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Surnames: Claus, Klaus, Clouse, Ritzert, Schmidt
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/IGJ.2ACIB/56
Message Board Post:
If anyone has come across a Michael Claus born Jan 11, 1800 in Hessen Germany, that didn't quite fit into their family tree, I'm convinced he is the man I am looking for! :)
I am trying to find Michael's parents and/or siblings. Here is what I know:
--- he was born Jan 11, 1800
--- he immigrated to the US about 1830-ish. He does not appear in the 1830 PA census but is there in 1840 with a wife and kids.
--- he applied for US Naturalization in Butler County, PA in 1851 stating that he was a native of Germany, but a citizen of France. He became a US citizen in 1854.
--- At some point along the way, he married Maria Eva Schmidt (b Aug 1811 - d 1891) Her parents were John Schmidt (who applied for US naturalization in 1847 but never obtained his citizenship in Butler County, PA) and Maria Eva Ritzert. I believe Michael immigrated with her family. Maria's youngest sister was born in Butler Cty in 1832.
--- Michael and Maria Eva had several children in Butler County with the first born in 1834.
--- Michael died Sept 7, 1887. His obit was very short and sweet: "Michael Clouse died at his home Sept 7, 1887". (ya...lots of information in that news report....)
I cannot obtain a marriage lic. for Michael and Maria because both our county courthouse and the only catholic church in the county at that time have burned (the church actually burned to the ground twice) and all records prior to 1883 have been lost.
I have written to Germany, but have gotten no response.
Maria's family was from Fehlheim Parish, Bensheim Hessen Germany. I ASSUME that Michael was from the same place - but I don't know for certain. Especially now that he noted France as his last place of residence prior to coming to America.
I have searched all the passenger lists available to me and cannot find Michael or Maria's family listed anywhere. I'm starting to truely believe the man was a stow away on some ship sometime and lived under a different name in Germany.
The current spelling of the surname is Clouse. I was led to believe that Michael spelled his name Klaus early on, but every document I have looked up (census records, land deeds, citizenship papers, etc.) shows it as Claus. It doesn't appear that Michael knew how to read/write English ("X" marks the spot on his will and farm property deed), so it most likely depended on the person doing the writing as to how his name was spelled.
So, if in your Claus, Klaus, Clouse research you come across a stray Michael (or Michal) in a family that you can't seem to place, please email me!
(Sorry to vent so on the message board, but I'm very frustrated right now ... as I'm sure every genealogist out there has been at one point or another. Thanks for listening!) :)
Thank you!
Joyce Rauschenberger
jcrausch(a)aol.com