In Search of a Staeheli Family Journal

Among Pauline Hagan Staeheli’s papers were photo copies of 5 pages from a Staeheli family journal handwritten by Caspar Albert Staeheli.  Recorded were birth dates of the children and information about the death of Caspar Albert the son.

Tienne Staeheli has interpreted the language from two pages.  The part about Albert states:

“In the year 1901 our dear son Albert died in hospital in Sedro, Washington on 11 October 1901. 22 1/2 years old. Albert was a good and loving son. May he rest in peace. The Father"

Just below that is the additional statement:

“it is my wish that my oldest of my children should keep this letter pouch...it belonged to my grandparents”

This reveals there is an important Staeheli family document in the form of a letter pouch or wallet and copies were made for others in the family, including Pauline.  It measures approximately 4 ½ by 7 ½ inches. 

If it was given to the oldest Staeheli that would have been Maria who married Al Kolbeck.  The only name of a descendant I have for Maria is Creighton Kolbeck from Edmonds. 

Tienne suggests the tradition at that time would have been to leave the letter pouch with the oldest son who was Robert Hermann Staeheli.  Stacy Pettitt and her mother, Claudia, are descendants of Lester Staeheli and Gladys Holst.  Lester was a son of Robert Hermann.   

Sharon Staeheli Thompson is the daughter of Lillian and Robert Carl Staeheli.  Robert was a son of Robert Hermann.

Our task now is to follow the family trail to see who may know about this letter pouch or have it in possession.

I would like to copy the contents of the pouch for presentation on the Staeheli Family website as it would give us a look back two more generations into the history of the Staeheli’s.

The 5 pages copied from the journal will be published on the Staeheli Family website.

Below is the page describing the letter pouch.  Click on the image to enlarge it.