Lister's,
Thought someone might be able to helpout on this one. Trying to figure out a great great
grandmother, Sophia (Zabel) Sommerville.
What I have found on her that I have source documents for only start with her marriage to
John Sommerville on October 12, 1860 in Summit, Waukesha, Wisconsin. From that point have
several census returns and other documents ( widows pension app for one). What is very
'murky' at best is her life before her marriage. There is documentation that she
had at least one child before she married John. She had a daughter names Augusta Louise
Zabel. On the 1960 federal census on the same page that lists John and his family is
listed what is either Sabel or Zabel.. Interestingly enough there is a young girl listed
as Louisa om it. No Sophia of the correct agr but there is a young (8 years old) girl
listed. Possibly named for an aunt? A passenger list, it is patched, wrinkled and has
black spots all over it so unable to read either date or ship name, has a Dorthea Zabel,
Spinster, age 20 years and 11 months. There are several other Zabel family members on the
list
and some names seem to match the 1860 census forrm. What is really unknown is if
Sophia's birth names was Zabel? Was she married or did she have the child out of
wedlock? I have been in touch with one of the Zabel family historians/genealogists and am
unable to really tie her in anywhere. I know there was a large group of Zabels in the
Green County Wisconsin area.
Any ideas or information would be gratefully accepted.
Bob