Letter from James "Rafe" Gegenheimer

I've just read the Legend of the Gegenheimers on your site ( http://www.gegenheimer.com/familytree/ft01_Legend_of_the.htm), as well as the "rebuke" of the legend ( http://www.gegenheimer.com/familytree/ft01a_legend_rebuked.htm).  What I find interesting is that I have heard a similar legend.  I don't remember who originally told it to me, but I know I was quite young.   The legend as I originally heard it did state that the Gegenheimer's are from the area that is now South-West Germany, and that this had taken place a very long time ago (I remember it as being during the late Medieval period, but that may just have been my childhood imagination).   A group of Gypsies who were in the general area were accused of some crime (Sorry, I don't remember the specifics).  While fleeing their accusers the met the Gegenheimers who provided them shelter.   When their pursuers came and demanded that the Gypsies be given to them, they were told, "There are no Gypsies here.  These are all Gegenheimers."   The Gypsies were so grateful that many of them stayed and were adopted into the family; those that left, also took the name Gegenheimer.

 

I don't know if any of it is true, but after seeing such a similar story from another Gegenheimer, I believe there is probably some truth to it.

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-  James "Rafe" Gegenheimer

  10523 Lariat Ln #33

  Manassas, VA 20109-6887

  (703) 946-7770

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