Amanuensis Monday: Peter STROESSER’s (Harry’s dad’s) birth certificate

Ah, I feel such a sense of completion now that I have finished presenting all the Luxembourgish sources for Harry STROESSER and his siblings. But there is still much to come: now we move back a generation and look at Harry’s parents. Today it is his father, Peter STROESSER.

Peter STROESSER was the son of another Peter STROESSER and his wife Anna Maria MERTZ, the fifth child of a total of eleven. He was born on 4 June 1834 in Ettelbrück, Diekirch, Luxembourg.

This image has been trimmed from the original at FamilySearch.

 

Transcription (the italicized parts were handwritten on the record):

Im Jahre tausend acht hundert vier und dreißig, den Sechsten des

Monats Juni , um vier Uhr des Nachmittag ist,

vor uns Wilhelm hackmans , Beamter des Civilstandes der Gemeinde

von Ettelbruck , Kanton von Diekirch , in der Provinz

Lützemburg, erschienen Peter Stroesser

alt dreyzig sechs Jahre, Vater des Neugebohrnen

wohnhaft in dieser Gemeinde, welcher uns Ein Kind vor gezeigt gebohren

den Vier um dieses Monats um acht, dass des Morgens.

von seiner Ehefrau Anna maria Mertz sind

ihm vater dieses Kind männlichen Geschleicht

und welchem er den Vornamen Peter

geben zu wollen erklärt hat.

Welche Erklärung und Vorstellung in Gegenwart des Johann Herr

Sattler , alt dreyzig zwei Jahre, von Ettelbruck

und des Joseph Chomé , alt zwanzig zwei

Jahre, von Ettelbruck die in dieser Gemeinde wohnhaft sind, Statt gehabt haben;

und haben

den gegenwärtigen Geburts=Akt, nachdem er ihnen vorher vorgelesen worden ist, mit uns

unterschriben.

Line by line Translation:

In the Year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, the Sixth of the

Month of June at four o'clock in the Afternoon is

before us Wilhelm hackmans Officials of the Civil State of the Commune

of Ettelbruck , Canton of Diekirch , in the Province

Luxembourg, appeared Peter Stroesser

aged thirty six Years, Father of the Newborn

residing in this Commune, which to us A Child before shown born

the Four of this Month at eight, that Morning

of his Wife Anna maria Mertz is

his father this Child male Gendered

and which he the First Name Peter

has declared to want to give.

Which Statement and Presentation in the Presence of Johann Herr

Saddler , aged thirty two Years, of Ettelbruck

and Joseph Chomé , aged twenty two

Years, of Ettelbruck residing in this Commune, Instead have had;

and have

the current Birth-Deed, after having been previously read to them, with us

signed

Obviously, the phrasing of the German in this certificate has left me puzzled for an elegant translation, but I believe the meaning is still comprehensible.

Source:

Ettelbrück, Diekirch, Luxembourg, birth certificate no. 61 (1834), Peter Stroesser; digital image #1295 of 1477, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, “Naissances 1797-1804 Naissances, mariages, décès 1804-1805 Naissances 1805-1838,” FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 19 Oct 2014). 

Amanuensis Monday: Clara STROESSER’s birth certificate

It was nearly a year after the passing of Catharina STROESSER before my great-great grandmother Barbara THINES gave birth to her eighth and final child, Clara. 

This image has been trimmed from the original at FamilySearch.

Transcription (the italicized parts were handwritten on the record):

Im Jahre tausend acht hundert fünf und achtzig, den neunten

des Monats Januar um sechs Uhr Nach mittags ist vor Uns

Mathius Probst, delegirten Shöffen Beamten des Civilstandes

der Gemeinde folscheid , im Kanton Redingen , Groß=

herzogthum Luxemburg, erschienen Peter Streusser

alt vierzig acht Jahre Eisenhändler

wohnhaft zu Schweidelbruch , welcher Uns ein Kind weiblichen

Geschlechts vorgestellt hat, geboren Schweidelbruch gestern

um Zehn Uhr Nach mittags, im Hause Nr. ----- Gasse,

erzeugt von Ihre Comparenten und seine Ehegattin Barbara Thinnes,

alt dreizig acht Jahre, ohne Stand, wohnhaft im selben Orte

und welchem er den Vornamen Clara

geben zu wollen erklärt hat.

