Genies German Group

To anyone with German or German-speaking ancestors:

The idea of a German Group has been brewing (pun intended).  At our last meeting, there was interest in exploring our German ancestors.  From people who want to dig deep to others who just want to watch and listen and learn, everyone is invited.

Linda B and I will be co-leading the group. We are not experts; we are organizers and fellow travelers.  We are proposing a tentative date for the first zoom meeting on Tuesday, March 2 at 1:00.  Sherry, Barbara, Suzie, and David R. are on our list of possible participants.  If others want to join us, email me.  Future notices and info will be sent to an email list.

To get started Linda has given us a research document for her great-great grandfather Christof Bartels.  She follows the Research Like a Pro process.  You will receive this by email.

I am following her example and will start mine soon for Emma Dallmer. I have just one German great-grandparent couple.  Unmarried, they came separately in 1892 and soon married Des Moines where her brother lived.  A few years and two children later, they moved to St. Louis.  He was born on a farm near Vienna.  She came from Berlin.  I need to nail down the town. 

At our first meeting, we will share about our ancestors and the goal is for each of us to decide what our next research step is.

If you are wondering how to get started, begin in the US records.  Look for departure passenger lists and arrival passenger lists.  Look for naturalization papers, starting with Declaration of Intention.  Maybe marriage records will list the parents or home village.

Email me to be included.  Auf Wiedersehen!  Judith