our paternal grandmother
(click for a chart showing her relationship to us)

Sister Hedwig M. Winge (-2G) born in Urnitz, Silesia, Prussia on 13 Sept. 1877
Parents married on 22 Oct. 1877 in Wölfelsdorf, Silesia, Prussia
Sister Martha Winge (-2G) born in Jan. or Feb. 1880 in Silesia?, Prussia

Immigrated to the U.S. via Baltimore on 2 Nov. 1880
Sister Martha probably died between 2 Nov. and 12 Nov. 1880
Sister Margaretha Winge (-2G) born 2 Sept. 1881 in St. Louis
Sister Margaretha died 28 June 1882 in St. Louis
Brother Wilhelm (William) Winge (-2G) born 19 May 1883 in St. Louis
Brother Robert Winge (-2G) born 30 May 1885
Brother Robert died 18 Oct. 1886 in St. Louis
Sister Frances Winge (-2G) born 23 Oct. 1886 in St. Louis
Sister Emma Winge (-2G) born 26 Sept. 1888 in St. Louis
Brother Aloys Winge (-2G) born 26 Nov. 1890 in St. Louis
Brother Johann (John) Winge (-2G) born 21 Nov. 1892 in St. Louis
Brother Theodore (Ted) Winge (-2G) born 14 May 1894 in St. Louis

Married to Emil Thoma * (-2G), 20 Dec. 1904 in St. Louis, MO
Son Emil Otto Thoma * (-1G) born 11 December 1906 at St. Louis, MO
Son Albert Theodore Thoma (-1G) born 20 February 1912 at St. Louis, MO
Daughter Alberta P. Thoma (-1G) born 20 February 1912 at St. Louis, MO
Her father died 31 Mar. 1928 in St. Louis
Her mother died 2 Apr. 1944 in St. Louis
Husband Emil Thoma* (-2G) died 11 December 1948 at St. Louis, MO
Sister Hedwig died 16 May 1967 in St. Louis
Brother John (Johann) died on 12 Apr. 1947 in Whitfield, Miss
Died 10 May 1970 at St. Louis County, MO
Buried 13 May 1970 at Lakewood Park Cemetery in St. Louis

Listed on the Bremen and Baltimore pages
Listed on the Silesia and St. Louis pages
Cited in Germans to America Jul. 1880 to Nov. 1880
Listed on the Winge surname page
The given name "Adeline"
The given name "Emalia"
Included on the Winge Family Group Chart
Included on the Thoma Families Chart

*my direct-line ancestors. The (-2G), etc., after the names indicates the number of generations before Erven Thoma. Links are not underlined but appear either as pink type or graphics. They can be detected when your cursor changes shape or an underline appears when your cursor moves over a link..

	I have found her civil birth record (on the LDS microfilm of the records of Urnitz. A person not known by me (midwife?) reported the birth to the town administration in Urnitz on the next day (24 Apr. 1876 ) after her birth. Urnitz is in the county of Habelschwerdt, in the province of Silesia (Schlesien).
Adeline was originally given the name Adelheid Emalia.

Sister Hedwig was born on 13 Sep. 1877 in Urnitz, Habelschwerdt, Silesia, Prussia.

Adeline's parents got married in Wölfelsdorf, Silesia, (now Wilkanow, Poland) the town where her father was living, on 22 Oct. 1877, which was only about a month after her sister Hedwig was born. Sister Martha (-2G) was born ca. Feb. 1880 in Silesia, Prussia.

	In Germans to America, July 1880 to Nov. 1880, I have located the Winge family from Prussia who left Bremen on the ship "Hermann" and arrived in Baltimore on 2 Nov. 1880, with St. Louis, MO for their destination.  The family included the father, Wilh. (28 years old), the
mother, Martha (26 years old), Adelheid (Adeline, 4 years old), Hedwig Winge (-2G) (3 year old boy [sic!]), and Martha Winge (-2G) (9 month old girl).

Between November 2 and 12 the family traveled from Baltimore to St. Louis and settled in a home. Little sister Martha (-2G) must have died during this time because she is listed on the passenger list but not in the Census.

The 1880 Fed. Census for Missouri (T9_729, FHL 1254729, supv. dist. 71, enum. dist. 134, printed page 332A, hand-entered page 17, Ancestry.Com image 0138, dwelling 18, family 44, lines 20-23, dated 12 Nov.) shows Wilhelm Winge and his family of 3. Wilhelm is a 28-year old cabinetmaker. He and his parents were born in Prussia. His wife Martha is 25 years old and is keeping house. She and her parents were also born in Prussia. Daughter Adelheid is 4 and daughter Hedwig is 3. They and their parents were born in Prussia. They were living at 2110 De Kalb St. in St. Louis. Notice that little Martha is not listed. Therefore, either she has died between the 2nd and 12th of Nov. or the Census did not record children under the age of 1 year.

