We’re back! Knitting Daughter and I had a great time visiting Claudia and her family in Germany. What a treat! It is taking me a bit of time to get my head out of the jetlag clouds and back into work, so I figured I had better write this post this morning while it might still make sense.
We left on Tuesday and arrived on Wednesday morning. Claudia picked us up at the airport and took us home to catch breakfast and a few hours of sleep, before heading out to explore. Germany is GREEN all over the place. It is absolutely beautiful. Lots of rain and cool weather while we were there (which you know I like). We saw lots of fields of hops growing in Claudia’s town. Hops are 
used in the making of beer and you don’t see hops around here. They grow up the lines attached to the poles, and are harvested later in the summer. It’s a good industry for their town. The other thing that we saw growing all over was Spargle – which translates to Asparagus. Did you know that when the asparagus turns green, it is over-ripe and bitter? I’ve always liked asparagus, but the white asparagus that you get in Germany (before it turns over-ripe green) is so much better.
We spent the week being shuttled to and fro through the beautiful countryside by Claudia and/or Andreas. They are awesome hosts. We went to Munich a couple of days, to tour the famous Neuschwanstein Castle another day (see the photo? And to think the King lived in that castle for less than 150 days before his death). We also spent an afternoon tracking down my roots in a small village a few hours away. (Zipped down the Autobahn to get there. Not sure I’m a big fan of those fast speeds and crazy highways, but we had good drivers in Claudia and Andreas, and we 
lived to tell about it!) My grandparents came to the U.S. from Germany when they were in their 20’s, and it was fun to be in their town of Schnaitheim (near Heidenheim), see their old stomping grounds, and have coffee in a shop around the corner from their neighborhood. This is the photo of the schoolhouse that they attended. We found my grandpa’s house – or rather, land. The original house has been torn down and a four-family flat built in its place. It’s always sad to see that happen.
Now for the Mini Contest – where do your grandparents come from? I have a set of grandparents from Germany and a set of grandparents from here in the U.S. How about you? Leave a comment and I’ll randomly draw one winner in a week. (That’s what makes it a mini contest – just one winner. You know we usually draw a prize for every 250 or so comments in our regular monthly blog contests, but this time I have just one big skein of Wollmeise Lace to give as a prize!)
On Monday I’ll share photos of our time at the Wollmeise brick and mortar shop, as well as a photo of Claudia’s beautiful garden-filled backyard. It almost made me want to garden! (But not quite. I kept thinking of the heat and humidity that always arrives in St. Louis in July and August….)
Sheri hopingyouhaveagreatweekendandhavetimetoknit
Your trip sounds wonderful! Most of my grandparents were born in NYC, but one was born in Warsaw Poland. The others had parents from Austria on one side and Russia on the other side.
The U.S.
The only grand parent that didn’t come from some of the original American settlers from German ywas my grandmother from poland. We have been here a while it seems. Is there a group for the daughter of the first spinners?
Karin
From the US on both sides. On one branch, a generation back from there is Ireland. On the other, I have American Indian blood, so *definitely* the US there!
I have one grandfather that came from Poland- best cook ever! the rest are US born, but all over. Grandmother from Maryland, another from Jersey, and a grandfather who was born and raised on a Texan ranch. (In a town that apparently was owned by our family at one point)
My father’s side of the family is German, my mother’s is English and Swiss.
Two grandparents were from different parts of Germany, one grandmother from Holland and one Grandfather was from Norway.
They all came here as children and met their spouses here.
My father’s background is European/USA, as far as I can trace, but my mother’s grandmother is pureblood American Indian (wish I knew for sure which tribe). Mostly I’m a mixed (old) bag and I like that.
One set of grandparents came from Lithuania (my mother’s side) and the other from Mars Hill, Maine
My maternal grandparents came from Minsk and Pinsk in what was then Russia, then the Soviet Union and now Belarus. My paternal grandparents came from Moscow. But being Jewish, yiddish was the spoken language, I never heard anyone speak Russian although I did find some Russian books in my grandmother’s closet. She said she intended to go back to Russia after the revolution since she thought conditions would improve for the Jews, but it only got worse. Good thing she didn’t go back.
Mine are from here in the US. Pretty boring.
My grandparents are from NY and grew up not too far away from each other. One of my Grandmother’s ancestors received the Morgan homestead as payment from serving in the war of 1812.
My paternal grandparents are from Beruit, Lebanon. My Sithu was a city girl, my Jedu was from a farm in the mountains outside Beruit. (Those where Hammas hides these days, sigh.) They didn’t meet until they came here. It was kind of an arranged marriage. My father spoke fluent Arabic, but I, alas, do not.
My maternal grandfather “escaped” from his native Slovakia. He was conscripted into the Russian army and they wanted him to bring a HORSE. He refused. He was particularly upset about the horse. He proudly fought for the US in WWI.
It’s so much fun reading all the comments! I’m first generation Canadian, with Dutch grandparents on both sides of the family.
Those pictures make me want to go visit Germany, and that castle in particular. Hard to believe people actually lived there at one point…
Three of my grandparents were born in Germany. My mother’s father was in his 20’s when he came here; both grandmothers were very young when they were brought here. My grandfather on my father’s side was born in Minnesota, but my great-grandfather came here from England.
My family on both sides have been in the US for quite a while, so my grandparents are both born and raised in Maine though further back we came from Ireland, England and Scotland.
All of my grandparents were born and raised in the US, but if you go a few generations further back, almost my entire family is from Germany.
Italy
Grandma #1 was born in Minnesota, of Polish immigrant parents. Grandpa #1 was born in Poland. Grandmother #2 was born in Quebec, and Granfather #2 was born in Saskatchewan.
