Hi Nancy -- it sounds like you need to do a bit more American research, before trying to "jump the pond." For all European research, you must have a village name, or at least a small region with a few villages, because that is where all the records are kept! There are few to no departement, county or region-wide censuses or other general surveys such as our US Census records. Have you found the naturalization applications? Often the first and second application contain much more detail than the final certificate. How about obituaries, in particular those published in small local newspapers, church publications, or German or French newspapers? Many of the old newspapers are available on microfilm. For instance, see the holdings of the NYU: http://library.nyu.edu/research/german/. These microfilms will often be available by Inter-Library Loan. Talk to your librarian about local policies. For much more about this subject, see: http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/02/european-research.html All the best, Valorie PS: My husband has KEISERs in his line also. His people came from Ostfriesland to Illinois in the 1850s, also by way of New Orleans and the Mississippi River. More and more of those New Orleans immigration records are indexed, so be sure to search those. There are a number of BLATTEAU records at Ancestry, which I can send to you privately if you don't have access to them. On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 6:51 PM, Nancy Cruse <ncruse@socket.net> wrote: > Hi, > > I just joined the group. I live in Hannibal, Missouri, USA. In case > you are not familiar with Hannibal that is the town that Mark Twain > wrote about in his stories of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. > > I have an ancestor named Charles Fredrick BLATTAU. He married in 5 Oct > 1847 Anna Christina KAISER. I am not sure if they married in St. Louis, > Missouri or before they arrived. They had a daughter, Augusta BLATTAU > who was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1861. In the US census it states > that Augusta's Father was born in France, but in another source it > states that he was from Germany. BLATTAU sounds more French than > German, so I thought maybe the Alsace-Lorraine region might be the > answer to both since it has been part of both countries at one time or > another. > > I do not know when either Charles or his wife were born, but if I have > to guess I would say sometime in the late 1820's since they were married > in 1847. I am also thinking that there were more children before > Augusta since she was not born until 1861, about 14 years after > marriage. So, I am also looking for possible children with the name > BLATTAU being born in the 1850's. > > Is BLATTAU a familiar name to anyone doing research in Alsace-Lorraine > area, or is it still an existing name to anyone that is living there > right now? > > Any help or direction would be appreciated> > > Nancy Cruse -- Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=507013560 LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/valoriez MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/valoriez Genealogy Blog: http://genweblog.blogspot.com/ All my pages: http://valorie.zimmerman.googlepages.com

I am looking for the family name of Joseph GEYMAN or GEYMANN. He was born 3-15-1835 in Alsace(Lorraine), Germany and died 10-24-1916 in Custer, Ohio. His parents were Joseph Geymann and Mary Neary. He married Catherine Cooney in 1871 and they came to the USA in 1884. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Lou Fischer

Bob, That is a really good idea..I never considered that. I have researched Adams Co. records, but I don't know why I never thought about York Co history. Marguerite Grandadam and Francois Marchal were my direct ancestors, and I can always use more data for them in this country. Much of my research has been done through LDS films from Alsace, France to establish the older ancestors, but I have never found one thing in this country or France (except the approx birth date) about the Adam GRANTADAM who emigrated with them. Since I have gotten help from the Alsace board in times past I decided to try it again. Many thanks to you for your helpful thought! Helen> Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2008 10:07:33 -0700> From: bobtbaum@verizon.net> To: ALSACE-LORRAINE@rootsweb.com> Subject: Re: [A-L] Grandadam (Helen Sanders)> > Helen,> > If you are looking for US information the following book is available on interlibrary loan: > History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended by John Gibson and George Reeser Prowell > Bob Teitelbaum> -- > Resources for Alsace-Lorraine list members:> http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~valorie/Alsace-Lorraine-L.htm > > > -------------------------------> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ALSACE-LORRAINE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message _________________________________________________________________ Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live. http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008

Helen, If you are looking for US information the following book is available on interlibrary loan:  History of York County, Pennsylvania : from the earliest period to the present time, divided into general, special, township and borough histories, with a biographical department appended   by John Gibson and George Reeser Prowell   Bob Teitelbaum

