Logging into one of many Ancestry.com accounts to access free Civil War records, I noticed someone had sent me a message. It was regarding a family with my mother’s family name Fromke. They lived in Pottangow, Pomerania, while my ancestors lived to the south, about 50 kilometers away, in Borntuchen and Grobenzien. (I can never remember my user name, so I have multiple ones. How many I don’t know.)
My great grandmother was a Fromke, daughter of Ferdinand Fromke and Louise Rade. The family came to America 20 Nov 1883. The family consisted of Ferdinand b.abt 1821, Louise b. abt 1831, Albert b. abt 1861, Ernestine b. abt 1865, Rudolf b. abt 1869 and Minna b.abt 1879. The ship was the Albano. The residence for the family is Pottangow, Pommern. Another daughter, Caroline came with daughter, Meta, about 1882. Caroline was married to Ferdinand Plinske. The families settled in Monona county, Iowa. My great grandmother, Ernestine married in Onawa, Iowa. Her first marriage was to August Plinske on 10 Jul 1886. On the marriage certificate her parents are listed as Ferdinand Framke and Luise Rache. She was born in 1864 in Ulingen, Germany. August died 29 Aug 1887. Their son Max was born in Sept of that year. Her second marriage was to William Koch on 23 Nov 1888 on this marriage certificate her parents are Ferdianand Framke and Louise Rade. Her mother Louise and brother Rudolf are listed on the 1895 census for Onawa, Iowa and also on the 1900 census for Onawa, Iowa. On the 1900 census Louise is a widow, mother of 8 children, 4 living in 1900. I found, who I believe to be their son Albert died 03 Nov 1886. He was a single farmer born Germany. So, I know 3 of the four living children; Caroline married to Plinske, Ernestine married to Cook (Koch) and Rudolf living with his mom. Have no idea if Minna is alive or dead or the names of the other children. I did note the Fromke families living in the Onawa area and wondered about a connection. Fromke is not that commo[n] a name. I probably have given you more information than you want but if you have any connecting threads in your research please let me know.
What’s really interesting is the surname of Ferdinand Fromke’s wife, Rade. I am a descendant of Carl Fromke and Caroline Radde. I am confident our Fromke branches are related, but is there another connection via the Radde family?
Note that Pottangow is now Potęgowo, Poland. Borntuchen is Borzytuchom, and Grobenzien is Rabacino.
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