When I first heard about the Amerikakreuz monument in my hometown of Kruft, Germany, I learned that it was dedicated to a particular family from our village – a memorial of their departure for America.
My curiosity was sparked: Who were these people, mentioned by name on a cross in the middle of nowhere? Did they manage to build a new life across the ocean? The connection between Europe and America is part of our shared history – and so began my search for more stories of emigration.
One of these stories is of Doris, who emigrated from Kruft to the United States in 1951, when she was just ten months old. She arrived with her parents, Peter and Katie, in New York City on Christmas Eve of that year. After spending a week in New York, they took their very first flight to Portland, Oregon. Her family settled in Gaston, Oregon, where Aunt Lena, also from Kruft, was already waiting for them.
Leaving post-war Germany
Life in post-war Germany was challenging. Opportunities were scarce, and many young families dreamed of a better future across the Atlantic. Peter was no different. He had already planned his emigration when he met the love of his life. She became pregnant, and soon after, the whole family decided to make the journey to the United States.
They packed their belongings and traveled to Bremerhaven, Germany to board a ship bound for America (If you ever have a chance to go to the Bremerhaven Emigration Center, which offers interactive experiences similar to those of your emigrant ancestors, definitely check it out!). Thousands of Germans made similar journeys during this period, seeking stability, work, and hope. For this family, one critical factor made the move possible: sponsors in the United States.
Sponsors in Wapato, Oregon
Peter’s Aunt Lena, also from Kruft, had married a U.S. soldier during World War I and moved to Oregon. Together with her husband, she owned a small grocery store in Wapato. The aunt and uncle agreed to sponsor the family’s immigration, which was essential for post-war arrivals.
Through their support, the family could make the journey safely and start their new life on the West Coast.
Starting a new life in Forest Grove
Once in Gaston, the family began building their new life. None of them spoke English. They faced the challenges of adapting to a new culture, navigating daily life, and finding work in unfamiliar surroundings.
Doris recalls that her father was a trained electrician, but he had to work hard to earn his U.S. license. In the meantime, he took on jobs for local farmers and other community members – both to support his family and to learn the language. Step by step, they built a new life far from home.
A visit home – and Döppekoche
Here in Germany, I really enjoyed interviewing Doris in the cozy living room of her 86-year-old aunt, where she stays during her visits to Kruft. We shared memories, laughter – and discovered that we both have the same favorite food: Döppekoche.
However, perhaps not everything made the journey to America. A part of the family’s heart has remained in Kruft to this day.
Maintaining connections to Kruft
The story of this family illustrates the deep ties between small towns in Germany and communities across the U.S. It also highlights the role of relatives who had moved earlier, serving as sponsors and guiding newcomers.
Through my Instagram and Facebook projects, I’ve been documenting these connections. Every interview adds a new thread to the tapestry of German-American history, revealing personal experiences behind historical migration.
Why stories like this matter
German emigration didn’t end in the 19th century. After World War II, many families sought stability and opportunity abroad. These are not distant figures in history – they are parents, grandparents, and sometimes still-living community members whose experiences shape today’s cultural connections.
By sharing their stories, we honor their courage and preserve a living history. The journey from Kruft to Oregon shows how individual decisions, family support, and perseverance combine to create lasting legacies.
Reflection
Visiting the Amerikakreuz in Kruft, I often think of the families whose lives were transformed by emigration. The cross itself, erected in 1840, is a reminder of the enduring connections between Germany and America.
Every family story is a piece of the German-American mosaic. Sharing these histories ensures they are remembered and appreciated. If you know a story like this, let us know in the comments – these personal narratives are what keep our shared history alive
About the Author
Sarah Schäfer is a writer and researcher from Kruft, Germany. She runs the Instagram and Facebook project @amerikakreuzkruft, exploring German-American migration stories through local history, food, and culture. Her work highlights the personal side of emigration – one family at a time. As part of the project, she researches the individuals named on the Amerikakreuz monument in Kruft, as well as their descendants – though not all have yet been found.
