Herman and Bertha Wolff

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Subjects: (Left to Right): Herman and Bertha Wolff.
Date: 1930's.
Location: Unknown.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me. The caption on this picture is: Alma Helen Wolff Traulsen's younger brother.  This is the only information I have.

The Traulsen Family, circa 1906.

Subjects: (Clockwise starting lower left): Alma Bertha (Reichardt) Traulsen,  Lucy Albertine Helene (Waswo)Traulsen, Alma Helen Wolff Traulsen, Arthur Herman Traulsen, Henning William Traulsen.
Date: After November 1906.
Location: Milwaukee, WI.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: W. L. Stein, 452 Mitchell St., Milwaukee.

This is a framed photograph. I carefully removed it from the simple thin black wood frame and scanned the photograph. I was hoping for some information on the back of the photograph or in the frame, but there was none. I remember this photograph hanging on the wall of my Grandmother Lucy's home on Richard and Ring Streets in Milwaukee.

This photograph was taken by the same photographer that took Lucy's 8th grade graduation picture in the Spring of 1906. Henning passed away in November 1906, so I am assuming this photograph was taken in late 1906 or 1907. Lucy appears to be approximately the same age as her graduation picture. Since this is a family photograph, I would assume if Henning were alive, he would be in it as well.

My mother did attach a small note on the back of the photograph with the date of death of Henning Sr.  She also taped a picture of her family circa 1930. This will be posted at a future date. I remember this photograph hanging in our home in the hallway with the other family photographs.

Alma Helen Wolff Traulsen

Subject: Alma Helen Wolff Traulsen

Occasion: Unknown

Date: Unknown

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Photographer: Unknown

Alma Helen Wolff was born on November 23, 1865 in Schneidemuhl in the Province of Posen, Germany. Alma arrived in the United States on October 12, 1882.

Henning and Alma were the parents of my maternal Grandmother Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen. They were wed on October 15, 1886 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Alma passed away on March 8, 1941 after battling cancer of the pancreas for about one year. She was buried in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but I do not know what cemetery.

This photograph was glued to a piece of wood that was carved and painted. There are many layers of varnish over the picture and frame. I remember this being called decoupage. Unfortunately, over the years the varnish gets cloudy, so the picture no longer is in sharp focus. The above is a photograph I took of the actual piece. There is no information or date on the back of the picture. There is a small sticker with Gimbels on it. I am assuming this was done at the department store in Milwaukee.

I know very little about my maternal Great Grandmother. If my Grandmother Lucy told stories about her mother, I just do not remember them. Any comments from other family members would of course, be greatly appreciated.

mamma and papa

Subject: Henning William Traulsen Sr. and Alma Helen Wolff
Occasion: Unknown
Date: Unknown
Photographer: Wollensak Studio, 500 National Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Henning was born on December 23, 1860 in Karlberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He emigrated to the United States and arrived on May 5, 1885.

Alma Helen Wolff was born on November 23, 1865 in Schniedermuhl Proving
Rosen, Germany (my spelling may be incorrect as I was reading it from a very old document). Alma arrived in the United States on October 12, 1882.

Henning and Alma were the parents of my maternal Grandmother Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen. They were wed on October 15, 1886 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

On the back of the photograph is written mamma and papa, and it appears to be in my Grandmother's handwriting.

I take a break once again in the time line, to return to a photograph I recently found of my maternal, maternal, great, great grandparents. Unfortunately, I know very little about this photograph. I feel it was taken after 1886 the date of their wedding, as both appear older to me. The photograph is mounted on heavy cardboard.

Henning and Alma ran a bakery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The exact location is unknown to me. After Henning's death in 1906, the bakery was run by Arthur, Henning Jr. and my Grandmother Lucy. I do not remember any stories that revealed the demise of the bakery. Arthur passed away in 1960 and Henning Jr. in 1966.

Next week we will discover what life beheld the bakers, and my Grandmother Lucy's role.

