Rapid Progress

Tienne has been very actively pursuing records and information about the Staeheli's and Riml's in Switzerland and Austria.  She has learned that Caspar Albert's parents were Caspar Staeheli and Waldburga Hermann who lived in the village of Kuegeliswinden (now Winden) and were citizens of the village of Egnach.  My plan to visit the Kanton Thurgau Staatsarchiv in Frauenfeld was to obtain this information.  Tienne has done that in just a few days on her own.  What progress! 

Patric Schnitzer provided Tienne with the marriage document of Caspar Albert and Maria Riml showing their marriage in Straubenzell on August 9, 1877.  Albert listed his occupation as embroiderer and Maria was a maid.  Albert's father was deceased at the time of his marriage to Maria.  Tienne explained that at the time of the marriage St. Gallen was a center for embroidery and lacemaking and the oldest Staeheli daughter, Maria, had been trained in embroidery. 

Maria was born in Tyrolia, Austria on June 2, 1856. Her father was Adam Riml and mother was Elisabeth Riml (born August 26, 1829).  They lived in the village of Schonwies.  Elisabeth's brother was Adam Riml who was a photographer in Schonwies and took photographs of the village.  The name Riml is spelled Rimml in some documents and Rimmel in the US.

Tienne suggests that when Kathy and I visit this summer we could see the antique embroidery machines and go to Schonwies to see the old photos taken by Adam.

More information from Tienne is that two Staeheli daughters born in Switzerland died in 1892 at ages 5 and 6.  Indications are that two other children were stillborn.  The girls, Johanna and Theresia, died of poisoning from berries eaten in the local woods (one daughter) and being frightened or possibly being kicked by a frightened horse (the other daughter).  More research is needed to verify these deaths and Tienne has asked Patric Schnitzer to look for death certificates in St. Gallen archives.