Schillinger

Xaver Schillinger’s Last Will and Testament, Along with the Probate Records

In researching Xaver Schillinger, I came across the probate records filed after his death, along with his Last Will and Testament, on the FamilySearch website.

The file is 12 pages long, with the will comprising the last two pages of the document.  I’m including images of the file here, along with the transcript below.

Some interesting information about the file:

  • Xaver Schillinger died on 6 October 1923 in Kings County, New York.
  • The petition was filed by his son Louis Schillinger in October, and probate was finalized in December 1923.
  • At the time of his death, Xaver Schillinger owned no real property, and had no more than $3200 in personal property.
    • For those who are not familiar with the difference between real and personal property: Real property refers to real estate holdings (buildings, land, farms, etc.).  Personal property refers to belongings (cash, jewelry, electronics, etc.).
  • The value of his personal property was to be distributed equally amongst his four children, or if a child was deceased, their portion would be distributed to their child(ren).
  • His daughters are married at the time of his Last Will & Testament, and their married names are given as Mary Altenburg and Catharine Fausner.  On page 5 of the file, Catherine is misidentified as Frances Fausner.
  • His daughter Mary and his son Charles live in the same house at 234 Jerome Street.
  • His son Louis lives at 169 Van Siclen Avenue, and his daughter Catherine lives at 148 Logan Street.
Schillinger Siblings Homes in Brooklyn

Schillinger Siblings Homes in Brooklyn

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Schillinger House on Jerome Street

This is the house that Franz Xaver Schillinger bought in 1900 in on Jerome Street in New Lots, Brooklyn. For the next 20 years 10 – 11 members of his family would live there with him, including his daughter Mary, her husband and 3 children, and his son Charles, his sister-in-law and his three children. It is a 2000 square foot house, located a block off Atlantic Avenue. Within blocks of this home, his son Louis and his family lived on Schenck Avenue and his daughter Catherine lived on Logan Street. St. Michael and St. Malachy Catholic Church is located across the street.

Jerome Street - Schillinger Home

Jerome Street – Schillinger Home

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More about Franz Xaver Schillinger

So to continue to the story of the Schillingers….  Franz Xaver Schillinger, my 3rd great-grandfather, seems to primarily have gone by the name Xaver.  Every record I’ve been able to locate for him in the United States has Xaver listed as his first name (the spelling varies from time to time).

One of my first finds was his naturalization records – a great find indeed!  He came to the United States in 1860 from Baden, Germany (near the boarder with France).  He immigrated to New York, finding himself a little ways upstate in West Point, Orange County.  In 1861 the US Civil War was underway, and many recent immigrants were finding themselves enlisted in the US Army.  Here is an interesting article about German immigrants who served in the war. (more…)

Meet the Schillingers
Franz Xaver Schillinger

Franz Xaver Schillinger

I’ve decided to spend some time researching my paternal grandmother’s side of the family, the Schillingers.

The first Schillinger ancester who came to the United States was Franz Xaver Schillinger.  At times, his name has been recorded with the following variations:

  • Franz Xavier
  • Xaver
  • Shilling

He married Maria Catarina Autretter on 10 Feb 1863 in Brooklyn, New York.  Notes indicate they were married by Pastor F.A. Zapp, church unknown. Apparently, according to family legend, this was Franz’s first marriage and Maria’s second marriage.

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