I just received my Luttmer Nacrichten yesterday and our German cousin,
Stephan Luttmer, who publishes the newsletter had an article attached. I
thought some of the folks from Franklin County, who had relatives that
immigrated from Niedersachen might be interested in participating in this
project.
The address for the archivist is at the bottom of the article.
Eppie Litmer
"Emigration of the former duchy of Brunswick in the 18th and 19th century
a socio-historical reflection -
The worldexposition Expo 2000 in Hannover has given rise to a special
project at the State Archives of Lower Saxony in Wolfenbuttel. They began a
research about 200 years of emigration - mainly to the United States of
America - during the 18th and 19th century. They try to get as much
information as possible out of the documents in stock.
The aim of these activities is the completion of a catalogue concerning the
emigrants, e.g. the families, children, single women with children, criminal
people, workmen and so on, who left their homes in search of a wealthier
life in freedom.
Unfortunately this task isn't as easy as it sounds, because the destiny of
these people often ends with the beginning of their departure, when they set
foot on the ships which brought them to their new lives. The documents show
us their difficult and often painful routes to the harbours, but we don't
know much about the conditions regarding their lives on board the ships or
about the people who never reached their destination.
This situation has to be changed. The most important things are signs of
life from the emigrants, letters they wrote to inform their families,
relatives and friends who stayed at home about their strange new
environments and living-conditions. Probably most of these letters are in
private hands.
This is the point where my work begins. My name is Gabriele Strathmann (Am
Meyenberg 10 A, D-38300 Wolfenbiittel). My task is to show and interpret
the biographies of the emigrants. I'd like to ask you for your assistance.
If you have private letters in regard of the emigration I would be very
pleased if you could send me the copies or transcriptions and if you gave me
the permittance to use them. I assure you that I will deal with them in
confidence. Many thanks in anticipation of your favour.
Welcome to the Expo 2000 in Hannover!
Gabriele Strathmann,
Am Meyenb@rg 10 A,
D-38300 WolfenbUttel
Please send your material directly to Mrs. Strathmann."