Bayern - Bavaria - Profile of the German Federal State View of the Bavarian Alps. A virtual guide to the German Federal State of Bayern. Beside a state profile, this page offers links to sources that provide you with information about this "Bundesland", e.g.: official web sites, local news, culture, history, education, city- and country guides with travel and visitors information, tourist attractions, events and much more. Bayern, Bavaria Flag of the Free State of Bavaria en: Free State of Bavaria Nick name: The Beer State Abbreviation: BY Time zone: Central European Time (CET); Central European Summer Time (CEST) (UTC+1/+2) Capital City: München (Munich; pop. 1.4 million) Other Cities: Augsburg, Bamberg, Bayreuth, Erlangen, Fürth, Ingolstadt, Nürnberg (Nuremberg), Passau, Regensburg, Würzburg. Geography: Location: in the southeastern part of Germany, bordering Czech Republic in east, Austria in south Area : 70,550 km² Religions: 25% Protestants, 55% Roman Catholic.

Natural resources: Sand and gravel, natural stone, clay, silica sand, kaolin. Agriculture products: Dairy products, cheese, meat and meat products, sugar, beer, hops. Industries: Car industry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, foods, tourism. The Free State of Bavaria (in German: Freistaat Bayern) comprises the entire southeast portion of Germany. It is geographically the largest federal state in the country. Bayern shares international borders with Austria and the Czech Republic as well as with Switzerland (across Lake of Constance). Neighbouring federal states within Germany are Baden-Württemberg , Hesse , Thuringia (Thüringen) and Saxony (Sachsen). The landscape of Bavaria consists of four major regions: the Bavarian Alps, with Zugspitze, the highest mountain in Germany at 2,962m in south; the Alpine foothills, known as the Bavarian Alpine Foreland with its numerous lakes; the Eastern Bavarian central mountains, a wooded low-mountain region with Germany's first national park, the Bavarian Forest National Park; and in west, the plateaus of Swabia and Frankenalb (Jura).

Bavaria is divided in 7 administrative regions: Oberfranken (Upper Franconia), Mittelfranken (Middle Franconia), Unterfranken (Lower Franconia), Bayerisch Schwaben with Allgäu (Bavarian Swabia), Oberpfalz, (Upper Palatinate), Oberbayern (Upper Bavaria), and Niederbayern (Lower Bavaria) Note: External links will open in a new browser window. Official Sites of Bayern Bayer Name Meaning & Bayer Family History at Ancestry.com Bayer Family History Bayer Name Meaning German, Scandinavian, and Jewish (Ashkenazic): regional name for someone from Bavaria (German Bayern). This region of southern Germany derives its name from that of the Celtic tribe of the Boii who once inhabited this area. They were displaced in the 6th century ad by a Germanic people, the Boioarii or Baiuarii, whose name is derived from that of their Celtic predecessors.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names ©2013, Oxford University Press 505,316 Historical Documents with Bayer on Ancestry 252,558 Birth, Marriage, and Deaths 68,619 Census and Voter Lists 36,266 Military Records Bavaria – Germanys number one holiday region Media gallery Bavaria – Germany's number one holiday region Inspiration and a passion for life. Blue skies and crystal-clear lakes. Small medieval towns and vibrant cities. Bavarian traditions and warm hospitality. Mystical forests and snow-capped mountain peaks. Outdoor activities and relaxation. UNESCO World Heritage and a wealth of cultural attractions. The diversity of Bavaria Introducing the Free State of Bavaria in southern Germany with Munich , the regional capital, and its picture-perfect countryside. Unspoilt natural surroundings, healthy air, a wealth of culture and the proverbially laid-back Bavarian attitude to life are its hallmarks. Bavaria's medieval castles and small towns, magnificent palaces and baroque churches, not to mention its urban centres, provide the perfect setting for everything from traditional festivals to high opera. A harmonious blend of the traditional and the modern.

Holidaymakers in search of relaxation or those with energy to burn will love the region's many sparkling lakes, its national parks and nature reserves, its myth-enshrouded forests and sun-drenched vineyards, its dramatic hills and, of course, the majestic Alps – home to the tallest peak in Germany, Mount Zugspitze. The Romantic Road , the Castles Route , the German Alpine Road and many other popular tourist routes are the best ways to explore these richly varied landscapes. World-famous attractions Countless idyllic villages, medieval seats of power and of course Munich – the region’s capital – are the hallmarks of Bavaria. Other prominent features include gorgeous palaces, ornamental baroque churches, medieval abbeys and mighty castles. Famous internationally are King Ludwig II’s Neuschwanstein Castle and the UNESCO-listed ensembles of Wieskirche pilgrimage church , the Roman Limes , Würzburg , Bamberg and Regensburg . All in all, Bavaria has more than 100,000 architectural monuments, more than 1,200 museums and collections and 40 first-class venues for theatre and opera.

