52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Week 44 Prompt - Granduncle

 2024

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks

Week 44

Prompt - Granduncle

I don't believe that I have ever met this granduncle. Andreas Krikau is my maternal Grandmother McLaughlin's older brother.  I recall my grandmother speaking of him.  However I do not have any specific stories.  This is his story that I pieced together using documents, passenger lists, my grandmother's photographs, Canadian and American census records, border crossing records, city directories and his United States Naturalization Papers.  

Andreas (Andrew / Andy) Krikau Jr.
10 Mar 1901 – Aug 1968

Andreas Krikau is the oldest child of Andreas and Maria (nee Kraft) Krikau.  He was born March 10, 1901 in Warenburg, Samara Province, Volga Valley, Russia. His birth date is mentioned in the 1916 and 1921 Canada Census and the 1930 & 1940 U. S. Census. His birth date is also written up in his US Illinois Federal Naturalization papers filed on July 12, 1939. The Michigan marriage index has him born "about 1901". His 1924 border crossing from Winnipeg to Detroit at 22 years of age has his birth as "about 1902". Andreas' September, 1923 record of Aliens pre-examined in Canada for the U.S. states his birth date as "about 1901". The Krikau Parochial Certificate from Warenburg, Russia lists his birth date as March 10, 1901. This is the most accurate account of his date and place of birth. His name was listed as Andrew Krikau on all of his American and Canadian documents.
Andreas was 10 years old when he and his family left Russia. They immigrated to Canada under the sponsorship of Phillip Krikau, a cousin of Andreas Krikau Sr. Their destination was Rosthern, Saskatchewan, Canada. The sailed from Libau to New York aboard the ship, Birma. They went through Ellis Island before taking the train on to Saskatchewan, Canada. According to the Ellis Island document the address in Rosthern was Box 111, Rosthern, Saskatchewan.
On 29 August 1913 Andreas and family attempted entry to the US with the intended destination of Sanger, CA. where they were joining "friend" Jacob Smith. The family was denied entry by American authorities upon examination in Winnipeg. Documentation shows that while tickets to Sanger had been paid for by Smith, Andreas did not have sufficient cash to satisfy US requirements. They stayed in Winnipeg after that.
Andreas Jr. was the first of the family to go to the United States, entering the United States in April 1924. According to the crossing his occupation was auto mechanic. He was single. He was joining an Uncle ? in Detroit, Michigan who lived on 6069 Widewood Ave. Detroit, Michigan. In this particular crossing documentation it indicates that his home was Rosthern, Saskatchewan and his father's address was also Rosthern. However the 1916 &1921 Census has the Krikau family including Andrew Krikau Jr. living at 107 Eaton Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
In his Petition for Naturalization it states that he entered the United States for the purpose of permanent residence on September 15, 1923 at Noyes, Minnesota from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.
On September 15, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan he married Tillie Clara Ellen Trudell.
In a 1926 U.S. City Directory we have Andrew Krikau Jr living at 814 Pearl, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. His recorded occupation at this time is "salesman". His spouse is Clara Krikau.

Ca. 1932 - Tillie and Andy Krikau

The 1930 US Federal Census lists him as living in Riverdale, Cook, Illinois, USA in a rented home at 13831 Edgebrook Avenue. We learn from this census that he is a white Russian-born male who was first married at the age of 24 and is still married to the same spouse. They have 3 children; Clara, Andrew, and John. He never attended school but can read and write. His language was German. He did not own a radio set. His occupation was automobile mechanic working in a garage and he was employed at the time of the census. He had also filed his first papers for naturalization.

 

Ca. 1932 - Maria, Clara (daughter of Tillie and Andy), Tillie and Andy, Andreas Krikau Sr.

On July 12, 1939 he received his naturalization.
In the 1940 United States Federal Census, Andreas Krikau is a white male Russian-born head of the house in 14706 Spaulding, Dolton Cook Illinois where he was also living in 1935. The house was rented and he pays 23 dollars monthly. He is naturalized citizen. He did not attend a school or college but has attained Grade 4 education. He worked as a auto mechanic in a private work site earning 1536 in 1939 where he worked a total of 40 weeks that year. He now has 4 children and the fourth child is Richard. Incidentally the transcription for his last name in this US census is "Krikav".
On September 28 1953, Andreas Krikau was remarried to Rose J Cairo at Cook County, Illinois. I have no records of a divorce from Tillie. I do not have a photograph of Rose and Andy Krikau.
In a US City directory of 1955 Andreas and Rose Krikau reside in Orlando, Florida, USA. His
occupation is still mechanic.
On 5 August 1968 he died in Orange, Florida, USA.

Wendy