Johannes and Maria Stein - 2nd great-grandparents
Johannes born 8/16/1840, German died 7/29/1906, Maryland
Maria born 11/22/1843, Germany died 2/15/1908, Maryland
Immigrated 11/22/1880 - Baltimore, Maryland
This is the only photograph our family has of Johannes and Maria Stein. Family lore states this was their wedding day. Records indicate they were married in 1863. Johannes was about 22 years old. Maria would have been 20 years old. Aren't they a lovely couple?
For years, I have been trying to verify Maria's birth name. Researchers have used the surnames Feltman, Feldman and Feldner. The problem is, we didn't have documentation to support any of these surnames.
The Baltimore Sun Newspaper - November 30, 1888 - Newspapers.com
On Newspapers.com I located a marriage announcement for Louisa Stein. She was the oldest daughter of Johannes and Maria Stein (my great-grandmother). The article gives information about her marriage to Charles Wakefield, my great-grandfather. We are told the marriage occurred "at the residence of the bride's parents".
Since the marriage took place in her parent's home, I figured most of the attendees would be family and close friends. I began the task of tracing surnames to see if they help with research.
I created an Ancestry tree for the couples listed. Beginning with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Uhl. Using Ancestry clues and newspaper articles, I built a family tree. Charles and Lena (Helena, Helene) Uhl had a daughter named Helena. Is she the Lena Uhl listed as bridesmaid in the article for Wakefield marriage?
Marriage record for John Bensel and Helene Uhl
Maryland State Archives
Here is the record for Helena's marriage to John Bensel. This will become an important hint.
Death certificate - Helena Bensel
d. October 26, 1912, Baltimore, City, Maryland
Above we have the death certificate for Helena Bensel. We see the father listed as Conrad Uhl. With additional research, I found he was the Charles listed in the announcement. His first name was Charles, but used his middle name, Conrad, in life and on documents. From past German research, I found this to be a common practice. Her mother is listed as Louisa Feldner!
Obituary - Louisa Uhl
Der Deutsche Correspondent; 13 Mar 1893; Monday; pg. 6
Newspapers.com
Next, I found the above obituary for Helena's mother, Louisa Uhl. As you can see, it was located in a German language newspaper. Not a problem. I uploaded to the Facebook Group, "German Genealogy Translations".
"Louise nee Feldner, widow of master butcher Conrad Uhl, born in Philippinenhof near Kassel, Kurhessen [=Electorate of Hesse], on 2 Oct. 1845, died on Thursday 9 March at age of 48 y, funeral: yesterday at 3 p.m. at Baltimore Cemetery, funeral service in the home of the dead in 301 North Broadway held by Pastor Ed. Huber of St. Matthäi [=Matthew] Community. She leaves behind 2 sons, 2 daughters, 1 son-in-law, 1 brother-in-law (restaurateur Joh. Uhl in Frederick Avenue). Her husband died 2 ½ y ago."
Another Feldner! But, am I related to this family? Next DNA.
Using AncestryDNA, I searched for the (possible) Feldner line. A cousin connection came up with the surname Bensel! Helena's married name. This match was for the great-granddaughter of Helena Bensel. She is my fourth cousin 1x removed
With additional information, we verified my Maria (2nd great-grandmother) and Louisa (Helena's mother) were sisters. Feldner sisters. The match is my fourth cousin 1x removed.
Now I have the correct surname to research the line back generations. Love when a research plan solves a brick wall mystery.