Hi, I'm looking for any information about Adam GRANDADAM, b ca 1725, (possibly in Plaine or Saulxures, Bas Rhin) to Pierre GRANDADAM and his wfe Barbe CHARPENTIER. Is he possibly the Adam GRANTADAM who emigrated to America on the ship Phoenix, arriving in Philadelphia on 15 Sept, 1749? Marguerite, a sister of Adam GRANDADAM, above, was on the ship with her husband, Francois MARCHAL. They settled in York/Adams County, PA. Also on board was a Francois GRANDADAM, possibly a cousin, who settled in Maryland. Can anyone help? Thanks. Helen Sanders _________________________________________________________________ Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live. http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008

Hello Brian, some further info about Bischwiller, Bas-Rhin: The town's website (in French only): <http://www.ville-bischwiller.fr/> In 1854, 5 927 inhabitants (Source: M. Guadet, Le Bas-Rhin, 1854) In 1911 (together with Hanhofen and Oberhofen): 2887 Catholics, 5139 Protestants, 207 Jews (Source: Annuaire Diocesain 1911). Have a nice Sunday Etienne > Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 11:32:34 -0500 (CDT) > From: brian@amason.net > Subject: Re: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots > > Yes, I had pretty much determined it was the other Bischwiller, > since it > didn't have the "les-Thann" qualifier. I'm also aware of the spelling > variations, although this is the way my gr-grandmother spelled it and > didn't use the qualifier. Which, of course, is how I initially > discovered > there were two. But, it's been ages since I've researched my "Alsace" > roots which go back into Switzerland. > I'm now back to doing more research on my Alsatian Anneheims since a > chance email has hooked me up with some probable cousins. I'm now > trying > to determine which Jean Anneheim they descend from. > > Thanks for the info on Bitschwiller-les-Thann though. My roots are > among > the Bischwiller immigrants you speak of. > > Brian > > On Sat, October 4, 2008 10:40 am, Etienne Herrbach wrote: >> Hello Brian, >> >> sorry to disappoint you: Bischwiller, Bas-Rhin, and Bitschwiller-les- >> Thann, Haut-Rhin, are distinct villages, about 150 km apart. The >> name >> of the latter has a "t". >> >> Bischwiller, north to Strasbourg, is majorily a Protestant town, that >> welcomed many French Huguenot emigrants during the 1600's, whereas >> Bitschwiller, west to Mulhouse, is mainly Catholic. >> >> In 1550, Bitschwiller-les-Thann had 23 "fires" (= families). After >> the 30-Years war, only 4 "bourgeois" and 11 children survived. >> Later >> the population increased, mainly due to immigration and development >> of >> mine industry. In 1976 : 2 116 inhabitants. Source : Dictionnaire >> du >> Haut-Rhin. >> >> Etienne

Hello Brian, sorry to disappoint you: Bischwiller, Bas-Rhin, and Bitschwiller-les- Thann, Haut-Rhin, are distinct villages, about 150 km apart. The name of the latter has a "t". Bischwiller, north to Strasbourg, is majorily a Protestant town, that welcomed many French Huguenot emigrants during the 1600's, whereas Bitschwiller, west to Mulhouse, is mainly Catholic. In 1550, Bitschwiller-les-Thann had 23 "fires" (= families). After the 30-Years war, only 4 "bourgeois" and 11 children survived. Later the population increased, mainly due to immigration and development of mine industry. In 1976 : 2 116 inhabitants. Source : Dictionnaire du Haut-Rhin. Etienne > Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 01:38:51 -0500 (CDT) > From: brian@amason.net > Subject: Re: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots > > How funny, My great-grandmother and her ancestors come from > Bischwiller-Les-Thann. I know there are two Bischwiller towns in the > area. > I don't see any connection to my family from the data linked in these > emails. However, There may actually be a connection, because he has > some > of the original Dutch settler blood in his line. The Roosevelts are > distantly related by my fsther's tree, and some of Obama's lineage > surnames fall into those Dutch settlements and families. It was a > rather > tight-knit group with considerable inter-marriage, and rather large > families. > > I wonder what the size of Bischwiller was in 1720, and if it is the > same > Bischwiller as mine. I have Bischwiller-Les-Thann ancestors into at > least > the 1600s. > > Anyone ever hear from Robert Behra, anymore? He's not answering any > emails > I send. I hope he's ok, and is just too busy to answer. > > Best regards, > Brian

