Notes:

Marilyn Wilkinson, Sacramento, California
Ancestral villages: Selz (Kutschurgan District); Landau, Speier and Sulz (Beresan District)

I was born, raised in Southern California and presently live in Northern California. I have been married 22 years and have five wonderful children. I began my family research in 1993 after attending a Genealogical Convention in San Diego, beginning with a folder with some names and dates that my mother had acquired at a family reunion 10 years prior.

My maternal roots are traced through both my grandmother's family and my grandfather's family back into Russia. My great-grandparents on my grandmother's side, Michael Segmiller and Katarina Wetsch were both raised in Sulz, Russia. They were married in their village on January 22, 1913. This began their journey to America. The other villagers believed them to be on their honeymoon when, in fact, they were fleeing to America. Michael and Katarina's journey took them from Russia to Glasgow, Scotland. On April 25, they began their voyage to America. On May 10, 1913, the adventurous couple felt America under their feet.

My great-grandparents rarely spoke of their family and friends or the village from where they came. It was something they were afraid to share with us. My mother and I are working on this project together, and it is our wish to learn more about the village of Sulz. Our goal is to try to tell the ancestral story of my great-grandparents, who are still very much alive in our hearts today. This is how I will share them with my children and the generations to come. Every time I work on my genealogy, I truly walk with the angels.

Tour to Germany only:

Michael married Katharina Wetsch on 22 Jan 1913 in Sulz, Odessa, Ukrayina. Katharina was born on 28 Oct 1894 in Sulz, Odessa, Ukrayina; died on 27 Mar 1965 in Fullerton, Orange County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]