During 2015, you’ll be reading a lot of “OTD” (On This Date) posts. OTD posts are a fun way to review quick facts and photos from the family tree.
First up is Andrew Burkey, Dale’s great-great-great-grandfather.
On January 1, 1802, Andrew Burkey was born in the Bavarian Palatinate region of Germany to John and Solphonia Burkey (although the original spelling was likely “Burkei” or “Burki”). The family was part of an Anabaptist religious community – perhaps Mennonite.
Andrew married Magdalene Albrecht in 1838. The Burkey and Albrecht families lived in Hennepin, Illinois and there were several intermarriages between the two families.
Andrew and Magdalene eventually moved to a farm near Crete, Nebraska. Their youngest son Joseph cared for them in their old age. They hired a young Catholic woman, Ottilia Winkler, to help with the housework. Joseph eventually converted to the Catholic faith and married Ottilia.
Andrew is buried in East Fairview Cemetery near Milford, Nebraska (Seward County). Some of his children settled in this area.