52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 25 Prompt - Storyteller

2024

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 25

Prompt - Storyteller 

I started doing these blogs in January, 2018. I had been researching genealogy for more than 10 years at that time. I felt that I had so much information for my and Bill's family trees. The problem was that it stayed on my laptop and unless I was asked something specific that is where the information stayed.

It seemed to me that there has to be something more to genealogy than the birth, christenings, marriage, and death statistics. Thus began the stories that I knew and then the stories of my relatives. I added historical background where I thought it would help the story.

Jackie edited and then compiled them into a book. What a beautiful surprise to see my words put into a book. It wasn't real. We have 2018 and 2019 published. I wait patiently for the next one to be edited and assembled.

I really don't consider myself a “storyteller”. All I can hope is that these blogs / stories help my children, grandchildren and extended family know who our ancestors and families were.

Wendy

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 24 Prompt - Hard Times

2024 

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 

Week 24 

Prompt – Hard Times 

Rochus Hoffart and Marianna Gross are Bill's paternal grandparents. 

Oct. 29, 1934 - Rochus and Marianna Hoffart

Rochus Hoffart was born August 14, 1891 in Malcoci, Tulcea District, Romania. He immigrated to Canada when he was 24 years old. We do not know when he left Romania but we do know that he arrived in St. John, New Brunswick on February 11, 1914. Rochus travelled to Canada from Glasgow, Scotland aboard the ship called Cassandra. The ship departed from Glasgow on January 31, 1914. He then travelled by train to Estevan, Saskatchewan where he met his family. His parents, Jacob and Eva Hoffart immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1913. Apparently Rochus and his two sibling had contracted Measles and could not board the ship at the time his parents and family left. 

Marion Gross was born on July 2, 1892 in Emmental, Tighina, Romania. Her parents were Peter and Barbara Gross. She immigrated from Libau, Russia and arrived in Canada aboard the ship, Dwinsk on April 7, 1914. Marion was 21 when she came to Canada. She came alone without any family. On the ship's list manifest she stated that she was going to work as a domestic for her brother on his farm in Estevan, Saskatchewan. Marion had two sisters and one brother. The brother did not immigrate to Canada until 1948! 

This marriage took place just a few months after Marianna arrived. They married on July 22, 1914. It may have been an arranged marriage but I am not sure on this point. 

During the early years of their marriage there was much movement back and forth across the U.S. Border and North Dakota or Montana. Rochus was not sure about farming because of the many failed farms he saw upon his arrival. He found work in Brown, North Dakota working for the railroad building roundhouses. 

Between 1917 and 1918 there was a compulsory WWI draft registration in the United States. Rochus filled his out on June 5, 1917. Rochus had served his compulsory 3 years in the Romanian Army plus 5 years in the militia. It is surmised that shortly after this time when the war in Romania was imminent that Rochus decided to immigrate to Canada. The family said that after filling out the U.S. Draft card he decided to move to Canada permanently. 

Two years later on June 7, 1919 that Rochus filled out his application for his homestead in Saskatchewan. On June 24, 1919 Rochus and family crossed the border at Big Muddy Crossing to take up residence in Canada. 

He homesteaded in Saskatchewan around Big Muddy Lake (NE 27-2-21- W2) . He gave up this homestead because part of this land was in the lake. In 1929 he got his second homestead (NW 34-2-21- W2). It was further north and according to the family, mostly arable. 

Rochus and Marion had eight children; Eva, Peter, Jacob, Barbara, Anton (Bill's father), John, Regina and Henry. Eva and Peter were born in the United States. 

1951 - Rochus and Marianna Hoffart and Adult Children

 

In 2017 Bill and I met with his first cousin once removed – John Hoffart. He lived in Regina and had been working on Hoffart family genealogy. Through meetings and further emails we slowly got some family stories we never heard about. John was the one who told us the story of Rochus' two homesteads and the reason why he took a second one. 

In 2015 John Hoffart visited Rochus and Marion's only living child – Regina (Reg). It was Reg who filled him in on how they ended up on a farm in Neudorf, Saskatchewan. Reg told John that the drought on the homestead was so bad in in the early 1930's that their cattle were dying due to lack of feed. Rochus sent out his two sons, Peter and Anton to search for good pasture lands and winter feed for the cattle. They searched in The Qu'Applle Valley. They found a farm that they could rent just 5 miles south of Neudorf, Saskatchewan. Reg remembers that she was 10 years old when they moved to that farm. That means 1937. 

