Unusual birth circumstance yields a treasure trove of genealogical information.

I was born in Stuttgart, Germany yet I am an American citizen and have been since the moment of my birth. You may wonder how this is possible.

My dad was in the US Army and was serving there at the time.

Four documents establish my birth and citizenship. Let’s look at each one and see what genealogical information they contain. (Since these are my personal documents in the current climate I will not be showing scans.)

The first document is my German birth certificate or Geburtskunde. This was issued by Stamdesamt Stuttgart-Bad Constant. This document shows my full name, my birth date, where I was born and who my parents are. Also, what religion they were (Catholic) and my mother’s maiden name.

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act, Effective December 24, 1952: “The following shall be citizens of the United States at birth: (3) a person born outside of the United States and its outlying possessions of parents both of whom are citizens of the United States and one of whom has had residence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions, prior to the birth of such person”.

In order to prove their citizenship and residence my parents had to submit the following forms:

Form FS-240, Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of The United States of America, which provided the following information for each of my parents:

Full name

Date of birth

Place of birth

Present address (at that time)

Address in the United States

Evidence of U. S. Citizenship (my father provided a birth certificate, my mother a passport)

Precise periods of physical presence in the United States

Place of Marriage

Date of Marriage

AE Form 360, Report of Child Born Abroad of American Parent(s), which provided the following information for each of my parents:

Father:

Full name

Race

Religion

Occupation

Birthplace

Birthdate

Present Residence Address

Precise periods and Places of Residence since birth

Mother:

Full name

Race

Religion

Name before Marriage

Birthplace

Birthdate

Passport Number, Issue Date, Expiration Date

Present Residence Address

Precise Periods and Places of Residence since birth

My parents submitted my German birth certificate and these forms (plus a statement from my father explaining why he used the middle name “Robert” when his birth certificate stated that his name was “William Hunsicker”) to the American Consulate General in Stuttgart-Bad Constatt, Germany and received Form FS-545, Certificate of Birth, Issued by the Department of State, Foreign Service of the United States of America. This form shows my full name, gender, place of birth, and date of birth. This form alone is what I use as my birth certificate when I renew my driver’s license.

If my father had not happened to be serving in the US Army in Germany when I was born all of this information would not be conveniently in one place.

The Genealogy section of About.com has more information here. 

Apparently obtaining copies of these documents for genealogical purposes if you are not the person involved or parents of that person would be extremely difficult.

Family of William Elmer Stauffer and Mildred Lefforts Leedom

Compared to my father’s family, my mother’s family is relatively simple. Since my mother was the only surviving child she inherited some of my grandparent’s documents.

My mother’s family moved around quite a lot in the thirties and forties but fortunately my birth documents (more on those can be found here) pointed in the right direction so that I was able to locate them on the 1940 Census.

William Elmer Stauffer, son of Ulysses Simpson Grant Stauffer (1869-1912) and Katherine Cramer (1867-1949), born 14 June 1899 in West Point, Upper Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, served in the US Army in World War I (30 April 1917 to 17 October 1919), and died 24 Oct 1977.

Sources for William Elmer Stauffer:

Birth Certificate issued 26 June 1942

The 1900 Census shows an 11 month old William Stauffer, born June 1899, living with his parents and grandparents in Upper Gwynedd Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

An Enlistment Record and Honorable Discharge from the US Army in World War I

The 1920 Census shows a 20 year old William E. Stauffer working as a jockey and living with his mother, Katherine Stauffer, a widow, on Overlook Ave. in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

A Certificate of Marriage states that he married Mildred L. Stauffer 12 March 1927

The 1930 Census shows William and his wife and daughter living with his brother Leon P. Stauffer and family along with his mother and sister at 210 Summit Ave. in Upper Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1940 Census shows William and his wife and daughter living on a farm in Hartsville Village, Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

A Record of Burial Place of a Veteran shows his dates of service as well as birth and death dates

The Social Security Death Index

On 12 March 1927 in Willow Grover, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA, he married Mildred Lefferts Leedom, daughter of Isaac Newton Leedom (1867-1941) and Mary Lena Johnson (1870-1956), born 19 June 1906 in Bethayres, Lower Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania,  United States and died 15 February 1986 in Warminster, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Mildred Lefferts Leedom:

The 1910 Census shows a 3 year old Mildred living with her parents I. Newton and Mary Lena Leedom on Walton Road in Moreland Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1920 Census shows a 13 year old Mildred living with her parents at 1737 Bristol Street in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The Certificate of Marriage to William E. Stauffer

The 1930 Census

The 1940 Census

Death Certificate No. 200062 states that Mildred L. Stauffer, born June 19, 1906, in Lower Moreland Twp., PA, died February 15, 1986 in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Children of William Elmer Stauffer and Mildred Lefferts Leedom:

Dorothy Mae Stauffer (1927-2007) married William Robert Hunsicker (1932-2002), had five children. His parent's family group sheet can be found here. This is my mother and father. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog. 

