Until you reach a breakthrough with documented records, genealogy is often based on the "preponderance of evidence" or, the now preferred "reasonably exhaustive search." If you have conducted a search of available records and made clear assumptions based on what you've found, then you can be reasonably sure that you have "connected all of the available dots."
Such was the case after tackling the Laubscher family at Salt Lake a few years ago. I found four Laubschers in the areas that I needed them to be in one combination or another: Pennsylvania, Missouri and Wisconsin. Those four were Catharine, George, Charles and Louis. A year later, I was able to find a bit more on Catherine in the Lafayette Co., WI records.
The following was my palate for painting the Laubscher story at that time. Since then, I have been able to add to the story. Catherine's marriage, Louis' obit and naturalization papers and the Baden records for the Laubscher children, their parents and a few generations beyond.
The information tying Catherine, George, Lewis and Charles Laubscher together as siblings is almost entirely circumstantial. I feel that these people are related and are most likely sister and brothers. This is based on the following:
1. 1850 Census: Residing in the same household in Madison Co., Missouri as George Laubscher was a Wagner family consisting of a woman and three children.
The names of the Wagner family are incorrect. [Louisa Wagner was born in Madison Co., MO in 1849.]
2. 1851 Lafayette Co., Wisconsin Deeds [FHL 1476936]: George Laubscher and John & Catherine Wagner purchase land. George sells the land to Catherine several months later.
3. 1860 Census: George Laubscher is back in Madison Co., Missouri. Catherine Wagner is widowed with three children living in Lafayette Co., Wisconsin. The ages for Catherine and family are exactly 10 years older than the Wagners residing with George Laubscher in 1850.
4. George and Louis Laubscher served in the same regiment during the Civil War. Louis /Lewis testified to George's injuries and to having known him, but never mentioned familial ties. The descriptions of both men were convincing: Birthplace - Baden; height - 5 feet 9 1/2 inches; complexion - light; eyes - gray; hair - gray; both enlisted on 1 October 1861. They sound like twins, except for a ten year age difference.
5. George and Lewis Laubscher moved to eastern Pennsylvania after they were discharged from the Union Army.
6. 1870 census: One doctor stated that George had to rely on family for support.
He was living in the household of Charles Laubscher in Pike Co., Pennsylvania in 1870. Charles had witnessed George's declaration for pension. Again, no relationship was stated.
7. Catherine, George, Lewis, and Charles were all born in Baden.
The following is a possible scenario for the Laubscher family. The four siblings, probably with their parents arrived in the U.S. during the early 1840s. It would appear that the Laubschers settled in the Pike - Wayne County region of eastern Pennsylvania. Catherine may have married John Wagner in Baden or shortly after the family arrived. The lead mining opportunities in Missouri must have attracted the Laubschers and Wagners. After the birth of Henry in 1844, the Wagners and George and Lewis Laubscher headed west for Missouri. George and Lewis and, probably, John Wagner went to work in the mines. George went to Wisconsin with his sister and returned to Missouri before 1860. Charles evidently stayed behind in Pennsylvania. George and Lewis returned to Pennsylvania and died there.
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