Ancestry Board opens Huber & Trumpi Research

Sometimes the world opens up for you suddenly based upon a tiny bit of information.

I decided to focus on John Huber and Bertha Trumpi.  They arrived in the States separately, both
in 1903. They settled in the Swiss Colonies of Wisconsin, were married, and had a child, my wife’s
grandmother, while there. They moved to Alabama before 1910, had another child, then moved to Michigan before 1920. I had neither of their parents’ names, although because of some photographs, I was pretty sure that John’s father was Jakob and possible names for his mother (Frieda & Kath).  I knew absolutely nothing about Bertha’s parents. 

I found them in the 1905 Wisconsin Census.  They were married by then and living in Dane County, Wisconsin. From that, I knew that they married between 1903 and 1905. I searched and searched and just couldn’t find them. I noticed a Johana marrying during the time but discounted that.  

I recently took a class (I think it was a Legacy webinar) where the old surname boards on various systems were mentioned. The webinar reminded me to be sure to use surname boards as a resource.  So, feeling frustrated about my not being
able to find John and Bertha’s marriage information, I posted a query to the (free) Ancestry Board – Dane County, Wisconsin. It was the first time I
had posted to a board in over a decade.  I posted:

I’m looking for information regarding the marriage of John Huber and Bertha Trumpi (Trumpy, Trumphi). Bertha arrived in the US about 1903. She and John were married before 1 June 1905 most likely in Green or Dane County. They lived in Primrose, Dane County in the 1905 Wisconsin Census.

I was astounded — In 8 hours and 10 minutes, I had a reply.

Wisconsin Marriage Records

• Groom – Johann Huber born Windlack, Switzerland.
  • His father Jacob Huber, his mother Kath Stuckinger. They married 2 March 1905 in New Glarus, Green Co., Wisconsin.
• Bertha Trumpe
  • Father Bernard Trumpe Mother Bertha Koch
• This would more than likely have taken place in the Swiss Church in New Glarus…

Of course, I felt stupid having seen Johana before. Knowing the date I easily found the entries on Family Search.  (I don’t know why my searches for Trumpi, Trumpy didn’t find her before. )  I thought about ordering a copy of the certificate from Wisconsin. They want $20.00 and will send you a copy of the certificate if they find it.  (I’ve had bad experiences with doing that in other states and didn’t want to go down that path.)  I saw Family Search has the microfilm available, so I decided to order that media. I’ve never ordered microfilm to look at a Family Heritage Center, so I thought I’d try that.  The film is still in processing, but I did find three other marriage records on the same film that I’m interested in seeing as well. (All Trumpi’s in New Glarus, Wisconsin.)  So, I’m looking forward to seeing the microfilm.  

In one fell swoop, I had solidified John/Johann’s parents’ names, which was really great because I had a family photo that contained them. 

I wasn’t sure until I found this index if they were parents, uncles, and aunts or what; now I’m sure.  The record also included Bertha’s parents’ names. It moves my Darling/Huber tree,  Generation 4, from 50% to 100%. I still have to fill in many blanks, but I at least have names, places, and places to start.

I looked for Bertha Trumpe and found a family tree containing a “Bertha/Retha Trumpe” who came to the States in 1905 and eventually moved to California.  Family oral history indicated that Bertha’s mother came to the states and went out to California.  I looked a little closer at those entries and found that Retha came over from Glarus, Switzerland, to see a daughter, Bertha Trumpe, in New Glarus, Wisconsin.  I looked carefully at the 1900 and the 1910 census records and didn’t find anyone else named Bertha Trumpe near New Glarus so I’m sure it is the right parent.

Retha came to the States very pregnant with three children. She was so pregnant that on the second day of the trip, she gave birth to a boy.  Of course, that raises the question of why she would leave Switzerland when pregnant. What happened in Switzerland still needs answers.  It was a descendant of the baby boy born on the cruise that had the tree, missing Bertha that tuned me into the family thing. 

I also wonder greatly why a Swiss family would move from Wisconsin to Alabama. Certainly against most migration patterns. That will take some more investigation. 

The tree I found indicated that Bertha/Retha Trumpi married Kaspar Hefti in 1914. Also, I see where other Hefti’s have married other Trumpi’s. So there are many family relationships to untangle.  It will definitely keep me busy for a while.  I’ll start what I call a deep dive for Trumpi’s in the New Glarus area from 1880 to 1920 and see what I find.  It is always exciting to find new cousins.

A quick, well-focused question on the right location or surname board can make a huge difference.