history/ships/staten island/heraldry-

NJFemmie · 08-05-2010, 02:20 PM

How neat.

I'm first generation in this country. My parents came here in 1952 from Bremerhaven Germany, after being liberated as deported forced laborers from Poland.

I wish I knew more about my family history and would love to trace back beyond my grandparents, but currently I'm researching information regarding my parents' "stay" in Germany during the war. I have to do this in baby steps since I've discovered that Poland's archival system is vastly fragmented by "districts".

So .... I guess my family are newbies in this country.

Julie · 08-05-2010, 03:37 PM

The Church of the Latter Day Saints -- Mormon Church... Has the largest archival system in the world for ancestry searches. My family comes from Poland and I have found birth records through them and their libraries, dating back to the 1700's. Interestingly enough, it was the Churches which took care of the records of the Jews. While Hitler thought he was wiping out a people, the documents remained safe in the hands of the churches.

I was even able to find family who thought they had no family left after the Holocaust.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

How neat.

I'm first generation in this country. My parents came here in 1952 from Bremerhaven Germany, after being liberated as deported forced laborers from Poland.

I wish I knew more about my family history and would love to trace back beyond my grandparents, but currently I'm researching information regarding my parents' "stay" in Germany during the war. I have to do this in baby steps since I've discovered that Poland's archival system is vastly fragmented by "districts".

So .... I guess my family are newbies in this country.

Apocalipstic · 08-05-2010, 03:41 PM

I am adopted, so I study the history of my city.

I do know a little bit about my birth and adopted families, but feel more connection to areas I live in and visit.

How cool to be able to trace your family so far back. I just rented the History of NYC from Netflix, now I can't wait to get started and learn about the area.

NJFemmie · 08-07-2010, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfiniteFemme

The Church of the Latter Day Saints -- Mormon Church... Has the largest archival system in the world for ancestry searches. My family comes from Poland and I have found birth records through them and their libraries, dating back to the 1700's. Interestingly enough, it was the Churches which took care of the records of the Jews. While Hitler thought he was wiping out a people, the documents remained safe in the hands of the churches.

I was even able to find family who thought they had no family left after the Holocaust.

Thanks for the info .... I found the LDS site and realized I've checked them already. In fact, I think I've exhausted every resource known to the internet.

International Tracing Service (ITS), USHMM and the International Red Cross provides vast archival systems should anyone be interested in tracing European ancestry during WWII.

Julie · 08-07-2010, 10:37 AM

Forget the internet -- Go to one of their churches. Find out when their library is open -- You start that way. They will order you microfiche and one of their most helpful members will teach you how to do your search. The internet, while it is vast - they do not have everything, as they believe (Mormons) and their mission is to trace their ancestry to adam and eve.

Get books on translating Polish/Russian birth records.

I started backward... I went to NYC records and looks up ship manifests, and from there I found names. I wrote to every person on the internet who shared the same last name of my grandfather. Are you related to "Greengrass," if they said YES - I sent them a blank family tree and asked them to fill in the blanks. I started this 16 years ago when we did not have the technology we do. Get yourself a program that will allow you to enter in all the information. Really... It can be done, and I have traced back to the 1700's which is unthinkable and unheard in the Jewish Ghettos of our ancestors.

It really can be done!

Julie

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJFemmie

Thanks for the info .... I found the LDS site and realized I've checked them already. In fact, I think I've exhausted every resource known to the internet.

International Tracing Service (ITS), USHMM and the International Red Cross provides vast archival systems should anyone be interested in tracing European ancestry during WWII.

violaine · 08-07-2010, 10:25 PM

[QUOTE=NJFemmie;168955]How neat.

I'm first generation in this country. My parents came here in 1952 from Bremerhaven Germany, after being liberated as deported forced laborers from Poland.

I wish I knew more about my family history and would love to trace back beyond my grandparents, but currently I'm researching information regarding my parents' "stay" in Germany during the war. I have to do this in baby steps since I've discovered that Poland's archival system is vastly fragmented by "districts".

