Tracing my European Ancestors

Wilhelmsburg, August 11th  During my 3-hour boat trip the day before one of the passengers told me about the Emigrant Museum.  Instead of a taxi I took the train! After walking a good stretch, I bought my ticket, found an elevator  down to the train and arrived at my destination in a couple of minutes. But, there I had to walk again; my poor legs were extremely sore and tired when I arrived at the barracks that served as temporary housing for emigrants who came from everywhere ... This place is known as BallinStadt , named after Albert Ballin.   Facebook site In 1906 the trip from Hamburg to New York =  from 150 to 400 Mark From 1850 until 1938 more than 5.6 million persons left for America through Hamburg! I asked why the statue of Liberty was pink, and was informed that it is the color of inclusion; for me it looked very much like "kitch" Giant postersdepicting pictures of emigrants. A three-mast sailship like the one my great

Wilhelmsburg, Friday August 10th - Sightseeing through Hamburg's waterways... Let's  not forget why I chose Wilhelmsburg ? My decision was prompted by the fact that Dorothea's father Friedrich Bode lived there.  Christening Dorothea Bode - April 822 Many years ago I took a tour of the port of Hamburg, big ships, much noise. This time I chose a more quiet tour  along the Bille.  After going down a "scary" rama and with Maike's help I got on board and found a seat among dozens of friednly senior citizens Only a few sprinkles came down on us Red line indicates our route.  The house that guards and manages the traffic through the lock exciting moment when boat goes down...  warehouse along the route St. Michael or Michel  One of the many boathouses along the river Old warehouse, typical Hanseatic building  A waterbus! big and long container ship I enjoyed the  excursion very much;I went ba

ARRIVING IN WILHELMSBURG / HAMBURG AUGUST 9TH After a long flight  with American Airlines #704  on August 8th from Charlotte to Frankfurt, I continued with Lufthansa #LH014 to Hamburg, Germany. I had requested a wheelchair for the trip and I was amazed about the care and attention I received at the Frankfurt airport! After arriving in Hamburg I took a  taxi to my Hotel in Wilhelmsburg, chatting all the way with the driver, who was a Polish immigrant from Zopot, a resort town where my great grandfather used to go for summer vacation! Lots to talk about.  The Raphael Hotel  in Wilhemsburg is a well kept secret (the taxi driver did not know about the existence)!  An interesting architecture, wood and trees everywhere... My room was devoted to a specific tree... The bed was comfortable and after a long shower I slept until the next morning... My WhatsApp message:        Hallo, I am in Hamburg, a bit tired.  Could not      sleep too much, there was a man behin

IN SEARCH OF NEW STORIES ABOUT MY ANCESTORS  MY TRAVELS TO HAMBURG,  MARJIAMPOLE, VILNIUS, SZCZECIN...  &  MANY MORE PLACES LEAVING CHARLOTTE NC AUGUST 8TH, 2018 TO HAMBURG, GERMANY