Hi Marge, The German Empire or "Deutsches Reich" started in 1871. For more information see Wikepedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prussia For a map of Prussia in the German Empire: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Prussiamap.gif Bobbi ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marge" To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, January 14, 2010 11:05 AM Subject: Re: [G-P-L] Place in Germany I think the geography part is confusing. The way I understand it, Prussia was a loosely knit bunch of countries, ruled by a king and at one time quite large. stretched far into Poland. I read they acquired land by marrying into the kingdoms and also war. Germany didn't become a country until after the turn of the 18th century. Does anyone know the date? And the date that Prussia started? And even now, they are divided by names like Hesse, ect, which is sort of like our states or provinces and then farther divided called a Kreis,or district, and then again into a town or hamlet. We can all use history lessons when looking for our ancesters. I love this list. marge