More than 300 years ago, the English colony of Virginia in America was the destination of numerous emigrants from Europe. Citizens of the former Principality of Nassau-Siegen also ventured to emigrate after receiving permission from the sovereign. With their knowledge, mining and metallurgical experts had prospects for a better future for themselves and their families in Virginia.

Twenty-three descendants of the Siegerland emigrants, organized since 1956 in the Memorial Foundation of the Germanna Colonies in Virginia, have now visited the villages of their ancestors for the 19th time. The guests were first welcomed by the Mayor of Freudenberg, Nicole Reschke. The unique half-timbered ensemble of the “Alter Flecken” impressed the American guests.

The guests were given an insight into old church records and were amazed at the entries relating to baptisms, marriages and funerals of their ancestors in the Freudenberg districts of Oberfischbach and Niederndorf as well as in the Siegen district of Trupbach. Of 42 emigrants at the time, 21 came from what is now the Siegen district, including the ancestors of the second man on the moon, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Oscar winner Brad Pitt. The next day, a tour of Siegen’s old town included a visit to the Nikolaikirche church. Johann Henrich Häger received special attention here. After working for 14 years at the Siegen Latin School on the upper floor of St. Nicholas’ Church, he became pastor in Niederfischbach in 1703 and, as an organizer, led the immigrants to the New World in 1713, stopping off in London. By his own admission, he was no longer able to work as a pastor for health reasons, but died at the biblical age of 92.

The program also included a reception in the Siegen district hall by District Administrator Andreas Müller.

The program of the Americans with Siegerland roots, led by Barbara Price and Cathi Clore Frost, also included Netphen with a visit to the Martinikirche, Siegen-Niederschelden (Gerhardseifen excavation site), Obersdorf-Rödgen (simultaneous church), Kreuztal-Fellinghausen (historic Hauberg – a special form of Siegerland coppice forestry), the Siegen district of Eisern with its old chapel school dedicated to the Siegerland faith and the Hilchenbach district of Müsen (mining museum, tunnels and Protestant church).

The visit was organized by members of the German-American Society Siegen-Wittgenstein (DAG SiWi) and other volunteers. The DAG SiWi members also took part in an evening get-together at the newly renovated Brauereigasthof Irle in Siegen, where they enjoyed lively informal discussions over dinner.

A farewell evening with Siegerland friends in a Freudenberg hotel, the permanent accommodation during the stay, rounded off the visit program.

Some of the travel group had ancestors in Kraichgau. After an eventful tour in Siegerland, it was time to pack their bags again for the end of the trip in Baden-Württemberg.