One John and Mary Geiser or Two?
One John and Mary Geiser or Two?
by Patty Hankins
John Geiser,
a paint maker, and his wife, Mary, lived in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York in
1910. John Geiser, a chicken rancher, and his wife, Mary, lived in Novato,
Marin County, California in 1910. Could these be the same couple?
My great-great-grandparents, John and Mary Geiser, lived in the New York City area for most of their lives after immigrating to the United States from Germany. I found them in vital records, census records, city directories and deeds. But I never could find them in the 1910 census. For years, I just figured that somehow they had missed being enumerated.
Then
I started getting hints an Ancestry for a couple with the right names, and
seemingly correct other information, in Novato, Marin County, California
running a chicken ranch in the 1910 census. I ignored the hints for as long as
I could. Family stories never even hinted that anyone left New York, much less
went as far as California. Besides, my great great grandfather was a cooper and
a brewer, what would he be doing running a chicken ranch?
I finally decided I needed to
really research whether or not the couple in California in 1910 were my great-great-grandparents.
John and Mary Geiser of New York
In 1900, John and Mary Geiser lived in Brooklyn, Kings County,
New York.[1] The couple and their daughters,
Mary and Katherine had lived in the New York/New Jersey area since 1872, the
year John and Mary both immigrated to the United States from Germany.
John Geiser and Mary Hess began their life as a family in New
Jersey. They married in Union City, Hudson County, New Jersey on 16 April 1874.
Their marriage record identifies John as Johann Geiser, born 31 December 1849
in Bochingen, Wurttemberg as the son of son of Michael Geiser and Margaratha
Seeburger, and Mary as Maria Hess, born 25 March 1854 in Waldmossingen,
Wurttemberg as the daughter of Friedrich Hess and Marie Spreter,. Both were
living in Guttenberg at the time of their marriage.[2] John and Mary’s daughter Mary
was born in Guttenberg in 1874, and their daughter Katherine was born in Union
in 1877.[3]
By 1880, the Geiser family had moved to New York, where they
lived until at least 1903.
·
In 1880, they lived on Rail Road Avenue in New York City. John worked
as a brewery hand.[4]
·
In 1886, they lived at 299 Wallabout in Brooklyn. John worked as
a laborer.[5]
·
In 1887, they lived at 303 Wallabout in Brooklyn. John worked as
a laborer.[6]
·
In 1889, they lived at 81 Johnson Avenue in Brooklyn. John work
in the liquor business.[7]
·
In 1890, they lived at 123 Johnson Avenue in Brooklyn. John
worked as a laborer.[8]
·
In 1891, they lived at 696 Park Avenue in Brooklyn. John worked
as a laborer.[9]
·
In 1892, they lived in Brooklyn. John was a cooper.[10]
·
In 1894, they lived at 687 Park Avenue in Brooklyn. John was a
cooper.[11]
·
In 1895, they lived at 787 Hart in Brooklyn. John was a cooper.[12]
·
In 1897, they lived at 165 Central Avenue in Brooklyn. John was a
cooper.[13]
·
In 1898, they lived at 170 Himrod in Brooklyn. John was a cooper.[14]
·
In 1899, they lived at 352 Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn. John was
a cooper.[15]
·
In 1900, they lived in Brooklyn. John was a paint maker.[16]
·
In 1901, they lived at 119 Central Avenue in Brooklyn. John’s
occupation was not listed.[17]
·
In 1902, they lived at 1265 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn. John was a
paintmaker.[18]
Between 1903 and 1912, John and Mary Geiser are not found in the
records in New York or New Jersey.[19] On 7 October 1912, they
purchased lot 372 in Northport Manor, Northport, Huntington, Suffolk County,
New York.[20] At the time of the purchase,
John and Mary were living at 76 Diamond Street in Brooklyn, the 1915 residence
of their daughter Mary (Geiser) Dunkenberger.[21]
John and Mary Geiser remained in Suffolk County for the next
several years. On 1 June 1915, John and Mary were living in the village of East
Northport, Huntington, Suffolk County, where John’s
occupation was listed as paper work.[22] John died in East Northport on
29 August 1915. On his death certificate, his occupation was listed as retired
cooper and brewer.[23]
After John’s death,
Mary remained in New York until her death in 1928.
