The Change from Ziebarth to Seebart
One's curiosity is naturally aroused as to why the name Ziebarth was changed to Seebart. Research leads me to believe that it came about in the following manner: As the members of the August Ziebarth family grew into young manhood and womanhood, and then went out into the world to make their own way, they discovered that their name was being pronounced and spelled in different ways. Instead of insisting on the correct forms, they found it easier to just go along, and eventually, they found themselves pronouncing and spelling the name as many other persons implemented it. Furthermore, some of them were not too good at spelling either; having had but meager educational opportunities in a pioneer situation. They may have even misspelled their own name on occasion. Also, at that period of time, there seems to have been a vogue of anglicizing foreign names. In the case of those who were of German descent, it may well have been a protective measure, as the fear of universal conscription was not absent from their memories, and they did not want to suffer the consequences of a follow-up from the German authorities.

Still another reason for the changing of the name was stated by Uncle Fred and Ella Henrietta; namely, there was another German family in the neighborhood who spelled their surname in exactly the same manner, and the mail of these two families was constantly getting mixed-up and even lost.

The key to the manner in which these various problems were solved , and both the time and circumstances under which this solution was achieved is, I believe, to be found in the beautiful gray marble monument which still stands on the gravesite of Grandfather August Ziebarth, and the words which are chiseled upon its face:

	Charleya Seebart Died: August 5, 1892 Age: 72 years - 11 months and 19 days Weep not dear wife and children all, From you a father Christ doth call. Mourn not for me, it is in vain To call me to your sight again.
	Charley Seebart's grave at Holmes cemetary, North Dakota, near Grand Forks. Photo taken September 1990.