Most of my brick walls are mothers that have died early. One example is my great-great-great grandmother Margaret Rhost’s mother. I don’t even know her name. I do know Margaret’s father, Conrad Rhost, was born in 1825 in Switzerland. He and his unknown wife had a son named John in about 1847 in Switzerland and Margaret was born in June 1848. The family came to the United States between 1850 and 1853 (year of immigration varies on the 1910 and 1920 censuses).
Conrad married Mary Gertrude Ginder in Fulton County, Ohio on October 9, 1855. They had 8 children between 1856 and 1873 in Ohio. In the 1860 census and beyond, it looks like John and Margaret are Gertrude’s children.
I’m not sure if Margaret’s mother died in Switzerland before 1850, on the journey over, or soon after arrival. She is a true brick wall!
Week 14 (April 1-7) – Brick Wall
Wells & Wilson Family History 