German-French or French-German? Genealogy in Alsace-Lorraine. Do you have ancestors listed in the U. S. census as German in one and French in another? They are likely from Alsace-Lorraine, with a complicated history that presents family researchers with opportunities and challenges. Learn about sources and methods that will help you to progress in your research.
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My 2nd great grandmother was born in this topic’s region but no specific village or town in 1819. I am looking forward to using some of your suggested websites to find her parents who were German speaking and Lutheran. Your webinar provided a great historical refresh and overview across several centuries. I am looking forward to readdressing what I and my mother have already gathered on the USA side since their landing here in 1876. Great webinar, Thank you!!
Dear Charlene: Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. The website had a technical glitch that did not allow me to respond! I am so pleased you were inspired by my webinar and feel free to keep me posted. I love to hear success stories.
Great webinar. Thank you Gail.
You are welcome and best of luck with your research, Gail.
Speaker was excellent. She followed a great outline/flow of information. Her handout is a goldmine.
Very interesting and well done webinar! A rumor in my family stated relatives arrived in the states from Alsace Lorraine. Now I have an idea of where and how to start finding if this is true.
You are so welcome! I have a project in Baden (close to the border) right now that in the early 1700s turned out to involve Swiss migrating up there. It is always fun to find these important details! Best, Gail
Thank you. Good speaking skills! Excellent resources. Those small tips make all the difference. My family was Swiss invited to farm abandoned farms in the Alsace region after 1603. Hint was they only married other German speakers – ah ha!
Having recently verified my connection to Bas Rhine (sp) this webinar was extremely useful in pointing me towards future research. Interesting also was an awareness of how my ancestors migrated to nearby areas, perhaps due to military conflicts.
How exciting to have identified your region of origin and I am so happy this presentation will be useful. Best to you, Gail
I was pleasantly surprised to see a webinar on this area where both my wife and I (mainly me!) have several ancestors. I was not disappointed. This single webinar alone was worth the price of subscribing to Legacy webinars!
Very informative, I am somewhat familiar in having research my 7th and 8th GGgrandfathers in Schalbach and Lixheim, Moselle. But more information on earlier records would be helpful. My 7th GGgrandfathe immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1738. Working back from there into 17-16th century has been problematic. But thank you.
Yes, Wes. The early years can be difficult. I see that Lixheim in particular has a complicated history. The Count Palatine accommodated Protestants, but he sold territory to Lorraine in 1623 (including Lixheim), driving many Protestants out. About 1660 the principality became a bit more tolerant, but those remaining in Lixheim often worshipped in the neighboring county of Nassau-Sarrewerden–again Lorraine. https://www.itinerairesprotestants.fr/en/tours/alsace-bossue You probably already checked the resources at FamilySearch.org, some church books for Protestants start in 1636. Schalbach looks like it is dominated by Catholic records, so I am sure you have scoured the “neighborhood” for where they may have been able to worship.