So .... I guess my family are newbies in this country.

i found some links. maybe you've already looked at these sites?

http://germanoriginality.com/heritag...logy_links.php

http://www.samsawadee.com/sams-place/immigrant.html

http://www.dpcamps.org/books.html

http://www.allgenerations.org/search...thruoct08.html

http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/more_facts.html
[this one may be hard to read]

NJFemmie · 08-08-2010, 06:15 AM

i found some links. maybe you've already looked at these sites?

http://germanoriginality.com/heritag...logy_links.php

http://www.samsawadee.com/sams-place/immigrant.html

http://www.dpcamps.org/books.html

http://www.allgenerations.org/search...thruoct08.html

http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/more_facts.html
[this one may be hard to read][/QUOTE]

Thank you

-- and yes, I am familiar with some of them. The German-origin ones, not so much, as I know my parents were both born and lived in Poland before they were forced out of their homes and sent to Germany. Although--they may come in handy when I officially start the ancestry trace.

Infinitefemme - I found a local LDS church (with library access). When I decide to start researching past my grandparents, I'll utilize their services. Thanks again for the info. It doesn't hurt to give it a try and maybe I'll be surprised.

Linus · 08-08-2010, 06:28 AM

I'm still learning about my past but know that my family landed in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia in 1640. I know my grandfather on my dad's side has traced us all the way back to France and further back to King William I. My family does have a crest (see my tattoos and look for the one that looks like a shield with a sword through it). The family motto is translated to Towards the Summits.

I'm not fully sure of my mom's side but I do know that both sides have lived in Acadia (Nova Scotia/New Brunswick) since the mid-1600s are claim the title as french Acadians.

Miss Scarlett · 08-08-2010, 10:24 AM

violaine, what a wonderful thread/post.

My Dad's father's family came to the US from the Netherlands first as part of the Dutch East India Company with Hudson and then settled here with the Dutch West India Company as part of the original Dutch settlers of Manhattan. One of them held deed to a portion of the land where Trinity Church stands. Dad has been working on the family history since childhood and continues to work on it. But on my Dad's mother's side I am second generation American. On my Mom's father's side I am third generation American and on her mother's side...well, they've been here since at least the early to mid-19th century.

I've been working on Shelia's since no one in her family has shown much interest. Based on my discoveries and encouragement that is changing. I've found she is a Mayflower and original Jamestown descendant on her father's side and an original Jamestown descendant on her mother's side. How totally cool that those families could be at Jamestown at the same time and end up in the same part of the NC mountains so many years later and eventually marrying. I've also found her Cherokee ancestors. In addition we are collecting things related to and from Cataloochee Valley - her family is part of the original settlers there and was "relocated" from the valley when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created.

Lately Dad and I have been looking at his great-grandfather's Civil War service for the Union Army and trying to gather as many records as possible. In particular about his being wounded in combat in Virginia. On the flip side we have also been looking at the Civil War service for the Confedarate Army of Shelia's great-great and great-great-great grandfathers. Totally cool stuff.

08-05-2010, 02:20 PM	#1
NJFemmie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: The original lime-twisted femme Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to most things, especially lesbian. Relationship Status: Still loving my Mare ;) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,683 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,343 Thanked 11,419 Times in 2,976 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	How neat. I'm first generation in this country. My parents came here in 1952 from Bremerhaven Germany, after being liberated as deported forced laborers from Poland. I wish I knew more about my family history and would love to trace back beyond my grandparents, but currently I'm researching information regarding my parents' "stay" in Germany during the war. I have to do this in baby steps since I've discovered that Poland's archival system is vastly fragmented by "districts". So .... I guess my family are newbies in this country. __________________

08-05-2010, 03:41 PM	#3
Apocalipstic Pink Confection How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: She, Her, Ma'am Relationship Status: Dating Myself Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Nashville Posts: 4,266 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 17,195 Thanked 11,360 Times in 2,838 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	I am adopted, so I study the history of my city. I do know a little bit about my birth and adopted families, but feel more connection to areas I live in and visit. How cool to be able to trace your family so far back. I just rented the History of NYC from Netflix, now I can't wait to get started and learn about the area. __________________