11 Responses
Thanks for sharing this interesting story. My 3rd-great-grandfather, George Schaefer, emigrated from near this area in 1854. (He was born in Obertiefenbach, only about 35 miles southeast of Kruft. He was a carpenter and wagon maker who settled in the farming community of Farmington, where he married the daughter of other German immigrants.
sorry, that’s Farmington, Iowa, USA
How wonderful – I think it’s especially cool that your ancestor was also named Schaefer! Thank you so much for sharing his story. Our regions are so closely connected, and it’s exactly these kinds of family histories that I’m researching around the Amerikakreuz in Kruft. I’d be delighted if we could continue the exchange by email – for example, to share photos and more details. You can reach me at: Amerikakreuz-kruft@gmx.de
Hi Sarah, I too immigrated from Berlin in 1952, which we went to Bremerhaven to board our ship to Brooklyn, NY. My parents had a sponsor, the Norwegian Hospital, which they were employed there, my mother was a nurse’s aide and my father worked for a printer. My parents did not speak a word of English or understand it. It was quite challenging for us. My first time to summer camp at Norge in Rockland County, NY, which is where I first learned speak my first English words. It was a wonderful summer, until I sprained my ankle very badly. The counselor’s use to carry me to the mess hall. The summer was over return home with excitement, I couldn’t to speak to my parent in English. They later signed up for school to learn how to speak English. We moved several times and winded up in the Bronx, NY, living there for 7 years , then to Rockland County, NY. One day in my travels on one of the back roads I discover an old, faded sign that said Camp Norge. Growing up I never knew where this camp was. Called my mother up immediately, next day I took to see the sign, she couldn’t believe her eyes. It’s been a wonderful journey. I now retired to the Adirondack Mountain with my husband and son. I also have a sister-in-law who used to live in Kruft Germany.
Thank you so much for sharing your story – that is truly fascinating! May I ask how old you were when you emigrated in 1952? And what an incredible coincidence that you even have a family connection to Kruft – that’s amazing! I would really love to stay in touch and exchange more with you about these experiences. You can reach me anytime at: amerikakreuz-kruft@gmx.de
Although my Rhinehart ancestors I haven’t discovered where they immigrated from, I love that you are doing this for your German town immigrants that left. Wonderful! Who would have thought markers would be in existence to commemorate this huge change in the lives of the immigrants that left their relatives behind.
It is indeed difficult to trace exactly where ancestors came from. In the U.S. records it often just says ‘Germany,’ or earlier even simply ‘Prussia.’ The exact hometown didn’t matter anymore after crossing the ocean. It actually took me months to find part of the Amerikakreuz family. What helped was trying the Americanized versions of German names – for example, Johann Joseph became John Joseph. Maybe it could work the other way around for your search as well.
If you’d like to share more of your family’s story with me, I would be very happy to stay in contact via amerikakreuz-kruft@gmx.de
How can I find out if the town in Germany, where my ancestors came from might have an Amerikakreuz?
The Amerikakreuz is unique in Germany. It is indeed very difficult to find out exactly where your ancestors came from. If you have their exact birth dates and the wife’s maiden name, this information can usually be found in church records. Also, the port of departure can give a clue about the region. For example, in 1840 there was no train connection from Cologne to Hamburg, so people from the Rhineland or further south would have traveled to America via Le Havre or Rotterdam.
If you’d like to share your family story, I would be very happy to stay in contact. You can reach me anytime at amerikakreuz-kruft@gmx.de
Wonderful story and one that can be told by so many. Thanks for sharing.
This is such a great project! I love the idea of connecting communities through the people who left one for the other. In my small town in Idaho, USA, there is an elderly woman who probably immigrated after WWII, similar to the story you have shared. I haven’t met her personally yet. I should look her up and meet her! Thanks for sharing your amazing project!