Vital Statistics. 1857 or 1858 - Unknown.

Highlights. Domenic Corgiat was born in Italy in 1857 or 1858. His father and mother were born in Italy, too. About 1888, around the age of 30 or 31 years, Domenic married Mary Ruedda or Redda, who was about 26 years of age and who was also born in Italy. Two years later, in 1890, Domenic and Mary immigrated to the United States. Throughout his life, Domenic was a coal miner. By 1920, Domenic was a widower. According to U.S. federal censuses, Domenic resided in the following locations:

• 1910 - Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas
• 1920 - Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas

Relationships: Domenic Corgiat was my paternal-great grandfather and my father's paternal grandfather.

1910 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Domenic Corgiat was listed as head of household, 52 years of age, first marriage of 22 years (married about 1888 to Mary Rueddo), place of birth - Italy, father and mother place of birth - Italy, year immigrated to the U.S. - 1890, naturalized citizen, occupation - coal miner, able to read, able to write, able to speak English.

All household members listed on 1910 Census:

• Domenic Corgiat 52 (head of household, born in Italy)
  (my great-great grandfather)
• Mary Corgiat 48 (wife, born in Italy)
  (my great-great gradmother)
• Jennie Corgiat 19 (daughter, born in Kansas)
• Peter Corgiat 12 (son, born in Kansas)
  (my grandfather)
• Tony Corgiat 9 (son, born in Kansas)
• Note: Maggie (daughter) was not listed as a household member.

1920 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Domenic was listed as head of household, 63 years of age, widow, occupation digger-coal mine.

All household members listed on 1920 Census:

• Domenic Corgiat 63 (head of household, widow)
  (my great-grandfather)
• Jennie Falletti 28 (daughter, widow, occupation keeps borders)
• Antone Falletti 7 (grandson)
• Angelo Paoli 34 (border, single, born in Kansas, parents born in Tyrol, Italy, occupation digger-coal mine)
• Eugene Maiffrreda (border, 48, widow, born in Italy, parents born in Italy, occupation digger-coal mine).

1930 Census. Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Domenic Corgiat was not listed on the census. His name could not be located on an another 1930 census.

Oral History. According to my Mom, in 1890 Domenic Corgiat, his wife, Mary Corgiat, and their first-born child, Maggie Corgiat,  immigrated to the U.S.  Domenic and Mary Corgiat settled in Frontenac, Kansas and had three more children: Jennie Corgiat (born about 1891) , Peter Corgiat (born about 1898), and Tony Corgiat (born about 1901).

Oral Story. According to my Mom, Domenic Corgiat's father was Pietro Corgiat from Corio* of Province of Torino.  There is  bust of this man in a big stone Catholic church in Corio.

Mary Ruedda (or Redda)
(married name was Corgiat)

Vital Statistics. 1862 - Unknown.

Highlights. Mary Ruedda was born in Italy about 1862. Her father and mother were born in Italy, too. About 1888, around 26 years of age, Mary was married to Domenic Corgiat, who was 30 or 31 years of age and who was also born in Italy. Two years later, in 1890, Domenic and Mary immigrated to the United States. By 1920, Mary was deceased. According to U.S. federal censuses, Mary resided with Domenic in the following location:

• 1910 - Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas

Relationship: Mary Corgiat was my paternal-great grandmother and my father's paternal grandmother.

1910 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Mary Corgiat was listed as wife of Domenic Corgiat, 48 years of age, number of years of present maragie - 22, number of children born - 5 children, number of children now living - 4, born in Italy, father and mother born in Italy, year of immigration to the U.S. - 1890, if not able to speak English language spoken - Italian, occupation - none listed, able to read, able to write. The census did not indicate citizenship.

1920 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Mary Corgiat was not listed on the census. Domenic Corgiat was listed as a widow; therefore, Mary was deceased.

Maggie Corgiat
(married name was Arnado)

Vital Statistics. Unknown.

Relationship: Maggie Arnado was my paternal great aunt and my father's paternal aunt (Aunt Maggie").

1910 Census: Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Maggie Corgiat was not listed on the census. Her name could not be located on an another 1910 census.

