The German Interest Group of The Eastside Genealogical Society will meet on Friday, October 7, 2016 from 1 to 3 pm in the Relief Society Room of the LDS Church at 10675 NE 20thSt, Bellevue, WA 98004 with doors opening at 12:45 pm for networking. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings.
Topic: Marburg, Germany, historic capital of Hessia
The town of Marburg, Germany, with its Marburger Schloss castle, museums, cathedrals and 16th century half-timbered houses, was once the seat of the Hessian government, thus the homeland of many of the early German immigrants to the U.S. In addition to Hessia’s cache of genealogical records, Marburg is home to many intriguing stories, having been at the crossroads of significant events throughout history. In the 1200s, Elizabeth of Thuringia cared for the sick there; the stories of her sainthood and miracles live on through the majestic medieval St. Elizabeth Cathedral. In addition to its Catholic roots, Marburg is the location of the first Protestant university. In 1529, at a key moment of the Reformation, whether or not the various factions of Luther’s Reformation could agree hung in the balance at the Marburg Colloquy. At one time the town was home to the Brothers Grimm. In her powerpoint presentation, Claire Gebben will share sights and history about Marburg she learned while visiting there this past spring.
Speaker: Claire Gebben is the author of The Last of the Blacksmiths, a novel set in the mid-19th century based on the true story of her German immigrant great-great grandfather. Ms. Gebben’s articles have appeared in Family Chronicle Magazine, Fiske Genealogical Foundation Newsletter, and her piece on German Separatist Zoar Village in Ohio appeared in the June/July 2016 issue of German Life magazine. She is the historian of the 163-year-old First United Methodist Church of Seattle, and holds an MFA in Creative Writing through the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. http://clairegebben.com
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Dorothy Pretare
GIG Leader