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From:
Subject: Re: [FOLKS] Swiss- Germans in Niagara County
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2003 14:16:38 EDT


"To me, this indicates that there must have been
communities in the area where German was the main language."

In Niagara County there were many areas where the main language was German.
When I met my 'husband to be' his grandfather (Albert Wienke) who was born in
Germany, lived with them and spoke very little English. This was in 1944. He
was retired at that time but had worked as a carpenter at the Wurlitzer Plant in
North Tonwanda. There must have many who spoke German for him to be able to
understand and be understood. At home they spoke German. MMy husband's side of
the family (the Molls) came to America in 1843-47 but all following
generations spoke German. There are still people in Bergholz who can speak the language,
especially Plattdutsch or low German.  

Some of the surrounding areas were and still are considered, very German;
Bergholz, Wallmore, St. Johnsburg, Sanborn, etc.

Barbara Moll

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