2023 ~ Remembering My Beautiful Mom ~

Elfriede Haf 

21 March 1933 ~ 21 July 2010 

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"But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, 

because hers is where yours begins." ~ Mitch Albom 

This quote was found on fellow Family Historian, Dawn's @modernheirloom 

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On this day, thirteen July's have come and gone since my beautiful mom passed. I say this every year, but it just doesn't feel like thirteen years ago, it feels like yesterday to me - still. 

Mom's passing has affected me significantly. None of us expected it and it is still hard to believe she is not here with us. Life just hasn't been the same but I know she would want me to keep on keeping and that's what I try to do.  I think of her everyday, feel her in little things (and big things too) that I do in my daily life. The older I get, I see her in me more and more and I am happy that I am very much like her in many ways. I miss her so much, more than words could ever express. 

This photo of my mom is one of my very favorites of her. I believe (not 100%) that she is pregnant with me when this was taken. I remember her saying something about that when she gave me this photo. This framed photo sits on my counter in my kitchen next to her mom's (my Oma, Liselotte Haf née Kaiser ~ 1913 - 2010) recipe for one or our favorite German Christmas cookies. I get to glance at it everyday and it always makes me smile.  Love and miss you Mom ~ 

Remembering Opa Adalbert Haf on His Birthday Today ~

 

Adalbert Haf

b. 27 February 1907 ~ Kempten, Allgau, Germany

d. 9 February 1968 ~ Augsburg, Germany

One Hundred and Sixteen years ago today, my maternal grandfather, Adalbert Haf, was born to Emilie née Schallhammer (1871 - 1944) and Adalbert Haf, (1868 - 1952),  in Kempten, Allgau, Germany. 

I was very close to my Opa, I would follow him around constantly according to my mom. He has been gone for a very long time ~ I still miss him very much. Happy Birthday Opa! 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Franz Seraph Schallhammer

Franz Seraph Schallhammer

06 Sept 1864 ~ 10 Feb 1940

Pfronten, Ostallgau, Bavaria, Deutschland 

Photo credit: Cousin, Lars Kink

Franz Seraph Schallhammer, is my maternal second great-uncle, brother to my great-grandmother, Emilie Haf née Schallhammer (1871-1944) and the son of Johann Schallhammer (1840-1903) and Maria Anna Hartmann (1840-1886). 

A big thank you to my cousin Lars in Germany, for sharing this photo of our uncle, it's so great putting a face to the name and researching our Haf/Schallhammer together. 

Wordless (Almost) Wednesday ~ Windows on the World Matchbox

                       

New York World Trade Center, Windows on the World Matchbox. 

c. 1999 or earlier 

My mom (1933-2010) traveled frequently to New York for business and I recall her sharing with me that she had lunch at the World Trade Center. Mom used to collect matchbooks where ever she traveled to . . .  after she passed, I was going thru the basket of matchbooks, I found this very special treasure that I now have safely stored in an archival box.

We will forever remember that day and all those who lost their lives to the 9-11 terrorist attack and lives that have since been lost from the effects of that attack . . . never forget.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Oma and the twins ~

This is my maternal Oma, Liselotte Haf née Kaiser~Saule

born ~ 19 Dec 1913 in Zurich, Switzerland

died ~ 05 April 2010 in Augsburg, Germany . . . holding my twin uncles,

Helmut Haf  ~ 1940 ~ 1994 and Adalbert  Haf  ~1940 ~ 2004  

::|---------------------------------------------------|::

                                                                         

Postcards From Germany ~ Augsburg, Germany ~

Postcards From Germany Series ~ You can read the original story behind these postcards here ~

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Augsburg, Rathaus und Perlach bei Nacht

Aus Bildband:

Augsburg die Stadt des Pyrs u. Reichsadler 

Verlag W. Muller, Augsburg, von-Paris-Str. 11 Tel. 2 67 96

Foto: Hans W. Silvester 

ECHT FOTO

WM 15 536

Translation ~

Augsburg, Town Hall and Perlach at night

From illustrated book:

