My great grandpa, Edvard Kristian Valdemar Andersen, (or Ed for short) immigrated to American through Ellis Island, on October 21, 1919. He was born in Listrup, on Falster Island of Denmark on November 20, 1900. Once in the states Edward moved around, but eventually ended up in Audubon, and married Dorothy Isabelle Lacy (from Iowa; ancestors England in 1680). They then had three children Esther Lorraine Andersen (my grandma), Doris Marie Andersen, and John Edward Andersen. Esther grew up around Audubon, and when she was 17, married Dale Arlis Rutherford (from Audubon; Ancestors from Ireland) on May 29, 1955. Shortly after being married they moved to Elk Horn where they raised five children, Kelly, Keith, Kent, Kevin, and Mary (my mom). Esther then moved to Harlan after graduating from Iowa Western with a RN degree. My mom, Mary, then meets my dad (John Taggs) at Iowa State and got married on June 6, 1992 in Elk Horn. And moved to Des Moines were they had my sister April in 1993. They then moved to Harlan in 1995, where I was born in 1997. Later on my younger sister Emily was born in 2001.
My great great grandpa, William Henry Tags, was born in America as an Indian mix. (assumed Sioux) His actual birthdate is unknown but his chosen birth date was February 18, 1874. He was rescued by Charles and Julia Carlile. And raised him in Missouri, where he picked up the “christianized” name from his Indian name. (Either Rags and Tags or Little Tags Along) He then married Arah Belle Campbell (who was supposedly whose ancestors were from the Mayflower) and settled in Missouri where then had 15 children including Lloyd Elmer Taggs (my great grandpa). Lloyd was born September 1st, 1911 in Missouri, and stayed in Missouri Ella Mae Morton (from Missouri) and had three children Dixie, Elmer, Kenneth Leroy Taggs (my grandpa). Kenneth then lived in Missouri and got married to Verlene Kay Hall on July 12, 1965. They had five children together, Kenneth, John (my dad), Rachel, Marcus, Jennifer. My Grandma then settled in Jesup, Iowa and raised the 5 children. My dad then went to college and met my mom where they then eventually moved to Harlan and raised us three kids.
I personally find my family history very interesting and it has many different sides to it. I find it interesting that on one side I am 1/8th Danish and on the other side I am 1/16th Native American. I also find things like that interesting and it’s also very good to know these things about your family and not to let your family history fade away. I also found out that I am related to Sir Issac Newton. I am his 2nd cousin 12 times removed.
This is the only picture of my great great grandpa William Henery Taggs
This is a picure of my Great grandpa Ed (on the left) with the boat he travelled to America in with a cousin or related someone how.
Source 1: my dad
Source 2: http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/2594405/family?fpid=-1832132538
Comments
Excellent job!