We (me, my husband, and kids 7 and 11) leave in a about a month for a trip to Germany and Switzerland. We are renting a car so have flexibility. We are visiting with some friends who live outside of Zurich and when we leave there we are headed to Fussen. It is about an hour or so out of our way but are considering making a stop in Engen. Engen is the village that we believe my great-great-grandfather was born in 1854, he immigrated to America as a child in 1864. We know that he was born somewhere in Baden, but recently have found documents that say Engen. From what I have been able to find on the internet Engen appears to be a cute little town with an old church right near the main highway. I like the idea of seeing exactly where my family is from but haven't been able to 100% confirm that is the correct location and worried about additional language barriers since it is off the beaten path. I know only we can decide, but would love to hear if anyone has been there or any thoughts on what you would do in the situation. Thanks!
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8455 posts
Just go. You'll regret it if you don't. Dont worry about language. Unless you are doing genealogical research, you'll be able to communicate enough for normal tourist business.
Posted by
Augsburg, Bavaria
2335 posts
Engen is the village that we believe my great-great-grandfather was born in 1854
Why not try to verify that? If you are sure about his year of birth and assuming he was baptized catholic (it's not that easy if he belonged to another denomination), you could write to the archiepiscopal archives in Freiburg, which keeps the baptismal records, and ask if they can find him for you. It will cost a few bucks, but will not break the bank. The email address is archiv@ordinariat-freiburg.de.
BTW, the upper Danube valley near Engen ist lovely.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32790 posts
I agree that that is a very nice place to be - and to be from. Lovely countryside, and not far from Schaffhausen either.
Posted by
OP
4 posts
Thanks so much everyone! I think we are going to make it work! Yes, our family is Catholic so I will reach out to the archdiocese. I'll let y'all know if I find anything out!
Posted by
alameda, ca, usa
2602 posts
Different country for me, but once my mom dug out documents stating my great-grandparents were born in Tata, Hungary (left for America in 1899) I knew I had to go there, even just to wander a bit. It was an hour train ride from Budapest and while I'd have been better off with a guide and/or a car, I explored the pretty old town, had lunch and gave the cemetery a thorough examination to see if I could find any Katonas--just one, but that adds to our genealogical research and it was a bit like a treasure hunt. So, I say you should definitely make a point to go to Engen--it can be a very special feeling to visit the places our ancestors came from.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
136 posts
Locals praise their cute little town with the words "Engen, Tengen, Blumenfeld sind die schönsten Städt' der Welt" (Engen, Tengen, Blumenfeld are the most beautiful towns in the world). Of course this is an exaggeration but nevertheless the old town center of Engen is very pretty. In addition Engen is situated very conveniently. In about half an hour you can be in Switzerland, on Lake Constance or in the Black Forest. Engen lies in the Hegau, a nice landscape with several hills of volcanic origin. The restaurant of the service area 'Hegau West' on Autobahn 81 is very good and affords a pretty view on the Hegau and the Alps (weather permitting). It can be reached from Engen without driving on the Autobahn. Just follow the sign 'Raststätte Hegau West' on B31.
By the way there is only one town with the name of Engen in Germany.
Posted by
California USA
3958 posts
I highly encourage you to go. We did a similar trip twice before. With the help of the internet, we mailed a copy of my great great grandfather's reisepass, a simple letter written in English and German, and an old photograph to someone in his small town (with my same last name) who connected us with the regional church records keeper.
On a prior trip without the internet research and connection we simply drove around in the town, went to a church cemetery and spoke to some young adult English speaking kids but didn't find any family. It was still wonderful to be able to see his village but with the church records found prior to the second trip (10 years later!) we were able to meet family members. The church records person took the things I'd mailed to a member of my family and she contacted me with the email I'd provided.
I encourage you to try the archdiocese email that was given to you and attach a copy of any documents you have. Don't miss this opportunity. No one from the US had ever visited my great grandfather's town in Germany and we had a wonderful time making a first connection.
BTW, this was in Baden-Württemberg too.