Hmmm, I have a German surname and have done genealogy. What could possibly keep me from wanting to know what my forebears did? Hiding from it won’t mean that it didn’t happen.
I have a German surname and when I ask people the background of their name it’s usually German (well, 50% of the time). I’ve come across a LOT of different countries for some of the more unusual names (at least unusual to me).
I have a German surname. Augustus was a businessman from Bavaria and was in Hesse when he was Shanghaied and sent to the colonies to fight in a war he did not want. He was captured/surrendered at the Battle of Trenton. On the march to New York he explained his situation to one of the Pennsylvania Dutch guards. He was allowed to live out his parole in Pennsylvania and after the war sent for his family. Some of his descendants served in the military and government. I was teased about my name in middle school once. The bully’s bloody nose was worth the two day suspension.
My wife is partly German (Froemming and other spellings) and spends a LOT of time doing genealogy. 20th century wars have nothing to do with why it’s difficult except that so many written family name records were destroyed in the wars. Add to that the multiple last name spelling variations and you and up with a jigsaw puzzle with many missing and altered pieces.
Having launched both world wars and accounted for many millions of deaths as well as incalculable property destruction, not exactly an endearing legacy.
I was in Europe during Glasnost and knew people from Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, and France. They were all terrified of what a unified Germany meant for them.
I have German on my bio fathers side and Irish on Moms side but I know nothing of my ancestry past my Moms parents and it really doesn’t matter to me either, what my ancestors didn’t doesn’t affect what I do in my life.
R2-Wolf over 2 years ago
Got some SSkeletons in the closet, eh?
Zykoic over 2 years ago
Hmmmmm. yep.
cdward over 2 years ago
Hmmm, I have a German surname and have done genealogy. What could possibly keep me from wanting to know what my forebears did? Hiding from it won’t mean that it didn’t happen.
David in Webb Premium Member over 2 years ago
I have a German surname and when I ask people the background of their name it’s usually German (well, 50% of the time). I’ve come across a LOT of different countries for some of the more unusual names (at least unusual to me).
glfprtim over 2 years ago
Stupidest thing I’ve ever seen!
Teto85 Premium Member over 2 years ago
I have a German surname. Augustus was a businessman from Bavaria and was in Hesse when he was Shanghaied and sent to the colonies to fight in a war he did not want. He was captured/surrendered at the Battle of Trenton. On the march to New York he explained his situation to one of the Pennsylvania Dutch guards. He was allowed to live out his parole in Pennsylvania and after the war sent for his family. Some of his descendants served in the military and government. I was teased about my name in middle school once. The bully’s bloody nose was worth the two day suspension.
stamps over 2 years ago
This cartoon might have been appropriate 75 years ago. Today, not so much.
10secz Premium Member over 2 years ago
My wife is partly German (Froemming and other spellings) and spends a LOT of time doing genealogy. 20th century wars have nothing to do with why it’s difficult except that so many written family name records were destroyed in the wars. Add to that the multiple last name spelling variations and you and up with a jigsaw puzzle with many missing and altered pieces.
schaefer jim over 2 years ago
My German surname means sheep herder, not offensive unless you are in cattle country.
Bill D. Kat Premium Member over 2 years ago
Having launched both world wars and accounted for many millions of deaths as well as incalculable property destruction, not exactly an endearing legacy.
AndromedaMike over 2 years ago
I was in Europe during Glasnost and knew people from Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, and France. They were all terrified of what a unified Germany meant for them.
Dillithamir over 2 years ago
Um…. Ouch.(I have a German surname but I have a long line of US ancestry before you even get to Germany….) This seriously hurts.
TIMH over 2 years ago
Let’s not even get started on Turkish surnames.
Sambora1 over 2 years ago
I have German on my bio fathers side and Irish on Moms side but I know nothing of my ancestry past my Moms parents and it really doesn’t matter to me either, what my ancestors didn’t doesn’t affect what I do in my life.