Oral History. According to my Mom, Maggie Corgiat married John Arnado.  Maggie and John Arnado  had four children: Entha Arnado, Tony Arnado, Marie Arnado, and Catherine Arnado. Maggie eventually moved to California. It was she who started the impetus for this side of the family's move to California.   She died in her 40s of cancer.

Jennie Dominica Corgiat (married names were Felletti and Paoli)

Vital Statistics. December 10, 1891 - July 8, 1986.

Relationship: Jennie Felletti was my paternal great aunt and my father's paternal aunt ("Aunt Jennie").

1910 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Jennie Corgiat was listed as a daughter under head of household Domenic Corgiat and his wife Mary Corgiat, 19 years of age, single, no occupation, spoke English but not able to write.

1920 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Jennie Felletti was listed as a daughter under head of household Domenic Corgiat (63 years of age, widow, occupation digger-coal mine), 28 years of age, widow, able to read, able to write, occupation - keeps boarders.

1930 Census. Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Jennie Corgiat was not listed on the census. Her name could not be located on an another 1910 census.

Social Security Death Index Record: Died July 8, 1986. Last residence was 90274 Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles, California.

Oral History: According to my Mom, Jennie Corgiat married  ____ Felletti. Jennie and ____ Felletti had a child name Anthony ("Tony") Felletti (according to 1920 census, his first name was spelled "Antone") . Jennie's husband was killed, we think, in a coal mine.  Then Jennie married Angelo Paoli. Jennie and Angelo Paoli had four children: Jonus ("Joe) Paoli, Domenic Paoli, Marion (Paoli) Ransom (married to Ben), and Joan ( Paoli) Emerson (Joan is pronounced "JoAnn").

Oral Story: According to my Mom, Tony Felletti was a geologist with Gulf Oil. He married a woman named Mona Felletti, and they had a daughter named Jane Felletti, who was a tom-boy, earth-mother type and who married and had a couple of children. Tony and Mona ended up getting divorced or separated after Tony lost his job with Gulf Oil because of gambling. Mona died of breast cancer. Later, Tom got a job with Edison, which involved negotiations for land to be used for overhead wires. He moved to California.

Peter Corgiat

Vital Statistics: January 9, 1897 - October 18, 1983.

Relationship: Peter Corgiat was my paternal grandfather and my father's father.

Highlights. Peter ("Pete") Corgiat was born on January 9, 1897, in Kansas. His parents, Domenic and Mary Corgiat, were born in Italy and immigated to the United states in 1890. On June 15, 1918, Pete signed his World World I Draft Registration card, but he did not serve in the military. In 1920, at 23 years of age, Pete married Dorothea ("Dora") Early, who was 16 years of age and who was also born in Kansas. While living in Kansas, Pete worked as a coal miner. Around 1929, Pete and Dora moved to Detroit. According to the 1930 census, Pete was working as a laborer in the auto industry. With money from the sale of some family land in Italy, which was returned to the family following WWII, Pete and Dora moved to San Diego, California. Pete died on October 18, 1983; at that time he had resided in Vista, San Diego County, California.

1910 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Peter Corgiat was listed as a son, 12 years of age, under head of household Domenic Corgiat and his wife Mary Corgiat.

World War I Draft Registration Card 1917-1918: I found his draft card on Ancestry.Com. The card confirmed his birth data. The card was dated June 15, 1918. At that time, Peter was 21 years of age. He worked for the Jackson Walker Coal Company, Frontenac, Kansas.

1920 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Peter Corgiat was not listed on the census. His name could not be located on an another 1920 census.

1930 Census. Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Peter Corgiat was listed as a son-in-law under head of household John J. Early (53, married, laborer in auto industry), 33 years of age, married, age at first marriage - 23, able to read and write, occupation laborer in auto industry, was not a U.S. veteran.

Oral History: According to my mother, Peter Corgiat was a coal miner in Frontenac, Kansas, for a very short time. He married Dorothea ("Dora") Ida Early. While living in Frontenac, Peter and Dorothea Corgiat had three children: Leola Juanita Corgiat, Domenic Marvin Corgiat (my dad), and Lilyanlea Corgiat.  (My maiden middle name was Dorothea.)

