Genealogy as Therapy

I find great solace in genealogy. When life presents challenges and difficulties, our ancestors are always there, waiting to be studied.

The past week was full of said challenges for me. Several days strung together of illness, bad luck, various disappointments and a blizzard that kept my husband from coming home.

Suddenly my weekend calendar was free. I used the time to work on my own genealogy for a change. The activities weren't very exciting. I entered some city directory information into my RootsMagic database. Find the fact at Ancestry.com, apply it to the corresponding person in RootsMagic and enter the citation that connects the two.

It's not everyone's idea of a good time, but I enjoyed the solace...and it was good to see my ancestors again.

Las Vegas, New Mexico, circa 1916

My great-great grandmother Marie Schmitz (standing), her daughter Violet Hayward (kneeling), her daughter / my-great grandmother Gertrude Baerecke (seated), my grandfather Jack Lenertz (toddler)

In day-to-day life, when others cut you off, overcharge, are rude, write checks in the express line, give excuses in stead of results, and generally muck up your day...ancestors just sit patiently waiting for discovery.

Genealogy is good therapy for me. Dies anyone else feel that way? Through life's ups and downs, family history is a constant that provides comfort. 

Viva Las Vegas, part 3

In Viva Las Vegas, part 1, I shared some views of the masonic cemetery in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Part 2 featured the photos of the Hayward grave stones I came to see.

The reason there is a part 3 to this tale is because right next to the Hayward stones, there is this one for Asmus Christian Schmidt.


Hmm...my great-great grandmother's death certificate says her maiden name is Schmitz. Robert Hayward, her second husband, is buried next to this Schmidt. Could it be a coincidence?

One of the questions I have about my great-great grandmother was how she went from a married mother of one in 1892 Chicago to being married to another person in 1900 New Mexico. What happened to her first husband, and what brought her out west?

If she was widowed young in Chicago and had Schmidt/Schmitz family in Las Vegas, that's a good reason for relocation. What are the chances of two unrelated families named Schmidt/Schmitz in 1900's Las Vegas, New Mexico?

The math also adds up, so this could possibly be her father (and my ggg grandfather):

On the back of the memorial is another on for Louise E. Schmidt. I think this may be a second (or even third) wife for A. C. Schmidt, as the wagonmaker was known in Las Vegas.

Buried next to A.C. and Louise is George Schmitt. Again, the math fits. This could be A.C.'s son, and even my great-great grandmother's brother.

Carolina Schmitt could be George's wife.

Further investigation is needed to determine if these Schmidts are any connection to my Schmitz. I just think there are too many coincidences.

I have begun the slow process of ordering and perusing Las Vegas & San Miguel county microfilms at the Family History Center.

Never in a million years would I have thought I had so many roots in New Mexico, yet here I am digging them up.

Viva Las Vegas, part 2

In part 1 of Viva Las Vegas, I showed you the grounds of the Masonic Cemetery in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

The whole reason for my visit to the cemetery was to find the graves of Robert Hayward and his family. After much walking in dead crunchy grass filled with grasshoppers (including one hitting me in the face) I found Robert Hayward, my great-great grandmother's second husband (film is on order from FHC to verify this). He died of typhoid on his sheep farm, according to the obit in the local paper.


He has a Woodmen of the World marker. This one is quite plain compared to the tree stump memorials I've seen elsewhere.

Next to Robert is his father Thomas Walter Hayward. As far as I can tell, he was born in England. All of his children were born in Kansas. At some point, the family moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico where Thomas was a butcher/shopkeeper.

This is Robert's mother, Samantha Josephine Hayward. I believe her maiden name was Hanson, but don't hold me to that.

Also in this area is the grave stone of Walter Hayward, a brother to Robert and son to Thomas and Samantha.

Robert's family is located to the right of his tombstone. What I found to the left of his grave still has me scratching my head. What could it be? Find out in part 3...


[Note to family: Robert Hayward is Violet's dad. Thomas and Samantha are her grandparents.]

Viva Las Vegas, part 1

In March I went to New Mexico for a conference. I came in a day early to do some research and see where my great-great grandmother's second husband was buried. This is the photo essay of that trip.

Welcome to the Masonic Cemetery in Las Vegas, New Mexico:



This is the view of the cemetery facing the entrance.

It was very cold and windy the day of my visit.

I don't think it's rained there since the Eisenhower administration.

Stay tuned for part 2, where I poke around some headstones looking for anything Hayward.

Mystery in New Mexico

Today I requested the 1908 guardianship file for Violet Hayward (1901-1991) from the New Mexico State Archives.

I am hoping the file will have information on her mother, Marie Schmitz, who is also my great-great grandmother.

I have a lot of questions about this whole situation and all the players in it.

Violet's dad (Marie's second husband) died in 1905. Marie is listed as a widow in the 1910 census, and Violet is listed as 8 years old. Why is there a guardianship file dated 1908 and who initiated it?

I have a theory, but I'm not telling.

I also ordered some records at the Family History Center today. Hopefully, I can piece this puzzle together. Never in a million pre-genealogy years would I have expected my ancestors to have such deep roots in New Mexico. Why did they go there? Why did they stay so long? And why did they leave?

Also, is it just a coincidence that Asmus Schmitt is buried in Las Vegas, New Mexico next to the second husband of Marie Schmitz? Is he my great-great-great grandfather? These are the questions I want answered. Hopefully, the records hold the answers.

