In line with the topic of researching in Germany, I would make these simple observations. Please understand that I have done very little researching in Germany. My comments would also apply to someone who was interested in visiting the old home church for sentimental reasons.
On our trip two years ago, one of the intended high points was to visit the church in Kettenbach, from where my wife's Martin Zerby ancestor had left in 1709. Prior to departure, I had attempted some letter writing with the pastor, whose name and address I knew from a web page. This was not entirely satisfactory, and he even suggested that the local authority had questions about Martin Zerby.
Kettenbach was the first village we visited in Germany, so it was a matter of learning as we went. First, the church was locked. This will be the usual case with Protestant churches. Typically, no one will be around the church, but in some cases the parish office will be in, or at, the church. Outside the church there is a bulletin board, probably mandated by law, which tells which Sundays there are services, and the hours of the services, along with the pastor's office hours. The typical pastor in Germany has several churches. Perhaps his largest church has a service every Sunday. Another of his churches may have two services per month, and perhaps two other churches have only one service per month. Typically, the pastor holds two services each Sunday in two different locations.
During our visit to the church in Kettenbach, we did learn that there would be a special musical program on the following Saturday evening, and we did learn that there would be a Sunday service, and its time. We came back Saturday afternoon and we were able to locate the pastor (he actually lived next door and the parish office was in the same building along with the kindergarten). He remembered us from our correspondence, and he arranged to show us the church book with the baptism of Martin Zerby. We had no difficulty finding the entry pertaining to him, because we did know the date, though had we not known this we would never have found him. (The writing was very weak.)
The pastor did unlock the church (it was going to be open for the musical program). Thus, we could go in and take pictures without disturbing anyone.
In Oberfischbach, the Parish office was in the church, and the church was open. They welcomed us to come in, look, and take pictures. They even gave us a book of history of the church.
In Illenschwang, the church was locked. I did want very much to see the church of Andreas Gaar, so I went to the building next door and, sure enough, one of the doorbells was marked with the title of Pfarrer (Pastor). The door was answered by the pastor's wife (he was not in town), and her English was good. She volunteered to unlock the church and let us look around.
Pictures of the Kettenbach, Oberfischbach, and Illenschwang churches are on the Germanna Photo Page maintained by Sgt. George on this web site. Start with the web page at
germany-photos.html">
Germany and Austria Photos
and follow through to the German photos.
(18 Jan 02)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.