I am recently back from Hamburg, Germany where I was researching ancestors in the Bad Bramstedt, Brokstedt, and Altona areas.  I have discovered that my great great grandmother, Anna Christina Kaack was born illegitimately in the town of Weimersdorf in an Armen Hause near Bad Bramstedt in 1867.  Her record states that the birth right of the father was not well known in the Bramstedt area and was recorded almost 6 months later in the Altona church archives.  This is my first illegitimate birth that I have come across.  Her mother was then married 8 years later and her marriage certificate states that she was living in a small "burshof" in Hamburg.  Could anyone provide me with any insight into this situation?  I would like to understand what an Armen Hause (or poor house) is in Germany during this time.  I can read some German...taking classes, but still a beginner. Thanks to anyone for any help with this.  I can be reached at [email protected]