Vital Statistics: About 1892 - Unknown.

Relationship: Tony Corgiat was my paternal great uncle and my father's paternal uncle ("Uncle Tony").

1910 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Tony was listed as a son under head of household Domenic Corgiat and his wife Mary Corgiat, 9 years of age.

1920 Census. Frontenac City, Crawford County, Kansas. Tony Corgiat was not listed on the census. His name could not be located on an another 1920 census.

Oral History: According to my mother, Tony Corgiat married a woman named married Louise. They lived in Cape Girado, Missouri; they did not have any children.

Oral Story: According to my mother, it was Domenic Corgiat who dropped out of the Catholic Church.  When still living in Italy, Domenic gave money to the church to be used to help the poor, but instead, the money was used by the priest to buy a bust of either the priest or the Pope.  Domenic got so angry that he left the church.

Oral Story::  According to my mother, when Mussolini took over Italy, he confiscated all property. After he was killed,  the Italian government tried to return property to the original heirs.  Peter, Tony, and Jenny Corgiat were notified that they had inherited some Italian property.  Peter and Tony went to Italy to collect the inheritance property in money.  The Italian government took most of the money in taxes.  The money, what little of it was left, was used to buy Peter Corgiat's house in California. 

Domenic Marvin Corgiat

Vital Statistics. April 8, 1922 - March 7,1984

Highlights. Domenic Marvin ("Bud" or "Marv") was born on April 7, 1922, in Frontenac Kansas. His parents, Peter and Dorothea Corgiat, were also born in Kansas. Around 1929, when Domenic was 7 years of age, his family moved to Detroit, where his father, who had previously worked as a coal miner in Kansas, became employed as a laborer in the auto industry. After graduating from from Cass Technical High School, Detroit, Domenic entered Wayne State University. While in college, on August 12, 1941, he entered the enlisted Army Reserve Corps. On April 1, 1943, he entered active service and was sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama. In September 1943, he was shipped to Italy, and on December 8, 1943, he was wounded in action in Cassino, Italy. On June 14, 1945, he married Ilse Irmgard ("Irma") Matchull, who immigrated to the U.S. from Germany when she was 3 years of age. After WWII, with funding provided by the G.I. bill, Domenic received his bachelor degree from Wayne State University, and later he received a master degree from Wayne. Domenic and Ilse lived in various places around the Detroit area: Willow Run, Detroit, Southfield, and Birmingham. Throughout his professional career, Domenic worked as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Detroit and West Bloomfield, Michigan. Domenic and Ilse had three daughters: Susan Emelie, Nancy Dorothea, and Joan Elizabeth. Domenic died on March 7, 1984; at that time has has resided in Birmingham, Michigan, for about 31 years.

Relationships. Domenic Marvin Corgiat was my father.

• Domenic and Ilse Corgiat's daughter, Susan Emelie Corgiat, married Daniel Summers.
  • Susan and Daniel's son is Matchull Webster Summers.
• Domenic and Ilse Corgiat's daughter, Nancy Dorothea Corgiat, married Charles Alan Ford.
  • Nancy and Alan Ford did not have children.
• Domenic and Ilse Corgiat's daughter, Joan Elizabeth Corgiat, has not married.

1930 Census. Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Marvin D. Corgiat (name was incorrectly reversed on form) was listed as a grandson under head of household John J. Early, 8 years of age, attending school, born in Kansas, father and mother born in Kansas.

Michigan Casualties in World War. Vol. 2. Part 1. World War 1939. Michigan casualities. December 7, 1943-December 6, 1944. 1944, Detroit Public Library Reference Department. Original data: Loomis, Frances.

Page 143:

Corgiat, Domenic M. Pvt. Detroit
Wounded 1-25-44* (Medit.)

The Early Family History

Andrew Early

Vital Statistics: December 1849 - Unknown.

Relationships: Andrew Early was my paternal great-great grandfather and my father's maternal great grandfather.