Augsburg the city of Pyrs u. imperial eagle

Verlag W. Muller, Augsburg, from-Paris-Str. 11 Tel. 2 67 96

Photo: Hans W. Silvester

REAL PHOTO

WM 15 536 

Date of postcard: Unknown

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AUGSBURG

Maximillianstrasse mit Rathaus und Perlach

Hans Andres Verlag, Munchen - Foto: Hans Hartz

Translation ~

AUGSBURG

Maximilianstraße with town hall and Perlach

Hans Andres Verlag, Munich - Photo: Hans Hartz

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Augsburg

Rathaus und Perlachturn

Translation ~

Augsburg

Town Hall and Perlachturn

Photo from my cousin, Marion ~ Town Hall Christmas Market

The Rathaus and Perlachturn in 2016

                                                                          

Postcards From Germany ~

In 2010, when my mom, Elfriede Haf (1933-2010) passed away, I inherited her collection of photos, letters, postcards and greeting cards that she had received and saved from family and friends . . . postcards she purchased on trips that she collected and kept over the years . . . for a while, it was hard for me to go thru these items, I just wasn't ready . . . but now, I feel I am.  Mom was born in Augsburg, Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1956, leaving her entire family and embarking on a new journey in her life . . . she would fly back "home" about once a year.  Mom loved to travel, so I have many postcards she kept from her travels and received from family in Augsburg, Germany.

One of the most rewarding gifts I have received from these letters and postcards is where they were sent to, the many addresses we lived at, postmarks with the dates . . . truly a genealogical treasure chest . . . I then created a timeline of our homes and all those places we have lived . . . love timelines and mapping where we have been.

For the last few months, I have been scanning, organizing and focusing mainly on the letters and postcards . . . it's as if I am traveling to those far away places today. I thought it was time to share those postcards here on my blog ~ beautifully captured scenes of our beloved Augsburg and from her travels throughout Germany and other countries. I would have to say that most of her collection of postcards are from Augsburg, Germany but there is much to share from other beautiful places ~

Welcome to my blog series, Postcards From Germany ~

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Augsburg -

Wahrzeichen der Stadt:

Das Rathaus mit Perlachturm

von Elias Holl 

Foto: Verkehrsverein Augsburg e.V.  

-Nr. 113

Translation ~

Augsburg -

True to the city:

The town hall with Perlachturm

by Elias Holl

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2000 Jahre Augsburg

Dom St. Maria

Gotischer Bau auf romanischem Kern

Erste Weihe 807 unter Bischof Simpert

Domlange 113 m, Breite 40 m, Ostchor 28 m hoch

Bronzeportal mit 35 Reliefs, 11. Jh. 

altester Glasfensterzyklus der Welt, 11. Jh.

Foto: Traudel Buhler, Augsburg - Nr. 130 

Translation ~

2000 years Augsburg

Cathedral of St. Mary

Gothic building on Romanesque core

First consecration 807 under Bishop Simpert

Cathedral length 113 m, width 40 m, east choir 28 m high

Bronze portal with 35 reliefs, 11th cent.

Oldest Glass Window Cycle in the World, 11th Century.

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Romantsches Augsburg

Die beiden Wasserturme wurden vom 15. bis 17. Jahr-hundert erbaut. Im Hintergrund das Roste Tor, 1622 von Elias Holl als Wachturm errichtet, sowie der gotische 

Hochgiebel des Spitals.

Foto: Dr. Stefan Vogel - Nr. 147

Translation ~

Romantic Augsburg

The two water towers were built from the 15th to the 17th century. In the background the grate gate, built in 1622 by Elias Holl as a watchtower, as well as the gothic

high gable of the hospital.

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Der Goldene Saal

Im Augsburger Rathaus (zerstort im Febr. 1944) ist einer

der grossten historischen Rathaussale in Mitteleuropa. Der

Augsburger Matthias Kager war der Schopfer der reichen 

ausstattung (Lange 32, 5 m, Breite 17, 5 m, Hohe 14 m).

Aufnahme: Stadt Augsburg - Fotolabor - Nr. 160

Translation ~

The Golden Hall

In the Augsburg city hall (destroyed in the febr. 1944) is one

the largest historical town halls in Central Europe. Of the

Augsburg Matthias Kager was the creator of the rich

equipment (length 32, 5 m, width 17, 5 m, height 14 m).

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Augsburg. Stadt. Kunstsammlungen

Festsaal im Schaezler-Palais. 1767.

Aufnahme: A. F. Kersting, London

Deutscher Kunstverlag, Munchen Berlin

F 142

Translation ~

Augsburg City. Art Collections

Ballroom in Schaezler-Palais. 1767.

