Day 21 Glandorf, Germany - The Motherland 

Joan's View

We only had about 21 miles to ride to get to Glandorf today. We were about to attach the paniers to the bike when Tony noticed that we had yet another flat on the back tire. He started the tire changing process, and once again, the air pump was not working. It looked like we might have to wait until the bike shop down the street opened at 10:00, but Tony kept at it and fixed both. He replaced the rear tire as well this time because there is now a slit in the rubber of the existing tire. I placed some super glue on the slit to see if we can use it in an emergency during which I also managed to get some super glue on my hand. 

Trying to get the new tire on

The ride took us through lots of rural areas and small towns ending in "dorf." We stopped in Ostbevern so that I could check out their church because Ostbevern is another area where lots of our ancestors once lived.

We started to see road signs for Glandorf but had to stop when we found the first actual village sign. We found out later that the words "Glannerup" under Glandorf is the Plattdutsch version of Glandorf. They had to go to great lengths with the government to get approval for that wording and may be the only town right now that has an official Plattdutsch name.

Arriving at the home of our guests, Andreas & Margaret Pues, we really hit the jackpot. The Pues are super welcoming and so interesting. Margaret made a delicious lunch for us that we got to enjoy in the shade of their backyard. Margaret is also learning Plattdutsch so we called my Mom and the two shared a little "Platt" with each other. Mom was super surprised seeing how it was 8:00 in the morning for her.

Heading into the square in Glandorf, the Pues showed us the rock that was dedicated in 1978 to celebrate the 900 years since Glandorf was formed, according to records at that time. It also happens to be the same year that the first group from Glandorf, OH, of which I took part, traveled to Glandorf, Germany and stayed with hosts there.

From there, the Pues took us to the historical/cultural center in Glandorf, which is relatively new. Frank Niermann was our tour guide and is also in charge of the huge database with the names of all of the records in Glandorf, Germany. Tony has grandparents with name Pues. It is possible that he & Andreas are related. Frank took a quick look into the database to see if he could provide more information about the Catherine Pues that is in Tony's genealogy, but there were so many hits that he is going to research it and get back to me. They are also in the process of teaching some people in Glandorf, OH how to access the Glandorf, Germany database online.

Frank, Margaret & Sebastian in the main room.

The building that houses this cultural center for Glandorf was at one time a storage facility for grain, straw and hay that the farmers had to pay as a tribute to the owners of the water mills. Every year the tribute or charge was increased which increased the burden to the poorer farmers. This was during the Middle Ages. Part of the building was also a store for farmers to buy the necessities like butter and salt. Another room housed a seamstress that provided clothing services. Since the farmers rarely made the trip into town, it was more of a do it all building.

It was on this tour that we got to meet Gabby Bredel, a local interpreter, and Sebastian Gottlober, an administrator of a nearby school. Dr. Darla Lammers so graciously connected me with Sebastian because they know him well from his visits to Glandorf, OH, and from the visits made by the Lammers' sisters and their husbands to Glandorf, Germany. Thanks cousins! You are awesome!

In the center is an ancient, but still working clock that was previously in the church. 

Gabby in the front

Also, we got to see the research rooms that house the original records. 

Frank showed us some of the maps of the area. One map was an overlay of modern Glandorf with Glandorf in the 1700s. Tony zoomed in on the area where a Schroeder family still has a farm today.

The Schroeder farm all in the middle

Frank also showed us the 1978 Ottawa-Glandorf commemorative coin given to them from Glandorf, OH.

After that fantastic tour, we took a cool beverage break back on the 1st flour before walking to the church. An interesting fact that Frank shared was how this one corner of the church was once a fire station and a jail for drunks and the like. The priest back then really wanted that all moved away from the church so after much effort, that section was torn down and a new section was built to house a christening room. We laughed because we are guessing that some of Tony's ancestors probably spent time in the old jail. 

The main entrance

The beautiful ceiling in the christening room.

The oldest piece of artwork in the church.

Outside of the church is a grassy area that is used for multiple purposes today including festivals and soccer games. Even more interesting is that this was the original cemetery. dating back to the beginning of Glandorf. There are about 35,000 bodies buried in the small space. No kidding. 
Frank said that sometimes when they need to dig to put in a post, or do some setup for a festival, they will find skulls and bones.

From there we walked to Andreas & Margaret's new house that they built in 2018. Their relatives live there now, but they are planning to move in October. Tony was fascinated at the 28" thick outside walls, and the other German building techniques/requirements. I loved their garden that Margaret created by moving plants from their current house which originally belonged to her parents.

Love their backyard!

Checking out the Pues new house.

Walking a little farther, Frank showed us one of the oldest markers in Glandorf. It is one of the stone crosses that designates the spot where people from that countryside would meet the priest for a funeral. It is estimated to be from around the year 800, and there are only 2 places in the world where this type of stone can be found. We teased Andreas that it is almost as old as him.

Which is older?

We were all getting hungry by then, so the Pues took us to a restaurant in nearby Bad Iburg. There was no restaurant open on Tuesdays in Glandorf besides the takeout pizza places. Of course, our food was delicious. 

Tony's Extras

We did hit the jackpot with the Pues. First thing they did was get me a beer and our relationship just flourished. Later Margret bought me some ice cream. Glandorf Germany is awesome.

While in town, we went to a bicycle shop, and got 2 new tubes and a backup pump just in case. After the troubles we are having with the pump, I decided to have a backup. If it doesn't work on the road, we would have some real walking to do.

Joan's research before coming here found that at least one, maybe two of my Dad's Great Grandparents are from this area. Pretty cool when you look at it that way. So much history here. I did like the survey records from 1728 of Glandorf, being the great surveyor that I am. 🤣🤣

The picture above Joan described of the Schroeder Farm is zoomed in from this map.