Servatius Connections
The photo of Wilhelm was shared with me by a distant cousin. Until I know whether he’d like his name printed, I’ll use his initials. Thank you, MM, for the share.
The Servatius family has been both a joy and frustration to research. In Cordelia’s will–she was Wilhelm’s wife–the surname is spelled Servatus. Other variations are seen elsewhere adding to the confusion, especially when a record is grainy and hard to read. Another hurdle is that Bertha, their only child, was adopted. The hunt continues.
By birth, this woman is a Geier, therefore my blood relative. Her name is Maria Theresia Geier Servatius–my great grandfather Joseph Geier’s aunt–and she married Anton Servatius, Wilhelm’s brother. Once again, MM, thank you for the very valuable photo.
My Servatius lineage
Anton Servatius, b. 1750s m. Anna Mariae Schmitz, and their son
Peter Servatius, b. 1783 m. Barbara Sauerborn, and their son
William Servatius, b. 1830 m. Cordelia F. Matts, and their daughter
Bertha May Servatius*, b. 1874 m. Joseph Geier, and their son
Carl Geier, b. 1893 m. Lalla M. Butterfield, and their son
Rodney M. Geier, b. 1929 m. Margaret E. Appell. They are my parents.
*The 1900 Kansas state census record states Bertha was adopted.
Your Servatius submissions can be taken HERE.
Photo and birth and death information graciously shared by my cousin. Thank you.
For those of you who caught that there is an Anton Servatius in my lineage with a different birth date than the one in the above photo, good eye! Maybe this will help:
Did you notice that my great grandparents Joseph Geier and Bertha Servatius are in the lower right corner? Joseph’s aunt Theresia Geier married Bertha’s uncle Anton Servatius, making two Servatius/Geier marriages. Calgon, take me away!
The Malevolent Matriarch 