Traditional events in the region include the Oktoberfest in Munich, the Landshut Wedding historical pageant, the Oberammergau Passion Plays and Nuremberg’s Christmas market . But it takes more than just scenery and cultural attractions to attract such a huge number of visitors year after year. Which is why Bavaria also offers a range of dependable, quality-certified packages focused on wellness, families, the outdoors (in summer and in winter), culture & cities, food & drink and business travel © BAYERN TOURISMUS Marketing GmbH Bavaria Germany Map - Free Downloadable Bayern Map Also Explore: Bayern Karte Located in southeast Germany, Bavaria is the largest state in the country. Spread over an area of 70,548 square kilometers and comprising a population of 12.6 million people, it is also the second most populous state of the country. Munich is the capital and largest city of Bavaria and is also Germany's third largest city. The state, whose rich past dates back to the 6th century AD, has played a prominent role in the history of the nation. In 1806, Bavaria became a kingdom.

In 1870, with the French declaration of war on Prussia, Bavaria, along with Baden, Württemberg and Hessen-Darmstadt joined the Prussian forces. Bavaria ultimately became a part of the Federation, which, in 1871, was renamed German Empire. During the Cold War era, the state was a part of West Germany and with the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990, it joined the Federal republic of Germany. Getting from Bavaria to other parts of the country is easy as the state is well-connected by an efficient rail and bus service. Munich, Nuremberg, Allgäu Airport, Memmingen and Augsburg are some important airports that provide air connectivity to the rest of the world. Some of the places worth visiting in Bavaria are the Bavarian Forest, which includes the Bavarian Forest National Park, the Bavarian Forest Nature Park and the Eastern Bavarian Forest Nature Park. The Bavarian alps not only provide a spectacular view to the tourists, but also numerous attractions such as fabulous forest walks and climbs.

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is home to numerous attractions such as churches, shopping centers, places to eat, among others. Other notable attractions include the German Alpine Highway, Old Town Aschaffenburg, Bamberg Cathedral, Imperial Regensburg on the Blue Danube, to name a few. Places to Visit in Germany | Your Germany City Travel Guide Places to Visit in Germany German regions Bavaria The county of Bavaria prides itself on its uniqueness and is effectively if not officially a state within the German state. Bavaria features beautiful lakes, forests and the towering summits of the Alps. Bavaria Black Forest The Black Forest ('Schwarzwald') is a region of Germany mainly known for three distinctive features: its highlands, scenery and woods and its typical cake ('Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte'). Black Forest Germany's East In many ways the former German Democratic Republic is Germany's problem child. Still, Eastern Germany is an exciting destination with numerous architectural highlights and cultural and historical importance. Germany's East Rhine Valley Due to its stunning beauty, the Rhine Valley is a popular holiday destination.

Castles, cathedrals, woods and vineyards, hiking trails and a romantic river bed all contribute to the scenery. Rhine Valley Ruhrpott - Ruhr Valley Ruhr Valley is famous for its industrial history, originally based on coal mining and steel production. Today, the region benefits from its industrial mix of energy production, environmental technologies and modern service industries. Ruhr Valley North and Baltic Sea The coastline of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea offer an interesting array of scenery from sandy beaches to jagged cliffs adorned with sleepy coastal towns. The English Meanings of German Last Names By Hyde Flippo Updated August 03, 2016. The first European surnames seem to have arisen in northern Italy around 1000 A.D., gradually spreading northward into the Germanic lands and the rest of Europe. By 1500 the use of family names such as Schmidt (smith), Petersen (son of Peter), and Bäcker (baker) was common in the German-speaking regions and all across Europe.

