My father August Rettammel, Jr., in Germany 1954 serving in US Army. Seventeen years ago he passed away today.
Author: Rettwent
My Grandma in Grade School
Fourth from left-in front row- is my grandma, Amelia Podrasky in Lyndon Station, WI Catholic school. Circa late 1920s. I miss her but glad to have this and all the memories. Plus I get to discover more about her family.
Received my DNA estimated results
Well today AncestryDNA.com provided their results for me. I am about 44% East European, 34% Scandinavian, about 6% West European and 15% spread in few other near locations. A surprise to me, since I would have thought more Western Europe and no Scandinavian. Interesting findings and more people to match with on the trail of family history.
Something about German-Americans
In the February 7, 2015 issue of weekly magazine The Economist there is an article all about “the silent minority”. The silent minority is none other than German-Americans, still the largest ethnic group in the U.S., for the present time (according to magazine). The most interesting part about the article is that it mentions Wisconsin, talk about of an Austrian chalet built as a tribute to immigrant John Michael Kohler who is a well known plumbing business in these parts. The article relates that about 41% of the people in Wisconsin are of Teutonic stock, like Angela Merkel. Kindergartens were started by German immigrants in the good state of Wisconsin. As many people may know beer is a big deal and Milwaukee has had it former barons like, Jacob Best, Joseph Schlitz, Frederick Pabst and Frederick Miller, oh and baseball Milwaukee Brewers – go team in 2015!
Of course acknowledging your German heritage is something that became more complicated in the 20th Century with both wars. So it was a surprise to me to see this article. Check it out, an interesting read with a little fun about Germans in America.
German-American Workshop for Genealogists
German American genealogical workshop on May 9th in Madison, WI that is being co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Society (WHS) and the Max Kade Institute on UW campus. Program called “Our German Ancestors and Their World: a Workshop for Genealogists”
Location my genealogy lecture yesterday.
Update
Next Saturday I will lecture near Rockford, Illinois. Also have a new client interested in Germany ancestors.
Postcard photo circa 1900-1910
This is a photo of my grandpa August H Rettammel, Sr. (Right) with unknown man. In picture they are hold beer mugs. They are standing in cleared timber area. I can’t tell if for farm land or for lumber business. Location is either Marinette or Lyndon Station, WI.
Genealogical Roots with DNA for Adoptees
At the Association of Professional Genealogist conference today, CeCe Moore, a genetic genealogist, provided great information for how DNA testing can help adoptees seek knowledge of birth heritage. Check her website http://www.yourgeneticgenealogist.com for info.
Mind Maps for Genealogy
Presenter Ron Arons at the APG PMC did a good talk about Mind Maps for Genealogy. Mind Maps are a way for graphically displaying elements (names, places, document, etc.) of your research that may be difficult to know what steps to take next. What difficult genealogy questions are you tackling?
Rettammel Genealogy Service 