Yes, I had pretty much determined it was the other Bischwiller, since it didn't have the "les-Thann" qualifier. I'm also aware of the spelling variations, although this is the way my gr-grandmother spelled it and didn't use the qualifier. Which, of course, is how I initially discovered there were two. But, it's been ages since I've researched my "Alsace" roots which go back into Switzerland. I'm now back to doing more research on my Alsatian Anneheims since a chance email has hooked me up with some probable cousins. I'm now trying to determine which Jean Anneheim they descend from. Thanks for the info on Bitschwiller-les-Thann though. My roots are among the Bischwiller immigrants you speak of. Brian On Sat, October 4, 2008 10:40 am, Etienne Herrbach wrote: > Hello Brian, > > sorry to disappoint you: Bischwiller, Bas-Rhin, and Bitschwiller-les- > Thann, Haut-Rhin, are distinct villages, about 150 km apart. The name > of the latter has a "t". > > Bischwiller, north to Strasbourg, is majorily a Protestant town, that > welcomed many French Huguenot emigrants during the 1600's, whereas > Bitschwiller, west to Mulhouse, is mainly Catholic. > > In 1550, Bitschwiller-les-Thann had 23 "fires" (= families). After > the 30-Years war, only 4 "bourgeois" and 11 children survived. Later > the population increased, mainly due to immigration and development of > mine industry. In 1976 : 2 116 inhabitants. Source : Dictionnaire du > Haut-Rhin. > > Etienne > > > >> Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2008 01:38:51 -0500 (CDT) > >> From: brian@amason.net >> Subject: Re: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots >> >> How funny, My great-grandmother and her ancestors come from >> Bischwiller-Les-Thann. I know there are two Bischwiller towns in the >> area. >> I don't see any connection to my family from the data linked in these >> emails. However, There may actually be a connection, because he has >> some >> of the original Dutch settler blood in his line. The Roosevelts are >> distantly related by my fsther's tree, and some of Obama's lineage >> surnames fall into those Dutch settlements and families. It was a >> rather >> tight-knit group with considerable inter-marriage, and rather large >> families. >> >> I wonder what the size of Bischwiller was in 1720, and if it is the >> same >> Bischwiller as mine. I have Bischwiller-Les-Thann ancestors into at >> least >> the 1600s. >> >> Anyone ever hear from Robert Behra, anymore? He's not answering any >> emails >> I send. I hope he's ok, and is just too busy to answer. >> >> Best regards, >> Brian > > > -- > Resources for Alsace-Lorraine list members: > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~valorie/Alsace-Lorraine-L.htm > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ALSACE-LORRAINE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > >

Hi Brian, Bischwiller is located in Bas-Rhin (Northern part of Alsace) and Bischwiller-Les-Thann in Haut-Rhin (Southern part of Alsace). For more information about these two towns, see the sites: http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=4360 http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/fiche.php?select_resultat=4337 For those who want to find information about another town, go to: http://cassini.ehess.fr/cassini/fr/html/6_index.htm?indexdep - enter the number of the département (57 for Moselle, 67 Bas-Rhin, 68 Haut-Rhin) - then click on the town's name Have a nice weekend Ewald ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ----- Original Message ----- From: <brian@amason.net> To: <alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 8:38 AM Subject: Re: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots > How funny, My great-grandmother and her ancestors come from > Bischwiller-Les-Thann. I know there are two Bischwiller towns in the area. > I don't see any connection to my family from the data linked in these > emails. However, There may actually be a connection, because he has some > of the original Dutch settler blood in his line. The Roosevelts are > distantly related by my fsther's tree, and some of Obama's lineage > surnames fall into those Dutch settlements and families. It was a rather > tight-knit group with considerable inter-marriage, and rather large > families. > > I wonder what the size of Bischwiller was in 1720, and if it is the same > Bischwiller as mine. I have Bischwiller-Les-Thann ancestors into at least > the 1600s. > > Anyone ever hear from Robert Behra, anymore? He's not answering any emails > I send. I hope he's ok, and is just too busy to answer. > > Best regards, > Brian

