This letter is from as one of my ancestors as she made the move from Switzerland to America. Because it was originally written in German, it as been transcribed to English. It's a really fascinating glimpse into her experience!
The cursive writing reads:
"Our great-grandmother was 43 yrs old at the time she wrote this letter. She was accompanied by her husband + 8 children ranging in ages 17-3 yrs old when she made this oacian voyage from Laufen Switzerland to New York in 1878.
Our grandmother, Josephine was 9 years old at the time.
There was bitter confusion concerning the Catholic Church in Switzerland and Germany at this time leading to the formation of the sect known as the "Old Catholic Church." This church was then confiscated by the sect which claimed to be the "True Old Catholic Church."
Because of this religious struggle and for economic reasons - Stephen Meyer and his wife Marie Anne (Frey) Meyer came to America settling in Marathon County.
