Peggy Lu Schwister from Michegan in America was tracing her ancestry and knew that they originated from Weilerswist in Germany. She searched the Internet and found from www.whitnash.co.uk that Weilerswist was twinned with Whitnash.

Peggy emailed Alastair MacFarlane from the Twinning committee, asking if he knew anyone in Weilerswist who could help her and her cousin Joanne Clark Keane trace their ancestors, who emigrated to America from Weilerswist in 1845-6. They had been unable to contact anyone in Weilerswist who could help them.

They were to visit Germany on July 25th for a little over two weeks and intended to go to Weilerswist for a couple of days at the end of their visit.

Peggy's great-great-great-great-great grand parents, Christian and Anna Schwister were born in 1768-1830. Their son Henry emigrated to America in 1845. Peggy and Joanne are descendants of their son Jerome who emigrated in 1846.

In 1930 a family named Schaefer was living in the old Schwister home. Several Schwisters were living in nearby Friesheim at the time. Peggy wanted to know if any distant cousins were still living in Weilerswist and if the old home was still standing.

Jim Byrne contacted his friend Inge Benstem in Weilerswist who said she would make enquiries. Inge then contacted Peggy giving her address and phone number telling Peggy to visit when she comes to Weilerwist. Peggy and Joanne have since visited her and that she spent a wonderful two days taking them all around Weilerwist and Bruhl. Inge had found the old house and some family members. However as Peggy and Joanne could not speak German Inge was quite worn out speaking English all the time. Although Inge's English is quite good she was exhausted.

Stories like this make Twinning worthwhile.

An interesting fact is Peggy's family name Schwister derives from the river Swist which runs through Weilerswist.