BALTZ TIDBITS (From earlier)

Today's date is February 17, 2009. I know George and Mary Bals, my gr. gr. grandparents emmigrated from Bavaria, Germany sometime before 1859 when their son, Frank was born in Diamond Lake, Michigan. I am still searching for what ship and when they arrived. They owned property which they farmed in Maple Grove, Barry, Michigan. The family before may have done blacksmithing and farming. I believe George Bals was born around 1830 in Germany. (Update: I found George Bals immigrated to the U.S. in 1847 on the Cotton Planter emmigrant ship out of Antwerp, Belgium through a place known as "Castle Gardens" in N.Y. No mention of Mary......who was also born in Bavaria.) The most recent of my ancestor's, my grandfather, Glenn A. Baltz was known as a big drinker, possibly an alcoholic. Also, my son, Robert R. Proctor was an alcoholic who took his own life in 2003. I wonder how many others in the past were afflicted with this disease? And is it genetic? I also know my Aunt Marian Baltz Hannan, and her brother, Richard Baltz had diabetes and heart disease. My Grandma Jennie Baltz died of a stroke and I have had a triple heart bypass in 1996. My brother, Larry, has had a stent placed and children of Marian Hannan have had known cardiac disease, with Vincent succumbing to a heart attack at the age of 51. So definetly, cardiovascular disease is inherited from our ancestors. Let me know if you know any of the information about our ancestors or have input on the health issues in your life: at calicocarolj@gmail.com so it can be added. Thanks, Carol