Sister Margaretha was born on 2 Sept. 1881 in St. Louis

The 1881 St. Louis City Directory lists her father, a carpenter, living in the rear of 2110 De Kalb St. The 1882 Directory has Wilhelm listed twice--once as a carpenter living at 2110 De Kalb and once as a fitter living at 609 Rutger.

On 28 June 1882 sister Margaretha Winge died at age 10 months. She was born and died in St. Louis. When she died she was living at 609 Rutger, the same address where Wilhelm (her father) was living according to the 1882 and 1883 directories. She was buried in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, although the cemetery has no record of her.

Brother Wilhelm (William) Winge (-2G) born 19 May 1883 in St. Louis

The 1883 St. Louis Directory shows William Winge cabinet maker, living at 609 Rutger. The 1884 Directory shows William Winge, fitter, living at 1222 S. 9th St. He is the only Winge listed. The 1885 Directory shows William Winge, carpenter, living at 1220 S. 9th St. He is the only Winge listed.

Brother Robert was born on 30 May 1885. He died on 18 Oct. 1886 in St. Louis. Sister Frances Winge (-2G) born 23 Oct. 1886 in St. Louis.

The 1886 Directory shows William as a carpenter living at 1220 S. 9th.

A Robert Winge died 18 Oct. 1886. He was 1 year, 4 months, 15 days of age. He was living at 3811 Texas Ave. in St. Louis. This appears in the St. Louis Death Register, vol. 19, p. 72 (SLGS 320). 3811 Texas is the same address that is in the St. Louis City Directory of 1887 for Wilhelm Winge. Robert was buried in Ste Peter and Paul Cemetery on the 19th in cemetery section 9S, row 15, gravesite 21 (lot PG).

The 1887 Directory lists William Winge, cabinet maker, residing at the rear of 3811 Texas Ave.

Sister Emma Winge (-2G) was born on 26 Sept. 1888 in St. Louis. Brother Aloys Winge (-2G) was born on 26 Nov. 1890 in St. Louis

The 1890 Census was destroyed; only summaries and non-personal information are available. However the 1890 St. Louis Directory shows William Winge, a carpenter, living at 3742 Oregon Ave. The 1891 Directory shows him as a cabinet maker, living at the same address.

Brother Johann (John) Winge (-2G) was born on 21 Nov. 1892 in St. Louis

The 1892 Directory shows him as a cabinet maker, living on the north side of Neosho, near 16th St. The 1893 and 1894 Directories list him as a carpenter living on the north side of Neosho, near 17th St.

Brother Theodore (Ted) Winge (-2G) was born on 14 May 1894 in St. Louis

The 1895 Directory calls him a cabinet maker, living at the same address. The 1896 Directory also calls him a cabinet maker, but he is living at 4449 S. 17th St. The 1897-99 Directories list William, cabinet maker, living at 4460 S. 17th St.

Here is a picture of the Winge house (either on Neosho or on 17th St). Grape vines are see on the right porch. On the left porch we see what appears to be Adeline's parents, William and his wife Martha (older people on the right). The two younger women on the left side of the porch may be the daughters, Hedwig and Adeline. The two girls in front of the house may be the younger daughters Frances and Emma. I do not know the man with the cow. Dated ca. 1994-97.

The 1896 St. Louis Directory lists Adelaide Winge, dressmaker, living at 4449 S. 17th.

She is listed in the 1900 Missouri Census (district 179, sheet 6, line 48) for St. Louis, living with her parents and siblings. Her father was born in Dec. 1851 in Germany and is 48 years old. His occupation is cabinet maker, he can read and write inc. English. He owns his house at 4460 South 17th St. in St. Louis. He has been in the U.S. for 20 years. Her mother Martha is 42 years old, born in Sept. of 1854 in Germany, her parents also born in Germany. Adelheid is born in Apr. 1880 which disagrees with other sources. Adelheid (later called Adeline) is a dressmaker and her birthplace is Germany. A son Wilhelm (later called William) was born May 1883 in Missouri, is 17 years old, but was not at school. A daughter Francis (sic!, Frances) was born Oct. 1886 in Missouri, is 13 years old, and was at school. A daughter Emma was born Sept. 1888 in Missouri, is 11 years old, and was at school. A son Alois is 9, was born in Missouri in Nov. 1890, and was at school. A son Johann (later called John) was 7, was born in Nov. 1892, and was at school. A son Theodore was 6, born in Missouri in May 1894, but was not at school. Daughter Martha, who came over on the ship, died before 1900. Daughter Hedwig was married, living elsewhere.