Diese Erklärung und Vorstellung sind geschehen in Gegenwart des Nicolas Wilmes

alt fünfzig drei , alt dreizig acht [unintelligible] Jahre Straßenwärter

wohnhaft zu Bondorf und des Johann Peter Stephany

alt dreizig neun Jahre Notar Gehilfe

wohnhaft zu Rambruch und haben die Comparenten diese

Urkunde, nachdem sie ihnen vorgelesen worden, mit Uns unterschrieben.

Line by line Translation:

In the Year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-five, the ninth

of the Month of January at six o'clock After noon is before Us

Mathius Probst, delegate Alderman Officials of the Civil State

of the Commune of folscheid , in the Canton Redange , Grand-

duchy of Luxembourg, appeared Peter Streusser

aged forty-eight Years Iron Merchant

residing in Schweidelbruch , which to us a child of the female

Gender has presented, born in Schweidelbrouch yesterday

at Ten O’clock After noon, in House No. ----- Street,

begat by The Appearing Party and his Lawful Wife Barbara Thinnes,

aged thirty-eight Years, without Occupation, residing in same Place

and which he the First Name Clara

has declared to want to give.

This Statement and Presentation are done in the Presence Nicolas Wilmes

aged fifty-three , aged thirty-eight [unintelligible] Years, Street Warder

residing in Bondorf and Johann Peter Stephany

aged thirty-nine Years Assistant Notary

residing in Rambrouch and have the Appearing Parties this

Deed, having been read to them, with us signed.

There is an area of confusion in the witnesses on this document: Nicolas WILMES seems to be assigned two ages, and the word which might explain it all is squished so tightly between “dreizig acht” and “Jahre” that I am unable to make it out. If anyone has any insight into this confusion, I would love to hear it!

With the birth of Clara STROESSER, the STROESSER household consisted of two parents: Peter STROESSER and Barbara THINES; and six living children: Michel, age 11; Baltasar, age 9; Anna, age 8; my great-grandfather Harry, age 6; Johann-Nicolas, age 4 (but who would be 5 the following day); and baby Clara.

Later, after the death of their parents, several of these children would make the long journey across the Atlantic to the New World. According to family lore, though I have not yet been able to find the ship manifest, Clara traveled with her brother, my great-grandfather, Harry STROESSER to the United States. Given the hint in the manifest of the S.S. Finland, which carried their brother Nicolas in 1907, and which I mentioned in my post on hisbirth certificate, I have been able to uncover some evidence that Clara, Harry, and Nicolas first settled in Estherville, Emmet, Iowa. Harry and Clara, at least, were both residing there in 1904.

Again according to family lore, Harry disliked Clara’s husband and moved to Omaha, Nebraska when they were married. What little evidence I have found supports this: Clara appeared in the 1905 Iowa state census and was married to Nicholas FANK that same year. I was unable to find Harry in that census, so he had likely already departed.

I have added a template for an 1885 birth certificate to the collection.

Sources:

1905 Iowa state census, Emmet, Iowa, population schedule, Estherville Ward 2, p. 371 (population schedule card), Clara Strosser; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 Feb 2015); citing GS Film Number: 001430397, Digital Folder Number: 007486245, Image Number: 01524; State Historical Department, Des Moines; FHL microfilm 1,430,397.

FamilySearch, “Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934,” database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 25 Feb 2015), entry for Nick Fank and Clara Strasser’s 1905 marriage; citing Estherville, Emmet, Iowa, United States, county courthouses, Iowa.

Folschette, Luxembourg, birth certificate no. 4 (1885), Clara Streusser; digital image #995 of 1489, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, “Naissances 1821-1890 Mariages 1800-1823, 1797-1830,” FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 Jul 2010).

Janet M. Young, “Estherville City Directory, 1904: Estherville, Iowa,” database, Emmet County, Iowa: IAGenWeb (http://iagenweb.org/emmet/1904dir.html : accessed 25 Feb 2015), entry for Clara Strosser; Compliments of The Estherville Democrat, October 1904.

Janet M. Young, “Estherville City Directory, 1904: Estherville, Iowa,” database, Emmet County, Iowa: IAGenWeb (http://iagenweb.org/emmet/1904dir.html : accessed 25 Feb 2015), entry for Henry Strosser; Compliments of The Estherville Democrat, October 1904.

