The Alexander Church was built in the 1200s as a Gothic chapel, later enlarged in the 1500s to a large hall church with thick stone pillars supporting the roof. The church is relatively plain inside, in keeping with traditions of the Evangelical Lutheran (Reformed) Churches in this part of Germany. The organ at the rear […]
Author Archives: jim
Grote Ancestral Farm in Mackenbruch, Lippe Detmold, Germany
An unforgettable visit to the Grote ancestral farmstead on September 7th resulted in new connections with cousins in Germany and a wealth of new information for family historian Jane Williamson of Waco, Texas. Jane and her daughter Rachel Hernandez visited Mackenbruch after a long planning process begun in July, 2010 when Jane discovered European Focus […]
Kersting Farm in Mackenbruch, Germany
Jane Williamson from Waco, Texas enjoyed taking photographs and walking around the old farmstead where her Kersting ancestors lived before the family emigrated to America in the 1840s. Detailed photographs of the inscription above the door into the house and barn combination can be seen below.
From Rothenburg ob der Tauber to Heidelberg
We traveled today by a combination of the back roads through farmland, hamlets and along the Neckar River to Heidelberg where we’re spending the night. Along the way, we made a stop in Bad Wimpfen for special roasted chicken in a tiny Gasthaus near the “Blue Tower,” a remnant of the medieval fortifications of Bad […]
Welcome New Arrivals
Jane Williamson and her daughter Rachel Hernandez arrived on September 2 in Frankfurt to start their two-week journey around Germany. This has been a dream of Jane’s for a long time. She is on her first ever European trip, and just had her first ever trans-Atlantic flight. There will be many more “firsts” for Jane […]
Moneygall, Ireland Obama Ancestral Home in County Offaly
President Barack Obama has Irish roots on his mother’s side. The hamlet of Moneygall, about 125 kilometers to the southwest of Dublin is where the 44th president’s great-great-great grandfather Joseph Kearney lived before emigrating to America. European Focus owner James Derheim visited Moneygall on September 1 and found the village still basking in the glow […]
The Lonely Irish Bachelor Farmer
We had an interesting experience the other day while having a picnic near Healy Pass, County Cork. We were sitting on a low stone bridge spanning a babbling brook, complete with nearby waterfall. It was a perfect setting out in the wild country leading up to the stunning Healy Pass. While we were enjoying our […]
Ireland’s Pubs Face Big Challenge Starting in October
Starting soon, empty pubs all across Ireland. Why? Because of Ireland’s newest “get tougher” stance on drinking and driving. Starting on October 1, it will now be illegal to have even one pint before getting behind the wheel. This will certainly be the death of many a village pub, which are reliant on the farmer […]