·
On 4
January 1917, she sold lot 372 in Northport Manor to Agnes Marzka.[24]
·
In 1920, she was working as a servant in the home of Robert and
Catherine Buckley on Nassau Avenue in Brooklyn.[25]
·
In 1925, Mary was living on North Washington Place in Astoria,
Queens County, with the family of Gustav and Frieda Apel.[26] Frieda was the oldest daughter
of Mary’s younger daughter Katherine
·
On 5 November 1926, Mary married Charles Albert Boppert at East
Northport.[27]
·
She died on 11 January 1928 in Queens, New York.[28]
John and Mary Geiser of California
A John and Mary Geiser
lived in Novato, Marin County in 1910 on a chicken ranch Like John and Mary of
New York, this couple were both born in Germany, both immigrated in 1872, and
had two children.[29] This couple have not been found
in other California census records.[30] Records such as a county
directory, voter registration rolls, death and burial records where this John
and Mary likely would have appeared if they were long-term residents of
California did not uncover any records that appear to be the couple found in
the 1910 census.[31]
One
John & Mary Geiser or Two?
A comparison of the information (see
Table 1) about John and Mary Geiser in California in 1910, with known
information about John and Maria Geiser of New York shows many similarities:
•
•
Birth years are consistent between the marriage record and all
census records
•
Birth places are consistent
•
Marriage years are relatively consistent
•
Immigration years are consistent
•
Citizenship status is relatively consistent
•
Number of children and number of living children are consistent.
Conclusion
And as to why my great-great-grandparents
went west to run a chicken ranch - I have no clue.
[1] 1900 U.S.
Census, New York, Kings, Brooklyn, population schedule, Ward 27, SD 2, ED 494,
sheet 28, page 162A stamped, line 2, 119 Central Ave, John Geiser family;
digital image, Ancestry.com, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602
: accessed 18 March 2022), image 55 of 56.
[2] New
Jersey, Union City, Weddings 1867-1885, page 271, number 234, 16 April 1874,
Johann Geiser and Maria Hess; digital image, "U.S. Dutch Reformed Church
Records in Selected States, 1639-1989," Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6961 :
accessed 6 April 2022) > New Jersey > Union City > Baptisms 1867-1879;
members confirmations, Wedding 1867-1885, image 279 of 372.
[3] "New
Jersey, U.S. Births and Christenings Index, 1660-1931", Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2539/
: accessed 14 April 2022), Mary Gueiser, 20 November 1874. "New Jersey,
U.S. Births and Christenings Index, 1660-1931", Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2539/ :
accessed 14 April 2022), Kattie Geizer, 24 August 1877.
[4] 1880
U.S. Census, New York, New York, New York City, population schedule,
Supervisor's District 1, Enumeration District 670, page 4, Rail Road
Avenue, lines 29-32, Family of John Gaeser; digital image, "1880 United
States Federal Census," Ancestry.com,
(https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : accessed 10 March 2022),
image 4 of 37.
[5] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1886, page 370, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 215 of 673.
[6] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1887, page 407, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 256 of 760.
[7] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1889, page 420, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 250 of 808.
[8] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1890, page 443, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 253 of 835.
[9] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1891, page 416, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 256 of 840.
[10] 1892
New York State Census, New York, Kings, Brooklyn, population schedule,
Ward 21, ED 17, page 10, column 2, lines 13-16, John Gieser family;
digital image, Ancestry.com, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/3212/ :
accessed 6 April 2022), image 5 of 11.
[11] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1894, page 441, Geizer, John;
digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 245 of 813.
[12] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1895, page 468, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 279 of 902.
[13] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1897, page 517, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 283 of 905.
[14] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1898, page 534, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 299 of 964.
[15] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1899, page 463, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 263 of 1040.
[16] 1900 U.S.
Census, New York, Kings, Brooklyn, population schedule, Ward 27, SD 2, ED 494,
sheet 28, page 162A stamped, line 2, 119 Central Ave, John Geiser family;
digital image, Ancestry.com,
(https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602 : accessed 18 March
2022), image 55 of 56.
[17] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1901, page 537, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 295 of 939.
[18] "U.S.
City Directories, 1822-1995" New York, Brooklyn, 1902, page 457, Geiser,
John; digital image, Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2469
: accessed 8 March 2022), image 254 of 809.
[19] For the
1905 New York State Census, searches were made for John G*ser born in Germany
1845-1855, and for M* G*ser born in Germany 1850-1860 found no couples likely
to be this family. New York State Census 1905, New York, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1463113 :
accessed 7 April 2022). Similar searches were conducted for the 1910 U.S.
Census in New York and New Jersey, no couples were found that were likely to be
this family. 1910 U.S Census, New York and New Jersey, population schedule;
digital image, Ancestry.com, (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1727033
: accessed 7 April 2022). City directories for all boroughs of New York City
were searched on Ancestry for the years 1903-1920, with no likely matches to
this couple.
