My 3rd cousin, 1x removed, Irene, is no stranger to this blog. Married to my paternal grandmother’s 1st cousin, Irene’s mother was an Uthlaut and a relative of my mother’s. Over the last year, Irene has become a good friend, helping me fill in the blanks on Uthlaut family members from her neck of the tree.

Just recently, I learned that Irene and I share yet another connection. Her FATHER is also related to my mother. What are the odds?

Pretty darn good, I’ve learned, considering many of the Germans who immigrated to Missouri in the 19th century came from the same part of Germany. Anna Ilsche Rohlfing, my 7th great grandmother, is a recent addition to my family tree. Naturally, I instantly recognized her last name since it’s also Irene’s maiden name. So I shimmied up Irene’s family tree and discovered that Anna Ilsche was, in deed, related to her father. They lived in or came from Nordhemmern, Germany.

Officially, Irene is now also my 6th cousin, 3x removed on her father’s side. (In reality, she’s always been that but I just discovered it.) Had enough? Well, that’s not the end of it. Anna Ilsche’s brother, who is Irene’s ancestor, married a VON BEHREN. My 3rd great grandmother was a von Behren also from Nordhemmern. I haven’t figured this part out yet but that would also make Irene a 7th or 8th cousin a few times removed.

It’s like Irene and I are starting from scratch now. Over the next year I’ll be pestering her for information about her father’s family.

Kenfolk: Utlauts
Relation: 7th great grandmother
Common ancestors: Anna Ilsche’s father was Ludeke? Rohlfink, my 8th great grandfather. Her mother? A Trantham perhaps!