Stohler von Arboldswil BL

[JaneAusten7]

Farnsburgerstrasse 34 4.

When I went to the URL I did not understand what I was looking at. I see the information you mentioned, but what is this Source called? I noticed many lines that were crossed out and wondered why?

Thank you for your help.

Kristine

[JaneAusten7]

in 1921 at the Obere Realschule, which later became the Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Gymnasium.

I feel stupid asking this question... When I went to the URL you gave me, it is the De Wette Schoolhouse. I assumed that this was the modern name for Obere Realschule. I cannot figure out when the name of the school changed to De Wette Schoolhouse. I'm sorry.

[Walter]

I wonder why he went to the USA. Was 1879 in BL a bad year for crops or something?

That's my question too.
Around 1880 it was still the time of industrialization, Basel quickly grew to become the second largest city in Switzerland. So I can hardly imagine economic reasons for his emigration.
And why did your great-grandfather go to America alone, without his wife and children?
Maybe he had personal reasons for doing so, but that would be a very private matter.

[Walter]

I am embarrassed that I never noticed this before. I am very grateful that you all are looking over the paperwork with "new eyes." Birsfelden, am I correct that is part of BS not BL?

You don't have to be embarrassed, that's what this forum is for.
Birsfelden belongs to BL.
No, the canton of Baselland separated from Basel in 1833 after military conflicts.

Ok, so the "rule" is that if there is no other place listed with the birth date then the person was born in the place of their Citizenship?

I can't confirm that.
Place of birth and place of origin are two very different areas of our personal identity.
If the place of birth was not noted, then it was probably because it was the same as the place of recording (e.g. in the church registers).
Or it was not known to the writer.
The place of citizenship (place of origin) was often noted in addition.

[Peter.D]

When I went to the URL I did not understand what I was looking at. I see the information you mentioned, but what is this Source called? I noticed many lines that were crossed out and wondered why?

This is the first digitally available inventory of the historical residents' registry to date, the Strassenkontrolle beginning around 1890. I've linked the picture so that you can see that Charlotte Stohler and her son Rudolf lived there for a time, along with other family members. At the top right you can see that two of Charlotte's sons-in-law owned the house for a certain period. People who moved away were crossed out.
The structure of the historical residents' registry is extremely complicated, but I won't go into that any further.

Peter

[Peter.D]

When I went to the URL you gave me, it is the De Wette Schoolhouse. I assumed that this was the modern name for Obere Realschule.

Obere Realschule refers to a type of school, such as a college, while De Wette is the name of the building. The class lists of the school graduates from 1921 should be found in the State Archives under the school type, if they still exist, probably here.

Peter

[JaneAusten7]

Around 1880 it was still the time of industrialization, Basel quickly grew to become the second largest city in Switzerland. So I can hardly imagine economic reasons for his emigration.

The "lure" of more money available in the USA isn't the answer. And it doesn't make sense to go to all the trouble of migrating and everything to be a silk weaver, when he could do that in Basel.

And why did your great-grandfather go to America alone, without his wife and children?
Maybe he had personal reasons for doing so, but that would be a very private matter.

This is the same question that I wondered about too. There are many stories of people came for a better life and then they worked to save enough money to bring their family to the USA. But that doesn't fit this scenario. It is a puzzle indeed! Perhaps I will never know.

[JaneAusten7]

Obere Realschule refers to a type of school, such as a college, while De Wette is the name of the building.

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you for being patient with me and explaining it.

The class lists of the school graduates from 1921 should be found in the State Archives under the school type, if they still exist, probably here.

Peter

You have anticipated my exciting news today! I received a return email from the StABS today and this is what they said:

Beiliegend erhalten Sie die Scans der Schulnoten der Abschlussklasse von Rudolf Stohler, 1921 (Sign. Erziehung T9b) sowie die Scans der Klassenlisten 1B – 4B (Sign. Erziehung T22)
Daraus können Sie die Namen der Mitschüler und die Schulfächer entnehmen, die unterrichtet wurden.
Leider konnte ich keinen Lehrplan für diese Zeit finden und auch keine Lehrerberichte oder Fotografien des Gebäudes oder wenigstens der Umgebung.

