Yes, you have my permission to my
account to the web site. Thank you for asking.
I would definitely be interested in a reunion if there is
one in the U.S.
I "met" a Boris Gegenheimer of
Norway in the mid 1990's over ICQ (when it was new), and one of the
things he mentioned was that there are now more Gegenheimer's in the
United States than in Germany. Another thing I
find interesting is how we (Gegenheimers) seem to spread ourselves
out. My branch of the family alone, although
primarily located along the east cost of the U.S., stretches from
Vermont to Florida.
Speaking of which, I am in the
process of gathering information on my branch of the tree which I
will send to you to be added to the site once completed, if you
wish. I probably won't be able to go much
beyond my grandfather who came alone to the U.S. from Germany in the
late 19th century.
--
- James "Rafe" Gegenheimer
On 7/2/07,
Tom Gegenheimer <tomgegen@tlcg.net>
wrote:
James
Thank you for taking the time to write and provide yet
another version of the "Legend". I received the
"Legend" from somebody from Germany. Your information
is interesting twist to the story. As the last
generation gets older we are more and more removed from
the "real story". I find it interesting that the name
Gegenheimer can be translated as "Against Home". For
years I have wanted to visit Germany and some of the
living Gs. to explore in greater detail the "Legend"
But those that might have greater detail have long since
departed. I will add your note to the web site with
your permission.
My older cousin has talked for years about a G reunion
in the States. I was invited to the one in South
America last year but believe that most of the Gs down
there arrived at very young age and probably were never
exposed to the "historians" of our family name.
Tom G
James Gegenheimer wrote:
I've just read the Legend of the Gegenheimers on
your site www.gegenheimer.com, as well as the
"rebuke" of the legend.
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.
--
- James "Rafe" Gegenheimer
10523 Lariat Ln #33
Manassas, VA 20109-6887
(703) 946-7770