Amanuensis Monday: Catharina STROESSER’s death certificate

Despite all the high hopes the STROESSER family might have had upon the birth of their daughter Catharina so shortly after the death of little Johann, Catharina lived only a short time as well. She passed away on 14 Feb 1884, just over a month after her first birthday.

This image has been trimmed from the original at FamilySearch.

Transcription (the italicized parts were handwritten on the record):

Im Jahre tausend acht hundert vier und achtzig, den vierzehnten

des Monats februar um acht Uhr Vor mittags sind vor Uns

Johann Eduard Brasesel, Bürgermeister, Beamten des Civilstandes

der Gemeinde Folscheid , im Kanton Redingen Groß=

herzogthum Luxemburg, erschienen Peter Stroesser,

alt vierzig sechs Jahre Eisenhändler

wohnhaft zu Schwiedelbruch, Vater des Vestorbenen

und Johann Peter Stephany , alt dreiszig acht Jahre

Notar-Gehilfe , wohnhaft zu Rambruch

Diese haben Uns erklärt, daß Catharina Stroesser

alt dreizehn Monate Jahre, ohne Stand

geboren zu Schwiedelbruch , wohnhaft zu selben

Schwiedelbrouch, Zochter des ersten Comparenten und seiner Ehegattin

Barbara Thinnes, alt dreiszig sechs Jahre, ohne Stand, wohnhaft

im selben Orte

verschieden ist gestern um Zwei Uhr Nach mittags,

zu geneltem Schwiedelbruch

und haben beide Anzeiger gegenwärtige Urkunde, nachdem sie ihnen vorgelesen worden,

mit Uns unterschrieben.

Line by line Translation:

In the Year one thousand eight hundred eighty-four, the fourteenth

of the Month of february at eight o’clock Before noon have before Us

Johann Eduard Brassel, Burgermeister, Officials of the Civil State

of the Commune of Folschette , in the Canton Redange Grand-

duchy of Luxembourg, appeared Peter Stroesser,

aged forty six Years Blacksmith

residing in Schwiedelbrouch, Father of the Deceased

and Johann Peter Stephany , aged thirty eight Years

Notary-Assistant , residing in Rambrouch

This has been declared to Us, that Catharina Stroesser

aged thirteen Months Years, without Occupation

born in Schwiedelbrouch , residing in same

Schwiedelbrouch, Daughter of the first Appearing Party and his Wife

Barbara Thinnes, aged thirty six Years, without Occupation, residing

in same Place

deceased is yesterday at Two o’clock After noon,

in same Schwiedelbrouch

and have both Informants the present deed, having been read to them,

with Us signed.

There, again, is that Notar-Gehilfe, but I am growing more certain about my translation of Notary-Assistant.

Source:

Folschette, Redange, Luxembourg, death certificate no. 4 (1884), Catharina Stroesser; digital image #67 of 142, Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, “Décès 1879-1889,” FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 Nov 2014).

Amanuensis Monday: Catharina STROESSER’s birth certificate

When my great-grandfather Harry STROESSER’s brother, little 18-month old Johann STROESSER, passed away on 23 Nov 1882, his mother Barbara THINES must have been pregnant. What a blow to any parent is the death of a child, but how much more distressing must it be to a pregnant woman!

The expected child arrived less than two months after the death of its brother, on 9 Jan 1883. This child was a girl, christened Catharina.

This image has been trimmed from the original at FamilySearch.

 

Transcription (the italicized parts were handwritten on the record):

Im Jahre tausend acht hundert drei und achtzig, den neunten

des Monats Januar um sieben Uhr Nach mittags ist vor Uns

Johann Eduard Brassel, Bürgermeister, Beamten des Civilstandes

der Gemeinde folscheid , im Kanton Redingen , Gross=

herzogthum Luxemburg, erschienen Peter Stroesser,

alt vierzig sieben Jahre Eisenhándler

wohnhaft zu Schwiedelbruch , welcher Uns ein Kind weiblichen

Geschlechts vorgestellt hat, geboren zu Schweidelbruch heute

um sechs Uhr Nach mittags, im Hause Nr. -- Gasse,

erzeugt von Zie Comparenten und seiner Ehegattin Barbara Thinnes,

alt dreiszig sieben Jahre, ohne Stand, wohnhaft in selben Orte

und welchem er den Vornamen Catharina

geben zu wollen erklärt hat.

