Still Gathering after 100 Years
It was not easy to leave family and friends and migrate to Utah. Both Gretchen and Ernest felt the need to stay connected with the family they left in Germany.
Because of their membership in the Church and their understanding of temple work, they spent many hours gathering pictures and names of those they loved. Ironically, it must have been necessary for them to leave their family in Germany to eventually gather their ancestors to the House of Israel to enjoy the full blessings of the gospel.
Their desire to stay connected with the family and to help them receive the blessings of the gospel are reflected in this letter that Grandma sent to me while I was on my mission
May 24, 1964
… When Mother and I joined the LDS Church in 1905, my father was dead and all his folks turned their backs on us. We never heard from them again. When I started to do genealogy, I wanted my grandparent’s pictures. So I started to look for their addresses. Some answered saying they did not have any pictures, and some did not answer. I had one address left and thought, “what is the use of writing, it will only be no.” But something kept pushing me so I sent a letter and got an answer. They had the pictures and they said they would have a copy made. Was I thrilled! They kept their word and I promised them the genealogy record of the Rabus family which goes back to the 1400 century. That was a lot of work for me but I am happy to say I now have the pictures of my grandparents.
That (the 14th century) is a long way back for you – your great, great, grandparents. You will have a long genealogy. I wonder how many of those whose work is done in the temple will accept the gospel? Some say we will know. In the meantime, we must do our best here. You boys have a big job to do. There are so many that have not heard of the gospel yet.
God bless you.
Grandma and Grandpa
Photos of Gretchen Rabus’s Grandparents
Hulda Maria Lorenz
Heinrich Friedrich Berthold Rabus
So, as Grandma said, “we must do our best. You boys (and girls) have a big job to do.”
And, here is good news! On Dec 3, 2020 at 9:30 pm, we entered Max Hugo Zeisse (1883) into Family Search and confirmed that his work has been done. This was the last sheet in Grandma’s genealogy binder.
It has taken three years as a family to review every gamily group sheet in Gretchen’s red, black, and green binders. Thanks to many of you, hundreds of family names have been entered into the system. Most are cousins who, at the time Gretchen was doing the work, were not allowed to be entered.
In the process, we have learned to love Gretchen and Ernest even more.
1. They were persistent in gathering the names of the family. As Gretchen said, “But something kept pushing me…”
2. It is simply impressive to see the detailed documentation that they received and cataloged for each name. Go to Gretchen’s Family Search page and look at the hundreds of documents they received. (BTW, we still need to link many of the documents with the names in Family Search).
3. The steady support of the immediate family and their spouse to perform the temple work is also very evident. Ernest, Charlotte, Henry, Arthur and their spouses are listed on the back of most of the family groups sheets as proxy.
4. When you turn the many pages of Gretchen’s genealogy binders and look at the names, you can’t help but feel a greater love for Grandma and Grandpa and for those who have passed on.
This note was glued in the front of one of Grandma’s binders:
My Research Creed – Gretchen Rabus Lifferth
no one shall be better informed than I on my family lines. To permit anyone else in all the world to have a greater knowledge of the families from whom I am descended is a reflection on my efficiency as a researcher.
Every source which may possible contribute an item to complete the record of my families shall be sought out and studied.
There shall be no such word as “fail” in my research vocabulary. My dead are interested in results – NOT EXCUSES.