Highlights: Andrew Early was born in Scotland in December 1848. His father and mother were born in Scotland, too. About 1870, Andrew married Elizabeth (maiden name unknow), who was also born in Scotland. Andrew and Elizabeth immigrated to the United States in 1871. Throughout his life, Andrew was a coal miner. According to U.S. federal censuses, Andrew and Elizabeth resided in the following locations:

• 1880 - Braceville, Grundy County, Illinois
• 1900 - Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas
• 1910 - Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas
• 1920 - Village of Beckemeyer, Wade Township, Clinton County, Illinoir

1880 Census. Braceville, Grundy County, Illinois. Andrew Early was listed as the head of household, 32 years of age, married, occupation coal miner, born in Scotland, father and mother born in Scotland.

All household members listed on 1880 Census under head of household Andrew Early:

• Andrew Early 32 (head of household, born in Scotland, parents born in Scotland)
  (my great-great grandfather)
• Elizabeth Early 31 (wife, born in Scotland, parents born in Scotland)
  (my great-great grandmother)
• Jessie Early 9 (daughter, born in Scotland)
• Mary Early 7 (daughter, born in Illinois)
• Ralph Early 4 (son, cannot decipher where born)
• John James Early 3 (born in Illinois)
  (my great-greadfather)
• Andrew Early 2 (born in Illinois)
• Emily Early 2 months
• James Darreugh 27 (border, coal miner, born in Scotland)

1900 Census. Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas. Andrew Early was listed as head of household, born December 1849, 50 years of age, married, number of years of present marriage - 30, born in Scotland, father and mother born in Scotland, occupation - miner (coal), can read, can write, can speak English, ownership of home - rent house.

All household members listed on 1900 Census under head of household Andrew Early:

• Andrew Early 50 (head of household)
  (my great-great grandfather)
• Elizabeth Early 49 (wife)
  (my great-great grandmother)
• Annie Early 13 (daughter, born December 1886, single, born in Illinois, father and mother born in Scotland, occupation - at school, can read, can write, can speak English)
• Arthur 9 (son, born in May 1890, single, born in Illinois, father and mother born in Scotland, occupation - at school)

1910 Census. Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas. Andrew Early was listed as head of household, 61 years of age, birthplace - Scotland, father and mother birthplace - Scotland, spouse name - Elizabeth, number of years of present marriage - 38, year of immigration to U.S. - 1870, able to speak English, occupation - miner at coal mine, number of weeks out of work during 1910 - 12, able to read, able to write, ownership of home - rent house.

All household members listed on 1910 Census under head of household Andrew Early:

• Andrew Early 61 (head of household)
  (my great-great grandfather)
• Elizabeth Early 60 (wife)
  (my great-great grandfather)
• Annie Early 22 (daughter, single, born in Illinois, father and mother born in Scotland, able to speak Englihs, able, occupation - none, able to read, able to write.

1920 Census. Village of Beckemeyer, Wade Township, Clinton County, Illinois. Andrew Early was listed as the head of household, 72 years of age, married to Elizabeth, rent home, year of immigration to U.S. 1870, naturalized citizen, year of naturalization 1876, able to read and write, place of birth Scotland, mother tongue Scoth, father's and mother's place of birth Scotland, father's and mother's mother tongue Scoth.

All household members listed on 1880 Census under head of household Andrew Early:

• Andrew Early 72 (head of household)
  (my great-great grandfather)
• Elizabeth Early 71 (wife)
  (my great-great grandmother)
• Isaac McGuire 29 (border, birth place England, father's and mother's birth place England, married, year of immigration to U.S. 1910, able to read and write)
• John McConnell 27 (border, birth place Scotland, father's and mother's birth place Scotland, single, year of immigration to U.S. 1902, able to read and write)
  

Elizabeth Early (married name, cannot find maiden name)

Vital Statistics: December 1850 - Unknown.

Relationship. Elizabeth Early was my paternal great-great grandmother and my fathers's maternal great grandmother.

