Follow Friday: FrankenGen Blog

St. Lorenz Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth Michigan

Photo Credit:  By Jakebelder at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

Recently, Mary Bernthal started blogging at FrankenGen.  Mary's blog is a wonderful look at the genealogy of the Saginaw Valley's Franconian Settlement. Four colonies from Franconia, Bavaria, Germany settled in the Saginaw Valley in Michigan:  Frankenmuth, Frankentrost, Frankenlust and Frankenhilf.  Frankenmuth is called "Michigan's Little Bavaria" and Frankenmuth means courage of the Franconians.

FrankenGen is a place for resources, stories, history, and genealogy of this area. The area, especially Frankenmuth, is rich in history. Mary plans to share her knowledge about German Lutheran Genealogy in the American Midwest with her readers also.

I have lived in Michigan all my life and Frankenmuth is one of my all-time favorites Michigan cities to visit.  I look forward to reading more about the genealogy and history of the area.  I already have expanded my knowledge of the area by reading her blog.

Check out a few of my favorite posts on her blog:

• Peril on the High Seas:  The Voyage of the Bark Caroline:  Mary shares the adventures that the first settlers to Frankenmuth experienced on their voyage from Germany to America.  She provides references for further reading.
• Passing of the Last of the Old Pioneers:  A post on Johann Leonhard Bernthal, the last original Frankenmuth pioneer. 
• 3 Free Local Newspaper Archives:  Links to three newspapers of the area will help those who want to research in the Saginaw Valley area.

FrankenGen is a well written blog and one that I hope you will read regularly.  A list of surnames Mary is researching is included.  Mary is participating in some of the geneabloggers themes too.  Whether you have Franconian ancestors or not, check FrankenGen out, you won't be disappointed.