This paper traces the history of East Friesland, a small region in northwest Germany, from ancient times to the 19th century, with a particular focus on its people’s migration to the American Midwest. It begins by exploring the region’s roots in the Germanic tribes and its subsequent influence by Frankish, Dutch, and Prussian empires. The paper then delves into the cultural and economic aspects of East Friesland, highlighting its unique agricultural practices, religious landscape, and the impact of the Protestant Reformation. It concludes by examining the reasons for 19th-century East Frisian migration to the United States, the challenges they faced, and their lasting contributions to the American Midwest. The author, Derek Heeren, a descendant of East Frisian immigrants, aims to provide a layman’s summary of East Frisian history, intended primarily for those researching their family genealogy.
SOURCE
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Genealogy Resources Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
4-28-2023
Ethnic Heritage of the Families from East Friesland (Northwest
Germany) who Migrated to the American Midwest
Derek M. Heeren