Hi Dieter
Good to hear from you and maybe you can help me on tracing my
ancestors.First I will tell you about my great,great grandfather.His name
was Gottfried Ulrich,he was born in Stechlin-Pomerania ,Germany, March
2,1837.His wife,Christina Schroeder was born in
Wollen-Pomerania,Germany,Oct.25,1834.They had eight children,namely Carl
(Charles),Wilhelmina,Louise Anna,William,Amelia,Agusta,Emma,and Fred.
Gottfried was the oldest of eight children.He was born near Statten near the
Oder river in Germany.He was drafted into military service during the Franco
German war of 1870 leaving his wife and children to care for themselves.This
was considered an honor to the country to do this.Gottfried was of medium
height with sandy hair and a muscular body.He was wounded in battle in the
war and crawled on top of some brush to keep out of the water and mud as it
was raining and freezing.He drank some strong wine and went to
sleep-wet,cold,and in a stupor. He awoke the next day,escaped from the enemy
and got back to his own troops.

This wound and exposure to the weather left him a semi-invalid.He returned
home to his wife and family unable to work much.They lived on a small farm
of about 20 acres near an army training center.Here, as a boy,Carl worked on
the farm and watched the hard training and abuse the soldiers took in the
compulsory military training.As he saw this he vowed the army officers would
never abuse him.Being the oldest son,he was expected to do the hard work to
support the family.The father was unable to work and the soldiers were given
no pension.His military service was considered his patriotic duty.

The German people were hardy,hard working,energetic and religious.Most of
them were Lutherans.They studied the bible in school.

The family's diet consisted of rye bread and vegetables which they grew in
their gardens.They were only permitted meat one meal per week and when their
income would permit they had fish such as smoked herring.

The Ulrichs raised rye on the farm which was cut by hand with a large sythe
called a harvest cradle.One person cut the rye,another followed tying it in
bundles using the long stalks of grain to tie it. Next was the task of
threshing the grain out of the straw which was done with sticks called
flails.The grain was then gathered and separated from the chaff and dust by
pouring from one tub to another with the wind blowing the chaff and dust
away.Some people ground their grain by pounding it with rocks.Some had stone
mills and others took their grain to the miller who had a large stone burr
mill which was turned by men or oxen.The miller kept a part of the flour for
grinding or was paid in money for his work.

As a teenager,Carl had gone to school when work at home would permit.He
acquired enough knowledge that he could have passed the test for the
army,but that was not what he wanted to do.Since he dispised military
service,he told his family that he was not going to serve or be trained for
military service when he became 18 years of age.Since he was born April
241864,he would need to be out of the country before 1881 or he would be
drafted.His parents ask him how he was going to excape military service
which was compulsory for all boys of age 18.He said he was going to America
where he could have freedom to live his own life and not be under the yoke
of military leaders.His parents decided they would have a hard life if he
left and they stayed in Germany.They had recieved letters from friends who
had migrated to America.These friends told of finding freedom and a good
life in America.With this encouragement they decided to sell their property
and move all their family and belongings to the new country.

The family consisted of the father and mother and eight children ranging in
age from two years to 17.There were three boys and five girls when they left
Germany.They packed their needed articles such as clothing and cooking
utensils in big trunks which were used for overseas travel.

They left on a small steamboat embarking at Bremen,Germany and traveled to
Hamburg,Germany.They were transferred to an ocean steamboat at Hamburg bound
for New York.After several weeks on the stormy ocean,the ship anchored in
New York.As they went ashore they had to go thru U.S. customs.There they had
interpreters.These men took their names,ages and country of former
residence.They also had to have their money changed to U.S. money.The
officials asked them where they intended to make their home.They said they
had friends near Olney,Illinois.They were told they should go to
Baltimore,Md.and take the B&O train which would take them to their
destination.

They rented a railroad box car and loaded all their belongings and the
family in it.Here they would eat,sleep,play and view the country as they
passed thru it.After the long rough dirty train ride they arrived in
Olney,Illinois where their railroad car was pulled onto a side track.There
they were permitted to live until they could find a home.

I hope this is not too long. I am trying to get information on Gottfried's
father and mother and his brothers and sisters names and date of birth and
date of death for all as far back as is possible.Where his exact location of
his farm was and how much it was sold for.
I would also like any info.about Christina,s ancestors.

Lowell Ulrich

Hardin, Kentucky