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Archiver > ROOTS > 1990-03 > 0638551927-01


From: Leonard Abbey <>
Subject: Re: Help with 1752 German passport
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 90 10:32:07 EST
In-Reply-To: Message of Mon, 26 Mar 90 17:39:36 CST from <ROOTS-OP@NDSUVM1.BITNET>


George, what do you not understand about the 1752 passport? Remember,
there were no real passports as we understand them at that time. The
passport is a recent abridgment of our freedom!

The document you have is a formal release from feudal servitude for the
purpose of immigration. Servitude may be too strong a word, but the
prevailing social system in Germany at that time was a descendant of
feudalism.

This document enabled the recipient to travel without fear of being
seized and returned to his native principality.

Leonard Abbey
Georgia Tech
Research Institute

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