I am discovering that genealogy is very time consuming and a lot of work! It's like being a detective without any witnesses to interview. All you have are snippets of information that lead to more snippets. Sometimes the snippets are incorrect and lead you down the wrong path! So, you turn around and start over and try to figure out where you made the wrong turn.

In one sense, the Internet has made research easier. Without the expense of travelling to locate information, it's much simpler for more folks to get there hands on vital records. It has also made it easier to make mistakes and go down the wrong branch of the wrong family tree! Sometimes, (after hours of digging), you are so excited by the discovery of an important document that you may overlook minor details. For example you may not notice that the siblings, or parents aren't exactly correct, so you run with it and eventually discover these particular Petrats aren't your ancestors!

The Internet is also a resource with wonderful people who are willing to help. The images of the ship for example, wouldn't have been available if it weren't for someone who is an avid historian on Naval and Army ships. Thank goodness we all have different interests and are willing to share.

With that said, here is what I know for sure about our ancestors.

WHEN DID THE KARL & ANNA PETRAT FAMILY ARRIVE IN THE U.S.?

It had always been our understanding that the family traveled to the United States, (or possibly Canada), around 1905. I recently received a letter from Esther Knopf, daughter of Anna Petrat, explaining how and when the family actually arrived here. Here's an excerpt from her letter.

"In 1908 Karl packed the whole gang up, (4 little boys, Anna and baby Lydia), boarded a freighter, which took passengers but not very deluxe, and landed in Baltimore, I think. From there they traveled to Elmhurst, Illinois where his sister and her family lived. They lived there for about 2 years, I think, and the kids that were old enough went to school. I'm not sure if Helmuth was born in Elmnhurst."

Based on this information, I have now officially discontinued my search for the Petrat gang arrival at the Ellis Island web site!

My research at the Family History Center in Howell was a success. I have located the immigration records for the entire Karl F. Petrat family!

There are several other interesting, family tidbits in the letter. I will gladly share the letter with everyone who would like to see it at the picnic on August 3rd.

SOCIAL SECURITY CARD APPLICATIONS

I have acquired the Social Security Card Applications of Karl Ferdinand Petrat, Karl Julius Petrat, (previously thought to be Julius Petrat), and Erick Petrat, my Grandfather. This paperwork has revealed the following information:

• All three Social Security applications were filed in November of 1936.
• All three individuals were living and working in Detroit, Michigan at the time.
• Karl Ferdinand Petrat was born in Russia.
  His parents were Karl Julius Petrat and Amalie Scheshtukat.
  Karl Ferdinand was working at: Gemmer Mfg. Co. - 6400 Mt. Elliott -Detroit, MI.
  He lived at: 12690 Wyoming Avenue-Detroit, MI
• Karl Julius Petrat was born in Germany.
  His parents were Karl Ferdinand Petrat and Anna Marie Lippke.
  Karl Julius was working at: Western Union Tele Co. - Congress & Shelby St. - Detroit, MI.
  He lived at: 12746 Racine Avenue - Detroit, MI
• Alfred Erick Petrat was born in Kovno, Lithuania, the same city that the photograph on the Karl and Anna page was taken in.
  His parents were Karl Ferdinand Petrat and Anna Marie Lipke.
  Alfred Erick was working at: Morse Chain Co. - 7601 Central Avenue - Detroit, MI.
  He lived at: 5350 31st St. - Detroit, MI

ELLIS ISLAND RESEARCH

My research at the Ellis Island Site has led to two important discoveries:

• Karl Ferdinand Petrat came to the United States in 1900. It was originally thought that Karl traveled here with his family in 1905 for the first time. It now appears that he traveled alone and stayed with Carl Leopold Petrat - 216 Ten Eyck Street - Brooklyn, NY.  I have not yet determined who Carl Leopold Petrat was. The ship manifest lists Karl as a "laborer", residing in "Kowno, Russia", his "Mother Tongue" was German, and he had approximately $4.00 in his possession. View his passenger record at the Ellis Island Site. Once you are there you can also view the original ship manifest and a photograph of the ship.
• Karl Julius Petrat apparently traveled to Europe sometime after W.W.I, returning through Ellis Island in 1922. My Uncle, James Petrat, remembers something about a family shipping/barge business. Karl Julius was possibly trying to reclaim the family business after the war ended. According to my Uncle Jimmy, he was not successful. The government had taken the business, (cord wood shipping on a river), and Julius returned home. The ship manifest lists him as a member of the ships crew. It is possible that he had some experience, making him employable on the ship. This could be how he earned his trip back to the United States.
  View his passenger record at the Ellis Island Site. Once you are there you can also view the original ship manifest and a photograph of the ship.
• I have not been able to locate the immigration records for the Petrat family, which likely occurred in 1905. I'm starting to wonder if they immigrated through Ellis Island! There were many other ports where immigrants arrived from Europe. Update: Records located via National Archives; they came into Baltimore, Maryland.
• NOTE: When reviewing documents at the Ellis Island Site, keep in mind that they are not perfect. There are errors regarding information on the ships and some typographical errors that occurred between the handwritten ship manifests and the passenger records.

NEXT STEPS:

• As time allows, I will continue to send letters and attempt to communicate with family members. This has proven successful. A conversation with Mary Ellen Petrat and Robert Otto Petrat, (son of Otto Petrat), in June 2002, led to extensive information regarding the older children of Karl Ferdinand and Anna Petrat and their families. Thank you Mary Ellen!
• I will be submitting a request for Erick Petrat's, (my Grandfather), naturalization documents. These documents should  reveal important information that will help with tracing our family roots to a greater degree.

I hope you enjoy reading about our family history. If you have information that you feel is relevant, please send me an e-mail.

Thanks - Trish

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