There are several quick (if someone basic) genealogical reminders from this trunk:
- Abbreviations can change (Ills. for Illinois is not used much today)
- Town names can change (Keokuk Junction is known as Golden)
- First names may get spelled in many ways (this is the only reference to Altje where her first name is spelled “Ahltie”)
- You never know when someone may contact you with a family heirloom that they’ve discovered (an antique dealer came across this and Googled the name on the trunk).
Altje Goldenstein immigrated around 1870 and settled in Adams County, Illinois. She was married in Adams County, Illinois, to Hinrich Schuster and they both died in Hancock County, Illinois.
2 Responses
This gives me chills just seeing this. Knowing that someone owned this heirloom and the history behind it.
My husband’s family hung out around Golden and the surrounding areas for years. Look up Downing and Bates families. They come out of the woodwork!