Persons trying to track down their family history owe a debt of gratitude to the Council of Trent (1563)—which decreed that all Catholic parishes had to keep full records of baptisms. The Protestants soon joined in this practice, furthering the use of family names throughout Europe. European Jews began the use of surnames relatively late, around the end of the 18th century. Officially, Jews in what is today Germany had to have a surname after 1808. Jewish registers in Württemberg are largely intact and go back to about 1750. The Austrian empire required official family names for Jews in 1787. Jewish families often adopted surnames that reflected religious occupations such as Kantor (lower priest), Kohn/Kahn (priest), or Levi (name of the tribe of priests). Other Jewish families acquired surnames based on nicknames: Hirsch (deer), Eberstark(strong as a boar), or Hitzig (heated).

Many took their name from the home town of their ancestors: Austerlitz, Berliner (Emil Berliner invented the disc phonograph), Frankfurter,Heilbronner, etc. The name they received sometimes depended on how much a family could afford to pay. Wealthier familes received German names that had a pleasant or prosperous sound (Goldstein, gold stone, Rosenthal, rose valley), while the less prosperous had to settle for less prestigious names based on a place (Schwab, from Swabia), an occupation (Schneider, tailor), or a characteristic (Grün, green). Also see: Top 50 German Surnames We often forget or are not even aware that some famous Americans and Canadians were of Germanic background. To name just a few: John Jacob Astor (1763-1848, millionaire), Claus Spreckels (1818-1908, sugar baron), Dwight D.

Eisenhower (Eisenhauer, 1890-1969), Babe Ruth (1895-1948, baseball hero), Admiral Chester Nimitz (1885-1966, WWII Pacific fleet commander), Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960, Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals), Thomas Nast (1840-1902, Santa Claus image and symbols for two U.S. political parties), Max Berlitz(1852-1921, language schools), H.L. Mencken (1880-1956, journalist, writer), Henry Steinway(Steinweg, 1797-1871, pianos) and former Canadian prime minister John Diefenbaker (1895-1979). As we mentioned in German and Genealogy, family names can be tricky things. The origin of a surname may not always be what it seems. The obvious changes from the German "Schneider" to "Snyder" or even "Taylor" or "Tailor" (English for Schneider) are not at all uncommon.

But what about the (true) case of the Portuguese "Soares" changing to German "Schwar(t)z"?—because an immigrant from Portugal ended up in the German section of a community and no one could pronounce his name. Or "Baumann" (farmer) becoming "Bowman" (sailor or archer?)... or vice versa? Some relatively famous examples of Germanic-English name alterations include Blumenthal/Bloomingdale, Böing/Boeing, Köster/Custer, Stutenbecker/Studebaker, and Wistinghausen/Westinghouse. Below is a chart of some common German-English name variations. Only one variation of many possible ones is shown for each name. English meanings for many Germanic surnames Source: Americans and Germans: A Handy Reader by Wolfgang Glaser, 1985, Verlag Moos & Partner, Munich Further name variations can arise depending on which part of the German-speaking world your ancestors may have come from. Names ending in -sen (as opposed to -son), including Hansen, Jansen, or Petersen, may indicate northern German coastal regions (or Scandinavia).

Another indicator of North German names is a single vowel instead of a diphthong: Hinrich, Bur(r)mann, orSuhrbier for Heinrich, Bauermann, or Sauerbier. The use of "p" for "f" is yet another, as in Koopmann(Kaufmann), or Scheper (Schäfer). Many German surnames are derived from a place. (See Part 3 for more about place names.) Examples can be seen in the names of two Americans once heavily involved with US foreign affairs, Henry Kissinger andArthur Schlesinger, Jr. A Kissinger (KISS-ing-ur) was originally someone from Kissingen in Franconia, not too far from Fürth, where Henry Kissinger was born. ASchlesinger (SHLAY-sing-ur) is a person from the former German region of Schlesien (Silesia). But a "Bamberger" may or may not be from Bamberg. Some Bambergers take their name from a variation of Baumberg, a wooded hill.

People named "Bayer" (BYE-er in German) may have ancestors from Bavaria (Bayern)—or if they're very fortunate, they may be heirs to the Bayer chemical firm best known for its own German invention called "aspirin."Albert Schweitzer wasn't Swiss, as his name suggests; the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner was born in former German Alsace (Elsass, today in France), which lent its name to a type of dog: the Alsatian (the British term for what Americans call a German shepherd). If the Rockefellers had correctly translated their original German name of Roggenfelder into English, they would have been known as the "Ryefielders." Certain suffixes can also tell us about a name's origin. The suffix -ke/ka—as in Rilke, Kafka, Krupke, Mielke, Renke, Schoepke—hints at Slavic roots.

