Velma: I agree with Megan's response and think that your simplified explanation is the best. But since you know some of the specific locations, and since German research is so location-specific, it would be so helpful if you somehow gave some clues regarding the places that you do know. In the next generation or two you may have a descendant who gets "the Bug" and will bless you for leaving those hints. Kirsten -----Original Message----- From: vjspringer@aol.com Sent: Friday, June 08, 2012 4:02 PM To: Roots@rootsweb.com Subject: [ROOTS-L] Germany Hi, I am trying to figure out how to tell my family that 4 sets of ancestors came from Germany in the 1700s They were from Hesse, Rhineland, and Solingen (don't know what that state or whatever was called.) I wrote that it was not correct to call them Germans in that time period. I said that they were of Germanic heritage, they spoke German, and are from an area that is now Germany. My family that I give the genealogy too understands the country Germany (now) but have no idea of that time period and are not going to research it. Is this too simplified or how else could I say it. Velma =====