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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => US Lookup Requests => Topic started by: wcd2203 on Monday 19 October 15 19:07 BST (UK)
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Looking for information on the death of John Wolkerstorfer born in Germany 1872 ? and possibly died in US 1918 (family legend). Immigrated to Minnesota in 1884. Married Mary Pollreis in Minnesota 1900 and had 3 children. Family moved to Portland, Oregon circa 1912. Divorced Mary and was in California circa 1918 when he registered for WW I draft.
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Did he have any siblings? It looks like there are a lot of Wolkerstorfers in Minnesota.
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Here is a possibility if you know John's exact birth date ?
John A. Wolkerstorfer - 29 August 1871 passed away 1 August 1962 - Anoka Minnesota
Sandra
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The John above was married to Emelia Wolkerstorfer on the 1920 Census.
FIND A GRAVE
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=142143621&ref=acom
Looks unlikely. :'(
Sandra
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The WWI draft registration card has him as John Frank Wolkerstorfer born 13 Nov. 1878. He lists Mary as his wife and living in Oregon.
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Here's what I'm seeing based on the information given. His DOB seems to vary but I think 1878 is probably correct.
Marriage 1900 : https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FD6S-YV3
Family 1910 census w/ 3 children:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M2P8-GGX
Actual census Image : https://archive.org/stream/13thcensus1910po719unit#page/n991/mode/1up
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1920 census in Oregon. Mary is remarried. Newsclip has marriage license issued 31 Oct. 1915 in Portland to Frank Smith & Marie Wolkerstorfer.
Mary's age stated the same as in the 1900 census, but her POB changes? The kid's names and age are the same.
1920 census: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M48W-XRR
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1930 census : https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCSM-QQF
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This appears to be the WWI draft noted by the OP.
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZKZ-QMH
It list Mary as still his wife with his last name. The date of registration is 12 Sept 1918
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-917L-4T1
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The son Roman kept the surname Smith - Roman J Smith - 13 February 1903 passed away - 13 October 1967 Eugene Lane County Oregon.
FIND A GRAVE
Burial Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Portland Multnomah County Oregon.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=140455410&ref=acom
Spouse - Lenora Caroline Dickmeyer Smith 1910 - 2001
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=140455547
Mother - Maria Victoria Pollreis Smith 1880 - 1962
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=110215848
Brother - Bernard John "Bernie" Smith.
Burial Wilhelm's Portland Memorial Portland Multnomah County Oregon.
Plot: Good Shepherd South Tier 3 Vault 23
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=109816184
Sister - Clara Marie Elizabeth Wolkerstorfer Goetten
Burial - River View Cemetery Portland Multnomah County Oregon
Plot: Sec 109, Lot 328, Grave 15
Sandra
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In the 1916 Portland city directory, there are listings for Marie Wolkerstorfer and Mrs. Mary Wolkerstorfer, widow of John, both with home/residence at 589 Karl. Women who were separated from their husbands were commonly listed as a widow in those days, but it would be interesting to see her 2nd marriage record to see if she listed herself as divorced or widowed.
A family tree on Ancestry connects him with various Wolkerstorfers in Minnesota, so maybe there's an obit for a sibling that mentions him.
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His draft registration card shows a "general delivery" address, Marysville, Yuba County (California). His occupation was sheet metal, Bay Point Ship Co., Bay Point, Contra Costa County. Marysville and Contra Costa are quite a distance apart; perhaps he travelled around for work?
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A possibility, if he was born c1872?
Florida passenger list, arrived 20 September 1921 Key West, Florida, on board the Cuba
John Wolkerstorfer, married, age 48. If naturalized..."American Affidanitt". Address in U.S.: St. Paul "Miami" (should it be Minnesota?).
Or, maybe this is the John that Sandra found who was married to Emily.
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Thanks to all for the input.......