Highlights: Elizabeth Early (maiden name unknow) was born in Scotland in December 1850. Her father and mother were born in Scotland, too. About 1870 Elizabeth married Andrew Early, who was born in Scotland. Andrew and Elizabeth immigrated to the United States in 1871. Throughout her life, Elizabeth did not have an occupation listed on availabel census records. As of 1910, Elizabeth gave birth to 14 children and of those children, 7 were living. According to U.S. federal censuses, Andrew and Elizabeth resided in the following locations:

• 1880 - Braceville, Grundy County, Illinois
• 1900 - Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas
• 1910 - Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas
• 1920 - Village of Beckemeyer, Wade Township, Clinton County, Illinoir

1880 Census. Braceville, Grundy, Illinois. Elizabeth Early was listed listed as wife under head of household Andrew Early, 31 years of age, born in Scotland, father and mother born in Scotland.

1900 Census. Washington Township, Crawford County, Kansas. Elizabeth Early was listed as wife under head of household Andrew Early, December 1850, 49 years of age, married, number of years of present marriage - 30, mother of how many children - 12, number of these living children - 7, born in Scotland, father and mother born in Scotland, can read, can write, can speak English, occupation - none listed,

1910 Census. Washington Township, Crawford County Kansas. Elizabeth Early was listed as wife under head household Andrew Early, born December 1850, 60 years of ge, married, number of years of present marriage - 38, number of children born - 14, number of children now living - 7, place of birth - Scotland, father and mother place of birth - Scotland, year of immigration to the U.S. - 1871, able to speak English, occupation housework, able to read, able to write.

1920 Census. Village of Beckemeyer, Wade Township, Clinton County, Illinois. Elizabeth Early was listed as the wife under head of household Andrew Early, 71 years of age, married, year of immigration to U.S. - 1870, naturalized citizen, year of naturalization - 1876, able to read, able to write, place of birth - Scotland, mother tongue - Scotch, father and mother place of birth - Scotland, father and mother mother tongue Scoth, able to speak English, occupation - none.

John James ("Buck") Early

Vital Statistics: December 1876 - About 1947.

Relationship: John J. Early was my paternal great-grandfather and my father's maternal grandfather.

Highlights. John James Early was born in December 1876 in Illinois. His parents, Andrew and Elizabeth Early, were born in Scotland and immigrated to the U.S. in 1871. In 1898, at 21 years of age, he married Elizabeth A. Bickel, who was also born in Illinois and whose parents were born in Germany. After they were married, they moved from East Beckemyer, Illinois, to Frontenac, Kansas. Around 1930, John J. and Elizabeth A. moved from Frontenac, Kansas, to Detroit, Michigan, to look for  work and live near their daughter and son-in-law, Dora and Pete Corgiat (my dad's parents). Around 1947, John J. and Elizabeth A. moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to once again live near their daughter and son-in-law. John J. died around six months after moving to Phoenix, and Elizabeth A. died a few years later, around 1953.

According to U.S. federal censuses, John J. and Elizabeth A. resided in the following locations:

• 1900 - Braker Township, Crawford, Kansas (John J. worked as a coal miner)
• 1930 - Detroit City, Wayne County, Michigan (John J. worked as a laborer in the auto industry.

1880 Census. Braceville, Grundy, Illinois. John Early was listed as the son under head of household Andrew Early.

1900 Census. Baker Township, Crawford County, Kansas. John J. Early was listed as the head of household, born December 1876, 23 years of age, married, number of years of present marriage - 2, born in Illinois, father and mother born in Scotland, occupation - coal miner, can read, can write, can speak English, ownership of home - rent house.

All household members listed on 1990 Census:

• John James Early 23 (head of household)
  (my great grandfather)
• Elizabeth A. Early 19 (wife)
  (my great grandmother)
• Andrew Early 1 (son, born in March 1899, born in Illinois, died in infancy from diptheria)

1930 Census. Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. John J. Early was listed as the head of house, 53 years of age, married (married at 22 years of age to Elizabeth Bickel) able to read and write, born in Illinois, father and mother born in Scotland, occupation laborer in auto factory, was not a U.S. veteran.

