Here is an anecdote about Bremerhaven and emigration. It won't help genealogical researchers, but it might interest you a little. In 2007 we attended a VG family wedding in Bremerhaven, the seaport of the city of Bremen. The reception was held in the Columbus Bahnhof (= railway station) restaurant. We wondered at the name. When we got there we found it was a huge complex, right out on the harbour. The now-unused railway line stopped just outside the front entrance. Inside was a series of vast, cavernous, inter-linked halls. Wooden counters ran along one side. We were told by a German neighbour of the bridal couple that this was the building through which all the emigrants to the USA between 1840 and 1974 were processed, hence the name "Columbus". Signs of its former use were still there: "Exchange/Wechseln", passport control, counters and gateways. It was rather eery, a bit like a large, disused airport building. On the other side of the building was the Columbus Quay, which the neighbour told us was nicknamed the Quay of Tears. From here relatives waved to the departing ones they feared they would never see again. Beyond were the wide reaches of the North Sea. Very bleak. The wedding celebration was, of course, a happy occasion and the evening sun shone brilliantly across the sea through the huge windows of the modern restaurant. The Master of Ceremonies made all announcements in both Russian and German. But I was overwhelmed by the historical irony of the event: Volga Germans, whose whole history was tied up with emigration / immigration / deportation / emigration to resettle in Germany, were celebrating in the place through which 7 million emigrants left for the Americas. Perhaps some of their ancestors left for Russia in the 18th century via this quay as well. Further along Bremerhaven's seacoast is the "Am Auswanderdenkmal", or Emigration Monument, which shows a family group. Father looks out to sea, holding his son's hand. Mother looks back to the land, her daughter clinging to her skirts. Very evocative. We saw the Deutsches Auswanderer Haus, or emigration museum, which had recently opened, but we did not have time for a visit. The website (www.dah-bremerhaven.de/) does have an American flag on the opening page, so it can be read in English. Clare Cowen-Brandt London

Clare,   Thanks for the fascinating story. This is the type of anecdote that helps bring dates of departure, et al to life.   Bill Pickelhaupt --- On Fri, 10/22/10, Clare Cowen <[email protected]> wrote: From: Clare Cowen <[email protected]> Subject: [GV] Bremerhaven and emigration To: [email protected] Date: Friday, October 22, 2010, 8:12 AM Here is an anecdote about Bremerhaven and emigration. It won't help genealogical researchers, but it might interest you a little. In 2007 we attended a VG family wedding in Bremerhaven, the seaport of the city of Bremen. The reception was held in the Columbus Bahnhof (= railway station) restaurant. We wondered at the name. When we got there we found it was a huge complex, right out on the harbour. The now-unused railway line stopped just outside the front entrance. Inside was a series of vast, cavernous, inter-linked halls. Wooden counters ran along one side. We were told by a German neighbour of the bridal couple that this was the building through which all the emigrants to the USA between 1840 and 1974 were processed, hence the name "Columbus". Signs of its former use were still there: "Exchange/Wechseln", passport control, counters and gateways. It was rather eery, a bit like a large, disused airport building. On the other side of the building was the Columbus Quay, which the neighbour told us was nicknamed the Quay of Tears. From here relatives waved to the departing ones they feared they would never see again. Beyond were the wide reaches of the North Sea. Very bleak. The wedding celebration was, of course, a happy occasion and the evening sun shone brilliantly across the sea through the huge windows of the modern restaurant. The Master of Ceremonies made all announcements in both Russian and German. But I was overwhelmed by the historical irony of the event: Volga Germans, whose whole history was tied up with emigration / immigration / deportation / emigration to resettle in Germany, were celebrating in the place through which 7 million emigrants left for the Americas. Perhaps some of their ancestors left for Russia in the 18th century via this quay as well. Further along Bremerhaven's seacoast is the "Am Auswanderdenkmal", or Emigration Monument, which shows a family group. Father looks out to sea, holding his son's hand. Mother looks back to the land, her daughter clinging to her skirts. Very evocative. We saw the Deutsches Auswanderer Haus, or emigration museum, which had recently opened, but we did not have time for a visit. The website (www.dah-bremerhaven.de/) does have an American flag on the opening page, so it can be read in English. Clare Cowen-Brandt London ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message