How funny, My great-grandmother and her ancestors come from Bischwiller-Les-Thann. I know there are two Bischwiller towns in the area. I don't see any connection to my family from the data linked in these emails. However, There may actually be a connection, because he has some of the original Dutch settler blood in his line. The Roosevelts are distantly related by my fsther's tree, and some of Obama's lineage surnames fall into those Dutch settlements and families. It was a rather tight-knit group with considerable inter-marriage, and rather large families. I wonder what the size of Bischwiller was in 1720, and if it is the same Bischwiller as mine. I have Bischwiller-Les-Thann ancestors into at least the 1600s. Anyone ever hear from Robert Behra, anymore? He's not answering any emails I send. I hope he's ok, and is just too busy to answer. Best regards, Brian

This notice appears at the beginning of every Digest, but it seems that most posters overlook it. As a friendly reminder: When replying to a digest post, quote only the specific text to which you are replying, removing the rest of the digest from your reply. Also, remember to change the subject of your reply so that it coincides with the message subject to which you are replying.

Here is a family tree of Barack Obama, with the direct lineage: http://zeus.zeit.de/bilder/2008/31/leben/zeit-magazin-leben/obama-deutsch/obama-deutsch-popup-800.jpg Ewald ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eve Slater" <georgeandeve@embarqmail.com> To: <alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 9:01 PM Subject: Re: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots > Does anyone know where I can get the lineage? I am related to Obama > through > his mother's Dunham line, and would love to be able to "add on!" > > -----Original Message----- > From: alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Judith Werner > Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 1:56 PM > To: alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com > Subject: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots > > American genealogists have traced Barack Obama's matrilineal line seven > generations to the Gutknescht family of Bischwiller, Bas Rhin, as > confirmed by the municipal archivist there: > > > http://www.europe1.fr/Info/Actualite-Internationale/Amerique-du-Nord/Les-rac > ines-alsaciennes-de-Barack-Obama/ > > Les racines alsaciennes de Barack Obama > Crii le 25/09/08 - Dernihre mise ` jour ` 17h43 > > En recherchant les racines du candidat dimocrate ` la Maison Blanche, > les ginialogistes amiricains sont remontis jusqu'` Bischwiller, une > petite ville du nord de l'Alsace dont l'archiviste municipal a confirmi > l'information. A la septihme giniration, la mhre de Barack Obama est > bien une lointaine descendante de la famille Gutknescht. > > > > Judith Werner > Salt Lake City, Utah, USA > > > > > > > -- > Resources for Alsace-Lorraine list members: > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~valorie/Alsace-Lorraine-L.htm > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ALSACE-LORRAINE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

According to the site http://lajournalistealternative.hautetfort.com/archive/2008/08/17/obama-un-peu-allemand-et-un-peu-frenchie-alsacien.html the lineage of Barack Obama's mother side has been published in the German magazine "Zeitmagazin" by "Die Zeit". The above site gives an overview of the lineage. The DUNHAM's are listed! Hope this helps Ewald ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eve Slater" <georgeandeve@embarqmail.com> To: <alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 9:01 PM Subject: Re: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots > Does anyone know where I can get the lineage? I am related to Obama > through > his mother's Dunham line, and would love to be able to "add on!" > > -----Original Message----- > From: alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Judith Werner > Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 1:56 PM > To: alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com > Subject: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots > > American genealogists have traced Barack Obama's matrilineal line seven > generations to the Gutknescht family of Bischwiller, Bas Rhin, as > confirmed by the municipal archivist there: > > > http://www.europe1.fr/Info/Actualite-Internationale/Amerique-du-Nord/Les-rac > ines-alsaciennes-de-Barack-Obama/ > > Les racines alsaciennes de Barack Obama > Crii le 25/09/08 - Dernihre mise ` jour ` 17h43 > > En recherchant les racines du candidat dimocrate ` la Maison Blanche, > les ginialogistes amiricains sont remontis jusqu'` Bischwiller, une > petite ville du nord de l'Alsace dont l'archiviste municipal a confirmi > l'information. A la septihme giniration, la mhre de Barack Obama est > bien une lointaine descendante de la famille Gutknescht. > > > > Judith Werner > Salt Lake City, Utah, USA > > > > > > > -- > Resources for Alsace-Lorraine list members: > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~valorie/Alsace-Lorraine-L.htm > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ALSACE-LORRAINE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I looked Barack Obama up on Rootsweb WorldConnnect Family Trees. His Dunham line is out of Nottinghamshire, Eegland back into the early 1500s. Sharon Centanne Eve Slater wrote: >Does anyone know where I can get the lineage? I am related to Obama through >his mother's Dunham line, and would love to be able to "add on!" > >-----Original Message----- >From: alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com >[mailto:alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Judith Werner >Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 1:56 PM >To: alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com >Subject: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots > >American genealogists have traced Barack Obama's matrilineal line seven >generations to the Gutknescht family of Bischwiller, Bas Rhin, as >confirmed by the municipal archivist there: > > >http://www.europe1.fr/Info/Actualite-Internationale/Amerique-du-Nord/Les-rac >ines-alsaciennes-de-Barack-Obama/ > >Les racines alsaciennes de Barack Obama >Crii le 25/09/08 - Dernihre mise ` jour ` 17h43 > >En recherchant les racines du candidat dimocrate ` la Maison Blanche, >les ginialogistes amiricains sont remontis jusqu'` Bischwiller, une >petite ville du nord de l'Alsace dont l'archiviste municipal a confirmi >l'information. A la septihme giniration, la mhre de Barack Obama est >bien une lointaine descendante de la famille Gutknescht. > > > >Judith Werner >Salt Lake City, Utah, USA > > > > > > > >