Photo: A. F. Kersting, London

German art publisher, Munchen (Munich), Berlin

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 Front

Back

The bag that I found this set of postcards in . . . Mom must have purchased

them on one of her trips home.

Throw Back Thursday ~ Adalbert Haf ~

1936 ca ~ Photo of my maternal grandfather, Adalbert Haf (front and center of photo) out mountain climbing with his friends. He loved mountain climbing in the Alps and loved the flower, "Edelweiss" aka, Leontopodium nivale. On a few of his mountain climbing trips to the Alps, Opa Adalbert picked several and mailed them to my mom, she preserved them and now I have them . . . I'm so lucky to be the keeper of these sweet treasures. 

Opa passed away in 1968 and mom put one of the Edelweiss flowers (on the right) next to his photo in her magnetic memorial album . . . I have scanned the entire memorial album and now in the process of re-doing it into an archival safe photo album. 

Adalbert Haf ~ maternal grandfather to yours truly ~

b. 27 Feb 1907 ~ Kempten, Allgaeu, Bavaria Germany

d. 9 Feb 1968 ~ Augsburg, Bavaria Germany 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Emilie Schmidt née Haf

Emilie Schmidt née Haf  ~ birthdate: unknown

Great Aunt and Godmother to, yours truly. 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Missing Mom ~

Elfriede Haf ~ 1933-2010 

Photo was taken in May of 1971, at our duplex home on White Drive in Santa Clara, CA.

1971 . . . Mom standing in our living room modeling her new jacket ~ I love this photo of mom, she reminds me of Jackie Kennedy. The art piece hanging above the fireplace, was created by my ex-husband, Jim. 

                                                                   

Remembering This Day ~

Percy H. Tabeling

b 07 Jan 1903 ~ Breckinridge, Kentucky

d 19 Aug 1989 ~ Breckinridge, Kentucky

Percy was born, 114 years ago today. He was born to parents, Charlie and Susan Ida Tabeling née Ryan. 

Percy H. Tabeling ~ 1st cousin, 2x removed of yours truly.

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Kresgang Haf née Franziskus

b 07 Jan 1805 ~ Betzigau, Oberallgau, Bayern, Germany

d 24 Nov 1841 ~  Betzigau, Oberallgau, Bayern, Germany

Kresgang Haf ~ 3rd great grandmother to yours truly. 

                                                                                 

Remembering My Uncles Birthday Today ~

Adalbert Haf b. 3 Oct 1940 ~  d. 2 Oct 2004

Helmut Haf b. Oct 3 1940 ~ d. 20 Dec 1994

Today would have been my uncles Helmut and Adi's seventy-sixth birthday.  I know they are celebrating with my mom, Oma and Opa in heaven . . . Happy Birthday to two very special uncles in my life who I miss so much.

Me, with my twin uncles in Augsburg, Germany ~ 

In Loving Memory of Mom ~

Elfriede Haf ~ Serafin 

21 March 1933 ~ 21 July 2010

Six years ago today, was a day that I didn't expect for a long time to come . . . especially since we had just lost my Oma, my mom's mom.  It still doesn't seem like it's been six years since I lost my mom . . . my heart still feels that same ache and I miss her more than ever. 

I do count my blessings everyday . . . I was blessed to have had such a wonderful, wise and loving mother and I have so many wonderful memories of a good life she made for us . . . thank you, mom . . . you live in my heart each and every day . . . we love and miss you. 

Remembering my Grandmother, Liselotte Haf née Kaiser~Saule ~

~ Unvergessen ~ 

On this day, six years ago, my maternal grandmother, Liselotte Haf née Kaiser-Saule,   (1913 ~ 2010), passed away peacefully in her sleep. Oma was 96 years old . . . she lived a long life.

Oma survived her city, Augsburg, being bombed and having to take her twin boys to a shelter while my mom was carted off to a farm outside the city for safety for several months. She raised three wonderful children and was there for my grandfather, Adalbert (1907 ~ 1968) when he was shot in the shoulder while serving in the war.

