
I can trace Johan's family back one further generation, and the Jung family for three generations, taking me to some great-great-great-great-grandparents living in Rheinland-Pfalz at the beginning of the eighteenth century. There are no details, however, beyond birthdates. Having found neither any horse-thieves or any relatives that seem closely connected to a great philosopher, I am content to let buried ancestors stay buried.
I was curious, however , about my grandmother's siblings -- wondering why I did not hear more about her brothers and sisters. A little probing turned up some sad details.
- John Fredrich was born in 1847 and died in 1886. That was before my mother's birth, so she would not have known that family.
- Wilhelm J. was born in 1854 and died in 1887. That makes two brothers who died in their thirties.
- Johannes was born in 1855, and there is no further record of him, even in census listings.
- Karolina was born in 1858 and died in 1933.
- Karl Henrick was born in 1860 and died at age eleven.
- Maria was born in 1862 and died at age nine.
- Henrick A. was born in 1864 and was last heard of at the age of ninety-six. (Talk about a changling!)
- Jacob was born in 1867 and died within his first year.
- Fredrich was born in 1869 and died at age 3.
- Emma Margaret was born in 1871 and died in 1942.
- 10 births
- 5 died in childhood
- 2 died in their middle to late thirties
- only 3 lived to their Biblical three-score and ten or beyond
I grew up with an enlargement of that picture on my mother's dressing table, and I always wondered why they were all wearing black on what seemed to be a happy occasion. Now I understand. Poor Great-Grandmother Phillippina must have spend most of her adult life in mourning garments.
I am learning something new with every blog. Thank you!
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