Christopher Magoto and his wife, Catherine Humbert Magoto are buried in Darke County, Ohio's Holy Family Cemetery. They are my husband's 4x great-grandparents through his paternal grandmother's line. Christopher and Catherine were born in the town of Hannonville-sous-les-Côtes, which is located in the Lorraine region of northeastern France. In 1852, they left France with six of their children and sailed to America, entering the country at New York City and subsequently making their way to the small French Catholic communities located in the northeastern portion of Darke County, Ohio. Like most other French and German immigrants in the area, they lived on a farm, grew crops, and raised livestock. Catherine passed away in 1861 at age 49, while Christopher lived until 1892, when he passed away at age 80. He did not remarry after his wife passed away.
When I found both Christopher and Catherine's French civil birth records, I noticed that the ages at death as inscribed on the gravestone were incorrect (fairly common, esp. for immigrants). Also, like most French immigrants in this area, the family changed their surname from 'Magotaux,' which is how it is spelled on Christopher's birth record, to the more phonetic and easily-spelled 'Magoto.' I do love that Catherine's maiden name is included on the gravestone; if only all of our female ancestor's had theirs on their stones - tracing female lines would be so much easier!
When I found both Christopher and Catherine's French civil birth records, I noticed that the ages at death as inscribed on the gravestone were incorrect (fairly common, esp. for immigrants). Also, like most French immigrants in this area, the family changed their surname from 'Magotaux,' which is how it is spelled on Christopher's birth record, to the more phonetic and easily-spelled 'Magoto.' I do love that Catherine's maiden name is included on the gravestone; if only all of our female ancestor's had theirs on their stones - tracing female lines would be so much easier!
Gravestone of Christopher and Catherine (Humbert) Magoto.
 Close-up of Christopher Magoto engraving. |  Close-up of Catherine Magoto engraving. |
Photos courtesy of Find A Grave. Photographed by Bubbysgal and Jenni Monnier
©2013, copyright Emily Kowalski Schroeder
©2013, copyright Emily Kowalski Schroeder
