Otoe County Genealogical Society

Welcome

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Otoe County, Nebraska is rich in history and tradition, and was one of the first counties established in the Nebraska Territory.   It hosts several prominent landmarks and famous personalities in Nebraska history, to include Arbor Lodge and J. Sterling Morton of the Nebraska City area. The Otoe County Courthouse is the oldest public building in Nebraska.  It was erected 1864.  Our society is dedicated to ensuring that our Otoe County heritage is remembered, our communities are preserved, and our ancestors are acknowledged for the sacrifices they made to become an important part of the Great State of Nebraska.

"The man who feels no sentiment of veneration for the memory of his forefathers; who has no natural regard for his ancestors of his kindred; is himself unworthy of kindred regard or remembrance." Daniel Webster

To join or find out more information on the activities of the Otoe County Genealogical society go Here:  http://www.ocgsne.org/

Information by Otoe County Genealogical Society and Picture by Mary E. Hanke

German Rye Bread

German Rye Bread

3 cups rye flour
1 package dry yeast
1 tsp. salt
6 cups white flour

Combine 3 cups rye flour and 1 package dry yeast with enough warm water to make a smooth paste. Cover with a tea towel and let stand overnight. In the morning, add 1 teaspoon of salt and 6 cups of white flour (a little at a time, add more if needed so dough is not sticky). Knead dough real good and grease around pan and dough and let it stand until it rises double in size. Cut and put into greased bread pans. Let rise 1 hour or until dough rises higher than pan. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Cover with towel after baking.

Submitted by Margaret Rekart

This is the recipe used for the bread served at the German Sausage Demonstration during the 2014 AHSGR Convention in Lincoln, NE.

From the Lincoln Nebraska Germans From Russia web site http://www.ahsgrlincolnchapter.org/favorite-recipes.html

Spring Workshop by Lincoln/Lancaster County Genealogical Society

Saturday, March 28 Tools and Techniques -A Spring Genealogy Workshop  (Genealogy Workshop) 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Home Economics Building UNL East Campus TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES - A SPRING GENEALOGY WORKSHOP The purpose of this workshop is to: encourage people to advance their genealogical research provide the latest research tools & techniques available promote the exchange of ideas in a professional environment/ The workshop will be in the Home Economics Building on UNL East Campus during UNL Spring Break thus allowing easy parking and access to several classrooms including a large auditorium with desks as well as the use of two computer labs.  Lunch is included in the registration.  Presenters are Nebraska area experienced and professional genealogists who will share their expertise.  Twenty different sessions will be available and printed syllabi with all handouts provided.  Stay tuned for updates and think about people to invite to attend. Spring Workshop CLICK HERE for Workshop information and how to sign up! Spring Workshop Details CLICK HERE for Workshop Details Text and graphics from:  http://www.llcgs.info/ Go to the above Lincoln to find out about meetings and classes sponsored by Lincoln Lancaster County Genealogical Society

German American Midwives

In 1930 my father, Harvey Gesch, was born at home and was probably delivered by one of these midwives. 

 Article http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/history/excerpts-4-13.htm

 
  Winter 2013 Issue Excerpts

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“Grandma Gable, she brought Ralph”: Midwifery and the Lincoln, Nebraska, Department of Health in the Early Twentieth Century - Rebecca J. Anderson

Eight midwives gathered at Lincoln’s North Side Neighborhood House on a cool and rainy July afternoon in 1915 to meet with Dr. Chauncey Chapman, the Lincoln Department of Health’s newly appointed superintendent. Chapman had officially begun his duties just the day before and one of the first items on his agenda was the organization of the midwives. Earlier in his career, Chapman had worked with Chicago’s health department, which had been regulating and supervising midwives since 1896. Chapman hoped that the Lincoln midwives would voluntarily agree to a similar arrangement. At the time that he called the midwives together, he was aware of nine midwives who had attended one-sixth of all the births registered in Lincoln the previous year. Unfortunately, Dr. Chapman was unaware until shortly before the meeting that most of the midwives could not understand English. So while they were all gathered together, visiting nurse Catherine Wollgast, whose parents had brought her to the United States from Germany as a young child, did her best to translate Chapman’s message.

Irish Stew

Irish Stew

serves 2-3

2 teaspoons Coconut or Olive oil or just use butter
1/2 pound lamb shoulder steak cut into bite size pieces (can use beef)
1/2 pound diced potatoes
1/2 cup onions, diced
1/2 cup leeks, finely sliced (my little store did not have leeks so I got scallions (green onions) and used them instead)
1/2 cup chopped carrots
3 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup shredded cabbage
1/4 teaspoon each, thyme, marjoram, rosemary
1 small bay leaf

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

1. In a frying pan heat half the oil to hot but not smoking. Add half the lamb pieces and brown all over. Remove the lamb and place in a casserole, cover with a half of the potatoes, onions, leeks and carrots.
2. Add the remaining oil to the frying pan, heat again then add the remaining lamb and brown all over. Add to the casserole and cover with the remaining vegetables
3. Add the stock, cover with a tight fitting lid, cook in the oven for 1 hour. Add the cabbage  replace the lid and cook for another hour. Check from time to time to make sure the stock isn't reducing too much, if it is add a little boiling water. The meat and vegetables should always be covered by liquid. If the sauce is too runny at the end, cook a little longer with the lid removed. Season with salt and pepper

 This recipe would be great cooked in a slow cooker.

Nebraska Genealogy Page

Nebraska Genealogy
Nebraska was once considered a part of the Great American Desert until the pioneers, hunters and homesteaders came west. Today, Nebraska is the leading farming and ranching state due to the greater vision of those thousands of men and women who treaded its soil to change their future.  (text from nebraskagenealogy.org and photo from www.nebraskahistory.org)

This page now has links on where to find information on Nebraska Genealogy.  This page is a work in progress.

See Link above