Does anyone know where I can get the lineage? I am related to Obama through his mother's Dunham line, and would love to be able to "add on!" -----Original Message----- From: alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Judith Werner Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 1:56 PM To: alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com Subject: [A-L] Obama's Alsatian Roots American genealogists have traced Barack Obama's matrilineal line seven generations to the Gutknescht family of Bischwiller, Bas Rhin, as confirmed by the municipal archivist there: http://www.europe1.fr/Info/Actualite-Internationale/Amerique-du-Nord/Les-rac ines-alsaciennes-de-Barack-Obama/ Les racines alsaciennes de Barack Obama Crii le 25/09/08 - Dernihre mise ` jour ` 17h43 En recherchant les racines du candidat dimocrate ` la Maison Blanche, les ginialogistes amiricains sont remontis jusqu'` Bischwiller, une petite ville du nord de l'Alsace dont l'archiviste municipal a confirmi l'information. A la septihme giniration, la mhre de Barack Obama est bien une lointaine descendante de la famille Gutknescht. Judith Werner Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Googling "Barack Obama" + genealogy brings up a lot. This one by respected genealogist William Addams Reitweisner looks very good: http://www.wargs.com/political/obama.html And it gives these details on Obama's 6Ggrandparents: 388. Christian Gutknecht/Goodnight, tobacco preparer, b. Bischweiler 22 June 1722, emigrated to Philadelphia on the Christian arriving 13 Sept. 1749, d. Germantown, Pa., 26 Dec. 1795 m. Bischweiler 25 April 1746 389. Maria Magdalena Grünholtz, b. Bischweiler 25 April 1723, d. ... Judith Werner Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | Does anyone know where I can get the lineage? I am related to Obama through | his mother's Dunham line, and would love to be able to "add on!" |

American genealogists have traced Barack Obama's matrilineal line seven generations to the Gutknescht family of Bischwiller, Bas Rhin, as confirmed by the municipal archivist there: http://www.europe1.fr/Info/Actualite-Internationale/Amerique-du-Nord/Les-racines-alsaciennes-de-Barack-Obama/ Les racines alsaciennes de Barack Obama Créé le 25/09/08 - Dernière mise à jour à 17h43 En recherchant les racines du candidat démocrate à la Maison Blanche, les généalogistes américains sont remontés jusqu'à Bischwiller, une petite ville du nord de l'Alsace dont l'archiviste municipal a confirmé l'information. A la septième génération, la mère de Barack Obama est bien une lointaine descendante de la famille Gutknescht. Judith Werner Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