Herbert Elmer Stauffer was born and died 12 November 1928. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

If you have any questions or additional information on these individuals please comment on this post.

Family of Clifford Sheridan Hunsicker and Margaret Mary Smith

To determine what work I need to do to complete my father's (William Robert Hunsicker) family I have written out all of the information and sources I have.

After seeing how much information there is, I have decided to place my comments at the top.

The only person I have complete documentation for is William Robert Hunsicker, my father, because I inherited it directly from him. All other information not supported by documentation is from discussion with family members.

I need to get birth certificates, death certificates, and, in some cases, marriage certificates. It appears from what I have read that in order to get birth certificates for uncles and aunts I will have to get the death certificates first. Birth and death certificates come from the Pennsylvania state and (prior to 1906) county government. All marriage certificates come from county government. I will have to see what documents my cousins and my one remaining aunt have.

I will consult with the  members of the Lower Bucks Genealogy Club and see if my understanding is correct.

I need to speak to my Aunt Evelyn (who is my oldest living relative) to get more information on her family.

I would like anyone who is interested to comment on whether I need to get these documents for all of the individuals listed below.

The 1930 Census shows Clifford S. Hunsicker and Margaret M. Hunsicker, along with their first three children living at 111 Congress Street in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

1930 Federal Census ED 9-48 Sheet 7A (detail)

The 1940 Census Shows Clifford S. Hunsicker and Margaret M. Hunsicker, along with all five of their children living at 235 S Lincoln Ave in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, and living in the same place in 1935.

1940 US Federal Census ED 9-58 Sheet 9A (detail)

Clifford Sheridan Hunsicker, son of Sheridan Landis Hunsicker (1865-1916) and Emily Farquahar (1873-1965) was born 1 April 1903 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania,  United States, and died 3 July 1976 in Penndel, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Clifford Hunsicker:

Clifford appears on page 229 of A Genealogical History of the Hunsicker Family born 1 April 1903 the fourth child of Sheridan L. Hunsicker and Emily Farquahar.
The 1910 Census shows a 7 year old Clifford living with his parents at 2315 Germantown Ave. in Philadelphia, PA.

1910 US Federal Census ED 315 Sheet 12A Dwelling 224 (detail)

The 1920 Census shows a 16 year old Clifford working as a roofer and living with his widowed mother at 1633 Spencer Street in Philadelphia, PA.

1920 US Federal Census ED 1570 Sheet 13B Dwelling 294 (detail)

A Marriage Certificate shows that on February 7, 1925, Clifford S. Hunsicker and Margaret M. Smith  were united in marriage in accordance with License #39856 issued by the Clerk of the Orphan's Court of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
 A Certificate of Marriage shows that on February 7, 1925, Clifford S. Hunsicker and Margaret M. Smith were lawfully married at St. Michael's Church, Chester, PA, by Rev.John J. Toner. James Duffy and Mary Duffy were the witnesses.
The 1930 Census (shown above) shows a 26 year old Clifford working as an assistant freight-clerk for the steam railroad and living with his wife and  3 children at 111 Congress Street in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

The 1940 Census (shown above) shows a 37 year old Clifford working as a clerk for the Reading Steam Railroad and living with his wife and 5 children at 235 S Lincoln Ave in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, and living in the same place in 1935.
Death Certificate #541099 issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Health, Vital Statistics, states thay Clifford S. Hunsicker died on July 3, 1976 in Middletown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania,United States, of Accute Coronary Occlusion, Advanced Coronary Heart Disease, and Generalized Arteriosclerosis.
The Bucks County Courier Times 6 July 1976 Page B29 includes the obituary of Clifford S. Hunsicker.

In the future I will show images of and discuss Clifford's other documents in a separate post and put the link here.