	Although a family story relates that Adeline and Emil were married on the large ferris wheel at the 1904 World's Fair, the marriage application and license gives 20 Dec. 1904 as the date of marriage. It might have been rather cold in that ferris wheel car, although they were enclosed cars.
In addition, the World's Fair may have ended or was closed by December. Perhaps Emil proposed while in a car during an earlier visit. In any case, they were married by a Justice of the Peace of the 4th district. Adeline was living at 4460 S. 17th St. with her parents and Emil was living at 2817 Wyoming with his half brother Otto's family. She was 27 and he was 30.

The giant ferris wheel at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. Each car could hold 60 people.
Here is a picture of Adeline in her 20s. It may be a wedding picture (Dec. 1904, age 28 years, 8 months) or earlier.
Winge Family Complete ca. 1905 Adeline is the woman in the white blouse. Her father, Wilhelm, is the bearded man, seated in the front on our right. Her mother, Martha, is the older woman on our front left, seated. Their eight living children are included in this picture. The picture was taken ca. 1905. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge.

On 11 Dec. 1906 when her first son was born, she and her family were living at Nebraska and Meramac Sts. in St. Louis. On her son Emil's delayed birth certificate (24 June 1961), her age at the time of his birth was 30. That agrees with her birth year given above.

I have not yet found her and her husband and son in the 1910 census, but the 1910 St. Louis Directory lists Emil E. Thoma, cabinet maker, living at 3125 Meramec.

Here is a picture of the building at 3125 Meramec St. in St. Louis across from St. Anthony R. C. Church. This is where the family of Emil and Adeline Thoma lived ca. 1906-12. This picture was taken in early Jan. 2003 so I do not know how it compares to decades earlier.

On 20 Feb. 1912, her twins Albert and Alberta (-1G) were born in St. Louis. At that time she and her family were living at Michigan and Meramac Sts. in St. Louis. Then I believe they were living over the store on Virginia Ave. in St. Louis.

She and her husband were naturalized on 20 Apr. 1912 in St. Louis.

In the 1913 St. Louis Directory her husband is listed twice: once as Emil E. Thoma, cabmkr., r 3125 Meramec, and once as Emil Thoma cabmkr., r 4403a Virginia Ave. The Directory of 1915 lists her husband, a cabinetmaker, living at 440_a Virginia Ave. We can assume that Adeline and the three children are also there.

This is a picture of the buildings at 4401 and 4403 Virginia (at Osceola) in St. Louis, probably taken before 1919. The Thoma's lived upstairs, most likely above the bakery which was owned by Adeline's sister Hedwig and her husband Severin. Another sister, Emma, and her husband Fred Marty, had the saloon at the corner. Click to enlarge.
Here is a picture from ca. 1913 that shows Emil as a boy ca. 7 years old and his younger sister and brother, Alberta and Albert, ca. 1 year old. Adeline is on our left and her sister, Frances Winge (-2G), is on our right. The picture was probably taken in St. Louis.
This is an unidentified picture of possibly Adeline, her husband and three children. If that is true, then it was taken ca. 1916, and this would be the earliest picture of her husband. Two of the children look about the same age (hence, twins), and the boy in the center looks older. Click to enlarge.
Here is another picture from the same time as the one just above. It also was most likely taken in St. Louis. The names are identified on the back of the picture. Appreciation is extended to Thomas Rezsonya, a second cousin, for the digital copy of this picture. Click thumbnail to enlarge.

The 1916 and 1917 St. Louis Directories show Emil Thoma, cabmkr. (cabinetmaker), living at 4657 Idaho Ave.

In 1917-18 her children were attending Neosha elementary school (south St. Louis) in portable/temporary facilities.

The 1918 Directory shows her husband, Emil Thoma, cabtmkr., living at 4657 Idaho Ave.

The 1920 Fed. Census for Missouri (vol. 98, enum. district 250, sheet 5, line 42) shows her living with her husband, Emil, and their family at 4657 Idaho Ave. in St. Louis, MO. She is 42, born in Germany, and is naturalized. Her husband is 44, born 1874 in Germany, citizenship in 1900. Her children, all born in Missouri, are Emil 13, Albert 8 and Alberta 8.