I ordered two films and hope to get some answers. They were very helpful. -----Original Message----- From: alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of curtw@comcast.net Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 7:14 PM To: alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [A-L] Holle Marilyn Like you, I dont know the language, German, French or Latin. My approach was to scan records for the right surname, make a copy, and figure out what the record was when I got home. The FamilySearch.org site has language guides that can help you. When you order the film ask about the procedure to make copies. Some Family History Centers now have the ability to copy records to CDs or Flash drives. You provide the CD or Flash drive. It is my understanding that this option is free. Curt Miller -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Marilyn Potthast" <omaandopa06@att.net> > That you for the input. Will go to LDS and hope they can help me as I > do not know either language. I do know someone who knows German but > would have to have her with me while looking at the records. > > -----Original Message----- > From: alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:alsace-lorraine-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Linda H. > Gutierrez > Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 2:55 PM > To: alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [A-L] Holle > > Hi Marilyn, > > Well since you have the town name your next step would be to go to > your local FHL and order the films for that area so that you can find > more information about your great grandfather and his family. > > Since you have his birth record, you should also have the names of his > parents. So first you would probably want to locate their records, > birth and marriage. You can also inspect the birth records for > siblings. This is done by looking for any records with the names of both parents. > > Once you have your grandfather's generation and parents well > documented you can go back another generation, etc. > > Here is a listing for the civil records for Cosswiller: (these records > will be in French and German) > > Title Registres de l'itat civil, 1793-1882 Authors Cosswiller > (Bas-Rhin). Officer de l'itat civil (Main Author) > > Tables dicennales 1793-1862 Naissances 1793-1862 FHL INTL Film 757357 > > Mariages 1793-1871 FHL INTL Film 757358 > > Dichs 1793-1862 FHL INTL Film 757359 > > Tables dicennales 1863-1872 FHL INTL Film 1761948 Item 14 > > Naissances, mariages, dichs 1870-1872 FHL INTL Film 1144364 Item 1 > > Naissances, dichs 1863-1869 FHL INTL Film 1761433 Item 7 > > Naissances, mariages, dichs 1873-1882 FHL INTL Film 1713089 Item 3 > > And here is for the church records: (these records are in German) > > Title Kirchenbuch, 1712-1738 > Authors Evangelische Kirche Ko_weiler (Kr. Molsheim) (Main Author) > > Taufen, 1712-1738 -- Heiraten, 1712-1731 -- Tote, 1712-1738 FHL INTL > Film > 757356 > > > Note that there appears to be a gap between 1738 and 1793. I am not > familiar with this area so have no idea if records for those years > might be available in the archives in France. Perhaps someone else on > the list might be able to answer that question. > > In case you are unfamiliar with working at the FHL. First decide which > film or films you would like to order. Determine the hours of > operation for your local FHL and stop by and place your order - I think films cost $8 each now. > When the films arrive you will have a set period of weeks to view > them. I think the films can be rental can renewed if you need more time for a fee. > When you find what you are looking for you will be able to print > copies of those records. > > If you are unfamiliar with French and German, the FHL have guides you > can obtain that will help in reading the records. > > As for immigration records - many of us have been unable to locate our > ancestors in these records. In searching for your ancestors you must > consider alternate spellings. You might try locating your great > grandfather's naturalization papers if he did get naturalized. There > is usually information there that may help pinpoint more closely when > he immigrated. Occasionally there is listed the name of the ship or > the date he arrived. > > I hope this helps. Good luck! > > Linda > in Costa Rica > Monroe County, NY Records and Family Genealogy > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys/ > Monroe County, NY History > http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys/ > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Marilyn Potthast > To: alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com > Sent: Monday, 15 September, 2008 11:47 AM > Subject: ***SPAM*** Re: [A-L] Holle > > > My question to you is even if you have the town where they came from > in Alsace-Lorraine who do you get that information. I have my gr > grandfathers birth certificate where he was born. How do I go about > from there. I also can't find the ship he came over on which was in > the late 1850's. The Birth Certificate says Cosswiller. So where do I > go from there? Anyone can help me would be appreciated. > > -- > Resources for Alsace-Lorraine list members: > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~valorie/Alsace-Lorraine-L.htm > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ALSACE-LORRAINE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature database 3443 (20080915) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature database 3443 (20080915) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > http://www.eset.com > > > > -- > Resources for Alsace-Lorraine list members: > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~valorie/Alsace-Lorraine-L.htm > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > ALSACE-LORRAINE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3457 (20080919) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com

