Week 10 - Translation 

Depending on which DNA testing company you look at, I am anywhere from 98.3% to 100% European. I can document every branch of my tree back at least five generations, many of them ten generation, and several upwards of twenty. Of all my ancestors, English is the most predominant language spoken on almost every branch of my tree. While I'm certain a few spoke Gaelic, thanks to my Campbell clan; perhaps a few Welsh mixed in; maybe some spoke one or more of the Nordic languages; but the majority of non-English speaking ancestors were German.

I have German immigrant ancestors on both side of my family tree. On my mom's side, you'll find Nicholas Schrum, b. 1720, settled in North Carolina; Betje Heinricheson, b. circa 1760, who came to South Carolina. My my dad's side, George Michael Hillegas came to Philadelphia prior to 1729; and both my great-great-grandparents, Peter and Barbara Neth, who came in the mid 1800's. The Neth's, being the most recent emigrants, managed to pass on their language to their descents, to some degree.

My great-grandmother, Maria Rosina Neth, was born in Philadelphia, 5 August 1860. Germany was spoken exclusively in her home. One can assume her father, who was a hatter by trade, was able to speak enough English in order to conduct business. According to the 1900 census, her mother, Barbara was able to read and write. It must be assumed this is English, as well as, German.

Maria, or Mary as she was known after Anglicizing her name, spoke English, but with a very heavy German accent. On a visit to Moberly, Missouri, just a few years back, I heard stories from her grandson, William Skirvin, about his Grandma Patton. As little boy, William and my dad, his first cousin, would do their best to aggravate her so she would yell at them in Germany. It apparently didn't take much and it made those ornery boys laugh. All her "W's" were pronounced with a "V"; all the "V's" were pronounced like "F's". Of course, neither of the boys spoke any Germany so to them it was just gobbledygook.

My dad was a funny guy, and he loved to entertain. I can only assume it was the laugh he got from listening to his grandmother speak a foreign language that caused him to develop his own language when talking to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He made up words that made no sense to anyone, but even the smallest of his descendants, as babies, would listen intently as he spoke his gibberish. One of my daughters, he called Googamolly; another was Ishkabibble. As they grew, the roar of their laughter would spur him on as he could make up more silly stories in his made-up language.

Although her mother spoke German fluently, I doubt if my grandmother ever learned the language, but I would imagine she understood it to some degree. From the time I was a small child, she would say something to me as she would tuck me into bed. It was the same as her mother always said to her when she was little and was the only Germany phrase I ever heard her say. I had to look up the translation so I'd know how to spell it. I can still hear her saying it...

"Ich liebe dich von ganzam Herze, du bist so lieb, gibst du mir bitte einen Kuss."

I plan to pass this phrase on to my own grandchildren so they can carry a little bit of our Germany ancestors with them.

Translation: "I love you with all my heart. You are so dear. Will you please give me a kiss."

Three of the Neth sister - Agnes Neth Schanbacher, Maria Neth Patton, Rosina Neth Beckley (ca 1885 - colorized/enhanced)