My father was born in Holland, near the border of Belgium. He came here as a little boy of 8 with his two brothers, and their parents in 1913. Sadly I never knew my grandparents, they were all gone on both sides when I was born in 1947.
Back in 2006, my oldest son and I traveled to Europe together, first stopping in Brugge, so we could rent a car and drive the 50 miles to Schoondijke, Holland where my father had been born. Schoondijke was occupied by the Germans during the war. Canadian forces were assigned the task to clear the area. The allies bombed the village of Schoondijke very heavily, and not much of it was left when the war ended. We only stayed overnight as we both had our own itineraries to hold to. My son went on to Germany, and I headed to Paris to tour the D-Day Landing Beaches, and then to London for a week there, and then a 3 week bus tour of the British Isles.
The majority of my DNA ancestry comes from England, Wales and Northwestern Europe. My mother was born in Canada and came to the U.S. with her mother and only brother when she was quite young. My great-uncle served with the Canadian Forces in WWI, was wounded in France, and died of his wounds two months before the Armistice.
Unbeknownst to either of my parents was the fact that our family also has DNA from Sweden, Denmark, Germanic Empire, Scotland and Ireland. The closest DNA-connected ancestor from Germany that I have is a 5th Great-Grandfather John Conrad Sills (von Sills)(von Sells), who was born in Rothenbergen, Hesse in 1738. He emigrated to New York State. He was a Loyalist during the Revolutionary War, served with a special Ranger unit, then moved with his family to Canada.
My traveling days are over unfortunately. I only get to visit my two sons, and my brother's family. I'm the last one left from mine. I'm glad at least that I did get to both birthplaces of my parents, and grandparents. In Canada, I met cousins I never knew I had. Thanks for the link to the video, and for the info on Dr. Felton. And thanks for sharing this conversation. Although I have British DNA, I've always felt that Britain treated some of her colonies very badly. Not just because of our Revolutionary War here, but because the Brits had a habit of colonizing places like India, and others, and then when it got inconvenient for them, they ran away and left messes for others to clean up. At least that's the impression I've gotten in some of my reading. Take care. It's been a pleasure.
Yes, sir, I am German. 🙂 Not from elsewhere. My screen name, after the first semi-mythical Pharao, is just due to my interest in Egyptian history.
And how fascinating and wonderful it is, that your son speaks German and has been to Germany! That’s just marvelous 😃 to read!
My familial background is mainly from the German Southwest (my phenotype is more Italian than run-of the mill German, except for my height 😀), Swabia, Baden and the Palatinate. One of my grandfathers, however, hailed from Westphalia in the North, and according to family lore, I also might have a litte Jewish and English ancestry 😀
Maybe that‘s why I am a great friend of Israel and my affinity to English literature and hymns might also come from there. I can hardly think of more elating music than „Be still my soul“ or „All Creatures of our God and King“ or „For all the Saints“ with its gorgeous melody penned by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
And it was fascinating to read how, in your travels, you have been able to retrace your ancestors and their lives‘ history, through so many parts of Europe and later North America, though it is heartbreaking to read what sorrow many of them had to live through 😢
In such moments, the hatred between nations changes back into the ugly horror which it really is 😔 May God Almighty rest their good souls.
Yes, and even the British have changed in this regard, I still remember King Charles‘s speech last year in the Bundestag on account of the centenary of the Nazi power grab. He hoped for peace and mutual understanding, and his speech was a model of excellent rhetoric and human warmth. I don’t know why many Freepers seem to detest him. After all, he is the Head of State of America‘s closest ally, and a very erudite man with a heart the size of Texas😢
And I would also like to thank you very much for your enquiry about my health. I did survive the cancer operation very well, and no cancer cells have been found in my body after that. The three tomographies showed nothing bad. Praise the Lord!
I was really blessed, since the tumor had a solid, smooth surface, which is normally not the case with cancer, which kept the malignant tissue enclosed inside. Radiation therapy was also used to deal with any malignancy in the tumor bed. Rehab is going to follow soon.
Yes, and about Britain: it is a fascinating country indeed, even without the world spanning Empire. And I agree with you, it was beneficial for the peoples in many ways, although mistakes were made, unfortunately, and after World War Two it was dissolved too hastily, perhaps.
Though I remember a conversation with an elderly Australian, a son of the Empire, whom I had asked why Britain had not held unto India for longer. He answered, if independence had not been given asap, India would have become a giant version of what Algeria became to France…
All the best for you and your dear ones, and I hope to read from you soon. It has been an utter pleasure writing to you 😊