He was a foster child. All information provided to James Speidel by me was
originally done by Sister Lorretta Strohmeyer between 1981-1982 for Aunt
Clara (Schirf) Gill. I made a copy and entered the information onto a computer
program which I gave James a Copy for his research. Schlier translated means
orphan.
Records indicate that two Schirf boys, one being Jacob, grew up in an
orphanage in Germany. The orphanage records claim that the boys were orphaned by
the Naploenic Wars. The exact meaning of this is unclear, as Waterloo occured
on 18th of June 1815, 16 years before Jacob's birth. It is possible that Jacob
is actually Jacob Jr. as the ages/timing would be more in line with historical
events.
US Census records note the Jacob and Gertrude had nine children, but i have
not found any record of the unknown child.
*It is interesting to note that Catherine was born 5 Jul 1855 and survived
for at least three days.
Visited St Nicholas Cemetery Nicktown PA, found burial sight of Jacob Schirf Sr. and several other of the Schirf clan added the information from
tombstones to those affected on 20 aug 1999
BIRTH & DEATH: Notes Sister Lorretta Strohmeyer