ManyRoads

Recently, I have received numerous queries on how to get started or better conduct German genealogy research.  Rather than simply email folks one at a time, I thought a post on the subject might be useful. By way of background, I ought to state that almost everyone I hear from tells me that they are: German (of German descent) the neither read nor speak German (or just very little) few are aware of much German history fewer are aware of their family’s cultural background in Germany Having provided the little list above likely provides clues as to items researchers need to pay attention to: If you do not speak the…

Political Debate about the Center Against Expulsion in Berlin. Flucht und Vertreibung – Eskaliert der deutsch-polnische Zoff? (ARD Anne Will’s political talk show) Unfortunately, it is not easy or simple to find factual information about controversial subjects like die Vertreibung (the Expulsion). We extend our sincerest appreciation to all our readers who have shared their experiences, links, articles, and photos on the subject. We hope that you find these videos informative and helpful in developing a more complete and balanced understanding of what happened to Eastern Germans following the loss of World War 2. For more background on why we present this information, please read: On the “Vertreibung”, Expulsions, and…

Recollections of an officer of the chief administrative district in Zeyer. Johannes Jahn, farmer and farm owner in Zeyersvorderkampen. see original document This document has been translated and reworked with additional family history by Mark Rabideau. The District of Zeyer was located in the northeast corner of the Free State of Danzig, in the area that included the towns of Grosses Werder, Zeyer, Stuba and Schlangenhaken. The district followed the Nogat River, starting at the village Zeyer to the Vistula Lagoon estuary. The total area of the District was about 2510 hectares (~6200 acres)  of which 480 hectares (`1200 acres) were the village of Zeyer, Stuba with the village of…

Knowing our family origins brings a comfort that is hard to explain, but priceless to those seeking and finding. I could not have said it better. The above quote was one I received today in an email from one of my clients. I think the message is clear, succinct, and one which most of us who chase ancestors would heartily agree. The words moved me. I thought perhaps they might move you as well.

Almost certainly the Beatles had no plans for relating these songs to genealogy, but I find them relevant. Hopefully others enjoy them as well.

Genealogical research is an uncovering of truths as they apply to your life, others’ lives, the past and the future. There never truly is a single answer to what happened, how it came to be, and what was best or worst. The options and answers are often many, complex and perhaps even indeterminate. Inter-dependencies, inter-relationships abound. However, applying the rule of six can be a useful tool in helping you attain insights into the past you might otherwise miss. What follows is a brief description of the Rule of Six by Paula Underwood Spencer: One of the attitudes taught in my [Oneida] tradition is the Rule of Six. The Rule…

Popular German Music – Deutsche Musik. We are building this sampler collection and hope to add more music as we find it. It is our plan to add tunes from the 1920’s, 30’s, and 40’s. Over the longer term, we hope to build a similar collection for US tunes as well. Previously added Music: Das gibts nur einmal, das kommt nicht wieder- Odeon-Tanz-Orchester Bei mir bist du schön- Zarah Leander (1938) “Lilli Marleen” by Lale Andersen (1939) Das ist Berlin! by Ilse Werner J’attendrai (Komm zurück) in Berlin, 1939 Es geht alles vorüber, es geht alles vorbei- Lale Andersen (1942) Hallo! Du süße Frau- Bernard Ette Orchester- 1930

Songs from the 2 World Wars. Kriegslieder aus die zwei Weltkriegen. Related Deutsche Musik (Sampler) Deutsche Musik mit Humor Zur erinnerung an unseren gefallenen 1914-1918 Einsam im Walde Ich hatt’ einen Kamaraden Es war ein Edelweiss Erika

For some reason Christmas, this year, reminds me of WW1. I know it shouldn’t. I have no idea why I am reminded of WW1- perhaps it is because I have been doing a lot of genealogy and I spend a lot of time thinking about the past. And, the past always reminds me of my Opa (Richard Senger). His life and mine have been deeply affected by the Great War (his directly.. mine vicariously). I know a war is historically over at a definitive point in time, but emotionally that may not be the case. It seems more like waves… each following the other, getting smaller and shallower with time…

What is a traditional genealogical source?  To me that seemed to be a good question. So naturally, I Googled the term ‘Traditional genealogical source’ to see what I would find. The first item I came up with was the topic of a January/February 2003 issue of Ancestry Magazine by Mark Howells: Tombstone inscriptions have been a source of genealogical information for centuries. I could see tombstone inscriptions as being considered normal and traditional.  Although with the way my brain works, I could also see that tombstones might rapidly be coming passe. As the article itself describes, today’s headstones are nothing like those of yesteryear. Strangely, to me anyway, the next…

Thursday the 7 October 2010 was one of those spectacular days for a family genealogist! I went to the Parker Family History Center to do research in the Ladekopp/ Pietzkendorf Evangelische Kirche records. I had no idea what, if anything I might find. What I found was both amazing and joyful.  I found my grandmother’s baptismal record (birth record): Frieda Auguste Recht I also found the records for two of her siblings, Ella and Ernst and Otto (who died an infant). Ella Selma Recht Ernst Hermann Ferdinand Recht Based on the information I uncovered here is what I believe to be the situation. The Hermann Recht- Auguste Kunz family moved…

While doing research today, I came across two affiliated human rights sites in Russia.  Both seem interested in archiving, remembering, and teaching about oppression of the past and present in Russia and the old Soviet Union. Memorial Memorial is a movement which arose in the years of perestroika. Its main task was the awakening and preservation of the societal memory of the severe political persecution in the recent past of the Soviet Union. Memorial is a community of dozens of organizations in different regions of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Latvia, and Georgia. Memorial is a group of specialized research, human rights, and education centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and several other…

Based on some very insightful and caring comments from an email friend and genealogist, today I have taken a pause to reflect. What do I mean when I wish people “pax vobiscum”; how does the world deal with difference, historical wrongs, reconciliation? Obviously there are no simple answers here but I do have some thoughts on these matters. When contemplating concepts such as pain, peace, family, tolerance I often read the writings of one of my favorite thinkers and authors- Thich Nhat Hanh. Today as I read, the following seem particularly relevant. on genealogy: If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and…