Explore the powerful story of your German ancestors’ emigration! Find out about the real reasons they left Germany, their often challenging daily lives, and their bold journey across the Atlantic – so you can connect deeper with your German heritage on your upcoming trip.
Imagine standing where your German ancestors decided to leave everything behind.
It’s a special experience for sure.
And many of my previous guests on my Germany ancestry tours have told me exactly that.
They never felt as closely connected to their German heritage as when they traveled to Germany and set foot in their ancestral German hometowns or their ancestor’s emigration port city.
But before you embark on your ancestry-inspired trip to Germany, it’s important to know some facts about your German ancestors’ lives and emigration journeys.
This ensures that you can make the most out of the incredible experiences you will no doubt have on your trip.
Want to know what these facts are? Read on…
A lot of my American ancestral guests ask me the following questions:
- What were the reasons for my German ancestors to leave Germany?
- What were their daily lives like pre-emigration?
- And what were their experiences when they travelled to the port cities and across the Atlantic Ocean?
So let’s find some answers and explore the remarkably brave journeys of your German immigrant ancestors… one chapter at a time.
Chapter 1: Life in Germany and why your German ancestors left
What made your German ancestors leave their homeland?
Well, for the majority of German immigrant ancestors these were economic reasons.
For many emigrants in the 19th century, life in Germany was marked by hardship. Overpopulation, poor harvests, and limited job opportunities pushed countless families to start over elsewhere.
Others were drawn by the promise of freedom, affordable land, and a fresh start in America.
Imagine a farmer’s son not entitled to inherit the farm and therefore struggling to make ends meet.
Or a young maid dreaming of more opportunities in a modern American city.
Each emigrant and each time period faced their own challenges.
Understanding these reasons is key to tracing your German roots and unlocking your family’s individual story along the way.
Chapter 2: The journey to the emigration port cities
Getting to the emigration ports was often an adventure in itself.
Long walks, bumpy carriage rides, or slow riverboats were part of the first trip your German ancestors had to make on their long journey to America.
For many, this trek took days. For some even weeks.
Life in Germany’s two main port cities, Bremen / Bremerhaven and Hamburg, was a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
In the days leading up to their ship departure, emigrants often stayed in simple inns or crowded hostels. For many, this was their first taste of urban life.
Re-visiting these routes today adds an emotional layer to your own Germany ancestry tours.
Exploring the emigration port cities your German ancestors left from can also give you the answers to the questions that might came up during your German ancestry research.
Chapter 3: The Atlantic voyage
Then came the Atlantic crossing – a true test of endurance for your German ancestors. Early emigrants faced weeks aboard cramped sailing ships, battling seasickness and meager rations.
By the late 19th century, steamships had improved the journey, but conditions in steerage were still challenging.
At the start of the 20th century, the fast ocean liners provided a lot more comfort – even for those in third class. But the journey still took around 5-8 days.
Today, the trip across seas luckily only takes a few hours by plane.
And when you are standing in these ports again, you can almost feel the anticipation of your German immigrant ancestors when they boarded their ships – hopeful for a brand-new life abroad.
Chapter 4: A new life in America
The arrival of your German immigrant ancestors in America marked both an ending and a new beginning.
Your German ancestors faced new challenges – language barriers, cultural adjustments, and the hard work of building a life from scratch.
As Germans, they might have also faced discrimination, especially after the outbreak of World War I.
But they also found tight-knit communities, who supported one another.
Many German immigrant ancestors settled in cities like Cincinnati, St. Louis, or New York, while others ventured to farms in the Midwest.
German-speaking neighborhoods, often from the same home regions in Germany, sprang up across the USA.
Recipes of familiar foods and beloved German traditions were passed down through the generations. Some of these were perhaps kept within your family until today.
Knowing where your German ancestors settled can reveal much about their resilience and resourcefulness.
Chapter 5: Their return and your return
Some emigrants could afford to return to Germany years after their emigration.
But for many, their expensive emigration journey to America was one of no return.
So although many emigrants never returned to the homeland, they left behind clues for their descendants.
Today, surnames and village names you come across in your German ancestry research could guide you to your German roots.
And visiting these places on your own journey today is more than a trip; it’s a journey through time.
This is your chance to tracing your German roots in real life and deepen your connection to your German ancestors’ amazing stories.
Dive deeper in my upcoming German emigration journey course
Ready to bring your German ancestry to life?
My upcoming 5-day German emigration journey course will take you through every chapter of your ancestors’ remarkable journey.
You can complete the online course in 5 days – or take more or less time, it’s totally up to you!
By tracing your German roots with the preparation of this short online course, you will gain all the necessary knowledge to make your own Germany ancestry tour truly unforgettable.
To really make your German ancestors and their challenges come alive, this online course also includes a complementary e-book.
This e-book is packed with realistic emigration short stories from three German ancestors, each from a different time period:
- A farmer from northwest Germany who was not entitled to inherit his family’s farm and emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1834.
- A family of six who left southern Germany where they worked in the vineyards for rural Illinois in 1871.
- A young maid who departed Berlin for Brooklyn, New York, in 1909.
Stay tuned for the course launch next week and get ready to make your German ancestry research come alive like never before!
To not miss the launch date or any other news, simply sign up for the newsletter below!
As a thank-you, you will receive my Germany Trip Planning Mini Travel Guide with 18 tried-and-tested popular ancestry-inspired activities.
I am looking forward to seeing you on the other side of the ocean!
On your virtual trip back in time to the Germany of your German ancestors!
Will I see you there?
Unless otherwise credited, all photos by © Sonja Irani | MyAncestorsJourney.com
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