Hello all- I am looking for any information on Ben aka Bernard Dirksen born 1862-1865 in Germany, arrived in the US around 1894-95, and lived in southeastern South Dakota (Tea, Wall Lake, Humboldt, Lennox) until his death in 1936. He was married to Matilda (aka Matte, Moetje) Naatjes and they had eight children named Theda (Matilda) b: 1889, William b: 1891, Katie b: 1893, George b: 1895, Tena b: 1896-97, Ella b: 1897-98, Bennie b: 1900, and Tebbo b: 1902. I believe he had a brother in the German Navy during WWI and had sisters in the SD area. Early 1900 he travelled to Montana to visit relatives. Other than this, I am at a dead end. It is like he did not exist before the 1900 census... Thank you in advance for any information!