Such names, often considered "German" today, stem from the eastern parts of Germany and former German territory spreading eastward from Berlin (itself a Slavic name) into today's Poland and Russia, and northward into Pomerania (Pommern, and another dog breed: Pomeranian). The Slavic -ke suffix is similar to the Germanic -sen or -son, indicating patrilinear descent—from the father, son of. (Other languages used prefixes, as in the Fitz-, Mac-, or O' found in Gaelic regions.) But in the case of the Slavic -ke, the father's name is usually not his Christian or given name (Peter-son, Johann-sen) but an occupation, characteristic, or location associated with the father (krup = "hulking, uncouth" + ke = "son of" = Krupke = "son of the hulking one"). The Austrian and southern German word "Piefke" (PEEF-ka) is an unflattering term for a northern German "Prussian"—similar to the southern US use of "Yankee" (with or without "damn") or the Spanish "gringo" for norteamericano.

The derisive term stems from the name of the Prussian musician Piefke, who composed a march called the "Düppeler Sturmmarsch" following the 1864 storming of the ramparts at the Danish town of Düppel by combined Austrian and Prussian forces. Bavaria travel guide - Wikitravel 12 Stay safe Bavaria (German: Bayern) [1] is the largest federal state ("Bundesland" or shortened to Land) of Germany , situated in the south-east of the country, and extends from the North German Plain up to the Alps in the south. Bavaria is what many non-Germans probably have in mind when they think about Germany. Ironically, much of southern Bavaria has more in common culturally with neighbouring Austria and Switzerland than with the rest of Germany. This stereotype includes Lederhosen (leather trousers), sausages and lots of beer - Bavaria, however, has much more to offer to the traveller. Along with the Rheinland and Berlin , it is Germany's most popular tourist destination. Understand[ edit ] Bavarians are the proudest of all Germans. Locals are loyal to their roots and traditions.

Bavaria is also the most autonomous of German states, and many Bavarians see themselves as Bavarians first and foremost, Germans second. The German stereotype of beer drinking, sausage-eating and Lederhosen, is found only in rural Bavaria and mainly in the south and east towards Austria and the Alps or the thick forests that border the Czech Republic and Bohemia. About 60% of Bavarians are Catholic and are usually more conservative than the rest of Germany (or Europe for that matter). Munich , however, is a quite liberal city with a huge number of people from other parts of Germany, Europe, and the world, and it has a large English-speaking community. It can be quite hard to find someone with truly Bavarian origins in the city, as most people come to work there and stay only for a short time. By plane[ edit ] International travellers wishing to visit Bavaria should have no problems to book a flight to Munich , which is home to a large international airport. Alternatively, if there is no direct flight to Munich with your airline, you could book a flight via Frankfurt or Nuremberg and travel to Munich with the ICE high speed train. Furthermore the Airport Memmingen is a low-cost alternative.

From there you can get by bus to Munich and Augsburg. See Germany - Get around by train . From the Czech Republic[ edit ] There are two direct fast trains from Prague to Nuremberg and two to Munich . At Schwandorf station, the trains to Nuremberg have a connection to Munich a vice versa. German railways offer a non-stop bus between Prague and Nuremberg, operating every 2 hours and using the German domestic railway rate. Single tickets are quite expensive when bought at train station. For direct trains you can buy cheaper e-tickets [2] , but at least 3 days in advance. If you travel in a group or you travel to other destination than Nuremberg or Munich, the cheapest variant is a combination of Czech domestic ticket to the border (Furth im Wald Gr., the Gr. means border point) and Bayern-Ticket for the German section (see Get around by train ). The fast trains from the Czech Republic are considered as regional trains in German tariff. From Austria[ edit ] There are plenty of long-distance trains (category EC, ICE and Railjet) from Vienna , Linz , Salzburg , Villach and Klagenfurt .

If you travel in a group and want to save money, use a regional trains with combination of Einfach-Raus-Ticket and Bayern-Ticket . From France[ edit ] There is one daily direct TGV connection between Paris and Munich, with stops in Strasbourg , Stuttgart , Ulm and Augsburg , taking just over six hours. Furthermore there is a night train on that route. From other European countries[ edit ] By train[ edit ] Trains are the main mode of transportation for visitors since they easily connect towns with larger cities. If you're travelling within Bavaria, you can purchase the Bayern-Ticket [3] , which will give you all-day travel in regional trains (categories S, RB, RE and IRE) within Bavaria and even to the border towns of Salzburg , Reutte or Ulm . You can use it also for private trains and most of local buses and city transport. On working days the ticket is valid from 9AM to 3AM the following day. On weekends it is valid from midnight. There are variants of regional Bayern-Ticket [4] : Bayern-Ticket 1 person: €23, 2 people: €28, 5 people: €43.