All household members listed on 1930 Census:

• John James Early 52 (head of household)
  (my great grandfather)
• Elizabeth A. Early 49 (wife)
  (my great grandfather)
• Peter Corgiat 33 (son-in-law)
  (my grandfather)
• Dorothea Corgiat 27 (daughter)
  (my grandmother)
• Leola Corgiat 10 (granddaughter)
• Marvin D. Corgiat 8 (grandson, first name and middle initial were incorrectly reversed on the form)
  (my father)
• Lillian L. Corgiat 4 (granddaughter, first name was misspelled on form).

Elizabeth A. Bickel (married name was Early)

Vital Statistics: About 1881 - About 1953.

Relationship: Elizabeth A. Early was my paternal great-grandmother and my father's maternal grandmother.

Highlights. Elizabeth A. Bickel was born in March 1881 in East Beckemyer, Illinois. Her parents were born in Germany (cannot locate their names). In 1898, around 17 years of age, she married John James Early, who was also born in Illinois and whose parents were born in Scotland. After they were married, they moved from East Beckemyer, Illinois, to Frontenac, Kansas. After they were married, they moved from East Beckemyer, Illinois, to Frontenac, Kansas. Around 1930, John J. and Elizabeth A. moved from Frontenac, Kansas, to Detroit, Michigan, to look for  work and live near their daughter and son-in-law, Dora and Pete Corgiat (my dad's parents). Around 1947, John J. and Elizabeth A. moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to once again live near their daughter and son-in-law. John J. died around six months after moving to Phoenix, and Elizabeth A. died a few years later, around 1953.

According to U.S. federal censuses, John J. and Elizabeth A. resided in the following locations:

• 1900 - Braker Township, Crawford, Kansas (John J. worked as a coal miner)
• 1930 - Detroit City, Wayne County, Michigan (John J. worked as a laborer in the auto industry.

1900 Census. Baker, Crawford County, Kansas. Elizabeth A. Early was listed as the wife under head of household John Early, born March 1881, 19 years of age, married, number of years of present marriage - 2, mother of how many children - 1, number of these children living - 1, born in Illinois, mother and father born in Germany, occupation none listed, can read, can write, can speak English.

1930 Census. Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Elizabeth Early was listed as wife of head of household John J. Early, married (married at 18 years of age), able to read and write, born in Illinois, father and mother born in Germany, able to speak English, occupation - none listed.

Dorothea ("Dora") Ida Early (married name was Corgiat)

Vital Statistics: March 5, 1903 - June 3, 1980

Relationship: Dorothea Corgiat was my paternal grandmother and my father's mother.

Highlights. Dorothea ("Dora") Ida Early was born on March 5, 1903, in Kansas. Her parents, John J. and Elizabeth A. Early, were born in Illinois. In 1920, at 16 years of age, Dora maried Peter ("Pete") Corgiat, who was 23 years of age and who was also born in Kansas. While living in Kansas, Pete worked as a coal miner. Around 1929, Pete and Dora moved to Detroit. According to the 1930 census, Pete was working as a laborer in the auto industry. With money from the sale of some family land in Italy, which was returned to the family following WWII, Pete and Dora moved to San Diego, California. Dora died on June 3, 1980; at that time she has resided in Vista, San Diego County, California.

1930 Census. Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. Dorothea I. Corgiat was listed as a daughter under head of household John J. Early (53, married, laborer in auto industry), 27 years of age, married (married at 16 years of age to Peter Corgiat), able to read and write, born in Kansas, father and mother born in Illinois, occupation none.

All household members listed on 1930 Census under head of household John J. Early: Elizabeth Early (wife, 49), Peter Corgiat (son-in-law, 33), Dorothea Corgiat (daughter, 27), Leola Corgiat (granddaughter, 10); Marvin D. Corgiat (grandson, 8, first name and middle initial were incorrectly reversed on the form), and Lillian L. Corgiat (granddaughter, 4, first name was misspelled on form).

Oral History. Her parents were John J. and Elizabeth Early. She was born on March 5, 1903, in Kansas. She married Peter Corgiat at aged 16. While living in Frontenac, Peter and Dorothea ("Dora") Corgiat had three children: Leola Juanita Corgiat, Domenic Marvin Corgiat (my dad), and Lilyanlea Corgiat.  She died on June 3, 1980, in Vista, California. Her mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Bickel. My maiden middle name was Dorothea.

