Strengths and Weaknesses (depending on the situation)

• Bold
• Rational and practical
• Original
• Perceptive
• Direct
• Sociable
• Insensitive
• Defiant
• Able to improvise and focus on the present

Father: Wilhelm (Born in Germany in September 1826)

Mother: Hilda (Born in Germany in April 1827)

Siblings

• Brother: Kurt (Born in May 1844)
• Brother: Bernhard (Born in February 1850)
• Brother: Paul (Born in October 1853)
• Brother: Hugo (Born in July 1855)
• Sister: Anna (Born in June 1857)

Sister-in-Law: Inge (married to Paul - born in January 1854)

1848 - March 1876

Ella was born on the family farm located south of Missoula in 1848.  Her parents Wilhelm and Hilda emigrated to the USA shortly after the birth of their oldest son Kurt in 1846.  Wilhelm had a older brother already in the USA and together they buy a farm in the east.

Ella grows up learning how to spin and make clothes from the wool produced on the farm.  She also learns to read and write, as do all her brothers and sister.

In 1867, Wilhelm takes his family and along with one of his brother's sons move to an area south of Missoula (Mills) to try and raise sheep and crops.  After a few years, Wilhelm sells his share of the farm to his nephew and the family move to Missoula.

March - May 1876

Late in 1875, a group of businessmen from the more prosperous town of Helena come to visit Wilhelm.  They see the potential of a viable sheep industry and are interested in starting small herds in various parts of the territory.  Wilhelm is offered a parcel of land south of Smith Lake near the town of Kalispell.  He makes a deal with them for 60% of any profits made from the farm.

Not knowing if the land can sustain a large herd or not, Wilhelm takes small herd of about 150 sheep to the area.  The family also decide to plant crops to help bring in an income.

Soon after the snows melt, the Albrecht family move to their new farm, where they quickly build a home, barn and storage facilities.  They have also planted wheat and some vegetable crops.  So far their presence has gone relatively unnoticed but that can change at any moment.