Thanks to Golden and Carol Buchmiller for compiling the written part of this history in their book entitled CHRISTINE GERTRAUDE WALZ BUCHMILLER KLINGLER. Most all of the text is from that wonderful book.
Christine Gertraude Walz was bom in Walddorf, Wuerttemberg, Germany July 18, 1859. Her father was Johann Conrad Walz; his ancestors
had made Walddorf their home for generations. Her mother, Anna Maria Philippina Baetzner,
was from the village of Nonnenmiss, a short distance away. (Note: The first name of
Christine Gertraude definitely ends with an "e," even though it is sometimes seen in
documents as Christina, with an "a." Hereafter it will be Christine and without her second
name. Her second name was Americanized to Gertrude.)
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| Lois and Trevor in Walddorf 2004 |
Of what peaks there are, Feldberg
is the highest at 4,900 feet. The Rhine River flows past the Black Forest for about 85 miles.
Many lakes and streams are found in the area ~ and the fabled Danube River begins here.
Picturesque villages dot the
region. The people have kept the old customs and traditions and they are a source
of delight to the visitor. Some of the ancient German legends and fairy tales such as "Hansel
and Gretel," "Rumpelstilskin,', and "The Goose Girl" came
from here. Other stories such as those
collected and published by the Grimm brothers in 1812 also came from this area. Part of the
state of Baden-Wuerttemberg lies in the Black Forest.
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| Mark and Lois 2004 |
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| Church in Walddorf 2004 |
In the early 1800s the little
village of Walddorf was in the state of Wuerttemberg. Wuerttemberg was a separate state
before it joined other states to form the German Empire. Walddorf was built on a hill, not steep, about 4 1/2 miles or seven kilometers from Nagold, and about 40 miles from Stuttgart to
the northeast. Village houses were usually
three-story buildings. The first story was made of stone and housed the domestic
animals belonging to the family. The second and third stories were used by the family. An inn
or gasthaus was always found near the center of the village with the proprietor's name
painted on the stucco. The clock on the Lutheran Church steeple could be seen from quite a
distance. About 975 persons lived in Walddorf.
Christine was welcomed to her
family by an older brother, Johannes Heinrich, and two sisters, Christina
Magdalena and Anna Maria. A baby brother, Johann Conrad, was born in 1856 but died when only
six days old. Fifteen months after Christine's birth, twin girls were born October 19, 1860.
Unfortunately, Philippina died the next day and Barbara followed on the 16th of November.
Training in knitting and
crocheting began as soon as Christine was old enough to hold the needles and the
crochet hooks. The skill of knitting never left her. Many years later she would knit socks and
stockings for her own family. She was assigned other little chores as her older sisters moved on to
other tasks.
At six years of age she was sent
to school. Students attended six days a week with the exception of about a
month in the summer. They observed few holidays in this schedule. The schoolmaster had
the right to punish a child tor any unruly behavior or mischief. Students were graded according to
their scholastic ability. They were also seated according to their scholastic ability with the
brighter students in the front of the class.
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| River near our hotel |
Religious training was a part of
the curriculum. Children were taught the Bible stories. They memorized the names
of the books of the Bible and some scriptures. They were especially taught about the life
and mission of Jesus Christ. This was not a difficult problem because the minister and the
schoolmaster were of the same mind, and the community was strictly Lutheran. When a child
reached 14 his formal education was over. His learning to that point was about the equivalent of
a high school education in the USA.
The Walz family depended largely upon its own efforts for food. Plenty of milk and butter were produced from a cow or cows and meat came from chickens, cattle, and pigs. Gardens and orchards provided most of their vegetables and fruits. The family also went on excursions into the forest to gather wild strawberries and raspberries, and in the late fall,
The Walz family depended largely upon its own efforts for food. Plenty of milk and butter were produced from a cow or cows and meat came from chickens, cattle, and pigs. Gardens and orchards provided most of their vegetables and fruits. The family also went on excursions into the forest to gather wild strawberries and raspberries, and in the late fall,
luscious gooseberries and
blueberries. After the family members ate all they wanted, the balance of the fruit was made
into marmalade. If the harvest was bounteous they dried or canned the fruit and it was later
served as desserts or made into fruitcake. Pancakes served with blueberries were a special treat.
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| Mark and Lois 2004 |
This is remarkable and beautifully done! Auntie Walz (Christina Magdalena) was my great-great Grandmother. Would you consider posting the story of Christine Gertraude to Family Search? That would be a great way for more people to access it and have it permanently backed up! Thank you for doing this. I happened onto it by googling for old photos of Rexburg. What a treasure to find!
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