Diese Erklärung und Vorstellung sind geschehen in Gegenwart des Johann Punsch

-- alt dreiszig acht Jahre Tag löhner

wohnhaft zu Schwiedelbruch und des Johann Peter Stephany

-- alt dreiszig acht Jahre Notar=Gehilfe

wohnhaft zu Rambruch und haben die Comparenten diese

Urkunde, nachdem sie ihnen vorgelesen worden, mit Uns unterschrieben.

Line by line Translation:

In the Year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three, the ninth

of the Month of January at seven o'clock After noon is before Us

Johann Eduard Brassel, Burgermeister, Officials of the Civil State

of the Commune of folscheid , in the Canton Redange , Grand-

duchy of Luxembourg, appeared Peter Stroesser,

aged forty-seven Years Ironmonger

residing in Schwiedelbruch , which to us a child of the female

Gender has presented, born in Schweidelbruch today

at six O’clock After noon, in House No. -- Street,

begat by The Appearing Party and his Wife Barbara Thinnes,

aged thirty-seven Years, without Position, residing in the same place

and which her the First Name Catharina

has declared to want to give.

This Statement and Presentation are done in the Presence of Johann Punsch

-- aged thirty-eight Years, Day laborer

residing in Schwiedelbruch and Johann Peter Stephany

-- aged thirty-eight Years Notary-Assistant

residing in Rambrouch and have the Appearing Parties this

Deed, having been read to them, with us signed.

You may notice a familiar witness on Catharina’s birth certificate. Johann Peter Stephany had also appeared as a witness on the death certificate of little Johann. Although I have not determined the word following “Notar” beyond the shadow of a doubt, I feel much more confident this week in declaring it to be “Gehilfe” than I did last week in calling it “Gesuche.”

Source:

Folschette, Luxembourg, birth certificate no. 3 (1883), Catharina Stroesser; digital image #966 of 1489, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "Naissances 1821-1890 Mariages 1800-1823, 1797-1830," FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 Jul 2010).

Amanuensis Monday: Johann STROESSER’s death certificate

Last week we saw the birth of my great-grandfather Harry STROESSER’s younger brother Johann. Today we see that his parents’ joy lasted only a short while; Johann died just a year and a half later. Unfortunately, his death certificate does not name the cause of his death, so we can only speculate on what took the life of such a young child. Fatal diseases were more common in small children then than they are today, but it could as easily have been some sort of tragic accident.

This image has been trimmed from the original at FamilySearch.

Transcription (the italicized parts were handwritten on the record):

Im Jahre tausend acht hundert zwei und achtzig, den drei und zwanzigsten

des Monats November um Zehn Uhr Vor- mittags sind vor Uns

Johann Eduard Brassel, Bürgermeister Beamten des Civilstandes

der Gemeinde folscheid , im Kanton Redingen , Großher=

zogthum Luxemburg, erschienen Dominick Lamberto

alt sechszig Jahre, Taglöhner

wohnhaft zu Schwiedelbruch, Nachbar des Verstorbenen

und Johann Peter Stephany , alt dreiszig sieben Jahre

Notar=Gesuche [?] wohnhaft zu Rambruch

Diese haben Uns erklärt, daß Johann Stroesser

alt achtzehn Monate Jahre, –

geboren zu Schwiedelbruch , wohnhaft zu selben Schwiedelbruch,

Sohn der [words not yet successfully distinguished] Peter Stroesser, Eisenhändler und Barbara

Thinnes, ohne Stand

verschieden ist heute um vier Uhr Vor mittags,

zu gemeltem Schwiedelbruch

und haben beide Anzeiger gegenwärtige Urkunde, nachdem sie ihnen vorgelesen worden,

mit Uns unterschrieben.

Line by line Translation:

In the Year one thousand eight hundred eighty-two, the twenty third

of the Month of November at Ten o’clock Before- noon have before Us

Johann Eduard Brassel, Burgermeister Officials of the Civil State

of the Commune of folschette , in the Canton Redange , Grand-

duchy of Luxembourg, appeared Dominick Lamberto

aged sixty Years, Day laborer

residing in Schwiedelbrouch, Neighbor of the Deceased

and Johann Peter Stephany , aged thirty seven Years

Notary-Seeker [?] residing in Rambrouch

This has been declared to Us, that Johann Stroesser

aged eighteen Months Years, --

born in Schwiedelbrouch , residing in same Schwiedelbrouch,

Son of the [aforesaid?] Peter Stroesser, Ironmonger and Barbara

Thinnes, without Occupation

deceased is today at four o’clock Before noon,

in same Schwiedelbrouch

and have both Informants the present deed, having been read to them,

with Us signed.

