William Roland Spies (1922-1992)
Here you see William’s German, French and Bohemian ancestry. He used to describe himself as “Bohunk.” His Grandmother Celia Overy died before he was born, so he probably didn’t know his relatives in St. Ferdinand, Missouri, very well. He did know the large family of his mother, Augusta Dvorak.
(The green boxes on the right-hand edge in the chart are expanded in other charts. See Ouvre Line or Lorrain Line or Thibault Line or Montreuil Line
Green continues elsewhere.
Spies Marriages
William Roland Spies + Carol Anita Weiss
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William and Carol married at Plant Park Replacement Depot, Tampa, Florida. William Spies was stationed there when he served in the Army during World War II. Their first child was born there, before William was sent to Europe.
The Greatest Generation
1943 Wedding
William O Spies + Augusta Dvorak
√ Parents of William Roland Spies
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William and Augusta married in St. Louis, Missouri. William had served in the Army during World War I. He was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. There is a passenger record that says that he rode the “Kilpatrick” in 1918.
Their children
U.S. Army transport “Kilpatrick”
John Dvorak + Philomena Bosek
√ Parents of Augusta Dvorak
Grandparents of William Roland Spies
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John and Philomena married at St. John Nepomuk, the Bohemian church in St. Louis, Missouri. The groom had been born in St. Louis, child of immigrant parents. The bride had come to America with her parents, arriving at the port of Baltimore in 1872. Both families probably spoke Czech.
Their children
St. John Nepomuk
Bernard John Spies + Celia Overy
√ Parents of William O Spies
Grandparents of William Roland Spies
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Bernard married Celia at St. Kevin Catholic Church, St. Louis, Missouri. Both bride and groom grew up and had family in Florissant, Missouri. We do not know why they married in South St. Louis at St. Kevin’s.
Bernard worked for the Hydraulic Press Brick Company, the largest brick-making company in the world.
Their children
Hydraulic-Press Brick Co.
Antoine Ouvre + Cecile Thibaut
√ Parents of Celia Overy
Great grandparents of William Roland Spies
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Antoine and Cecile married at St. Ferdinand, Florissant, Missouri. Both were from families that had been in Missouri for generations.
Their children
St. Ferdinand
Joseph Bosek + Maria Votava
Bohemia
√ Parents of Philomena Bosek
Great grandparents of William Roland Spies
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Joseph and Mary were married in Bohemia about 1859. They brought six children to America, arriving at Baltimore in March of 1872. Three more children were born in St. Louis.
Their children
1872 passenger list
William Spies + Anna Elisabeth Webers
Hanover
√ Parents of Bernard John Spies
Great grandparents of William Roland Spies
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William and Anna Elisabeth married at St. Mary of Victories, St. Louis, Missouri within days of their arrival. (Port of New Orleans, November 22, 1854) William said on his naturalization paper that he was a native of Hanover.
Their children
The earliest Spies record in Missouri, their 1854 marriage record. (lower right)
Jacob Dvorak + Mary Becnar
Bohemia
√ Parents of John Dvorak
Great grandparents of William Roland Spies
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Jacob and Mary married in Bohemia about 1840. Five of their children were born there. Two children were born in St. Louis and baptized at St. John Nepomuk, 1857 and 1860.
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This index of naturalization records from St. Louis Circuit Court says where one might find the full record of his application for citizenship. Remind me to try to find it.
Their children
1876 naturalization