Notes for: Christina Van Valkenburg
Mary Zednick gives the her last name as Van Valkenburg. Her name has also been listed as "Vorgunberg." They were married by a Rev. Broadhead in Brooklyn, New York (Reynolds family Bible). In the 1870 Census of Battle Creek, there is a William Baird living with them. He's 36 or 56 and is a clerk.
In 1860, Christina is living with her two sons and two daughters in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan. She is a tailoress.. By 1870, Benjamin is no longer with the family, but the other three children are still living with her. She is a tailoress, George is a furniture maker, Sarah and Carrie are at home. In 1880 it is just Christina and Carrie. Both are tailoresses. In 1910 she is living with Carrie's family (husband and four children) in Battle Creek. She is not working. The census was taken on April 23rd and 24th and she died in May.
The info on the death certificate of her son, George Washington Bodine, says she was born in Pennsylvania. That is probably a mistake. (It also says that John Howard Bodine was born in France!)
The following comes from the Mary Zednick at her Reynolds and Salter database at WorldConnet on Rootsweb:
Cause of Death: Lagrippe
1860 Federal Census:
Living on the City of Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, with her sons Benjamin (age 12) and George (age 7) and daughters Sarah (age 5) and Carrie (age 2). Christina is a tailoress, age 36.
1870 Federal census:
Living in the 3rd Ward, Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, with her children George (age 18), Sarah (age 15) and Carrie (age 12). Christina is a tailoress, age 46.
1880 Federal Census:
Living in the 5th Ward, City of Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, 4 National Street, with her daughter Carrie (age 23). Christina is a tailoress, age 57.
1900 Federal Census:
Living in Chicago, West Town, Cook County, Illinois, 761 N. Western Avenue, with son George W. (age48), his wife Addie (age 38), and their two sons Howard O. (age 18) and Harry F. (age 14). Christina is age 77.
1910 Federal Census:
Living in the 4th Ward, Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, 181 Calhoun Street, with her daughter Carrie (age 50), Carrie's husband Clarence Eugene (age 52] and their four children Dora L. (age 24), Earl P. (age20), Ruth H. (age 12), and Donald C. (age 10). Christina is age 87.
Per the R. L. Polk & Co. city directories for Battle Creek, Christina (widow of John H) is living in the following places for the years noted:
1901/02 - boards at 30 Goguac e. (house owned by her son Benjamin Frank) (page 96)
1903/04 - boards at 30 Goguac e. (page 125)
1904/05 - boards at 34 Plumb (page 123)
1905/06 - boards at 101 Union N. (house owned by her son-in-law Clarence Eugene Reynolds) (page 109)
1907 - boards at 101 Union N. (page 114)
1908 - boards at 101 Union N. (page 115)
1909 - boards at 181 Calhoun (house owned by her son-in-law Clarence Eugene Reynolds) (page 110)
Battle Creek Journal, May 2, 1910, obituary:
CAME HERE IN 1858
Mrs. Christina Bodine, who came to this city in 1858, passed away at her home, 181 Calhoun street, at 4:02 Sunday afternoon. Decedent had been ill with la grippe and later heart trouble set in, causing her death. She was 87 years of age, and survived by three children, Mrs. Eugene Reynolds, with whom she made her home, Frank Bodine, of this city, and George Bodine, of Racine, Wis. Funeral services will be held at the residence on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30, Rev. Taber officiating. Internment will be made in Oak Hill.
From: Jim Jackson [jjacks01 at yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Cc: mzednick at 3rivers.net
Subject: Van Ness/Van Valkenburg
Dave,
I am a direct descendant of Catherine (Van Valkenburg) Ashley. I'm interested in your reference of the "Bible of Cornelius Van Ness of Chatham, New York" and other sources listed on your webpage for Catherine's sister, Christina VV. For instance, where is the Bible now? Do you have a copy? Could I obtain a copy? Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Jim Jackson
Battle Creek, MI
269-288-1655
www.michlist.com