Konsultiert habe ich folgende Signaturen:
Erziehung T4, T8, T9b und T22

However, there are several questions I have for all of you about the pages she sent me. Most of the words I could translate and understand, but a few things I don't understand. See attached.

Translated to English, but I don't understand:
REAL-ABTEILUNG = "REAL DEPARTMENT"
Betragen = "be"
Einzeln = "individually"
Allgem. = "general"
entsch. = "decided"
Darstell. = ?
Rechnen = ?
Gr. Sti. = ?
F1. = ?
L. = ?
Le. Li. = ?
IV B Klasse = ?

There seems to be a numbering system. The highest number is a 6 and the lowest 1. I'm guessing this is what we call "grades" in the USA? Our "grading system" is with letters and only 5 of them. "A" being the best and "F" being worst, and there is no "E." The "C" would be considered "average." For serious students, "D" feels as bad as an "F" which is "flunking."

Under the category of "Turnen" there is an abbreviation of what looks like "disp." but no translation comes up. (See screenshot)

What was/is a typical school year in Basel? In the USA for example it is from August to May or September to June. Depending on where you live.

Kristine

[JaneAusten7]

This is the first digitally available inventory of the historical residents' registry to date, the Strassenkontrolle beginning around 1890.

Thank you. I couldn't figure out how to find the other street names. LOL I always get lost on the site. But I just found the whole registry from your URL. What a wonderful digital treasure!!!!

[Peter.D]

However, there are several questions I have for all of you about the pages she sent me. Most of the words I could translate and understand, but a few things I don't understand. See attached.

Translated to English, but I don't understand:
REAL-ABTEILUNG = "REAL DEPARTMENT" --> department of the Obere Realschule
Betragen = "be" --> behavior, attitude
Einzeln = "individually"
Allgem. = "general"
entsch. = "decided" --> Absenzen: entschuldigt or unentschuldigt
Darstell. = ? --> Darstellende Geometrie
Rechnen = ? --> arithmetic, math, algebra
Gr. Sti. = ? --> grammar and style
F1. = ? --> Fl = Fleiss
L. = ? --> Leistung
Le. Li. = ? --> Lesen, Literatur
IV B Klasse = ? --> vierte Stufe an der Oberen Realschule (Stufen 1 bis 4), Klasse B

disp. --> he was dispensed from gymnastics lessons due to illness, accident, etc.

At that time, the school year ran from spring to spring. Apparently, however, trimester school reports were issued.

Have you seen a grade in Latin anywhere? If not, he has hardly started studying medicine, in line with your second picture.

Peter

[JaneAusten7]

Have you seen a grade in Latin anywhere? If not, he has hardly started studying medicine, in line with your second picture.

No, and I would think that Latin would come in handy even in Biology and Zoology, so I am surprised.

Thank you for clarifying all those terms.

In the comment section it looks like they wrote "University" but I cannot understand the other two words. Do you know what they are?

As always, thank you for your help!

[JaneAusten7]

I have been thinking about grandfather Dr. Stohler's two PhDs mentioned in his American obituary. I think my Aunt may have been misunderstood. I do not see how he had time to get both from the paperwork I have currently. My two theories are:

1. In American Universities currently you can have a Major (in this case Zoology) and a Minor (in this case Botany)? Is this possible in that era?

Or Perhaps

2. His Master's degree was in Botany and his PhD was in Zoology?

However, I did inquire at University of Geneva and they sent me the attached, so he seems to have attended there at some point in time.

What do you all think?

[JaneAusten7]

On the T22 1917-1921 sheet one has a top that I don't understand (see attached). What does the Disp mean and also the "T" and next column?

