Bavaria (Bayern) Emigration and Immigration

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Emigration from Bavaria to the United States
From Bavaria most German emigrants originated, above all from the Palatine area. The reason for emigration was hunger. In Bavaria Anerbenrecht (inheritance law) was prevalent. This meant that farms were divided among heirs, leaving each with small parcels of land which could not support a family. Those who had emigrated before wrote letters of hope: in America it was possible through hard work to forge a stable existence. For many, emigration was the opportunity of a lifetime but not easy to come by. The authorities did everything imaginable to thwart emigration efforts. Officials demanded proof of no debts or being released legally from guardianships, for instance. How did one obtain a passport? In 1829 a potential emigrant could apply for permission to leave the country at the mayor’s office. The secretary forwarded such an application to the higher administration, called Bezirksamt. This office checked with the mayor’s office if taxes had been paid by the applicant which amounted to about 10% of a man’s monthly income. No man was able to leave the fatherland without completion of military duties or release from such. When this hurdle was taken, the next document to be produce was a visa from the consulate where the embarkation took place. At this point also, the authorities needed to see a document which ensured that a person or a family had a financial cushion to see them through the ordeal of resettlement. Afterwards, the proof of admission as US citizens had to be generated. Not everyone left according to official demands. In some instances, just as many or more left illegally. Many emigrants chose to embark in the French harbor LeHavre. If emigrating legally, they chose to leave in groups rather than face the journey alone with good reasons. They were able to support each other in many ways, provide nourishment both physically and emotionally. Most emigrants from Bavaria arrived in New York, where they hoped to meet relatives or friends or from where they had better chances to reach their destinations. If emigrants arrived in New Orleans, they went per boat to St. Louis from which they went further west. The later the emigrants arrived the further westward they had to go in order to get land free of charge.

Source: http://www.glaserie.net/index.php?id=36

Here is a link to emigrants from Bavaria to America

Emigrants from Berchtesgarden

Emigrants from the Pfalz 

Emigrants from Frammersbach