Bayern-Ticket Nacht €23 € - €31) - for one to five people, valid from 6PM to 6AM the following day (7AM if the following day is weekend or public holiday) Bayern-Böhmen-Ticket [5] 1 person: €25, 2 people: €29,50, 5 people: €43 -- valid also in border regions of Czechia [6] . At Czech territory valid only in trains, not in buses. For general info about network tickets see Germany#Network_tickets . By car[ edit ] Sometimes, this may be the only way to get around, especially deep in the Bavarian countryside. In rural areas, roads are winding, tricky, and sometimes cut dramatically through farmland, but are otherwise EU-standardised and generally well-paved. By foot[ edit ] Travelling around the smaller cities in the countryside by foot can be a rewarding experience, and is easily manageable. Talk[ edit ] Most Bavarians speak standard German; however, in southern Bavaria, outside of Munich, Austro-Bavarian (east) or Swabian (west) is the native language of many.

In the north Franconian is the traditional language but few speakers remain. In the cities (including Munich) standard German is the local language, but Austro-Bavarian-, and Swabian-speakers typically do speak standard German as well (except possibly older people in the far south). Most people speak at least some English or other foreign languages (particularly French), especially the younger generation. See[ edit ][ add listing ] Bavaria has many family-friendly places, as well as those for the younger generations. Places to see include the walled city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber (Rothenburg o.d.T.), Schloss (palace) Herrenchiemsee - Ludwig II's unfinished castle based on Versailles on its own island in the beautiful lake Chiemsee, the historical cities of Nuremberg (Nürnberg) and Regensburg (visit St. Peter's cathedral, which you can't miss as it is the biggest building in Regensburg), Bodenmais (known for it's fine crystal and known as the "Switzerland of Bavaria"), and of course the legendary Neuschwanstein Castle often called the "fairytale castle" - the role model for the "Magic Kingdom" of Walt Disney.

Of course, for kids, there is the Playmobil park near Nuremberg, an indoor Trampoline funpark in Regensburg, and the town of Riedenburg on the Altmühl river that has a castle with daily falconry shows. Also, many towns have some historical features in their limits. There are castle ruins, full castles still being used as residences, local museums, caves, and old mines that most tourists will never see. Some of these are better than the €20 fee to see a boring guided tour at one of the more famous cities in Germany. Why pay a fee for seeing only a small part of the castle when you can find an old castle in the countryside that you can explore on your own and maybe discover something new that has not even been documented? It's sad to see tourists who pay too much money to see "tourist castles" when the price of a rental car and the will to explore can yield many free or cheap sites, which are sometimes better than the overpriced attractions, that limit what you can see or do. Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Bavaria has very good ski and snowboard resorts in the Bavarian Alps and in the Bavarian Forest .

They are much smaller than the resorts in neighbouring Austria or Switzerland, though. They are always well maintained and usually cheaper. The most famous and crowded are in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Oberstdorf. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Hearty Bavarian food on a fancy plate. Left to right: Schnitzel, pork belly (Schweinebauch) with red cabbage (Rotkohl), Weißwurst , mashed potatoes (Kartoffelpüree), Bratwurst on sauerkraut Bavarian cuisine is famous for “Schweinsbraten” (roast pork), “Bratwürstl” sausages, “Nürnberger Bratwurst”, probably the smallest sausage in Germany, “Weißwurst” sausage made from veal, “Leberkäse” (a type of meatloaf), “Schweinshaxe” (grilled pork knuckle) as well as a variety of different “Knödel” (dumplings) and “Kartoffelsalat” (potato salad).

Also in the Oberallgäu, the southwesternmost part of bavaria, the traditional food is “Kässpatzen”, made with much Bavarian cheese. Also, some Gasthaus's have various season specials based on what is available locally at that time. There can be specials like Truffle dishes in the southern mountain areas, specialty mushrooms in the Oberpfalz area, seasonal Salmon dishes on the Donau / Altmuhl river area, local trout specials in all small villages, seasonal asparagus dishes, and during hunting season there are occasional fresh wild boar and venison dishes - Bavaria is a gastronomic wonderland (especially for the meat aficionado)! Beer[ edit ] Beer is something very special for bavarians. It is strongly connected to the so called "Reinheitsgebot" from 1516 which sets the standards for regular beer brewing. The saying "Hopfen und Malz, Gott erhalts" ("Hops and malt, may God preserve them") is well known and seen as a law, even if it never reached the state of this. Bavarian beer is therefore regarded as one of the best brewed beers in the world.

