history of luxembourg - genealogy

[itinerants]

In the process of researching my family tree, I've traced the line back to "Luxemberg, Germany." My assumption has always been that this refers to the nation state or Duchy of Luxembourg. I'm now questioning this.

I've also noticed that many other families record birthplaces of ancestors as "Luxemberg, Germany" so the term must have had some political or social significance in the middle 1800s.

As far as I can discover, in the relevant period (1820/1860) the Duchy of Luxembourg was not under German authority. I now wonder whether Germany has (or had) a village named Luxemberg.

Does anyone know of such a town or village in Germany, or alternatively throw some light on Luxembourg's history which would help to explain why some emigrants refer to Luxemberg, Germany?

Help greatly appreciated.

[jno]

it was a member of the German confederation, and later the Zollverein, a sort of tax union with Germany, so it may well be what is now the duchy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg

I can't find a Luxemberg. These aren't alternative spellings usually: a burg is a town (originally a castle), a berg is a mountain, and they're pronounced differently in German.

[itinerants]

Thanks for the response - I didn't think to look in Wiki.

The map showing dates of partition could hold the key. My ancestor was born around 1827, 12 years after part of Luxembourg ceded to Prussia (Germany). Inhabitants of the region would probably still feel allegiance to the old government while legally recognising the new.

I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has been through a similar search. Thanks again.

[dot.hawkes]

Hiya, i assume that it is from rthe census returns that you have found this birthplace, is it possible that you are readins Saxe-Coburg, Germany as the place written on the census? I have done alot of research involving the German sugar bakers in london and I have not seen Luxemburg recorded that i can recall, I am just wondering if it is perhaps written so as to look like Luxemberg? Saxe-Coburg was one of the places from which many many did come to Rngland from, especially as their Prince became the Royal Consort, if you are 100% sure it is Luxemberg though, that would be unusual.

[itinerants]

Hi - good thought - but I'm pretty confident that luxemberg is the correct spelling. Also, I've seen several other instances of the same word in the records of others.

However, the thought of being related to the Royal Family is appealing.....but I think they'd be disappointed.

Thanks for the idea.