You will note that in the transcription of this certificate I have a few uncertainties. Firstly, my translation of “Notar=Gesuche” as “Notary-Seeker.” I am not at all sure that I have correctly transliterated the second part of that word, but it is the only way I have managed to come up with that made any sort of sense whatsoever. Little enough sense it makes, though.

Secondly, there are a few words identifying Johann’s parents which I have yet been unable to recognize; however the context implies that they would mean something in the nature of “aforesaid.” I have no doubt that, given a few hours, I could ferret out what the exact words are, but I have deemed it more important at this point (since their meaning is not vital to the comprehension of the certificate) to finish the blog post.

Source:

Folschette, Redange, Luxembourg, death certificate no. 34 (1882), Johann Stroesser; digital image #53 of 142, Chuch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "Décès 1879-1889," FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 21 Nov 2014).

Amanuensis Monday: Johann STROESSER’s birth certificate

The stork visited my great-great-grandparents Peter STROESSER and Barbara THINES for the sixth time on 14 May 1881.

This image has been trimmed from the original at FamilySearch.

Transcription (the italicized parts were handwritten on the record):

Im Jahre tausend acht hundert ein und achtzig, den fünfzehnten

des Monats Mai um neun Uhr Vor mittags ist vor Uns

Joahnn Edouard Brassel, Bürgermeister Beamten des Civilstandes

der Gemeinde folschette , im Kanton Redingen , Gross=

herzogthum Luxemburg, erschienen Peter Stroesser

alt vierzig sieben Jahre Eisenhändler

wohnhaft zu Schvidelbrouch , welcher Uns ein Kind mannlichen

Geschlechts vorgestellt hat, geboren Schvidelbrouch gestern

um zehn Uhr Vor mittags, im Hause Nr. -- Gasse,

erzeugt von Zie Conparentan und seiner Ehegattin Barbara Thinnes

alt dreißig sieben Jahre, ohne Stand, wohnhaft in selben Orte

und welchem er den Vornamen Johann

geben zu wollen erklärt hat.

Diese Erklärung und Vorstellung sind geschehen in Gegenwart des Johann Peter Kloth

-- , alt vierzig acht Jahre Handelsmann

wohnhaft zu Folschette und des Johann Claren

Sohn , alt zwanzig sieben Jahre Aus rufer

wohnhaft zu Rambrouch und haben die Comparenten diese

Urkunde, nachdem sie ihnen vorgelesen worden, mit Uns unterschrieben.

Line by line Translation:

In the Year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one, the fifteenth

of the Month of May at nine o'clock Before noon is before Us

Johann Edouard Brassel, Burgermeister Officials of the Civil State

of the Commune of folschette , in the Canton Redange , Grand-

duchy of Luxembourg, appeared Peter Stroesser

aged forty-seven Years Ironmonger

residing in Schwiedelbrouch , which to us a child of the male

Gender has presented, born in Schwiedelbrouch yesterday

at ten O’clock Before noon, in House No. -- Street,

begat by The Appearing Party and his Wife Barbara Thinnes

aged thirty-seven Years, without Position, residing in the same place

and which to him the First Name Johann

has declared to want to give.

This Statement and Presentation are done in the Presence Johann Peter Kloth

-- , aged forty-eight Years Merchant

residing in Folschette and Johann Claren

Junior , aged twenty-seven Years Town crier

residing in Rambrouch and the Appearing Parties have this

Deed, having been read to them, with us signed.

Incidentally, I love that one of the witnesses on this certificate is the town crier. It certainly reminds one that this was another time and another place!

Oh, and if you have found a birth certificate from Luxembourg that you would like to try to transcribe and translate, I am starting to get a fair-sized collection of templates posted. In honor of Johann STROESSER I have added one for the year 1881.

Source:

Folschette, Luxembourg, birth certificate no. 17 (1881), Johann Stroesser; digital image #938 of 1489, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, “Naissances 1821-1890 Mariages 1800-1823, 1797-1830,” FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 11 Jul 2010).

