I just read an article about one of the towns (Besseringen) in the present day Saarland where the Schreiner side of my family came from in the early 1700’s. It has the history from the earliest settlements in the area. It is under : DIE GESCHICHTE DES ORTES BESSERINGEN It is near the border of present day France, Luxemburg and the Saarland ( Germany). There was a continuous struggle between different countries and nobles. It was invaded, destroyed, suffered floods and wars and diseases. The borders were moved, reversed, split and shifted. Those suffering the most were the peasants. No wonder our ancestors left to escape such unsettling conditions. Anne D.