Why?

Just a quick discourse on why I created this site in the first place…

The main reason I created this website is because my filing cabinet drawers are jam-packed with all of this wonderful information. Family members will ask me how the family tree is coming along, and I want to share my findings, but (as a graduate student) I cannot afford to make copies of pictures, etc. for everyone. With a website, I can share without too many financial constraints.

Another reason I created this website is because I want other people out there to be able to hear some of these crazy family stories that I was told when I was growing up. As my father once said, "I would be highly suspect of any relative of mine who couldn't tell a good story." I have tried to document most of these stories, but sometimes there is just no documentation to be found. How do you prove that a relative kept his money under a tree stump with an anvil on top? How do you prove that an ancestor liked to put rock candy in his bourbon or whiskey, and let his grandchildren take sips when Oma wasn't looking? Keeping that in mind, please understand that some of these stories may have been embellished a little, but not by my doing. You are reading the stories just as I have heard them.

As a student, time is also a precious commodity. I fear I do not have time to write histories of towns, etc., although I wish I did. I have asked several authors for permission to use excerpts of their works on this site. I have also tried placing links to other websites that I think you might enjoy or at least find informative. With so many search engines out there, it sometimes becomes a formidable task to find what you are looking for. Some sites show up on one search engine, but not another. So, I guess you could say I am a compiler/editor of this website, not really an author.

Do you have German relatives from the Texas hill country? Do you have pictures or stories (that aren't copyrighted, or are copyrighted by you) that you would like to share? Please let me know (e-mail address: knludwig@ocean.st.usm.edu). I am always looking for new material for this site. I am interested in just about everything pertaining to Germans in the Texas hill country, but would be especially thrilled to receive histories of the towns that appear in the "Settlements" section and pictures/stories about the founding members of the Germania Farmer Verein. Another topic I find fascinating is the fact that while many Germans were emigrating to Texas (USA), quite a few were going to Australia as well. My Fuhrmann family split up in the 1850's, with one son going to Texas, and two others going to Australia. Why they did this, I may never know. If you have a family with a similar Texas/Australia experience, please let me know. I would love to hear their story/circumstances.

So, by all means, look around. Enjoy your visit. Feel free to sign my guestbook in the "Feedback" section. Say, "Hi." Say nice things. J Oh, yes- and I hope you have a great day too.

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