[20] Suffolk
County, New York, Deeds, book 711, page 588, The House and Home Company to John
Geiser and Marie Geiser, his wife, 7 October 1912; Office of the County Clerk,
Riverhead, New York; photocopy in files of Patty Hankins, Bethesda, MD,
received 25 April 2022.
[21] For John
and Mary Geiser’s 1912
address, see Suffolk County, New York, Deeds, book 711, page 588, The House and
Home Company to John Geiser and Marie Geiser, his wife, 7 October 1912; Office
of the County Clerk, Riverhead, New York; photocopy in files of Patty Hankins,
Bethesda, MD, received 25 April 2022. For Dunkeberger family in 1915, see 1915 New
York State Census, New York, Kings, population schedule, Assembly district 15,
election district 09, page 11, lines 24-27, Conrad Dunkenborger family; digital
image, Ancestry.com,
(https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2703 : accessed 26 April
2022), image 6 of 27. For marriage of Mary Geiser and Conrad Dunkenberger, see "New York State Marriage Index,
1881-1967," New York, Newtown, 13 May 1894, page 303, no. 8115,
Geiser, Mary; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61632/
: accessed 29 April 2022), image 309 of 952 and "New York State Marriage
Index, 1881-1967," New York, Newtown, 13 May 1894, page 235, no.
8115, Dunkenberger, Conrad; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61632/
: accessed 29 April 2022), image 239 of 952.
[22] 1915 New
York State Census, New York, Suffolk, Huntington, population schedule, Assembly
district 02, election district 11, page 9, lines 16-17, John Geiser family;
digital image, Ancestry.com,
(https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2703 : accessed 6 April
2022), image 5 of 9.
[23] State of
New York, Department of Health, Certified Transcript of Death, New York,
Suffolk County, Town of Huntington, no. 4359, John Geiser, 29 August
1915.
[24] Suffolk
County, New York, Deeds, book 943, pages 490-491, Marie Geiser to Agnes Marzka
4 January 1917; Office of the County Clerk, Riverhead, New York; photocopy in
files of Patty Hankins, Bethesda, MD, received 25 April 2022.
[25] 1920 U.S.
Census, New York, Kings County, Brooklyn, population schedule, Assembly
District 15, ED 0889, sheet 16A, line 26, Mary Geiser; digital image, Ancestry.com,
(https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6061/ : accessed 1 April
2022), image 31 of 52.
[26] 1925 New
York State Census, New York, Queens, Astoria, population schedule, election
district 38 , page 45, line 7-11, Gustav Apel household including Mary Geiser;
digital image, Ancestry.com,
(https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2704/ : accessed 7 April
2022), image 23 of 26.
[27] Marriage
License and Marriage Certificate, New York, Suffolk, Huntington, no. 1903,
Charles Albert Boppert and Marie Geiser, license 3 November 1926, marriage 5
November 1926; copy for genealogical purposes issued 11 April 2022.
[28] Department
of Health of the City of New York Bureau of Records, Standard Certificate of
Death, New York, Borough of Queens, no. 319, Maria Boppert, 11 Jan 1928;
digital image, "Historical Vital Records," New York City
Municipal Archive, NYC Department of Records & Information Services
(https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/view/7892553 : accessed 16 March
2022) image D-Q-1928-0000319.
[29] 1910 U.S.
Census, California, Marin County, Novato, population schedule, ED 0043, sheet
1B, line 74-75, John and Mary Geiser; digital image, Ancestry.com,
(https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/ : accessed 1 April
2022), image 2 of 31.
[30] Searches
on both Ancestry and Family Search for J* G*ser born in Germany with a wife M*
in 1880, 1900, and 1920 census did not identify any likely couples to the be
couple in Novato, Marin County in 1910.
[31] For 1925
Marin County directory, Email from Lori Deibel, Marin History Museum to Patty
Hankins. 8 April 2022.
For voter registrations, "California, U.S. Voter Registrations,
1900-1968," California, search for J* G*ser; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61066/
: accessed 7 Apr 2022). No one named John Geiser (search on J* G*ser) is listed
on the voter registration lists for Marin County. Of the John Geisers
registered to vote California between 1900-1920, of those with birth years
listed, none were born after 1835. The only John Geiser without birth year
listed was a Clerk in Los Angeles in 1916.
For death records, "California Deaths and Burials, 1776-2000", Familysearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3518938 :
accessed 15 April 2022). "California, County Birth and Death Records,
1800-1994", Familysearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2001287 :
accessed 15 April 2022). "California,Death Index, 1905-1939", Familysearch (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1932433 :
accessed 15 April 2022). Searches for John G*ser born 1845-1855, and Mary G*ser
born 1850-1860.
For burial records, Email from Lori Deibel, Marin History Museum to Patty
Hankins. 8 April 2022.
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