We want to visit the small town my husband's ancestors came from in the mi-1800s - Bakum. Any helpful advice is appreciated.
Posted by
San Francisco
14535 posts
Hi,
Do you mean Borkum? One of the islands?
Posted by
Lakewood, Colorado
19099 posts
Bakum, Germany, is a town of about 6000 people about 35 mi south of Oldenburg.
Posted by
California USA
3958 posts
I think she is researching the village of Bakum https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakum
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Bakum, German
Posted by
San Antonio TX, United States
2393 posts
Christine the more info you share the more helpful the answers will be.
Are you looking to stay overnight?
From where will you be coming/going?
Are you planning on having a car or arriving by public transport?
Are you looking for genealogy records?
Posted by
Columbus, USA
332 posts
We did a genealogy trip last December. I found info emails on each of the town websites before we went and emailed them. They were forwarded to the correct people. I included the names that we had. I did not include dates, but that would have been helpful. I connected with three wonderful women who were very helpful. Two we were able to meet face to face as I made appointments (very very important) The third place we just showed up and there was massive confusion and we left empty handed. In another town we were able to find the site of the lumber mill where my great-grandmother grew up - it was now a swimming pool. Granted they immigrated in the late 1800s.
I know others have had success in sending letters to people with the same last name.
It was really cool just to walk in the places our ancestors walked.
Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Washington
470 posts
While you are in that general area I HIGHLY recommend a visit to the embarkation museum in Bremerhaven. It is quite incredible as you experience the stories/images of the people who left Germany for other countries. Walking through the simulations of the ship is powerful to contemplate. The re-creations of Ellis Island and Grand Central Station is uncanny. THEN...a whole other museum dedicated to information about the people's who have entered Germany from other countries.
You might even get lucky and find your family name on the register board. There is even a small computer center for research. You can easily spend a whole day here. It is one of the most memorable places I have been. I found it more powerful than Ellis Island.
http://dah-bremerhaven.de/