52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 8 Prompt - Heirloom

2024

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 8

Prompt – Heirloom

Christening Gown

 

 

 

Ida Anna Bachmann is Bill's maternal grandmother. (Bill Hoffart, then his mother, Clara Jahnke, and her mother, Ida Jahnke)She was born in Winnipeg. The Bachmann Family moved to Killaly, Saskatchewan in 1905. Ida was 8 years old. Ida Bachmann's education was to Grade 8. There was no high school in Killlaly at that time for her to enroll in. Killaly got their high school in 1924. In May 1910 Ida Bachmann took a dressmaker's course in Lemburg, Saskatchewan. Lemburg is about 28 kilometres straight west of Killaly. She lived in Lemburg while on the course. Her course ended in 10 Jul 1910.

  

I think her sister made it quite clear that she needed to be back in Killaly to help with the work load of their father's general store. This is how she became a seamstress.

Bill's mother (Clara) told me that she did custom work as a seamstress. She sewed wedding dresses and pretty much whatever was asked of her. Clara said this was Ida Bachmann's business and it kept her quite busy.

As an aside I asked Clara if her mother taught her to sew. Clara was an exceptional seamstress herself. And to my surprise she told me her mother did not teach her to sew. Ida had tried to teach Clara but Ida thought it was better, quicker and easier for her to do it herself. Clara went on to explain that she had trouble working the sewing machine tread peddle and coordination in general. Clara would do dishes as her mother sewed. Clara said she learned by “absorption” She really didn't learn to sew until after she was married and Tony bought her an electric sewing machine.

Ida Bachmann married Arthur Jahnke on 24 Jun 1917. Arthur was living in the small town of Hatton, Saskatchewan and thus the married couple lived there after the marriage. Arthur and his cousin had a general store in Hatton. I'm sure Ida Jahnke's seamstress business kept her busy in Hatton as well.

Soon Ida and Art were expecting their first child. On the 5 Apr 1919, Elsie Jahnke was born. In the time leading up to the birth, Ida worked on the christening gown for her newborn daughter to be baptized in. Clara said she had finished it by the time Elsie was born.

Ida Jahnke Holding Elsie Jahnke in The Christening Gown

 

The photograph is over 100 years old and thus not all that clear.

Ida Jahnke used a pattern however it was mostly hand sewn. The intricate embroidery work was all done by hand. The eyelets of the sleeve accommodated a ribbon – blue for boys and pink for girls. Also there was small embroidered roses, blue and pink that were attached at the top of the gown.

 

Children Who Wore This Christening Gown.

Elsie Jahnke (Ida's daughter) 1919

Herbert Jahnke (Ida's son ) 1924

Clara Jahnke (Ida's daughter) 1928

Arthur Hack ( Ida's grandson) 1941

Elmer Hack ( Ida's grandson) 1943

Dennis Jahnke (Ida's grandson) 1952

Gloria Jahnke (Ida's granddaughter) 1954

William Hoffart ( Ida's grandson 1954

Noreen Jahnke (Ida's granddaughter) 1955

Elaine Hoffart ( Ida's granddaughter) 1958

Norma Hoffart ( Ida's granddaughter ) 1963

Jill Hoffart (Ida's great-granddaughter) 1978

Miranda Churko ( Ida's great-granddaughter) 1980

Jacqueline Hoffart (Ida's great-granddaughter) 1981

Roxanna Reed (Ida's great-granddaughter) 1990 (Dedication)

Anthony Reed (Ida's great-grandson)- 1991 (Dedication)

Alexander Reed ( Ida's great-grandson) 1993 (Dedication)

Daniel Armstrong (Ida's great-grandson) 1994

Joshua Stauber (Ida's great-grandson) 1995

Christina Armstrong ( Ida's great-granddaughter) 1996

Nicole Stauber (Ida's great-granddaughter) 1998

Alanna Hoffart ( Ida's great-great granddaughter) 1998

Michael Armstrong ( Ida's great-grandson) 2000

Norma Armstrong (Nee: Hoffart) has inherited the christening gown. After 101 years the gown was retired after Michael Armstrong's baptism. It is too old and fragile. Norma has talked about having it framed in an archival frame box. I don't think she has done it yet.

The christening gown is truly a treasured piece for The Jahnke Family. It is an heirloom.

Wendy