Unlucky in Las Vegas

I am currently in Albuquerque for a conference. I purposely arrived a day early so I could do some genealogy research in Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico. My great-great grandmother and her daughters spent about 15-20 years there between 1890s-1910s.

I drafted a research plan that included a visit to the courthouse for marriage records, probate records and anything else that might jump out of the books. I also intended to find six graves in a single cemetery.

So yesterday, I landed at ABQ, rented a car and headed for Las Vegas. The town was bigger than I expected and more hilly. I eventually found the courthouse. The building was under renovation and the main entrance was blocked. I walked around the building looking for a place to get in. It was clear that the entire building was under renovation. So where was the courthouse business being conducted during this mess?

I walked to the district court and asked the officer at the entrance. The county clerk was currently "in a strip mall by Auto Zone." Off to the shopping mall clerk I went. It only took a minute to learn they didn't have the records I needed. Where were they? Back at the courthouse under construction. Access denied.

On a positive note, I did find the graves I was searching for at the Masonic Cemetery. I found the Haywards I'm connected to but not related. I found the Schmitt's I might be related to, but don't know because the answers to my questions may or may not be in the courthouse closed to the public.

Do not pass go. Do not collect $200...or the records I drove all this was to get. Hopefully, the Family History Library will be able to help me fill some gaps.

Cemetery pics will follow eventually. Now I have a conference to attend.

The Schmitz / Schmidt Puzzle

I don't know a whole lot about my great-great grandmother, Marie Magdalena Schmitz (1865-1947) except that she died on my birthday. Based on records, she was either born in France, London, Germany, Belgium or none of the above. She had three husbands and two daughters. Her eldest child, Gertrude, is my great-grandmother.

Gertrude's death certificate says she was born in Chicago in 1892. Her parents were H. H. Barecke and Marie Schmitz. If this record is accurate, then Marie is in Chicago in 1892.

Fast forward to 1900, the census has Marie now married to R. Hayward and living in Las Vegas, San Miguel, New Mexico. What happened to her first husband in Chicago and why did she come to New Mexico? I have yet to find the answers to those questions.

In the 1910 census, Marie is still living in Las Vegas, this time as a widow with two children. I know from a local newspaper obit that her second husband, Robert Hayward, died in 1905.

Local cemetery headstone transcriptions published online list Robert Hayward as being buried in the Masonic cemetery in town. Based on the web site, he is buried in Section N, row 4.

But guess who else is buried in Section N, row 4, right next to Robert Hayward? Asmus Christian Schmidt and Louise E. Schmidt. Could they be related to my great-great grandmother Marie Schmitz? Or is the Schmitz/Schmidt name just a coincidence?

If Marie was a young widow with a child in pre-1900 Chicago, and she had family in New Mexico, it would make sense that she would travel there to be with them. It’s the only reason I can think of for her relocation there.

I’ll be in New Mexico for a conference later this week. I’m going to try to go to the San Miguel County Courthouse and see if I can find a will for Asmus Schmidt or Louise Schmidt. Maybe there’s a connection. Then again, maybe not. I’ve learned not to get too excited. This tree is full of curveballs.

[Note to my family readers: Marie Schmitz is also Mollie Sutherland. She is Violet’s mom. She is Buster’s grandmother. Buster’s mom and Violet had the same mom but different dads. Marie/Mollie is the one buried in Inglewood.]

Robert Hayward: Of the Highest Character and Most Sterling Worth

The Las Vegas Daily Optic, Las Vegas, New Mexico, Tuesday Evening, August 15, 1905, front page, bottom of left column:




Robert Hayward Dead

Las Vegas will regret sincerely to hear of the death of Robert Hayward which occurred at the home of his father, T. W. Hayward, this morning around 11 o'clock. Six weeks ago, while on his sheep ranch near Corona, Mr. Hayward contracted typhoid fever. He was brought to the city and every effort was made to save his life. It was believed the latter part of last week that he had passed the crisis of his disease and that the chances for recovery were good. Sunday evening a relapse came and since that time the loved ones who watched over him were sustained only by the hope that hopes against hope.

Deceased was born in Kansas. He was married nearly three years ago and his widow and one child are among those who most deeply mourn. Mr. Hayward was an industrious, intelligent young man of the highest character and most sterling worth.

By hard work and energy he had grown prosperous and life held much promise for him. For his family and relatives, Las Vegas people will entertain the warmest sympathy.

Arrangments for the funeral have not yet been made. Will Hayward arrived from El Paso this afternoon.

Robert Hayward was the second husband of my great-great grandmother, Marie Magdalena Schmitz. The daughter not mentioned by name is Violet Hayward (1901-1991). Marie's other daughter, Gertrude, is not mentioned in the article. She is Robert's step-daughter and my great-grandmother.

The T(homas). W(alter). Hayward mentioned in this article as father of Robert, may also be the T. W. Hayward who owns a local butcher shop. Ads for this store are in other editions of this same paper.

I believe the Will Hayward noted above as arriving from El Paso is a brother of Robert.

I did not know Robert Hayward had farm. By researching his life and death, I am learning about those events of my blood-related ancestors. They spent time on that sheep farm in rural New Mexico. How awful it must have felt for Marie to bury a second husband so young.

Marie Schmitz Baerecke Hayward did marry again. I don't know when she came to New Mexico or when she left, just that she's in Missouri for the 1920 census and spent her final years in California. Hopefully further study of the Las Vegas, San Miguel county, New Mexico area between 1892 and 1920 will shed some light Marie's life-event timeline and that of Robert's step-daughter Gertrude.