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Karen Watson, E-Mail 21.10.2013
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| | Dear Thore- I certainly understand being busy...between work and family responsibilities, some days I feel like I'm constantly running and getting nowhere. I, too, was surprised that an email address posted in 1999 was still valid! I thought for sure that I was going to just get a bounce back message saying the email was not deliverable. This email should contain embedded photos. If for some reason the photos don't come through, let me know, and I will resend as attachments. Let me give you what I have on Elmrich Seibrands (Emma Siebrands). First, the only photo that I know of her, probably taken in the early 1900's You know her date of birth from her birth certificate. She married Theodore Niemann (DOB 11/10/1861) before 1885, but I do not know the date. I know she had at least two children in Germany before she left for America, but they either were stillborn ordied as babies. Theodore came to the United States in 1885 and settled in Philadelphia. He worked for several years before he got enough money to bring Emma over. Emma arrived in 1889. Attached is a letter of reference she either brought over or had mailed to her shortly after she arrived. I don't think it gives any additional family information, but you can try to read it. I have no idea what it says, as I do not know German, nor can I read the handwriting to even attempt to run it through something like google translate to figure it out. I just have been told it was a letter written by her employer in Germany. I believe she was a family caregiver. Emma had two children, both born in Philadelphia: Theodore Niemann *August 23, 1891 +June 15, 1966 Emma Niemann *May 15, 1893 +May 1975 Emma Siebrand's husband Theodore died August 14, 1893 of pneumonia, leaving Emma with a 2 year old and infant with no source of income. She spoke little English (and never really learned to speak much English). She had to place the two children in a Lutheran Orphanage / Asylum so that she could work as a housekeeper/caretaker. She visited the children every Sunday, so they knew they were not abandoned. As soon as young Theodore was old enough to work, he left the orphanage, began working and was able,with the help of his mother, to buy a home and pull his sister out of the orphanage. He took care of his mother until her death on April 10, 1940. It was only after her death that he married Rosalie Kirst. Theodore Niemann and Rosalie Kirst are my grandparents. My mother, Rosalie, was born in 1943. I never met Theodore, as he died before I was born. Theodore was drafted in World War I. Below is him in his uniform. Theodore later in life became a Philadelphia police officer and worked as a cop until he retired. His sister, Emma, was a dressmaker. Below is her photo, taken later in life: Emma married John McCloskey and had 4 children- Lucy, Phyllis, Patricia and Thomas. All married and had children, but I honestly don't know how many, because my mother hasn't kept in touch with Tom's family. But between Lucy, Pat, and Phyllis there were9 children. I have 4 siblings, so I guess that makes for Emma Siebrands: 2 children 5 grandchildren At least 14 great grandchildren and who knows how many ggg.....I have 3 children..my oldest is a boy and a senior in high school and applying for college next year. He is 18. I also have 2 daughters, age 15 and 11. As I believe I mentioned before, we live about 30 minutes outside ofPhiladelphia in Pennsylvania near the state of Delaware border. I am meeting soon with one of Emma Niemann McCloskey's grandchildren to share some of the family information that I have found. If you have any additional Siebrand information, I would love to know it. If you know anything about the town where Emma wasborn, I'd love to hear about it too. Again, all I know is they were poor. I do know Emma Siebrand wrote to family in Germany, but I have no idea who she maintained contact with, nor does my mother. I do know that a descendant of Djuerke Ulferts Siebrands has a tree on Ancestry.com. Is that your tree? I didn't think it was since that tree is missing Vollina. This person's family tree does have a photo of d'Juerke Ulferts Siebrands and Karl Siebrands, and appears to be a descendant of Karl. Hope to hear from you soon, Karen |
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Karen Watson, E-Mail 21.10.2013
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| | Dear Thore- I certainly understand being busy...between work and family responsibilities, some days I feel like I'm constantly running and getting nowhere. I, too, was surprised that an email address posted in 1999 was still valid! I thought for sure that I was going to just get a bounce back message saying the email was not deliverable. This email should contain embedded photos. If for some reason the photos don't come through, let me know, and I will resend as attachments. Let me give you what I have on Elmrich Seibrands (Emma Siebrands). First, the only photo that I know of her, probably taken in the early 1900's You know her date of birth from her birth certificate. She married Theodore Niemann (DOB 11/10/1861) before 1885, but I do not know the date. I know she had at least two children in Germany before she left for America, but they either were stillborn ordied as babies. Theodore came to the United States in 1885 and settled in Philadelphia. He worked for several years before he got enough money to bring Emma over. Emma arrived in 1889. Attached is a letter of reference she either brought over or had mailed to her shortly after she arrived. I don't think it gives any additional family information, but you can try to read it. I have no idea what it says, as I do not know German, nor can I read the handwriting to even attempt to run it through something like google translate to figure it out. I just have been told it was a letter written by her employer in Germany. I believe she was a family caregiver. Emma had two children, both born in Philadelphia: Theodore Niemann *August 23, 1891 +June 15, 1966 Emma Niemann *May 15, 1893 +May 1975 Emma Siebrand's husband Theodore died August 14, 1893 of pneumonia, leaving Emma with a 2 year old and infant with no source of income. She spoke little English (and never really learned to speak much English). She had to place the two children in a Lutheran Orphanage / Asylum so that she could work as a housekeeper/caretaker. She visited the children every Sunday, so they knew they were not abandoned. As soon as young Theodore was old enough to work, he left the orphanage, began working and was able,with the help of his mother, to buy a home and pull his sister out of the orphanage. He took care of his mother until her death on April 10, 1940. It was only after her death that he married Rosalie Kirst. Theodore Niemann and Rosalie Kirst are my grandparents. My mother, Rosalie, was born in 1943. I never met Theodore, as he died before I was born. Theodore was drafted in World War I. Below is him in his uniform. Theodore later in life became a Philadelphia police officer and worked as a cop until he retired. His sister, Emma, was a dressmaker. Below is her photo, taken later in life: Emma married John McCloskey and had 4 children- Lucy, Phyllis, Patricia and Thomas. All married and had children, but I honestly don't know how many, because my mother hasn't kept in touch with Tom's family. But between Lucy, Pat, and Phyllis there were9 children. I have 4 siblings, so I guess that makes for Emma Siebrands: 2 children 5 grandchildren At least 14 great grandchildren and who knows how many ggg.....I have 3 children..my oldest is a boy and a senior in high school and applying for college next year. He is 18. I also have 2 daughters, age 15 and 11. As I believe I mentioned before, we live about 30 minutes outside ofPhiladelphia in Pennsylvania near the state of Delaware border. I am meeting soon with one of Emma Niemann McCloskey's grandchildren to share some of the family information that I have found. If you have any additional Siebrand information, I would love to know it. If you know anything about the town where Emma wasborn, I'd love to hear about it too. Again, all I know is they were poor. I do know Emma Siebrand wrote to family in Germany, but I have no idea who she maintained contact with, nor does my mother. I do know that a descendant of Djuerke Ulferts Siebrands has a tree on Ancestry.com. Is that your tree? I didn't think it was since that tree is missing Vollina. This person's family tree does have a photo of d'Juerke Ulferts Siebrands and Karl Siebrands, and appears to be a descendant of Karl. Hope to hear from you soon, Karen |
Thore
Siebrands