Another section header I don't know what all the abbreviations mean (see attached).
I think it means what Christian denomination are you?

The last one seems to be some kind of comments or something about Religion?

Thank you for your help.

[Peter.D]

in the comment section it looks like they wrote "University" but I cannot understand the other two words. Do you know what they are?

The high school graduates were asked about their plans for further education or a profession (Berufswahl). Rudolf stated: Univ(ersität), math(ematisch-)nat(urwissenschaftliche Richtung)

However, I did inquire at University of Geneva and they sent me the attached, so he seems to have attended there at some point in time.

Rudolf attended the University of Geneva for a guest semester at least in the summer of 1922.

1. In American Universities currently you can have a Major (in this case Zoology) and a Minor (in this case Botany)? Is this possible in that era?

In that era, there were neither Bachelor's nor Master's (minors or majors) degrees. You graduated from university with a doctorate or a teaching diploma. There were also hardly any intermediate examinations in most disciplines. Did he perhaps acquire a second doctorate in the USA? Where did he work or study after his immigration?

Another section header I don't know what all the abbreviations mean (see attached).
I think it means what Christian denomination are you?

Yes, the religion had to be indicated: reformiert, römisch-katholisch, alt-katholisch, israelitisch, andere

Rudolf was obviously dispensed from both T (probably Turnen) and Freihand-Zeichnen. Did he suffer an accident to his hand or arm?

Peter

[JaneAusten7]

Rudolf attended the University of Geneva for a guest semester at least in the summer of 1922.

Thank you, Peter, for all your helpful answers.

"Guest" semester. Does this mean he was trying the University of Geneva to see if he liked it enough? I did notice that he did best in French language.

In that era, there were neither Bachelor's nor Master's (minors or majors) degrees. You graduated from university with a doctorate or a teaching diploma. There were also hardly any intermediate examinations in most disciplines. Did he perhaps acquire a second doctorate in the USA? Where did he work or study after his immigration?

I was wondering, how much did it cost to go to University in that era?

I've not yet found any evidence of a PhD received in the USA. However, I will have to look more closely at his 1928 early records when he came here for the International Fellowship program. I haven't yet been able to find paperwork here that explains what that involved. Do you know where I might find that sort of information in Swiss records?

He first came over and went to work in San Francisco, California, USA. He worked with a man named Dr. George William Hooper, who was the head of the Hooper Foundation for Medical Research. I believe at the same time, he was doing the fellowship at the University of California at Berkeley.

This makes me wonder, do you know if I would be able to get a copy of his Swiss passport and Visa? I'd also like to find the ship he and my grandmother arrived on in 1930, would they have arrived in the port of Le Havre, France, just as they left in 1932? I'm not sure how this all works.

Thank you again for your wonderful help.

[JaneAusten7]

Ok, I was digging through American Old newspapers and discovered that on 3 October 1928, they announced my Grandfather Dr. Stohler as coming for the Fellowship. The key information I gleaned from this article was:

1. The program was actually through the University of California at Berkeley.

2. It was Dr. Karl Meyer of the University Hooper Foundation for Medical Research that announced 2 doctors from Switzerland would join the staff.

3. The Mussel food poisoning, this team by 1932 discovered that mussels eaten in the wrong season was toxic. This research was paid for by the "Edith Claypole Fellowship" of the University Department of Bacteriology.

4. Grandfather's year of study and research (which was extended) at UC Berkeley was financed by UC Berkeley under arrangement of the International Student Exchange.

I wonder if I could find any information about the International Student Exchange in 1928 Basel?

I'd love to find some photos or drawings of the Univ. of Basel during the timeframe my grandfather was attending. Especially in the area of the Univ. that he was studying. Do you know where I might discover such documents/photos or what search terms I should use?

I am learning so much from you all and really appreciate it!

