Sharon Becker (O'Fallon, Missouri)
Immigration Document
After my uncle Clarence's death, his wife called me and she said she had a box of Clarence's things in the basement and knew I was interested in genealogy. In that brown cardboard box was the actual document that the Schmitz family held as they left Germany. It lists Michael and Gertrude Schmitz and their four children, including my great grandmother, Cecelia. Gertrude Krautmann had actually been born in Missouri in 1848. She returned to Germany when she was 16 to inherit some property.
The entire family settled in central Missouri (around Linn) later.
Cake Stand
The cake stand belonged to the Schmitz family. The fact that the family was able to bring possessions after paying passage indicated that the family had some wealth when living in Germany. (I wish I could say that I used it for all family birthdays but basically it has been protected in a curio cabinet for years. I did use it for my husband one year when he hinted that he wanted a 4 layer cake like his mom made him for his birthdays).
Necklace
This was part of a set of earrings that Cecelia Schmitz received for her confirmation when she was 12. My aunt had each made into a pendant for her sisters.
Clock
The clock that was from Germany was in my Uncle Clarence's possession. He had no children so after he passed they decided to put all of the names of his nieces and nephews in a bowl and pick one out. My cousin Ray has it now and will pass it to his youngest son, Peter, who was named after his great-great-grandfather, Peter Jaegers, who immigrated to America in 1854. He died shortly after arriving in America from food poisoning from fish that he ate in New Orleans.
Family Album
This family heirloom was a wedding gift given to Sharon Becker's grandmother or great-grandmother. She is unsure of its origin, but it might be from Germany.
Detail of open album.
Cheese Plate
This covered cheese plate is part of a set of elaborate crystal tableware. It is from Germany.
Here is a photo of the cheese plate without the cover on it.
