Hello, Friends on the Hesse List ~ We are planning a trip to Germany in May and would like to learn all possible about the homeplaces of our family. I am hoping for some suggestions of some books or guides (English language) that would give good information about any of the following areas: Undenheim Biebelnheim Sankt Johann Spiesheim Selzen Oppenheim Speyer Wetzlar Also, Mannheim Schwetzingen Machtolheim We are looking not for the sort of guidebook that focuses on accommodations, eating places, and transportation, but something more informative about the places: history, geography, culture, economics, etc. Also would appreciate advice about a German "phrase book" for folks utterly ignorant of the German language but hoping to not embarrass ourselves entirely. I'll be grateful for any suggestions, ~ Elsa in Allegany County, Maryland Researching in Rheinhessen: Baltz/Dexheimer/Ebert/ Finckernauer/Hofmann/Jung/Kaemerer/Laubenheimer/ Manz/Nunius/Schems/Schoembs/Schumann/Seemann/Treidel