Some Bavarians choose to ironically point at "foreign" beers like the famous "Kölsch" from Cologne or beers from Belgium as "water" respectively "sugared water". Bavarians love their beer. One of the most beloved is the "Weißbier", a cloudy, unfiltered beer brewed with wheat, which is commonly consumed earlier in the day with a Weisswurst and sweet mustard. It's good to know that there exists a special ritual with this beer: Normally it will be served in a special glass, called "Weißbierglas". But if you get the empty glass and the bottle of beer, you have to fill it by yourself: in one step without dropping the bottle. Weissbier is more carbonated than most other beers and produces a lot of foam so it is not easy to fill without spilling something. Bavaria could opt for the title of "holy grail of brewing". Not only is Munich home to Oktoberfest but also the highest brewery density in the world is in the north of the state, in the Franconian region. There, you can find a brewery in almost every village (it is sometimes very small and maintained among a few families).

You can find a lot of local beer specialities, as for instance the "Bamberger Schlenkerla" (a beer with a taste of smoked bacon). So always try to stick with the local beers - especially tasty (and supposedly healthy) are the unfiltered beers (served only in pubs). In summer, you can generally find beer festivals everywhere: not only in the bigger cities but also in the smaller villages; be warned, however, that the beer there is often served in 1 L ceramic glasses called "Maß". The biggest beer festival certainly is the infamous Oktoberfest [7] in Munich, followed by the biannual Nürnberger Volksfest [8] . Also very nice is the Erlanger Bergkirchweih . If you are touring Upper Bavaria in August, you shouldn´t miss the Barthelmarkt in Oberstimm, next to Ingolstadt, one of the oldest traditional Volksfests in Bavaria - it´s kind of an insider tip. You will hardly find foreigners there. On Monday there is a big horse market and the beer tents open already at 5:30 am and they are packed with people at 6:00 am.

Bavaria’s beer garden [9] season starts in mid April and runs right through to October. The shade of ancient horse chestnut trees become a rendezvous for both young and old, rich and not-so-rich, and locals and visitors alike: a place to enjoy a convivial glass of cold beer and some tasty Bavarian snacks. You can even bring your own food (but not drinks). Brandy[ edit ] Germans generally make brandy out of everything (even beer -bierbrand!); most common are the fruit brandies (Obstler) and the herb liqueurs (such as Sechsämtertropfen from northern Bavaria). For a real Altbayerisch feeling, try Bärwurz, Kräuterwurz, or Blutwurz. Wines[ edit ] The north of Bavaria is famous not only for its beer but also for its (white) wines that come in special bottles called "Bocksbeutel" (bottles with a big round yet flat belly). For a sweet treat, try Eiswein (Ice wine), made from grapes that are allowed to stay until the first severe frost and then pressed and made into a very sweet wine.

Stay safe[ edit ] Statistically, Bavaria is one of the safest regions (if not the safest) in Germany and Europe. The biggest threat to your wallet is the (perfectly legal) high price level. Be aware that there is a big difference between the Bavarian police and the police from maybe Hamburg or Berlin. In Berlin, it might not be a problem if they find a few joints in your pocket (because you may carry it for your personal use). In Bavaria, it definitely is a big problem for you. Still, you won't have any problems if you drink alcohol in public as in the rest of Germany. The selling of beer or wine to people under 16 is forbidden, the age limit for spirits is 18. The consuming under these limits is permitted if the child is accompanied by his custodian. So you might find a preschool child sipping from his father's beer mug. German Genealogy: Rheinland-Pfalz/Rhineland-Palatinate Today's Rheinland-Pfalz districts include Koblenz, Montabaur, Rheinpfalz, Rheinhessen and Trier.

