I'm always looking for ways to incorporate genealogy into my everyday life, even more so at Christmastime. Though arguably the busiest time of year, Christmas puts genealogy at the forefront of my mind. The emphasis on family, memories of past Christmases, my curiosity about traditions from around the world . . . Most years it takes the form of gifts for my grandparents who are all still living (#TBTG) and gift requests on my own Wish List. This year it took the form of decorations and food.
My paternal grandmother's maternal grandparents, Johann Dembowski (John Dembosky) and Luise Schnittka Dembowski (Louise Dembosky) emigrated from Germany (East Prussia) to the United States at the beginning of the 20th Century. They had been on my mind since Thanksgiving when I had been translating some documents at my grandmother's that had been Johann's. This gave me the idea of making something that most likely would have been a Christmas treat for them during their Prussian childhood. I searched the internet for some suggestions and then Pinterest for the recipes. I eventually decided on this Pfeffernüsse recipe from La Fuji Mama.
I literally sweated making them, but so far they've been a success. Even with me. I was wary as I don't generally like gingerbread or cookies flavored with molasses, but perhaps the ancestral connection was enough to overrule my taste buds (this theory is largely fallible as that's never been enough for sauerkraut.) I can't wait to share them with both sets of grandparents at our various Christmas celebrations (both sides of my family have German heritage.) I definitely encourage you to start exploring the culinary side of your ancestry if you aren't already!
Fröhliche Weihnachten!
Fröhliche Weihnachten!