For my family research, I traveled in late April to Würzburg. The aim was to visit the local Diocesan Archives. I wanted to clarify the origin of my maternal great-grandfather. He was born in the Netherlands and emigrated in 1900 to Munster, Germany. Apparently no one had bothered in the family of the for the Netherlands
atypical last name and the Ketzener's were considered "original" Dutch. By searching the Internet I had found out, however, that the family originally came rom the region of Franconia. But the birthplace "Katsmunt aan de Main, Duitsland" was nowhere to locate. Even the State Archives Würzburg could not find it in a list of defunct villages. What to do? Startling to me was the fact that the first child of Johan George Ketzener was born in "Germund aan de Main". That was maybe a little. As I checked it is today Gemünden am Main - and all church records were filmed in the Diocesan Archives in Würzburg. My guess would prove to be a direct hit. My ancestor in fact emigrated 1806-1808 from Gemünden to the Netherlands. At present I'm still working on the evaluation of my research results, which will be published here as well.
My trip was under a lucky star. The April of 2011 was one of the finest and warmest in years. By car I quickly went via Frankfurt to the south. I left the Autobahn near Aschaffenburg, in order to turn to Gemünden. The small town was mentioned in documents in 1243 and is of small size. Left over after WW2- damage are still three city fortifications. High above the town are located in a prominent position the castle ruins of Scherenburg, beyond the Franconian Saale river is the Hutten baroque palace. My ancestors were baptized in the Catholic parish church of St. Peter and Paul.
Along the Main river, I further went south. Next stop before going to Würzburg was Veitshöchheim - known for the Bishop summer palace and the beautiful Rococo Garden. Already in 1988 I had visited the magnificent place - still a student.
From Veitshöchheim it is only 10 km to Würzburg, which also presented itself in fantastic weather. Since my hotel was centrally located, I could walk into the old town comfortably. I visited the town hall, the cathedral and other sites. Romantic was always the atmosphere at the old Main bridge, on which "tout Würzburg" was drinking a glass of wine. Again and again the Residenz is worth a visit of course, including the residence garden. I could not resist the temptation and let take a picture of me in the same position as 23 years ago - as time goes bye! Of course a visit to Würzburg is not complete without a visit to the Fortress Marienberg on the left side of the Main. 1988 we went there by foot, this time I used a car.
All too soon the time was coming towards the end of my stay.
Gemünden: Old town and St. Peter and Paul parish church
Gemünden: Ruin of Scherenburg castle (13th cent.)
Gemünden: Hutten castle (1711)
Veitshöchheim: Castle and rokokogarden (1680-1682)
Würzburg: Neumünster church
Würzburg: View from the Alten Mainbrücke towards town hall and cathedral
Würzburg: View from the Alten Mainbrücke towards Marienberg Fortress
Würzburg: On the fountain of the Residenz 2011 and 1988
