German/American Genealogy

If you know anything about the German language at all, even regarding the way certain words sound when pronounced correctly, then you will know that German names are very common in the United States today. In fact, German/American genealogy can be found in every single state, in every single major city and even in certain rural areas throughout the United States. This is most definitely a direct result of migration patterns through the years and has undoubtedly caused a sub-culture to develop. As such, it is as important to trace a German/American genealogy that is a part of your heritage and understand it as it is the German genealogy itself.

German/American genealogy arrived on American shores as a direct result of three distinct waves of migration. The first occurred between 1683 and 1820. This period was a response to religious difficulties and even wars in Germany itself. America was seen to be the New World and a fresh start for any individual looking to get away from it all. It certainly did that. The second wave lasted from 1820 until 1871 and was caused by rising financial difficulties in Germany. Many were in hardship and had to contend with unemployment, starvation and crop failure. This was a major reason why migration occurred with people leaving in droves in search of a better life. Finally, the last period was from 1871until 1914. During that time, it was the given thing to immigrate to America in search of a better life.

German societies grew in the major cities in the United States and the culture tended to affect everyone living on the outside of the German/American genealogy as it did those authentic Germans within it. Slowly but surely everything seemed to filter into mainstream society. For example, names such as Keller, Cullen and Stein tended to gain popularity as well. As with every group of people that moved to America, the Germans bought something new to the mixed cultural makeup of the country and that is why and how German/American genealogy can be found and seen there to this day.

Although German/American genealogy has grown from all of the above periods of migration from Germany to the United States, it really has not been reciprocated. Anything of American culture in German society has come from means of communication, such as films and literature. Although Americans do live in Germany, most of them do not settle on a permanent basis, instead usually being there for employment purposes. However, as German/American genealogy is already a big part of American culture, you can expect trends to persist!