"I Love Researching my German Roots"
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Born in 1920 I have vivid memories of a Christmas Tree (mid 1920's) on which we had white candles. That meant that we lit the candles every day and extinguished them every night.
I recall my parents using some German phrases such as Danke schön, Was ist los? (what's going on?), Dummkopf and Du bist verrückt, meaning you must be crazy (but said in a joking manner). We hung up our long black stockings on the mantle on Dec. 7 (St. Nicks), which is also my mother's birthday.
I love researching my German roots. My grandfather Herman Schmidt was born in Sasbach (southwest Germany) on the Rhine River in 1855. he came to America on a boat named the Hansa in 1864 along with other members of his family. They continued on to Cincinnati, Ohio, joining other relatives who had come earlier. I have data of their trip from Germany to the USA. My grandfather was listed as "Hermana" on the ships manifest. We like to kid that he was listed as a girl!
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My wife and I visited Germany many times in the 1980's and 90's. We also visited Kandel a few times. Kandel is the town from which my mother's ancestors came. Her maiden name was Wirmel. We continue to keep in contact with doctor Esser, head of the genealogy society in Kandel.
I have collected data on my Schmidt ancestors going back 400 years. I regret that I have reached a dead end, having been told that any additional info may be over in France (just across the Rhine River). History says that area had many small wars in which one or the other country ruled at various times.
The church in which my grandfather was baptized in 1855 in Sasbach is beautiful and we have attended mass there. We enjoy staying in Sasbach and visiting with distant relatives.
I am fortunate having a nephew named Mark Schmidt in Cincinnati. He is the recording secretary for the Ohio Genealogical Society. Mark and his daughter were in Germany last year. They are going again next June.
At 87 years I am at bit hesitant about making the trip but will try and get in shape to go.
Regrettably my dear wife died on February 16 this year, two days after our 65th wedding anniversary. We were responsible for bringing three Schmidt girls and three Schmidt boys into the world.
Robert Schmidt
I would appreciate any interested parties wishing to contact me to do so at thewavz%27%com,bob1920