In 1900 the Bavarian Rheinpfalz had the following (13) Bezirksaemter (counties): Bergzabern, Frankenthal, Germersheim, Homburg, Kaiserslautern, Kirchheimbolanden, Kusel, Landau, Ludwigshafen, Neustadt/Hardt, Pirmasens, Speyer, Zweibrücken. In 1890, the province of Rheinhessen (cf. History ) had the following (5) Kreise (counties): Alzey, Bingen, Mainz, Oppenheim, Worms. Religious Divisions In 1890 Rheinhessen's (cf. History ) population was 46.3% Evangelical, 49.3% Catholic, 0.3% Jewish. There were Mennonites centered in Uffhofen (72 souls), Ibersheim (233) and Monsheim (280). [1887 figures] Court Districts In 1900, the highest court was the Oberlandesgericht in Zweibrücken.

The lower courts were Landgericht Frankenthal with (6) Amtsgerichte: Duerkheim, Frankenthal, Gruenstadt, Ludwigshafen, Neustadt/Hardt, Speyer. Landgericht Kaiserslautern with (9) Amtsgerichte: Kaiserlautern, Kirchheimbolanden, Kusel, Lauterecken, Obermoschel, Otterberg, Rockenhausen, Winnweiler, Wolfstein. Landgericht Landau with (6) Amtsgerichte: Annweiler, Bergzabern, Edenkoben, Germersheim, Kandel, Landau. Landgericht Zweibrücken with (9) Amtsgerichte: Blieskastel, Dahn, Homburg, Landstuhl, Pirmasens, St.Ingbert, Waldfischbach, Waldmohr, Zweibrücken. In 1890, in the province of Rheinhessen (cf. History ) the highest court in the Grandduchy of Hessen was the Oberlandesgericht in Darmstadt.

The provincial court for Rheinhessen was Landgericht Mainz with (11) Amtsgerichte: Alzey, Bingen, Mainz, Niederolm, Oberingelheim, Oppenheim, Osthofen, Pfeddersheim, Woellstein, Woerrstadt, Worms. Gazetteers Pfalz: After 1871 until modern times, the Pfalz was part of Bavaria. A gazetteer which covers this portion of Rheinland-Pfalz, only, is Ortschaften-Verzeichnis für den Freistaat Bayern: nach der Volkszählung vom 16. Juni 1925 und dem Gebietsstand vom 1. Januar 1928, Herausgegeben vom Bayerischen Statistischsen Landesamt, 1928, München: J.

Lindauersche Universitätsbuchhandlung [Placename Index for the Free State of Bavaria, available as FHL microfilm 924721.] Atlases and Maps FHL microfilm 068814 of the Karte des Deutschen Reiches, scale 1:100000, 1km = 1cm covers Germany for 1914-1917. Topographical Maps (Messtischblaetter 1:25000) and a historical map of 1797 may be purchased from Landesvermessungsamt Rheinland-Pfalz, Postfach 1428, 56073 Koblenz, GERMANY. (Request a map catalog or Kartenverzeichnis.) (D) For the former province of Rheinhessen, topographical maps (Messtischblaetter 1:25000) as well as historical maps may be purchased from Hessisches Landesvermessungsamt, Schaperstr. 16, Postfach 32 49, 65022 Wiesbaden, GERMANY.

(Ask for their map catalog or Kartenverzeichnis) (D) Historical Literature Genealogical Literature Brommer, Peter, Karl Heinz Debus and Hans-Walter Herrmann, ed., Inventar der Quellen zur Geschichte der Auswanderung 1500-1914 in den staatlichen Archiven von Rheinland-Pfalz und dem Saarland [Inventory of the Historical Sources for Emigration from 1500-1914 in the State Archives of the Rhineland-Palatinate and the Saar], 1976, Koblenz, Landesarchivverwaltung Rheinland-Pfalz, 27, Schriften zur Wanderungsgeschichte der Pfälzer, 35 Burgert, Annette Kunselman, Eighteenth-Century Emigrants from German-Speaking Lands to North America, Vol. 2: The Western Palatinate, Publications of the Pennsylvania Dutch Society, 19 (1985) Eger, Dr.

Wolfgang, Die protestantischen Kirchenbücher der Pfalz, 1960 [FHL film 845166 item 2, lists all Protestant churches in the Palatinate] Hacker, Werner, Auswanderungen aus dem früheren Hochstift Speyer nach Südosteuropa und Übersee im XVIII. Jahrhundert [Emigration from the former Hochstift Speyer to Southeast Europe and Overseas in the 18th Century], 1969 Kaiserslautern, Schriften zur Wanderungsgeschichte der Pfälzer, 28 Hacker, Werner, Auswanderungen aus der Rheinpfalz und dem Saarland im 18.

