Family Histories

A tragic house fire in 1942 claimed the lives of Myrtle and her teenage daughter Harriet, but the Patraw family's story is one of grit, grief, and resilience. From early struggles in rural Wisconsin to factory life in Minnesota, this powerful account of Timothy and Myrtle Patraw reveals how ordinary people endure extraordinary challenges—and leave behind a lasting legacy.

Sam and Martha Wunderlich's Minnesota farm life in the early 1900s built a legacy of hard work, adaptability, and community.

Discover how the Jaroshefske family became the Shaskes in 1920s Minnesota, and trace their journey through farming, faith, and family bonds.

A faded 1900s portrait comes alive, revealing Anna Pofahl's story - from Prussian roots to 67 years of love and legacy in Minnesota.

Historical context turns ancestors from names on a tree into real people with rich stories. Discover the 'why' behind their lives!

Seven children, one family farm, and a legacy of German immigrant perseverance in the heart of Minnesota.

The restored photograph captures them during America's postwar prosperity, preserving a moment between these resilient sisters who faced

The story of my Wunderlich ancestors is deeply rooted in Richland Township, situated between the cities of Kenyon and Faribault, Minnesota.

There are several creative ways to uncover those precious historical photographs.

a story of immigration, perseverance, and the American dream that played out across Minnesota in the late 19th century