My ancestor Johann Leonhard Schl�pp was born in Frankfurt or Markt Taschendorf, Franconia, in 1748 and emigrated to New York in 1766. Frankfurt, located about two miles southwest of Markt Taschendorf, is said to have about fifty houses today. Both towns are located in the district (Kreis) of Scheinfeld and the province of Mittelfranken (Central Franconia). Frankfurt is in the Evangelical (Lutheran) parish of Obersteinbach and Markt Taschendorf is in the Evangelical parish of Taschendorf. Johann Leonhard Schl�pp probably belonged to the Reformed Church.
I'm writing a short history of the Schl�pp family and would like to include some information on Frankfurt, Markt Taschendorf and Central Franconia. Can anyone give me a brief description of these towns or point me to a Web site or book with more information? I am interested in things such as the terrain, industry, farming and the primary crops. Can we speculate on the reasons Leonhard might have decided to leave Franconia?
I apologize for not writing in German, but feel free to reply in German. Thanks for any help.
Rick Crume
Glyndon, Minnesota, USA