The Valentine-Hedtke Family

The Valentine-Hedtke Family

VALENTINE ("Valentin")

Charlotte & Lorraine Valentine

The name Valentine or Valentin has basically French/German origin. Rodney's mother's grandfather was born in the region of France back in the middle 1800's, which is now the Alsace Lorraine(It is believed that Rodney's mom's first name Lorraine was also decided as a result of this genealogical location). However, when Lorraine's grandfather, Georg Valentin came from this region, it was then Germany and known as the Elsass Lotring(This as a result of Germany's Bismarck defeating France's Napoleon III...as far as what history Rodney can recall). Strangely enough, Rodney's mother's father also had the same name of Georg Valentin which he later anglicized to George Valentine.

George Valentine was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 18,1877 and was a postal clerk for the US Post Office. His mother, Selma Breitmeyer was born in Germany. He lived all his life in Detroit and married Emma Hedtke at HistoricTrinity Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan. This is the same historic Lutheran church where Lorraine was baptized (and confirmed) and later where Rodney was baptized. George Valentine died at the early age of 50 years old on December 15, 1927 after having battled chronic Encephalitis. Emma was the same age as her husband, George, born November 12, 1877 also in Detroit.

Emma and George had a total of nine children(one died at birth). They were: Evelyn, Wesley, Mildred,Clifford,(baby boy died at birth),Asa, Lorraine, Charlotte and Emeline. Only two are still living, which are Rodney's mom, Lorraine and his Aunt Emeline. Rodney never knew his grandfather(either from his mother's or father's side of the family), but he remembers his grandmother, Emma or just plain "grandma" very well as a youngster. Rodney's grandma was a focal point for the entire family. Holiday celebrations and family gatherings were focused as to where grandma lived, be it the early years on 13167 Monte Vista in Detroit or where she spent her last days on 1410 Hughes Road in Howell, Michigan. Emma Valentine neé Hedtke died in Howell, Michigan on October 31, 1958 after suffering a cerebral hemmorage. Her parents were both from Germany.Her father, Johann Gottlieb Hedtke was born in the city of Kolmar in Posen(now Poland) on May 22, 1836 and died from chronic bronchial Asthma in Detroit on December 12, 1917. He was 81 years old

Emma & George Valentine (photo ca. 1899) .

(Rodney's grandparents)

Emma's mother, Julia Hedtke neé Tickfer was born in Mieroslavo bei Usch in thesame region of Posen on April 11,1842. She preceded her husband, Gottlieb in death seven years on February 25, 1910.Gottlieb and Julia had six children which included:Emil, Wilhelm(or "Willie"),Eduard(or"Eddie"). Augusta or Gustie,Drankberg was Rodney's mother Lorraine's godmother.

Rodney remembers Gustie's daughter Minnie Drankberg(Lorraine's firstcousin) and only one other beside his grandmother, that was Uncle Johnny. Uncle Johnny was completely deaf and Rodney's grandmother was about 75 - 80% deaf. Uncle Johnny and Emma were not born deaf. Their deafness was a result of both having had scarlet fever when they were children. Neither ever learned how to sign (use sign language), and for anyone trying to communicate with them, it was simply a matter of lip reading with Uncle Johnny. Emma could understand you when you spoke, but could only hear you if you spoke loudly. However, family members including Rodney managed to speak loudly enough in order for Emma to understand. This is probably how Rodney managed to develop later his stentorian baritone voice.

dJohann Gottlieb Hedtke -5/22/1836- 12/12/1917U

Lorraine Esther Valentine Stenborg (photo 2/15/2001)

Visit the Stenborg/Valentine Family Tree on www.ancestry.com

Stenborg Family