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Pennsylvania is a land of German heritage. Early Census reveals many with the Hoehn name in the Philadelphia
area as well as western Pennsylvania. The geographic regions of western Germany mimic the
moutaineous and fertile soil regions of the state. As you look through the many small towns and villages of
rural Pennsylvania it is not hard to see that German names are prevalent. It is not hard to understand when you
look at maps that the Germany's early settlers in the colonies found the Pennsylvania countryside to their liking.
By the 1800's, those that continued to come from Europe, found townships like Wurtemburg in Lawrence County
named after Württemberg, Germany.
WHERE IS ALSACE-LORRAINE? The original Hoehn ancestor
buried in Butler County has Alsace Germany inscribed on his tombstone. Even though the name may be hard to read click
here or on the image at the right and take a close look at this picture. This tombstone resides
in the St. Johns Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Lovi Cemetery in Cranberry Township. The name inscribed had a very strong American influence as
records show the real name to be Johannes Valentin Hoehn. Alsace-Lorraine is both French and German as the region has changed
ownership over the many centuries. This geographic area is a narrow strip from the Swiss border in the south up to the German border
in the north of Strasbourg, France. Craddled by the Vosges Mountains and the River Rhine, the area has a climate similiar to that
of Pennsylvania year around. Alsace is the cultural center, while Strasbourg is the intellectual and financial center today. The
people of Alsace are a sort of crossroads where seriousness and gaitey meet, an engaging combination of Germanic
thoroughness and reliability with French "joie de vivre."
Lorraine is the northeast province of France with the Capital of Metz. The French recognize that this area has through history
been an area of geographic and strategic importance. Agriculture is prevalent but mining is still strong in the area. Industries
in the area are dependent upon metal works as well as wood and textile mills. Rail and river transport are prevalent in the
area with the Moselle River connecting with the Rhine. Through the years it is said that our original ancestor, John Valentine came
from a family of coalminers.
Click here or on the image on the left to see a geographic representation of the Alsace-Lorraine area. Note the red line border of the
region which both encompasses France and Germany. The image is large and may take some time to load within your browser.
For a more representative look, click on the Germany map on the right for a closer look at the area that is circled.
This map should be a little easier to read and see the Alsace-Lorraine area.
What is it about this region that kings and rulers over centuries have found to be so important? Is it the geography or the people?
Once you read the history you immediately look to the people whose own ancestors have been torn between two countries. Through
research I was able to find a great historical piece written in 1997 by Susan Elaine Clarkson
of Central Michigan University. Please take the time to read this wonderful
review of the History of Alsace and Lorraine.
Through research, I found the family name Hoehn originated in Switzerland. From the map of Germany on this page
you can see the close proximity of not only Switzerland but also of Austria. One account I was able to find on a German
web site traces Hoehn to the
Bavarian Alps. The ancestral roots are definitely of Germanic origin. I was able to find a family coat-of-arms in Switzerland.
That image appears here on the right of the text.
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