Sunday, June 24, 2012

Charles and Bettie Bastian

My great-grandfather was Charles Bastian. He was born 11 Oct 1875 in Austin County, Texas. Another variation of the name that I have seen in some records is Bastain. I also have an alternate birth date of 11 Oct 1872 from Charles' WWI Draft Registration. However, his tombstone shows 1875, so I am inclined to think that is the real date. Charles married Bertha Ernestina Schmook (aka Bettie) on 05 May 1905. Bettie was born 01 Sep 1885 in Lavaca County, Texas. They have the following known children:

  • Otto Bastian b. 19 Apr 1907 in Calhoun County, Texas; d. 07 Jun 1974 in Calhoun County, Texas.
  • Ernest Charles Albany Bastian b. 19 Feb 1909 in Calhoun County, Texas; d. 15 Apr 1970 in Harris County, Texas.
  • Letha Bastian  b. 13 Feb 1911 in Calhoun County, Texas; d. 29 Jun 1989 in Calhoun County, Texas.
  • Henry Bastian (my grandfather) b. 20 Sep 1912 in Atascosa County, Texas; d. 24 Nov 1984 in Harris County, Texas.
  • Lena Bastian b. 11 May 1914 in Atascosa County, Texas; d. 08 Feb 1986 in Calhoun County, Texas.
  • August Paul Bastian b. 06 Apr 1917 in Atascosa County, Texas; d. 16 Mar 1973 in Calhoun County, Texas.
  • Jessie Bastian b. 01 Sep 1918 in Atascosa County, Texas; d. 30 Apr 1987 in Fort Bend County, Texas.
  • Robert Lewis Bastian b. 01 Sep 1922 in Calhoun County, Texas; d. 05 Apr 2000 in Victoria County, Texas.
  • Cora Eugene Bastian b. 17 Mar 1924 in Atascosa County, Texas; d. 18 Jun 2000 in Harris County, Texas.
  • Murray Bastian b. 07 Mar 1927 in Calhoun County, Texas; d. 23 Dec 1977 in Victoria County, Texas.
As you can see, the births of their children indicate that Charles and Bettie moved from Calhoun County, Texas to Atascosa County, Texas several times. Additionally, the 1910 Federal Census shows that they were living in De Witt County, Texas, which is somewhat in between the other two. Charles' WWI Draft Registration shows the family living in Atascosa County, Texas in 1918. None of these counties are neighboring counties, so one question that arises is why would they move such a distance from their families?

This is the basic information I have on Charles' family. I have been unable to locate his father conclusively. I have two possibilities that will be covered in upcoming posts.

Stacey
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5 comments:

  1. PeterJune 30, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    Hi Stacey,

    I "stumbled upon" your blog via Geneabloggers. There you suggested that you have no information as to where your grgrandfather came from.
    When I read the name Bastian, it occurred to me that the name might be a patronymic. In the Netherlands the first name Bastiaan does exist. Also the surname Bastian is well known in Dutch archives. I even found a single entry of the surname Bastain. So I wonder whether you have some Dutch roots somewhere. Any family stories that might point in that direction? If so, I like to include your blog in mine. I am a collector of bloggers with Dutch roots. Please see http://www.patmcast.blogspot.nl/2012/05/dutch-ancestors.html
    I am curious to hear your thoughts about my theory.

    Kind regards,
    Peter
    Castricum
    the Netherlands

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJuly 1, 2012 at 4:49 PM

      Peter, thank you for your feedback. My problems with my great-grandfather, and the main driving force behind this blog, is that I do not know who his parents are. I have census records showing his parents as being of German birth. You have an interesting theory, and I will keep it in mind. What I have found about the surname Bastian is that most believe it originated in France or Germany, and that many scholars do not agree. I do believe my ancestors came from Germany, but until I find the correct parentage, I cannot go much further. I am definitely going to keep working on it though!

      Stacey

      Delete
    2. PeterJuly 3, 2012 at 3:54 AM

      Stacey, thanks for your reaction and views. Assuming you agree I have included your blog in my a.m. blog including your remark about the census records. The purpose of my blog is to provide Dutch genealogists investigating your name, with a possibility to find "disappeared" ancestors who emigrated to the States centuries ago.
      Krgds
      Peter

      Delete
  2. UnknownJuly 1, 2012 at 4:50 PM

    Thanks Bill! I am enjoying reading other blogs, and hoping that this process will help lead to breaking through my brick wall.

    Stacey

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 15, 2016 at 8:18 AM

    Hello my name is Mathew Bastian .. Also from Texas. I had just had this conversation with my father on our heritage. Although this may not help in your case we have tracked the Bastian name back to the 1870's in Alsace Lorraine.

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