Welcome.
This blog is a place for family stories, ancestry research, local history, and the lives of ordinary people whose stories might otherwise be forgotten.
What began with questions about family history soon led to old photographs, church records, archives, family memories, and unexpected discoveries. Along the way, I realised that researching ancestors is about far more than names and dates. It is also about understanding the places they lived, the communities they belonged to, and the historical events that shaped their lives.
Here you will find family memories, local histories, migration stories, research discoveries, and reflections on the long past. Some stories are based on family recollections, others on historical sources and archival research, and many combine both.
I write in short snapshots rather than long essays. Sometimes a story begins with a photograph, a question, or a forgotten name. Sometimes it starts with a place. Each post is a small piece of a much larger story.
And always, there is Esel—my faithful toy donkey, travelling companion, and namesake of this blog.
Whether you are interested in genealogy, local history, family stories, or simply curious about the lives of those who came before us, I hope you find something here that sparks curiosity and keeps a memory alive.
Welcome to the journey.