Relatives in Alsace?

Question

My father traced both sides of my family back to Alsace France; how bizare is that! Does anyone know Smithislers whom I understand still live in Alsace.

Answer 1

That is a mighty coincidence if the two sides of your family didn't know each other from before! I just visited Alsace a week ago, my boyfriend's paternal side is from there. It was very cool to visit a place that has a personal connection, we visited the plaza in Strasbourg where his father took his first baby steps, the street his grandparents used to live on, the small village from which his great and great-great grandfathers came. Alsace is a beautiful, multicultural (Franco-German) region with friendly people. I highly recommend you go there - do a little research beforehand on your ancestors, their villages, see if you can dig up old pictures. And while you're there, you can look up your distant relatives in the area, maybe they'd be happy to meet a member of the long-lost branch of their family! EIther way, you're sure to have a memorable trip!

Answer 2

Itrs not at all bizarre. Alsace had the misfortune to be fought over by France and Germany for a century and many people felt compelled to leave as it changed hands from one country to the other. America has been the preferred country of refuge for quite some time.

By the way, doing a bit of checking on the net I found a statement that the more usual spelling of the name is Schmittheisler or Schmitthausler,