirsbæk was named Williamsborg then.

de Linde family tomb in Holsterbro church


Additional Source:

Geneanet.org,
Wikipedia
1. "Denmark Marriages, 1635-1916", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FKS9-6W1: 20 February 2020), Maren Jorgensdr Lohs in the entry for Christen Linde, 1752.
: 20 February 2020), Maren Jorgensdr Lohs in entry for Christen Linde, 1752.

Photos:

  • Map of Denmark: Hubertus, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons,
  • Tirsbæk Gods manor house: JEK, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons ,
  • The Church of Our lady, Copenhagen: Photo: by Yalcin, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons,
  • Niels de Linde's parents: Jürgen Howaldt, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons,
  • Engum church: Photo: Bococo, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons,
  • de Linde family tomb in Holsterbro church: Jürgen Howaldt, CC BY-SA 3.0 DE <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

My British Associations - A

If you follow my blog, you probably notice I enjoy doing "alphabets" - compilations of posts on a certain topic.
This one is a follow-up to the alphabet challenge taken up by Viola, a colleague blogger, and the author of "My British Journey". I have challenged Viola to write entries of the alphabet series related to her life in the UK.

She agreed and asked her readers to share their associations with the country. Since I challenged Viola, I thought I should answer her.


So here it is.

I need to add that, contrary to Viola, I have not lived in GB permanently. My associations are based on my life in Europe and a few visits to the country.
 
A
 
At first, Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery, came to my mind. He is a British character, but fictional, created by American filmmakers. I guess it does not count, then.
 


A British A? Alan Parsons Project has already been mentioned on this blog.