Welcome to our personal genealogy journey, a culmination of over two decades of research into our family's history, predominantly sourced from primary documents, and enriched by the insights of DNA testing. This endeavor has been more than just tracing names and dates; it's been a exploration of discovery and connection.
Our roots extend back to the heartlands of Europe, where the Zander family originated in Posen and Pomerania in West Prussia, regions now situated in Poland. While other members of the Zander family dispersed across the globe, our ancestor embarked on a unique path to the sun-drenched arid land of South West Africa in the early 1900s, carving a livelihood as a cattle rancher.
Meanwhile, the Forster lineage, originally from Switzerland, found its way to the Saarland and Pfalz regions, now part of Germany. While many later pursued opportunities in the United States, our Forster ancestor's sense of adventure brought her to South West Africa.
My research is ongoing, so do check back from time to time for updates.
Please contact me if you have any corrections or additions, or if you have found anything on this website useful for your own genealogy. I'd love to hear from you!
Icon Key for this Database
 | Ancestor of Helene Erika Paula Bachmann |
 | Indicates a photo for a person |
 | Indicates an immigrant |
 | Ancestral Couple confirmed by DNA testing |