Patti--
I found a reference to your Berend Galdas and his wife Berta Margareta Osterloh in Janssen-Holdiek's book, Lintel. In 1864 Berend built a small home in that town, which lies just a few kilometers outside of Hude and is part of the Hude parish. Their family continued to occupy it until 1932, when it was sold.
The exact entry is as follows:
"58. WENKE-DRIELING, Address: Schnitthilgenloh 3, Owner: Hanna Drieling nee Wenke.
Anbauer (see note)
1864 Berend Galdas, m. Berta Osterloh - MR Art. 63
1896 Heirs
1904 Johann Diedrich Geerken, wife: Anna Rebecka nee Galdas
1908 August Diedrich Geerken
1932 Georg Friedrich Martin Wenke from Ocholt-Neienkoop, b. 11/30/1900, by purchase
----- Hanna Drieling nee Wenke, b. 12/16/1937, m. Herbert Drieling, b. 8/7/1933
In erecting this residence it was necessary to take the risk of building in a low-lying area (6.5 meters above sea-level). Despite the improvement of water conditions, the builder still faced a risk, which is demonstrated by the face that not for 60 years did settlers build in similar locations (“Göhle” and “Wulfsloge”). This is explained by the fact that the builder, B. Galdas, came from Wüsting, which knew better how to handle water problems. Nevertheless, the emigration of many family members to America shows the dissatisfying potential of this small residence."
Note: "Anbauer" is one of four categories into which homes are allocated. It refers to homes built late, mostly in the 19th century. The other three are Vollbauen (large farms), Köter (cottages), Brinksitzerei (Edgers--homes build on a boundary, perhaps of the town, or of a village green).
Some reflections on this record:
1. Berend Galdas probably died about 1895/96, since in 1896 the property passed to his heirs.
2. The last descendant of B. Galdas to own the house was August Geerken, probably a grandson. He owned it until 1932 when it was sold to another family. His mother would have been Rebekah Galdas Geerken, presumably a sister of your Meta Margaretha Galdas Braun.
3. Berend Galdas came from Wüsting, the parish to the south of Hude.
4. You can see the author’s supposition that family members emigrated because the small home and land holdings were insufficient to support them comfortably.
5. It sounds like Berend Galdas had to lay “tiles” (as farmers do in their fields) to remove the water that accumulated on the site. He was an enterprising man to undertake such a job, but the need to do so probably shows he did not have much money and had to buy an inferior building lot. It is referred to as a Kleinbauernstelle, or "small peasant house."
I'll see if I can turn up anything on Berta Osterloh's parents.
Hugo