Ehresmann roots in Climbach, The Alsace, Germany… I mean France
We crossed the German-French border at Wissembourg Oct 2 2008. Being right on our route west from Heidelberg, we spent an afternoon and camped in Climbach, a small village in northeast Alsace (a region that has gone back and forth between France and Germany - well, Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire among other names present day Germany has had - over the centuries and is abounding in beauty with fertile rolling green hills mixed with forests and farm fields) just west of the Rhine Valley where my great great great grandfather, Peter Ehresmann, lived before emigrating to the US near 1870 as a 21 year old. This was my 2nd visit to my ancestral roots, an honor and a blessing; something many Americans would like to do, but is often buried low on their “to do” list.
Almost as soon as we entered Climbach, we met Mr and Mrs Wurtz and their daughter out for a walk, who happen to be greatly interested in Climbachian history. Stopping to ask them about a post office I mentioned my Ehresmann ties to the village of 500, and they immediately sprang to life. They excitedly talked with me (Mr Wurtz translating his wife’s local dialect, a mix of German and French) as I told them of my parents’ and grandparents visit in 1985 and my own previous visit in 2002 while studying abroad in Germany. Mrs Wurtz, a native of Climbach, eagerly went to speak to Mr Lorentz on my behalf, the expert village historian who lives across from the Catholic church who oversees the village’s historical records, to learn about the Ehresmann ties. Interestingly Mrs Wurtz’s maiden name is Urlacher, which is the name of the wife of an Ehresmann man (likely Peter’s father) living in Climbach in 1886 whose family donated money to build a stone crusifix monument “For the honor of God” (written in German) with both Urlacher and Ehresmann names written on it which I had found before in 2002 - a familial connection! Amazing. It was the kind of thing one dreams of happening when going back to your roots. The Wurtzs accompanied me to the stone monument after a stop into the Catholic church where they were married.
We wound up camping near the famous ruins of the 12th century Chapel of the Virgin Mary overlooking the village.
Although beautiful, that evening our fireside time was cut short when the German rain that fell on us every single biking day in Deutschland found us even across the border.
view from our campsite before the rain
October 7th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Hope you have good rain gear. Are you all speaking French now? How are the croissants? Are you going to the louvre and the pompidou? take care…. be careful riding …. wear your vests - I keep trying to get Jim to wear the green jacket…. safe travels…. looking forward to seeing the crew. N
October 9th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
What a neat experience, Peter! We are pleased that Climbach was included on your route, and how wonderful for you to encounter the Wurtz family to add to your knowledge of the Ehresmann family history. You mentioned the rain….when we traveled with your grandmother and grandfather in Europe for three weeks, we had rain almost every day. As a result, everything was lush and beautiful. The locals told us we should have come the previous spring when there had been little if any rain! In spite of the weather, that was one of the most memorable trips we have ever taken. And you are our only family member who has visited Climbach twice! We hope to go there again with John and Jill and their spouses. Thanks for sharing this incident with us.
With love, Mom
October 10th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Hi Peter:
I’m pleased that you were able to again visit our ancesteral “dorf”. I believe that understanding family heritage and actually experiencing where our family traditions originated creats a foundation and satisfaction which lasts ones entire life. Your grandparents talked about visiting Germany and Climbach right up to the week they passed away. Also glad that you were able to visit Mary’s chapel, or what remains of it. As you know, it was destroyed during the 30 years holy war. See you in a few weeks. Love Dad.
May 4th, 2011 at 5:24 am
rp somerville siding
May 4th, 2011 at 5:52 am
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what website owners wrote but this web site is rattling user friendly ! .
June 18th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
If you get this I would very much like to learn more about Peter Ehresmann of Climbach who is my great grandfather, my grandfather was Peter George Ehresmann of Minnesota, then Prairie du Rocher, Il. Thanks!
August 4th, 2011 at 1:34 am
I am a native of Climbach and I live in a village called Eberbach (about 20miles from Climbach). Your blog is nice and interresting. Did you know that Mr Wurz is a VIP in Climbach? He was an Eminent international footbal referee and was often active on TV.
I wish you all the best, and perhaps we will meet us one day in this beautiful place.
November 30th, 2011 at 2:25 pm
business directory…
[…]Blog » Blog Archive » Ehresmann roots in Climbach, The Alsace, Germany… I mean France[…]…
January 4th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
You could utilize the actual promotions as well, when not having the idea recognize these folks had been within the identical correct people about the very same process.
January 24th, 2013 at 12:41 am
I just want to tell you that I am all new to blogs and seriously enjoyed this web site. Probably I’m going to bookmark your website . You amazingly have incredible stories. With thanks for sharing your webpage.
February 1st, 2013 at 7:54 pm
I was ready for something while in the style to your blog for many years, but today I could truthfully not find most things looked like a few things to your lifestyle! I needed, because I need to to go through more, because I really like your composing style!
February 4th, 2013 at 8:28 pm
It’s curious goodluck Preteen Sex Videos hey.. Black Marvin… would you like to give my wife a clear powerfully fucking? she loves black cock… she’ll do want ever you want… as slow as I can watch…
March 2nd, 2013 at 12:11 am
There are some fascinating points in time in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There is some validity but I’ll take hold opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like more! Added to FeedBurner as nicely
March 9th, 2014 at 8:07 am
These are in fact enormous ideas in regarding blogging.
You have touched some good things here. Any way keep up
wrinting.
July 1st, 2014 at 4:58 am
Hey there I am so glad I found your blog, I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Bing for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like
to say thanks for a incredible post and a all round interesting
blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
to browse it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please
do keep up the fantastic work.
October 20th, 2014 at 7:08 am
Useful info. Lucky me I found your website accidentally, and I’m stunned why this accident didn’t came about earlier! I bookmarked it.
October 20th, 2014 at 7:09 am
Looking forward to reading more. Great post.Much thanks again. Really Great.
October 20th, 2014 at 7:09 am
Terrific post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Bless you!
September 18th, 2016 at 4:14 am
Very quickly this web site will be famous amid all blogging people, due to it’s fastidious posts
November 20th, 2017 at 2:56 am
Hey there I am so glad I found your blog, I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Bing for something else.
December 9th, 2017 at 6:31 am
Clash Royale Hack Apk:Thanks to this hack the game becomes more interesting and interesting
December 10th, 2017 at 10:46 am
I gotta favorite this website it seems invaluable very helpful
February 12th, 2018 at 6:06 am
So nice blogs great work.
February 16th, 2018 at 4:29 am
some genuinely quality blog posts on this site, bookmarked.
March 30th, 2020 at 2:41 am
SWF-Animations com The best Adobe Flash Animations Games and Videos For Free