[JaneAusten7]

Rudolf was obviously dispensed from both T (probably Turnen) and Freihand-Zeichnen. Did he suffer an accident to his hand or arm?

Peter

No, he was only dispensed from Turnen. The photo is the headings at the top of the page.

My family knows that at some time during grandfather's growing up years he had Pleurisy. According to the T22 sheets this dispensed Turnen only happened in the school year 1920/21.

During High School, in that era, what kind of gym class/Turnen would they do? My grandfather spoke of enjoying skiing. I think this meant cross-country skiing in the Basel area. Grandfather mentioned that at one time he used to be a "ski-patroller." Is this a job or military duty?

[JaneAusten7]

114 Basel St., Reinach 5. Switzerland
I don't understand this address: Reinach wasn't a large and therefore didn't keep an address structure like Paris or London it's best to ask at the residents' registration office.

Peter

Thank you for the URL. I have now written to them and will let you know what they say.

[Peter.D]

I'd love to find some photos or drawings of the Univ. of Basel during the timeframe my grandfather was attending.

Rudolf Stohler visited the so-called Alte Universität in Basel's old town directly at the Rhine. Here you can find some historical pictures of the building and its surroundings.

Peter

[Walter]

Stohler visited the so-called Alte Universität in Basel's old town directly at the Rhine. Here you can find some historical pictures of the building and its surroundings.

Hier noch zwei Links zur Uni Basel:

- Website of the University of Basel
- Universität Basel auf Wikipedia

[JaneAusten7]

Rudolf Stohler visited the so-called Alte Universität in Basel's old town directly at the Rhine. Here you can find some historical pictures of the building and its surroundings.

Peter

Wow!!!!!! You always seem to make my "dreams come true!"

I was wondering which one of the documents this information was from? I want to put a source with the information.

I'm so excited to share these photos with my family on Tuesday!!!!!! Vielen Dank!

[JaneAusten7]

Hier noch zwei Links zur Uni Basel:

- Website of the University of Basel
- Universität Basel auf Wikipedia

Thank you, Walter, for the URLs!

[Peter.D]

I was wondering which one of the documents this information was from? I want to put a source with the information.

For pictures that you want to publish outside the narrower family circle, it is best to ask the StABS. This one, for example, is gemeinfrei (public domain), i.e. it does not require permission and does not cost a copyright fee; other images are subject to different copyright protection provisions. You must always indicate the source as "Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, Reference Code". In the example above: "Staatsarchiv Basel-Stadt, AL 45, 9-9-2".

Peter

[JaneAusten7]

114 Basel St., Reinach 5. Switzerland

I don't understand this address: Reinach wasn't a large... If the addresses are of interest to you, it's best to ask at the residents' registration office. Hopefully they still keep the registers from that era.

I just received an answer to my inquiry. Here is what they said:

Wir haben im Archiv die Bücher von 1914/1915 gefunden aber leider keine genauen Daten zu Ihren Angaben gefunden. Sollten wir die Suche intensivieren würde das einen kostenpflichtigen Aufwand mit sich bringen – sprich der Stundenansatz wird Ihnen in Rechnung gestellt.

Es ist uns jedoch zu keiner Zeit möglich ein erfolgreiches Ergebnis zu garantieren.

I answered this email to clarify that they didn't find the above address in the 1932 Street addresses.

What do you think about the answer I received from Reinach and its meaning?

[JaneAusten7]

For pictures that you want to publish outside the narrower family circle, it is best to ask the StABS. This one, for example, is gemeinfrei (public domain),

Peter

Thank you, wonderful reminder. It is the same in America. I am always very careful to give proper credit and to ask permission to use it. Now I know the German word to look for public domain. The book I am writing will not be published. I only plan to have it professionally printed. It will be homemade, but made into a proper book with hardcover and is family only.

[Peter.D]

What do you think about the answer I received from Reinach and its meaning?

