So for the past week, I have been researching the names of the 212 people listed as being buried at the Katholische Friedhof Wirges cemetery in Wirges, Germany (according to Findagrave.com). I have learned some new things both about the town of Wirges and about my ancestors who lived there.
Wirges is located in Westerwaldkreis in Rhineland-Palatinate area of Germany (western Central area of Germany -- not too far east of the Rhine River). Its population is now about 5,000. I have no idea how many people were living there when my ancestors were alive. I need to find some history of Wirges. To the southwest of Wirges, is the town of Dernbach (birthplace of my Nebgen family members), to the southeast is the town of Staudt (many of my Hober relatives lived there) and to the east is Bannberscheid and Moschheim (where Hober relatives also either moved or were born). Actually it was rather exciting to find so many ancestors in such a small area.
Of the 212 names listed for this cemetery, I can prove some family relationship with at least 107 of them. Now there are 28 additional people who have the name Hober but I can't quite fit them into my family tree yet. What I find interesting is that these Hober's are more current (from the 1800's) vs. the Hober's I know that are related to me (who are from the 1600 and 1700's). Usually I have the opposite problem -- can see the relationship of more current people but not so much those ancient ancestors. I guess it is a good problem to have!
Wirges (and even more specifically this cemetery) is now on my "bucket list". Supposedly the graves of my 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th great grandparents are located there. How could I not want to go? I could also visit the nearby town of Dernbach (home town of my Nebgen's) while I am there.
Well, back to my research ....
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