In the early 1870s, smallpox was widespread throughout Europe and claimed more than 170,000 lives in the German Empire alone. In response to the dire circumstances, the German Imperial Vaccination Law went into effect on April 8, 1874. This law required every child in Germany to be vaccinated before the age of three. This certificate of… Continue reading Smallpox
Tag: Immigration
The Missing Sister
In 1975, my mother’s cousin received a letter from a fellow Jentz who was researching the family tree. An exchange of information followed, evidenced by the folder of photocopies and correspondence in the records. Whether the story entered our family lore at this time or we were the ones to share it, I don’t know, but the… Continue reading The Missing Sister
Germany to Wisconsin
Surprising fact: The English and the Scots-Irish are not the most numerous immigrants to America – it’s the Germans. More than thirty-three million German-speaking people left Europe and braved transatlantic travel to start a new life here. The various German states–which would not be united under a single government until 1871—suffered generations of political, religious and… Continue reading Germany to Wisconsin