In fact, more time-consuming research in the archives and the residents' registration office in the municipalities is usually charged for. In the StABS, for example, they charge CHF 50 per 30 minutes. Whether this is worth it to you, is of course up to you to decide.

In Reinach, however, I would recommend not starting research until around 1925-1930, as the family almost certainly lived there at that time. The municipality might also be able to do a search in the tax registers. Alphabetical name registers should be available for both registers.

Peter

[JaneAusten7]

In fact, more time-consuming research in the archives and the residents' registration office in the municipalities is usually charged for. In the StABS, for example, they charge CHF 50 per 30 minutes. Whether this is worth it to you, is of course up to you to decide.

That makes sense. Thank you for the explanation. Right now, since I am waiting to hear back from the Inheritance Office, and their files can be many pages, I don't want to spend anything from my genealogy budget which is not large. I think the Inventory of my great-grandparents would be where I should spend my money first. At least I hope I am correct.

In Reinach, however, I would recommend not starting research until around 1925-1930, as the family almost certainly lived there at that time.

This is sound advice, I will heed it. Thank you

The municipality might also be able to do a search in the tax registers. Alphabetical name registers should be available for both registers.

What are tax registers? I understand the meaning of the word tax, but where are they located and how many years back do they go? What kind of genealogical information can be gleaned from them? Does BS also have them. Is this "income tax" or something else?

[JaneAusten7]

Currently I'm working on the Strasse Control for my great-grandfather Stohler. I have a few questions about these records.

I noticed a "Control Number" assigned to each individual. In this case, Rudolf Stohler-Kiefer was number was b18950. However, I also came across another number SNC 11780 which seems to have changed in 1903 https://dls.staatsarchiv.bs.ch/records/ ... r_page=278 where I found both numbers. Also, I noticed that Rudolf Stohler's father-in-law, Hermann Kiefer-Kaiser is mentioned at the very top of the page along with another person's name crossed out. What does this mean?

In 1898, before Rudolf Stohler married Emma Kiefer he has a different control number G 6440 https://dls.staatsarchiv.bs.ch/records/ ... r_page=142 My guess at first was that when he changed from a single man to a married man there might have been a number exchange. But this doesn't seem to answer for this. What did the control number represent. Was it used in other places besides the Strasse Control?

In another entry for Stohler-Kiefer https://dls.staatsarchiv.bs.ch/records/ ... r_page=578 I noticed that there was a roman numeral III marked in comments. What would that stand for?

As always, thank you all for your valuable help! I really appreciate it.

[Peter.D]

I noticed a "Control Number" assigned to each individual.

The control numbers refer to the registers of the higher-level residents' registration. They would allow the State Archives to track people throughout their stay in Basel, but are of no relevance to you. The manual system of the residents' registration was so complex that it could only be fully deciphered 25 years ago in volume 3 of René Lorenceau's dissertation.

Is this "income tax" or something else?

An income tax and a capital tax were levied. The tax registers up to the beginning of the 20th century have been preserved in the StABS. The tax administration, on the other hand, destroyed the personal tax files from the first half of the 20th century! I guess that the tax files in Reinach from the era relevant here are still in the archives of the municipal administration.

Also, I noticed that Rudolf Stohler's father-in-law, Hermann Kiefer-Kaiser is mentioned at the very top of the page along with another person's name crossed out. What does this mean?

See my response of February 3.

Peter

[JaneAusten7]

114 Basel St., Reinach 5. Switzerland
I answered this email to clarify that they didn't find the above address in the 1932 Street address.

This was the answer I received:

We have looked in the archive again and unfortunately have not found the Kohler family with the address Basel Strasse 114, Reinach 5 in 1932. A request to the State Archives would be helpful:

Basel-Landschaft State Archives
staatsarchiv@bl.ch

For further research in the municipal archives, an hourly rate of CHF 180.00 is expected.

1932 was the only year this address came from in the Ship Information. I assume her use of the name Kohler instead of Stohler was just a typo. What are your thoughts?