Welcome!

To add to my other genealogical website (www.hillanbrand.blogspot.com), that you may link from the right hand side, I thought I would add this blog regarding my mother's side of the family. As I collated facts to input into the computer, I also collected stories and memories to treasure in my mind. I hope to pass it along, in writing this blog, to my family.

The stories will come in bits and pieces. Some will be about individuals. Others will be about whole families. If anyone wishes to share stories with me, please do so by commenting.

As I compiled names of family members, I utilized Family Tree Maker software to save all of the information. To date, I have over 3,000 names within my family tree. My intent for this blog, is an exchange of family memories to pass onto successive generations. I do not wish to open skeletons within the family closet (although, I did indeed stumble over a few!), I do believe that information, especially medical family history, is important to share.

The countryside of Germany reminds me of a greener bucolic Pennsylvania. I had lived in Germany for nearly four years while in the military and I felt at home in the pastoral setting. I WAS home, I thought. I did not know that my ancestors lived not far from my rented apartment. A short day trip away, to a sleepy village awaits our exploration of the Smith (Schmidt) homestead in Baden-Wurttemberg.

Other families, such as the Knoll's, Reichert's, Rothmann's and Kern's originated near Karlsruhe of Baden-Wurttemberg. A long history of German emigration ended in the gathering of these families, celebrating their common faith at St. Mary's of the Assumption Church in Manayunk. Another German family, the Bittle's, arrived prior to the American Revolution to the Philadelphia area.

The Bennett family came from the textile center of England, in the heart of the City of Leeds and brought their craft to the mills of Manayunk. They had some measure of success, as we shall see, but then lost their fortune during the Depression. I hope that you will take this journey with me, and again, if you should have additional stories or photographs to share, please share.

Next installment...The First To Arrive.