Jahrhundert [Emigration out of the Rhenish Palatinate and Saar in the 18th Century], 1987, Stuttgart, Konrad Theiss Verlag Hacker, Werner, Eighteenth Century Register of Emigrants from Southwest Germany (to America and other countries), Closson Press, 1994, ISBN 1-55856-165-X [includes all the listings from his earlier book Auswanderung aus der Rheinpfalz und dem Saarland and in addition has all the listings from Auswanderung vom Unteren Neckar and all the listings that cite a destination of America from Auswanderung aus dem Hochstift Speyer, Auswanderung aus Baden und dem Breisgau, Auswanderung aus Oberschwaben and Auswanderung aus den Territorien der Reichstadt Ulm, all earlier Hacker books.] Jones Jr., Henry Z., Palatine Families of New York, 2 volumes. P.O. Box 8341, Universal City, CA 91608, USA.

[Includes 16,600 German Immigrants arriving in New York in 1710.] Macco, Hermann Friedrich, Swiss Emigrants to the Palatinate in Germany and to America 1650-1800 and Huguenots to the Palatinate and Germany, Genealogical Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS, [FHL microfilms 0823861 and 0823862] Müller, Dr. Anton, Die Kirchenbücher der bayerischen Pfalz, 1925, München, Theodor Ackermann, [FHL film 415618, lists all Roman Catholic churches in the Palatinate] Scherer, Paul, Auswanderungen aus dem Leyen'schen Amt Blieskastel, 1983, 20 pages. (out of print) Stader, Stefan, Auswanderer nach Südosteuropa im 18. Jh.

/ Nach der Zentralkartei der Heimatstelle Pfalz [Emigrants to Southern Europe in the 18th Century], AKdFf 1978, 199 pp. (out of print) Strassburger, R.B. and Hinke, W.J., Pennsylvania German Pioneers, 2 volumes. Genealogical Publishing Co., Dept. MR, 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21202-3897, USA. [Arrivals at port of Philadelphia 1727-1808. 38,500 names.] Genealogical Newspaper Calendar Gregorian Calendar adoption. The change from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian one was a major one which did not see adoption universally. Thus, in pursuing important dates with respect to ancestors, it can be helpful to know when this change occurred, particularly with respect to church records. The times of change which are known are as follows: Germany (Roman Catholic): 1583-85 Germany (Protestant): 1700-76 French Revolution.

The calendar in France was dramatically changed during the revolutionary period, 1792-1805. This was the calendar used in most places west of the Rhine during the period 1798-1806. A conversion table for this calendar system is provided by Scott E. Lee http:/alogy.org/~scottlee/calconvert.cgi . Customs Databases RHE,PRU,DEU - Rhineland, Prussia USA - United States of America GenDex , WWW Genealogical Index (you can use as a registered or unregistered user; registration is free) Emigration Waves 1689-1697 to Pennsylvania in the United States 1709 a mass exodus hoping to settle in America instead wound up in in various places in Ireland. The largest Irish Palatine group was in County Limerick followed by that of Old Ross, County Wexford.

1750-52 to Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia, Canada 1766, to found the colony of Hirschenhof, Livonia, Russia 1767, 67 Catholic families founded the colonies of Lusk, Porchowo and Frankfurt near Jamburg (Kingisepp), St. Petersburg, Russia 18th century to Donauschwaben regions 1803-5, 1808-10 to the Black Sea region of Russia, also to Galicia from which some traveled further to Volhynia to found the town of Gnidau Mailing Lists TRIER-ROOTS-L: For those whose research interests are in the Archdiocese of Trier southern Rheinland-Pfalz and Saarland. To subscribe, send the following message to mailto:TRIER-ROOTS-L-request@rootsweb.com?subject=rhein-p.html : subscribe Send instead to TRIER-ROOTS-D-request@rootsweb.com to subscribe in digest mode.

Family Research in the Westerwald - Subscripe under: ( Westerwald-l ) Professional Researchers Warren Bittner, located in Salt Lake City, has worked in genealogical research for fifteen years, specializing in German research over the past five and concentrating exclusively on the Palatinate during the past three. May be contacted at warrenb@utah-inter.net . Markus Weidenbach - e-mail: genealogie.mw@gmx.de

Question: Bayern is the German name for which region of Germany?
Answer: Bavaria