where2look4ancestors

Month: November 2012

  • Who was President?

    Do you remember who was running for office when you first became aware of politics? Who was in the White House when you were born? When your parents were children? When your ancestors immigrated? One of my grade school teachers held a mock election during the 1972 United States presidential…

  • Herman Mangels’ Inquest

    My 2nd great-grandfather attempted to take his own life January 7, 1912. Three days later Herman Mangels died in Dunning Hospital after succumbing to lobar pneumonia, the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Below is a transcription of the inquest record created after his death. “WITNESS SHEET Inquest upon the body of Herman…

  • Family Story Examined

    According to family lore, Herman Mangels drank often and his wife was tired of his drunkenness. She was supposed to have told him that the next time he came home intoxicated, he would be sent outside to sleep on the porch. As fate would have it (the story continues), Herman’s…

  • Chicago Illinois Inquest Record

    Obtaining inquest records from Cook County requires persistence. On July 30th I requested my paternal 2nd great-grandfather’s 1912 inquest record in a letter that said; “To whom this may concern, I would like a copy of the inquest record regarding Herman Mangels, my 2nd great-grandfather. Enclosed please find a copy of…