At least I don't have any Uncle Dad or Aunt Grandma stories ... this thread is interesting!
One of my ancestors was charged with some type of muntiny on the ship over 3 centuries ago. When one of the brothers moved to this area shortly after the rest settled further north he changed our last name .... similar, but very different.
Now why would one do that? No one knows...
Other side (also from around Stuttgart) changed just the spelling when arriving too... legit
Turns out .... I come from a land baron ... granted 500 acres from the King ... acquired another 1500 ... well known and prolly right up there with George Washington in these parts.... I dunno...
I know where his grave is .... a couple miles from my ponds. Why there? I dunno... his 2K acres were in the next county... I drive by them all the time. They haven't been part of mom's family for over 250 years
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We lost two civil wars .... NO one has a clue how it got "out of the family" ....
Mom grew up with 3 houses on 120 acres (purchased by 3 brothers)... a few miles away .... purchased in the late 1800s....
You start over .... that's my family
Life wasn't easy.... but it was great.
Still is .... compared to most ... Lucky US
Great thread!