Prussia in the 1800’s

The modern state of Germany is quite different to the independent states that existing during the 1800’s when these states cooperated as a loose German Confederation. The Meurer/Heisser family originated in two towns, the Heisser’s from Gottingen in the old Duchy of Brunswick, within the Kingdom (& State) of Hanover**, and about 50 kilometres away to the south, the Meurer’s originated in the town of Gensungen, in the province of State of Hesse, also known as Hesse-Kassel.

(German) Confederated States 1815-1866

Economic conditions in the German states had deteriorated particularly in rural communities. On top of that, a run of very harsh winters made life difficult, and the political effects of the of the 1848 Revolution created the scene for mass migration from large parts of northern Europe to the USA and from 1850 onwards, to Australia.

Available land in the old German states was in short supply, most held in large estates, further increasing the restlessness of the low and middle classes to seek better living conditions.

In 1851 Gold was discovered in New South Wales and at this time farm hands and semi skilled labour rushed to the Goldfields. As a result labour shortages in Australia, the Australian Colonial Government sponsored immigrants from Europe to fill the gap caused by the Gold Rush and the cessation of convict transportation.

Once the emigration started a chain effect begins where the pioneers encourage family and friends to follow, creating an exponential growth from one location to another one location such as the Clarence River region in New South Wales (where Grafton is the principle town).

Most emigration from Germany was from the port cities of Hannover or Bremerhaven.

Port of Bremerhaven, late 1800’s

German History Timeline
German Confederation

** now the modern state of Lower Saxony

A Hessen Genealogy researcher provided this description of the Hessen state in the 1800s

The state of Hessen-Kassel was an absolutely ruled princedom for centuries.

Hessen-Kassel was overcrowded, impoverished and starving most of the time.

This dwarf state, in the middle of Germany, was a constant platform for all European war participants to fight (Thirty Years War, … ..) Swedes, Croats, French, Dutch, Spaniards, Italians, Englaender, Cossacks, Russians,

All epidemics hit the Hessians particularly hard

Unfrequented of subjects, serfdom in Hesse was not abolished until 1881 (after the Napoleonic occupation)

Very few natural resources.
At the Eder near Gensungen gold was panned with little success.
(Eddergold)

The agricultural supply of food was inadequate.

There was a disproportionately large number of forest areas in Hessen

But since the landgraves paid homage to the ostentation throughout, the subjects were squeezed out.
Google „Welt Kulturerbe Kassel”

Absurd: Friedrich II. Landgrave of Hessen-Kassel sells to King George III. from England 12,000 Hessian soldiers.
A “Regiment von Linsingen” took part in this expedition.
(The regiment of is the home of Johann Conrad MEURER around 1800)
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldatenhandel_unter_Landgraf_Friedrich_II._von_Hessen-Kassel

Some ores were mined. Coal mining was profitable, including at Gensungen

Viticulture was also practiced in Northern Hesse.
There are many street names associated with Viticulture:
* In the vineyard
* at the vineyard
* Vineyard.
Until a few years ago Felsberg-Gensungen had the most northerly cultivated vineyard in Germany

Google „(Weinlese am Böddiger Berg)”
The climatic warming is now placing a new location more in the north.

This is a short summary of how I personally describe the history of Ernst MEURER’s home.
If I were of noble origin, I would probably describe history more kindly.

Since my contacts with genealogists who are friends seem exhausted, we should coordinate the further procedure.

In my opinion:
only verifiable facts
no rumors or verbal obscurations

Greetings Walter,
-from the land of the MEURER families-