Dedicated to Emma De Boom Witzel
How do we know that Cornelius De Boom was looking for business opportunities in 1849, not gold, when he sailed his own ship into San Francisco Bay? Only because Emma, his nephew’s youngest daughter, was fiercely proud of her family – both past and present. She saved hundreds of ”precious family documents,” photographs and paintings which form the basis of this website, dedicated to her memory.
Her Ancestry of the Witzel Brothers provides the single best overview of the Witzel and De Boom family histories, while the Napa Daily Register of August 27 1885 article she preserved summarizes many of Cornelius De Boom’s accomplishments as a California pioneer. She also documents the business acumen and bravery of Cornelius’ brother, Peter Romain De Boom, for whom De Boom Street was named.
To family and friends - please send comments, corrections and additional materials. While Emma saved a lot of documents (those who knew her know how true that is!), the family story continues. [Site is under construction - stay tuned for updates. cw]
Wishing you well with this website, Chris! May you have many followers and lively discussion.
Hello
I went many times in SF and was wondering why a “Marsily St” existed !
I browse Internet time to time to catch news about my family roots. I found your site and get a nice answer to the street story. Tks
My father (Jacques Marsily) died a few months ago but his patience and passion for our family genealogy during years was tasteful for many members of our family.
We still have some holes in our family tree but connections, family stories on internet and documents help to fill them out.
Thanks for your contributions… so helpful also for our children.
If I can help, it will be my pleasure to answer any questions related to the Marsily family… My father’s boxes are full of documents and his hard drives too… I don’t over promise but if accessible… they will be yours.
Best
Alain Marsily
Belgium
Hi Alain,
How marvelous to hear from you! I will write a more detailed response via email.
Best regards,
Chris
I am truly impressed with the result of your genealogical efforts and grateful that you have included me in the mailing list. I have no memory of anything about “Bonmaman” DeBoom. I do have vague snippets of memory about Fanny’s sisters. “TanteMimi” and “TanteEmma” were some old ladies we were dragged to meet in an old, dark house somewhere in San Francisco. My main memory is the house smelled “funny”. I guess this must have been during WWII, though I have nothing to anchor these recollections.
The WWII letter from Mrs. Gerhardi caught my interest. The origin of my nickname, “Chips” was always vaguely referred to as “some kind of distant, English cousin” of Fanny’s. The fleeting reference to “Chip”, who I guess was Alice’s brother, offers a clue to that mystery. The other explanation I got said all the other nicknames for Charles had been taken. I’m the fourth Charles in a row in the Haseltine family. And, the last one.
Hi Chips,
Thank you for your comment. If you are interested in learning more about the Gerhardis, Alice’s nephew, Dave, is on that private mailing list. I’ve been pondering writing up something about them…. In any case, thanks again and take care.
Best regards,
Chris
Hi
Just catching up. Alice Gerhardi was my Grandmother therefore I am her grandson and not her nephew. Alice is the sister of Sidney Burgoyne who left the UK for America and started Burgoyne Cards.
Regards
hello
I’m a cousin of Jacques Marsily. Our fathers were brothers
Happily Alain M. will continue the research
I live in Brussels, were born in Antwerp 1931
It’s very exiting you wrote with us
so long
Hello Louise,
I’m so pleased we are making connections!
Best regards,
Chris
Very interesting, Chris. Read all of your fathers stories this evening. Loved the pictures that went with them. Looking forward to viewing the rest of the sight. I applaud you. A labor of love well done… Kat St.Claire
Kat,
Thank you!
Enjoy,
Chris
Chris,
What a wonderful job you have done in gathering and publishing the family history!
Cornelius deBoom’s Certificate from the Society of California Pioneers verifying that he arrived in California 163 years ago on Feb. 18, 1849, hangs in my office.
Thanks for all your efforts,
Ron Witzel
Loved your family history, Christine!
You might consider putting a button at the bottom of each page
to take the reader to the next page; for the first time reader, like myself,
it seems that the article ends there.
Stu
Thanks for the suggestion, Stu. Will look into it.
Dear Chris,
What a great site, brimming with stories, photos, links, and down-loadables. The street sign in the header is a nice touch.
Your project must be very popular within the families, and with fans of California history. And the spirit of Aunt Emma must be pleased as punch—you are apparently the person she saved all those documents for.
Is this a WordPress site? So is mine: http://onsbs.com/
To exploiting this valuable tool that’s been given to us. See you around the gym.
-Sue
Hi Sue,
Thanks for the compliments. Your site is _amazing_! I will refer my writing friends to it as an excellent example for marketing a book…something I’m still thinking about.
Regards,
Chris
Dear Chris,
Wonderful website of family history. Thanks for compiling the info, and making it available for posterity. I especially like the 1889 Napa photo of R.C. DeBoom, Bonmaman, and their four children. Their eldest daughter, Fanny DeBoom was to eventually marry Charles Woodward Haseltine. They were the grandparents of Chips and Art.
My best to you and all my cousins — which I don’t see often enough,
Art (Arthur Woodward Haseltine)
Carmel, California
http://www.fotosea.com
Hi Art,
It’s wonderful that you got in touch! I’ll be in contact via email.
Best,
Chris
Chris:
You are to ne congratulated for
initialing the “DeBoom History”
This is a labor of love of family and
deserves full support of the Witzel
branch of the DeBoom heritage.
Dear Uncle Mo,
Thank you. I’m touched.
Love,
Chris
A great piece on Wreden Brewery. Touches on a bit of MY family history too. We have many artifacts from the Wreden Brewery. I also noticed that North Coast Brewing resurrected the Acme Brewing label. One of my favorite hobbies is making beer, and am in search of any possible recreation of the original Annabelle Lager’ and ‘Wreden’s Extra Pale Lager’
THANK YOU!
JEFF
Madam
I have just discovered your website in a search on my family.
I am great great grand daughter of Angélique de Laurencel (Louis-Henry de Laurencel and Frédérique de Boom’s daughter).
Could you give me your personnal mail address to be able to discuss with you privately
Best regards
LC
Formidable! Will be in touch via email.