The man of many names

No one is safe from misspellings. So probably best not to make a big fuss about the occasional deformation of one's first or family name.

Yet, there are cases which go beyond the limits of the ordinary. Especially, if the misspellings are frequent, seem arbitrary and appear in official documents. This describes the fate of Ludwig Schoser who immigrated to the United States in 1893.

Starting the century as Louis Schosser...

* The 1893 Ellis Island Passenger Record refers to him as 'Ludwig Schoesser'
* The 1900 US Federal Census as 'Louis Schosser'.
* The 1904-1906 Durango Naturalization Records as 'Ludwig Schoser'.
* The 1910 US Federal Census as 'Ludwig Sokaser'.
* The 1911 Durango Ranchers Directory as 'Ludwig Schoser'.
* The 1920 US Federal Census as 'Andwig Schoser'.
* The 1930 US Federal Census as 'Todnez Schaser'.

... having become Todnez Schaser in 1930

In total, there are four different ways Ludwig's first name and five different ways his family name have been spelt. In fact, it is not even clear which was Ludwig's 'true' name as we do not know what he was called at birth. And had Ludwig not spent all his life after US immigration in Durango (Colorado), it would be almost impossible to trace him through time.

Snappshot in time

This photo shows George Schoser and his wife Catherine with their children Pauline, Jacob and William 'Bill'. It was taken in about 1916 in Meade, South Dakota where the family lived at the time. In total, George and Catherine had eight children. Five of them however died at a young age including Pauline and Jacob on the picture. In contrast, William was almost 90 when he died. 

The inspector

Is there the perfect crime with burglars leaving no traces and the police having no chance of catching the culprits? 

Frank Schoser would certainly deny this. He works for the Criminal Investigation Department of the city of Tübingen. It is his very task to make visible and analyse any traces burglars have left on the scene of the crime whether finger or shoe prints, broken glass or traces of tools used to break open windows or doors.

Frank is member of a team of in total 16 inspectors dealing with about 4,600 incursions per year (see Südwest Presse). They use traditional detection techniques as well as special lighting methods or electrostatic charging to uncover the identity of the burglars. However, cleaning ladies are said to dread the inspectors even more as they are able to make visible every grain of dust... 

The fashion designer

Under the label 'fashion by RS', Rebecca Schoser of Owen designs her own fashion collection. The range of clothes includes for example evening gowns, T-shirts and skirts.

Designs and samples of Rebecca's collection are presented on her website. It is also there that the items can be ordered directly from her. On command, she will manufacture the clothes herself.

Magic potion

The year is 1948 AD, and all Germany lies in ruins and is occupied by foreign troops. Only one small village of indomitable Swabians holds out against the post-war depression. 

But what can the villagers do to overcome the depression and revive their village? Anything is possible, with a little cunning plus the butchers' oxblood! Its effects can be truly historic ...

This is the beginning of the tale of the remote small town of Trochtelfingen which since then has converted into a gem of the Swabian Alb not least thanks to the initiative of the three Schoser brothers Gustav, Hans and Franz. (See also under 'Gallery'.)

iChina

Qinqin Schoser works as assistant editor for the iChina Magazine, a monthly English-language magazine based in the U.S.. The magazine aims at giving an independent view on China's society, economy and culture and at building a bridge between the Chinese and Western people. Having moved to the U.S. quite recently, Qinqin is well-placed to mediate between the cultures.

iChina Magazine is available in print and as electronic version on the Internet. The most recent issue on the website, however, dates from May 2009. It therefore seems that the magazine has meanwhile ceased publication.

Bavaria's pearl

The tourist information of the Bavarian town of Donauwörth displays a remarkable creativity in branding its city:  'ancient free imperial city', 'Bavaria's pearl on the banks of the Danube' or 'North Swabia's friendly center'. It also offers no less than 35 different guided tours and excursions to discover the historic, artistic and natural treasures in and around Donauwörth. Top of the list are a visit of the cathedral tower and a boat tour on the Danube which, after all, is Europe's second longest river even if it is still pretty small in Donauwörth.
Daniela Schoser is member of the team working at Donauwörth's Tourist Information and organising guided tours and excursions. Apart from the 35 standardised tours, she can also help to adapt the programme to the individual needs and wishes of the visitors, for example separate tours for men and women or advice on the local gastronomy. Hence, visitors wanting to spend their time drinking a few pints in a typical Bavarian biergarten can at least make an educated choice.

Go the distance!

'Go the distance' is a U.S. swimming programme launched four years ago. It is a self-directed programme intended to encourage swimmers to regularly exercise and track their progress. In 2010, 2,200 swimmers participated in this programme, logging a total of over 425,000 miles.

John C. Schoser is participating in this year's edition of 'Go the distance'. On 23 July, he achieved the 200 milestone, meaning that since the beginning of the year he has swum just over one mile per day. At present, his score stands at 292.55 miles showing not only that John has sped up his efforts most recently but also rocketing him up into the top 15% of all participants. He may crack the 300 milestone before long, in fact probably even before the end of this month.

Golden Wedding

Today, Franz and Edith Schoser celebrate their golden wedding. It was 50 years ago on 14 August 1961, they married in the abbey of Beuron on the Danube.  The wedding took place only one day after the construction of the Berlin Wall started.

50 years on, the Berlin Wall is history. In contrast, Franz and Edith are alive and well and proud grand-parents of 16 grand children. On the occasion of the golden wedding, all gathered to congratulate.

About eagles and other birdies

More than any other sport, Golf seems to have developed its own particular language. Some say the challenge of playing golf is less learning how to get from the 'tee' to the 'putting green', but to know what it means.

Norbert Schoser has learnt the necessary vocabulary and has entered the miraculous world of golf courses and tournaments. In July 2009 and July 2010, Norbert took part in the annual tournament at Wendelinus Golfpark. His score cards tell us that both times he must have made it to hole 18. But while this is trivial information, we leave it to the instructed reader to identify the number of albatrosses, eagles and other birdies, Norbert came across when walking those 6,265 meters.