Friedberg & Bad Nauheim

It was a bitter cold day, although bright and sunny, so we headed to Friedberg with the Ballifs.

The Germans like to spotlight any town where Elvis may have lived or was stationed, even if for a short time.

The churches in the towns we visit are very diverse. Some very ornate and some more simple as this one shows. 

Notice the contrast between the more modern stained glass and the older workmanship.

Funny story, after visiting the church, Valerie thought that her phone was missing. We spent quite a bit of time looking for it and then she had the thought to look in the car. There it was safe and sound. They were about to go to the Polizei to report it missing. She was so embarrassed to have us retracing our steps on the wild goose chase, especially since it was such a cold day.

Even the traffic signals are sporting Elvis!

The Schloss in the town was surrounded by a wall back in history and has some unique architectural features.

Bad Nauheim was just a short drive away, so we headed there with Stan and Valerie Baliff.

Bad Nauheim was used as a residential area for American occupation forces after World War II. Despite its proximity to Frankfurt am Main and Hitler's command complex, Bad Nauheim was totally spared from Allied bombing. American occupants from that time were told that President Roosevelt had loved the town so much from his days there that he ordered it spared. (Wikipedia)

Fulda

We thought it very interesting that there were confessionals in many hallways throughout the cathedral.

Fulda Cathedral is the former abbey church of Fulda Abbey and the burial place of Saint Boniface. Since 1752 it has also been the cathedral of the Diocese of Fulda, of which the Prince-Abbots of Fulda were created bishops. The abbey was dissolved in 1802 but the diocese and its cathedral have continued. The dedication is to Christ the Saviour. The cathedral constitutes the high point of the Baroque district of Fulda, and is a symbol of the town. (Wikipedia)

The white interior combines elements of St. Peter's Basilica and St. John Lateran in Rome. 

The magnificent decoration shows the influence of Roman Baroque. (Wikipedia)

This was the first time we had seen these unique city-specific stop lights just outside the cathedral.

Seligenstadt

The weekend farmers' markets are about the only thing that is normal about being in lockdown. We enjoy getting to see all the cool cities in Germany, but we are ready to do some real traveling.

The gardens in the courtyard will be producing in just a few short months.

Need to get to the other side, just wait for the ferry to take you across.

Record Preservation Project

 Lancashire “Marriage Bonds” Linking Project:

Family Search is looking for VOLUNTEERS to help with the Lancashire Marriage Bonds Linking Project. The volunteers would work their own schedule, from home, using a web browser (no special software required).  The task consists of linking written records in an “Excel-like” table to digital images.  No special computer knowledge is required.  The linking of written records to digital images is an important process in helping families discover their ancestors, by seeing high-quality copies of original documents.

A few months ago, Elder John Sandberg asked me to put the little blurb above in the Wegweiser requesting volunteers to help with the Lancashire Marriage Bonds Linking Project. A few of the senior sisters who had some extra time (including me) were eager to help.

It took a little bit of training and some eye straining, but I am now able to read the writing from these 1775 marriage records. If you read the first sentence in the record below, you see the words these and presents where the "S" in the middle of the word looks like an "F". That is just one of the things I have had to get used to. Reading the cursive and the signatures gets even more interesting.

The goal with this project is to link the digital records seen in the middle of the screen to the information on the right. The date and the spouse need to be verified by scrolling down on the digital record, then the witness and the bondsmen are added in an edit window. 

This is just another way I am able to serve on my mission. I am grateful for the opportunities to learn new skills and help the work of the Lord move forward in small and simple ways.

Another fun connection to this project is that Dave served in Lancashire on his mission.