Arthur Herman and Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen

Subject: Arthur Herman and Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen
Occasion: Unknown
Date: September 1891
Photographer: Unknown

Family Link:
Parents: Henning and Alma Helen Wolff Traulsen
Children: William Paul Edwin (1887-1899); Arthur Herman (1889-1960); Lucy Albertine Helene (1891-1987); Henning W (1893-1966); Alma Bertha (Reichardt) (1897-1966).

This is the last of the photographs that I have currently scanned that was mounted on heavy cardboard. Unfortunately, the border was cut away, apparently to allow the photograph to fit in a frame. Therefore, I do not have the identity of the photographer.

From a previous post, we learned that William Paul was the first child of Henning and Alma, and that William passed away in 1899. I have heard from my Cousin Dorinne Green, that William is buried at the Forest Home Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI. Dorinne lives near the cemetery, and says she will photograph the headstone.

In this picture we have Arthur Herman who would be the second child. He was two years old in this photograph. Arthur is standing. Seated in the chair is Lucy Albertine age 6 months and the third child. Lucy is my grandmother.

I can remember looking at this photograph as a young child. I always thought it was a photograph of two girls. I guess this was the style of the era for boys and girls to wear what I would consider a dress. I remember grandma telling me that the boy standing was her brother. I found it very amusing that he was wearing a 'dress'. Plaid must have been the fashion design of the era as well. I do not have any memory of Great Uncle Art, as he passed away when I was one year old.

Viewing this photograph as an adult, I admire what must have been a very difficult time preparing and posing children. Especially Lucy, who was only 6 months old at the time. This was so unlike the digital age where you can fire away the shots, keep the best, and discard the rest. It amazes me how perfect this photograph is, almost like two china dolls posed for a toy advertisement flier. I can visualize the photograph displayed on a mantel or table in the home of my great grandparents. Apparently, the Traulsen's treasured their children.

Henning William and Alma Helen Traulsen

Subject: Alma Helen Wolff(age: 21)and Henning William Traulsen Sr.(age: 26)
Occasion: Wedding Day
Date: October 15, 1886 (but also reported as October 30, 1886)
Photographer: Runkel, 469 Third Street, Milwaukee, Wis.

I posted two views of the same photograph to give you the historical context of what photography consisted of at the turn of the century. The photograph was mounted on heavy cardboard.

Henning was born on December 23, 1860 in Karlberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He emigrated to the United States and arrived on May 5, 1885.

Alma Helen Wolff was born on November 23, 1865 in Schniedermuhl Proving
Rosen, Germany (my spelling may be incorrect as I was reading it from a very old document). Alma arrived in the United States on October 12, 1882.

I am not sure whether this marriage was arranged. In fact, I know very little history. It is my hope that some of my other family members will comment and provided some additional information.

Henning and Alma were the parents of my maternal Grandmother Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen. That is my connection.

In my opinion, photography during this time was an art form. In a way, a poor man's painted portrait. Painting by far, was much more time consuming and expensive. One might say that at this time all photography portraits were similar. I beg to differ. Upon viewing this photograph you are immediately drawn to the people. Every detail was carefully prepared before the photograph was taken. I like the earrings, but notice the lack of a necklace on Alma. There appears to be a wedding band on her left hand, but Henning's left hand is not prominent and you can not really tell if he is wearing a band. I also like the view of the watch chain and fob.

I doubt very much that this picture was taken on the actual wedding day. It was probably scheduled after the wedding. It appears much preparation went into the making of this photograph by the subjects, as well as the photographer.

I also want to share, that I have started my family tree on ancestry.com. Many of you reading this are probably located in the tree. Please contact me and I can provide access to the tree. Feel free to share any information, dates, places, events and even stories regarding any member of our family. I will be happy to include it. Stories add to our history so that it is not just statistics. Our family lived and loved and I think it is an honor to remember them.