In 1999, Ken registered name Kohnhorst in ancestry.com and months later came a reply in German from a young man named Alex who wrote, “ My name is Kohnhorst and perhaps we are related.” We corresponded several months and then anticipating another trip to Germany, Ken and I shared news with Alex, whose response was, “ You must meet and stay with my parents in Nordhorn.” This town, located north of Munster lies 2 kilometers from the Dutch border.

Arriving in Nordhorn, we contacted Alex who escorted us to his parent's home. The moment we were in front of the house, Adolf and Gertrud came outside, warmly greeting us. Ken later remarked, “ The moment I saw Adolf, I felt an immediate emotional connection.” After evening of conversation and traditional “Brotzeit” ( evening cold cuts platter) we were shown comfortable beds in guest room graciously prepared for us. Greeting us at breakfast, Adolf declared, “ Today we drive to see the Kohnhorst property.” After approximately thirty minutes we arrived in Ladbergen. On outskirts we turned onto narrow country road where Adolf stopped, pointed to street sign, “Kohnhorstweg” (Kohnhorst Lane) and bus stop sign, Kohnhorst Bushaltestelle. After our amazement and photos, Adolf turned into a huge, wide driveway where beyond stood an enormous , old brick estate. We observed several additional large brick buildings adjacent to the obvious family dwelling.

We were greeted and invited into the house by an elderly lady who proudly announced her name, Kohnhorst. Entering the living area, was a large wall map displaying the Kohnhorst Estate and neighboring wall held photos of five gentlemen of Kohnhorst generation. We learned members of the Kohnhorst family resided on this property 800 years. Another wall, held the family crest, depicting a wild boar. It is suspected these animals were wild and hunted on the property in early centuries. Family history indicates the Kohnhorsts were well-to-do pig farmers. During ensuing coffee and conversation period, Adolf inquired if Ken appeared to resemble the family, to which the lady of the house responded, :Absolutely!”

We returned to Nordhorn and later Adolf remarked, “ Here is a book of our family which might be of interest.” As Ken enjoyed evening beer, he discovered a album page describing his great-great grandfather sailing to America. This information was the lost tie that Ken’s mother had not found. Now, with this information Ken verified his German roots and discovered the information that confirmed family history as early as 1149.

“It is amazing the feeling that comes discovering one’s heritage!” relates Ken, as he attributes the adventure into the past as a blessing based on modern technology, for without the internet connection he might never have closed the circle and brought closure to the search his mother began so many years ago.

To start your own research, check out allgerman.com and we hope your adventure is as interesting, exciting and enjoyable as ours!

I invite you to visit our Family Kohnhorst website and I hope this will inspire you to "find your roots"