GREENERPASTURE Free Family History Since 1999

flag male ancestor  William Bernard  FRENCH

Born
20 February 1884 Defiance, Ohio, USA
Died
7 September 1962 Defiance, Defiance, Ohio, USA

Parents & Family of William Bernard FRENCH

Explore parents, grandparents, spouses, children, and the family connections surrounding William Bernard FRENCH.

Parents
Grandparents
Spouse & Children


Born: 20 February 1884 in Defiance, Ohio, USA

Father: Unknown
Mother: Unknown


Spouse(s)/Partner(s) and Child(ren):

William Bernard  married  Wilhelmine Justina SCHARNAKAU 26 November 1907 in Defiance, Ohio, USA .  The couple had (at least) 1 child.
Wilhelmine Justina SCHARNAKAU  was born 14 April 1884 in Henry, Ohio, USA.  Wilhelmine Justina died 8 October 1965

William Bernard FRENCH died 7 September 1962 in Defiance, Defiance, Ohio, USA.
Details of the family tree of William appear below.

Spouse & Children of William Bernard FRENCH

William Bernard FRENCH married flag female ancestor Wilhelmine Justina SCHARNAKAU
Marriage date: 26 November 1907
Marriage place: Defiance, Ohio, USA

Children of William Bernard FRENCH and Wilhelmine Justina SCHARNAKAU

flag photo of Bernard Jerome FRENCH  Bernard Jerome FRENCH
Born: 22 August 1908, , Ohio, USA
Died: 12 February 1986, Defiance, Ohio, USA

Married: Gertrude Mae GRIMM 20 November 1930



Add Life Event
Have another record or photo?
Add a life event, census record, military record, obituary, achievement, or photograph for William Bernard FRENCH.


Life & Records

Photos, life events, and historical records for William Bernard FRENCH.

How to read this timeline
Records about William Bernard FRENCH and family appear alongside historical events from the same years. Each item is labeled so you can quickly tell family records from historical context.
BirthBirth — 1884
20 February 1884
Defiance, Ohio, USA
Invention In 1906, Reginald Fessenden made the first AM radio broadcast on December 24th. This event marked a significant advancement in radio technology, paving the way for the modern broadcasting industry.
marriage1907 Marriage / Partner
William Bernard FRENCH and Wilhelmine Justina SCHARNAKAU 26 November 1907, Defiance, Ohio, USA

He was 23 years old.
1908 Birth of Child
Bernard Jerome FRENCH was born 22 August 1908, , Ohio, USA

William Bernard was 24 years old.
News1929 - October 29 - Black Tuesday - Stock market crash - The Great Depression Begins - It lasted until 1941 (WW2)
Invention 1934 - The metal beverage can is invented (American Can Co., United States)
Invention 1940 - April - 1st electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Invention The microwave oven was invented accidentally in 1945 by Percy Spencer, a Raytheon engineer. While testing a magnetron, he noticed microwaves melted a candy bar in his pocket. Experimenting further, he discovered microwaves could cook food quickly. Raytheon patented the process, and by 1947, they built the first commercial microwave oven, called the 'Radarange.' Initially used in commercial settings, microwaves becomes affordable for home use by the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionizing cooking.
DeathDeath — 1962
7 September 1962
Defiance, Defiance, Ohio, USA
He died at the age of 78.
RECORD HISTORY

Record added: 1/9/2026 5:05:13 PM
Last updated: 1/9/2026 5:05:58 PM

MORE WAYS TO EXPLORE

Explore William Bernard FRENCH's Family & History

View charts and other tools for this ancestor and family.

KEEP SEARCHING

Not the ancestor you were looking for?

Search for another person or explore genealogy by place.

Search for a Person by Name

Enter as much of the name as you know.

Search by Place

Enter a place and choose a match from the suggestions.


RESEARCH ON OTHER SITES

Continue Researching William French

Search other genealogy websites using this ancestor's known name, dates, and places.

GENEALOGY GIFTS & RESOURCES

Gifts & Resources Related to Defiance, Ohio

Explore local-history books, genealogy resources, and gifts connected with this ancestor's birthplace and family-history research.

DISCUSSION & CORRECTIONS

Questions, Corrections & New Information

Ask a question or share a correction, source, or new detail about William Bernard FRENCH.

When possible, include names, dates, places, and sources so the information is easier to verify.