The Post Office brought my Winter 2002 issue of the Germanna Foundation Newsletter called "Germanna". I can remember the days when the Foundation put out what seemed like one page once a year. So the current issue was all the sweeter. One could gather an impression of what the Foundation was doing. It has been very active.
The newsletter had a good feature article by Heinz Prinz on what the Siegerland was like at the time of the departure of the First Colony. His story was very enlightening and filled with information where you may see the reasons the First Colony had for leaving the Seigerland in 1713. It corrects a number of misconceptions that have been floating around.
Two cemeteries have been located in the Germantown area. It would be nice to have aerial infrared photographs to define them better. If any of you want to finance the endeavor, which will cost many nickels, talk to Thom Faircloth and tell him how you can help. Infrared photographs detect soil disturbances even though the disturbance was three centuries ago.
Thom writes some about the ways in which Salubria might be put on a financially sustaining basis. The property can be rented for weddings, reunions, and group meetings. Those of you at last summer's Reunion, will remember how the group was able to meet there. If you are having a group meeting in Northern Virginia, remember Salubria as a possibility.
Orange County and the Foundation have reached an agreement by which Orange County will provide help in manning the Foundation's Visitors Center, which will be help to the Foundation. And the Visitors Center provides an extension of the service points that the county can use to acquaint visitors with both Orange County and with the site of the first settlement in what became Orange County.
If you are not a part of the Germanna Foundation, perhaps it is time to consider joining. You can help or you can just meet cousins. But either way, your financial support is desired and needed.
(28 Dec 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.