It’s all Relative

 

One can get a shock researching family history. Trying to verify (not that verification is really needed) that the Pilot Knob Missouri Wehners and the Ste. Genevieve Missouri Wehners were descended from brothers, I have been looking for DNA matches between my wife, Mary Frances, descended from Ste. Genevieve Wehners, and descendants of Pilot Knob Wehners. And I did find some, as expected. But when I looked for a match between Mary Frances and a DNA-tested Pilot Knob 4^th cousin once removed, I found none. Now that is not surprising since there is a 52 percent chance that no match will be detected for 4^th cousins once removed. But then, by accident, I noticed that I have a DNA match with that very cousin. An admittedly very distant match, corresponding to a 5^th to 8^th cousin, but a match nevertheless. A relationship on my father’s side, probably involving my grandmother’s line, as indicated by shared matches. 

No, I’m not a Wehner. They probably wouldn’t have me. And I have no known ancestors in the Pilot Knob Area. Nevertheless, my wife shows no match with her cousin, but I do.

But, in the long run, we are all related.

Back in the Saddle with a 2nd Edition

Why a second edition? Why not? During the more than ten years since the first printing, discoveries have been made, people have passed, and, to be honest, a mistake or two (or three) has been found. A second edition with changes, additions, and subtractions nicely addresses this situation. But there is a more important reason. Each year Ste Genevieve, Missouri, hosts Jour de Fete, a festival held the second full weekend in August. As part of the proceedings, the Ste. Genevieve Project Pioneer, a nonprofit organization, honors two families, French and German, who helped found the town. In 2023, the descendants of brothers Nicholas and Lorenz Wehner is the German family honored. And, of course, I had to get involved, with new research, new discoveries, and, above all, new correspondence with Wehner relatives and family historians.

There is now a second edition, but will there be a second printing? Probably not, but who knows. In the meantime there is an absolutely free electronic pdf file available. To get a copy just click on the link below. You don’t need the Dropbox app. If you get a "Log in or Sign Up" message just ignore it. Press the download button at the top of the web page. You will then get (another) "Log in or Sign Up" message. Just click "Or continue with dropdown only" at the bottom of that message. You need not log in or sign up. It is not necessary to be a Dropbox user. Leave a comment or send me an email if you have problems.

Bier und Brot, Download

As the sole author and copyright holder, I am granting downloaders an OK to distribute this digital copy to anyone they wish at no charge. No exceptions. 

Why am I offering this book for free? First, at my age, I’m more interested in fame than fortune. Second, I am saving lives, keeping our dead unforgotten. In return, please let me know of errors or suggestions.