Amanuensis Monday: Nicolas STROESSER’s birth certificate

Again we return to the growing family of my great-grandparents, Peter STROESSER and Barbara THINES, residing in Heispelt, Wahl, Redange, Luxembourg. Time has passed since the last time we visited them, and it is now January of the year 1880. Their four children have grown a bit: Michel is six years old, Baltasar is four, Anna is three, and little Johann—who will much later become my great-grandfather Harry—is fourteen months.

On January 9^th, the family grows by one more member: Johann Nicolas arrives.

This image has been trimmed from the original at FamilySearch.

Transcription (the italicized parts were handwritten on the record):

Im Jahre tausend acht hundert achtzig, den zehnten

des Monats Januar um vier Uhr Nach mittags ist vor Uns

Theodore Welbes Bürgermeister Beamten des Civilstandes

der Gemeinde Wahl, im Kanton Redingen, Gross=

herzogthum Luxemburg, erschienen Peter Stroesser Eisenhändeler

alt vierzig sechs Jahre

wohnhaft zu Heispelt, welcher Uns ein Kind männlichen

Geschlechts vorgestellt hat, geboren zu Heispelt Gestern

um zwei Uhr Nach mittags, im Hause Nr. ----- Gasse,

erzeugt von seiner Ehefrau Barbara Thinnes ohne Gewerb

Alt dreißig fünf Jahre wohnhaft zu Heispelt

und welchem er den Vornamen Johann Nicolas

geben zu wollen erklärt hat.

Diese Erklärung und Vorstellung sind geschehen in Gegenwart des Philippe

Hendel Ackerer, alt dreißig neun Jahre

wohnhaft zu Kuborn und des Peter Simon

Pächter, alt fünfzig vier Jahre

wohnhaft zu Kuborn und haben die Comparenten diese

Urkunde, nachdem sie ihnen vorgelesen worden, mit Uns unterschrieben.

Line by line Translation:

In the Year one thousand eight hundred and eighty, the tenth

of the Month of January at four o'clock After noon is before Us

Theodore Welbes Burgermeister Officials of the Civil State

of the Commune of Wahl, in the Canton Redange, Grand-

duchy of Luxembourg, appeared Peter Stroesser Iron Merchant

aged forty-six Years

residing in Heispelt, which to us a child of the male

Gender has presented, born in Heispelt Yesterday

at two O’clock After noon, in House No. ----- Street,

begat by his wife Barbara Thinnes without Occupation

Aged twenty-five Years residing in Heispelt

and which he the First Name Johann Nicolas

has declared to want to give.

This Statement and Presentation are done in the Presence of Philippe

Hendel Farmer, aged twenty-nine Years,

residing in Kuborn and Peter Simon

Leaser, aged fifty-four Years

residing in Kuborn and the Appearing Parties have this

Deed, having been read to them, with us signed.

Nick, as he was later called among my family, though I rather doubt if any of them (apart from his brother, of course) had ever met him. He traveled to to U.S. aboard the S.S. Finland, which left Antwerp on 13 July 1907. He seems to have traveled alone on that long voyage; no other STROESSERs appear in that ship’s manifest. He lists his brother H STROESSER (my great-grandfather Harry) as the relative he will be joining. Interestingly, this is the only document I have yet seen that records Harry’s residence as Estherville, Iowa. This may be a clue for where to find some of those records for which I still seek. Even more interestingly, this manifest records that Nick has been in the U.S. before, in 1905. Apparently Nick was doing well enough to travel back and forth across the Atlantic.

By U.S. Navy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

He waited until he reached U.S. before marrying, therefore his birth certificate is the only Luxembourgish record I have regarding Nick STROESSER. His children were born in the U.S., and he probably also died in the U.S.

Sources:

Wahl, Redange, Luxembourg, birth certificate no. 3 (1880), Johann Nicolas Stroesser; digital image #166 of 1475, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, “Naissances 1867-1890 Mariages 1796-1797, 1800-1804, 1805-1823, 1796-1803, 1805-1890 Décès 1797-1803, 1805-1828,” FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 30 May 2010).

“New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957,” online images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 14 Feb 2010), manifest, S.S. Finland, 24 July 1907, Nicholas Stroesser, line 21, pages 102-103. Citing Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957. Microfilm Publication T715, Microfilm Roll: Roll 0950. Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; National Archives at Washington, D.C.