All of my Grandparents are from the US. You have to go back several more generations to get to the European born familiy members.
My grandparents were all born in the US, but my paternal Grandfather’s parents were from Sweden. The Swedish line runs strong in their descendants. I can’t wait to see the rest of your pics!
Hi –
My grandparents on my dad’s side are from Austria and on my mom’ side they are from Russia.
Thanks
One grandfather was from Scotland, but he met his wife in Cuba (she was an American for many generations). My other grandparents were from the USA – but trace their lineage back to the Mayflower, Daughers of American Revolution and Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy. Basically all ancestors were from Scotland, Ireland or Britian.
Both sets of grandparents from the US.
Paternal grandparents from Hungary, maternal grandparents “American” with Scottish/German roots. One of my great, great…. etc grandfathers was the founder of Rapid City, SD š
For two of my grandparents I could only get as far as Indiana or Kentucky. They do not know where their ancestors are from. That is odd to me. One of my grandmothers, the only knitting grandmother, is a Baskerville from Cardiff, Wales. She said that when the movie “Hound of the Baskervilles” came to town everyone with the name got to see it for free. She is quite disappointed that none of her grandsons bear the name. Sorry Nana, I just couldn’t do it to them.
I have been fortunate enough to visit the towns where all of my grandparents grew up with them. I think that is pretty cool.
Paternal grandparents born in Poland, and maternal grandparents born in Russia. Someday hoping to see both countries, but no one remembers the names of the towns where they were born, so can’t go back to where it all started. Honestly, I feel that my brothers and I really blew that one!
Both sets of Grandparents were from the US, although I only have one surviving Grandparent.
My grandparents are from here, but by great-grandparents are from Germany.
My dad’s parents came separately from Germany, and married in Arkansas. I’m not sure where my mother’s parents were from; although the last name, Ludes, was French, mom was half German also. Perhaps I should root out that geneology, and figure it out ….
My paternal grandparents came from Gubbio, Italy, in the early 1900s. My father was first generation American. My maternal grandparents were born in Scranton Pa and they were first generation American.
Love you posts on your trip.
Terri
My mother’s parents both came to California from small towns in Sweden when they were in their 20’s, to settle in a local Swedish community.
My father’s parents were both from early US settler families, originally from Scotland. One of my father’s direct ancestors signed the Declaration (fairly far down the list, not the big fancy signatures at the top….).
My paternal grandfather came to Canada from Latvia or Lithuania when he was 2; my paternal grandmother emigrated from St.Petersburg, Russia and my maternal grandparents emigrated to Canada from Russia via Argentina (I think).
My grandparents all grew up in the US, but their parents were from Bohemia and England (my dad’s side) and Sweden (my mom’s side.
My grandparents all grew up in the US, but their parents were from Bohemia and England (my dad’s side) and Sweden (my mom’s side).
China, both sets baby!
My grandparents were from Texas and Tennessee. My mother’s maternal grandparents were separate first generation immigrants from Holland but all the rest of the family have been in the States for generations.
Sheri loved hearing about your trip! On my fathers side, my grandparents came over from Germany and I recently found out that my grandmother came over from Italy!
Welcome back! I’m glad that you had a marvelous time. My mom’s parents were both from Italy. My dad’s parents were both from the United States. Their families have been here since 1620.
My grandmother and grandfather on my dad’s side were born and lived in Schwanewede, which is in north Germany. )My dad was born in the same town also) My grandmother on my mom’s side was born in Brooklyn, NY and my grandfather on that side was born in south Germany, possibly a town called Steinfeld. I seem to remember his telling me this name, but am not positive. So I am German, through and through, with not another drop of blood in me. -Catherine
my maternal grandmother arrived in Ohio at age three. She came with her grandparents, from outside of Budapest. i think they were not hungarian, but ethnic germans. the rest of my grandparents were born in the midwest. my grandfathers were born in ohio, and my paternal grandmother was born in indiana.
when i was growing up, we called asparagus “sparkle tips” and now i know why!
What a great trip! It is so great to see you be able to trace your roots like that. My maternal grandmother is from Thailand. All of my other grandparents were Chinese, but fled to Thailand when the communist regime took over.
My maternal grandmother was from Germany, my grandfather whom I never knew was Bulgarian. My father’s parents were American…grandmotherfrom Michigan and grandfather, Iowa.
Hi,
Two grandparents from Poland, two from Russia…sounds pretty typical, though you have people from all over represented in these comments. Interesting to be reminded of how we are one country made up of so many different nationalities; one would think we would be more welcoming to others who want to work and live here!
Thanks for the opportunity to be in the contest…CP
What a great idea for a contest.
I think I am number 598, so I’m not holding my breath to win, lol!
On my mother’s side, my grandparents come from the Ukraine, the immigrated here in the early 20’s and settled on a farm in Alberta.
On my father’s side, they came from Ontario, settled in Saskatchewan. My grandfather was the local blacksmith and I still have a horse shoe he made for me.
All of my grandparents were born in the US, but my great-grandmother was Croatian. My grandmother still curses in Croatian, but only when she’s *really* mad. When moderate profanity suffices, she curses in English.
Grandparents on my dad’s side are from Matamoros, Mexico. Grandparents on my mom’s side are from the US, but 1 generation back from that my mom’s grandparents came from Spain.
My grandparents are from Italy and Poland.
My father’s parents and my mother’s father were from Russia. My mother’s fmother was from Austria. Somehow they all ended up in Chicago.
My grandmother is Norwegian. (On my mom’s Side) On my dad’s side, more Native American than anything else. I think the Norwegian is dominant in me. I would love to learn more about our family’s heritage.