How I wish I could sit and talk with her about all those experiences and learn more about her life . . . she is very missed but I know she is with my mom, Elfriede (1933 ~ 2010) her twin sons, Helmut (1940 ~ 1994) and Adi (1940 ~ 2004), and my grandfather, doing what she did so well, taking care of her family . . . we love you Oma ~





Photo taken at my wedding reception on, Sept. 24, 1988, in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Webb, my mother and father-in-law. My Oma was visiting from Augsburg, Germany, so we planned the wedding around her visit . . . what a blessing it was to have both Oma and my mom with me that day.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Father and Daughter ~

My (yours truly) maternal grandfather , Adalbert Haf b. 27 Feb 1907 ~ d. 9 Feb 1968 and

my mom, Elfriede Haf, b. 21 Mar 1933 ~ d. 21 July 2010 ~  

I am guessing this photo was taken when mom was about six or seven, so maybe in 1940 or 1941. 

It's so neat to see my mom as a little girl . . . so cute with her little hat. Love this photo. 

~ The original ~ 

In Sweet Remembrance of my Beautiful Mom ~ ♥

Elfriede Haf~Serafin

21 March 1933 ~ 21 July 2010
Unvergessin
                             

Today, marks the fifth year since we lost mom . . . hard to believe this much time has passed. I say the same thing every year at this time, that no matter how much time goes by, it still feels like yesterday. Every moment is very clear and time doesn't change that . . . I still have that ache in my heart.

This year, I picked photos for her memorial collage that I thought brought out how mom lived her life . . . she was fun, happy, content, full of spunk and love and wiser than anyone I have known. She loved life.

There are a few photos that I know she would rather I not share but, as I looked through them, they brought such a smile to my face and heart . . . they are just so "her!" There were so many more but for now, these say it best.

