The Genealogy Search

I have been researching my mother-in-law's family.  Her family had been spelling their last name Drezdon; records located in Milwaukee indicated a spelling of Drezdzon.  I searched back through her family tree trying to figure out when the second z was dropped.  The name seemed to change during John's lifetime 1864-1954. I sent away for John's immigration records.  They arrived yesterday.  On his Declaration of Intent and Petition for Naturalization he states he was born in Pueka, Poland. I must admit that Polish research is something I have done before.  I thought the most logical thing would be to consult a gazetteer.  I looked in three different publications - no Pueka in Poland, Prussia, of Germany.  I am stumped.  I would welcome any ideas. The Declaration of Intention has his name as Johon Drezdzon from Pueka, Poland. His signature is  Johon Drezdzon.  Johon's Petition for Naturalization has his name spelled as Joh...

Two Z's or not two Z's - that is the question.  My mother-in-law swears her maiden name has always been spelled Drezdon.  I have been tracing  her line back and searching for any and all for clues.  Starting with her - last name spelled Drezdon on her birth certificate.  Obituary for her father George  spelled Drezdon.  George's birth certificate Drezdzon - father's name on the same certificate spelled  Josef Drzdzon.  George's death certificate Drezdon.   George's father- Joseph - birth record spelled Drezdzon.  Joseph's World War I draft registration card Drezdzon; old man draft Drezdon.  Census records for Joseph 1910 and 1920 - Drezdzon.  Census records for John - 1910 -Drezdzon.  St. Adalbert Cemetery in Milwaukee lists Joseph and John with the last name of Drezdon.  I am thinking that my next search should be on John Drezdzon or Drezdon to locate his naturalization records.  I should also t...

When researching my Skibbe family in Chicago I came across this article in the newspaper article.  I later sent for the Coroner's report that I will share at another time.  I cannot find any connection to my Skibbe's.   Here is the sad story of a family destroyed by train accidents. VICTIMS OF THE GRADE CROSSING TRAGEDY   Two hours after paying for the burial of their son, who was killed by a train a month ago, Mr. Skibbe, his wife, and their little daughter were killed by a Burlington train at Sixteenth street and Ashland avenue yesterday.  They were riding in a carriage owned by the undertaker they had just paid. Chicago Daily Tribune (1872-1963); Aug. 1, 1903; ProQuest Historical Newspapers Chicago Tribune (1849-1985) page 2. REDUCE SPEED OF TRAINS RUNNING ON GRADE TRACKS Recommendation of Coroner's Jury at Inquest of  Skibbe Family - Censure for Burlington Road.   Reduction in speed of all trains entering Chicago on tracks which are...

Among my grandfather's papers my mother had kept is the tax receipt below.  The clues in the document (or what remains of the document) are the name of what was taxed - apparently Hannah Ditch Cause No. 8024 Starke Circuit Court, the location - either Starke or Pulaski Counties in Indiana, and a partial description SW SW - SW SE of Section 34-32-3 and the date, 28 June 1922.  A World War I Registration Card does show William A. Skibbe living in Denham, Pulaski County in the year 1917.  Census records in 1920 indicate he was living in Wayne, Starke, Indiana.  In 1924 his address was listed as Chicago, Cook, Illinois on one of his children's birth certificates.  Can anyone provide any clues to this receipt?