Juergen, thanks so much for your comment and sharing your story, including being born at Faber Hospital. It’s lovely to think that your parents may have lived close by to my great-grandparent’s house. Shanghai is so huge and has changed so much that I imagine it would be even harder to find an old house there, or the story of what happened to the house.

Hi Audrey,
I can commiserate with your frustration at not finding the house in Qingdao as I had a very similar experience in 1999. In fact my parents must have lived very close to your great-grandparents‘ house near Iltis Hook. I was born there in 1942 at the Faber hospital and christened at the protestant church, both of which my wife and I visited. I attended American School in 1948 before we fled to Shanghai when the communists arrived in 1949. We were also unable to find the house in Shanghai. My parents were Wolfgang and Ursula Boettcher.

Mary, this is a belated response to your comment as we’ve already been in touch by email. Thanks so much for getting in touch and adding these additional details and “clues” about the house and how it was used in the late 1930s. Really appreciate your sending the photos, too.

Hi Nong,
Thanks so much for your comment and note! It sounds like you are doing some fascinating research as the history of missionaries in China is quite extensive (more than I had imagined!) with some incredible stories. Good luck with your upcoming research trip this fall. With all the research you’ve done, I imagine you’ll notice new details about these places you would have overlooked before.

All the best,
Audrey

Thank you for an amazing story searching for family root while exploring history. I can feel your anxiety, disappointment, excitement, and fulfillment while you strode through the streets in Qingdao. Lovely experience.

I came across your blog while searching information about Faber Hospital. I’m recently working on a project collecting information about the missionaries in Shandong, China. I read that Dr. Calvin Mateer, who went to Shandong in 1864 as a North American Presbyterian missionary, died at Faber Hospital on Sept 28, 1908. Through your blog, I found another great missionary family – the Sccot’s, and the astounding story of John and Betty Stam. I grew up in Jinan and visited Qingdao numerous times and was always amazed by the Western architectures in these two cities, though I knew little of the history at that time. I will go back to Jinan and Qingdao in the fall and I believe I will have different comprehension this time. Thanks!

Nong

I read your article a few weeks ago but not sure my comment went through. Just wanted to ask if you had any updates in your search? I have been living in Qingdao for almost two years now, am quite fascinated with the history of the area and every free moment is spent researching the history.

Really wish I could have tried to help you find it when you were here a couple years ago. Actually, looking at the picture with the temple in the background, I honestly feel I may have a good idea of where this house is found. I lived over there for a while and I think it would be just west of Bathing Beach No.1 as you start to head up Yushan Hill. I actually have a picture of the house I am thinking of, but couldnt find it at the moment.

Do you have any updates or any additional information? I would really like to try and help you find it so you can have the chance to see it if you ever have the chance to stop back by Qingdao.

I write for some local magazines and am even thinking about putting a book together and feel your family’s story would definitely be of interest to some local folks.

Please feel free to email me!

Cheers,
Marcus