Family Links

Dresden excursion, family links to Napoleon and ceramic‘s that turn into family traditions


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In this episode, we are finally getting into our own family history. We will start with our mom‘s side and it takes us to the beautiful city of Dresden in 1781. Tobi & Katharina explore our connection to the city and its history through the Thormeyer Family and a potential connection to Napoleon. Another connection brings us outside of Dresden to a city called Meissen and their famous fabrication. We connect some of our family history to family traditions, which we assume does probably often happen in many families around historical facts, events, brands or specific items. Finally, both Tobi and Katharina share from their different perspectives how exploring this part of their family history has impacted their identity and belonging. 

  • A little more info on the city of Dresden - https://www.britannica.com/summary/Dresden-Germany
  • Here is some brief information on the Dresdener Kreuzkirche: https://visitsaxony.com/poi/dresden-kreuzkirche-dresden
  • Dresdener Frauenkirche is discribed as “the distinctive sandstone dome—known as the “Stone Bell”—dominated the skyline for two centuries when Dresden was considered to be Europe's most beautiful city and the Frauenkirche the jewel in the crown. The Frauenkirche withstood the Seven Years' War, the 1813 Battle of Dresden, and the Revolutions of 1848.” This quote is from this website where you can also find more info on the Frauenkirche https://www.britannica.com/place/Frauenkirche-church-Dresden-Germany
  • Here is a picture of Gottlob Friedrich Thormeyer - https://sachsen.museum-digital.de/object/16624. He also has Wikipedia page
  • Here is a picture of and more info on the Brühlsche Terrasse: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brühl%27s_Terrace
  • There is obviously a lot of resources out there on Napoleon. Here is a Wikipedia article on one of his visits to Dresden that I thought was interesting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_of_Dresden_(1812)
  • If you want to see Meissner Porzellan, just go to their website. This stuff is still cool. Here is the link to their website. This particular one will send you to their history. But browse the rest of the website… maybe you end up in their store?!? https://www.meissen.com/net/geschichte
  • Katharina describes what we mean by East and West Germany really well. Just thought I’d add an article to read as well that I found interesting: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54370658
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