Six years later in 1943 Marion experienced health problems and the family moved to Regina and purchased a house at 2325 Cornwall Street. And in 1947 they moved to 2118 Halifax Avenue. In Regina, Rochus was employed by the city and worked building new cement sidewalks and repairing old ones when needed. 

Marion Hoffart died on Dec 3, 1957 in Regina, Saskatchewan at the age of 65. 

Easter 1959 - Bill, Grandpa Rochus and Elaine Hoffart

Rochus Hoffart remarried on April 2, 1960 in Regina. His new wife was Agatha Margaret Miller. 

Circa 1962 - Agatha, Elaine, Bill and Rochus Hoffart

Agatha Hoffart died on November 5, 1966 in Regina at the age of 76. Rochus was now twice widowed. He died on April 8, 1970 in Regina, Saskatchewan at the age of 80. 

This history of Bill's paternal grandparents is not unlike all of our other family immigrants. They all worked hard to live in the new country called Canada. Was the hardship of starting over worth it? Rochus Hoffart was leaving because of the imminent outbreak of war in Romania. Then less than  4 years later he left the United States because of their draft registration to WWI and its imminent outbreak of war. 

Wendy

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 23 Prompt - Health

2024

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 23

Prompt – Health

Mary McLaughlin - June, 1988

I was looking through photographs (as I often do) and found this photograph of my maternal grandmother – Mary McLaughlin. It was dated June 1988. I did not take the photograph and in fact I can't remember how it became mine.

I vaguely recalled that she suffered a stoke sometime in the summer of 1987. Thus when I saw this dated photograph of June 1988 she seemed to be using both hands to cut the strawberries. I didn't think that was possible. I realized I did not know how grandmother McLaughlin's last few years had unfolded. I had lived away from home for over 10 years. I was busy with my young family. I decided to ask my sister, Bonnie about it. Could she fill in grandma's story of her last few years for me?

Mary McLaughlin (nee: Krikau) was born on June 8, 1903 in Warenburg, Samara Province, Volga Valley, Russia. In January of 1987 Mary lost her daughter, Vivian (my mother). It had to be difficult for her.

1987 was the year that Bonnie recorded her oral history about the Krikau family and how they came to Canada from Russia.

It seemed like grandmother was quite healthy in the early part of 1987, In June 1987 she turned 84 years old and celebrated at her son - Uncle Wally, Phyllis and family in Ontario. 

Mary McLaughlin - June 8, 1987 - 84th Birthday

 Bonnie wrote this about our grandmother.

 

In July while Bonnie's family was getting ready for Lynn's baptism, Bonnie was informed that grandmother was being taken to St. Paul's Hospital for incontinence and confusion. Grandmother had suffered a stroke. Grandmother would never go back to her home after this. Shortly after she was transferred to University Hospital Geriatric Care. Bonnie said she had gone to visit grandma and a pile of wash clothes were on a table in front of her and she was struggling to fold them. Bonnie also realized at this time that the stroke had taken grandma's language.

Several weeks after being in the University Hospital she was transferred to a private home with 24 hour nursing care. Bonnie said that it was a bi level home and “the with it clients “ were upstairs and grandmother was downstairs. It was believed by Bonnie and Uncle Wally (grandmother's son) that she was receiving very little care. She became combative. Thus Uncle Wally decided to put her in Parkridge Nursing Home in Fairhaven. It happened to be 6 blocks from Bonnie's home. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On August 1, 1989 Mary McLaughlin died. She was suppose to have surgery to remove her gangrene leg. However as Bonnie put it “God had mercy on her and took her home. She had lots of fight in her up until they locked her in a nursing home. She slowly faded away – she lost her voice, she lost her mobility and totally lost her mind. That good and faithful servant of God's suffers no more.”

Bonnie said that she really misses grandma but know she is probably busy baking cookies for “the old folks” in heaven.

I don't remember much of this. I did go once to Fairhaven to visit her but it must have been a good day. I do remember that she didn't speak much and did not recognize us.

Bonnie feels that the photograph of grandmother cutting strawberries was a posed photograph from the first private nursing home so Uncle Wally could see how well she was in their care. Who knows?

Her health declined rather quickly – from baking cookies to being spoon fed; from lucid to non-communicative; from travelling independently on buses to bedridden.

All so sad.

Wendy

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 22 Prompt - Creativity

 2024

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 22

Prompt - Creativity

1980 circa - Anton (Tony) Hoffart

 

 In Tony Hoffart's obituary it states that he had many talents and shared them often with his family, friends and churches.  His woodworking skills are even enjoyed now long after he is gone. 

Shortly after his marriage to Clara he made a cedar chest for her as a Christmas present.  

