I have a book named 'Lands of the German Empire and Before', by Wendy K
Uncapher, published by Origins (4327 Milton Ave, Janesville WI 53546;
608-757-2777), Second printing was in Jan 2000. This book has an unbelievable amount
of information about each of the areas/provinces of "Germany'', including
maps, history, timelines, names of towns and kreis'. It wasn't expensive, but
will definitely add value to anyone's genealogy reference library. The
timelines are especially important, because of the changes in control for
different parts of each province. It wasn't unusual for one small part of a
province to be controlled by an entity far away. (I think it helped me explain a
French sounding surname in an area in northern 'Germany' not bordering
France........it was controled by Napoleon for a short time.)
Linda Schwiesow Nycum
North Palm Beach FL