Robert, Metz is in the province of Lorraine. That is where my Braun, Reinhardt and Planert families are from. I do not know much about the are in 1700's though. Maria -----Original Message----- From: robert efaw <ca122@alltel.net> To: alsace-lorraine@rootsweb.com Sent: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 8:58 am Subject: [A-L] Metz Greetings Researchers: Would anyone know about a book or.... other document that would have information about immigrants from the city of Metz to America in the mid 1700's. I have a World War I map of France that shows Metz on a river (can't make out the name bad eyes) and at this time Metz appears to be in the Province?? of Lorraine. The reason for my searching for info on Metz is that there is a town in WV named Metz and one would assume that it was named for the Metz in Lorraine. Hoping to find my family info. Which in this country is spelled Efaw but might be also Efaugh, Ephaw, Efau, Easau etc. Any help very, very much appreciated. bob e -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for home users. SPAMfighter has removed 5446 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len -- Resources for Alsace-Lorraine list members: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~valorie/Alsace-Lorraine-L.htm ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to ALSACE-LORRAINE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

> omaandopa06@att.net > Thank you for the input. Will go to LDS and hope they can help me as I do > not know either language. I do know someone who knows German but would have > to have her with me while looking at the records. Hi Marilyn, The problem is that simply knowing German is not the first difficulty in reading old German records. All handwritten records in Germany prior to 1941 were written in old German schrift/handwriting. I have found Germanic church records in the Alsace into the mid-1800s, since Alsatian is a Germanic dialect. Deciphering the handwriting is the major problem, not only because each person writes in a different manner, but also because the characters may be formed differently. An example: the old German small case h looks much like our English handwritten small case f, however - written with the bottom loop going left instead of right. There are also 3 completely different small case forms of the letter s, depending on the location in the word or sentence and whether it¹s single or a double ss! Unless your friend learned to read and write prior to 1941, the probability is that s/he will find it quite difficult to decipher/read the writing...BEFORE s/he can translate. The printed portions of old Germanic records are usually in the old Gothic font (similar to what you may have on your font-list as "Fractur" or ³Fette Fractur²) Here¹s an example....or at least it¹s leaving my computer as an example! Sometimes fonts and diacritical marks get lost in cyberspace, especially going to mailinglists...... This is an example of a Fractur type font. It¹s much easier to read than the handwriting....but also requires learning the alphabet....look, for instance at the x in example - and the similarity of the c in Fractur with either e. Hopefully your friend is a genealogist who has learned to read/decipher these old German records. In my opinion, Germanic records are WONDERFUL, especially the Civil Registration records (b/m/d) that began, depending on location, between 1793 and 1876. In the Alsace and Lorraine areas most locations began recording Civ Reg in 1793, thanks to the French Republic. Marilyn, if you¹re committed to discovering what can be learned on a Germanic record, you can teach yourself how to read the old Schrift. A wonderful beginning how-to book is Edna M Bentz¹s ³If I Can, You Can Decipher Germanic Records². That title is now my own mantra; and the book has been a bible beside my computer for the 10 years since I started researching my Germans and Alsatians. While you can locate the book in stores, Edna¹s daughter continues to make the book available since her mother¹s death. Her website: <http://pages.prodigy.net/tjbentz/GERMANIC.HTM> I also recommend as an excellent book, once you¹ve got a handle on deciphering, Roger Minert¹s ³Deciphering Handwriting in German Documents²; it¹s more detailed. Most how-to books on Germanic genealogy will have some information on the topic; but these two have been, for me, the most valuable. If you REALLY want to know everything that¹s in the record, you might wish to go to college to learn some of the German language; what a great motivation. This is what I did....taking 2 1/2 years of credit courses at my local community college (I began at age 62), and additional courses in Adult Education. Start looking for German dictionaries at garage sales, and used book sales. The best ones you¹ll find are the oldest ones. Why? Because they¹re most likely to have the definitions and spellings you want, for those old records. You will want to know, for instance, that not only is a tanner called a Gerber, but also a Lohgerber (latter word not found in my 1995 3-inch-thick Langenscheidt New College German Dictionary; but found in my 3-in-thick 1883 Thieme-Preusser Wörtebuch, which I found at a used book sale.) That¹s enough! I wish you the best and the most fun out of your Germanic records. Cari Thomas