Making Deductions Based on Limited Historical Resources
Student Questions

1. A famous genealogist (one involved in the study of family and identification of ancestors and their pertinent information) once said, “In genealogy spelling doesn’t count!” In analyzing the above data, one notices that there are three different, yet similar surnames listed: Hinspeter, Heimsfeder, and Hinzpeter. Yet these different spellings actually refer to the same person: Albert Hinzpeter! From looking at the data above, give one reason to support this claim.

2.On the 1850 census, Albert is listed as having born in Nassau. In the 1860 census, he is listed as being born in France. In looking at the following website, suggest a reason for this discrepancy. http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?client=public&scale=1000000&db=&coordsys=mercator&overviewmap=DE_cntx&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&g.x=36&g.y=76

3.In looking at the 1850 census, we see that the Hinzpeter household includes an individual by the name of Marie Beck. What relationship is she to Albert? (Hint: Hannah is a variation of Johanna.)

4.How many children were born to Albert and Johanna? Which one might have died at a young age?

5.At what approximate age did formal schooling end for the children of Albert and Johanna?

6.What occupations are listed for Albert and two of his sons? Give a brief description of these occupations.

7.What was the approximate age of the wife of Albert Jr. at the time of their marriage?