Getting started with the Werner family
The Werner Family research is primarily based on Amanda Barbara Becker (née Werner) who married Charles Tobias Becker on September 30, 1915. Amanda and Charles Tobias were the parents of five Becker children: Arthur, Irene, Charles, Joyce and Donald.
The following description on this page provides a broad overview of the Werner Family.
The following description on this page provides a broad overview of the Werner Family.
Werner Family Tree
Click on the Werner Family Tree button below to view an illustrative chart of the family members, their relationships to one another, important dates, locations and marriage information where possible.
Meet Amanda Werner & Family
Amanda Barbara Werner was born on February 25, 1893 to Friederich Werner and Pauline Werner (née Kirschner) in Blue Island, IL. She was the third child of four children to be born between Friederich Werner (also used the name “Fred” in all Census documentation) and Pauline Werner. The children were as follows: Freida born in 1888, Ferdinand born in 1890, Amanda born in 1893, Hedwig born in 1898 (found in the 1900 U.S. Census documentation).
Difficult Times for the Werner's
According to the 1900 U.S. Census, Friederich Werner was now
a widower with four children. Perhaps Pauline died during child birth with
Hedwig. The cause of death is, however, unknown—but it was likely a great
hardship on the family.
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In the 1900 Census, Freida is age 12, Ferdinand is age 10, Amanda is age 7, and Hedwig (aka Hattie) is age 1. We believe that Hattie is actually a shortened name for “Hedwig” who holds the same birth year and appears in later Census documents. Friederich indicates the following in the Census: He was born in Germany in 1864, both his parents were born in Germany, he immigrated to the United States in 1883, he currently owns a home (in Blue Island), and that he is working as a Teamster in the Lumber yard.
A New Beginning For Friederich...
According to the 1910 U.S. Census, Friederich Werner was re-married to Augusta (née Nimtz) six years prior to this Census. This means he must have re-married in about 1904, and during this time the Werner family welcomed a new a step-daughter/sister, Alma Nimtz, who was the same age as Amanda. In 1910, Freida is now age 23, Ferdinand is age 20, Amanda is age 17, Alma is age 17 and Hedwig is now age 11. Friederich is now age 44 and is working as a Foreman in a Lumber Yard.
Below, is a Werner family photo with each of these members dressed in formal attire. It appears the photo was taken by a professional in a studio. We believe this photo was taken sometime shortly after the new marriage between Friederich and Augusta in 1904, but before 1910 (the year of the Census).
Below, is a Werner family photo with each of these members dressed in formal attire. It appears the photo was taken by a professional in a studio. We believe this photo was taken sometime shortly after the new marriage between Friederich and Augusta in 1904, but before 1910 (the year of the Census).
Wedding Bells Chime For Amanda...
Amanda Werner married Charles Tobias Becker on September 30, 1915. Amanda was 22 and Charles was 24 at the time of their marriage. The marriage took place in Blue Island, IL, however, there are no known details about what the ceremony may have been like or even how the couple met. If they met in school, they must have known each other for a long time, as we know both Amanda and Charles finished schooling in the 8th grade (as seen in the 1940 U.S. Census).
New Addition to the Family
According to the 1920 U.S. Census, Friederich was now age 55 and was currently working as a Store Keeper. At the time, it is reported that Friederich and Augusta have a biological son, Gearhardt who is age 9. We assume he was born in about 1911. Alma Nimtz (step-daughter), was age 27, and they were all living together at home in Calumet Township.
Pictured to the right: Augusta Werner (née Nimtz; step-mother of Amanda Werner), Amanda Werner and Gearhardt Werner (Friederich and Augusta's new born son).
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Also noted in the 1920 U.S. Census, Hedwig ("Hattie" or later known as "Aunt Happy") is found to be living with her sister Amanda Becker and brother-in-law Charles Tobias Becker. At the time, the young couple (Amanda and Charles) is also caring for their first born child, Arthur who was just two years and three months old at the time of the Census.
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Amanda Werner & the Final Years
Amanda was a hard working mother of five children. When she wasn't taking care of her husband and kids she cleaned homes for a living to help makes ends meet for her family. She was also very involved in the First Lutheran Church in Blue Island, where she sang in the choir.
On December 29, 1959, Amanda Werner past away at St. Francis
Hospital in Blue Island, IL. The cause of death was pulmonary embolism (sudden
blockage of an artery in the lung), and it was also noted that she had
arteriosclerotic heart disease which contributed to the death. The death record
indicates that Amanda lived within the Blue Island city limits for 65 years and
had worked as a Housekeeper. She is buried at the First Lutheran Cemetery in Alsip, IL. Her address at the time was 2322 Vermont Street, Blue Island,
IL. She was 66 years old.
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Closing Commentary
Finally, we have uncovered many pictures of the Werner Family.
Although we did not find any information on the family’s income, we believe
based on the photos, that the family was a middle-middle class family based on their clothing and the number of photos taken so early in
time. We also make this assumption based on the fact that Friederich Werner was
able to purchase a home at an earlier time in his life and the fact that he eventually worked as a Store Keeper – which could have meant he either owned
his own store or he was at least holding a decision making position at the store which
could have represented a reasonable salary for the time.
For now, the rest is open for your interpretation.
For now, the rest is open for your interpretation.