Category Archives: German Ancestry

Lives and Memories of our Ancestors

Posted on January 29, 2020 by maryjlohr

Genealogy is certainly more than just names, dates, and places. However, the farther back in time, the fewer the stories and memories.  So I was delighted to come across this article sent to me by Marge. O. The following was … Continue reading →

Posted in German Ancestry, Groeneveld, Groeneveld Genealogy, Ostfriesen Ancestry and Culture | 3 Comments

Serendipity Genealogy Finds

Posted on May 29, 2018 by maryjlohr

I’ve taken on a large project of going through my many genealogy files to clean up and downsize all the papers and extra “stuff.”  Among the minds was this transcribed “Auction Sale Bill of Okke Sievers.”  Okke (1882-1871) and his … Continue reading →

Posted in German Ancestry, Ostfriesen Ancestry and Culture, Schwans Genealogy | 1 Comment

Letters from Germany (1881-1919)

Posted on October 8, 2017 by maryjlohr

Letters From Germany When you’ve been researching your family ancestry for many years, the big discoveries don’t seem to come quite so fast as you continue the search. But recently I experienced one of the “golden events” that was, to … Continue reading →

Posted in German Ancestry, Germany, Iowa, Schwans Genealogy, South Dakota | 2 Comments

Wasserburg in Anstel, Germany

Posted on June 16, 2016 by maryjlohr

This plate was a gift from my husband Jim’s relatives when we visited them in Rommerskirchen, Germany in 2011.  Unfortunately, it did not make the journey back across the Atlantic in one piece. With much patience, some good adhesive, and … Continue reading →

Posted in German Ancestry, Germany, Lohr family, Lohr Genealogy | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Land of My Fathers

Posted on May 5, 2015 by maryjlohr

These are images of land the Schwans family owned in Vreschen-Bokel, Germany.   I believe the land came into the family when Diedrich Schwans (my great-great-grandfather) married Anna Aits.  Most likely my great-grandfather John Schwans was born here in 1848 and … Continue reading →

Posted in German Ancestry, Schwans Genealogy | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Genealogy Jig

Posted on August 8, 2014 by maryjlohr

Time for the genealogy happy dance! One of the biggest genealogy challenges I’ve faced with my German ancestors is finding the village or town where they were born and lived.  The reason for needing this information is that there was … Continue reading →

Posted in German Ancestry, Germany, Research | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Touring Etna Township, Hardin County, Iowa: Learning About the Early Ostfriesen Settlers

Posted on September 16, 2013 by maryjlohr

The Steamboat Rock Historical Society and the Ackley Heritage Center recently sponsored the third tour of ghost towns in Hardin County, Iowa.  Some of my roots go back to that area as my grandmother, Jeanette Sievers, was born in 1875 … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, German Ancestry, Iowa, Ostfriesen Ancestry and Culture | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Having a Birthday Helped Find My 7th Great-Grandparents

Posted on June 27, 2013 by maryjlohr

Adding another birthday candle to mark the number of years is an honored tradition.  Mine hasn’t quite reached the point where we need to put the local fire department on standby alert <yet.>  Besides, I prefer to think of celebrating … Continue reading →

Posted in ancestry, German Ancestry, Schwans Genealogy | Leave a comment

So Well Remembered

Posted on March 18, 2013 by maryjlohr

One of the highlights of our German trip (September 2011) was meeting family relatives for the first time. In Rommerskirchen, we were honored guests in the home of Anna and Herbert Schwenke. Although we spoke with the aid of translators, … Continue reading →

Posted in German Ancestry, Lohr family, Lohr Genealogy, Memories | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Update: The Genealogy Findings Continue

Posted on January 27, 2013 by maryjlohr

Twelve months of waiting to learn about Geerd Nannen Groeneveld has been compressed into only a few weeks, thanks to my German cousin Hinrich Groenevled.  He has graciously sent me the updated information on that branch of my Groeneveld family.  … Continue reading →

Posted in German Ancestry, Groeneveld Genealogy | Leave a comment