The Zaehring Family History in America
The Story
Other Resources
If you are a "Zaehring"
relative, have any information
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In beginning a family history, it must be acknowledged
that family history is so much more than facts and
dates. It is the whole environment into which each
family member comes, a combination of genes and
personalities interacting with situations perhaps unique
in history.
What made a Prussian family with five children emigrate
from a place which was familiar to a foreign land across
the sea? What impact does living near the harbor in
Brooklyn as immigrants play on who they saw themselves to
be?
The first generation born in this country spent childhood
in New Jersey amidst a country at war with the “old
country” and animosity in the neighborhood. Having
rocks hurled at young school age children for being
“German” has significance in understanding who they grew
up to be. Maturing during a decade long depression,
which resulted in both economic depression as well as
personal depression, also had life-long effects.
As we uncover these external facts, it at least leads us
to speculate as to the personalities and make-up of those
who were responsible for shaping our parent’s – and even
our own – lives. All of our ancestors were imperfect
people with their own faults and foibles– not a lot
different than we are today. But a generation ago
family didn’t talk about such things much, so we were left
to wonder about unexplainable behaviors.
We all carry with us the baggage of what has gone
before. In understanding some of it, perhaps we can
come to peace with it and use it to make each of us
stronger for having known.
Next: The
First Generation
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