Right: Lea, Dad Below: My Grandmother and Dad

My Paternal Grandfather Peter Corgiat In band uniform.  I think that he used to play the clarinet.

My Dad and his Friends My Parent's Wedding Day June 14, 1945 (In front of Woltmann's house.)

My dad (left) joined the army after completing two years of college at Wayne State University, Detroit.  With funding provided by the G.I. bill, he completed college after W.W. II.  He was the first person in his family to graduate from college.  The man in the middle is Purdey Green, my dad's friend from high school.  Purdey is not in uniform because he had been discharged from the service because of a serious head injury.  The man on the right is Mike Michaels, my dad's best man.  They met on a hospital ship during W.W. II.  Mike suffered from facial injuries and had to have reconstructive surgery.  My dad suffered from arm and leg injuries.  I remember my dad telling me how they used to get free drinks at bars...dad would plop his injured arm up on the bar and Mike would just need to show his face...guess they felt sorry for them.

My Aunt Leola and Uncle Ray Leola and Ray Dancy and their son Daryl (Leola is my Dad's older sister.) In front of the Corgiat's home on Washtenaw, Detroit. Ray is getting ready to go to work.  This was taken before Lilyanlea's (Leola's sister) wedding. I remember visiting my Aunt Leola and Uncle Ray and my three cousins--Daryl, Tony, and Pam--at their home in Phoenix Arizona, 1959.  I celebrated my 9th birthday there and remember getting my first camera and going horseback riding on Camel Back Mountain for my birthday. The Dancy's had a terrific in-ground swimming pool--I thought that I was in heaven because I was able to swim any time I wanted.  Later, the Dancys moved to California, where my paternal grandparents resided

My Aunt Lilyanlea's Wedding After Lilyanlea ("Lea") and Jack married, they moved to Jack's hometown, Wrens, Georgia.  They had two children, my cousins Jimmy and Jill.  Uncle Jack passed away in April 2000.

My Grandma Corgiat, My Grandpa Corgiat My Great-Aunt Jennie My Great Uncle Angelo (Left to right) Dora and Pete Corgiat Jennie and Angelo Paoli

My Great-Grandma Early   My Great-Grandpa Early My Mom Elizabeth (Bickel) Early John James ("Buck") Early Ilse Irmgard (Matchull) Corgiat (The Earlys are my dad's maternal grandparents.) This picture was taken in Michigan, right before the Earlys moved to Phoenix.

My Great-Grandmother Matchull _______ Matchull's Funeral East Prussia, around 1936 (My mother's paternal grandmother.)

My Grandmother (Mader) Matchull Rhinholdina Mader 16 years old January 1, 1898 - July 31, 1942 (My mother's mother.)

My Great-Aunt Else Else Mader (back row, far right, on ledge) German Youth Group Germany, circa about 1925 (My mother's mother's sister-- Rhinholdina's youngest sister.)

The above picture was taken during a time when Germany had a lot of different political parties vying for power. The above youth group was not a Nazi group--it was more of a democratic type of party.  Else Mader eventually immigrated to New Brunswick, New Jersey, married a German, and had four children. Her married name was Else (Mader) Leichssenring.  Aunt Else was the person who named my mother Ilse Irmgard.

My Great-Grandmother Mader Augusta Mader (right) and  Else Mader (left, August's daughter) Germany Augusta Mader is my mother's maternal grandmother: "Oma". My Great-Aunt Else Else is my mother's maternal aunt: Rhinholdina's younger sister.

Hannah Matchull (married name) My Great-Aunt Hannah My mother's Tante Hannah was my mother's favorite aunt. She was the wife of my mother's Uncle Julius. Julius was my mother's paternal uncle.

Herman Matchull and Cows East Prussia My Great-Uncle Herman (My mother's paternal uncle.)

My Great-Uncle Herman Herman Matchull  and Bull East Prussia

My Great-Aunt Else Else Mader (second row, white band on hat.) Circa, about 1930 (My mother's maternal aunt).

