I am still on my blogging break for the next week or so, but wanted to reach out and thank all of you for reading my stories this year and especially to all of you who helped me by providing researching suggestions, translating documents, and commenting on my posts. The support I’ve received is very much appreciated and makes this project so much more enjoyable and fulfilling than if I had to do it all alone without feedback and support.
As I look back on 2017, it wasn’t my favorite year in many ways, but in terms of family history, it was a wonderful year. Visiting Germany and getting to see where my ancestors once lived was an incredible experience; what made it particularly special was getting to spend time with my cousin Wolfgang and his family and with my cousin Ulrike and meeting in person some of the many people who have helped me with my research—Dorothee, Beate, Hans-Peter, Ernst, Julia, and Aaron.
In terms of research, 2017 was the year of the Katzensteins, and what a fascinating family they were and are. Visiting Jesberg made all that research come to life as I imagined my great-great-grandfather Gerson walking those streets along with his siblings and cousins. And connecting with so many of my Katzenstein cousins made this research particularly rewarding and exciting. I have newly-found cousins from all over the US—Oklahoma, Texas, California, Massachusetts (!), Delaware, and so on. I cherish each and every one of the new leaves I’ve been able to add to the family tree.
As I venture into 2018, I look forward to learning the stories of my Goldschmidt ancestors and relatives. Every family line I research brings me new insights into Jewish history and into my own story. Every new line teaches me how interconnected we human beings truly are—how we have unique personal stories but also share universal stories of love and hate, success and loss, courage and cowardice, creativity and inventiveness, peace and war, sickness and health.
Let us all hope that in 2018 our leaders and our world also recognize our interconnectedness, our need for each other, and our need to help each other. We cannot exist without each other. We are all part of one big family tree.
Happy New Year ~ and thanks for blogging !!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading!! See you soon.
LikeLike
So beautifully said Amy. Excited to learn about your Goldschmidt ancestors…enjoy your break, I hope your doing something fabulous even if that is just relaxing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sharon!!
LikeLike
Amy, we hope you and Harvey have a wonderful New Year and hope to see you in 2018.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So do we!! Wishing you all the best.
LikeLike
I was also intrigued by your Katz/Katzenberg family exploration. Best wishes for the new year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ellen!
LikeLike
You continue to inspire others with your research and findings. I wish you a happy and healthy
New Year and every success with your Goldschmidt ancestry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Shirley. I am so glad to have you along on my journey!
LikeLike
Wishing for love and peace to the world. Happy New Year, Amy. Looking forward to seeing what Brotmanblog brings to 2018.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Cathy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year, Amy! I can’t wait to see where your research takes you this year!
LikeLike
Thanks, Luanne! I am excited to see what else you find in your journeys as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year, Amy. I’m excited to read about your discoveries in 2018!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Debi! I look forward to reading your stories also.
LikeLike
Beautifully said Amy. I share your wishes for our world. I have so enjoyed learning about your family and its history, and I’m looking forward to new branches and new stories in 2018. Happy New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Su—I look forward to more of your gorgeous photographs and hopefully also some genealogy posts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Amy. I’m hoping to spend more time on genealogy. If only I didn’t keep finding distractions 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, at least you have some very creative distractions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A happy, healthy and safe one, Amy!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year, Amy! Your blog continues to be one of my favorites.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Pancho! I hope you are able to post more in 2018—-I miss being one of Pancho’s People!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just did. It’s very much my goal to pick it back up this year. Thanks for hanging in there with me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just saw that you posted! I am about to doze off now, but will read it in the morning. I am SO glad you are coming back. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Happy New Year to you too! I enjoy the genealogy so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you—same to you!
LikeLike
I love this, Amy. We really are all part of one big family tree. We need each other so much more than we realize sometimes. I hope 2018 is filled with wonderful experiences for you – in and out of the genealogy realm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person