08-08-2010, 06:15 AM	#7
NJFemmie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: The original lime-twisted femme Preferred Pronoun?: I answer to most things, especially lesbian. Relationship Status: Still loving my Mare ;) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,683 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,343 Thanked 11,419 Times in 2,976 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	i found some links. maybe you've already looked at these sites? http://germanoriginality.com/heritag...logy_links.php http://www.samsawadee.com/sams-place/immigrant.html http://www.dpcamps.org/books.html http://www.allgenerations.org/search...thruoct08.html http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/more_facts.html [this one may be hard to read][/QUOTE] Thank you -- and yes, I am familiar with some of them. The German-origin ones, not so much, as I know my parents were both born and lived in Poland before they were forced out of their homes and sent to Germany. Although--they may come in handy when I officially start the ancestry trace. Infinitefemme - I found a local LDS church (with library access). When I decide to start researching past my grandparents, I'll utilize their services. Thanks again for the info. It doesn't hurt to give it a try and maybe I'll be surprised. __________________

08-08-2010, 06:28 AM	#8
Linus The Planet's Technical Bubba How Do You Identify?: FTM Preferred Pronoun?: He/Him/Geek Relationship Status: Married to my forever! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,440 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,929 Thanked 10,726 Times in 3,172 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	I'm still learning about my past but know that my family landed in Grand Pre, Nova Scotia in 1640. I know my grandfather on my dad's side has traced us all the way back to France and further back to King William I. My family does have a crest (see my tattoos and look for the one that looks like a shield with a sword through it). The family motto is translated to Towards the Summits. I'm not fully sure of my mom's side but I do know that both sides have lived in Acadia (Nova Scotia/New Brunswick) since the mid-1600s are claim the title as french Acadians. __________________ Personal Blog \|\| [] \|\| Cigar Blog "We become Human Doings instead of Human Beings." -- Ram Dass

08-07-2010, 10:25 PM	#6
violaine Timed Out How Do You Identify?: atypical Preferred Pronoun?: plague words and phrases Relationship Status: love wise guys of the avian world Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: wekiva springs basin Posts: 3,236 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,934 Thanked 3,293 Times in 1,301 Posts Rep Power: 0	[QUOTE=NJFemmie;168955]How neat. I'm first generation in this country. My parents came here in 1952 from Bremerhaven Germany, after being liberated as deported forced laborers from Poland. I wish I knew more about my family history and would love to trace back beyond my grandparents, but currently I'm researching information regarding my parents' "stay" in Germany during the war. I have to do this in baby steps since I've discovered that Poland's archival system is vastly fragmented by "districts". So .... I guess my family are newbies in this country. i found some links. maybe you've already looked at these sites? http://germanoriginality.com/heritag...logy_links.php http://www.samsawadee.com/sams-place/immigrant.html http://www.dpcamps.org/books.html http://www.allgenerations.org/search...thruoct08.html http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/more_facts.html [this one may be hard to read]

08-08-2010, 10:24 AM	#9
Miss Scarlett Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: . Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: . Posts: 5,530 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,478 Thanked 12,947 Times in 3,419 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	violaine, what a wonderful thread/post. My Dad's father's family came to the US from the Netherlands first as part of the Dutch East India Company with Hudson and then settled here with the Dutch West India Company as part of the original Dutch settlers of Manhattan. One of them held deed to a portion of the land where Trinity Church stands. Dad has been working on the family history since childhood and continues to work on it. But on my Dad's mother's side I am second generation American. On my Mom's father's side I am third generation American and on her mother's side...well, they've been here since at least the early to mid-19th century. I've been working on Shelia's since no one in her family has shown much interest. Based on my discoveries and encouragement that is changing. I've found she is a Mayflower and original Jamestown descendant on her father's side and an original Jamestown descendant on her mother's side. How totally cool that those families could be at Jamestown at the same time and end up in the same part of the NC mountains so many years later and eventually marrying. I've also found her Cherokee ancestors. In addition we are collecting things related to and from Cataloochee Valley - her family is part of the original settlers there and was "relocated" from the valley when the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was created. Lately Dad and I have been looking at his great-grandfather's Civil War service for the Union Army and trying to gather as many records as possible. In particular about his being wounded in combat in Virginia. On the flip side we have also been looking at the Civil War service for the Confedarate Army of Shelia's great-great and great-great-great grandfathers. Totally cool stuff.