Favorite Family Heirlooms
I know Ernstine's birth and death dates and places. I know when and where her children were born. Knowing her children's birth information gives me a window in time in which I can assume she emigrated. The elder child, my great grandfather, born in Prussia, was age 11 on the 1880 census. His younger sister was 5, born in New York. That makes emigration between 1869-1875 or thereabouts, ten years after the date on the sampler.
So, if in fact this was made in America as the style of the lettering suggests, possibly it commemorates a significant event in her life that took place in 1859. Possibly he marriage or religious conversion. The cross is prominently displayed, but so is a goblet. And my grandmother told me she was Jewish. So, an anniversary piece made later in life? Maybe. Most likely I'll never know for certain, but it's fun to guess what the true story is.
Thanks for your insights, and yes, it is archivally preserved.
Ernstine standing with Ferdinand at their home in Niagara County, New York. The property only recently left the family.
Mounted on the horse is my Uncle Frank and standing on the right with the great moustache in my great grandfather William. Circa 1895.
Thanks for all of this. It makes me re-examine what are facts and what I thought were facts based on assumptions.
I know Ernstine's birth and death dates and places. I know when and where her children were born. Knowing her children's birth information gives me a window in time in which I can assume she emigrated. The elder child, my great grandfather, born in Prussia, was age 11 on the 1880 census. His younger sister was 5, born in New York. That makes emigration between 1869-1875 or thereabouts, ten years after the date on the sampler.
So, if in fact this was made in America as the style of the lettering suggests, possibly it commemorates a significant event in her life that took place in 1859. Possibly he marriage or religious conversion. The cross is prominently displayed, but so is a goblet. And my grandmother told me she was Jewish. So, an anniversary piece made later in life? Maybe. Most likely I'll never know for certain, but it's fun to guess what the true story is.
Thanks for your insights, and yes, it is archivally preserved.
Ernstine standing with Ferdinand at their home in Niagara County, New York. The property only recently left the family.
Mounted on the horse is my Uncle Frank and standing on the right with the great moustache in my great grandfather William. Circa 1895.