On 7 February 1925 he married Margaret Mary Smith, daughter of Michael Arthur Smith (1871-1937) and  Elizabeth Dickson (1870-1945), born 27 April 1902 in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States,  and died 4 August 1955 In Bristol Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Margaret Mary Hunsicker:

The 1910 Census shows a 8 year old Margaret living with her parents on Franklin Ave in Cheltenham Township, PA.

1910 US Federal Census ED 70 Sheet 11A Dwelling 326 (detail)

The 1920 Census shows a 17 year old Margaret working as a weaver in a mill living with her parents at 123 Old Soldiers Road in Cheltenham Township, PA.

1920 US Federal Census ED 78 Sheet 5B Dwelling 98 (detail)

Margaret Mary Smith at work circa 1920

The 1930 Census (shown above) shows a 27 year old Margaret living with her husband and first 3 children at 111 Congress Street in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania,  United States.
The 1940 Census (shown above) shows a 37 year old Margaret living with her husband and 5 children at 235 S Lincoln Ave in Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, United States, and living in the same place in 1935.  

1955 Pennsylvania Death Index (Death Certificate to follow)

Funeral Card issued by Charles Swartz, Funeral Director, 323 East Washington Ave, Newtown, PA

He then married Lorraine Simmons, a widow, daughter of Edward J. Winder (1883-) and Catherine Unknown, who was born 14 Nov 1911 in Pennsylvania, USA and died Nov 1988 in Glenside, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States.

Sources for Lorraine Winder:

The 1920 Census shows Lorraine living with her parents in Middletown, Bucks County, PA.

Social Security Death Index

In the future I will show images of and discuss Margaret's other documents in a separate post and put the link here.

Children of Clifford S. and Margaret Mary:

John Joseph Hunsicker (1925-1933) married Unknown. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

Charles Thomas Hunsicker (1927-2006) married Evelyn Unknown. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

Mary Ann Hunsicker (1928-2000) USA, unmarried. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

Marjorie Theresa Hunsicker (1930-2003) married Alan Ellis Shaw (1922-2003), had four children. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

William Robert Hunsicker (1932-2002) married Dorothy Mae Hunsicker (1927-2007), had five children. Her parent's family group sheet can be found here. This is my father and mother. Due to privacy concerns detailed information on this individual will not be shown on this public blog.

If you have any questions or additional information on these individuals please comment on this post.

I joined my local genealogical society yesterday

Yesterday I went to the monthly meeting of the Lower Bucks Genealogy Club in Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I joined at the meeting.

Unfortunately I am not familiar with the area (I live in Hamilton Township, NJ) and I had some difficulty finding the meeting location despite locating it on Google Maps before I went. I arrived in the middle of a presentation on the great flood along the Delaware River Valley in 1955. The presentation lasted for the remainder of the meeting so I was not able to really meet and get to know the other members.

The presenter, Mary A. Shafer, has written an excellent book on the subject, Devastation on the Delaware: Stories  and Images of the Deadly Flood of 1955, which can be purchased here.

Documents Retrieved

I have gone through my parents (who are both deceased) papers to find vital records and other items of interest.

Here is what I found:

My father, William R. Hunsicker:

Marriage Certificate
Retirement request from US Army
Discharge (DD214) from US Army
Death Certificate
Funeral Expenses

My mother, Dorothy Mae (Stauffer) Hunsicker:

Marriage Certificate
Reissued Social Security Card (married name)
Medicare Card
Death Certificate
Funeral Expenses

Other interesting items:

Father's funeral guest register
Mother's funeral guest register
Grandfather's (mother's father) funeral guest register

In the future I will analyze the genealogical significance of these items.

My family tree is a total mess

With very few properly cited sources and lots of duplicate spouses and children from sloppy and lazy online tree matching my family tree is such a total mess that I have decided to rebuild it from scratch using the old tree as a guide rather than trying to correct all the mistakes.

I will be starting with both my mother's and father's direct ancestors and their immediate families and branch out from there.

I will report here my efforts to locate and properly cite sources for each person in the tree.

How I am learning more

I am listening to the following active genealogy podcasts:

Genealogy Gems Podcast  
An excellent source of genealogy news, information, techniques, and tools to do genealogy right.
The Genealogy Guys Podcast
Great information
Blog Talk Radio
The only live genealogy podcast that you can interact with either by chatting or calling in.

I have also subscribed to the Genealogy Gems Premium Podcast.

I have also listened to Family History - Genealogy Made Easy and learned that I have not been doing nearly all that I can do to research my family history.

I have also purchased Roots Magic 5 and it's source templates are teaching me how to cite sources properly.