So, who and where do I start? How about with the earliest birth in my database? Or maybe with an ancestor’s immigration story? Or…I might share a scandalous story to start. These ideas all sounded okay, but when I took a quick look at my ancestry chart, one of my paternal great grandfathers jumped out. I realized that I’m now at the point where I lack a photograph of only one of those eight people – Charles H. Albers. He deserves a little attention!
Charles was born in Germany on the 24th of January, 1865, according to his naturalization record and his death certificate. Another piece of information I have for his birthplace indicates the town was Bremer Haven. But, oh shoot! Where did that info come from? The source for that town seems to have slipped away. (Note to Nancy: Dig up this documentation again.)Since I did document his naturalization, I know that Charles immigrated to America in January 1884. But my searching for his passenger list telling me where he came into the country, or with whom, has not yet been successful. At 18 years of age he could have been traveling alone, seeking better opportunities for the future. Or maybe he makes the journey with other young people from his birthplace.
His naturalization record also shows that by 1890 he lives in Indianapolis. And he can be found in city directories for the next two years as a boarder at two different addresses. He’s employed as a laborer. So, it appears he doesn’t live with his family. Maybe he did come to the U. S. alone.
While getting familiar with his new city, he meets a young lady that helps him create a new family. Martha Marsischky and Charles Albers are married in Indianapolis on February 3, 1892. By the time the census enumerator visits Charles and Martha Albers on June 2, 1900, they have three children, are renting a home at 1901 Hazel Street; and Charles is employed as a laborer at an engine shop. One of those children, Louise Charlotte Albers, would become my grandmother.
The 1910 census shows that the 45-year-old Charles’s family continued to grow with the birth of anot
her daughter and that they changed their residence again in the ten-year period. Also, his occupation is now reported as salesman at a hardware store. Maybe he has a more reliable job now and is starting to move ahead. His life seems to be taking new paths and progressing. Just speculating, of course.By approximately 1912, the Albers family settled into a home at 1722 S. Keystone Avenue, according to city directories. But then,on March 12, 1915, Charles died at that residence of chronic parenchymatous nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys) at age 50. He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, with his wife, Martha.
That’s the Charles Albers story, as I know it today. I hope to color in more of the background of this great grandfather for our history. His birthplace, parents and siblings are high on my list of research topics. There are clues that I might follow on his death certificate; or perhaps I’ll research additional burial records first. Meanwhile, I’m still wondering what he looked like? A photo would be fantastic!
If you are a fellow descendant in this Albers family interested in sharing our family history, let’s talk. Thanks for visiting on Indiana Ties and please return. I welcome all comments and suggestions below.
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(Resources for the information provided in this story will gladly be provided upon request. Leave me a message below.)
Other Albers information on my website:
Albers Marsischky Descendants Report
Martha Marsischky Albers Story
Louise Albers Story
Copyright © 2014 - Nancy Niehaus Hurley
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