In 1920-21 the children were attending Scruggs elementary school in south St. Louis. The 1922 St. Louis City Directory lists her husband Emil, cabinetmkr., living at 4624 Virginia Ave. We can assume that Adeline and the three children are living there too.

She and her family probably moved to 3210 Osceola St. between 1922 and 1925. The Directory of 1925 shows Emil Thoma, cabtmkr., living at 3210 Osceola. The St. Louis City Directory of 1926 lists her husband as a cabinetmaker, living at 3210 Osceola. Also listed as living there is her eldest son, Emil Otto, a carpenter. Since the other children are only 13 or 14 at this time, we can assume they are living there too. We can assume that Adeline is also there. The 1927 Directory has Emil Thoma living at 3210 Osceola (no occupation).

Her father, Wilhelm Winge (-3G) died on 31 Mar. 1928 in St. Louis. He was cremated but his ashes were buried in the Winge-Ricklin lot in Sunset Memorial Park in St. Louis. An obituary is found in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The 1930 Fed. Census for Missouri (T626_1233, enum. dist. 432, supv. dist. 9, page 17B, lines 69-73, house #253, family #389) shows Adeline and her family at 3210 Osceola St. in St. Louis (city) (ward 11, block 2699). Her husband, Emil, is 54 years old, born in Germany, parents also born in Germany. He immigrated in 1893 [actually the last days of 1892] and has the naturalization status of "Na". German was his native tongue. His occupation is listed as cabinet maker at a fixture co. but he is not presently working. He is not in school but can read, write, and speak English. He was married at age 30. He is not a U.S. war veteran. He and his wife are renting at $30 per month and own a radio set. Adeline, is 53 years old, born in Germany, her parents also born in Germany. 1881 was given as her year of immigration [really 1880] and her naturalization status as "Na". German was her native tongue. She can read, write, and speak English, but is not in school. No occupation is given for her. Her son Emil, is 23, born in Missouri, his parents born in Germany. He is single, is not in school, but reads, writes, and speaks English. His occupation is carpenter in the house trade and his is presently employed. Adeline's other children, Albert and Alberta, are both 18, born in Missouri, their parents born in Germany. They are not in school but read, write and speak English. The twins have no occupation and are both single.

The St. Louis City Directory of 1930 lists Emil as a cabinetmaker living at 3110 Osceola. We can assume that all of his family are living there too. The son Emil Otto has a separate listing as a carpenter. The 1931 Directory shows them at 3210 Osceola. Why the discrepancy in address numbers? Albert is listed separately as a plasterer and Alberta as a clerk. The 1932 Directory also shows the family at 3210 Osceola. Albert is listed separately as a plasterer and Alberta as an indry (lndry? = laundry) worker. Emil O. (my father) is also listed separately.

This is a picture which is identified as "Erven with Grandparents June 26, 1937 one year old". This is the earliest identified picture of my grandfather, Emil. Click thumbnail to enlarge.
Here is an unidentified picture. The woman looks like Adeline and the man is probably her husband. No date or location is provided, but one can guess St. Louis. Click thumbnail to enlarge.

The 1937 and 1939 St. Louis Directories show Emil Thoma (with wife Adeline), cabinet maker, living at 4163 S. Compton Ave. The 1939 Dir. has no occupation listed. On 9 Jan. 1939 she and her husband were living at 4354 S. Compton, according to the admission papers of her husband to a Rehab. facility.

In March of 1940 Adeline was living at 4163b S. Compton in St. Louis. In Feb. of 1943 she was living at 2837 Mt. Pleasant in St. Louis, with her son Albert and his family.

Here is a picture of Adeline on our left, another woman in the middle, and Hedwig Winge on our right. No date is given on the photograph but it is certainly after 1930. Click thumbnail to enlarge.
This 4-generation picture was taken on August 17, 1941 at someone's home, probably in St. Louis. From left to right we find who I think is Martha Teichgraber (86 years, 9 months), then Adeline Winge (65 years, 4 months), Emil Otto Thoma (34 years, 8 months) holding who I think is his younger son (5 months), and then his older son, Erven (5 years 2 months).
Adeline and her husband Emil Thoma taken sometime between 1939 and 1948 in St. Louis. The date is most likely closer to 1948 because I remember visiting him. Click thumbnail to enlarge.
Here is a picture of Adeline and several of her siblings. Adeline is the woman on our right side. Click on thumbnail to enlarge.