1958 -  Cedar Chest Built by Tony Hoffart For His Wife

Tony and Clara's daughter, Norma has inherited it. The cedar chest was not one of the pieces that Clara couldn't move to her new residence.  Norma brought it to her home and has the daunting task of going through all the paperwork that has been stored in it over the years. Notice that there is also a drawer in the bottom. 

In 1953, Tony made this entertainment centre long before they were common home pieces of furniture. Notice the record player in the top left corner and a space for his radio right next to it fitting like a glove. I believe that is the speaker underneath it. He made the vertical shelves for the records. 

1956 - Bill (in Bow-Tie and Suspenders) and His Friend Pose on Top of Coffee Table That Tony Made.

1965 - Tony Hoffart Built His Garage in Their Park Avenue Home

1967 circa - Tony bought a kit to make a boat.  Bill recalls that the boat appeared in the basement during the time that Clara and the kids were out at a church Lenten service. Tony started to pre-assemble it in the basement but of course it was not built there. The boat was named "Norma". 

Norma, Great Great Uncle Henry and Bill Hoffart

1979 - Jill is Sitting In Front of TV Stand That Tony Made For Us

1980 Christmas - Jill is trying out her new doll bed that Grandpa Tony made for her.

1985 Christmas Day - Grandpa Tony made Jill and Jackie toy boxes for all their toys.  Sorry grandpa but their toys would not all fit in these two toy boxes.

The China Cabinet is my favourite piece that Tony made. Clara had given him the exact design that she wanted for her special dishes, silverware and table linens.  It was so beautiful. In 2011 when Clara moved from her 3 bedroom apartment to the Luther Tower she gave it to Jill and Chris.  

1983 - Jackie Waiting For Christmas Dinner Next to China Cabinet.

The China Cabinet.

Photograph taken today.

 

 

Wendy

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 21 Prompt - Nickname

2024

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 21

Prompt – Nickname

Franz Peters married Elisabeth Dueck on February 2, 1902 in Blumenthal Mennonite Colony in North West Territories (Saskatchewan). They are my paternal grandparents. They had 11 children.

Franz Peters 1903-1977

Helena Peters 1904-1994

David Peters 1906-Before 1909

Johann Peters 1908-1976

David Peters 1909-1986

Jacob Peters 1911 – Before 1917 ----My father.

Wilhelm Peters 1913-1986

Katariena “Shirley” Peters 1914-2003

Jacob Peters 1917-1983

Mary Peters 1919-1980

Abram Peters 1926-2001

In a Mennonite Genealogical database that I use often for my Mennonite genealogy I show the following as the family for Franz and Elisabeth Peters.

In this case it shows a Katharina and Shirley Peters as two separate people. Both have the same birth date. I had never noticed this until my cousin once removed asked me about it. As far as I knew Katharina and Shirley were the same person. Further, Franz and Elisabeth did not have twins.

I asked my sister if Shirley and Katharina were the same person. She said yes.

To try and verify this I decided to look at the 1916 Census. Katie / Shirley was born in 1914 so she should be included in the census. I was checking to see if there was two children born that day.

 Note the name for Helena Peters listed as “Lena”. Nickname.

And then the 1921 Census.

This was the transcription of the census. I just about deleted this census for Franz Peters but thought that maybe I should look at the actual census. So here it is. 

Franz and Elizabeth are readable. The transcribers figured out Franz (the oldest son). The next two entries is where the transcriber had trouble. After Franz they transcribed the name as Peters Peters!! I only needed a quick look to know that this is actually Helena. Then the next name is transcribed as Israel Peters! Knowing the family as I did, I figured out that this is actually David. They got Wilhelm right. Then the transcribers listed the next name as Lina. Remember Lena was Helena's nickname in the 1916 census. I was a bit confused but figured that it is actually “Tina”. Which of course is the nickname for Katariena. Of course! The next two names were transcribed correctly as Jacob and Marie. Jacob, my father, went by Jake and Marie went as Mary.

There were not another name listed with Katriena's age.

The 1931 Canada Census.

Again Katariena Peters is transcribed as Lena Peters but it should be Tina Peters. Note that in this census Marie is now Mary and Jacob is Jake.

And no where is the name for Katariena ever suggested as “Shirley”. I know when we visited Grandma Peters, Mary and Katariena, my dad called her “Katie” and sometimes mom called her Shirley. 

Nicknames were the cause of confusion on whether Katariena and Shirley were two different people. They are one person. Katariena can be shortened to Tina which was often transcribed as “Lina” That caused confusion when Helena was listed with the nickname of Lena. 

 

Shirley Noxel. Circa 1980's.

Katie Peters Noxel

Wendy