Friday, April 13, 2012

Jacob Ratzlaff family census information

After arriving in Marion County, the Jacob Ratzlaff family made their home at several different locations, the first of which was a dugout near a livery stable in Galva, KS.  The green Jacob Ratzlaff book identifies Jacob’s occupation as a weaver of cloth while in Russia.  The SS Polaria identifies him as a farmer on the ship’s manifest.  Jacob may have never owned his own farm in the U.S. though, as the family rented various locations.  According to U.S.A. Federal census data, the family lived in Blaine and Logan Townships in 1900 and Moore Township in 1910.  Clearly the immigration year on this form is not correct.


1900 US Census:



Name:
Jacob H Ratzlaff


Titles & Terms:



Residence:
Blaine & Logan Townships, Marion, Kansas


Birth Date:
1843


Birthplace:
Russia


Relationship to Head of Household:
Self


Spouse:
Anna Ratzlaff


Spouse's Titles & Terms:



Spouse's Birthplace:
Russia


Father:



Father's Titles & Terms:



Father's Birthplace:
Russia


Mother:



Mother's Titles & Terms:



Mother's Birthplace:
Russia


Race or Color (expanded):
White


Head-of-household Name:
Jacob H Ratzlaff


Gender:
Male


Marital Status:
Married


Years Married:
38


Estimated Marriage Year:
1862


Mother How Many Children:



Number Living Children:



Immigration Year:
1874


Enumeration District:
81


Page:
8


Sheet Letter:
B


Family Number:
132


Reference Number:
76


Film Number:
1240488


Image Number:
484



Household
Gender
Age

Jacob H Ratzlaff
M

Spouse
F

Child
M

Child
M



Here’s a scan of a portion of the 1900 census that shows Jacob’s entry, as well as Bernard’s family:




1910 US census:



Name:
Jacob H Ratzlaff


Birthplace:
Russia


Relationship to Head of Household:
Self


Residence:
Moore, Marion, Kansas


Marital Status:
Married


Race :
White


Gender:
Male


Immigration Year:
1893


Father's Birthplace:
Russia


Mother's Birthplace:
Russia


Family Number:
35


Page Number:
3



Household
Gender
Age

Jacob H Ratzlaff
M
69y
Spouse
F
68y
Child
M
20y

M
13y



These locations are in the extreme NE corner of the county.  The 1910 census shows that Charles (Carl) Nachtigal (Eva Ratzlaff Nachtigal’s son) was living with Jacob at the time, perhaps as a farmhand.  See map: http://www.historicmapworks.com/Map/US/47883/County+Outline+Map/Marion+County+1921/Kansas/

John Wiebe, grandson of Helena Ratzlaff Becker, has indicated to me that the Jacob Ratzlaff family lived in the extinct Marion County village of Gnadenau for a time.  See: http://www.gameo.org/encyclopedia/contents/gnadegnadenau_krimmer_mennonite_brethren_church

and:

Wiebe also has indicated to me that the family may have even occupied the house that is now the Pioneer Adobe House in Hillsboro, KS, before it was moved to its current museum location.  http://www.cardcow.com/163542/pioneer-adobe-house-museum-hillsboro/

Anna (Foth) Ratzlaff died in 1912 when the family was living near Durham, KS, and was buried in the Logan Cemetary which was associated with the Morning Star Church.  No headstone can be found today.  It's possible that no headstone existed as there was some debate within the Holdeman Church, with which the family may have been associated, in regards to whether headstones were proper or not.  The 1920 U.S.A. Federal census finds Jacob living with Helena’s family, the Beckers, in Meno, Major County, Oklahoma. 


1920 US Census:



Name:
Jacob Ratzlaff


Residence:
, Major, Oklahoma


Estimated Birth Year:
1842


Age:
78


Birthplace:
Russia Poland


Relationship to Head of Household:
Father-in-law


Gender:
Male


Race:
White


Marital Status:
Widowed


Father's Birthplace:
Russia Poland


Mother's Birthplace:
Russia Poland


Film Number:
1821472


Digital Folder Number:
4385101


Image Number:
219


Sheet Number:
2



Household
Gender
Age

M
38y
Child
F
36y

F
15y

F
14y

F
12y

M
10y

F
6y

F
4y

F
2y

Jacob Ratzlaff
M
78y


Here's a scan of a page from a 1905 Marion County, KS, census that shows Adam Ratzlaff at the top.  I'm not sure whose name could be directly under his since he wasn't married yet in 1905.  His age, however, is listed correctly.  Farther down the page, see Jacob, Anna, and John, as well as Helena and the Beckers; Andrew and Otillie.


This scan is from a different 1905 Marion County census.  Again, Jacob, Anna and John can be seen, as well as Andrew, Helena, and Otillie Becker


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