I have two postcard from Alberta in Fort Worth, TX, dated 29 Jan. 1943 and 2 Feb. 1943, to Adeline addressed to 2837 Mt. Pleasant in St. Louis. That is the home of her son Alberta and his wife Mary.

Her mother died 2 Apr. 1944 and was buried in Sunset Memorial Park in St. Louis County in the Winge-Ricklin lot.

I have a postcard dated 28 June 1944 from Alberta visiting in Mena, AR, to Adeline at 4401 Virginia Ave. in St. Louis. I have a postcard from a Martha (Martha Ricklin?) to Adeline, dated 10 Jan. 1946, that is addressed to 3413 Portland in Minneapolis, MN which is probably where her daughter Alberta is living with her husband. But by the end of July Adeline is living back in St. Louis at 4401 Virginia, according to a postcard from an unknown friend. Another postcard dated 17 Dec. 1946 and from Alberta in Minneapolis shows that Adeline is still in St. Louis at 4401 Virginia Ave.

Her brother John (Johann) died on 12 Apr. 1947 in Whitfield, Miss.

At the time of her husband's death 11 Dec. 1948, Adeline was living at 4401a Virginia Ave. in St. Louis. He was cremated at the Missouri Crematory.

This picture is from ca. 1949/50 and shows Adeline on our right. The middle woman is Adeline's daughter-in-law Mary; the woman on our left is Mary's mother Elizabeth Zimmer. The children are Karen and Mary, belonging to Mary. The picture might have been taken in St. Louis at the home of Elizabeth or Mary.

In Jan. of 1955 she was living at 4401a Virginia.

The St. Louis Directories of 1956, 1958, and 1960 show Adeline Thoma (widow of Emil) living at 4401a Virginia Ave.

On 24 June 1961, at the age of 85, Adeline prepared the application and affidavit to get a birth certificate for her son, Emil Otto. At this time she was living at 4401a Virginia Ave. in St. Louis.

Here is a picture of her with one of her brothers, William (Bill) Richard Winge. It was perhaps taken in 1961.
After 1961 she moved into the house of her son Emil Otto Thoma and his family.  This picture was taken at Christmas 1962 at my parents' home on Yuma Dr. Adeline is in front of the mirror.
Here is a picture of 4403 and 4401 Virginia where Adeline lived from at least 1948 to 1961. The picture was taken in Jan. 1964.
Here is a picture of the buildings at 4401 and 4403 Virginia Ave. as they look today . (taken in early 2002). The living quarters for several of the Winge and Ricklin families were upstairs.

Earlier residence was 4401a Virginia Ave., St. Louis (at least as late as 1961). Her last years were lived at the former home of Emil Otto Thoma (-1G), 9563 Yuma Dr., St. Louis County, Missouri 63123.

Her S. S. number is 499-54-0654, issued in Missouri in 1965, when she was living at 9563 Yuma Dr. in south St. Louis County with her son Emil's family.

Her sister Hedwig (Hattie) died on 16 May 1967 in St. Louis

Shortly before and up to her death she was in the Chesterfield Nursing Home. She died on 10 May 1970 at age 94 of cardiac arrest contributed by arteriosclerotic heart disease and general senility. Her funeral was handled by Thomas Kutis Funeral Home at 2906 Gravois in St. Louis. She was buried on 12 or 13 May 1970 in Lakewood Park Cemetery in St. Louis.

--------------------

I always knew grandmother as a pleasant, quiet person to be with. Her original (German) name was Adelheid. I remember many other things about grandmother. She often went with us to the Sleepy Hollow Club House, to the Forest Park Highlands amusement park in St. Louis, and to family picnics and gatherings. She lived with us from ca. 1961 until after 1965.

Her brother William died in Feb. 1973 in the St. Louis area. Her brother Aloys died in Dec. 1975 in St. Louis Cnty/City.

Her sister Emma died on 09 Jul. 1980 in St. Louis. Her sister Frances died on 27 Aug. 1982 in St. Louis, MO.

Her son Albert died on 04 Aug. 1987 in St. Louis County. He was buried in Jefferson Barracks Cemetery.

Her brother Theodore (Ted) died on Christmas Day 1988 in Troy, MO.

Her daughter Alberta died on 25 Feb. 1990 in St. Louis County. She was cremated.

Her son and our father, Emil Otto, died on 09 Mar. 1997 in St. Louis County. He was buried in Valhalla Cemetery.

Created Wed., Apr. 5, 2000.  Updated 30 Mar. 2007.