I miss my mom and my best friend more than I can express . . . here's to you mom . . . we love you!

~~~~~~~ ♥ ~~~~~~~

The special bond of Mother and child is written with love on their hearts and souls and make them a part of each other forever.   ~ Author unknown

                                             
                                                                                                          
Photos ~ starting left, going clockwise ~

• Mom standing in my aunt Ginnie's kitchen on our 2008 trip to Kentucky in our RV.
• Newspaper photo and article about mom becoming the first female store manager for Montgomery Wards in San Jose.
• April of 2010 ~ mom flew home to Augsburg to arrange my Oma's (1913 - 2010) memorial service ~ she is playing cards with my cousins, Eleni and Marina at my cousin, Marion's home.
• Childhood photo ~ guessing she may be about ten or eleven (date is unknown)? 
• Mom at a vintage car show.
• Not quite sure what mom was doing with the Spaghetti packages but she was having a great time! 
• Mom and my daughter, Lacie in Augsburg, Germany in 1992.
• Mom in her apartment on Homestead Road in Santa Clara . . . the mid 1970's.
• Center photo ~ mom sitting on the side of her pool (date unknown).
• The background . . . a letter on note paper from my Oma. 

Sentimental Sunday ~ 1995 ~ Grand Canyon, Arizona

Slowly, we have been moving back into our home after living in our RV for over four weeks due to a leak from our old refrigerator. The flooring in our entire home had to be replaced. As I put my genea-office back together, I am reorganizing, scanning, and getting rid of things I don’t need any longer. 

I came across this sweet photo of my daughter and my mom, Elfriede Haf (1933-2010), sitting on the rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, in August of 1995 . . . it was a wonderful trip. This summer we are taking a road trip in our RV across country to visit my eighty-four year old aunt in Louisville, Kentucky.  Our first stop . . . the Grand Canyon, I would like to find that same spot and take a photo with my daughter.

Heading out of Arizona, we will then travel on over to Rowlett, Texas, stopping to visit family there. As we travel thru the different states, we plan to take our time and sight see until we get to Missouri, to visit more family . . . and then onto Kentucky.

In Kentucky, I have quite a few family history trips planned. Several of our Tabeling’s that passed away in 1919 from the Spanish flu, are buried at the Cloverport Cemetery together in one plot . . . they have never had a marker for their grave. My aunt and cousin purchased a headstone for them and it was recently installed. My aunt and I will be taking a trip to Cloverport to see that new headstone . . . so grateful that they now have a marker on their grave. I have a few relatives buried at the famous and beautiful Cave Hill Cemetery there in Louisville, so I plan to visit that cemetery also.

Looking forward to getting out of Dodge, taking lots of photos, and making lots of memories to keep and hold onto. 

Sentimental Sunday ~ Book Page of Margarete Saule nee Kaiser ~

~ Margarete 'Gretel' Saule nee Kaiser ~

22 July 1888 ~ 28 May 1972

A page from my Haf ~ Kaiser Family Book 

As I created this page for the book I am putting together on my maternal Haf~Kaiser, line, I recalled the few wonderful memories of my great-grandmother, Margarete, aka Gretel. She was a very small framed lady . . . always very warm and loving to me . . . I am so glad that I was able to know her in my lifetime. She had such a sweet smile. I love these photos of her home and how I was there when I was little.

When I was three, mom (1933~2010) and I left Germany, I didn't see my great-grandmother again until 1967 at Christmas time and it was a most memorable time indeed . . . memories to create more pages for my book - I hope to share those pages from time to time here on my blog.

Happy Birthday, Oma ~

 

Today, my (maternal grandmother) Oma, Liselotte Haf  née Kaiser-Saule (1913 ~ 2010) would have been 101 years old. Oma was born in Zurich, Switzerland. 

What a wonderful day that was . . . 

Happy Birthday, Oma, we love and miss you!

The Haf Brothers ~

When mom returned from my Oma's, (Liselotte Haf née Kaiser-Saule ~ 1913-2010) memorial service in April of 2010, the above original photo and  newspaper article were among the many photos and documents mom hand carried back with her. My Oma had a treasure trove of family history I hadn't seen before and I am so grateful that mom brought the entire box of all these treasures to me before she passed away in July of 2010.

For the last four years, I have wanted to know what this newspaper article said . . . thanks to a wonderful kind friend and blogger, Barbara Schmidt over at  Barbara Schmidt - Genealogy - Ahnenforschung - Family Research - Corporate History, she offered to translate this newspaper article for me . . . thank you so much Barbara!

The newspaper article is about my grandfather, Adalbert Haf ~ (1907-1968), his family, his brothers, the Great War and WWII . . . the loss of many of his brothers in the family due to the war. Mom had told me that there were nineteen children in the family . . . two of which I believe may have died at birth or were miscarried.

Original photo and newspaper article ~

Left to right ~

- Grandfather of yours truly, Adalbert Haf (1907-1968) , Karl Haf, Mathias Haf, Maxmillian Haf, and 

Ludwig Haf. 

My guess and I do not know for sure, that this may have printed in the local Augsburger Newspaper. There is no date or name of newspaper.

Headline ~  Eight Sons wore the field grey coat ~

Below the photo ~ Five Sons of the family Haf, which are under weapons right now. 

Eight sons of the parents Adalbert and Emilie Haf, living in Augsburg, Kurze Wertachstrasse 16b (that's the address), have been enlisted for defending their fatherland in 2 wars. Four of them stood in the world war 1914-1918 at different fronts. The oldest son went missing 1916 on the Romanian battlefields. The second son contracted a heavy tropical disease with the fighting troops in the Orient and the third son got gravely wounded at the west front. The fourth son returned healthy from the west front, but died shortly after the end of the Great War of a tragical accident back home. In the current war the four younger sons and a fifth who already served in the Great War were called to the flags (meaning: called to the troops). One was part of the crusade in Poland and afterwards went on the mission west. Three of them battled at the Maginot-Line and one is serving as a shooter in Poland. Those 5 sons who are shown in the picture above were brought together by a coincidence in their hometown after being separated for a year. One grandchild of the parents suffered the heroic death in September 1939. The aged mother, who gave birth to 17 children, carries the mother cross in gold.   

Even though the article does not mention names (and how I wished it did), I gleaned so much information from one newspaper article that I didn't know before. I am currently working on a book for my Haf-Kaiser (maternal) side of the family . . . German research is frustrating and difficult to say the least but I am learning so much about my family . . . this article and photo will happily fill several pages of my book.  It's Genealogical Random Acts of Kindness such as Barbara helping to translate documents like this, that help discover the stories and events that happened in your ancestors lives . . . thank you again, Barbara! 

From this article, I also discovered that my great grandparents, Adalbert (1868-1952) and Emilie Haf (1871-1944) lived in the same building that my grandfather, Adalbert, my Oma, my mom and her brothers lived in on Kurze Wertachstrasse 16a . . . and I was born at that address. I was able to see this wonderful building when mom and I visited in 1967 . . . Oma resided there until she went into a nursing home.

~ After recent remodel (2013) ~ 

~ Prior to remodel ~ this was the entrance to my Oma and mom's home . . . also where I was born ~

Photos taken by my cousin, Marion ~ 2013 ~ Thank you, cousin.