Description

This book provides an introduction into the life and times of Germans who settled in Pennsylvania. The first permanent all-German settlement was established in America in October 1683 at Germantown, which is now a part of Philadelphia. Germantown would then become the German-American center into the 19th century. This book describes immigration from Germany and the hardships immigrants encountered, pioneer life, religion and education, manners, customs and dress. Chapters discuss the distinctiveness of the Mennonites as Pennsylvania Germans, and proverbs and superstitions. Finally there is a short chapter devoted to gleanings of old records, which deals primarily with the Rosenberger family, beginning with the pioneer Heinrich Rosenberger.