Above: My mother's maternal grandmother, Augusta Mader, is on the ship emigrating from Germany to the U.S, about one year after she became a widow.   This  picture was taken in Bremen, Germany.   Augusta had to leave her daughter, Else Mader, behind in Germany because Else's quota number hadn't come up yet--Else was under a different quota system because she was born in a different country (Estonia) than her mother.  When this happened, Else was about 16 years old.  Else immigrated to the U.S. about 1 year late

My Great-Aunt Else   Else Mader Immigrating to America, circa about 1931. (My mother's maternal aunt.) My mother's mother's cousins immigrated to Alberta Canada, South Africa, and South America from Germany.  When they lived in Germany, they were farmers.

	Rhinholdina
My Grandmother Matchull, Uncle Wally, Mother,  Uncle Matt, and Grandfather Matchull Rhinholdina, Walter, Ilse Irmgard ("Inga") (my mom),  Werner Rudolph, and Julius Gustave ("Gustave") Matchull  Standing in front of their home in Indianapolis, Indiana, around 1928.

My Mother's  Home, Indianapolis, Indiana In 1928, my mom's youngest brother, Walter, was born in this home.

My Uncle Matt Werner Matchull (My mother's younger brother) (This picture and most of the other pictures of the Matchulls on this web page were enlarged from tiny photos using Adobe PhotoDelux.)

My Uncle Matt and Mother Werner and Ilse Matchull

Ilse, Walter, and Werner Matchull My mother is about 5 years old, and Werner is about 2 years old.

My Uncle Wally and Uncle Matt Walter and Warner Matchull. (Matt is the oldest brother.)

Ilse and Walter Matchull My Mom, about 14 years old, and Uncle Wally, about 9 years old. This picture was taken in their yard, in front of Ilse's flower garden.

Walter Matchull About 10 year's old. This picture was taken in the Matchull's side yard of their house, Indianapolis.

My Grandfather Matchull (My mother's father) Julius Gustave Matchull Pickle Factor Southhaven, Michigan \

My Grandmother Matchull Rhinholdina (Mader) Matchull (My mother's mother)

My Mother (Rhinholdina's daughter) Ilse Irmgard Matchull 16 or 17 years old

Emilia and Geahard Woltmann These are the people who my mom lived with after her parents died. This picture was taken in their back yard, Indianapolis.

Ilse Matchull (Standing) Picture was taken at the USO in Indianapolis, where my mom volunteered and met my dad.

My Mom and Dad Domenic Marvin Corgiat Ilse Irmgard Matchull Lake St. Clair, Detroit, Michigan When my mom was a little girl, people called her "Inga."  In school, her friends called her Ilse (pronounced "ill-sa").  My dad always called my mom "Irma." When my dad a little boy, his family called him "Bud."  In his professional job, people called him "Dom."  My mom always called my dad "Marv."

My Mother's Wedding Announcement Newspaper photo from scrapebook.

Snapshots from my Parent's Wedding June 14, 1945 Indianapolis, Indiana

My Parent's Wedding Portrait June 14, 1945

Dad, Willow Run Home Willow Run was built as an airplane factory during World War II.  After the War, due to the severe housing shortage, its army barracks were turned into temporary housing for returning GIs.  My mother refers to this as their "Willow Run Shack."   She has fond memories cooking on "an old coal stove."

Domenic and Irma Corgiat, 1945 My Mom and Dad (Next to their 1932 Ford.)

Dad's First Day of Teaching Waiting for bus on Kercheval Street, Detroit.
First Day of First Professional Job Special Education Teacher Foch Intermediate School.

Mom and Dad Christmas (1948?)

	My Parents in Their First Home Fisher Street, Detroit, 1948
Above: When my dad was young, he played accordion in a band--I still have the accordion. During the time that the above kitchen picture was taken, my mother was expecting her first child, Susan Emelie Corgiat, whowas born February 7, 1949.  Above the gas stove are hand-painted tin plates that my dad made.  He also made the hand-pounded brass plates.

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